Pakistan Tourism information and Travel Guide of Pakistan- Highlighting Pakistan history, culture and traditions of Pakistan.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Fresh and healthy climat Gilgit and Baltistan northern area of Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan borders the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan to the north-west China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in north-eastern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to the south and southeast, the Pakistani state under control of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to the south, and Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province to the west.

Gilgit-Baltistan is home to five of the "eight thousanders" and more than fifty peaks over 7000 meters. Gilgit and Skardu are the two main centers for expeditions to the mountains. The region is home to some of the beaches in the world's highest mountain the main ranges are the Karakoram and western Himalayas. Pamir Mountains are north and the Hindu Kush to the west. Among the highest mountains are K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) and Nanga Parbat The latter is one of the most feared mountains in the world.

Three of the world's longest glaciers outside the polar regions are located in Gilgit-Baltistan - Biafo Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier and the Batura Glacier. There are also several mountain lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan:

* Sheosar Lake in Deosai Plains - Astore region
* Satpara Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan
* Katzura Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan
* Zharba Tso Lake in Shigar - Baltistan
* Phoroq Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan
* Bara Tso Lake in Gangche - Baltistan
* Byarsa Tso Lake in Gultari - Baltistan
* Borith Lake in Gojal upper Hunza - Gilgit
* Rama Lake near Astore
* Rush Lake near Nagar - Gilgit
* Kromber Lake In Kromber Pass - Ishkoman Valley, Ghizer District
* Barodaroksh lake in Bar valley Nagar

Deosai plains are located above the tree line, and are the second highest plateau in the world at 4,115 meters (14,500 feet) after Tibet. The plateau lies east of Astore, Skardu and south west of Ladakh. The area was declared a national park in 1993. Deosai plains cover an area of nearly 5,000 square kilometers. For more than half of the year (between September and May), is Deosai snow-bound and cut off from the rest of Astore & Baltistan in winters. The village is close Deosai chokki Chilum and is connected with the Kargil district of Ladakh by an all-weather road.

Climate

The climate of Gilgit-Baltistan varies from region to region, the surrounding mountain ranges creates large variations in temperature. The eastern part of the wetland has the western Himalayas, but by going to the Karakoram and Hindu Kush dry climate considerably.

There are towns like Gilgit and Chilas are very hot during the day in summer, but cold at night, and valleys as Astore, Khaplu, Yasin, Hunza and Nagar, where temperatures are cold even in summer.

Economy and resources:

The economy of region is basically based on traditional route of trade through Silk Road. China Trade organization was the leading economic forum through which most of barter trade activity made a phenomenal change in the general economical outlook of the area which being the remotest region of Pakistan was neglected for over quarter of century. This forum led the people of the area to actively invest and learn the modern trade know how from its neighbor Xingkiang. The participation of the all ethnic groups and active force behind this activity, legendary economist of the area Ashraf Khan brought a great change in the region. Later the establishment of Chamber of commerce and SOst dry port(in Gojal Hunza) are milestones. Rest of the economy is shouldered by mainly agriculture and tourism. Agriculture such as: wheat, corn (maize), barley, fruits; Tourism is mostly in trekking and mountaineering and this industry is 'growing in importance.

Sports:

Polo is the favourite game of the people of Gilgit, Chilas, Astore, Hunza, Nagar and the surrounding areas.Every year, many tourists visit to enjoy polo in Gilgit-Baltistan.Other games such as cricket, Tuksori of Nagar, gulli danda, kabbadi, and volleyball are also played.

Transport:

Prior to 1978, Gilgit-Baltistan was cut off from Pakistan and rest of the world due to the harsh terrain and the lack of accessible roads. All of the roads to the south opened towards the Pakistani-controlled state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AKJ) and to the southeast towards the present-day Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir. During the summer, people could walk across the mountain passes to travel to Rawalpindi. The fastest way to travel, however, was by air, but air travel was accessible only to a few privileged local people and to Pakistani military and civilian officials. Then, with the assistance of the Chinese government, Pakistan began construction of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which was completed in 1978. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) connects Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu, which are the two major hubs for mountaineering expeditions in Gilgit-Baltistan. The journey from Islamabad to Gilgit takes approximately 20 to 24 hours. Landslides on the Karakoram Highway are very common. The KKH connects Gilgit to Tashkurgan and Kashgar in China via Sust (the customs and health inspection post on the Northern Areas side) and the Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved international border crossing in the world at 4,693 metres (15,397 feet).
Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) offers bus and jeep transport service to the two hubs and several other popular destinations, lakes, and glaciers in the area.

