A Visit to Hunza and Baltit Fort:

My route usually to Gilgit-Baltistan has always been through Skardu via PIA flight with spectacular view of K-2. Last time my route was Islamabad-Gilgit-Hunza-Sost Border. Journey Islamabad-Gilgit via PIA small plane is somewhat different and rather exciting. One can see both side right or left you about 55 minutes journey. KKH with vehicles plying can easily be seen from your window seat, take snaps, enjoy scenery even Nanga Parbat can also be seen.

By reaching Gilgit I took a room in PWD Rest House located near NLI Market. After one an hour with the courtesy of friend went to Sost. We crossed Rakaposhi and when reached Passu, (in front of Passu peak) there were drizzling on the way. Sometime it increased even one time jeep driver lower the speed due to losing the balance due to wet road. We did our lunch in a Sost Hotel, in my view it was not a lunch for a slim person like me rather it was as heavy as Lunch+Dinner.

In the evening starts pack to my actual destination i.e. Hunza Valley which is situated at an elevation about 7990 ft. Karimabad is its main town which is a popular tourists attraction due to the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains like Rakaposhi, Ultar, Hunza Peak, Lady finger Peak all about 6-8 meter height. Like every tourists I had to search for a hotel. Though Darbar Hotel in the top of Karimabad was excellent but I prefer PTDC which also in prime location especially those who loved to see morning view of beautiful Rakaposhi etc.

Baltit Fort: If there is no Baltit Fort there is no Hunza. This ancient Fort has a special attraction for the tourists. Majority of tourists first come for Baltit Fort and then Hunza or Karimabad. It was told that in 16 century the prince married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time. Later, Mirs of Hunza abandoned this Fort and moved to a new palace down the hill. It is about 700 years old, by the time it decayed and could be lost and ruin but Royal Geographic Society of lOndon, works for its restoration and in 1996 Fort was made museum and run by Baltit Heritage Trust. I spend two days in Karimabad. When I wrote these few line I still missing it and cherish to go once again early next year. Besides Hunza and Baltit Fort there is another personality who is more important and exteremely adored by the people of Hunza, like million of loyal followers worldwide is none other than but H.H. Prince Karim Aga Khan, 49th Imam of Ismaili community.

New Setup for Gilgit-Baltistan

Thanks God after 62 years, people of Gilgit-Baltistan, somehow, get their identity. No one, even the most powerful man and ex-President of Pakistan could do this. It credit goes to present Govenment who moves and take this initiative which is good sign and would lead to betterment of this region. People of Gilgit-Baltistan are happy over the announcement of "GILGIT-BALTISTAN SLEF-EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-GOVERNANCE ORDER 2009" and vehemently welcomed package for Giglit-Baltistan at all level. For the last 62 years, this region could not come up at par with the rest of areas in Pakistan, though Muzaffarabad with the same status was (governed) or enjoying full privileges of Prime Minister and President. People of Gilgit-Baltistan are happy with this province like setup. Tthey urged that the this must be implemented in the letter and spirit and role of KANA Divsion to be minimum. This Division logically needs new name as Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat dealing with Budge, Planning & Development and Staff Adminitration. Rest of Sections must go to Gilgit-Baltistan.
There are some voices against it too. Those come from across the border which was understood. Record of Indian Government towards Pakistan is always negative, therefore, it has no weightage. As for as Kashmiri leaders are concrened theywere some reservations about it which are based on perception and being addressed. As far as APC or like other statement from Muzaffarabad, where were these for the last 62 years when Gilgit-Baltistan in without any identity.

How to get Gilgit-Baltistan

After renaming of Northern Areas of Pakistan as Gilgit Baltistan by the government with province like setup there is a need to highlight these areas. Here are some basic means of communication for that areas from where one can have other info about these areas.

There are lot points in Rawalpindi-Islamabad from where one can get connected to Gilgit-Baltistan. Whether one needs transport, newspapers or other info. There are main office of newspaper where 3 newspapers relating to that are being published (one daily & two weekly) providing news and other feature on that area. On the side of transportatin, in Rawalpindi there ia a bussiest bus stop located at Pirwadhi Rawalpindi with different company like Northern Areas Transport Coporation (NATCO), Mashabrum Tours and K2 Travels and so on operating for Gilgit-Baltistan via Karakorum Highway. Tourits can have their seats from this Bus stand. But the face of that area can be the newspapers from where amongst others things a great info about particulars areas are available. Some lates images were taken while visiting these info placeswhich could be useful for the local and foreing tourists:

Chitral - Kalash tribes:

Chitral, in Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan and a capital of the Chitral District, is situated on the west bank of the Chitral (Kunar) River in the backdrop of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, 25,289 ft (7,708 m) high. It has a population of 20,000, The altitude of the valley is 3,700 ft (1,100 m). The area is connected from different routes which is absolutely uniqu of its kind. In the south, there is Lowari Pass (3,200 m or 10,499 ft) leads 365 km (227 mi) to Peshawar and in the north, the easiest route during summer runs over the Broghol Pass (3,798 m or 12,460 ft) to Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor, however during winter this route is usually closed. But the foreingers mostly used route is the east i.e. from Gilgit vis marvelous Shandur Pass where every year a Polo Tournament is played over the height of 3,719 m (12,201 ft). Another rounte is from southwest along the Chitral/Kunar valley towards Jalalabad. This route is open all year and provides direct access to Kabul. The other routes are over mountain passes.. And in the west, the Dorah Pass provides an additional route to Afghanistan. The territory is home to rare falcons and the snow leopard.
Chitral is multi lingual tribe. Their basic language is Khow, Chitrali, Khowar. which is also spoken in parts of Yasin, Gilgit, Ghizer and Swat. Pashto language is also spoken and understood by some in the city.
Kalash Valley: One of the major attractions of Chitral is Kalash tribe and Kalash Valley – the home of Kalash or "Wearers of the Black Robes" a primitive pagan tribe. Legends say that five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kalash. There is also a sizeable population of Nuristanis, Tajiks and Uzbeks most of whom arrived from Afghanistan in the late 1980s.
Over 3,000 strong Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur, south of Chitral.
Bumburet: the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kalash, is 40 km from Chitral and is connected by a jeep able road.
Birir: 34 km away is accessible by a jeep able road.
Rambur: is 32 km from Chitral. The Kalash Women wear black gown of coarse cloth in summer and hand-spun wool dyed in black in winter. Their picturesque headgear is made of woolen black material decked out with cowries shells, buttons and crowned with a large coloured feather. The Kalash love music and dancing particularly on occasions of their religious festivals.
KALASH FESTIVALS:
Chilimjust or Joshi (14 - 15 May): This festival is held in Spring when the girls pick the first lowers. The days are marked by dancing, and the people visit each other and exchange milk, cheese, yogurt and flowers.
Utchal (mid July): Two days of celebration mark the harvest of wheat and barley. There is much singing, dancing and feasting which is worth seeing.
Phool (20 – 25 September): This festival celebrates the reaping of the grape and walnut harvests. Chowas (18-21 December): This is the winter festival celebrated to welcome the new year. The people remain indoors, feasting and drinking until the elders, who sit on hill-tops to watch the sun reach its orbit, declare the arrival of the new year. Everyone then lights the torches and performs the commemorative dance, and goat sacrifice is carried out. All this is unique, natural and worth seeing.