Showing posts with label Lake Saif-ul-Malook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lake Saif-ul-Malook. Show all posts

Sunday, December 11, 2011

DESTINATION PAKISTAN........Trekker's Paradise



The mountain ranges of Pakistan offer breathtaking, action-packed trekking routes. Pakistan hosts Hindukush, Pamirs, Himalayas and Karakoram, they contain the world's densest concentration of high peaks (five out of 14 highest). There are limitless possibilities for trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting. Within this alluring arena, the Baltistan region, occupy the central place, with special points of interest for the trekker.

In almost every part of Pakistan, there is a variety of trekking adventure options awaiting the trekker, some soft, others not so. In this vast wonderland, trekking itineraries from one to four weeks or more provide endless opportunities for discovery for the trekker. 

In Pakistan Trekking enthusiast can also explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains romancing the sparkling waterfalls. One can experience the thrill of sheer adventure on countless trekking tracks in Pakistan.

The Northern Areas of Pakistan are called Roof of the World . Nowhere in the world is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers, and passes except in 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 Karakoram Range: K-2 (8,611 meters, originally called Chogo-ri which in Balti language means 'king of the mountains,' of all the world's mountains second only to Mount Everest), Gashabrum-I (8,068 meters), Broad Peak (8,047 meters) and Gashabrum-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. There are 42 other peaks which are higher than all the highest peaks of the other continents. In addition to that, there are 160 peaks over 7,000 meters and 700 others over 6,000 meters.



The Northern Pakistan is also home to some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 kilometers), Hispar (61 kilometers), Biafo (60 kilometers), Baltoro (60 kilometers) and Batura (64 kilometers). Besides the high mountains, Northern Areas' longest glaciers including the Godwin Austin, Abruzzin and Baltoro which meet at Concordia forms the largest glacial lake at a height of 4720 meters.


The enchanting valleys of Hunza, Shigar, Khaplu, Ishkuman, Naltar, Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral, Dir and the glacial lakes like Kachura, Satpara, Lalusar, and Saiful Muluk add unmatched grandeur to the beauty of the rugged mountains. The Northern Areas with its flora and fauna; the wildlife which can be seen in the form of snow leopards, ibexes and urials; and the variety of people who live in these areas with their diverse cultural heritage and millennia-old civilizations form a paradise for the tourists, trekkers, and mountaineers from all around the world.

The mountaineering & trekking season in Pakistan roughly runs between April and November, but some routes are only open for a couple of months, each year. 

Trekking in Pakistan is an unforgettable experience as it not only let you to experience the unexplored trails made by nature, but also bring the visitor directly in touch with the country and its people and helps you to appreciate the mountain environment.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Destination Pakistan....Kaghan Valley.



Kaghan is the most beautiful and scenic Valley in Pakistan. It is 160 km long valley embraced by lower Himalaya hills covered with forests of huge Himalayan Pines. The 4173 meters high Babusar Pass at its head was the only link to Northern Areas from rest of Pakistan until the Karakoram Highway was built.

In winter season most of the area of Kaghan Valley remain close due to heavy snowfall. Tourist season in Kaghan Valley begins in mid May and close in mid October. One can reach Mansehra from Islamabad through Public Transport or Daewoo Service. From Mansehra you can hire a jeep to Kaghan Valley or direct van service to Balakot, Kaghan and Naran.

Balakot
Balakot is the gateway to the Kaghan Valley. It take less then an hour to reach Balakot from Mansehra. Balakot is a beautiful town with scenic beauty.






Shogran
Shogran is 34 kms from Balakot, Shogran is at an Altitude of 7747 feet, Shogran is a very quite and calm hilltop. A wonderful excursion from Shogran is a visit to Sari and Paya. Sari is a small lake on the way to Paya. Paya is a lush green meadow with spectacular view of Malika Parbat. One can also find alpine flowers on the grassy slopes of Paya.



Naran
The Main attraction of Kaghan Valley Naran. This town is situated on the bank of river Kunhar at an altitude of 2498 meters.





Lake Saif-ul-Malook
Lake Saif-ul-Malook is 10 kms from Naran at an altitude of 3500 meters. The lake provides an excellent view of Malika Parbat (5290 meters). Lake is surrounded by impressive snow clad mountains.






Lalazar
Lalazar is an extremely picturesque place at an altitude of 3200 meters. It is 21 kms from Naran. Lalazar is a scenic spot with the thick forests of pine.








Lake Dudupatsar
Almost 60 kms from Naran is the small town of Besal, from Besal one can deviate 15 km east to Lake Dudupatsar. Lake Dudupatsar is famous for its lush green surroundings and good trout fishing.






Lake Lulusar
Lake Lulusar is the main source of Kunhar River, this lake is a pleasant picnic spot just 3 kms away from the town of Besal. Lulusar is a deep blue lake and is the biggest lake of Kaghan Valley, Lulusar is surrounded by colors by many varieties of wild flowers.

Visiting Kaghan Valley is a remarkable experience.