SKARDU

Baltistan is a mountain-packed region in the Northern areas of Pakistan, along the Indus River between the Karakoram Mountains
and Deosai Plateau. It is also known as “Little Tibet”. Skardu, its capital is the starting point for some of the best trekking and
mountaineering in the world. Natives here are called Baltis and live in multi-story antique houses made of stone and wood. Clustered
map OF NORTHERN
round the houses are apricot, peach, mulberry and apple trees festooned with grape vines. The area is fairly rich in popular and willow. KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
Baltistan has four known valleys famous for their extravagant beauty and magnificence. These are Shigar, Skardu, Rondu, and Basho.
The famous lake of Baltistan, “Satpara” is 8 km north of Skardu town. It is surrounded by sky-high glacial mountains mirrored in its
crystal clear water. The lake has a fairy-tale island in the middle which is easily accessible by boat. The second beautiful lake “Upper
& GILGIT
Kachura” is 38 km from Skardu town, which has on its banks the “Shangrila Resort”.
BALTISTAN

TCKP-Tourist Information
Centre, Peshawar
Museum, Peshawar,
Pakistan
Contact:
TOURISM Tel: +92-91-9213762
Fax: +92-91-9210009
CORPORATION E-Mail: info@kptourism.com
Website: www.kptourism.com
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

GILGIT BALTISTAN
Gilgit, the land of silk, is the scenic home to the rugged but hospitable tribes of Northern areas. This strategic land sits in a wide The Northern Areas of Pakistan are a rocky wilderness of 2700 sq. miles (about 68000 sq Km) containing the biggest cluster of majestic
irrigated bowl guarded by Centurion Mountains. The city's proximity to China makes it a commercial centre for Chinese goods like mountains anywhere in the world and the biggest glaciers anywhere outside the Polar region. The mighty Himalayas come advancing into
lustrous silk and spices. The bazaars are full of life, always bustling and colorful. Mongols, Tajiks, Kirghiz, Chinese, Afghans and other this region from India, Tibet, Nepal, and north of them spread the more localized but still majestic the Karakoram, both heading northeast
Central Asians parade the streets, each wearing their own distinctive clothes. Gilgit is where polo is still played in the traditional way. while in between flows the mighty Indus River. Along the Indus are many lovely valleys, on the main river and in the path of its tributaries, the
From the 3rd to the 11th century, Gilgit was a part of the Buddhist settlements; inscriptions can be found all over the region e.g the breath taking combination of towering peaks, deep and steep gorges, moonlit lakes, cool streams, rapid rivers, glaciers and fairy meadows.
famous “Kargha Buddha”. In the early 8th century, three powers China, Arabia and Tibet converged into this region. After several Northern Pakistan has the most beautiful and mighty mountains on earth. From the forbidding heights of the five peaks, which are over 8000
clashes, this region was left with seven kingdoms and five different languages. In the 13th century, Marco Polo called the area “Noisy m, to the dozens that are over 7000 m high, all have one thing in common, they are majestic, mystical and magical. K-2, the King of
with kingdoms”. The eighth wonder of the world, the Karakoram Highway is 15-hours drive from Pakistan's capital Islamabad, which Karakoram, is the second highest peak in the world at (8611m). Nanga Parbat 8126 m is the 9th highest peak in the world. Many legends and
follows the fabled Silk Route. On the other hand a simple one-hour flight will bring you to this land of unspoiled natural beauty. superstitious stories have been spun around this peak, but it is rightly known as the “Killer Mountain”.

THE LAND OF LEGENDS

HUNZA KAGHAN VALLEY

Hunza valley is stretched over 110 km and is surrounded by huge mountains. The terrain varies from 1500 m to 8000 m. Eternal snowy Kaghan Valley is the most beautiful and picturesque 160 km long valley, embraced by lower Himalayan hills covered in forests of huge
lush green orchards, silent streams, gusty rivers and the emerald green meadows are some of the charms which have made Hunza Himalayan pines. The 4173m Babusar Pass at its head was the only link to Northern Areas from rest of Pakistan until the Karakoram
famous among tourists from all over the world. The entire valley is dominated by the famous Rakposhi peak (7788 m) which glitters Highway was built. One of the country's most popular holiday spots, the area offers best trekking trails, light walks, fishing and family
like a diamond against the blue sky. This is a land of peace, tranquility, fruits and legendary tales. outings to its spectacular lakes and flower filled hill sides. The main attraction of Kaghan valley is “NARAN”. This town is situated on the
bank of Kunhar River at an altitude of 2498m at point where the valley widens. The river is wider and quieter here. The famous lake, Saif-ul-
Muluk is 10 km from Naran at an altitude 3500 m. The lake provides an excellent view of the Malika Parbat (5290 m). There is a charming
legend about a Prince called “Saif-ul-Muluk” who fell in love with a fairy of the lake. The lake is named after the prince.

