Shandur Polo Festival:

Shandur Polo

In this instance, we are encouraging polo fans to schedule their vacation in advance to ensure a pleasant experience. We provide necessary assistance to all guests in order to make their journey enjoyable. The background Shandur polo dates back to the British era and was first played at the summit of the world in 1936. It was under British authority that the celebration was initially instituted, and it is still observed today. Thousands of people flock to Shandur to watch the game, which turns the pass into a tent city for a few days. Without a doubt, a large crowd forms at the top of the roof, with various kinds of companies.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department and Khyber Pukhtun Khaw, in partnership with the local authorities, host the event to suitably celebrate the occasion. This festival attracts tourists from all around Pakistan, as well as international visitors.  It has been decided to celebrate this festival in the second week of July 2022 (7-9 July).

What is the specialty of the Polo Game? 

They believe there are only two things in life that have no rules in this part of the earth. Welcome to the ancestral birthplace of polo, where the game is played on the highest ball pitch on the planet. I’m talking about Shandur, Pakistan, with wild boundaries at an altitude of 3,800 meters between Masuj and Ghizer. The air is crisp, and the atmosphere is electric as the crowd begins to gather for the year's most anticipated event, the Shandur Polo Festival. This high-altitude tournament brings together two teams from opposite sides of northern Pakistan who have traditionally competed against one another, the Gilgit East and the truth rallies.

 Whatever their differences, they both agree that polo was invented over two millennia ago in Central Asia, not in Britain as many people believe, and it's still here that the game is played in its original rule-free form, which is known as freestyle polo. The goal of the game is to get the ball across the goal, and that's what makes it beautiful, but it's also what makes it probably the toughest sport you'll ever see. For more highlights, you can read here.

Other colorful activities in the festival you may enjoy with a lifetime experience

Paragliding Show at Shandur

The best thing to attend this festival is a great holiday because the way to travel to the roof of the Shandur Pass has many mind-blowing highlights. Either from Chitral or Gilgit both sides it is accessible you will drive through charming villages, spectacular views, of crystal clear rivers, waterfalls lush green landscape, and mesmerizing highlights.

How do organize the Trip to Shandur Polo Festival in the proper way?

Obviously, you need a comfortable plan to reach there in a proper way. Many Pakistani tour operators organize the trip with their top expertise. As there are no hotels to stay in you need tents to camp. In this case, booking with an experienced agency is worth these three days of the festival. You will have proper food and all the necessary equipment to enjoy your holidays. Anyway, some people can also do it on their own as well but you need to be well equipped to be comfortable.

What is the best part of the Festival during these three days?

Phundar is the best highlight on the way

Are there any issues at Shandur Pass during the Festival?

Definitely, there are some issues as such the area becomes over-crowded that makes it terrible dusty and noisy. Secondly, if you are not well prepared you would be able to have proper food because some temporary tent hotel management do not serve well.  Finding transportation to reach Shandur Pass and going back after the end could be an issue as well. For this reason, it is better to bring your equipment for camping.

I am sure if read this article and desire to book your plan. In this case, we are providing services you can visit our main travel website www.hkttreks.com for more information and organization. There are many more tour agencies you may Google as well.

Finally, I recommend that anyone planning a trip to North Pakistan in the month of July attend this event. Without a doubt, you will thoroughly appreciate it. If you're planning a journey these days, you'll have plenty of options because some of Hindukush's most captivating treks begin here. The primary attractions include Chumarkhand Pass, Thui Pass, Zagar Pass, Nazbar Pass, and Shah Jinali. This month, together with the polo festival, you can plan on "killing two birds with one stone."

 Spring Blossom Tours                                  

Nature has bestowed north Pakistan a unique beauty in the different seasons of the year unlike any other places in the world. Pakistan is a country with contrasts north part of Pakistan has different landscape that dresses in different colors during the four seasons of the year. Every dress it wears has its own beauty. There are four seasons like the whole world, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The spring begins from the beginning of March and ends by the end of May. From the beginning of June to the end of August summer comes all over north Pakistan. From the beginning of September, the yellow color Autumn arrives and ends by end of the November, then with beautiful white dressing winter comes over that has its own beauty with snow, icefalls, and cold breeze until the end of February.

