The Ultimate Gilgit Baltistan Travel Guide
Introduction
Welcome to the Gilgit Baltistan Travel Guide, the travel portal that would help you uncover this blessed land that is one of the most beautiful places on the face of Earth. Their home based in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush, Gilgit-Baltistan remains a heavenly region characterized by towering mountains, clear water bodies and virgin valleys. Cultural experiencing, adventurous or e natural encountering is simply paradise for many people in this part of the world. Whether it is your Skardu Valley Travel Guide or the plans to visit Hunza, this complete guideline will be beneficial for you in a way or the other.
Reaching Gilgit-Baltistan: Hence, directing to the flights and the KKH or the Karakoram Highway that structuralizes Rambo’s fantastic imperialism.
Your journey to Gilgit-Baltistan can begin in two exciting ways: it can be through an aerial tour lasting a day flying from Islamabad to Skardu Valley or a car drive on the KKH. The flight is often described as one of the most beautiful ones in the world and the passengers will get to see some of the highest mountains of the Earth. However, if you want it to be more exquisite, then, it is prove to be equally rejuvenating traveling through the KKH, referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. It will remains the world’s highest paved international road where visitors will marvel at scenery of dramatic mountains as the road leads to Gilgit.
Exploring Gilgit: It will therefore be referred to as the Hub of Adventure.
Gilgit is usually the first station that most tourists set their sight on when planning to visit Gilgit Baltistan. This is a colorful town that is located at the junction of the major trade centers of the ancient world, which makes it very historical and interesting. The Gilgit Bazaar is the place to visit where there are other attractions which include shopping for souvenirs, and dry fruits, woolen shawls and other specialty of Gilgit region. Another place that visitors cannot afford to miss when in Gilgit is Kargah Buddha which is a rather old rock sculpture which depicts the region’s Buddhist cultural influence.
Some amazing day trips trigger out from Gilgit, the small town is surrounded by beautiful areas. Nalter valley is also within one and half hour drive from Gilgit and famous for skiing site in winter seasons and beautiful lakes in summer seasons. In other words, in Gilgit for adventure is always around the corner while for relaxation there is as well.
Hunza Valley: This is potentially the Crown Jewel of Gilgit Baltistan.
It’s pity if there is no section on Hunza Valley in any Gilgit Baltistan Travel Guide. Situated in the lap of mountains, this place is called as “ShangriLa” this place has Snow captivating beauty besides its record of Long living citizens. The valley has ancient structures namely Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, both of which overlook the valley below.
Another beauty that is nicely located is the Attabad Lake in Hunza. It is a newly emerged lake after the disastrous landslide that occurred in April 2010 and it is colored in a surreal blue. This is especially so if you are out in a boat or having a day full of resting by the water body. This place was especially interesting and breathtaking especially for the view of the town; Karimabad– the heart of Hunza and its modern art as well as local foods were excellent. Do not leave without having apricot from the northern area of the country specifically the Hunza valley as well as natural sweet Cherries.
The Legendary Karakoram Highway
In fact the Karakoram highway is not simply a route but a journey all by itself. This world famous highway links Pakistan with China and takes one over some of the most impressive and isolated terrains of the globe. On the way, one gets to see giants such as the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and the Pamir as well as the historic Indus River and Tank Carvings. The road also leads to such strategic areas such as Khunjerab Pass which is the world’s highest paved border crossing.
The KKH runs through the picturesque Skardu Valley that is among the famous places to visit in Gilgit Baltistan. For the traces of lush greenery, virgin lakes, snowcapped mountains and immense plains, Skardu is nothing less than a delight for the trekkers as well as the nature lovers.
Skardu Valley Travel Guide: As you will see this is the gateway to the world’s highest peaks and some of the country’s most fascinating ancient histories.
Yes, dear reader the real adventure starts in Skardu Valley. Besides being the starting point to K2 and other gigantic mountains of the world Skardu is a central point for adventure lovers. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for the ordinary toursits as is evident in Skardu. The valley is itself picturesque with crystal clear lakes, historical forts as well as plains where one can go for a tour.
