Kalam valley

Kalam valley, like other vales of Northern Pakistan, is rich in natural beauty. It is known for its waterfalls, lakes, lush green hills and other gifts bestowed upon it by the nature. Being only at a distance of 270km from Islamabad it is frequently visited by tourists and adventure travelers. The river of Swat flows though this region and offers spectacular scenery to the visitor. The neighboring valley of Laddu is also breath-taking.

The fascinating places of Kalam valley include:

Kandol Lake:
It can be reached in about three hours from Laddu. It is advisable that you take a guide along with you.

Mahudand Lake:
It is a lake about 40 km from Kalam. It is accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, and is a good location for fishing.

Other Lakes:
These include Lake Naseerullah and Lake Saifullah.

Snow capped mountains of the valley

Kaghan Valley

Mahudand Lake

Mahudand Lake

Kondol Lake

The river of Swat

Murree

The word Murree has been derived from “Murhi” meaning “a high place”. It is a hill station situated along the Islamabad-Kohala highway, 30km away from Islamabad at the border of Punjab and Azad Kashmir. It is a very popular summer resort due to its cool and chilly climate. In winter the city hides itself in a thick blanket of snow. An American journalist Camile wrote, that,

"Everything and Anything can happen in Murree. Romance is in the atmosphere; intrigue is in the air. The roads to this happy holiday's resort embrace both the heaven and earth. In Murree it is easy to fall in love"

Murree was founded by Sir Henry Lawrence in 1851 as a sanatorium for British troops deployed along the Afghan border. A proper town was built in 1857. The town also served as the summer head quarters of Punjab local government till 1876. During the war of independence of 1857 the local tribes of Murree, under the command of Sardar Shehbaz Khan and Malik Nawab Bahadur Khan, fought against the British army. After considerable loss, the British army had to sign an agreement with the local Abbasi tribe. But this agreement was ignored by the British who regained control of the town. Afterwards a number of English officers settled here permanently and raised families.

The most beautiful places in Murree include:

• Kashmir Point


• Pindi Point - a chairlift runs up to here


• The Mall - the main strip with shops, hotels and restaurants.


• Lawrence College & Church


• Many locals believe that Mary, mother of Jesus, is buried in Murree and that the town is named after her (formerly Mari). Her supposed tomb sits on a hill underneath a television tower. Locals can point you in the right direction. You may need special permission to visit.

Taxis and buses run from Islamabad, and take about 1 hour. It is a picturesque drive and has a few well developed tourist spots at Charra Pani and Company Bagh. The Chattar water park is only 15 minutes outside Islamabad. There is also an alternate but longer route to Murree from Islamabad via Nilore and Simli Dam. The alternate route joins at Lower Topa. The mountain drive is refreshing and the scenery is breath-taking especially on the Nilore-Simli-Lower Topa route.

Murree remains charming all year round.

Beautiful Blue Sunset

Chairlifts in Patriata

Murree: Top View

Kaghan Valley

The 155km long Kaghan Valley is situated at an altitude of 4170m (13690ft) in the Mansehra district, NWFP, Pakistan. Kunhar river flows through its length. Local languages spoten here are Hindko and Gojri while Urdu is also spoken.

The tourist attractions of Kaghan valley are many and are very popular among tourists specially its lakes. These include Lake Saif-ul-malook, Lake Dodipatsar and Lalusar Lake. The mountain peak of Malika Parbat (5, 296m) is also accessible from Kaghan valley. In addition to these, Shorgan is also regarded as a fascinating place.

Most visitors to Naran pay a visit to Saiful Muluk Lake (10,500 feet) 6 miles east of town. If the road is open you can arrange transportation by jeep. If the road is closed, it is an easy, gradual three-hour walk, and the lake is a lovely spot for a picnic. you can also take some guide with you. you can ask it from hotel, or any shops but make a good deal. Espacially if you plan to walk in may/june, due to big ice-glaciers you may require a horse to put all your luggage on it. Brown Trout and Mahasheer are stocked in the pure silvery waters between Kaghan and Naran. The Kunhar river's trout is considered best in the South Asia.

The Kaghan area can reached by road via the towns of Balakot, Abbottabad and Mansehra. In Balakot, one may find buses and other transports to reach Kaghan or Naran. It can also be reached from the capital, Islamabad. You can drive in a rented car, taxi, station-wagon or bus to Abbottabad which is 122 kms from Islamabad and 217 kms from Peshawar. Abbottabad is also a Charming town spread out over several low, refreshingly green hills.

The tourist season of Kaghan valley is from May to September.

