The Northern Areas is a major destination for foreign tourists especially for serious mountaineers because it is home to five of the eight-thousanders and more than fifty peaks above 7000m. Gilgit and Skardu are the two main hubs for all expeditions to these mountains.
Glaciers
Three of the world's seven longest glaciers outside the polar regions are also in the Northern Areas, the Biafo Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Batura Glacier.
Mountains
Eighteen of the Fifty Highest Peaks in the World are located in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
- K2, 2nd highest in the world at 8,611m.
- Nanga Parbat, 9th highest in the world at 8,125m
- Gasherbrum I, 11th highest in the world at 8,080m.
- Broad Peak, 12th highest in the world at 8,047m.
- Gasherbrum II, 13th highest in the world at 8,035m
- Gasherbrum III, 15th highest in the world at 7,946m.
- Gasherbrum VI, 17th highest in the world at 7,932m.
- Distaghil Sar, 19th highest in the world at 7,884m.
- Khunyang Chhish,21st highest in the world at 7823m.
- Masherbrum ,22nd highest in the world at 7,821m.
- Batura Sar ,25nd highest in the world at 7,795m.
- Kanjut Sar ,26nd highest in the world at 7,760m.
- Rakaposhi, 27th highest in the world at 7,788m.
- Saltoro Kangri 31st highest in the world at 7,742m.
- Chogolisa 36nd highest in the world at 7,498m.
- Shispare 38nd highest in the world at 7,611m.
- Trivora 39nd highest in the world at 7,577m.
- Skyang Kangri 44nd highest in the world at 7,545m.
Lakes
There are several high altitude lakes in the Northern Areas.
- Sheosar Lake in Deosai Plains
- Satpara Lake in Skardu
- Katchura Lake in Skardu
- Borith Lake in upper Hunza
- Rama Lake near Astore
- Rush Lake near Nagar
- Kromber Lake In Kromber Pass
Deosai Plains
The Deosai Plains, located above the tree line, are the second-highest plains in the world at 4,115 m (13,500 feet). They lie south of Skardu and east of the Astore Valley. The area was declared to be a national park in 1993. The Deosai Plains cover an area of almost 3,000 square kilometres. For just over half the year (between November and May), Deosai is snow-bound.
Rock art and petroglyphs
There are more than 20,000 pieces of rock art and petroglyphs all along the Karakoram Highway in the Northern Areas, that are concentrated at ten major sites between Hunza and Shatial. The carvings were left by various invaders, traders, and pilgrims who passed along the trade route, as well as by locals. The earliest date back to between 5000 and 1000 BC, showing single animals, triangular men and hunting scenes in which the animals are larger than the hunters. These carvings were pecked into the rock with stone tools and are covered with a thick patina that proves their age. The archaeologist Karl Jettmar has pieced together the history of the area from various inscriptions and recorded his findings in Rock Carvings and Inscriptions in the Northern Areas of Pakistan and the later released Between Gandhara and the Silk Roads - Rock Carvings Along the Karakoram Highway.
Gilgit Valley
At an elevation of 1,454 metres lies the Gilgit Valley. The quaint little town of Gilgit has spectacular scenic beauty. The peak tourist season is from April to October though you can visit the valley round the year. The maximum temperature in May is 33 C and the minimum 16 C and in September, maximum 28 C and minimum 11 C.
Skardu
Skardu, capital of Baltistan is perched 2,438 metres above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the Karakorams. Balti people are a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. Due to the similarity of its culture, lifestyle and architecture with Tibet, Baltistan is also known as the "Tibet-e-Khurd" (Little Tibet). It borders on the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Indian-occupied Kashmir. The tourist season is from April to October. The maximum temperature is 27 C and minimum (October) 8 C. Apart from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers Baltistan's five valleys - Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears.
Hunza Valley
The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful Poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheat fields, set against the background of snow-covered mountains. Situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from April to October. The temperature in May is maximum 27 C and minimum 14 C. The October temperature are: maximum 10 C and minimum 0 C. However, one can visit Hunza round the year.
Chitral Valley
This 322 km.(200-mile) long mountain hideout, nesting high in the Hindu Kush range, is a place of fascinating scenic beauty and grandeur. Chitral’s collection of rugged mountains, sulphur springs, rivers teeming with trout, orchard-dotted slopes, friendly people and annual festivals are enchanting beyond description. For the modern day traveler this scenic region offers an exciting experience. It is easily accessible by air from historic city of Peshawar.
Kalash Valley
These valleys have an alpine climate. The people inhabiting these valleys are the primitive pagan tribes of Pakistan, who are known as Kafir Kalash, which means the wearers of the black robes. Their origin is cloaked in controversy. A legend says that soldiers from the legions of the Macedonian conqueror, Alexander, settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kalash.
Garam Chashma (Hot Springs)
This un-spoilt enchanting valley of orchards, verdant fields and snow clad peaks is renowned for its boiling sulphur springs which are famous for healing effect on skin diseases, gout, rheumatism and chronic headaches. For the convenience of tourists “humans” (baths) have been constructed near the springs. Foreign tourists are requested to pay a toll tax of Rs.5.00 per person.
Karakoram Highway
A new all-weather road, the Karakoram Highway connecting Rawalpindi/Islamabad with China's Xinjiang Province runs through the Northern Areas. The 805 km. dual carriage metalled road starts from Havelian 100 km. From Islamabad and winds through Abbottabad-Mansehra-Thakot-Besham-Pattan-Sazin-Ghils-Gilgit-Hunza to the Chinese Frontier across the 4,733 metres high Khunjerab Pass. The road built by the Pakistan Army engineers in association with the Chinese experts and technicians has been described as a marvel of civil engineering and even as "The Eighth Wonder of the World". Completed in 15 years, it has been forced through some of the world's toughest terrain. The road not only opens up the Northern Areas to trade and travel but also provides easy access to hitherto closed regions, connected by jeep or goat tracks.
