Gilgit Baltistan is located in northern Pakistan. It is famous for its renowned beauty, mountain landscapes and diverse peaks of the Karakoram range. Gilgit Baltistan has unique cultural heritage. It’s culture, history and unparalleled beauty makes it a paradise for adventure and nature enthusiasts.
With its immense beauty, Gilgit Baltistan has various worth seeing spots for tourists. At an altitude of 1454 feet from sea level, it has beautiful and attractive valleys, lush green fields, deep blue lakes and the rivers flowing across it.
Phander Valley in Gilgit Baltistan is commonly known as “Little Kashmir”. Gilgit Baltistan is the hub of tourists, mountaineers and trekkers. Trekkers find an unforgettable experience by climbing the highest and the most beautiful peaks of the Karakorum Range.
Various famous tourist attractions near Gilgit include Naltar Valley, Nagar Valley, Hunza Valley, Shigar Town, Fairy Hayfield, Skardu Valley, Bagrot Valley, Haramosh Valley, Astore Valley, Ghizer Valley, Yasin Valley and Phunder Valley.
Things to do in Gilgit Baltistan with Family:
As the most famous tourist spot, there are various things to do in Gilgit Baltistan with family i.e. having nature walks and picnics, having family friendly hikes and cultural experiences.
Nature Walks and Picnics:
Gilgit Baltistan is having a huge number of valleys. These valleys contain lush green meadows with the rivers flowing besides them. Families find it the best place for having a walk across the nature, camping and picnics.
Various walking and picnic spots include Fairy Meadows, Manthokha Waterfall, Hunza Valley, Naltar Valley, Upper Kachura Lake, Phander Valley, Attabad Lake, Deosai National Park, Katpana Desert and Baseen.
Family-Friendly Hikes:
Gilgit Baltistan is the land of mountains making it a paradise for mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts. Famous hiking destinations in Gilgit Baltistan include Baltoro Glacier, Skardu, Passu, Deosai National Park, Gasherbrum, Shimshal, Hushe Askole and Rakaposhi Basecamp trail.
Cultural Experiences:
Gilgit Baltistan has a rich and unique cultural heritage. It exhibits unique local dress, music and traditions. Traditional dress here shows the legacy of culture, weather and geography. The traditional cap has different names in different local languages.
It is called “Khoi” in Shina and Khowar languages, “Phartsun” in Burushaski, and “Sekeed” in Wakhi language. This cap is considered as a sign of honor among locals.
Various cultural festivals are held in Gilgit Baltistan throughout the year. These festivals help in advancing social attachment.
Famous festivals include Shandur Polo Festival, Gather Festival, Babusar Polo Festival, Navroz Festival and Ginani Festival. Tourists have keen desire to participate in these festivals and explore the rich culture of Gilgit Baltistan.
Places to Visit in Gilgit:
Gilgit city is the capital of Gilgit Baltistan region acting as a hub for tourists. As a famous tourist destination, Gilgit has various famous places to visit. There are a lot of things to do in Gilgit Baltistan, let’s explore some of the places where one can visit.
Famous Places in Gilgit:
There are countless famous places to visit in Gilgit Baltistan. Some famous places include Hunza Valley, Skardu, Baltit Fort, Baseen, Attabad Lake, Katpana Desert, Deosai National Park, Phander Valley, Nanga Parbat, Upper Kachura Lake, Kharphocho Fort and Naltar Valley.
Historical Places in Gilgit:
Along with natural wonders, Gilgit Baltistan region is having various historical places which include Baltit Fort Hunza, Altit Fort, Chaqchan Mosque, Kharpocho Fort, Katpana Desert, Buddha De Yasheni, Serena Khaplu Palace, Sacred Rocks of Ganish, Amburiq Mosque, Manthal Buddha Rock and Khilingrong Mosque.