In March 2006, the respective governments announced that, commencing on June 1, 2006, a thrice-weekly bus service would begin across the boundary from Gilgit to Kashgar, China, and road widening work would begin on 600 kilometers of the Karakoram Highway. There would also be one daily bus in each direction between the Sust and Tashkurgan border areas of the two political entities.

Pakistan International Airlines used to fly a Fokker F27 daily between Gilgit Airport and Islamabad International Airport. Flying time is approximately 50 minutes, Dand the flight was one of the most scenic flights in the world, as his route passed through the mountain Nanga Parbat summit which was greater than the cruising altitude the plane. PIA also offers regular flights of Boeing 737 between Skardu and Islamabad. However, the Fokker F27 aircraft was retired after a crash at Multan in 2006. Currently, flights are operated by PIA Gilgit on the ATR42-500 aircraft while nine, which was purchased in 2006. With the new aircraft, cancellation of flights is much less than it was the Fokker aircraft. All flights, however, are subject to the conditions of leave, and in winter, flights are often delayed by several days.

Demographics:

The population consists of many diverse linguistic, ethnic, and religious groups, due in part to the many isolated valleys separated by some of the world's highest mountains. The population of this area is a mixture of many ethnic groups such as Shins, Yashkuns, Kashmiris, Kashgaris, Pathans,and Kohistanis. Ismailism is present here, unlike in the rest of Pakistan.Urdu is the lingua franca of the region, understood by most of the inhabitants. The Shina language (with several dialects like Asturjaa, Kharuchaa, chilasi) is the language of 60% of the population, spoken mainly in Gilgit, Astore throughout Diamer, and in some parts of Ghizer. The Balti dialect, a sub-dialect of Ladakhi and part of the Tibetan languages group, is spoken by the entire population of Baltistan. Minor languages spoken in the region include Wakhi, spoken in upper Hunza, and in some villages in Ghizer, while Khowar is the language of Ghizer. Burushaski is an isolated language spoken in Hunza, Nagar, Yasin (where Khowar is also spoken), in some parts of Gilgit and in some villages of Punyal. Another interesting language is Domaaki, spoken by the musician clans in the region. A small minority of people also speak Pashto.

Despite being referred to as part of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan has few remnants of Kashmiri. At the last census (1998), the population of Gilgit and Baltistan was 870,347. Approximately 14% of the population was urban.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Gilgit Travel Guide

Gilgit is the main city in northern Pakistan. Although the city itself is not very large nor very exciting, it's the best place to start exploring the northern region which includes some of the best mountain scenery and is known as Virgin Beauty undeveloped world, the world still to be investigated by the West.

The city has two or three points of interest. Two miles outside the city there are a couple of Buddhas carved into a cliff. They go back to the 5-th century. It's a beautiful walk, the landscape on its way gorgeous. 


Then is a monument to the fact that the scouts of Gilgit were the spark that set the flame in the struggle between Pakistan and India to commemorate the hegemony over Kashmir. 

The post office can hardly be regarded as a face. But if you're traveling to Nagar, , Skardu, Shangrila Swat and  Yasin Valley (Worshigum) or Hunza Valley, keep in mind that it is easier for a few postcards to send to relatives from here than from any of the other valleys. 

For sports, one of the most interesting is excustions Rakaposhi base camp. Rakaposhi is an 8-km giant. 
In 2006 there is 20% drop in overall crime. Total of 1400 that the Northern Areas remained less than one police from other provinces of Pakistan. Number of foreign tourists rose from 9944 to 15049. Northern Areas is Wonderland which should not be visited by 15 thousand, but one hundred 15 thousand tourists. In 2007 we expect a substantial increse in business. (Inspector General of Police, the northern areas of Pakistan)

Gilgit travel Guide

Gilgit is the main city in northern Pakistan. Although the city itself is not very large nor very exciting, it's the best place to start exploring the northern region which includes some of the best mountain scenery and is known as Virgin Beauty undeveloped world, the world still to be investigated by the West. 
The city has two or three points of interest. Two miles outside the city there are a couple of Buddhas carved into a cliff. They go back to the 5-th century. It's a beautiful walk, the landscape on its way gorgeous. Then is a monument to the fact that the scouts of Gilgit were the spark that set the flame in the struggle between Pakistan and India to commemorate the hegemony over Kashmir. 
The post office can hardly be regarded as a face. But if you're traveling to Nagar, , Skardu, Shangrila Swat and  Yasin Valley (Worshigum) or Hunza Valley, keep in mind that it is easier for a few postcards to send to relatives from here than from any of the other valleys. 
For sports, one of the most interesting is excustions Rakaposhi base camp. Rakaposhi is an 8-km giant. 
In 2006 there is 20% drop in overall crime. Total of 1400 that the Northern Areas remained less than one police from other provinces of Pakistan. Number of foreign tourists rose from 9944 to 15049. Northern Areas is Wonderland which should not be visited by 15 thousand, but one hundred 15 thousand tourists. In 2007 we expect a substantial increse in business. (Inspector General of Police, the northern areas of Pakistan)

