Rohtas Fort

After Sher Shah Suri the Afghan ruler defeated Moghul King Humayun, Suri decided to build a strong complex at a point from where he could successfully block the advances of Humayun and his allies the Gakhars who refused to side with Suri.

A gorge some 16km North West of Jehlum was chosen as the site of the Rohtas Fort. The Fort is built on a hillock 300 feet and the huge complex occupies an area of 12.63 acres. Built mainly for military purpose, the fort is charming in its own strange way. The building style is a rich blend of Afghan and Hindu architecture. The fort could house 30,000 men and features such as the trap gates, massive walls, 68 towers, 3 stepped walls (called Baolis) and the fortification wall were added to make the fort almost invincible. The fort complex includes a mosque called the Shahi Mosque, Rani Mahal and Haveli Maan Singh.

The fort has 12 gates with interesting names and a few with interesting stories. The fort is decorated with engravings in Arabic and sun flower motifs, some specimen of calligraphy are also found here but the general look and feel of the fort is more of a military base rather then a luxurious dwelling. For this very reason the fort was unpopular with the Moghul kings who had a rather refined taste. this fort to the Gakhars. The Rohtas Fort still remains a grand piece of architecture.

Suri died before the Fort could be completed and Humayun the new ruler of India gave

Himalaya Range in Pakistan

This mountain range separates the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau. The countries which share this massive range of mountains include – Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, China and Burma. Generally, it is also known as a name of a huge mountain system including the Karakoram Range, Hindu Kush and few other lesser ranges.

Some of the world’s major rivers like Ganges and Brahmaputra flow from this range. The western rivers combine together to form River Indus which flows southwest through India to Pakistan and then into the Arabian Sea. The climate, rainfall, soil conditions, and altitude of this range are quite diversified, generating a vast variety of plants and animal communities.

The world’s second longest glacier called ‘Siachen’ which lies at the India-Pakistan border is part of this great mountain range. There are several lakes in the Himalaya range of Pakistan. It also has a profound effect on the climate of the country.

There are many notable peaks of Himalayas in Pakistan but Nanga Parbat is the most important one being the 9^th highest in the world and 2^nd highest in the country.

Fact sheet of Himalaya Range in Pakistan
No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Himalayas	Height of Himalayas (m)	Location of Himalaya Peaks
1	Nanga Parbat	8,126	Gilgit-Baltistan
2	Silberzachen	7,597	Nanga Parbat
3	Rakhiot Peak	7,070	Nanga Parbat group
4	Chongra Peak	6,830	Nanga Parbat
5	Ganalo Peak	6,606	Nanga Parbat
6	Laila Peak	5,971	Rupal Valley
7	Shaigiri	5,688	Rupal Valley
8	Buldar Peak	5,602	Nanga Parbat
9	Malika Parbat	5,290	Kaghan Valley
10	Jalipur Peak South	5,215	Nanga Parbat
11	Ditchil	5,084	Deosai
12	Chattewala	4,917
13	Jabardar	4,511	Fairy Meadows, Jalipur
14	Dinewar	4,100
15	Tingrel	4,085
16	Chhugam	4,064	Nanga Parbat
17	Makra Peak	3,586	Kaghan Valley

Hindukush Mountain Range in Pakistan

This mountain range is spread over an area of 500 miles. It stretches between the North Western Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan. It is located on the western side of the Pamir Mountains and the Karakoram. It is also known as the geographical center of world’s population.

Many rivers rise from Hindu Kush range like Kabul and Konar. There are many passes on this range. Khyber Pass which is 1,027 m long is of much importance. A road was constructed in 1960 on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan which has reduced the travel time between the countries to a few hours.

There are many notable peaks in this range but the highest is the Trichmir which is located in the Chitral region of Pakistan. This peak is also known as the Queen of Chitral. It is Pakistan’s 13^th highest peak and in the world ranking it is on the 33^rd position.

Fact sheet of Hindu Kush Range in Pakistan
No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Hindu Kush	Height of Hindu Kush Peaks (m)	Location of Hindu Kush Peaks
1	Tirich Mir	7,706	Chitral
2	Noshaq	7,492
3	Udren Zom	7,108
4	Akher Chhish	7,020
5	Koyo Zom	6,871	Pechus Glacier
6	Thui I	6,660	Ponarillo Glacier
7	Gul Lasht Zom	6,657	Lutkho Valley
8	Buni Zom	6,550
9	Thui II	6,523	Shetor Glacier, Thui Pass
10	Ghamubar I	6,518	Ghamubar Glacier
11	Ghamubar II	6,432	Ghamubar Glacier
12	Ghuchhar Sar	6,249
13	Garmush	6,244	Garmush Glacier
14	Chikar Zom	6,110	Chatebori  Glacier
15	Mankial	5,726	Swat Valley
16	Kurkun	4,890

Jamrud Fort

Jamrud Fort, a tourist attraction,  is situated in the small town of Jamrud (18 kilometers from Peshawar) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This quaint fort was built in 1823 by the Sikhs.

