Perfect Travel Guide of Gilgit

At the end of the 20 hour bus ride, we got to Gilgit. a major transit and trade heart of  Northern Areas. It is located in the middle of a large valley, with passes to the west to Chitral and Afghanistan, north to China and Central Asia, east to Skardu, Tibet, and Indian Kashmir. People from everywhere are in the markets, a very culturally diverse city. The main population of the valley speaks Burshishki, Shina, thankfully Urdu and English got us along ok.

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Kalash Valley Most beautiful Valley

One of the major attractions of Chitral is the Kalash valley - the home of Kafir-Kalash or "Users of the black robes", a primitive pagan tribe. Their ancestors are shrouded in mystery and the subject of controversy. A legend says that five soldiers legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the infidel-Kalash.

Over 3,000-strong Kafir-Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur, south of Chitral. Bumburet, the largest and most picturesque valley of the Kafir Kalash, is 40 kms. from Chitral and is connected to a jeep-able way. Birir, 34 km. Gone are available with a jeep-able road. Rambur is 32 kms from Chitral.

The Kalash women wear black gowns of coarse cloth in summer and hand-spun wool dyed in black in winter. Their picturesque headgear is made of woolen black material decked out with cowry shells, buttons and crowned with a large colored feather. 

The Kalash are fun loving people who love music and dancing particularly on the occasion of their religious festival like Joshi Chilinjusht (14 and 15 May-spring), Phool (20-25 September) and Chomas (December 18 to 21 in a week ). Polo in Chitral is as popular as in Gilgit. Polo matches are great attractions at festive occasions. A regular Polo tournament held every year (first week of July) at Shandur Pass.

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Satpara Lake-Skardu- Gilgit Baltistan

Satpara is a natural lake near Skardu, Gilgit- Baltistan, Pakistan. It is one of the largest fresh water lakes in the Pakistan offering trout fishing and row boating. This lake also supplies water tio the Skardu Valley. Satpara lake is situated at an elevation of 2,636 meters above sea level and is spread over an area 2.5 Km. Since 2003, Sarpara Dam is being constructed downstream of the lake and upon completion it will extend the size of this lake. It is one of the most picturesque sites in Pakistan.    

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Snowfall over Murree.

Murree, amazing height of above 7,000 feet and just an hour drive from the Twin city. Famous for its fresh weather and height.

Had a day trip to Murree this Sunday (19th Jan 12). When we reached around 2PM, there was no snow at all, and at around 4 PM there was two feet of snow covering

the queen of hills. It took me around 10 hrs to drive back to Islamabad.

And You can see the snow falling in this picture, everything was so much covered, there was around one feet of snow-cap over the top of my car. A memorable Journey again...

@Geo News

MURREE: An emergency snow removal operation was begun here on Thursday. It may be recalled here that several picnickers were trapped on early Sunday in Kozahgali area over heavy snowfall experienced in Murree and its adjoining areas.

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Northern areas of Pakistan -Dream Land

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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