Have You ever Seen Kaghan and Naran Valleys.

A holiday in the Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away, north-east of the Hazara district of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, is an unforgettable experience. Its mountains, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, rivers and glaciers are still in unbelievable pristine state, and unspoiled paradise. Therefore, such a deeply satisfying experience for a few days to spend in Kaghan.

Locations:

The Valley stretches over 155 km rising from an altitude of 2134 meters the highest point, the Babusar Pass at 4173 meters. Kaghan is at its best during the summer months (May to September). In May, the temperature up to 11C and the minimum 3 C. From mid July to late September, the road beyond Naran, snow-bound during the winter, is open to Babusar Pass.

The Kaghan Valley is accessible by road from Rawalpindi / Islamabad and Peshawar. In your own or a rented car, taxi, station wagons or bus to Abbottabad which is 122 km. of Rawalpindi and 217 km. of Peshawar. Abbottabad is a charming town spread out over several low, refreshingly green hills.

Places to Must Visit:

Balakot

From Abbottabad, 72 km you drive to Balakot, the gateway to the Kaghan Valley. Balakot has the shrines of Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Ismail Shaheed Brelvi, the South Asia great freedom fighters.
For your drive to Kaghan, you switch from Balakot to a jeep. Your first stop is 34 km away from Shogran at 2362 meters above sea level. At Kaghan, the village that gives the valley its name, 61 km from Balakot.

Naran Dreamland

In Naran, Kaghan you reach 23 km from the half-way point. Naran also serves as the basis for the entire valley. From here you can ride a jeep or horse or hike in excursions to several picturesque lakes, valleys and peaks.

Natural beauty of Lake Saiful Maluk:

Lake Saiful Muluk has a touch of the dreamlike about it, nestling 3,200 metres high in the shadow of the Malika Parbat (Queen of the mountains) 5,291 metres high. You can go boating on the lake and listen to the local legend about Prince Saiful Muluk who fell in love with a fairy. Further up are charming woodland villages; Battakundi, Burawai, Besal Gittidas and Lalazar.

 

Babusar Pass. (Babusar Top):

The Kaghan Valley is blocked at the end by high mountains, but a pass lets the jeep-able road snake over into the Chilas Valley. This is 4173 meters high Babusar Pass, the whole Kaghan panorama commands and gives you, on a clear day, glimpses of the Nanga Parbat (The Naked Mountain) glistening at 8126 meters.

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History of Swat Valley Written by Jamal Panhwar.

Alexander was in a hurry when he came to Swat, he was unable to locals in the Swat Valley, even today when he said that the time to relax on the banks of the River Swat and feel the cool breeze from the snow-capped mountain Ushu and listen to the echo of the whistle from the mountain of the valley that he would never have left this heaven on earth and today his grave would have been here.

300 years later, Kanishka felt the romance of this valley and left the busy city of Peshawar that have capital horses and horses came to Swat Valley Swat made it the capital of his kingdom Gandhara and stayed here. Swat It was a place for Buddhism, where Buddhism flourished and reached its peak. The numerous atricles found in various archaeological sites are evidence of a cheerful and prosprous Erra of this valley.

In the 6th century AD, White Huns came and destroyed each site of Buddhism and wounded and killed the loving people of the valley, after the attack by the White Huns Hyun Sang came pilgrmage of this valley and unfortunately wrote that the majority of 1400 monasteries of Swat are either burned or abondand and ruined most of the monks have left or are dead, those who remain to talk about Buddhism, but they do not know the meaning of the teachings of Buddha.

Huan Sang wrote this report of the valley and took all the written material on 40 horses to China, although Huan Sang wrote this 1500 years ago, but it looks like he's talking about what is happening in this wonderful heaven on earth.

Even after the brutal invasion of Huns whiter Swat was a place of pilgrimage for the Buddhist was ruled and inhabited by Buddhists to Sultan Mehmood of Ghani invaded Swat and the last Buddhist Geera Raja was overthrown.

At the end of the 15th century the valley was invaded by the Afghan Yousuzais them the inhabitants of this valley pushed the Indus valley region and thus a new nation formed by the name of the Hazara still the name of the region and The name of the residents of confluance of the Indus River and Kabul. The newcomer Yousufzais were not as bad as White Huns, they developed their king Militry Riles and Sardar Sheikh Milli even wrote poetry that was known to the conquest of Swat.