Holiday Hikes Pakistan organizes tours during the whole season with the interest of clients looking to their choice and makes your holidays exciting and enjoyable with its skillful staff and organizers. We would love to invite all those who love to see and connect with nature.

Lovers of the Spring season

The spring blossom in Pakistan is on its way to reaching soon. The landscape completely wears an amazing natural dress with different colorful trees in every part of North Pakistan North Pakistan the land of giant mountains is paradise on earth has a different color of spring blossom that is cherry, apricots, apples, pears, peaches, almonds, and many others that give spiritual food nature and for humans both. An unbelievable scenery occurs all over the North Pakistan during this season with a different color of flowers on different tress that ad to the beauty of the whole region. If you have time and interest worth visiting to enjoy your life in a real natural beauty.

When the Blossom begins and ends in different Parts of Pakistan

The uniqueness of Spring Blossom in north Pakistan lasts for a long time because it varies from valley to valley with altitude and you long days to see the spring blossom and enjoy it. The first spring blossom comes to Gilgit in the very first week of the march and to its adjacent areas up to 30 km and then from 15-20^th March Hunza Valley, Gahkuch Ghizer fills with the beautiful spring blossom arrives, then moves upper villages of Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Astore, Ghizer, Gahkuch, Ishkoman, Gupis, Yasin, and Phundar Valley all are getting with full of spring blossom.

Hunza to the North of Gilgit-Baltistan is famous all over the world because of the incredible landscape and the villages among snow-covering mountains. The infrastructure for tourism is on the top in North Pakistan. Thousands of visitors move towards Hunza during the whole year and enjoy its beauty spring comes here from the beginning of April and ends by the end of June.

Ghizer Valley to the West is called The Land of Lakes has a unique landscape and very few tourists visit here during the whole year. It has four huge valleys connecting with different parts of Pakistan such as Punial begins 33 Km to the west of Gilgit and connects with Darel and Tangir to the South. All the villages of Punial is all along the Shandur Road and the Ghizer River. The spring season arrives here by the beginning of March and moving up to the upper villages Ishkoman, Gupis, Yasin, Phundar areas until the end of May the spring blossom stays and adds to beauty its incredible landscape. Ghizer River is famous for trout fishing activities especially in the crystal clear river flows from Shandur Lake from the west. Traveling along the Shandur Road during the spring blossom makes it unique with colorful villages among the snow-capped mountains of Hindukush and Karakoram all the way from the beginning of Gilgit and ends at Shandur Pass to go to Chitral. You connect tour with Chitral from the Ghizer Valley over the famous Shandur Pass 3,732 m.

Ishkoman Valley

Once you go towards Ishkoman Valley in natural beauty and tourism potential, many several popular treks stretch from there the most popular and charismatic Wakhan Corridor over Korumbar Pass 4,200 m connects Broghil of North Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. The other incredible trek over Chilinji Pass 5,200 m connects Ishkoman and Baba Ghundi Chuporsan Upper Hunza. Both of these treks take 2-3 weeks from Islamabad to Islamabad. There are other amazing treks that lead to Darkot Yasin over Attar Pass 4,700 m and Panji Pass 4,600 passing through charming summer pastures and spectacular views of snow-covering peaks. Some peaks are very easy to climb during the trekking if you are fond of small peaks climbing and many technical peaks too for technical climbers most of the peaks are unclimbed and unnamed you can have an opportunity to climb such peaks have the honor to be first climbers of the Hindukush Mountains. Such opportunities are in every valley of Ghizer e.g Ishkoman, Punial, Gupis, Phundar to go on a day hike to month-long trekking and discover the beaten tracks in the valley. Most of these treks are circle ones you will cross easy passes from one valley to another and diverse culture, landscape, languages, and people.

“Off the Beaten Tracks”

There are many valleys and passes still need to be discovering most of them could be done in 2-3 days and some are needed weeks to discover and explore. All these are easily accessible from nearby villages in the Ghizer District.

Yasin Valley As Ishkoman Valley Yasin has several opportunities and potentials that have to be discovered and enjoy your holidays. The historical Darkot Pass 4,570 m connects Yasin to Broghil Chitral. It has an interesting history of the ancient explorers and conquers passed through these areas in order to capture the sub-continent from Central Asia. In the next posts, I will provide all the details and information about the history.

