gilgit places

1. Gilgit-Baltistan
Travel to the north for some of the best scenic views and adventure activities the country
has to offer. Start your trip in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), a popular choice for those seeking
diverse experiences while sticking to just one region. GB, the northernmost administrative
territory of Pakistan, is home to a number of mountain peaks over 20,000 feet, including the
renowned K-2 and Nanga Parbat. Shandur, the world’s highest polo ground, is also located
here, as is the turquoise-hued Attabad Lake in Hunza Valley that was created after a
landslide in 2010. The treeless Deosai National Park, located largely in the Skardu District,
is a 4,114-metre high wonderland rich in flora and fauna that can only be accessed in the
summer. Skiing enthusiasts can visit the Naltar Ski Resort, and eager campers can trek up
to the picturesque Fairy Meadows.

3. Attabad Lake, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan | © Nuaehnaja / Shutterstock
Multan
The city of Multan is an interesting mix of memories of ancient warfare, trade, dynastic rule
and Sufism. The seventh most populous city of Pakistan has changed numerous hands
since 3300 BCE, reportedly starting with Hindu occupation, then witnessing Greek invasion
and finally hosting a long era of Muslim rule heavily influenced by Sufism in the 11th and
12th centuries. Multan is now an important part of south Punjab and devotees from all over
the country and abroad visit the innumerable shrines, tombs and mosques all year round.
Such is the reverence for the deceased Sufi mystics remembered or buried here that it is
known as the ‘City of Saints’.

5. Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam Multan | © Syed Bilal Javaid / Shutterstock
Tharparkar
Interest in the Tharparkar District in Sindh as a tourist spot is a relatively recent
development. The gradual increase in the number of tourists each year is an encouraging
sign for the region which consists of a jumble of towns and villages ranging from slightly
developed to completely rural settlements. Most visitors flock to the district during or after
the monsoon rains to experience the short period in which the desert is transformed into an
oasis. This brief season is also a source of joy for the residents because the soil of this
particular desert is extremely fertile and supports rainfall agriculture.

7. Tharparkar, Pakistan | © Zaferauf / WikiCommons
Kalash Valleys
Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country, and the Kalasha form what is perhaps its most
distinct indigenous group. The Kalash Valleys – Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir – are a part of
Chitral, the largest district in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and are ringed
by the famed Hindu Kush mountain range. The remoteness of the valleys has helped them
preserve their uniqueness over the centuries. The predominantly light-skinned, blue-eyed
Kalasha people are known for their colourful garb and polytheistic religion. This religion,
which reportedly subscribes to either a form of animism or ancient Hinduism, is a world
apart from that of their Muslim neighbours. They love dancing, brewing their own wine and
playing traditional musical instruments. The best time to visit these valleys is during any of
their three annual festivals – Chilam Joshi in May, Uchau in September and Chawmos
around the time of the winter solstice.

9. Kalasha women, Kalash Valleys, Pakistan | © Omer Imran / WikiCommons
Mohenjo-daro
History buffs will have a hard time passing up a chance to visit Mohenjo-daro in Sindh, an
archaeological site dating back to 2500 BCE. An extensive study and excavation of the area
led to the conclusion that the mounds and ruins were once a part of the Indus Valley
Civilisation, a contemporary of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Among other things,
Mohenjo-daro was built according to a grid plan, boasted an efficient water management
system and featured public baths – all of this is considered advanced urban planning and
civil engineering well ahead of its time. The city was eventually abandoned around 1900
BCE for obscure reasons and was not rediscovered until the 1920s. Detailed excavation
continued until 1966, after which all in-depth archaeological work was halted due to damage
inflicted by the weather. Mohenjo-daro was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1980 and can be visited via private transport, public bus or weekly flights from Karachi.