Domestic Tour 2009

Special Domestic Tours for 2009

We have been seeing an un-ease at many frontiers in 2009 as Pakistan enters on the path to democracy. Although things are taking shape towards development but the inflation which is not only a problem that we in Pakistan are facing it is a problem faced by the whole world. In fact we are a lot better than many countries including the closest neighbors like united Arab Emirates. Pakistan is still a lot cheaper and healthier to live and travel in than Dubai or any other place.

Although things are on positive trends we still have a long way to go and still some places in Pakistan are no go areas Travel & culture services has written this document to show you the places where you can go with your family and enjoy yourself.

Hunza Valley: land of the fairy tales it is a valley at 7000 feet above sea level surrounded by high snowcapped mountains. Its villages and town are lush green with maize crop and orchids of Apricot, walnut, Appls peers & peaches. Hunza is probably the most beautiful and most peaceful piece of land in the world, yes that’s right the World there is no place which has any near comparision to Hunza valley.

How to get there : Hunza is 710 kilometers from Islamabad but the road to Hunza is yet another out of this world road the Karakorum highway has been regarded as a wonder of the world by the people who visited it but unfortunately our government not our media has ever paid any attention to it. The road was constructed between 1968 – 1978 by the brave men of Frontier Works Organization who still maintain this road. This is possibly the biggest ever feet of Pakistan Army in the development of the country.

The road was build by the joint efforts of Pakistan who built the road and China who built the numerous bridges along the road. The road goes along the winding Indus river valley from from Thakot to Rakot and than follows Gilgit river to Gilgit and than to Hunza Khunjerab and than to Taxkorgan in China.

One can hire a car in islamabd and drive to Besham (275 KMs) where there is a PTDC motel and few other smaller hotels next day take Karakorum highway to Gilgit (320 Kms) and than drive to Karimabad Hunza (100 KMs) It will take 2 days or 3 days if you decide to have a break in Gilgit also.

Where to Stay: There are many hotels in Karimabad and Gulmit and also in the border town of Sost. Karimabad has a Serena Hotel managed hotel called Baltit Inn and also has a 4 star hotel operated the ex ruler of Hunza Kingdom Darbar Hotel.

Activities: Hunza is a place where you will be happy for just being there its peaceful atmosphere poliution free air breath taking views of mountains, fruit orchids, colorful culture, highly developed and educated village community (Hunza has the best literacy rate in whole Pakistan) . The aga Khan foundation has restored the Baltit fort which has guided tours daily you can simply walk upto the fort and seee some history there, The bazaar of Hunza has scores of things from woolen shawls pashminas to the beautiful handicrafts brought from Sindh to this vally. There are many walks in the mountains and you can also drive to gulmit and live in the village hotels there.

Gilgit : Gilgit is a located at an altitude of Aprox 1500 Meters (4800 Feet) in the North east of Pakistan . The city had been a central point of trade and political activity as early as 1st century AD. Since then it has always been a very strategic point for the neighboring countries. Surrounded by the massive mountains of Karakorums Gilgit is a small valley with a ground just enough to form a small city of 500000 persons. Beyond here there is no such a big town or city in any direction within a distance of about 450 Kilometers in any direction. Gilgit is the administrative and commercial capital of Northern areas.

Mountains of the region are known to be the highest and greatest in the Number around the world. Stretch of Gilgit comes in the rain shadow of Nanga Parbat Mountain i.e. The moon soon winds are blocked by the massive of Nanga Parbat and clouds can not reach Gilgit which makes it dry & rugged but the labor of the strong and willing local population has even claimed the hard mountains for cultivation's. Due to this there are beautiful green orchids of many fruits in the valley. This makes an spectacular contrast in the green fields and ruggedness on the mountains topped with white snow a scenery only found in the northern areas of Pakistan.

Naltar : Only about 2 hours jeep drive to this lush green vally of pines and ski slopes makes an Excellent Excursion from Gilgit. You can hire a jeep from Gilgit for an Excursion to this beautiful vally during your stay in Gilgit.

Bagrot Valley:

A beautiful village untouched by modern civilization, Bagrot is situated in the Gilgit valley about 43km to the eastern side narrow valley. The area offers enchanting mountains scenery and boasts of abundance in fruits, nuts and wild vines. The inhabitants of Bagrot are a simple people who believe in retaining their old culture and tradition. Here most of people are Shia muslim and shenaki is the local language.

Fairy Meadows:- Fairy meadows is one of the most talked about hard to reach places in Pakistan It is as beautiful as is the world. Fairy meadows lies right at the foot of the magnificent Nanga parbat (8124 meters ) 9th highest mountain in the world) mountain. It has a natural green pine forest and meadows which give a very scenic view of Nanga Parbat.

To reach fairy meadows you need to drive 50 kilometers from Chilas to raikot bridge where jeeps are available to drive you to Tato village from where you can hike for about 3 hours to discover this undobtfully fairy tale land. Horses are also available if you prefer not to walk.