Pakistan
 Highlights
 Trekking
In Pakistan
The Karakoram has the greatest concentration of high peaks of all the
mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas included. Out of 100 highest
peaks in the world, more than 50 are in Pakistan. Four of the world's
fourteen 8,000-m peaks are located within the Karakoram; there are more
than thirty peaks over 7,000m and hundreds other spectacular rock and
ice peaks exceeding 6,000-m. The one that tops them all is K2, at 8,611
meters the second highest on planet Earth and situated in the Karakoram.
Further south, the Nanga Parbat massif (8125-m) marks the western end
of the Greater Himalaya range. The Baltoro Glacier and the Batura Glacier
are the largest outside the polar regions. These peaks and glaciers have
drawn mountaineers and expeditions since their discovery by the European
explorers in the 19th century. Because the Karakoram is significantly
further north compared to the Himalayas, this give rises to a much harsher
and colder climate and trekkers need to be more well-prepared and equipped
than those elsewhere. For more info on trekking in the Himalayas, click
here.
"We have found that
trekking through Pakistan's northern mountains calls for an open spirit
of adventure and a sense of humor, and brings the rewards of perhaps
the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world, the gracious warmth
and hospitality of the people met, and a feeling of accomplishing something
remarkable."
- John Mock, Lonely Planet's "Trekking in the Karakoram & Hindukush"
The Karakoram Highway ( KKH )
Opened in 1982, the Karakoram Highway is the world's highest public highway
passing through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world as it
twists through three great mountain ranges - the Himalaya, Karakoram and
Pamir - and follows one of the ancient silk routes along the valleys of
the Indus, Gilgit and Hunza rivers.
Starting from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the KKH runs 1284
kilometers through the Khunjerab Pass, which is one of the world's highest
metalled motor pass at 4730m, to Kashgar in Sinkiang China. This great
engineering project was one of the biggest since the Pyramids and took
20 years on the Pakistani side and 30 years on the Chinese side to complete.
Today the highway is popular with tourists wishing to cycle or trek its
length. The main attractions of the route are undoubtedly its challenging
geography, unusual yet spectacular scenery and hospitable local ethnic
groups.
Traveling the Karakoram Highway is an experience that
will captivate and enthrall you. The landscape is striking. In places,
sheer, snowcapped mountains ascend from deep valleys while elsewhere,
lush alpine meadows are carpeted by colorful wildflowers and dazzling
apple blossoms. Terraced villages dot this monumental terrain, supported
by traditional farming methods and lifestyles that have changed little
over the centuries. Each day provides a new and exciting scene - the reason
why this trip has such an international following. Talk to anyone who
has driven the highway and watch their eyes light up.
The journey is essentially a vehicle-based trip, but
optional day walks are included during days spent at various destinations,
such as the Hunza valley, otherwise referred to as Shangri-la, for its
pure natural beauty and considered the centerpiece of KKH. Popular stops
are the short treks to Rakaposhi base camp and to Fairy Meadow with its
heart-stopping views of the north face of Nanga Parbat.
If you love awe-inspiring mountain scenery, fantastic
cultural diversity and history, and an easy pace, this trip is for you.
Mountain-Bikin The Karakoram Highway ( KKH )
This is one of the classic long distance mountain biking adventures of the world. Take a van-bus & jeep ride up to the Khunjerab Pass and begin the 3,500m descent over 270km of winding road down to and through the mountains into the Hunza Valley and eventually emerges in ancient Gilgit. The KKH passes through hot furnace-like valleys devoid of vegetation, bleached by the remorseless sun and dwarfed by range upon range of terrifying glaciated peaks, much of it spectacular. Much of the KKH is poor quality tarmac with plenty of washouts, streams, landslides and singletrack diversions, such as the 1500m descent from Hopar to Aliabad. For variety, try the side trip down the Shimsal Valley gorge.
|
