HeavenlyHeavenly blessedblessed landland GILGITGILGIT -- BALTISTANBALTISTAN Tourism Department Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan is home to 108 peaks above 7,000 meters and probably as many peaks above PAKISTAN 6,000 m. There is no count of the peaks above 5,000 and 4,000 m. Five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world (the eight-thousanders) are in Pakistan (four of which lie in the surroundings of Concordia; the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwin Austen Glacier). Most of the highest peaks in Pakistan lie in Karakoram range (which lies almost entirely in the Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan, but some peaks above 7,000 m are included in the Himalayan and Hindukush ranges DISTANCES Where Great Mountain Ranges Meet Gilgit Baltistan of PAKISTAN Gilgit Baltistan is, perhaps, the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. Here world’s three mightiest mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayas – meet. The whole of Gilgit Baltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and anglers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. 4 CAPITAL Gilgit DISTRICTS Diamer, Astore Gilgit, Ghizer, Hunza/Nagar Baltistan, Ghanche AREA 72,496 km² TIME ZONE PST, GMT +5 POPULATION 870,347 LANGUAGES Shina, Balti, Wakhi Khowar, Brushaski Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan which is mountain Nanga Parbat (8126 m), the endowed with most unique geographical Hidden Peak, Gasherbrum I (8068 m), the feature in the world. Broad Peak (8047 m) and the Gasherbrum II (8035 m). This enormous mountain wealth In an area of about 500 kms in width and makes Pakistan an important mountain 350 kms in depth, is found the most dense country, offering great opportunities for collection of some of the highest and mountaineering and mountain related precipitous peaks in the world, boasting adventure activities. The area is aptly called more than 700 peaks above 6000 meters, a paradise for mountaineers, adventure and more than 160 peaks above 7000 seekers and nature lovers. The compelling meters. charm of these high, challenging, endless sea of rugged rock and ice pinnacles lure These include five out of the total fourteen large- number of climbers, adventure above eight thousand meter high peaks on seekers and nature lovers from across the earth, namely the second highest rock five continents to the Gilgit-Baltistan and pyramid - the K-2 (8611 m), the killer Chitral, each year. 5 ASTORE VALLEY Rock Inscriptions Astore is the recently established Bunji district headquarters at Gilgit- Astore River Dashkin Baltistan with its district ASTORE Eid Gah Gurikot headquarters at Eidgah. The Rama Lake Raikot 7074 Chongra Gudai Nanga Parbat 6828 8125 Astore Valley is comprised of Tarashing Chilam Chauki Rupal numerous valleys and villages 5584 Chachor Pass Rattu 4266 Mir Malik where the prominent ones are Rama, Gorikot, Rehmanpur, Rattu. Bunji, Dashkin and Chilim, among others. Of particular note in the District are Parbat (Rupal Face) and Rama Lake. 6 DIAMIR VALLEY The Diamer District is the gateway to the Gilgit-Baltistan if driving from Islamabad via the Karkorum Highway (KKH) or Kaghan Valley through Babusar or Butogah passes. The area has been important since the pre-historic period and numerous traces of ancient rock carvings ore found in different shapes, especially rock inscribed pictures and writings which are spread all around the Jaglot Tangir River Darel River Thalechi region. The important places in Shatial Rock Nanga Parbat viewpoint Diamer District are Tangir, Darel, Khanbari River Hudor River Thalpan Rivr Karakoram Highway Indus River Raikot Bridge Chiias, Bunar Das, Gonar Farm Thor Gunar Muthat Pass 4964 CHILAS Chilas Bunar Jail Tato TDO Rock Jilipur and Raikot. Of particular note Thor River Diarmori 5245 Fairy Thak Meadows Buldar Jilipur 5602 Thak River Zangot Pass in this District are Nanga Parbat Kachal 4837 Pass Buto Gah River 4400 Ganalo Buto Gan 6608 Pass 4100 Babusar (8,125m) Raikot Face and Fairy Babusar Pass 4173 Meadows, some of the most picturesque places in the world. 7 Gilgit strategically the most GILGIT VALLEY important region in the Karakorams and the trade centre of the region for 327 centuries, is the capital town Naltar Pass 4600 Daintar Pass 4636 and administrative centre of Naltar Lake Chalt the Federally Administered Naltar Punial Diran Gilgit-Baltistan. The area is Rakaposhi 7266 Rash Peak Bagrot Valley 7788 Hinarchi Gl 5098 Normal watered by the Ghizer/Gilgit, Bulchi DanyorKarakoram Highway Chirah GILGIT Hunza and Indus rivers and Kutwal Sassi Lake several of their tributaries. Pari Mani Glacier Gasho Gilgit was an important city Pahot Alam Bridge Lake Unique Point on the Silk Road through which religions were spread to and from the region. Of particular note in this district are Naltar, 35 km from Gilgit and a picturesque grassland surrounded by high peaks with accessible glacial lakes. Near to Gilgit there is the Kargah Buddha, a rock-wall carved Buddha dating back to the 8th century AD while a little further on is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery and stupa. 