Bayazid Ansari wrote hist Biography and wrote books like Khairul Bayan, which was a book about the distribution of land laws and the rules of division. Akhund Zada ​​Daweza wrote "Tazkerah" and "Makhzan" all these were marked as the basis of Pushto literature. These two books are considered the masterpieces of Persian and Pushto literature of those days. Akhund Baba Darweza held many discussions with Bayazid Ansari religious.

In 1050 AD great poet Khushal Khan Khattak of Pushto came to Swat. During his stay in Swat, Swat Nama he wrote in verse. It was a great contribution to Pushto literature in Swat. Swat Nama includes the geographical, cultural, political and historical aspects of the Swat those days.

After Moghuls in the mid-19th century two local rulers Akbar Shah & Sha Mubarak ruled Swat tried to close them both on the basis of religion and culture, but if English had their dominion to an end. From 1863-1915 this area was ruled by the neighboring state of Dir then one day the tribes men of a Swat jirga held in Kabal and they chose Mian Gulshan Zada ​​Abdul Wali of Swat as wudood. Mian Gul Wudood was crowned in 1916 and was popularly as Bacha Saheb of Swat.

Bacha Saheb was a progressive ruler British empire are accepted as semi-autonomous Kingdom, he was entitled to a salute of 15 guns, he did push to replace Persian the official language for the first time countries were alloted to the people according to a new legacy Age of Khan generated (Landlords), who got along well with the king, but wanted to keep the farmers and Poor's underdeveloped.

Mian Gul Bacha Saheb also had a constitution composed of religious and cultural education and called it "Fatavi Wudidia"

  

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HISTORICAL BALTIT FORT IN HUNZA VALLEY:

Defiying Time ... The Baltit Fort. Eleventh-century Baltit Fort, located 2800 m to the summits of the Himalayas, was built at the time, enemies and withstands frequent earthquakes. Until 1950, the fort was the residence of the Mirs of Hunza, but was then left to perish. The recent restoration, proposed by the Aga Khan Trust has carefully respecting the original construction techniques. Although rain is rare in the Hunza valley is irrigated by an ingenious system of canals fed by ancient glaciers

HUNZA NAGAR VALLEY WONDERFUL DREAMS AND FAIRY RELATION:

Hunza is the northernmost part of a region known as the northern areas of Pakistan. It's a real life green paradise.

For many centuries, it provides the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara (in modern northern Pakistan) for a person on foot. The route was to cross to the baggage animals could only through human carriers, and then only with permission of the local population.

Travel to the Valley from the south, Hunza is the land to the left, and Nagar to the right of the river. They traditionally have been separate principalities.

Of Hunza are spectacular views of the beautiful and wonderful 7788 m (25,551 ft) Rakaposhi.

The famous Karakoram Highway crosses Hunza, connecting Pakistan to China via the Khunjerab Pass.

Hunza has three parts, but not administratively ethnically divided Gojal, mainly populated by Wakhi speakers, Central, and Shinaki with Brushaski speaking people, the Shina-speaking people. Brushaski is understood throughout Hunza.

Until 1974 Hunza was a princely state with its capital located at Baltit (also known as Karimabad). It is now ruled directly from Islamabad through the administration based in Gilgit, the regional capital of Gilgit Baltistan-.

Hunza was an independent principality for 900 years. There is a common missbelief that Hunza was under the rule of the Maharajas of Kashmir, but it never was. The British not for control of the neighboring valley of Hunza and Nagar to get to 1889.

HISTORICAL AND BEATIFUL ALTIT FORT...HUNZA VALLEY PAKISTAN:

Altit fort is situated in the village of Altit about three kilometers from Karimbabd Hunza. It has been built on a sheer rock cliff that falls 300 meters (1,000 feet) into the Indus river. The fort is a 100 years older than the Baltit Fort and wears at one time inhabited by the ruling family.

Today there is a museum built within the Fort for the tourist. A trip to the Baltit & Altit is must while your tour to Hunza Valley.

HEAVENLY HUNZA NAGAR VALLEY:

The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheet fields, set against the background of snow-covered mountains.

Situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is maximum 27oC and minimum 14oC. The October temperatures are: maximum 10oC and minimum 0oC.

Most of the people of Hunza are Islamili Muslims, followers of Aga Khan. The local language is Brushuski. Urdu and English are also understood by most of the people.

Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi (7,788 meters). The snows of Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime.