Lying near the Afghan border and the Khyber Pass, Jamrud is the link between South Asia and Central Asia. The Jamrud Fort itself is located at the entrance of the Khyber Pass and because of its strategic position has served as an important military base. It came under attack several times when battles were fought between the Sikhs and the Afghans. The Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa’s grave can be found here. Nalwa died in 1837 fighting a battle with the Afghans. It was an important base for the cantonment of the British Army during the colonial era.

The Fort is made up of stone and has mud plaster smeared over it. Its structure harmonizes with the rough rocky landscape of the surrounding area. The towers of the Fort can be seen from a distance. The onlookers have described the Fort as “a majestic old battleship”.To visit the Fort, foreigners as well as the locals require a permit which can be obtained free of cost by applying at the Political Agent’s Office.

Shandur Polo Festival

Every year in July, two rival teams mounted on horses meet on the lush green highlands of the mighty Hindu Kush to outdo each other at the game of Polo.

The teams from the mountainous regions of Chitral and Gilgit meet annually to claim the crown of the “King of the Games”. The venue is the Shandur Pass; a beautiful natural stadium amidst the snowy peaks of the rugged mountains.

Here Polo is played more for the love of the game as hardly any money or glamour is involved. Another aspect which is absent from the game is “rules”. The players are people with good riding skills, strong reflexes who can literally take a beating. If you ever happen to witness a match, you will see players clinging dangerously to their saddles, holding their mallets like swords charging down the ground. They swing their mallets forcefully hitting the ball and at times their rivals as well. Blood oozing out from the nose, nasty cuts on the head, fractured limbs are common sights. Even the horses need to be tough as in the Shandur Festival you cannot change horses if they are tired.

Whenever a goal is scored, the crowd goes wild. The Shandur Polo Festival is watched by a large number of foreign and local tourists and is a good time for some sightseeing as well.

Treks of Pakistan

Pakistan has some extremely wonderful trekking sites. Starting right from valleys of the NWFP province, up till the mighty ranges of Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram there are a number of awesome treks. Trekking can aptly be described as the most thrilling adventure Pakistan offers. The serenity and breath taking beauty of the place along with the warm hospitality accorded by the locals makes your visit a memorable one. The areas are not commercialized hence the natural beauty is unspoiled.

Pakistan is a known destination to all those who are interested in trekking. Being home to the youngest and fiercest mountain range in the world, Pakistan enjoys this unique position.

For beginners there are simple treks in the Naran, Kaghan and Kalam valleys to name a few. Here you will come across tall pine covered mountains, glistening glaciers, sparkling lakes and water falls and a variety of flora and fauna.

The more adventurous daredevils can have their fun trekking on the rugged mountains of the Northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan) where they will come across snow capped peaks, glaciers and occasionally the protected wildlife species. Some famous treks are:

1. Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek
2. Fairy Meadows Trek
3. Baura Trek
4. Nanga Parbat Trek
5. Batura TREK
6. Biafo HISPAR Trek/ Snow Lake Trek
7. Shimsal Pamir Trek

The 4 Lakes of Kaghan Valley

Kaghan valley is one of the most beautiful valleys of Pakistan and is an ideal candidate for 4-8 days of green trekking. While Saif ul Muluk is the most famous of all lakes it has, there are others which are far more beautiful and worth attempting.

Below is the description of four major lakes in Kaghan Valley:

1. Saif-ul-Muluk Lake

Situated at a height of 3500 meters above sea level north of Naran is the legendary lake Saif ul Muluk. Trip to Kaghan is incomplete without a visit to this lake. It is extremely beautiful. Its water has a greenish hue and reflects the tall peak of Malika Parbat. Boating is permitted on the lake. Another reason for its popularity is its easy accessibility. You can go there by jeep from Naran in under an hour or on foot in 4-6 hours.

2. Aansoo Lake

Aansoo Lake has been so named as it is tear shaped. In local language Aansoo means tear drop. It is a relatively small lake. Its trek is more interesting then the lake itself. It can be reached on foot from Lake Saif ul Muluk after a 5-6 hour walk through a steep ascend and a large glacier. It can also be reached by other routes and lies at an elevation of 4000m.

3. Lake Lulusar

Lulusar is nearly 3 km long and is the largest natural lake of the Hazaara District. It is also the main source of the River Kunhar. Surrounded by tall snow covered mountains and with a bed of beautiful flowers around it, its beauty is spellbinding. Lulusar is around 60 km from Naran and a jeep drive takes 5 hours.

4. Lake Dudiptsar

Dudiptsar is another lake of unmatched beauty in the Kaghan Valley. Nestled among snow covered mountains, its clear water reflects the snowy peaks hence the name “dudi”. Dudi means white in the local language and “sar” means lake. It can be reached by jeep from Naran after a long bumpy ride or by foot after a difficult hike. Besides scenic beauty, trout fishing is also an attraction.