Phundar Valley

One of the most beautiful valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan Phundar have their beauty in lush green meadows, crystal clear river (full of trout fish), blue sky lakes, and waterfalls. There several trekking opportunities to the North it connects to Yasin Valley via Nazbar Pass 4,971m and Northwest to Mastuj Chitral over Zagar Pass 5,008 m and Chumarkhand Pass 3,800. To the South Dadralli Pass to Kalam (Swat) Valley and Borom Saw to Kohistan Valley. From Chashi Nala to Darel and Tangir has incredible trek passing through amazing landscape and beautiful Campsites Rivers and streams.

Punial Vally

 Punial is the lower valley of the Ghizer District with its headquarter Gahkuch has mind-blowing highlights about history, archaeological sites, day hikes, and short treks. You can walk around to mesmerizing viewpoints around going through small villages and water channels connecting to nature and listening to amazing stories interacting with local people.

In the near future new posts will be appearing with amazing stories and highlights about all the above valleys connect with this blog and discover new things and enjoy reading it. For more detailed information and planning trip visit www.hkttreks.com

Winter Tourism Promotion walk to Ghizer to the west of Gilgit

First-day highlight Day Highlights

The team members were all energetic except two professionals +45 of the Directors of Hindukush Karakoram Tours and Treks the first and only tour agency from Ghizer. Traveling 41 km on the first day ended at Japoke Bridge. All the team members were very tired of the long walk without proper exercise, however, the morale of the team members was high due to the love and encouragement received from the locals. 

Second Day Highlights

The journey started from Japoke Bridge the next day and ended at Haton Bridge that evening. It was an interesting day for the team because in every kilometer the local communities of the Punial Region were waiting in the honor of the winter tourism promotion walk team receiving with Dessi Bans and clapping to encourage the team along with dry fruits tea and other local dishes. Their appreciation sign that the people of Ghizer are all fond of tourism activities but there a lack of awareness and facilities for such activities to the people involved in tourism during the winter. In Singul Village hundreds of people received the team warmly and then all the way every village had the same response to this walk. Before entering Gahkuch a team of Boy Scouts from Ghizer, other institutions, and the business community received the team and then Special Communication Organization honored the team at their center with high tea musical program. 

Third-day Highlights

On the third day, as usual, the team members got up at 6:30 a.m and all of them were at the breakfast table at 7:00 a.m. The team members had breakfast before eight o'clock and left for their destination.

The third day's walk began at Hatton Bridge. Traditionally, the team members took a picture while standing next to the signboard of Hatton village so that the record would remain. The speed was still about six kilometers per hour. Senior members Murad and Amin kept urging the youths to walk slowly and for a long time but the youths never listened to them and the caravan moved on their pace as usual. Crossin the villages the community members appreciated the team as previous days that were all encouraging and hope for good winter tourism in the near future.

Welcoming of the local communities on the way

On the way, we passed Heim and Hopper and reached Samal. A community team of Small Village and elders greeted the team on the bridge. Humiliated with traditional pratha (shi rack), traditional roti (shepak), needles, boiled and fried eggs it was a freezing morning with the wind so they sat in a cave-like place in front of the Sumall bridge ate and drank to their heart's content. Then say goodbye to the elders and move on. Along the way, shopkeepers greeted the team members and offered chewing gum and sweets. In the village of Raushan, tea was arranged by the community in the Jamaat Khana. The elders of the village greeted the team at the entrance of the Jamaat Khana. The Boy Scouts saluted and were greeted with a variety of sweet and savory gifts along with tea.

The next reception was given by the local Boy Scouts and the community at Hawkis Village. Where team members treated fresh and dried fruits.

The next stop was Gopis where the team members were initially garlanded by Junaid Hotel and humiliated for tea. The team was received by Gilgit-Baltistan Sports Director Hussain Ali near the historic Gopis Fort.

Then Blossom Inn had arranged a fantastic lunch with warm welcoming reception by the manager Sardar.

From there, the team asked for leave and continued on. The day was getting darker and darker. When Gopis crossed the Nala bridge and reached the bazaar, the vendors of DJ School Market greeted the team with music and enthusiastic slogans. Humiliated with sweets and tea. Team members also performed a traditional dance. Thus the team continued to walk and reached the place called Ziarat and the walk ended. Thus, on the third day, the team covered a distance of more than thirty kilometers in nine to ten hours. From there, the team proceeded to the house of Khan Akbar Khan, a well-known politician and public servant of Gopis. Khan Akbar Khan had arranged the best dinner and stay. The team members were busy with music, country songs, and gossip till late at night. Thus the third day came to a happy end.