THE LAND OF MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS THE LAND OF ALPINE WONDERS

CHITRAL SWAT
The unspoiled valley of Chitral, a former princely mountain state bordering Afghanistan, has much to offer to the tourists in the form of a unique ŸSwat is a land of magnificent scenic beauty and rich historical past. Its lush fertile valleys, towering mountains, rushing streams, ice cold
ancient culture, high mountains and hospitable people. The Kafir Kalash tribe, who are nature worshipers, live in three of the many serene and lakes, fruit orchards and flower- filled slopes are some of the gifts nature has bestowed upon this ancient land. In the North, mountains rise
beautiful valleys that remain locked up in the lofty snow-capped peaks of the Hindukash mountains which connect Chitral with Afghanistan and and squeeze the river. Pine forested snow-capped peaks are dominated by 5918 m high sites. Swat offers some of the best trekking and
through it with the central Asian statu of former USSR. In fact, at one point the famous Wakhan corridor separates Chitral from Tajikistan in central fishing sites. The region has been a fairly civilized place for 35 centuries and its archaeological sites range from prehistoric caves to Aryan to
Asia by only 25 km. The Chitralis are peace loving-people, fond of music, dancing and very proud of their unique culture. The game of polo also Buddist, Hindu Shahi Monasteries. Buddhism flourished (550 B.C - 200 A.D) and Swat boasts of having more than 1200 monasteries at one
originated from this region, where it is still played in a no-rule, free style. A polo match is played on the highest polo ground of the world, Shandur, in time. Its valleys were invaded time and again by warhorse and bone chilling clash of swords and shields. It is the land where great generals
the first week of July when the polo teams of the rival mountainous states of Gilgit and Chitral flex their muscles to prove their superiority over one of the world like Alexander, Mehmood Ghaznavi, great Mughals, Babar & Akbar fought their battles of conquest. It is the land that was
another. Chitral offers excellent trekking opportunities for the adventure seekers. The Tirich Mir mountain at 7772 m rises among scores of desired, admired and loved equally well by saints, spies, artisans and kings. This lovely mountain - locked region is now well connected with
unclimbed peaks above 6000 m. There are numerous treks connecting the Hindukash mountains of Chitral to the Karakoram mountains of Gilgit. other parts of the country by air or by road. Swat museum offers interesting antiques of the Gandhara period. The real beauty of Swat region
The Hot Spring valley, 40 km from Chitral town is besides the Kalash valley, another popular spot both for a bath in the sulphur springs as well as for is in its upper valleys, Kalam (7000 ft), Mataltan, Mahodand. Atrur and Gabral. No doubt there is a lot to explore in beautiful Swat.
trout fishing in its mountain streams. The Kalash valley, the home of about 4000 Kafirs (Non-Muslims) living in about 20 villages. “Kafir” means infidel
and “Kalash” black. The Chitrali people call them kafir Kalash because they are non-Muslims and women of these tribe wear black hair-dresses, which
flow down their backs. The Kalash women do not observe pardah. They are also famous for their dances. The Kalash valley celebrates spring festival
“Chilim Josh or Joshi” from 13 to 16 May every year. The summer festival “Utchal” is celebrated from 18 to 21 August. The Autumn Festival “Phoo” is
held around mid-October. The Winter Festival “Chaumos or Chitrimas” is celebrated from 8 to 21 December.

The physical features that separate the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Central/Western Asia

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA from each other, such as the Hindukush Range, the passes like the Khyber, Tochi etc.
are also located in the province. The Khyber Pass, a tourists wonder, is the largest and
Pakistan though a young nation, inherited a long history and spectrum of unique cultures the most renowned of the passes. It is over 56km long and connects the valley of
and civilizations. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands high among other provinces as the Peshawar on its east, with Jalalabad in Afghanistan, on the west, and Torkham as the
guardian of ancient cultures and modern civilization. The exquisite art culture of Pakistani border checkpoint. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is mainly inhabited by the
Gandhara, some two thousands years ago, prospered here and now presents a plethora Pakhtun, designating as such a person who speaks Pakhto. This proud race makes up
of beautiful sites and wonderful monuments of the period. The province has been known one of the world's largest tribal societies, where each clan guards its own territory and
by different names like Chanrene and Gandhara in its long and chequered history till it honour. The mountainous northern region and expansive southern plains of the
became NWFP due to its location during the British period in 1901. The province is most province are mostly non-Pakhtun, being home to diverse ethnic groups and languages.
strategically located and touches many regions including Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit-
Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, China and Tajikistan.
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MAP OF
NORTHERN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
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GILGIT BALTISTAN
ROADS HOTELS
CULTURE HISTORY