The fairy-tale like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a Hanza landmark built about 600 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden bay windows look out over the valley. Originally, it was used the resistance of the Mirs (the title of the former rulers) of Hunza.

This valley is composed of terraced ridges running from the high pastures down to the river, with extensive irrigation channels bringing meltwater from the glaciers to the terraced fields and villages. A wide variety of crops are grown here; including potatoes, barley, wheat, and vegetables - along with apricots, apples, cherries, almonds, and other fruit/nut crops. We hiked the valley during the apricot tree bloom, a beautiful time of spring of planting and blossoms.This area has been easily accessible since in1986 when the Karakoram Highway was completed, running through the Khunjerab Pass and into China. This has opened the valley to increasing tourist visits and the social transformation that occurs along with this. Evidence of this transformation is found throughout the central valley, though away from the highway the valley is more primitive.

This valley full of green fields and apricot trees looks like paradise . Friendly people greeting you everywhere. The women do not wear veils. Most people belong to the Islamic sect of Ismaelits. There are many schools, also some specially for girls.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW ON KARIMABAD (HUNZA NAGAR VALLEY):

When you stand on the terrace of the Baltit Fort in Karimabad, it is almost impossible to stop looking around to those magnificent high mountains.

But stop looking up, you must also look down, because from the terrace of the Baltit Fort you also have a splendid bird's eye view on the houses of the village Karimabad.

Humm WHAT YOU DO IN HUNZA NAGAR VALLEY:

Humm...What you do in a magical and wonderful place like Hunza Nagar?;Its a clear guess.

You can see the beautiful sites of Hunza,like the fort.THey are so many that I will need one hour to describe them.So I will just write that you can do every thing because its Hunza.

A traveler can see Hunza,see the beautiful river,climb mountains and offcourse see the beautiful Rakaposhi peak.

YOU MUST GO NOTHERN AREA SOECIALLY HUNZA NAGAR VALLEY :

You must go north to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza. It is a storybook place: quiet, laid-back, and splendidly set with a mountain locals call 'Ladyfinger' behind it and Rakaposhi facing it. It is one of the world's most beautiful spots, in my view.

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Meon Jo Daro – Pakistan:A Land Of Greatest Mountains , Glaciers, Rivers & Colorful Culture_ Complete Travel Guide Of Pakistan

Moen Jo dare or Mohan Jo Daro, is the site of the great Indus civilization which flourished as the earliest Urban culture in 3000 - 1700 BC. Known as Harrappan Culture. We have a large No. of detailed sites well laid by the expert archeologists. Indus civilization was probably the most advanced urban culture in the past , From the sites we can see the complete planning of the city, a separate area for Administration/ state, a rich residential area, Industrial area and an area for poor or workers. All the streets present an excellent grid system and were maintained with covered drainage , Dustbins and Market places. It is also proved that they had binary system of weights.

The state was very strict. We don't see any difference in weights found from different sites. Taxes were collected in form of wheat, Barley 0r same, and mud pots were sealed to prove the clearance of dues. The used a language with 300 Different semi pictographic characters, which are not read yet. Further details can be read or had from us at any time.

Moen Jo Daro is declared as Unesco World Heritage Site and is being mutually taken care of by Government of Sindh and UNESCO.

A tour of Moen Jo Daro can be done in a half day but since the flight timings are such that we have to spend the whole day there.

In a good visit of Moen Jo Daro We start with DK area which is also shown on 10 Rupees note. It is an administrative area. We shall see the stupa of 2nd Century Ad which was built by Buddhist much later than the site it self; we then see Assembly hall, drainage, wells, state granary where taxes were collected, streets and the great bath. Then we visit the DK area which is main citadel or rich Residential area we shall see the advanced life style of the people of the Indus. We also witness different levels of civilization and the planning of houses street etc.

After the sites we will visit the site museum which has some findings of the site presented in a professional manner one is amazed to see how archeologists can gather bits and pieces to make an objects.

Rest of the day can be spent at the rest house or optionally be spent to see the rest of the sites (VS & HR) or an excursion to Dokri can be organized to witness the Moen Jo Daro of today. Well time has not changed!

