ShangriLa
May 16, 2008
The awe inspiring Himalayan Mountains – along with Hindu Kush, Karakorum and Pamirs - offer every kind of heavenly beauty. Northern Pakistan is a land of contrasts, of surprises, a richly textured melting pot of diversity that leaves a vivid memory in the minds of every visitor, hiker or adventurer – only if the world knows it.
Northern Areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 square kilometres are fascinating. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1,000 meters to 8, 000 meters, the regions of Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan (and beyond to Siachin through Gonma – the highest human habitat on the earth) recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns of these regions are as interesting as its geography.
Pakistan is also a country with strong cultural traditions. Half a dozen civilisations have flourished here and left their imprints. Historically, Pakistan is one of the most ancient lands known to man. The land blossomed even before Babylon was built; its people practiced the art of good living and citizenship long before the celebrated ancient Greeks. But let us pause for a second and visualise the scenario in the present Northern Areas of Pakistan in the earlier centuries, when travellers, notably Fa Hian and Tsang Huang- both Chinese pilgrims, trotted along the "old silk route" crossing over the Hunza valley to enter into their destiny- the Gandhara regions, where it rained powder and rocks as they made their "pilgrimage" to these high places a "a great adventure". Today, these places of magnificent natural beauty can be reached in comfort on an air flight or by the winding roads.
Nowhere in the world is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers, clean water lacks (full of trout and romantic legend attached to them) and passes except Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on our earth planet, four occupy an amphitheatre at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakorum Range: K-2 (8,611 meters, world's second highest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 meters), Broad Peak (8,047 meters) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 meters). There is yet another, which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters), located at the western most corner of the Himalayas. In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 meters and hundreds others over 6,000 meters. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 kilometres famous as the highest battle field in the world military history), Hispar (61 kilometres), Biafo (60 k kilometres), Baltoro (60 k kilometres) and Batura (64 k kilometres).
These mountains divide this area into a number of valleys, with the inhabitants varied ethnically, linguistically, religiously, and socially. Besides heavenly scenery, the people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like Polo and Buzkashi, provide travellers an unforgettable experience. While isolated due to the extreme terrain, these areas have been at the centre of important trade and Interaction networks since pre-Silk Road times.
The legendary silk roan now known by its mundane acronym, the Karakorum Highway has footprints ingrained in it that belong to great travellers like Marco polo, Alexander of Macedonia, Buddhist pilgrims and Babur, the descendant of Gengis Khan who founded the Mughal dynasty on the Subcontinent. Until 1982 travel to this area was nearly impossible; the completion of the Karakorum Highway in 1986 opened this area to visitors eager to explore the high valleys, climb the peaks, and enjoy the hospitality of the inhabitants. I started my journeys to the areas in 1990 though.
Where as the entire Northern Areas are magnificent but the Hunza valley is virtually the best. People of the areas are kind hospitable, generous in nature, warm and welcoming, and have beautiful spirit. Their labours have transformed a rocky, desolate land into an endless terraced garden and their soul managed to transform hearts into blooming gardens. The gardens blossoms into in each little valley. But still while glaciers and mountains rocks falls, the mountain cause problems, the flexible transport system just leaves these obstructions to bypass by foot.
As one moves east further up Hunza Valley beyond Deosai Plains, the mountains get close to the roads and the valley turns northward. Crossing to the west side of the Hunza River, there is a puzzling sight. A huge wall of snow runs up in the mountains, across any possible roadway, to the river. Hiking above, when travellers climb following goat paths and gain views of the peaks, they see the natural springs and the smiling locals laughing at the path-deficient tourists.
Or if one is further north in Pasu intending to hike to Pasughar and Borit Lake (on right of Pasu glacier), one of the longest in the world, you see incredible peaks poked up from behind ridges, allowing seeing nearly a dozen of the 100 tallest mountains in the course of one day. Along this hike, you cross a low pass headed toward Borit Lake. Behind the goats you see the shepherds [mom, daughter, sons and husband]; who have food and tea with them (remember the famous couplet that reads, "Bacha baghal men our kamar pe ghar bandha tha"). Typical of this area, it seemed one cannot escape the kind locals and their endless supply of tea and snacks. After meeting the shepherds in the way, hike a few hours to reach Borit Lake – only a few go to this heavenly place (and this is where pari Jia Ku lives). This strange coloured lake is high above a mountain village. This area provides the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the world and if you are there, you will find the entire area to yourself.