Gilgit travel Guide


Gilgit is the main city in northern Pakistan. Although the city itself is not very large nor very exciting, it's the best place to start exploring the northern region which includes some of the best mountain scenery and is known as Virgin Beauty undeveloped world, the world still to be investigated by the West. 
The city has two or three points of interest. Two miles outside the city there are a couple of Buddhas carved into a cliff. They go back to the 5-th century. It's a beautiful walk, the landscape on its way gorgeous. Then is a monument to the fact that the scouts of Gilgit were the spark that set the flame in the struggle between Pakistan and India to commemorate the hegemony over Kashmir. 
The post office can hardly be regarded as a face. But if you're traveling to Nagar, , Skardu, Shangrila Swat and  Yasin Valley (Worshigum) or Hunza Valley, keep in mind that it is easier for a few postcards to send to relatives from here than from any of the other valleys. 
For sports, one of the most interesting is excustions Rakaposhi base camp. Rakaposhi is an 8-km giant. 
In 2006 there is 20% drop in overall crime. Total of 1400 that the Northern Areas remained less than one police from other provinces of Pakistan. Number of foreign tourists rose from 9944 to 15049. Northern Areas is Wonderland which should not be visited by 15 thousand, but one hundred 15 thousand tourists. In 2007 we expect a substantial increse in business. (Inspector General of Police, the northern areas of Pakistan)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011



Saturday, January 8, 2011

Travel Guide Of Pakistan Destination Swat Valley

Swat acquired the nickname "Paris of Baltistan"in the first quarter of the 20th century. But for the outdoor sports of the valley charms lay elsewhere. First of all, his incomparable natural environment, comparative easy reach and secondly, for her well-earned reputation for providing the cream of chukor hunting in Asia.

As for the natural environment, a look at the pre-1947 map of India shows that the intersection of the basins of the Karakoram Hindu Kush range with a broad camel hump arises. To the right of the hump is the Mt Godwin Austen or K 2. A little further west is Nanga Parbat and Pinnacle West puts a little more on the skyline of the smooth pyramid of Rakaposhi. Another highlight is the giant Masherbrum when it occurs in the lee side of K2 and Nanga Parbat.
 
When the sun rises over the horizon for the first time kissing the top of K2, Nanga Parbat then, and finally Masherbrum Rakaposhi. That is the unique spectacle that guests of the wali's (kings) of Swat would demonstrate the different approaches adopted on a ridge above the Waliahad (palace) at Saidu Sharif, capital of the state.

In the evenings, was the interplay of sunlight on the tops witness in the reverse order and finally a star-studded sky.

The Indus, which runs east-west here, form the baseline of the hump and the natural southern border of Baltistan. A plurality of north-south tributaries of the Indus have their headwaters in the boiler of one of the massive world systems glacier descending K2 and its employees. The three prominent tributaries come from Gilgit, Chitral and Swat the rivers.
 
In the northern half of the hump was the chieftainships of Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar, between 1880 and 1914 more than a score earned Victoria Crosses for the bravery of the soldiers that the Raj transported to this remote niches. The stories of exploits by the refugees from these countries were legendary, the stuff of much of Rudyard Kipling's Plain Tales from the hills and his poetry. Lieutenant Winston Churchill, also launched in the life of a writer, and soldier in those messages out.
 
During the heyday of the Raj, Shikar had become the magic word that no other sport ever so completely that its adherents. And among the brotherhood of the feathered game shikaris were unanimous that chukor shooting (one of the 14 species of partridge) was the toughest. They believed that the Swat valley was the last stop before chukor Shikar on earth and the wali of Swat, most affable and indulgent patrons of this sport.
The wali chukor gave the favor of shooting not only other fellow rulers or bigwigs of the Raj, but also to the impoverished young officers of the Indian Army, who wanted to enjoy the sport. Major General James Elliot, a Gurkha regiment officer, writing in the field has left a fascinating account of a conversation between the Wali and two NCOs.

After dinner, guests had retired to the lounge for the cigar and cognac.
 
A band chukors after which the shikaris establish a good distance away. But their loud Cackles (chukchukchuk) for a few minutes to give away their location. Two of Wali's guests were surprised by this behavior aberration. The Wali had a good laugh and said that "on the Frontier he (chukor) only speaks in Pushtu" So let me tell you what he says.
"When a troop is scattered, individual members could be heard proclaiming his own and anxiously inquire about the whereabouts all his colleagues, the tone varies First he says.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Swat