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Meon Jo Daro – Pakistan:

A Land Of Greatest Mountains , Glaciers, Rivers & Colorful Culture_ Complete                                                Travel Guide Of Pakistan:

Moen Jo dare or Mohan Jo Daro, is the site of the great Indus civilization which flourished as the earliest Urban culture in 3000 - 1700 BC. Known as Harrappan Culture. We have a large No. of detailed sites well laid by the expert archeologists. Indus civilization was probably the most advanced urban culture in the past , From the sites we can see the complete planning of the city, a separate area for Administration/ state, a rich residential area, Industrial area and an area for poor or workers. All the streets present an excellent grid system and were maintained with covered drainage , Dustbins and Market places. It is also proved that they had binary system of weights.

The state was very strict. We don't see any difference in weights found from different sites. Taxes were collected in form of wheat, Barley 0r same, and mud pots were sealed to prove the clearance of dues. The used a language with 300 Different semi pictographic characters, which are not read yet. Further details can be read or had from us at any time.

Moen Jo Daro is declared as Unesco World Heritage Site and is being mutually taken care of by Government of Sindh and UNESCO.

A tour of Moen Jo Daro can be done in a half day but since the flight timings are such that we have to spend the whole day there.

In a good visit of Moen Jo Daro We start with DK area which is also shown on 10 Rupees note. It is an administrative area. We shall see the stupa of 2nd Century Ad which was built by Buddhist much later than the site it self; we then see Assembly hall, drainage, wells, state granary where taxes were collected, streets and the great bath. Then we visit the DK area which is main citadel or rich Residential area we shall see the advanced life style of the people of the Indus. We also witness different levels of civilization and the planning of houses street etc.

After the sites we will visit the site museum which has some findings of the site presented in a professional manner one is amazed to see how archeologists can gather bits and pieces to make an objects.

Rest of the day can be spent at the rest house or optionally be spent to see the rest of the sites (VS & HR) or an excursion to Dokri can be organized to witness the Moen Jo Daro of today. Well time has not changed!

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Nagar Valley Most Popular and Peaceful For tourists and truism in Pakistan.

The Nagar Valley is a valley near Gilgit Valley, Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. The valley is part of Hunza Nagar District and is administratively divided into two tehsils namely Nagar-1 and Nagar-2. The valley lies at an altitude of 2,438 meters (7,999 feet). Nagar Khas is the largest city and capital of the former state of Nagar. Spantik peak (Golden peak) can easily be seen from here. Gulmet is a popular tourist attraction in Nagar because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains as Rakaposhi at 7,788 m (25,561), and Diran and more than 30 famous peaks. The climate of Nagar remains pleasant from mid April to late September. The maximum temperature in summer during the day is 13 ° C. The weather is very cold in winter, mainly from October to late March. The lowest temperature can be -14 ° C.

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Nagar Valley Most Popular and Peaceful For tourists and truism in Pakistan.

The Nagar Valley is a valley near Gilgit Valley, Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. The valley is part of Hunza Nagar District and is administratively divided into two tehsils namely Nagar-1 and Nagar-2. The valley lies at an altitude of 2,438 meters (7,999 feet). Nagar Khas is the largest city and capital of the former state of Nagar. Spantik peak (Golden peak) can easily be seen from here. Gulmet is a popular tourist attraction in Nagar because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains as Rakaposhi at 7,788 m (25,561), and Diran and more than 30 famous peaks. The climate of Nagar remains pleasant from mid April to late September. The maximum temperature in summer during the day is 13 ° C. The weather is very cold in winter, mainly from October to late March. The lowest temperature can be -14 ° C.

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Skardu Valley Real Paradise on earth and Attractive Place in Pakistan

Skardu Valley is part of Baltistan, Baltistan is spread over an area of ​​26,000 square kilometers - just right and far below the jagged ramparts of the Karakoram lets Jerde. Once part of Laddakh, it was known as Tibet-i-Khurd - Little Tibet. Archaeological research has proved that it enclosed by the Silk Trade Route. Petroglyphs are found along the road between Gol and Khapulu and Skardu and Satpara Lake. The trade routes are split into Skardu with one leading to the Satpara Deosai Burzil and Pass (5000 meters) in Kashmir and another leads to Gol. Gol at the start again with a trail leading to Khapulu, on the other Kharmang in Leh.

Skardu Wonderful Place for Truism  :

Amidst a landscape of barren mountains, deep gorges and steep, crashing waterfalls and quiet lakes, Skardu, the district headquarters of Baltistan valley, is situated on the banks of the mighty Indus River, together with the river Shigar about August 5 km away . Located at an altitude of 8000 meters feet/2438, Skardu offers a cool and bracing climate. Laddakh in the east, the South Indian occupied Kashmir and the north Chinese province of Sinkiang. Skardu is strategically located at the foot of a huge rock, which is crowned by a historic fort.