8 GHIZER VALLEY The major places are Punial which is a former small kingdom and Sherqilla which has a wood carved mosque and 150 year old watchtower. Fishing is another activity in the villages.Yasin is a green and picturesque region. The Ishkoman valley is another beautiful region in Ghizer. Phander is one of the most interesting places in the district. It is well Karambar An 4188 connected by metalled road to Gilgit. A leisure day at Phander Thui 1 Darkot Pass Kyoyo Zoom 6660 6872 Chillinji Pass with fishing in the lake is ideal for 4575 5291 Darkot holiday makers. ShandurPass, the Thui An Pass Ishkuman 4499 Pass 4587 Ishkuman bordering plateau between Gilgit Imit Asumbar and Chitral is more famous for its Pass Pakora 4400 Nazbar Pass Yasin 4977 Chatorkhand annual polo tournament and gala. Zagar Pass Khalti Lake Gupis It offers superb panorama as the Chamurkhan Pass 5008 Phander Lake Teru vast plateau fills with alpine flowers GHAKUCH Bubar Langar Handrab Sher Qila Handrab Shandur Pass Lake Singal and the lake on the pass makes it 3734 Gulapur To Chitral more picturesque. CHITRAL Kargah 9 Dadarilli An 4941 DIR Kilik Pass Mintaka Pass Karakoram Highway Khunjerab National Park To Kashgar HUNZA /NAGAR VALLEY Ziarat Baba Ghundi Khunjerab Misgar River Khunjerab Pass Kuksil Zero 4733 m Chepursan Viewpoint Dhee Ghujerab River Lupghar Chapchingol Pass 5150 Sost Khaibar Batura Glacier Dutt Ziarat Batura 7785 Shimshal Pass Passu Glacier Shimshal River 4735 Hunza ValleyPassu 7478 Braldu River Borit Lake Shimshal Ultar Passu Shuwart Ghulkin Glacier Hussaini Chikar 7388 Ghulkin Daintar Pass Gulmit Glacier 4636 Karimabad Gulmit Baltit Fort Shishkat Bridge Braldu Glacier Altit Fort Nazimabad 5790 7885 Khurdopin Hunza River Ultar Viewpoint Kanjut Sar Aliabad Sacred Rock Distaghil Sar Pass Ghulmat Ghanish 7760 Sikandar Minapin Nagar Abad Nilt Barpu Gl Hopar Gl Pakaposhi Rash Lake Hispar Glacier Viewpoint Golden Peak (Spantily) 7027 Hunza valley is the prime attraction for tourists as the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains is overwhelming. A view of four 7,000 m high peaks, i.e., Rakaposhi, Diran, Golden and Ultar, from various points of Hunza makes it unique. The valley is known for its delicious fruits, terraced fields, and also for its changing colours in various seasons. Nagar has been a state of equal status and importance as that of Hunza. Although the valley is spread in a vast region, however the main village of Nagar is just opposite to Karimabad, across the Hunza River. Bar, Jaffarabad, Husanabad, Sikandarabad, Nilt and Ghulmit are the major villages in Nagar. 10 SKARDU VALLEY Skardu town is located near the confluence of Shigar and Indus rivers, and is watered by the stream flowing down the Sadpara Lake. Although Skardu is the base camp for the routes to some of the world's highest peaks, low altitude mountains surround the town. The old bazaar has a few mountaineering equipment (second hand) shops and others provide basic 5151 Hispar Pass Baintha Brakk Snow Lake 7285 provisions required by trekking and Latok 7145 K2 climbing parties. Chogo Lungma Gl 8611 Haramosh Biafo Glacier Passs 4800 Arandu Mustagh Broad Peak 8047 7284 Paiyu Uli Cathedral Gasherbrum 4 Haramosh Biaho Trango 7929 7409 Tower Godwin Austen Gl Godwin Gasherbrum 2 BashaRiver Braldu River Baltoro Glacier Dassu Dumordo River Paiyu Shengus Baltoro GlacierConcordia 8035 Thongal Gasherbrum 1 Of particular interest in this district are: Stak Urdukas Korophon Milre 8068 6010 Hyderabad Askole Braldu River Masherbrum (K1) GhondoghoroVigne Gl Thowar Pass 5650 Indus River Dambudas 7821 Khorpocho Fort, Manthal Rock Skoro La 5073 DalsangpaGhondoghoro Gl Baltoro Kangri Snow Dome 7150 Shigar River Chogolisa 7150 7668 Rondu Baghicha (Buddhist carving), Sadpara and Hushe K7 Thalle La 4572 6934 Basho Shigar Thalle River K6 Kachura Lakes (including the upscale Masjid Upper Kachura Kande 7281 Lake Khurposhe Kachura Fort Ranak Pass Lake Doghoni resort of Shangrila while so 3 full day 4964 Manthal Buddha Satpara SKARDU Kiris Lake TDO excursions are a visit to Deosai Plains Burjl La Gol 4815 Katicho Indus River Ali Malik Pass Mehdiabad (the second highest plateau in the 4588 Ganse Pass 5030 Chilam Chauki Bara PaniDeosai National Park world), and the Shigar valley with an Kharmang Sheosar Lake impressive renovated fort and fruit Olding orchards. 11 Hushe River Hushe Hulde Thagas Saltoro River GHANCHE VALLEY Shyok River KHAPLU Ghanche has two major divisions, Masjid Fort Khaplu and Mc'herbrum. Hushe, under the shadow of Masherbrum Lunkha Piun Peak, is the gateway to various Frano important peaks and glaciers. A 102 km drive mostly along the Shyok river takes to Khaplu, the district headquarters of Ghanche. Khaplu Palace and Chaqchan Mosque are the interesting places to visit.