The nighttime temperatures at Gopis, Gendroot, and Khalti were minus 9 and minus 12 degrees Celsius, but the daytime sunshine did reduce the cold a bit, but in the morning the breeze was accompanied by warm gloves, hats, mufflers, and warmth. It was not possible without a mask.

At seven o'clock in the morning, as usual, all the team members got up and after breakfast left Khan Akbar Khan's house at eight o'clock. It was the fourth and final day so the team members looked cheerful and happy. The journey was shorter than the last three days and the team members were eager to reach their destination. Before departure, the team offered Fateha at the mausoleum of renowned singer Muzaffar Ali Begana Shaheed and started their fourth-day walk from there. Far from Ziarat, Khan Akbar Khan walked with the team to Chartoe (Fairys' Hill) to show solidarity.

When arrived some of our mothers and sisters offered our team Ashpri is a common and ancient tradition of almost all areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. Ashpuri (desi ghee on top of traditional bread) is offered on every happy occasion.

Now the team was pinched very close to their destination. Fida Hussain, Secretary Information and Rescue, near Khalti PTDC, got out of his vehicle to show solidarity with the team and joined the walk with our team.

Near PTDC, hundreds of locals, local volunteers, boy scouts, girl guides, and others greeted the team with garlands. The desi band continued to lead the team and from there the team reached the venue in the form of a procession with ladies and gentlemen. At the gate of the venue, the local volunteer women then presented Ashpri and welcomed the team. Along the way, people danced to the tunes of a local band. Thousands of people standing on the side of the road waved and greeted the team warmly. The scenes of this historic reception were spectacular. Upon entering the venue, thousands of ladies and gentlemen stood up and greeted the team warmly and enthusiastically. Reaching Khalti on foot from Gilgit for 128 km was certainly no less than a feat, so the locals were generously praising the team's courage and enthusiasm.

Khalti Lake Tourism Festival Event

The team was taken to the middle of the venue where the team members performed a traditional dance. From there, the team members walked from the top of the frozen Khalti Lake to the middle. The team met with ice hockey, ice football, and skating racing teams.

From there, the team members came and sat on the stage. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister Raja Nasir had also reached there. Raja Nasir first garlanded the team, then presented a bouquet of flowers and later presented a shield and a certificate That received by the team leader. Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister appreciated the mission of the team.

Meanwhile, the Skardu team led by renowned Baltistan journalist Qasim Butt entered the venue. Minister for Tourism and our leader welcomed the Baltistan team. Later, the Minister also gave shields and certificates to the Baltistan team and appreciated their walk from Baltistan to Gilgit.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the Winter Sports Festival Khalti. After his arrival, the game of ice hockey Played. In ice hockey, there was a competition between Hunza Ibex and Hunza Leopard, in which the Hunza Ibex team took the lead.

After the closing of the ceremony, the team leader and members of Ghazar Winter Tourism had a brief meeting with the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the team and invited the team to present its recommendations on which the government would work.

On their return from Khalti, the team attended a lunch hosted by Blossom Inn Gopis. The team members then left for their respective homes. Thus, the four-day historical and extremely important journey came to an interesting and memorable end, the memories of which will live on forever.

I will be very glad of your comments and feedback please go to the comment section below and help improve my content writing with your great support.

 The 5 best day hikes in the Ishkoman Valley Ghizer

Dain Water Fall

 Dain Ghochar (Waterfall)

This is an interesting day hike that starts from the central village of Chatorkhan across one of the longest suspension bridges in the region. You walk along with the beautiful village of Dain, following a jeep road or taking a footpath directly above Dain village. The views around the whole Ishkoman Valley are mind-blowing. Above all, on this walk, you will experience the local culture by visiting the traditional homes and people. Once you reach the endpoint, the views of the spectacular Karkarom and Hindukush Mountain Ranges will grab your attention with their awesome look. The mountains are 5,000m to 6,500m in height and most of the year are covered with snow. 

On the other hand, the refreshing breeze of the falling water between the narrow gorge and the 70-degree temperature steals the hearts of visitors here. 

