Pakistan - North - (Gilgit, Hunza, Karakorum) 2/2

Polo - tradition from Pakistan - Gilgit

North Pakistan and Hunza Valley. Beautiful areas situated deep in the mountain ranges, where The Himalayas connect with The Karakorum. Right in the middle, running through the main valley is famous "Karakorum Highway" - a road, which has connected Pakistan with China and made possible development of the area. It's more than stunning to ride in between the peaks. Also I believe, that passing under the Nanga Parbat (one of 8.000 meters peaks) is something you will not forget. There are many great mountains, beautiful views, superb sceneries, but there is not many places, where you can admire such a huge mountain standing "close" to you and the difference to its top is more then 6.000 meters!

NORTH PAKISTAN - TREKKING

That is the way to travel - Hunza Valley

Morning frost - Rash Peak trek (5049m)

Glacier views - Rash Peak trek (5049m)-

On the glacier - Rakaposhi base camp trek

Good view - Rash Peak trek (5049m)

Lady Finger - Hunza Valley mountains -

Baltit Fort - Karimabad - Hunza Valley

Minapin Glacier - Rakaposhi in the background

Avalanche - Minapin Glacier -

Relaxing - Minapin Glacier - Rakaposhi (7788m) in the background

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HUNZA VALLEY - NORTH PAKISTAN

Spantik, also called the Golden Peak (7027m)

PASSU/SOST AND KHUNJERAB PASS CROSSING - PART 1

Hitching from Karimabad to Passu with two Germans Alex and Bianca. Short ride on the tractor to Ganesh, then on the top of Pakistan truck (just above the cabin) to Gulmit (the best sightseeing ride ever) and then on a Chinese Mercedes long truck to Passu, where because of the incredible speed (fastest truck ever! with one eye Chinese driver) and not to friendly weather we decided to stay on the truck all the way to China. The driver did not speak any English, but we understood he is going directly to China.

In Sost a border police had ordered us down as it is impossible to pass on the truck to China. The only way is on the government Natco bus (1500RS) to Taskargent. So we have ended up stuck in Sost, where really is nothing to do or see. Weather was not great and I was ready to leave Pakistan. Also I was heading just towards the Passu in the morning, the decision was fast. We bought bus ticket for the next day morning and started to enjoy the Sost.

 collecting wood in the mountains - makes them bare :(

Sost - Pakistan border -

We met a guy I knew from Madina in Gilgit and he gave us a free ride around on his jeep. Also offered us some dried apricots. "Pakistan Ramadan" he was laughing and told us about the apple he also has in his car. For some Muslims is difficult not to comply with the religious rules in the community, but they are not so orthodox and always find their personal way around. In the search for a Hunza/Chitral hat for my friend we spoke with many locals and tried to buy their hats. It was great fun and in the end we found almost good one which would fit on the "big headed" German - Alex :) We also met a commander of custom and narcotics department in the evening. It was nice to see him in the morning on the customs. He did very quick check of our luggages and we were free to goo. The story continues in "China 06 South/West".

Khunjerab National Park

Continue your reading here: - "Pakistan - South (Wagah, Lahore, Peshawar) 1/2