On: October 2, 2023 Posted in Travel In Pakistan Comments: 115

Exploring Pakistan’s Northern Gems: A Journey Through Swat Valley and Beyond – By Gulzman Baig

A Trip To The Northern Area of Pakistan

My forty years in North America enabled me to compare the beauties of different countries with their strengths and weaknesses. I think Pakistan’s beauty and strength lie in Pakistan’s northern areas such as Baltistan where Skardu and Gilgit are the main cities and their adjacent areas can be compared with Switzerland, especially Hunza Valley’s beauty with its gigantic and colorful mountains above everything. Then there is Swat Valley, and Chitral Valley in KPK, and AJK.

All these places are known worldwide for their iconic natural beauty, ancient culture, birds and wildlife, dramatic landscapes, opportunities for adventure, and colorful characters.

My fellow Pakistanis, I will give you first-hand knowledge of these areas as I just concluded my Summer 2023 trips to these areas so if you ever plan to go to these areas, maybe this information is helpful or makes your trip easy by knowing facts ahead of time.

Let’s head to Swat Valley first. Distance from Islamabad to Swat is under 350 km and takes about a little over 4 hours. The best route is to take the Swat Motorway (M-16) from Islamabad. The bus fare is approximately 1300/-. Road conditions are good and traffic speed is normal. The first place to stay is Mingora, a small city located alongside the Swat River, The main bazaar has all kinds of banks, shops, and restaurants. Hotel/Motel prices range from 2000 to 10000/-per night and are easily available. Places to see in this town are Fizagat Park and Malam Jabba ski resorts.

Malam Jabba is 45 km from Mingora 9200 ft above sea level, and a beautiful place for skiing, ziplining, and beautiful sceneries. The next beautiful spots are near Kalam city which is 100km away from Malam Jabba and takes about 2 hours to get there if the road conditions are good, sometimes roads are broken with sliding, so be prepared for delays, along the way you will be able to see Madyan and Bahrain. The area is breathtakingly beautiful, surrounded by lofty snow-clad mountains and lush green meadows

Kalam is the most beautiful place to visit. There are beautiful lakes, soaring mountains, picturesque valleys, lush green forests, and other natural attractions. From Kalam to 35km up Mohodand Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world surrounded by the Hindu-kush range. Boating in blue and green water gives you immense pleasure.

Exploring the Hidden Gems of Gilgit Baltistan: A Journey from Lahore to Skardu

Gilgit Baltistan is a unique part of Pakistan, we as a nation are not justifying or beneficial of its potential, I think it has been neglected since its existence.

I took a flight from Lahore to Skardu, usually, there are every day flights from Islamabad and 4 days from Lahore. Only PIA and Air Blue are operating, it takes about an hour and a half to reach there and the return fare costs Rs.60k.

The beauty of Skardu is enhanced by its fresh spring water, delicious fruits, the blue water of the Indus River, historical sites, lakes, and pleasant weather which attracts tourists from around the world. Three of the world’s longest glaciers outside the polar regions and several high-altitude lakes are in GB. It has always been a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers, and landscape-loving people.

I spent the first day in Shigar Valley which is famous for its ancient history from the 11th century located at the bank of Shigar River which runs from Baltoro Glacier. It’s 50 km away from Skardu, and 170 km from the base camp of K2 at Askole village.

My first stop was a cold desert which is surrounded by the Karakoram ranges. A beautiful sight of the Indus River alongside jeep racing and paragliding are the good activities happening. Other places like a blind lake, an average place, and Shigar Fort which was built 400 years ago and was recently restored and transformed into a luxury hotel. Another landmark is one of the old mosques built by Syed Ali Hamdani who converted, the Hindu and Buddhist population to Islam.

The next day I planned to visit Shangri-la Resort, Upper Kachura Lake, and Souq Valley.

Shangri-la Lake is famous for its pristine beauty and is a popular spot for hiking, camping, and picnicking, the resort was open to the public in1983 and is known as ‘Heaven on the Earth’ due to its stunning beauty, breathtaking view, and peaceful ambiance.