Shukargah Lake hike (a whole day hike for fit hikers)

Shukargah Lake

Hike to the View of Imit Valley in the Gateway to the Wakhan Corridor

From Immit Village to Ishkoman, the Korumbar Valley along the Korambar Glacier,

Yazbin Immit

The hike I am going to mention here begins from Yazbin, the third last village in the Imit before Matramdan, which leads to the East. The walk is quite smooth, with spectacular views of the Karakoram Mountains at 6000 m. Across these mountains, one of the longest Batural Glaciers falls down to pass through the Upper Hunza Valley to the Karakoram Highway. The best view of the Korumbar Glacier on the right side takes you to the beautiful summer village of Korumbar, with fields of barley and lush green meadows. To organize this hike, you may stay in Khyber Guest House in Imit, or either can approach from Chatorkhand as well. 

A day hike from  Ishkoman to Handis Village

This is another mind-blowing day hike that has mind-blowing highlights and great views for the day. You can stay in the Ishkoman valley and approach it with your vehicle in the proper Ishkoman direction westward. You drive through the charming villages all the way to the end of the jeep road for one hour. From here, you will be in the real natural beauty among numerous snow-covered mountains of Hindukush, and your eyesight will also take you to see the great Karakoram mountains to the eastward in the distance. You will have a great walk in the thick forest, lush green meadows, and many more highlights that add to the joys of your holidays. You will enjoy the running river flowing from Attar Lake, a two-day easy trek from Ishkoman, or to Attar Pass, 4700 m, to Darkot village in the Yasin Valley, a four-day stunning trek in the region.

From Ghotolti, if you take the Chiantir Valley, it takes you to one of the largest hidden glaciers in the world, the Chiantir between Broghil and Ishkoman Valley. This glacier has an amazing skiing spot to enjoy for adventure lovers and has easy access from Ishkoman and Broghil Chitral.

Coming to the point of the day hike, you can enjoy a walk for 3–4 hours in the valley and drive back to your hotel in the evening with lifetime experience and stories. 

Ghotolti Village to Chiantir Summer Houses hike

Attar Lake Ishkoman

Drive from Gilgit to Chitral over Shandur Pass (3,743) m

The mind-blowing highlights of the Ghizer Valley while traveling on the road

Ghizer to the west of Gilgit-Baltistan is called the Land of Lakes has contrast from the valley to valley and village to village with mind-blowing highlights. The picturesque Ghizer Valley has numerous points where nature lovers to stop take pictures take a rest and enjoy the natural beauty to add to the joys of their holidays. There is history, culture, archaeology, and spectacular snowing covering mountains above the charming villages where visitors can enjoy with. During the summer along the streets variety of fruits are found in the shops nearby the road.

View points on the Shandur Road along with the crystal clear Ghizer River

Your journey begins from Gilgit City towards the west on Shandur visit Kargah Buddha a rock carving beside the Kargah Nullah (steam) 6km west of Gilgit along the old road to Punial, is the most popular short outing from Gilgit. The Buddha figure is about 3m tall and looks down protectively over Gilgit. It was carved in the 7th century and its workmanship reveals a talented master and has an interesting story you will be told by your guide or can see on the signage below if you are without a guide. After 5 km on the road, you will come across Hanzal Buddhist The stupa which will give the amazing story of the Buddhist era in the north of Pakistan.

·        The viewPoint of Sher Qila

Sher Qila the largest villages in Ghizer great view about 36 km from Gilgit has an attraction for visitors to stop taking pictures and enjoy the beauty of the village. It was once the center of the kingdom of Punial during the Kingdom system in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the village of current members of the legislative council of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Gahkuch viewpoint

Musharaf Memorial and Junction of Hanisari and Ghizer Rivers

Crossing the Damas Village there is a point which is called Musharraf Point has a great view of Golodass, Hattoon, Karakorum International University Ghizer Campus across the river especially the meeting point of Hanisari and Ghizer Rivers along with an eye-catching view of Ishkoman Valley from here. It is called Mushraf Memorial because the former president of Pakistan Pervaiz Musharaf visited here during their reign and addressed the people of Ghizer Districted and awarded numerous development projects for the whole district unlike any other leaders of Pakistan.

·        Hopper Garden

Hoper is a small beautiful village on the road with a picnic point the owner of this picnic point is a smiling man you will enjoy his extraordinary hospitality telling the story of Hopper Garden with rooms on the large trees here are a unique culture. You would have tea climbing the trees’ rooms and romantic view of Hopper waterfall a unique place on this journey.  

