Pakistan destination: Top ten National Parks of Pakistan

A park is a way of providing recreational facilities to a number of people. Not only it acts as a tourist point but also it helps the person to enjoy himself of the greenery prevalent in the surroundings of national parks. Pakistan is abundant in terms of possessing beautiful national parks that are a source of constant attraction for a large segment of people living inside and outside of Pakistan. The national parks in Pakistan are preserving natural beauty and also at the same time protecting the wild life living in these national parks of Pakistan. The significance of national parks increases in terms of securing the animals from becoming vanished entirely.  It is because of the fact that many animal species are endangered in Pakistan and national parks provide a home for these animals. There are many national parks in Pakistan but here only quite a few are mentioned. A list of the famous national parks of Pakistan with the top ten names is given below:

1)      Kirthar National Park

2)      Lal Suhanra National Park

3)      Khunjerab National Park

4)      Hazarganji Chilton National Park

5)      Deosai National Park

6)      Margalla Hill National Park

7)      Hingol National Park

8)      Chitral Gol National Park

9)      Ayubia National Park

10)   Machiara National Park

Pakistan Tourist Destinations: Top Ten Forts of Pakistan

Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage and it is depicted in the form of marvelous structure built for the defense of a state or a country. There are many forts located all around the world that are of historical significance. The main purpose behind the construction of forts was to protect a country from invaders and enemies. However, they serve another purpose also which involves making a display of one’s architecture as depicted by its significance in a culture. Pakistan is proud to have enormous forts with beautiful architecture and rich cultural significance.Ranikot, the largest fort of the world is also situated in Pakistan. The reason behind the accumulation of forts in Pakistan lies in its history. As Pakistan initially was a part of Indo-Pak sub-continent, it had been ruled over by various monarchs including Mughals who were fond of art and architecture. Here a list of the famous forts of Pakistan has been presented naming only the top ten forts of Pakistan with their respective locations. These forts are a place of frequent local visits along with being famous tourist attractions

1)      Ranikot Fort located in the province of Sindh.

2)      Baltit Fort situated in Hunza Valley

3)      Royal Fort located in Lahore

4)      Rohtas Fort situated in Dina

5)      Multan Fort located in Multan

6)      Rawat Fort in Rawalpindi

7)      Phrasal Fort in Rawalpindi

8)      Red Fort of Muzaffarabad

9)      Attock Fort of Rawalpindi

10)  Giri Fort in Taxila

Pakistan Tourism: Top Ten Glaciers of Pakistan

Glaciers are made up of mass snow accumulation on a land over a long period of time. Glaciers vary according to their sizes and play a major role in keeping the atmosphere cool. There are many glaciers in Pakistan that are famous as trekking sites and tourist attractions. Most of the glaciers are located in Northern areas of Pakistan, especially around Karakoram mountain range. These glaciers are a special focus of attention for travelers all around the world and are frequently visited by people coming from all parts of the world. Their undisturbed beauty and lack of pollution in the surrounding environment makes them great trekking locations. The glaciers are a valuable asset of Pakistan because of helping the region keep its temperature normal which would have been enormously hot. These glaciers also add to the scenic beauty of Pakistan making her a beautiful country with rich natural scenery. The glaciers are quite large in number and therefore all of them cannot be mentioned here. However, a list of top ten glaciers of Pakistan on the basis of being the largest ones with their locations has been jotted down below:

1)      Siachen Glacier at Karakoram range, Baltistan

2)      Batura Glacier at Karakoram range

3)      Hispar Glacier at Karakoram range

4)      Biafo Glacier at Karakoram range, Shigar

5)      Baltoro Glacier at Karakoram range

6)      Yengunta Glacier at Karakoram range, Baltistan

7)      Chianter Glacier at Hindukush, Chitral

8)      Tirich Mir Glacier at Hindukush, Chitral

9)      Chogo Lugma at Karakoram range-2

10)  Passu Glacier at Karakoram range, Hunza Valley

Pakistan: Top Ten Treks of Pakistan

Trekking is an activity that comprises of travelling along wide distances on foot. It is especially done on places where travelling by car or any other means is not possible or difficult to do. There are many geographical areas that are regarded as trekking sites or treks all around the world because of being of interest to travelers. Similarly, Pakistan is proud to offer travelling opportunities to people all over the world to walk on the famous trekking sites here. The particular areas reserved for trekking in Pakistan are located in Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush and are fascinating places to look at. Pakistanis and foreigners both can enjoy trekking in the Northern Areas of Pakistan to get in touch with natural beauty at its peak. Another feature of the trekking sites at these areas is the lack of pollution and virgin beauty of the enormous mountains and lakes flowing side-by. It is difficult to list down all the famous trekking sites of Pakistan due to the abundance to treks in Pakistan. However, an attempt has been done to selectively present a list containing top ten treks of Pakistan based on their popularity which is given below:

1)      Trek of K-2 Base Camp

2)      Trek of Biafo-Hisper Glaciers

3)      Treks of Nanga Parbat

4)      Trek of Batura Glacier

5)      Trek of Chillinji Pass

6)      Trek of Spantik Base Camp

7)      Trek of Charakusa Glacier

8)      Trek of Masherbrum Base Camp

9)      Trek of Shimshal Valley

10)  Trek of Thalle La

Tourists Destinations near Chitral Valley: Pakistan

Chitral Valley is famed due to its Shandur Festival. This festival is held every year; it is famous and unique because in this festival polo is played at the polo ground that is highest in the world (3,719m). Due to this reason a large number of local and foreign tourist visit chitral valley to enjoy this festival. Shandur top is equally distant from chitral as well as from gilgit. So if you are going to visit chitral valley then you can visit Gilgit valley as well

Garam Chashma is located at a distance of 45 Km in the North West of Chitral valley at an altitude of 1,859 metres. Here hot sulphur springs are present which this fame that they have healing effect for skin diseases, chronic headaches and gout. Recently, for the convenience of visitors Hamams have been developed here near the springs.

Another beautiful place liked by the tourists is Chitral Gol National Park located in the North West of the Chitral valley. It covers an area of 7,750 hectares and was established in 1984.in this park you can found Himalayan monal, Demosille Crane, Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, Snow Partridge, Snow Cock etc. many other rare animals like Snow leopard, Siberian ibex, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Black Bear, Himalayan Otter also present here.

Shandur Lake, Chiyan Lake, Karbaza Lake and chatti Bai Lake are also beautiful point to be visited by tourists visiting Chitral valley.

Chitral fort is an mportant historical point and is very famous among tourists due to its unique architecture. This fort has built for administration as well as for defence purpose. It is situated along the bank of river Chitral. Prince of Katoor dynasty famously known as Mehtars have built this fort.

 

Tourists Destinations near Skardu Valley: Pakistan

Skardu Valley of Pakistan is also famous due to its beautiful lakes. Satpara is one of those lakes, present at a distance of 8 Km from Vale of Skardu. Now days a multipurpose dam is under construction on this lake that will generate 13 MW hydroelectricity and will provide irrigation water to an area of 61 sq Km and 13 cusecs water for drinking as well. Water coming down from Deosai Plain as a result of melting of snow in summer is the main source of water for lake. Lower Kachura is another lake located at a distance of 35 Km from Skardu Valley and upper Kachura lake is located at a distance of 40 Km. On the bank of Lower Kachura, world’s famous resort Shangrilla is located that is the main attraction for many tourists.

Deosai Plateau (3,500 meters) is the highest plateau in Pakistan and world’s second highest plateau. It is at the distance of 70 Km from Skardu Valley. It is covering an area of 3,000 sq Km and is extending till Laddakh. Deosai plain is famous as it provide habitat to bears, snow leopards and ibex.

Shigar Valley is an awe-inspiring valley present at the distance of 32 Km from Vale of skardu. This valley is drained by River Shigar. This  Shigar valley is a gateway to famous peaks like K2. Local inhabitants have very simple lifestyle and they grow walnuts, peaches, apricots and grapes. This small valley has picturesque landscape and attracts many tourists every year.

Khaplu Valley is 134 Km away from Skardu valley and is known as valley of River Shyok. It’s a small village that is a gateway to many peaks such as K7, K6, Sia Kangri, Saltoro Kangri Masherbrum etc.

Skardu Fort named as Kharfocho Fort (King of forts) is also a main attraction in Skardu Valley. This fort dates from 8^th century CE. From this fort we can have a panoramic view of Skardu and River Indus. This fort was built by the rulers of Baltistan and is a seven storey building.

 

Tourists Destinations: Skardu Valley of Pakistan

Skardu Valley

Skardu (star stone) valley of Pakistan is an important town of Baltistan at the altitude of 2’500 meters. It is covering an area of 26,000 sq Km. It is approximately 10 Km wide and 40 Km long. This Skardu valley is present at the confluence of River Shigar and River Indus. It surrounded by immense Karakoram Range.

Skardu valley attracts the trekkers, mountaineers and tourists from the whole world. Every year large number of local and foreign expeditions used to visit Skardu. Askole and Hushe are two small valleys present near Vale of Skardu and these two valleys are the gateways to the most important peaks in the Northern areas of Pakistan i.e. K2, Gashebrums, Trango Towers and Broad Peak as well as of great glaciers i.e. Baltoro, Biafo. So due to this  Skardu valley is extremely important from tourism point of view and for this reason infrastructural facilities have greatly developed here to provide required facilities to local and foreign expeditions reached here. From tourism point of view April to October time period is best as for rest of the months this Skardu valley remain inaccessible due to snowy and freezing winter season.

Skardu Valley can be visited by the air as well by road transportation. An airport is present in Skardu and there are usually one or two daily flights between Islamabad and Vale of Skardu. While road route is through Karakoram Highway which then through a link road goes to the Skardu.