Lahore – The GEM of Pakistan

Two sentences that introduce Lahore in the true sense are: “Lahore Lahore hai” (Lahore is unmatched) and “Jis ne Lahore nh dekha wo paida nh howa” (The one who has not visited Lahore is as good as an unborn). That’s how passionately people feel of Lahore as a city.

Lahore the historic city is the gem of Pakistan. It is the capital city of the province of Punjab. It is a city of contrasts. On one end of the city you can still see the narrow alleys, old buildings with vestige of grandeur stand to tell the tale of past glory. On the other end tall high rises boast of the fast pace modernization.

Lahore has Shalimar Gardens, Red Fort, Jahangir’s tomb and many other buildings of the Mughal era. It also has some of the oldest educational institutes of Pakistan namely the King Edward Medical College and The Punjab University. Other places worth visiting in Lahore are Museum, Minar e Pakistan, Jallo Park and the zoo. The shrine of Data Ganj Bakash attracts devotes all through the year. The food street of Lahore deserves special mention. Lahore is a foodie’s paradise. Delicious mouth watering food is available 24/7.

Lahore is the abode of film stars and singers. It is also the front runner of fashion houses. Most areas of the city are clean with wide roads and plenty of greenery. Lahore is the city of lively people.

The Khunjerab Pass

Khunjerab Pass is situated at a height of 4,693 meters above sea level and connects Pakistan with its friendly neighbor China. It has the distinction of being the highest paved border crossing in the world as well as being the highest point on the Karakoram. The pass was completed in 1982.

Here you can view the contrasting scenery on both sides of the border. While the Chinese side is a green meadow with herds of yaks, sheep and mountain goats grazing around, the Pakistani side has tall forbidding mountains and rough rocky terrain with no signs of life.

The best time to visit the Khunjerab Pass is from March to September as it is snow bound for the rest of the year.

The Khunjerab National Park has been developed to save the threatened wild life. It is a sanctuary for snow leopards, blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, Marco Polo sheep, brown bear and a host of other animals and birds.

5 Must See tourist places in Hunza Pakistan

Hunza the remote mountainous valley lies in the north east of Pakistan. Because of its impressive snow capped mountainous landscape, green fertile valleys, large glaciers and untouched nature, Hunza is known as “The Paradise on Earth”.

It is situated at a height of 8,500 feet above sea level and is surrounded by mountain peaks some as high as 25,550 feet. The inhabitants of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims of Shia sect. They are friendly and hospitable people. Due to their simple life style and interaction with nature, they live a long life. Serious diseases are unheard of as is obesity.

Apricots are a major part of their diet and are assumed to be the secret of their long lives and young looks.

Sights of Hunza

The spellbinding beauty of the valley and its magnificent mountain peaks has made Hunza a favorite spot of tourists allover the world. It is a mountaineer’s, nature lover’s and a photographer’s dream. Some must see sights of Hunza are its mountain peaks, forts and the bazaar.

The must see Peaks of Hunza

1. Rakaposhi Mountain

It is a part of the Karakoram Mountain range and is 7,788 meters high. Also known as Dumani (Mother of Mist), Rakaposhi Mountain can be seen from many parts of Hunza. The word Rakaposhi means “Shinning Wall” most probably because it is surrounded by famous glacier valleys like Barpu, Biro, Bagrot and Pisan. It is the 12th highest mountain peak of Pakistan and is famous for its scenic beauty.

2. Ultra Sar

It is also a part of the Karakoram Range and is situated at an approximate distance of 10 km northeast of Karimabad (capital of Hunza). Till 1996 it enjoyed the reputation of being the inaccessible peak of the world.

Other peaks worth watching are the Hunza Peak, the Bublimanting or Lady Finger Peak and Golden Peak.

3. The Baltit Fort

The Baltit Fort is a magnificent structure 700 years old and was the residence of the rulers. Over the years it under went many alterations and then in 1996 it was taken over and restored by the Aga Khan Trust For Culture Historic Cities Support Program and now serves as a museum.. It sits on top of Karimabad. Stilted on massive legs it is a must see on every tourists list.

4. Altit Fort

Altit Fort was also the residence of the rulers. It is said to be a century older than the Baltit Fort and lies at the foot of the valley. Due to negligence of the government it was in ruins but now it is also being restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Program.

The local handicrafts can be purchased from the colorful bazaar of Hunza.

5. Hunza River

Hunza River is the major river of Hunza, in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is formed by the union of the Khunjerab River, Gujerab River, Misgar River, Chapursan River and Shimshal River. These rivers are fed by glaciers. These rivers join the Hunza River in its upper course. In its middle and short course it is joined by small steams.

The river cuts through the Karakoram Range, flowing from north to south. The Karakoram Highway crosses the Hunza River near Hunza and Nagar valleys.

The entire Hunza Valley depends upon the Hunza River. Hanging bridges over the river at Passu are a must-do activity.

A number of bridges both old and new are built over this river.

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