The next stop was Upper Kachura Lake which is an hour’s drive from Skardu, its elevation is 2500 meters above sea level and its maximum depth is 70 meters. There’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy, you can hike, boat ride, zipline, or relax and enjoy the spectacular views.

Exploring Skardu’s Hidden Gems: From Desai’s Majestic Plateaus to Basho Valley’s Untamed Beauty

Today I started my journey towards Deosai National Park, a 4-hour drive from Skardu GB. It is recognized as an internationally important site for the protection and conservation of the Himalayan Brown Bear. Deosai is the world’s second highest plateau, which is also called the ” Roof of the World” approximately 140000 ft above sea level.

Deosai is dotted with several lakes, including the stunning ‘Sheosar Lake, located at an elevation of around 13500ft and widely known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque surroundings. It is also home to wildlife like Himalayan Ibex, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Himalayan Wolf, and a diverse range of over 124 bird species. We spent the whole day near Lake Sheosar and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery around the landscape.

The next day we were heading to two beautiful falls in Kharmang District. One is called the Khamosh waterfall and the other one is called ‘The Manthokha waterfall, both are located 80 km away from Skardu which is an extreme northern region of Pakistan, and Kargil peaks are just 20 km away from this point.

Khamosh waterfall is a perfect spot for those looking for a peaceful and secluded getaway. It not only enjoys nature but is also a great place for rock climbing, camping, trekking, and photography.

Manthokha waterfall is 180 feet high, one of the largest natural waterfalls in Skardu Valley, and has its beauty surrounded by green pastures, gigantic rocky mountains, and streams of fresh clear water. It also has unique hotels and treehouses, literally houses built on the trees.

My next trip was to Basho Valley which is 10000 ft high and 45km away from Skardu. The valley has high mountains on three sides which is home to Markhor, deer, Ibex, and Snow Leopard. There are endless opportunities for adventure and views, whether you are looking at the soaring peaks or the sparkling waters of the lake, you will be mesmerized by the natural beauty of this place.

Exploring the Majestic Landscapes of Pakistan: From Chunda Valley to the Karakoram Highway

The next day I explored the Chunda Valley, Katpana desert & Lake. Chunda is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions near Skardu. Valley is renowned for its beautiful blossomed trees, giant mountains, lush green scenery, and Skardu city view from the top of the mountain.

Katpana desert is one of the highest deserts in the world near Skardu airport. Desert contains large dunes covered in snow in winter seasons. Its altitude is 7300 above sea level, The Sunset view at the top of the dunes is amazing and the lake in front mesmerizes the location.

My next trip was scheduled for Naran and Hunza Valley. I drove from Islamabad to Naran which is 285 km but takes about 6 hours to reach there. Mostly the road conditions are good but when you reach Balakot in Mansehra District driving speed is hardly 30 – 40 km per hour.

Naran is a lush green valley, a busy tourist destination, with lots of hotels, and shops, especially Naran bazaar is very crowded and lively. But The biggest attraction is Lake Saiful Maluk which is 10500 ft above sea level, offering an excellent view of the peak of Malika Parbat Mountain. This lake is also famous for A fairy tale called Saiful Maluk written by the Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh.

The next day on my way to Hunza Gilgit Baltistan I stopped briefly at Lake Lulusar which is surrounded by beautiful scenery and provides an ideal location for camping. At the end of Naran, Kaghan Valley I hit the Babusar top which connects Gilgit Baltistan via the Karakoram Highway. This highway is called the 8th wonder of the world due to its altitude and the hard conditions in which it was built, a real architectural masterpiece. The Karakoram highway is perhaps one of the only places in the world where you can admire a mountain like Nanga Parbat from the window of your car. It’s about a 1300 km stretch leading to the Chinese city of Kashgar.

Unforgettable Journey Through Hunza: Majestic Mountains, Rich History, and Natural Wonders Await!