Hidden Places in Gilgit:
Phander Valley is a hidden gem in Gilgit Baltistan. This valley is at an altitude of 2500 meters. Phander Lake has crystal clear blue water which is surrounded by high peaks of mountains. Most of the wild flowers grow in the Summer season which makes it more attractive and a perfect spot for tourists.
Also, the Handrap (lined with unique wooden houses) and Barsit (home for apple orchards) villages along with Khamosh Waterfall and the Sonar Meadows also lie in the hidden gem’s category.
Gilgit Baltistan Places Names:
Gilgit Baltistan is bestowed with plenty of natural beauty. Also it has unique culture and rich history. That’s why this region offers various natural and cultural landmarks to the visitors.
Natural Wonders:
With the immense natural beauty, Gilgit Baltistan is having uncountable spots for nature enthusiasts. But the most famous among them are Fairy Meadows and Deosai National Park.
Fairy Meadows:
Fairy Meadows named by German mountaineers are locally known as Joot. These lush green meadows are at an altitude of 3300 meters from the sea level, surrounded by alpine forests and fed by waters from glaciers of Nanga Parbat.
There is a 15 km long jeepable trek to approach Tato village from Raikot Bridge. In 2013, WHO ranked this road as the second deadliest road on the planet. From the Tato village, there is a 5 km long trek to Fairy Meadows which requires almost three to four hours of hiking. In this grassland, there are various spots for camping.
Deosai National Park:
Deosai National Park is a plain and national park situated between the Kharmang district, Skardu district and the Astore district at an altitude of 4114 meters from the sea level. It is considered as the second highest plateaus in the world. This place is only accessible in Summers.
These plains are home to various wild animals and birds. Wild animals include Siberian Ibex, Kashmir Musk Dear, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Marmot and Himalayan Wolf. Wild birds include Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Himalayan Snowcock, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk and Eurasian Kestrel.
Cultural Landmarks:
Famous cultural landmarks in Gilgit Baltistan include Kargah Buddha and the Shigar Fort.
Kargah Buddha:
Kargah Buddha is an archaeological site in Gilgit Baltistan. In Kargah Nala, there is a 50 feet high craved image of a large standing Buddha which is estimated to date back to the 7th century.
Kargah Buddha is known as “Yashani” in local language. It is surrounded by the towns Napura, Baseen, Khur and Barmas. Thousands of Buddhists from Korea, Japan and other parts of the world come to the Gilgit city to see the Statue of Kargah Buddha.
Shigar Fort:
The Raja of the Amacha Dynasty built the Shigar Fort (the fort on rock) in the 17th century in the town of Shigar. Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan restored this fort, and after the restoration, it became a museum and a luxury hotel managed by Serena Hotels.
Famous Things of Gilgit Baltistan:
Being the most popular destination among nature and adventure enthusiasts, Gilgit Baltistan offers various things to do in Gilgit Baltistan for visitors which include Trekking & Hiking, Climbing & Mountaineering and Rafting & Kayaking.
Trekking and Hiking:
There are various hiking destinations in Gilgit Baltistan. Some of them are Baltoro Glacier, Skardu, Passu, Deosai National Park, Gasherbrum, Shimshal, Hushe and Askole. These hiking destinations contain various trekking routes.
K2 Base Camp Gondogoro La Trek provides enchanting views of K2 and surrounding peaks which makes it a must visit for those seeking high altitude treks.
Five 8000m Peaks Base Camp Trek gives a rare opportunity to witness the various peaks of Himalayan and Karakoram ranges.
Chillinji Pass Trek provides the opportunity to navigate through remote landscapes. This route is a hidden gem in the trekking world.
Fairy Meadows-Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek provides trekkers with the magical experience by letting them enjoy the beauty of Fairy Meadows and the killer mountain.
Trekkers must follow some tips to ensure their safety. Trekkers should:
- Consider using walking poles
- Stay hydrated
- Fuel their body well
- Find right footwear
- Pack light
- Adjust their backpack
- Consider UV protection
- Check weather
- Carry a First Aid Kit
Climbing and Mountaineering:
Gilgit Baltistan is the region of mountains. There are various peaks for climbers. Some of them are:
- K2 is the second highest mountain on earth with an altitude of 8611 meters from the sea level.