Visitors find peace and solitude in this enchanting mountain kingdom. The valleys are a paradise for trekkers and mountain lovers. The treks in the glacial landscape of the upper valleys are a trekkers dream. A visit to this fairyland is a fantasy to be lived and relived as such places are rare and far between.
Northern Areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 square kilometres are fascinating. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1,000 meters to 8, 000 meters, the regions of Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan (and beyond to Siachin through Gonma – the highest human habitat on the earth) recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns of these regions are as interesting as its geography.
Pakistan is also a country with strong cultural traditions. Half a dozen civilisations have flourished here and left their imprints. Historically, Pakistan is one of the most ancient lands known to man. The land blossomed even before Babylon was built; its people practiced the art of good living and citizenship long before the celebrated ancient Greeks. But let us pause for a second and visualise the scenario in the present Northern Areas of Pakistan in the earlier centuries, when travellers, notably Fa Hian and Tsang Huang- both Chinese pilgrims, trotted along the "old silk route" crossing over the Hunza valley to enter into their destiny- the Gandhara regions, where it rained powder and rocks as they made their "pilgrimage" to these high places a "a great adventure". Today, these places of magnificent natural beauty can be reached in comfort on an air flight or by the winding roads.
Nowhere in the world is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers, clean water lacks (full of trout and romantic legend attached to them) and passes except Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on our earth planet, four occupy an amphitheatre at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakorum Range: K-2 (8,611 meters, world's second highest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 meters), Broad Peak (8,047 meters) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 meters). There is yet another, which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters), located at the western most corner of the Himalayas. In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 meters and hundreds others over 6,000 meters. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 kilometres famous as the highest battle field in the world military history), Hispar (61 kilometres), Biafo (60 k kilometres), Baltoro (60 k kilometres) and Batura (64 k kilometres).
These mountains divide this area into a number of valleys, with the inhabitants varied ethnically, linguistically, religiously, and socially. Besides heavenly scenery, the people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like Polo and Buzkashi, provide travellers an unforgettable experience. While isolated due to the extreme terrain, these areas have been at the centre of important trade and Interaction networks since pre-Silk Road times.
The legendary silk roan now known by its mundane acronym, the Karakorum Highway has footprints ingrained in it that belong to great travellers like Marco polo, Alexander of Macedonia, Buddhist pilgrims and Babur, the descendant of Gengis Khan who founded the Mughal dynasty on the Subcontinent. Until 1982 travel to this area was nearly impossible; the completion of the Karakorum Highway in 1986 opened this area to visitors eager to explore the high valleys, climb the peaks, and enjoy the hospitality of the inhabitants. I started my journeys to the areas in 1990 though.
Where as the entire Northern Areas are magnificent but the Hunza valley is virtually the best. People of the areas are kind hospitable, generous in nature, warm and welcoming, and have beautiful spirit. Their labours have transformed a rocky, desolate land into an endless terraced garden and their soul managed to transform hearts into blooming gardens. The gardens blossoms into in each little valley. But still while glaciers and mountains rocks falls, the mountain cause problems, the flexible transport system just leaves these obstructions to bypass by foot.
As one moves east further up Hunza Valley beyond Deosai Plains, the mountains get close to the roads and the valley turns northward. Crossing to the west side of the Hunza River, there is a puzzling sight. A huge wall of snow runs up in the mountains, across any possible roadway, to the river. Hiking above, when travellers climb following goat paths and gain views of the peaks, they see the natural springs and the smiling locals laughing at the path-deficient tourists.
Or if one is further north in Pasu intending to hike to Pasughar and Borit Lake (on right of Pasu glacier), one of the longest in the world, you see incredible peaks poked up from behind ridges, allowing seeing nearly a dozen of the 100 tallest mountains in the course of one day. Along this hike, you cross a low pass headed toward Borit Lake. Behind the goats you see the shepherds [mom, daughter, sons and husband]; who have food and tea with them (remember the famous couplet that reads, "Bacha baghal men our kamar pe ghar bandha tha"). Typical of this area, it seemed one cannot escape the kind locals and their endless supply of tea and snacks. After meeting the shepherds in the way, hike a few hours to reach Borit Lake – only a few go to this heavenly place (and this is where pari Jia Ku lives). This strange coloured lake is high above a mountain village. This area provides the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the world and if you are there, you will find the entire area to yourself.
Visitors find peace and solitude in this enchanting mountain kingdom. The valleys are a paradise for trekkers and mountain lovers. The treks in the glacial landscape of the upper valleys are a trekkers dream. A visit to this fairyland is a fantasy to be lived and relived as such places are rare and far between.
posted by Shirazi @ 11:03 AM,
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