Altitude: 4800 m. Max.
Season: Mid March – Mid April.
Duration: 12 Days.
Itinerary:
Islamabad – Fly Gilgit–Katimabad – Rest day – Passu/Gilmit – Khunjerab Pass – Hunza – Gilgit – Besham – Islamabad.
Spring being the beginning of season usually from early April welcomes you to the Northern Areas. Hunza & Nagar in Blossom present an aesthetic panorama. The lush green terraced fields surrounded by blooming trees and the village itself guarded by snow bound sky kissing mountains displaying scene enough to overwhelms visitors. Moreover, besides the appealing vistas, the fragrance emanating in
the villages add charm to the visual beauty. This breathtaking tour in beautiful spring in the north gives you the huge variety of natural splendors. This panorama can be seen throughout in the North along the KKH and off the road.
Start it from Gilgit, the capital of Northern Areas. When you arrive in Gilgit you will feel that you are somewhere you need to be in spring. Bagrot valley in Gilgit is at around an hour drive famous for its panoramic outlook in spring and summer.
Kargah Buddah in the tiny Kargah valley is about 20 min drive from the city. It is more famous for the carved Buddha in a rock about 10 meters from the pathway.
Proceed further to Hunza. Karimabad is about 90 km from Hunza and usually takes 3 hours but with repeated cessations on the viewpoints could prolong the journey double as longer up to Hunza. You will stay in Hunza even if you never liked to do that. Drive further to upper Hunza for added beauty, hit
the Khunjarab Pass (The highest border linking China and Pakistan at an elevation of 4737m) and start the journey back. You can spare a day to visit Nagar valley off the KKH opposite Hunza valley. You can drive up to the Hoper Glacier flowing down by the valley with picturesque mountains in the surroundings.
There is saying in Persian , “if there is heaven on the earth, it is only here, only here and only here” . It applies perfectly to the Northern Areas of Pakistan, during spring season.
Can you see a fairy land in your real life? Yes, you can, but only in northern part of Pakistan, during spring season. The areas are abounding with colorful flowers along with gushing streams, roaring water falls, particularly in Hunza. One can find pink, white, red, yellow, blue flowers, dancing, everywhere in the Northern Areas during spring season.
Blossom in the Northern Areas of Pakistan is something to behold. This is the time of year when the trees of poplar, apricot, mulberry, peach, apple and plum burst forth into a riot of color, with hues of orange, rust and red. The clear and bracing weather offers the best view of the surrounding mountains.
Hunza Valley is known to be the most enchanting valley in the world. It is sometime referred to as the “Shangri – La of the Lost Horizon”. The beautiful valley with neat sleepy villages, whispering streams, colorful orchards and vast glacier are surrounded on all sides by some of the greatest mountains in the world. The ancient villages of Hunza valley known as Altit & Baltit or Karimabad are situated on the slope of the magnificent 7400 m high Ultar Peak. On the opposite side of the Hunza State rises the most beautiful mountain in the region, the 7788 m high Rakaposhi. There are dozens of high peaks around the vast Batura and Hispar glaciers. This valley with bewitching beauty lies on the ancient Silk Road to China. The Hunzakuts are known for their unique culture and language. The wonderful fairy tale from their shamanistic past sheds light on the mysterious past of these wonderful people.