Junction of Yasin and Phander Valleys Hammer Dass Gupis

This point has a great view of the junction of Phundar and Yasin Valleys with the meeting point of Phundar and Yasin Rivers both have different colors, the Phundar River is crystal clear and Yasin River muddy meet each other and the picture here has a unique attraction. The story of Charitoi Fairy Lady is one of the highlights where you will see blood on a rock where people use to slaughter a hen/animal during the travel of wedding party who are going to cross this place. It is a long story about this place in the past all those used to slaughter a hen/animal while the cross this for the first time while traveling to Gilgit or any other place passing through here.

·        Khalti Lake View Point

Khalti Lake a 3km long lake by the road was formed in a flood in 1978 is an eye-catching spot where it gets full of trout fish during the whole. It is completely frozen during the winter covers with hard ice winter sports are played on it in the month of January every along with different cultural events of the Ghizer District. Thousands of participating in the event. The lake is a great attraction for boating apart from the winter. During the months of March to November, you would be able to enjoy fishing in the lake and have fish in the picnic points and small restaurants nearby the lake. From here you are heading to the most beautiful parts of North Pakistan that are least known of the Gilgit-Baltistan is worth visiting to enjoy the real natural beauty with its site walks highlights multi-days hikes.

·        Phunder Valley

Moving further to the Phunder Valley is an amazing experience of the journey passing through antique cultural villages and land of unspoiled farmlands, lush green meadows, crystal clear river, waterfalls and blue sky lakes are the lifelong memories of your journey. Once you reach to proper Phunder the panoramic views of the surrounding and sky-touching white-headed mountains of Hindukush Range are unforgettable moments of life. On the way you will come across some of the scenic viewpoints that take your attraction shoot and spend more time looking at sceneries. Phunder valley has numerous day hikes and long trekking circular walks crossing passes to its connecting valleys to the northeast from Shamaran Village, a charismatic trek leads to Yasin Valley over Nazbar Pass 4,970 m along the Ano Gol, from the way there is another Zagar Pass 5,008 leads to Mastuj Upper Chitral. From Barsat a two days trek leads to Mastuj over Chumarkhand Pass 4,344 m you can also hire horses for this trek and enjoy horse riding if you are interested in it.

To the south Phundar Valley connects with Darel and Tangir and from further up with Kalam of Swat Valley. From Chashi Village a three days easy trek leads to Darel and Tangir which is still unexplored by anyone except the locals who use to go often to see their relatives across the two valleys. From Handarap Village a six days trek leads Kalam of Swat Valley over Dadereli Pass 5,030m all these sidewalks are passing through panoramic views. On the way, Khukhish Lake is one of the largest lakes in the valley come across where you can camp and enjoy fishing in the lake and have the taste of Trout on your trek.

·        Shandur Pass 3,734m

Leading to Chitral from here is another exciting journey along with the charming villages of Chitral. There are facilities to stay and eat on the roads on both sides.

In the near future, more posts will be posted on this blog with all the required information for a traveler on this route. Stays connected and post your feedback and queries in the comment section.  Visit www.hkttreks.com for more information and choosing a trip anywhere in Pakistan.

 Holiday Hikes Trips and Plans?

It is no doubt say that “A sound body has a sound mind’’ for the sound body all human need some physical exercises to stay healthy. Everyone in this world does not have such opportunities and time to have an exercise regularly. In this case, it is important to go on hiking adventures once a week after a weeklong office work to connect with nature and enjoy the incredible landscapes in the surrounding that does not only benefit physically but also mentally where staying in offices and indoors in the home for long days develop anxiety in the mind connecting with nature and making funs relaxes during the hiking adventures.

Where to go and what to see?

North Pakistan is a place rich in such places where you can enjoy your holidays in real nature if you go for a nearby adventure, wandering in the villages, day hikes, long days trekking, water sports, fishing trips, historical sites, seasonal and traditional festivals, exciting sports of your interest interacting with local people to enjoy the long live hospitality of the people.

If you have long days of holidays, and interested in trekking and climbing activities could be easily done along the way there are many opportunities for rock climbing nearby the roads on your trip and enjoy it if you are fond of rock climbing. Some of the rivers of north Pakistan provide you great opportunities of Rafting and kayaking of long Kilometers.

