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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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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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