Exploring the Ancient Baltit Fort in Hunza Valley: A Journey through Time
Today, I am going to teleport you to the Baltit Fort Hunza Valley that is located in the heart of Hunza Valley of Gilgit Baltistan – one of the best Tourist Attractions in Pakistan to visit. This fort, being a very old structure, can make people get a glimpse of what history was like and allow them to feel the culture of the place. The Baltit Fort with it location and architecture reflects how people at such height constructed their defensive integral structures; and were resourceful enough to occupant it.
Meaning of Baltit and Altit
The word ‘Baltit’ in derived from Balti language and its literal translation is ‘this side’; just adjacent to Baltit Fort is Altit Fort with its translation meaning ‘that side’. These forts were aptly named because of their geographical location; standing as sentinels over the valley they were fortresses which protected its people from the intruders. Today both these forts have become very famous structures, falling under the Places to Visit in Hunza that a traveler should not miss seeing.
Challenging Trek towards the Fort
Just to reach Baltit Fort one has to take a challenging trek. From the Karimabad Bazaar, it is uphill to the fort and the uninhibited scenic beauty of the Valley unfolds in all its majesty. Karimabad is an enchanting bazaar, capable of melting the tourist cash in mere no time with handicrafts and artisanal products, the finest traditional Hunza shawl and embroider Kali shawls, herbs and dry fruits. The main appeal that one can get from the market is some sort of cultural experience because the market does portray the actual lives of the people of Hunza.
Watch my Vlog on Baltit Fort Hunza Valley
When you get to the Karimabad Bazaar</shttp://trong>, you will realize that the turn to Baltit Fort is quite up a mountain. Although it may not be easy particularly with such slants that some people are used to, it is of course rewarding. If you are ready for the challenge and your legs permit then I can only encourage you to take a walk.
A walk through the narrow alleys of the old market made up of small shops and selling traditional items is quite an atmosphere that you cannot afford to miss though for the less adventurous there are Jeeps always standby to ferry visitors to the top of the fort. Imported goods from china were the major items that used to dominate the market in Karimabad Bazaar before outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the variety, you could pretty much find everything needed for a day to day life to specific souvenirs.
However, this has faced a major challenge in the recent past because the borders have been closed and this means that Chinese products are not available in the market. However, getting the locally produced commodities which are unique to the Hunza valley can be quite an amazing shopping experience.
Small Restaurants and Shops on Road
The movement will ascend towards the historical Fort; on the way you will find small restaurants serving hot and tasty foods of Hunza valley. One food to taste that is offered here is the **chap shoro, ** which can be prepared from freshly minced yak or the mountain goat meat. It is almost similar to what we get in keema Naan in punjab but there is a certain taste that no one else can imitate.
A delicacy just like this; you wouldn’t want to see yourself eating burgers and other fast foods including shawarma again once you have had a taste of chap shuro. And if you get tired in the process, run to a juice box with apricot juice and in several seconds this juice will charge you. This is one that is taken and has a sweet taste; it is available only in the Hunza Valley.
As you might have noted, the Altit Fort is older by about 300 years than the Baltit Fort: Altit Fort: 1100 Years old Baltit Fort: 800 Years old Historically, the region is said to have been inhabited around 400 B. C. by people from Tibet called the Huns who constructed these forts for their chieftains.
As this territory is in the Hindu Kush Mountains which are considered among some of the most hazardous in the world, this sector is highly dangerous. For this reason the forts were designed to sustain disasters such as earthquakes in order to protect the inhabitants. Amazingly, these forts are still standing to this date even after several centuries of constant earthquakes which is a clear indication of a pretty rich expertise and foresight of the builders.
Read Also This Blog on Fort
Gallows for Culprits in Fort
In the forts, there is the rebels’ prison and the watchtowers for the guards. Earlier, it was the practice to push the rebels down the walls of the fort as a punishment for rebellion. The forts also have civil establishments having utensils carved in stones, which are nearly three centuries old but are still in production. The above artifacts provide an insight of how people lived in the region several centuries ago.
Looking at these fortifications, one can single out the view that opens from there as one of the most impressive sights. The view of fortress on the entrance from the side of Egypt looking towards the local mountains such as Rakaposhi, Hunza Peak, Passu Cones, Duiker Village and the Lady Finger Peak. These beautiful views are something that the Baltit Fort Hunza Valley must be on ones list of things to do if you are a traveler visiting Things to Do in Gilgit.
The Baltit Fort is not just a monument, there is life in the site. As you begin your journey in the fort, the first thing that you will see is the room for livestock. This room provides knowledge on how people lived in this fort with focus on just surviving the terrible climate in the mountains.
Similar rooms are found in other forts of the Gilgit Baltistan including the Khaplu Fort that I have recently visited. In his/her guide, the author stated that animals such as yaks that are furred and used to stand cold weather were kept in these rooms. The heat produced by the animals would warm the whole room a perfect heating substitute for the guards with no need for an additional source of warm. Considered that during the time of heavy snow failures people had no enough firewood, this kind of heating was essential for the inhabitants of the fort to survive.
The position of Baltit Fort can be described as stunning. Situated along the ridge the fort provides a picturesque view of the entire valley making it easier to observe the surrounding environment for possible threats. However, I could not see the Altit Fort in this trip due to time limitations but I will consider it the next time around. There’s a rather interesting anecdote about the Altit Fort – there is a path that spirals down to the river
– and it was used as a place to punish wrongdoers, especially for betrayal. There are no signs of life anywhere on this dark path; sharp stones are placed along it to make surviving almost inconceivable for anyone who has been thrown down this path. It is a feature which I have not observed in any other fort but hanging gallows were present in many of them.
Enjoy as much as You can
If you get a chance to visit Hunza, I will suggest you walk through it and also jeep through it. This way you can get to experience the local flavor, shop for the horns and hides of ibex and other rings made of these or even get to take a little walk. While on the other hand a jeep ride provides different type of fun, which enhances and contributes towards the total enjoyable experience of the environment of Hunza valley. Each of these experiences is special and should not be missed out on.
One of the best place to visit in Hunza Valley
Baltit Fort is definitely one of the most popular Gilgit Baltitistan Places to Visit in Pakistan. The place is significant as it has historical significance; it is culturally rich and packed with natural beauty to give any visitor a memorable experience. For those who are interested, I have recorded a complete video of my visit to Baltit Fort and you can watch this in my vlog and you may visit my blog where I have place the link on it. I wish you the same entertaining and informative visit to the fort as I had.
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