There are three lakes, Satpara about 8 km, about 35 km Kachoora lower and upper Kachoora approximately 40 km. The Lake Resort Shangri-La (above - left) is a picturesque place to rest and admire the beauty of the lake Kachura and Skardu Valley. In the southwest of the city is the vast Deosai Plateau, which can be reached via the beautiful Sadpara / Satpara lake is approximately 8 km from Skardu. Deosai Plateau is unique in many ways. Approximately 70 km and an average of 3,500 meters / 11,660 feet high, Deosai links Baltistan with the Astore Valley. It is to the north and east of the Karakoram mountain Skardu to take their most impressive and uncompromising character. It takes only two hours by jeep to reach the gateway to the land of dreams, the old village of Shigar built in a lush green valley with an abundance of fruit trees, including apples and apricots for the entire region is known for. Of the fifteen world's highest peaks, five are located in this region, including K-2. Most of the longest and most terrible of the world's glaciers are also in the largest geo-drama of nature which has no parallel on earth. Summers attracting mountaineers and hikers a wide range from all over the world to this valley. In fact, the entire region is known as a paradise for rock climbers /'s tractor.

Natural beauty Of Shigar Valley:

The Shigar Valley, 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Skardu and 2 hours by jeep, is watered by the Shigar River. It forms the gateway to the great mountain peaks of the Karakoram, include Mount K-2. The valley HAS an extremely picturesque landscape, and abound in fruits Such As grapes, peaches, pears, walnuts and apricots.

Khaplu Valley Unforgettable Place for Tourists:

Buddhist Rock with rock carvings in the Skardu Valley is available at Satpara Road, dating from the period of the Great Scholars Tibat Empire. When the Buddhist of Gandhara migrated and the current northern areas of Pakistan, they settled in places temporarily and carved drawings of stupas, scenes from their experiences and images of Buddha with texts in Kharoshti language. There were a number of such Buddhist rock carvings in the Skardu Valley.

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Wonderful TRAVEL GUIDE OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is situated in the western part of India and China while Iran and Afghanistan share their border with Pakistan on the west side. Pakistan, although a very peaceful and very friendly nation has been hit very hard by the infamous war on terrorism by the countries that have always envied the landscape and blessing of the country. The local media war against terrorist leaders have now destroyed peace and quiet in some areas of Pakistan in a game that no one understands. This game is not an old one similar games (Gilgit game, great game) was played on this earth many years ago of similar powers.
This rural Pakistan (the pure land), be it called Pakistan or be it (Sapta Sindu the real India) has probably been the most coveted land in history. From King Darius of Persia, Alexander of Macedonia and many others, marched here in search of that country. There have been many cultural changes in this land.
Today India can boast of being "India of the past" while it was known as Deserta Incognita (Un Known Desert) in the past. Pakistan is the real ancient India, the world would come to see. It is here, Moen Jo Daro of the Indus civilization is that it is here that the mighty Indus river runs, this here, where Buddhism was developed, this is the sanskrit was born, and this is where the Alexander came.
The spectacular views of the mountains, the green plans, colorful deserts and the mighty Indus River are just a few things that this country has been blessed with. We are also blessed with the oldest story in the world. When we look at civilizations as Egypt, Mesopotamia and others, our Indus civilizations look too highly developed and well planned. We are the first urban civilization, where urban planning existed. We are the people who had binary system of weights and the most accurate a 5000 yes 5000 years ago.
Today people talk about taxes and health and organic food and saving nature we have had these thoughts in 2500 BC we had a tax system, democracy and even a system that was most eco-friendly and well aware of nature and had to protect it.
Today when I buy a burger in a so-called developed countries it is wrapped in paper-plastic and foil, trash weighs more than the burger comes to Pakistan, where when I buy a burger my friendly burger cooks it right in front of me, and hand the to me in the most common format with no paper not plastic and no trash.
Pakistan is a paradise, and no super power can destroy it. We are facing a time when people are talking all sorts of sick things about us, but it is only us who see that Pakistan still stands out and boasts of being the most beautiful and most wonderful country in the world.
Today some countries are building the largest shopping malls, high towers and what they do not destroy nature and produce unsightly structures that do nothing but hurt our land, those countries build mountains as K2 can lead to a river so powerful and so legendary as the river Indus.
This is an open invitation for each visit Pakistan does not listen to the media does not listen to warnings the country is full of friendly people flora and fauna. Nature smiles here and the sun bear its first celebration here in Pakistan.

