The Valleys of Gilgit and Hunza

[Guest guest]

To the bloke wrote; Here's the guy's log; Blessed be ya socks, Sy

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The Valleys of Gilgit and Hunza

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Gilgit was an ancient trading post. In days of old, it was a

bustling bazaar serving as caravanserai for the traders of the "Silk

Road".

 

When the Karakoram Highway leading to China was opened, the

population of Gilgit increased. Despite this, the dusty, old-world

ambience remains largely unaffected by the seasonal floods of fortune

seekers, traders, ambassadors, and tourists scouring the the town

for "magick treasures" :-) Nice potpourri.

 

The Domani Peak (6134m) towers over the city hills which ranged up to

4500m. The local populace made efforts to turn their hometown into

paradise with green terraced fields and sprouting ochards of

apricots, cherries and apples.

 

Hunza is breathtakingly magical with the snow-capped Rakaposhi and

Ultar looming over the valley and the sweet villages of Karimabad and

Gulmit.

 

The region, nestling next door to China and the Wakhan Corridor of

Afghanistan, is of strategic importance. Historically, the

Hunzakurts have used this plot of paradise to undriscimminatingly,

waylay all types of caravans plying the trade routes to and from

China.

 

It is a fact that Hunzakurts live as long as 120 yonks of age.

Legendary tough cookies they are. Their gentle, warm and hospitable

characteristics belie their inner strengths and ruggedness. One

doesn't know which you learn more from: the Hunzakurts or their patch

of serene Shangri-la.

 

Nagar, the Forgotten Valley

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The Nagar Valley lies unspoiled across the Hunza River from Karimabad.

 

Traditionally, the bitterest of foes, Hunzakurts and Nagarites have

made peace in a manner typical of royal families. "Your son marry my

daughter, my other daughter marry your other son or his cousin".

 

Cross the palace of the ex-King of Nagar, git to Barpu Glacier and

hop to Hamdar. (Look up your maps/ atlases if you are interested.)

 

In about 2 days, ya git to a glacier lake at the base of Rashpari

Peak which is not technically difficult but takes a chunk of steam if

ya wanna climb it. After ya submit to the Rashpari Peak, ya make the

descend to Paipari on the edge of Barpu Glacier, spin ya top around

and make the return to Shishkin and Nagar. Make sure ya git

mandatory emergency evacuation insurance before setting ya cap out.

 

Batura Glacier Yak Trip

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The yak, the mountain dwellers' beast of burden, is a fierce-

looking, shaggy creature, similar to a hardy cow. Fortunately it is

as passive as one.

 

Traditionally and principally reared in Pakistan's north as taps for

milk, yaks are also for carry loads from one village to another.

Yaks transport the young and not-so-young on long-distance journeys

to traditional shepherds' high pastures from the foot of the Batura

Glacier (65km in length; second largest glacier in the world outside

polar regions). Ya traverse from near Malungin & git carted on ya

broomstick (yak) to Yashipirt. Once there, ya take in deep breaths

of the Batura Peaks, Kashmir Dior Group, Shispare and Passau Peak.

Frem Yashipim, ya retrace hotfootsies to Passu village astride da yak

too.

 

The Hindu Raj -- Naltar - Ishkoman

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The Ishkoman valley divides the Hindu Raj, Hindu Kush and Karakorams.

Take ya jeep to alpine Naltar where the valley has an air force ski

training center surrounded by flower-bedecked alpine pastures and

thick pine trees. Peep around the village, trek to Naltar Lake with

the crystal clear waters mirroring surrounding peaks. Trek to Shani

at the base of Naltar and pass da gateway to Ishkoman.

 

On the way to Shani, ya pass many Gujer settlements, meeting herdsmen

tending goats and yaks. Cross over Naltar Pass (4200m) to Trang.

>From the top of the Pass, ya can see magnificent views of 3 mountain

ranges and what will seem to be infinite peaks between 6000 and

7000m.

 

Take a drop (descent) from Trang to Chatorkhand in Ishkoman and ya

git to the traditional village of a famous religious figure (Pir).

Ya can chat with locals about the Pir and his influence. From

Chatorkhand, jeep back ta Gilgit. Takes 7 daysa approximately.

 

Marco Polo Jeep Safari

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Hop into Marco Polo's shoes and take da safari 4-wheeler, drive thru

Puniyal, Ghizar, Mastuj, Chitral, Kafir, Kalash, Dir and Swat:

Merry ya git cross Shandur (3720m) and Lowari Passes (3200m) dunking

yaself in astonishing contrasts from stark, shale cliffs to lush

green fields; from thunderous rivers to serene lakes. Dwellings,

language and customs switch from one valley to the next. Safari

choofs out from Gilgit, landing ya a nite in Gupis before ya alight

at Phander Lake (very scenic) where ya can pike fer trout and check

out villages.

 

Skip from there over Shandur Pass with its 2 crystal clear lakes and

the world's highest polo field to Mastuj (an important spot during

the 19th century siege of Chitral). Ya jeep from Mastuj from Chitral

ta bask in the sights of Hindu Kush range and its highest peak

(Tirich Mir – 7708m).

 

Ta git to Swat, ya pass the "Valley of the Infidels" (Kafir Kalash)

and skip over Lowari Pass to the "emerald valley" known as

the "Switzerland of the East".

 

Polo Field On the Shandur Pass

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At approximately 3700m, its perhaps the world's highest. Mountain

polo (originated from neighbouring fiefdoms) with 2 top teams from

Gilgit and Chitral.

 

"Shandur Polo" is rough rodeo played with no holds barred. Recently,

teams from Kashgar (in China) and Afghanistan were sent invites to

compete. Just about the only place in the world which offers the

rare opportunity of experiencing the vitality of hardy mountain folk

with the stage, a setting unaltered by time. When ya see week-long

festivals, ya see trout fishin', folk dancing, singing contests and

definitely polo. Big drawcard, this polo stuff. A "city of tents"

are erected to cater for polo participants and onlookers with the

Hindu Kush as a backdrop.

 

If ya polo pony doesn't get bashed and drop off, it gits highly

charged and git ya into Rudyard Kipling's "Man Who Would Be King".

 

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No kidding, get on ya search engine and look up Hunza Valley or

Pakistan if ya interested.

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