Discover Nearby Adventurees

For those who live in the Ghizer district to make their Sunday a Fun Day while visiting on their weekends and other short holidays there are tons of exciting places to go and enjoy nature. It is all for working people, school, college and university going students to go around and discover in the regions they live. There are some interesting places must visit and experience the incredible landscape.

If you want to Explore, study the history of the surrounding, visit the historical sites, day hikes up to viewpoints to enjoy the spectacular landscape of your surroundings. Enjoy the hospitality of the locals’ culture and traditions. Interacting with people, discover the uniqueness of your region all are the main objectives of the Holiday Hikes.

The idea behind the Holiday Hikes to make your holiday enjoyable, discover new areas, enjoy the natural beauty, visiting historical places to learn historical highlights, Adventure events, summer pasture expeditions, trekking into the hidden treasures crossing passes. Of course, all these will be organized by the experienced professionals and specialist that will make your trips exciting and stress-free.

Where History, Culture and Nature Meet

Walk to Jadow Malik Gahkuch:

This four to five hours walk we will start about 2 Km from the Gahkuch City down to the Tourist Picnic Point. From where a trail leads up to Upper Gahkuch above the Shandur Road fascinating walks with mind-blowing highlights along the way. Climbing up to the hills above Gahkuch gives spectacular views of the Ghizer River to the snow covering Peaks of Hindukush and Karakoram, the meeting point of historical Hanisari River (flows from Ishkoman) from the North to Join Ghizer River near Damass Village of Punial. Then visiting Roii Girri (stone of jinn/Fairies) in Upper Gahkuch has a mythical interesting story. To the hills called Jadow Malik is another historical story of the highlights. Ruins of the old Fort and remains of the new Fort of early 19^th century at upper Gahkuch are all amazing and add to the knowledge of hikers and visitors. You will come across many other exciting points and people during this day and by the afternoon we will descend down to the city and will lead to your respective homes. This trip will be full of interesting stories and funs. We are sure you will enjoy this day trip and add to the bucket of your memories.

Achamee Koi Walk: 

The name is Shina Language means dangerous Village we don’t know exactly the story behind it why this name is given we will discover this while our trip to here? Again the walk will begin from village Kanche about 3 Km from the District Head Quarter Gahkuch close to the Chinese built the bridge at the entrance of Gahkuch City. This walk will lead up from the road and three to four hours ascending to the remains of the village there are some signs of village and small terrace farming fields (we definitely discover it during the trip what is the history of the spot to add to the knowledge of participants). The view from here towards the east to the villages of Punial, Singul, Bubur, Gurunjur along with the crystal clear Ghizer River and towards north and west villages of Damass, Golodass, Hatoon and above the villages we have mesmerizing views of snow covering peaks along with green plateaus on the hills with evergreen trees. This walks has a great experience having our lunch on the high hills with spectacular views and fresh breezes of the mountains give inner side happiness and spiritual satisfaction in life. We hope you will prefer such healthy activities rather than sleeping until mid-day on Sundays and holidays of your life.

   Day Hike to Ayashi Village and down to Hattoon Bridge Shandur Road 

                                                                                                    Ayashi 

is the village higher than Upper Gahkuch the Name Ayashi means (to the Sky). This day we start our walk from the same as the previous days from the Gahkuch head City. Two hours walk on the jeep road will take along the beautiful villages of Ayashi where the local people are tourist-friendly and ideal in hospitality will invite you their homes and offer the lovely traditional food. We will enjoy interacting with the local communities and their hospitality. We will climb the hills above the village, from where we will have amazing views of Ishkoman Valley and the point where Karakoram and Hindukush Ranges divide to the Northeast the snow cover peaks of the Karakoram and the Northwest gives you the views of Hindukush. There are several charismatic treks that lead to different areas to the Northeast Naltar Valley Gilgit over Pakhora and Hayul Passes both are accessed from Ishkoman from the village of Chatorkhand and Pakhora village 4-5 days exciting treks. This walk goes until the end of Damass Village where is the source of one of the famous spring water opposite the Karakorum University Ghizer branch. I am sure you will enjoy this interesting day hike to the unique part of Ghizer. 

If anyone interested in the above walks and day hikes and other adventures contacts us at (info@hkttreks.com).