Must-Visit Attractions in Skardu Valley: Must-Visit Attractions in Skardu Valley:
– Shangrila Lake (Lower Kachura Lake: Also known as “The Garden of God” or more appropriately “Heaven on Earth,” this lake is probably one of the most beautiful sites in Skardu. The neighboring Shangrila Resort provides a kind of peaceful from the noise, from which one can go boating or simply appreciate the scenery.
– Sheosar Lake: Situated in the Deosai National Park this is one of the highest lakes in the world. Sheosar Lake is famous for its crystal clear water and the huge plains of the area and thus attracts many tourists interested in the nature.
– Satpara Lake: It is one of the several fishing and boating sites which provide stunning scenery and still water ambiance.
Exploring Skardu’s Hidden Gems: Let me introduce two more amazing places of the region and the country that attract the tourists – Shigar Valley and Khaplu Valley.
All the same, Skardu valley is not the only show stopper here in Gilgit-Baltistan, there are other places of similar beauty not exposed to the tourism department campaign yet. As to the latter, one of the gems is Shigar Valley that can be reached in a couple of hours’ drive from Skardu. In this valley there is an ancient fortress Shigar Fort which was built in the seventh century and has been recently converted into a unique hotel. Apricot cultivation and beautiful scenery of the Karakoram Range is another point of interest of the valley.
Also Read This Azad Kashmir Travel Guide
Besides, Khaplu Valley is an interesting place to visit as well for lovers of charming valleys situated far from densely-populated regions. Together with beautiful views of green landscape, Khaplu has places of historical interest like the Chaqchan Mosque which is among the oldest mosques of the area and Khaplu Fort. Khaplu is also used a base camp along with trekking to Mashabrum peak and other mountainous trips.
Deosai National Park: It is very well known as the Land of Giants.
Deosai National Park must be visited and that is where your Skardu Valley Travel Guide must be complete. This is a place where locals call it the “Land of Giants”, Deosai plateau is one of the highest plateau all over the world which spread over the huge plain area on the altitude of 4000 meters. It is well known due to the special features of the fauna and flora as well as the shrinking stock of the owner species Himalayan brown bear. In summer, the plains are filled with moderately tall grass that, together with the flowers that grow in this region, make it an ideal site for photography and bird watching among others.
Khunjerab Pass: China = Gateway
When you are moving further in Gilgit-Baltistan, make sure to pay a visit to the world’s highest border crossing-Khunjerab Pass. , the pass is positioned at 4,693 meters above the sea level and provides a beautiful sight of white peaks especially those of Pay longitudinally representing a border between Pakistan and China. Several hours afterwards the track leads to lush green lands and steep rock mountains through the breathtaking and isolated Sost, the last Pakistani town before the Chinese border.
10 Things to Know Before You Go To Gilgit-Baltistan
Best Time to Visit: The best season to visit the Gilgit-Baltistan region is in spring and summer which is from April to October respectively. Summer can be ideal for trekking and sightseeing while during the month of December to February one can get the desired chance to ski at places like Naltar.
– Accommodation: Ranging from small cozy guest houses to four star Serena Hotel Skardu, there are ample amount of options available in this region for every kind of traveler.
– Permits: Most part of Gilgit-Baltistan is freely open for tourists but few areas close to the boarders may require permission to visit. Especially if you are planning to visit places like khunjerab Pass
Conclusion: As life changing and incredible as this journey may seem, it is not something you can travel alone; there is a team behind it.
Perhaps, that is why destination like Gilgit-Baltistan is a unique region in itself. Start from the up to winter houses at Skardu Valley to the calm and quite area at Hunza Valley each and every corner of this paradise like country has something different to present. Be it if you are a mountaineer planning to scale K2, a nature lover bird watching in Deosai National Park or a history and architecture lover walking through the roofed streets of Baltit Fort, the memories you will make here are going to last a lifetime.
Though this Gilgit Baltistan Travel Guide has tried to cover all the minute details, it is recommended that the bigness of this region can only be captured when visited. Therefore, prepare your luggage, organize your journey, and be prepared for the amazing journey across one of the most stunning part of the world. You’re travelling guide to Gilgit Baltistan is right here!
