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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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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Hunza - Nagar Peaceful Place in Pakistan

The famous mountain kingdom of Hunza lies on the very old trade route to SinKiang. Hunza is an earthly paradise whose people are renowned for their longevity, their simplicity and natural diet. Karimabad is the main town of Hunza which is like a huge hanging garden containing mud and stone houses, orchards, terraced fields, shops, work- shops, schools, restaurants and hotels etc. The river Hunza and the road cut this natural bowl of snow crested high hills. The houses and fields are stretched right from the road level up to the snowline level. This valley is composed of terraced ridges running from the high pastures down to the river, with extensive irrigation channels bringing melt water 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 

Snow enclosed high mountains and great glaciers abound Hunza & Nagar valleys, The most magnificent being 7,788 metres high Rakaposhi (above). Hunza is also known for its clean mountain air, which caused this area to be known as "Shangri-La". The blossoming and autumn at Hunza are worth seeing and attract thousands of tourists, especially from Japan. Orchards of mulberry, walnut, apricot and apples abound. In the autumn, when the sun convert the valley to burnished gold with its back go down of snow covered white peaks, the setting is particularly idyllic. Gulmit is about 35 km north of Karimabad. Further on the way up, the road becomes more rugged as it passes through narrow gorges, but suddenly it opens up into a broad valley. Gulmit is best known the unique Passu Cones (below left). This huge mountain dominates the area from Gulmit to Hussaini and offers unforgettable and spectacular scenes. Further ahead is the Borit Lake. The lake receives glacial water and migratory birds during summer. It is about 1.5 kilometer off the road.

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