- Nanga Parbat, locally known as Diamer, rises to a height of 8126 meters above sea level, making it the ninth highest mountain on earth.
- Gasherbrum Ⅰ is 11th highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8080 meters.
- Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram Range, is the 12th highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8051 meters.
- Gasherbrum II, located in the Karakoram Range is the 13th highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8035 meters.
- Batura Sar Peak lies in Gilgit Baltistan with an altitude of 7795 meters.
- Rakaposhi Peak, locally known as Dumani, also lies in the Karakoram Range having an altitude of 7788 meters.
- Chogolisa Peak is situated in the Karakoram Range and has an altitude of 7665m.
Spring and Autumn seasons are considered best for climbing the mountains. Spring Season lasts from March to May while Autumn Season lasts from September to November. Typically, the Spring Season offers ideal conditions for climbing.
Mountaineers may protect themselves from severe snowfall, brisk winds and cold during these seasons. Thus, these months are the finest time for climbing as temperatures are just right with less rain, wind and pleasant weather.
Rafting and Kayaking:
There are various Rafting and Kayaking sites in Gilgit Baltistan. The most famous among them are:
- Shyok River offers best rafting and kayaking experiences from May to November with the water melted from glacier.
- Indus River besides the lifeline for agriculture, provides best rafting and kayaking experiences from May to November.
- Hunza River located in Hunza valley of Gilgit Baltistan along with breathtaking views offers rafting and kayaking to tourists at Hussaini Suspension Bridge spot and Attabad Lake spot.
- Braldu River is located in the Skardu valley of Gilgit Baltistan. It offers rafters and kayakers an unforgettable experience during melt water season.
Pakistan Tour Packages:
The three main types of tour packages in Pakistan are independent, group and customized tour. In an independent tour, the travelers choose their destination and perform activities by themselves. While a group tour is managed by a tour guide.
The tour guide personally chooses the destination and lists the activities for the tour. On the other hand, a customized tour planner considers the preferences and needs of the individuals or group while planning the itinerary.
Various tour packages are available for families in Pakistan. Families themselves organize and plan customized family tour packages. They choose specific places to visit and activities for their enjoyment and satisfaction.
Various companies are offering customized family tour packages for Gilgit Baltistan. Some of them include Adventurer Treks and Tours, Apricot Tours, Hunza Adventure Tours, Trango Adventure, Tour Planners, Tours to Pakistan and Karakorum Expeditions etc.
Conclusion:
Gilgit Baltistan is bestowed with plenty of natural spots which offer great and unforgettable experiences to tourists. It’s an ideal destination for adventure and nature enthusiasts and also for climbers. It is home to some of the highest mountains on Earth including K2.
Besides nature and adventure, it offers other activities like Jet-Skiing, Boating, Fishing and other recreational activities.
There are plenty of tourist attraction places in Gilgit Baltistan. The most famous places include Hunza Valley, Skardu, Baltit Fort, Baseen, Attabad Lake, Katpana Desert, Deosai National Park, Phander Valley, Nanga Parbat, Upper Kachura Lake, Kharpocho Fort and Naltar Valley. These destinations make it a must visit region for adventure and nature enthusiasts.
Whether you are travelling as Solo or with family, you have to ensure safety. Families face a lot of difficulties while traveling. In order to overcome these hurdles, families should plan their trip with a reputed travel agency. There are a lot of tour package offering agencies.
Customized Tour Packages for Pakistan
Plan the trip of your dreams with our customized packages tailored to your interests, preferences and above all, your budget.
Adventurer treks and tours is also one of them which offers great services and ensure safety for a Solo as well as for a family tour. Thus, if you are planning a trip to Gilgit Baltistan, you should go for Adventurer Treks and Tours which is a well reputed and highly rated travel agency.