On my way to Hunza from Babusar top there were several interesting viewpoints, one of them was Nanga Parbat, even from a distance the notorious mountain looks grand and majestic.

Unfortunately, there is no proper restaurant or washroom facility otherwise the scenery was so beautiful that you could spend hours there. Next was the point where you can take trekkers to Fairy Meadows which we skipped and stopped at the Jaglot junction point. This is where three different mountain ranges collide and two rivers cross their path. It was interesting to see the River Indus and River Gilgit show two different colors.

Now we were about to enter Hunza Valley, but we didn’t miss the highest unbroken slope in the world ‘ called Mount Rakaposhi. Upon entering Hunza, the entire landscape changes it keeps on getting better and better. After crossing the towns of Aliabad, and Raheemabad we reached our destination point in Karimabad. This town is full of shops, and restaurants where you can purchase gift items, souvenirs, local handmade clothing, precious ring stones, and real Salajeet. From the main Karimabad market, there is a steep 800 meters hike to the centuries-old Baltit Fort, which is the 8th-century fort belonging to the Royal family of Hunza.

The next morning we head out to Khunjerab Pass, a gateway to China, The Distance from Karimabad to Khunjerab Pass is about 92km and its altitude is about 15500ft above sea level. China’s famous City Kashgar is 400km away from that point. Khunjerab Pass holds many distinctions, including the highest paved international border crossing globally, but one might suffer altitude sickness as the oxygen level is relatively low in the region.

The next stop was nature’s wonder Attabad Lake, this lake was formed as a result of massive landslides but what a stunning view and scenery created by Mother Nature. Many souvenir shops, restaurants, and activities like speed boating, jet skiing, or traditional wooden boats are enough to keep you entertained all day long. Coming back to Karimabad another interesting point is Altit Fort, which was an ancient residence of the Royal Family, the history of their lifestyle and household stuff was preserved there. Another place called Eagle’s Nest is viewpoint on the top of the mountain that gives a complete 360-degree view of the Karakoram mountain range that surrounds the Hunza valley.

Finally, we concluded our greatest, most enjoyable trip to Hunza, there was no dull moment in Hunza, every bit of my time was great and memorable. I highly recommend visiting Pakistan’s mesmerizing beauty once in a lifetime.

From Family Adventures to Independence: A Father’s Journey of Transformation and Generosity

This was the glorious time of my life, With no financial issues, and no stress, I was with and around the family most of the time. A memorable trip was driving from Toronto to Florida, kids enjoyed every bit of it. Many other road trips like Quebec, Wasaga Beach, and Niagara Falls numerous times were full of fun.

Meantime kids have gone to Universities, and now life is taking another turn for the better. My boys were more outside than with family which was normal but our pleasure trips were taking another shape. Kids often planned their trips with their friends and foes. My wife and I were having our activities, especially my wife’s passion for cooking, and I was limited to watching TV in my leisure time. Watching political debates and sports channels was the optimum routine. In between we traveled to a few destinations such as Cuba, Europe, and Middle Eastern countries, especially for Hajj and Umrahs.

With so much comfort and having no challenges was changing my personality from flamboyant to introverted. I enjoyed spending time with one or two people rather than in large groups or crowds.

As I observed my grown-up children were also shaping up their personalities. Their activities and goals were 180 degrees different from mine. My imagination of a perfect family unit was far from my children’s thoughts. Surely I was not capable of bridging that gap. Yes we were one family but everyone was on their own, every individual was just an individual. Own thoughts, lifestyles, and different ways of thinking from each other.

My boys were drifting away from joint living to individual living and as soon as they completed their universities, they were on their own and I happily accepted that, although none of my children ever misbehaved they felt proud being independent and then being a burden on the parents. Since I knew that they were capable of taking on the challenges I did not cause any hindrance. Instead, I took a bold decision. I sold all my assets and distributed all the funds among them, although there was not any demand, keeping my childhood struggles in mind, I decided to give them now instead of inheriting them when I am no longer in this world.