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Nagar Valley Dreamland On Earth

The Nagar valley is situated at an altitude of 2438 meters (7999 feet). Nagar Khas is the main city and capital of the former state Nagar. The Spantik peak (Golden peak) can be easily seen from here. Gulmet is the popular tourist attraction in Nagar because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains and Rakaposhi in 7788 m (25,561), and Diran.

Nagar and Hunza were once collectively called the office hall and their capital was capal dosuk. Nagar was an independent principality for 1200 years, which existed until 1974. The British gained control of Nagar and Hunza valley between the neighboring 1889 and 1892. The Tham (Chief) of the day Azur Khan sent into exile to Kashmir. The British retained Nagar's status as a principality until 1947. The people of Nagar were governed by a local Mir for more than 1200 years, which ended in 1974. Although never directly controlled by neighboring Kashmir or the British, Nagar was a vassal of Kashmir from the time of Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. The Mirs of Nagar sent an annual tribute to the Kashmir Durbar until 1947, and together with the ruler of Hunza, was considered one of the most loyal vassals of the Maharaja of Kashmir. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south, the former principality of Hunza in the east, China in the north and Afghanistan in the northwest. The capital was the city of Nagar Khas (also known as uyum Nagar) The area of ​​Nagar is now a top Nagar Nagar Nagar and two lower. Tehsil Nagar and two forms of the Gilgit District.

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Unforgettable Travel Guide Of Pakistan

From the mighty stretches of the Karakoram in the north to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the south, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching are a few activities which entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan.

Pakistan has a rich and varied flora and fauna. High Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush ranges with their alpine meadows and permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the great Indus plain merging into the great desert, along the coastline and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory. Ten of 18 mammalian orders are represented in Pakistan with species ranging from the world's smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean pigmy shrew to the largest mammal ever known, the blue whale.

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Northern areas of Pakistan Heaven on Earth

Northern areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 square km are as fascinating as the southern region. Midst towering snowcapped peaks with heights varying from 1,000 meters to 8,000 meters, the regions Gilgit, Hunza, Baltistan and Shangri-La. The cultural patterns in these regions are as interesting as its natural features. The people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi, gives the traveler an unforgettable experience.

Out of 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on earth, 4 records an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range in northern Pakistan. These are, K-2 or Mount Godowin Austin (8611 m, world second highest), Gash BRUM-I (8,068 m), Broad Peak (8047 m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m).

There is another which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), located in the western most end of the Himalayas. Beyond these mountains, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 meters and hundreds of others over 6,000 meters.
 
The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 km), Biafo (60 km) and Batura Baltoro (60 km), Hispar (61 km), (64 km).

Swat Valley Heaven on earth  .

The lush-green valley of Swat, with its rushing rivers, glacial lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is ideal for tourists intent on relaxation. It has a rich historical past, too.

This is "Udayana" (the "Garden") by the ancient Hindu epic "country enthralling beauty" where Alexander of Macedonia fought and won some of his major battles before crossing over to the plains of Pakistan. This is the "valley of hanging chains" described by the famous Chinese pilgrim-chroniclers, Huain Tsang and Fa-Hian in the fifth and sixth centuries.

Swat was once the cradle of Buddhism in all its schools-Little Vehicle, fabulous food and the Esoteric sects where once 1,400 monasteries flourished. It was home to the famous Gandhara School of Sculpture which was an expression of the Graeco-Roman form in the local Buddhist tradition.

Hunza Nagar Valley Gilgit :

At an altitude of 1,454 meters lies the Gilgit Valley. The picturesque little town of Gilgit has spectacular scenic beauty. The peak tourist season is from May to mid-October though the tourist season is round the year. The maximum temperature in May is 33 C and minimum 16 C. In September, maximum 28 C and minimum 11C.

The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze signing through graceful poplar trees and velvety green carpet of wheat fields against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Situated at an altitude of 2,438 meters, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is maximum 27 C and minimum 14 C. The October temperatures are: maximum 10 C and minimum 0 C.

Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, offers an awe-inspiring views of Rakaposhi Peak (7,788 meters). The snow Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime. The fairytale-like castle Baltit forward Karimabad, Hunza is a landmark built abut 600 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden bay windows look out over the valley. Hunza is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking.

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