About Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan. Baltistan is bordered to the south and south-east of Ladakh and in the south-west of Kashmir situated in the heart of the Karakoram. In the Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan four big mountain ranges the Karakoram, the Handukuch the Himalayas and The Pamirs- meet,The region Gilgit Baltistan has its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty and the whole Gilgit Baltistan is the paradise of mountains climbers, trekkers and hikers from whole over the world. Gilgit–Baltistan is administratively divided into two divisions and nine districts.Gilgit is federal territory of Gilgit–Baltistan in northernPakistan and skardu is the Capital of Baltistan. The Indus plains, where 80 % of the population live, take up one third of the total area of the country.A high birth rate (2.41 % population growth), extensive emigration of academics and – as a result of the war in Afghanistan about 2.2. Million refugees confront the government with huge problems. Pakistan is what is called a third-world country, and indeed one of the poorer ones. Life expectancy is 64 years, infant mortality 84 per 1000, and illiteracy rate 57 %. There is no compulsory school attendance. On the other hand the region can look back on a more than 1000-year-old culture. Countless cultural as well as scenic sights make Pakistan an interesting destination for tourists. This is especially true for the north of the country, i.e. the mountain regions.

The inhabitants of Baltistan, the Baltis, impress the visitor with their hospitality. They are gentle and peace-loving and radiate composure not to be ruffled by anything. Violence against tourists is unheard-of in Baltistan, and crime is as good as non-existent.

Baltistan divided into four kingdoms
• Skardu-
• Khaplu-
• Shigar-
• Rondu-
There were also four lesser principalities
• Keris-
• Parkuta-
• Tolti-
• Kharmang –
Famous mountain ranges
• The Hindukush (Tirich Mir, 7 690 m)
• The Himalaya (Nanga Parbat, 8 126 m)
• The Karakoram (K 2, 8 611 m)
• The Pamirs and the border mountains to Afghanistan and Iran.
Famous Mountains Peaks above 8000 Meters:
• K-2 (Chagori) (8616 Meter)
• Nanga Parbat (8125 Meter)
• Gasherbrum-I (8068 Meter)
• Broad Peak (8065 Meter)
• Gasherbrum-II (8047 Meter)

Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek
Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek
Concordia K2 Base Camp Trek
Thalle La Masherbrum-BC
Spantik Base Camp Trek

Famous Treks
• Gondogoro la traverse
• Concordia / k 2 base camp
• Biafo-hispar-traverse
• karakorum great traverse

How to Access Gilgit Baltistan
By flight
Treks and expeditions in the Northern Areas usually begin and end in Skardu or Gilgit. Between Islamabad and these towns there is a daily flight but the planes only take off when the weather is good, or when they are booked out, so it is never possible to rely on being able to fly. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
By Karakorum Highway

The second possibility to get to Skardu or Gilgit is by bus via the Karakorum Highway. The whole trip, exclusive breaks, takes about 20 hours to Skardu, a little less to Gilgit, and leads through the fascinating landscape of the Indus Valley. It is advisable for tourists to rent a vehicle but of course it is also possible to use local transport. Unfortunately, problems can arise due to landslides which usually occur after heavy rainfalls and block the road for days or even weeks.

By Khunjerab PassYou can also reach northern Pakistan from the north by flying to an airport in China (Eastern Turkestan) or Tadjikistan and then crossing the Khunjerab Pass and driving down the Karakorum Highway.