Lalusar Lake

Kaghan Valley

Lalazar, Kaghan Valley

Gilgit

Gilgit is a mountain town in the north of Pakistan. Its ancient name was Sargain. Later on people started calling it Gilit. Today the locals call it Sargain-Gilit. Gilgit is spread over an area of 3800sq km (14700 sq mi) and has an altitude of 1500m (4900ft). It is famous as a major hub for traveling and mountaineering expeditions in Northern Pakistan.

In ancient times Gilgit was an important town on the Silk road. It name is also present in the accounts of well known travelers like Xuanzang and Faxian. Its rulers were once Hindu but about five and a half centuries ago the Muslim era began. In 1877 the British established Gilgit agency which in 1935 came under their control along with the valleys of Hunza, Nagar and Yasin. Gilgit became a part of Pakistan in 1947 and took an active part in 1947's war for Kashmir.

The attractions of the place include Kargah Buddah a 7th century rock with Buddah engraved on it's face, the valley of Naltar, 700 hundred years old monument of Taj Moughal,Hunza Valley, Ferry Meadows in Raikot, Shigar town, Skardu city, Haramosh Peak in Karakoram Range, Bagrot-Haramosh Valley, Deosai National Park, Astore Valley, Rama Lake, Juglot town, Phunder village, Yasin Valley and Kargah Valley.

Gilgit is just off the Karakoram Highway between Chilas and Karimabad, and most people arrive by road. The main bus stand is on the Karakoram Highway, and requires a taxi ride or shared jeep to reach from town. There are booking agents in town for long distance buses along the Karakoram Highway. The journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours.

The best season to visit is from May to mid October. The local dialect is Shina, however, Urdu and English are also spoken and understood.

Buddha engraved on rock at Kargah Buddha

Rakaposhi, Northern Areas,Kashmir, 27th highest of the world at 7788m

A bridge over river near Gilgit

Heaven on Earth!!

Skardu

Skardu is the capital of Baltistan, the newly formed province of Pakistan. It is situated at the border of Chinese Xinjiang region and Indian-occupied Kashmir at an altitude of 2438 meters in the Karakoram mountains. The native people of this marvelous place are a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak the ancient Balti language. Due to Baltistan's closeness to the Tibetan culture it is also referred to as Tibet-e-Khurd meaning the Little Tibet. The everyday life of the people of Skardu is very similar to that of “Land of Lamas”.

The tourist attractions of Skardu include Kharpocho fort (King of Forts) situated on a hill overlooking the town, Kachura lake famous for its brown trout located at a distance of 32km from Skardu, the Sadpara lake with a fairy-tale island at is center 8km away from the town, the valleys of Khaplu and Shigar and the famous Buddha rock carvings dating back to 8th century A.D. Baltistan is known for its "Pattu" - hand woven woollen cloth for jackets, coats etc. You can also pick up colorful intricately embroidered "Chugas" (Baltistani gown) and wooden spoons at Skardu bazaar.

The tourist season is from April to October. The maximum temperature is 27 C and minimum (October) 8 C. Skardu can be reached by plane. Pakistan International Airlines fly daily from Islamabad (Pakistan's capital city). The air journey is full of thrills and would itself be regarded as the highlight of the visit. It can also be reached via Karakorum highway using daily bus services offered by Nothern Area Transport Company from Islamabad. Its very hilly drive. 20 hours from Islamabad.

Another big city of Gilgit is four to five hours drive away from Skardu. You can go to Pakistan - China border via Gilgit. You may visit most famous Khunjrab Pass, K-2 Mountain base camp etc.

Mountains surrounding Skardu

Indus river near Skardu

Flight to Skardu

Karakoram Highway

Extending from Hasanabdal in Pakistan to the Chinese Kashgar region, through the Khunjerab Pass, is the Karakorum highway which is also referred to as the "Ninth Wonder of the World". It is situated at an altitude of 4693m (15,397ft) and is the world's highest border crossing. Officially it is also called National Highway 35 or N35. It has a length of 1300 km (806 km in Pakistan and 494 km in China). The highway also serves as a popular tourist attraction.

In the past, this was a caravan trail (a part of ancient Silk road). Later on, the Chinese and Pakistani authorities built a two way highway which was completed in 1986 after 20 years of construction work. While building this road 892 workers lost their lives including 82 Chinese and 810 Pakistanis. The Karakorum Highway is also known as the Friendship Highway in China.