LEGEND
City/Town/Valley
Airport
Mountains
Passes / La
Archaeological Sites
Lakes

s ll ey Main Roads
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Railway Track
Khyber Rivers
Pakhtunkhwa Treks

SUPPORTED BY ERKF - KP Glacier

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Federally Administered Areas Northern Areas
and Balochistan
Mul -Donor Trust Fund

LIST OF TOURIST INFORMATION

DISTANCE & TRAVEL TIME PAKISTAN’S HIGHEST MOUNTAINS & FACILITATION CENTERS

In Pakistan there are five mountains over 8000 meters, 29 over 7500 meters and 108
Peshwar - Nathia Gali 250 Kms 4 Hrs over 7000 meters. Peshawar Cantt:
Peaks between 4000 and 7000 meters are countless: Peshawar Museum, Peshawar Cantt.
Islamabad - Nathia Gali 115 Kms 21/2 Hrs Ph: +92 91 92 13762 Fax: +92 91 9210009
Islamabad - Mingora 250 Kms 4 Hrs WORLD RANK NAME HEIGHT IN METERS RANGE
Peshwar - Mingora 120 Kms 3 Hrs 2 K2 (Chogori) 8,611 Karakoram Abbottabad Centre:
Mingora - Kalam 84 Kms 3 Hrs 9 Nanga Parbat 8,125 Himalaya Royal Hotel, The Mall, Abbottabad.
11 Gasherbrum l 8,068 Karakoram Ph: +92 992 335876 Fax: 335877
Islamabad - Abbottabad 117 Kms 21/2 Hrs
Kahuta 12 Broad Peak 8,047 Karakoram
Abbottabad - Balakot 64 Kms 11/2 Hrs Hazara Centre:
1/2
14 Gasherbrum ll 8,035 Karakoram
Balakot - Naran 83 Kms 2 Hrs Dungagli Chowk, Dungagali, Hazara KP.
15 Gasherbrum lll 7,952 Karakoram
Islamabad - Gilgit 563 Kms 16 Hrs Ph: +92 992 355173 Fax: +92 992 355174
17 Gasherbrum lV 7,925 Karakoram
Abbottabad - Batagram 103 Kms 11/2 Hrs 20 Distaghil Sar 7,885 Karakoram Chitral Centre:
Batagram - Besham 56 Kms 11/2 Hrs 22 Kunyang Chhish 7,852 Karakoram Near Mountain Inn Hotel, Chitral.
Besham - Chilas 234 Kms 8 Hrs 24 Masherbrum NE 7,821 Karakoram Ph: +92 943 413540, 412800
Chilas - Skardu 306 Kms 8 Hrs 27 Rakaposhi 7,788 Karakoram
28 Batura l 7,795 Karakoram Islamabad Centre:
Gilgit - Skardu 218 Kms 6 Hrs
SIDB Plaza, Jinnah Super Market, Islamabad.
TOURISM CORPORATION KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA Gilgit - Karimabad 112 Kms 21/2 Hrs
29 Kanjut Sar 7,760 Karakoram
Ph: +92 51 2655614, 9102606
33 Saltoro Kangri 7,742 Karakoram
TCKP TIC - Peshawar Museum, Peshawar Pakistan Karimabad - Sost 86 Kms 21/2 Hrs
Ph: +92 91 9213762 Fax: +92 91 9210009 36 Trivor 7,720 Karakoram Karachi Center:
Sost - Khunjrab Pass 86 Kms 21/2 Hrs
41 Tirich Mir 7,708 Hindukush Suit No.1, Trade Tower, Abdullah Haroon Road,
Head Office: 13-A, New Block, Khyber Road, Peshawar, Pakistan. Islamabad - Skardu 771 Kms 21 Hrs
46 Chogolisa 7,654 Karakoram Karachi.
Ph: +92 91 9211091 Fax: +92 91 9210871 Islamabad - Khunjrab Pass 918 Kms 23 Hrs
49 Shispar (Batura) 7,611 Karakoram
Email: kptourism@hotmail.com Web: www.kptourism.com 58 Skyang Kangri 7,544 Karakoram