http://www.roving-light.com/articles/pakistan/pakborders.html
Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Borders
Border towns and border crossings have always been an interesting part of travel. On my trip to Pakistan, I actually visited 3 different borders of Pakistan. Check out my write up below!
http://www.roving-light.com/articles/pakistan/pakborders.html
http://www.roving-light.com/articles/pakistan/pakborders.html
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Fairy Meadow
One of the recommended attractions and side-trips in northern Pakistan and the Karakoram Highway is to Fairy Meadow. My guidebook has good reviews on it, and so does online information. After been to it, I completely agree with them!
The journey there was a broken down into several segments. Although I hired my own guide and jeep, it can only reach a place known as Raikot Bridge. From there, I had to transfer to another jeep (further payable) and undertake a harrowing winding journey up to a point known as Tato. From Tato, you'll then have to trek your way up to Fairy Meadow. It took me 3-4hr for the climb!. My accommodation in Fairy Meadow is the popular Raikot Serai camp.
Raikot Serai afforded fantastic views of Nanga Parbat. Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest mountain in the world (8125m). It is also known as "Killer Mountain" as it had claimed many lives of those who attempted to ascend her. In fact, just few days before, there was a rescue operation on one of the climbers who was trapped in the mountains! Besides fantastic views, you can actually do a 1-day trek to the Nanga Parbat basecamp for a closer view of Nanga Parbat! Which makes it special, as you don't get many opportunities to trek to a basecamp in just 1 day!!
Even if you don't do the trek, the surroundings of Fairy Meadow is just so beautiful. And with my tent facing Nanga Parbat, the morning and evening views were sheer pleasure. And photographers dream.
The journey there was a broken down into several segments. Although I hired my own guide and jeep, it can only reach a place known as Raikot Bridge. From there, I had to transfer to another jeep (further payable) and undertake a harrowing winding journey up to a point known as Tato. From Tato, you'll then have to trek your way up to Fairy Meadow. It took me 3-4hr for the climb!. My accommodation in Fairy Meadow is the popular Raikot Serai camp.
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Raikot Serai afforded fantastic views of Nanga Parbat. Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest mountain in the world (8125m). It is also known as "Killer Mountain" as it had claimed many lives of those who attempted to ascend her. In fact, just few days before, there was a rescue operation on one of the climbers who was trapped in the mountains! Besides fantastic views, you can actually do a 1-day trek to the Nanga Parbat basecamp for a closer view of Nanga Parbat! Which makes it special, as you don't get many opportunities to trek to a basecamp in just 1 day!!
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Even if you don't do the trek, the surroundings of Fairy Meadow is just so beautiful. And with my tent facing Nanga Parbat, the morning and evening views were sheer pleasure. And photographers dream.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Chitral and Kalash
One of the not-to-be-missed stops in Northern Pakistan is the Chitral Valley. Chitral town, situated west of Gilgit, it is a common side trip for travellers along the Karakoram Highway. Why? Two main reasons.
One, the journey between Gilgit and Chitral passes through Shandur Pass,
and it is here that the world's highest polo game is held. Every year, 2 polo teams, one from Gilgit, and one from Chitral, will compete at the Shandur Top at almost 4000 metres! Unfortunately, my trip was in August, and the match is held in July. Thus, I did not manage to see the games :(. Nevertheless, the area is very pretty, and hence, even though the journey can be done in 1 full day, I opt to do it over 2 days via a private jeep rental.
Chitral is also home to a unique tribe of people known as the Kalash. For me, this would be the highlight of a visit to Chitral. They are the original inhabitants of the valley until it was invaded. Now residing in 3 remote valleys, you can arrange transportation and guide in Chitral town itself to goto these valleys.
The Kalash people, unlike the Pakistanis, are non-Muslims. The women still wear their traditional clothings, and their cultures strange and interesting. So it is highly recommended that you engage a guide here. My main regret is that I only did a day trip. There are excellent trekking opportunities to be had in the valleys. Hence, if you have the opportunity, my suggestion is to reserve more days in Chitral!
One, the journey between Gilgit and Chitral passes through Shandur Pass,
and it is here that the world's highest polo game is held. Every year, 2 polo teams, one from Gilgit, and one from Chitral, will compete at the Shandur Top at almost 4000 metres! Unfortunately, my trip was in August, and the match is held in July. Thus, I did not manage to see the games :(. Nevertheless, the area is very pretty, and hence, even though the journey can be done in 1 full day, I opt to do it over 2 days via a private jeep rental.
Chitral is also home to a unique tribe of people known as the Kalash. For me, this would be the highlight of a visit to Chitral. They are the original inhabitants of the valley until it was invaded. Now residing in 3 remote valleys, you can arrange transportation and guide in Chitral town itself to goto these valleys.
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The Kalash people, unlike the Pakistanis, are non-Muslims. The women still wear their traditional clothings, and their cultures strange and interesting. So it is highly recommended that you engage a guide here. My main regret is that I only did a day trip. There are excellent trekking opportunities to be had in the valleys. Hence, if you have the opportunity, my suggestion is to reserve more days in Chitral!
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