Inhabitants of SkarduValley belong to different ethnic groups i.e. Shins, Punjabis, Hunzakuts, Pashtuns and Uyghur. Shia Muslims are present in majority here.

During summers the climate of Skardu Valley remained moderate. With reference to Monsoon rainfall it is a rainshadow area as huge mountains of Karakoram block the monsoon winds from reaching here. Winter season is extremely cold here. In winter’s temperature of -25C can be observed.

Tourists Attraction: Kalashi Festivals

Kalashi festivals are famous through out the world. Three festivals are more important celebrated in different months of year. Chilam Joshi is the mot important festival celebrated in late May, Uchal in autumn season and Chomos festival during mid winters.

Chilam Joshi festival of Kalash valley is of four days. It starts at Rumbur valley and then move on to the other valleys. In this festival Kalashi people pray for the safeguard of their fields and animals before going to their fields and for this purpose they used to spread milk on their gods.

Uchal festival is celebrated at the time of harvest of wheat and barley. For this festival Bamboret and Rumbur valleys of vale of Kalash are important because these are main areas for the cultivation of these crops.

Chomos festival is to celebrate upcoming New Year. In this festival all the older members of Kalash valleys they sit on the top of the hills and observe the initial light of the sunlight spreading over the valley and then they announce the arrival of New Year. Until this announcement all the Kalshi people remained in their homes. It is the tradition in Kalash to welcome the New Year with the sacrifice of goats and other animals in order to make their goddess Jastak happy. These festivals are as important part in their life. They used to wear special dresses.

People of Kalash valley love music and dance on the beat of drums. Women dance in circle on different songs. An interesting fact about Kalashi people is that they do not mourn on the deaths. They corpses are buried above the ground in wooden boxes instead of being buried in the ground.

 

Tourists Destinations: Kalash Valley of Pakistan

Kalash Valley

Kalash valley of Pakistan is major attraction in the Chitral District, surrounded by Hindukush Mountains. Native people of Kalash Valley are residing n three valleys of name Bamuburet, Birir and Rumbur. Bamburet is the largest valley and a large number of Kalashi people wearing black robes lives here. These valleys are present near the river Kunar. Bamburet valley of Kalash is present at a distance of 40 Kms from the Vale of  Chitral and is connected by a jeep able road.

Kalashi people are considered as the natives of Chitrali people, and their forefathers have migrated from Afghanistan in 2^nd Century BC. Kalashi people claimed that they are the descendants of army of the Alexander the great or even of Alexander himself. Alexander along with his army passed through this area in 327 B.C.

Kalashi women are famous due to their colourful hand woven dress. They wear black robes and cover their heads beautiful headgear made up of wooden black material decorate with buttons , shells and large coloured feathers. People of Kalash valley attract the tourists due to their way of dressing, religious beliefs, traditions and festivals.  These people have their old unique belief system which they even follow now days. They worship their religious God named as KHOWAR.

 

Tourists Destinations: Hunza Valley of Pakistan

Hunza Valley

Hunza Valley of Pakistan is a breath-taking mountainous valley present at an elevation of 2400 meters. This valley is present in great Karakoram Range in the north of river hunza. Vale of Hunza is famous globally due to the longevity of its people. It’s a splendid valley with river Hunza passing thorugh the centre. It is surrounded by overwhelming peaks of Rakaposhi, Ultar, Lady Finger, Diran, hunza, golden and Passu peak.

Karimabad is the main town of Vale of Hunza. Historical Baltit fort of Hunza is present here that is unique due to its wooden out look.

After the construction of Karakoram highway (KKH), now this Hunza valley is easily accessible, as a result a large number of local as well as foreign tourists use to visit this astounding valley. Through this highway Hunza valley is connecting to China through breath-taking Khunjerab Pass and through out this journey river Hunza keep on flowing on the eastern side of KKH.

Hunza Valley of Pakistan is famous due to mouth-watering apricots, almonds. Dry fruits are also growing in large quantity.  Cultivation is practised on terraced fields extending from high pastures down to the rivers. Local people of Hunza valley have developed an extensive system of canals and through these canals melt water is bringing down from glaciers to the fields and to the residential areas. Through small open canals melt water of glaciers is also supplying to the homes for drinking and other purposes. This water is considered to be the reason of longevity of local people.

When you are in Hunza valley, you can visit stunning valley of Nagar, Passu, Khunjerab Pass. Eagle’s nest is a point near hunza valley; from here you can have a fabulous view of whole hunza valley. From here we can hike up to famous Altit fort as well. Hunza is considered as an ideal place for hhiking, trekking and mountaineering.

Ismaili shia Muslims are present in very large numbers in Hunza, who are the followers of prince Karim Agha Khan IV. Burushaski, Shina and Wakhi are the local languages howver, many people can understand Urdu and English as well. Unique feature of the Hunzai people is their 90% literacy rate. Ideal time period to visit Hunza is from May to October.

 

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