The highway has become a destination for tourists, mountaineers and adventure lovers from all over the world as it provides an easy access to many towering mountains, exotic valleys, glaciers and the heavenly towns of Gilgit, Sakardu, Nagar and Hunza these towns are the main hubs for mountaineer expeditions in Pakistan. The Hunza was the original Shangri La that inspired the novel (and later movie). Hunza is known for its orchards, moderate Islam, welcoming hospitality and beautiful scenery. The following mountains are accessible from the Karakorum highway:

• Nanga Parbat, Northern Areas,Kashmir, 9th highest of the world at 8126m


• Rakaposhi, Northern Areas,Kashmir, 27th highest of the world at 7788m


• Diran, Northern Areas, Kashmir, most dangerous mountain in Pakistan Shishpar, Northern Areas,Kashmir


• Ultar Peak, Northern Areas,Kashmir


• Tupopdan, Northern Areas,Kashmir, also known as Cathedral Peaks near Passu

There are more than 20,000 pieces of rock art and petroglyphs all along the highway that are concentrated at ten major sites between Hunza and Shatial. The carvings were left by various invaders, traders and pilgrims who passed along the trade route, as well as by locals. The earliest date back to between 5000 BC and 1000 BC, showing single animals, triangular men and hunting scenes in which the animals are larger than the hunters. These carvings were pecked into the rock with stone tools and are covered with a thick patina that yields their age.

Lets Go!

The best time for a trip to Karakorum highway is spring and the start of autumn. The highway is closed to tourists for part of the winter and the desert area at its northern end can be very hot in summer. The starting points are Kashgar (China) or Gilgit (Pakistan). A number of transport companies offer bus service between the major towns of the highway. You can take a PIA flight or bus from Gilgit to Islamabad the capital of Pakistan.

The Karakorum Highway

The mountains of Karakorum

The highway on a rainy day

Ansoo Lake

This tear shaped lake is situated at an altitude of 16490 feet(5027m) in the vicinity of Malika-e-Parbat (Queen of mountains) in the Himalayan range. (In Urdu “Ansoo” means tear). Nature kept this beauty hidden from the eyes of humans until 1993 when a pilot of Pakistan Air Force reported it's existence during a low flight over it. Earlier, even the local people did not know that it existed.

It can be reached via a difficult trek from the Saif-ul-Maluk lake which is itself a marvelous place. The journey takes about one day and one night. One must be a good hiker if he wants to reach Ansoo lake because no jeep or car can reach there. Mules or horses can be hired but still one has to travel at least 50% of the path on foot. There are a number of streams in way but it is highly recommended that you take plenty of fresh water and juices with you. The ideal time for the visit is from July to August because in the end of August heavy snow fall begins.

So, first reach Lake Saiful-Malook. Do spend some time there and enjoy. From there, I suggest hire a guide who should be a local of these areas. The Path to Ansoo Lake is straightly passing from the base camp of Malka-e-Parbat, the most beautiful peak near Saiful-ul-Malook. You can hire mules along with guide to carry your camps and heavy utensils. And it would be a good exercise if you carry your bags yourself and take pity upon poor animals :) It should take not more than 2 or 3 hours to reach Base Camp of Malka-e-Parbat. If you happened to stay at base camp, then don't forget to enjoy the beautiful scenes of Malka-e-parbat during the evening time.

Let me specify that this whole track is full of very beautiful and marvelous scenes of mountain peaks covered with snow, so with the difficulty of climbing you will really enjoy the scenes!!

Ansoo Lake

Hike to the Ansoo Lake

Nathia Gali

Nathia gali is a famous hill station located in Hazara, NWFP, Pakistan. The place is popular for it's spectacular mountain scenery and favorable climate (Being at an altitude of 2500m the climate is much cooler then the rest of Galiath). Local people are extremely peace-loving, hospitable and friendly. They belong to the Karal tribe and speak Hindko language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of languages. Urdu is also understood as a secondary language. Literacy rate and standard of living are rising rapidly.

Nathia Gali

In the past, during the British reign, Nathia gali served as the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner. The mountain resort is a home to various kinds of wild life including different kinds of birds, butterflies and monkeys. Recently the World Wildlife Federation has started breeding leopards in it's woods. The cusine of Nathia gali is particularly very delightful. The daals, chicken karhais, barbecued foods and fresh naans in the bazaar too are thoroughly enjoyable, as are halwa puri breakfasts and freshly made roadside pakoras and jalebis. Corn on the cob is usually available all over the hill-station at various points. There are a couple of grocery stores now stock most supermarket items that are available in the cities.

Nathia gali is situated at one hour drive from Muree and Abbotabad and two hour drive from Islamabad. A number of hotels, lodges and rest houses are present for accommodation. Tourist months are April, May and September.

Mukeshpuri

Miran Jani

Road to Nathia Gali