10 Reasons Why you Should Visit Gilgit Baltistan Once?
There should be captivating and atrractive places when you are going to spend the valuable times of your vocations and family holidays in the mountains or places of peaceful environment and with the nature. Gilgit Baltistan is a prime example where I can provide you with ten reasons why you should visit and spend your holidays.
Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer
Peaceful Environment in Gilgit Baltistan
Gilgit Baltistan is not much crowded as the major cities of Pakistan. The region is below the stage of industrialization and therefore you will not encounter pollution and a noisy environment. The number of vehicles and automobiles is also very few to keep mother nature safe and clean. Due to these reasons, the environment here is very peaceful and I guarantee you will not regret it at all.
The People and Culture of Gilgit Baltistan
A nations culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people
The very first thing that happens is that you will most probably create contacts with a local to have an idea and make plans about your trip. The people of this region are very polite, gentle, well-read, rational and very hospitable with cooperative nature in dealing specially with non-locals. You can imagine the culture after having any conversation with locals therein. The very mistake that non-locals make is that they treat the locals like an alien due to their very nature of living and speaking. It’s not the fault or mistake of the tourists because they face daily incidents in cities with nature just opposite to the people of Gilgit Baltistan.
Historical/ Archeological Sites in Gilgit Baltistan
There is an abundance of sites that are historical in nature and demands more archaeological research and explorations with proper maintenance from the concerned departments. I will just be providing a few of these sites here.
1. Kharfocho Fort aka Skardu Fort (16th C.E)
2. Chaqchan Mosque (700 yrs old)
3. Khaplu Palace (1840 C.E)
4. Altit Fort (1100 yrs old)
5. Buddha Rock (8th C.E)
Stunning Lakes In Gilgit Baltistan
The number of lakes in Gilgit Baltistan is countless. There are lakes in every corner of this region from Hunza to the other side of the region. some of these lakes are mentioned here
1. Sadpara Lake
2. Sheosar Lake
3. Atabad Lake
4. Naltar Lake
5. Shangrila Lake
6. Phander Lake in Ghizer
7. Rainbow Lake In Domail Astore
Meadows and Plateaus of Gilgit Baltistan
The meadows and lush green fields of deosai, the second-highest plateau of the world catches everyone’s attention. Then the tales of Fairy Meadows will take you to another world of beauty and nature’s gift. The attractiveness of Fairy Meadows is more important because of the high peak of Nanga Parbat (8k+ ASL) present nearby which provides a more exquisite observation from the meadow.
Then the road to the meadows will be another level of experience for the tourists. The last meadow which is more important to mention here is the Basho Meadows. Basho Valley is up in the mountains of the Gilgit Skardu road which recently expanded in size and reduced travelling time. It is just explored by the local photographers and therefore a must-visit to this valley is needed.
Cold Deserts of Skardu and Shigar
The experience of witnessing snow-capped mountains with river and sand dunes surrounded by lush green fields of Skardu Katpana and Shiger will hack you within their arms. On the outskirts of Skardu city, you will witness the Katpana Cold Desert which stretches alongside the river Indus around Skardu city till Ladakh and Leh in India. You can have fishing near the Katpana Cold Desert and have some tea and food there inside any of the affordable and customised restaurants. The Shigar cold desert gives you the way to enter into the mountains of mighty Karakoram. The Gateway To K2.
Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan
The real adventure of mountains lies in the Karakoram here in Gilgit Baltistan. We have the 5 highest mountains in the world. The three mountain ranges of Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu kush meet here in Gilgit Baltistan.
K2(8611m)
Nanga Parbat (8126m)
Broad Peak (8051m)
Gashabrum 1 (8080m)
Gashabrum II (8035m)
Mashabrum (7821m)
Rakaposhi (7788m)
Trango Towers (6286m)
Valleys of Gilgit Baltistan
When you visit this region of the country then you will have a chance of engaging with the locals so that you can know their culture and practices. The valleys to mention are quite high in number but to keep in mind the length/time I prefer to include a minimum number of valleys but are astonishing and stunning.
Hunza Valley
Shigar Valley
Nagar Valley
Astore Valley
Basho Valley
Kharmang Valley
Khaplu Valley
Sadpara Valley