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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Karakoram Highway
A new all-weather road, the Karakoram Highway connecting Rawalpindi/Islamabad with China’s Xinjiang Province runs through the Northern Areas.
The 805 kms. dual carriage metalled road starts from Havelian, 100 kms. from Islamabad and winds through Abbottabad Mansehra Thakot Besham Pattan S azin Chils Gilgit Hunza to the Chinese Frontier across the 4,733 metres high Khunjerab Pass. The road built by the Pakistan Army engineers in association with the Chinese experts and technicians has been described as a marvel of civil engineering and even as "the Eighth Wonder of the World." Completed in 15 years, it has been forced through some of the world’s toughest terrain. The road not only opens up the Northern Areas to trade and travel but provides easy access to hitherto closed regions, connected by jeep or goat tracks.
PTDC and Northern Area Transport Company (NATCO) are plying regular bus service between Sost (Pakistan) and Taxkhurgan (China) for overland traffic between Pakistan and China, from 1st May till 15th November every year.
General Information
Communication
Almost all the places in the Northern Areas are linked by telephone with the rest of the country and the outside world. A number of public all offices are located in the Northern Areas. Both the Post Office and the Special Communications Organization maintain networks of telephone and wireless system.
DON’T’S
In the northern areas, please don’t photograph military installations, major bridges and airports. Taking photographs of women is also strictly prohibited but the girls in the Kalash valleys can be photographed provided they agree: the usually pose on payment. Please do not travel at night on mountain roads and do not swim in the rivers up north or other fast flowing mountain streams.
For planning your tours, please contact: Pakistan Tours Ltd., Hotel Flashman’s, The Mall, Rawalpindi, Telephone: 563038, 581480-5, Fax: 92-51-565449, Telex No. 5620 any tour operator or PIA offices in Pakistan and abroad
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Gilgit Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the most spectacular regions of Pakistan. Here world's three mightiest mountain ranges- the Karakorams, the Hindukush and the Himalayas- meet. The entire Gilgit-Baltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, climbers, trekkers, hikers and anglers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare plants and flowers. Historically, the area has remained a flash point of political and military rivalries among the Russian, British and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule in the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region extended their allegiance to Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir. Five out of fourteen mountain peaks over 8000 meters including the K-2 - the world's second highest peak and some of the largest glaciers outside polar region are located in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Karakoram Highway is known as the 'Ninth Wonder of the World' and National Highway 35 (N35), and parts of it are taller than Europe's Mont Blanc. It cuts right through the lofty Karakoram mountain range.
The road was built over an historical caravan trail which was once part of the ancient Silk Road, and was a combined effort between China and Pakistan. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) goes from Western China to Pakistan across the Himalayas and is the world's highest highway. Although the highest peaks are on the Pakistan side, driving the Chinese part is, nonetheless, enthralling for adventurists. The Karakoram Highway provides access to the otherwise unreachable massive peaks of the Karakoram for mountaineers and cyclists.
Karakoram Highway offers thrilling experience for an adventure lover. You may pass many beautiful scenic spots that offer virgin beauty untouched by the outward influence. On the other hand you may come across miles and miles of barren land with rocky mountains staring you in the face.
Transport
Gilgit city is one of the two major hubs for all mountaineering expeditions almost all tourists headed for treks in Karakoram or Himalaya ranges arrive at Gilgit first. Many tourists choose to travel Gilgit by air since the road travel between Islamabad and Gilgit by Karakoram Highway takes nearly 18 hours, whereas the air travel takes a mere 45-50 minutes. Gilgit Airport is located at a small ground very close to the center it takes 5 - 10 Minutes from Airport to any hotel in town.
AnglingThe streams and lakes of Gilgit are full of trout. These are at kargah Nullah 10 kms. from Gilgit, Singal 56 kms. Gakuch 73 kms. and Phandar 117 kms. from Gilgit. Permits for fishing are issued by the Assistant Director, Fisheries, Government of Pakistan, Gilgit.
Trekking & HikingTrekking and hiking in the rugged mountains and verdant valleys of Gilgit are allowed only in the "open zone" which extends up to 16 kms. short of the control line on the Kashmir border and up to 50 kms. short of the Afghan border. Guides are available at PTDC Motel, Gilgit. However, applications for obtaining permission to bring a trekking group for restricted zone into the country should reach the Ministry of Tourism by 31st December alongwith a map indicating the route within three months of the expiry of the last date for the receipt of applications. The names, passport numbers, place of issue, must also be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism.
MountaineeringAround Gilgit are towering mountain peaks, waiting to be scaled. Permits for mountaineering are issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
How to Get There
By Air: PIA operates two daily flights between Islamabad and Gilgit. All flights are subject to good weather. The flying times is one hour and one way fare is approximately US$ 44 for foreigners.
By Road: Gilgit is also accessible from Islamabad/Rawalpindi on the direct route (625 km) by the Karakoram Highway. Rawalpindi to Gilgit via Swat is 750 kms and takes 20 hours by bus/van; Rawalpindi to Gilgit via Babusar Pass 592 kms 24 hours by jeep.
Regular bus, wagon services operate on the Karakoram Highway between Rawalpindi and Gilgit.
Where to StayGilgit has a number of comfortable furnished and reasonably priced cottage-hotels, motels including PTDC’s Chinar Inn, and rest-houses.:
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