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TREKKING
IN PAKISTAN:
The lofty
mountains ranges of Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush
offer great opportunities for Trekking, which are
unparalleled in the world. The area is aptly called a
paradise for trekkers, adventure and nature lovers. The most
famous and thrilling travel in Pakistan is trekking.
The
Northern Areas of Pakistan is ideal for trekking and nature
watching. The area is less populated and no pollution as
yet. One can enjoy the unspoiled and pollution free
atmosphere, and natural beauty of the land.
No guidebook or assistance map can
lead you through this wilderness of lost horizons. No one
have yet succeeded in conveying to those who have not known
the Northern Areas of Pakistan, no try at a scale can convey
the effect of such mighty scenery, “ A enormous collection
of snow clad peaks would rise from the blanket of mist in
the valleys, unearthly world of purest beauty etched out of
a deep blue sky, it seemed quite untouched by man.
Throughout North Pakistan, each day’s travel brings constant
revelation and the magic of incomparable vistas,
breathtaking discoveries of the snowy mountains crests,
dynamic and colourful cultures, rare wildlife, like the
Ibex, and snow leopard, jade lakes and chuckling streams,
dancing waterfalls, and pine cloaked hills ablaze in summer
with glorious alpine flowers.
Besides
high mountains, Karakoram is inhabited by the largest
glaciers outside the polar regions, including Siachen
Glacier, 75 kms long, Biafo, 68 kms, Baltoro
Glacier, 62 kms, Batura Glacier, 58 kms,
Hispar Glacier, 53 kms, Rimo Glacier, 45 kms,
Chogo Lungma, 47 kms, Panmah Glacier, 44 kms,
Khurdopin Glacier, 41 kms, and Sarpo Laggo Glacier,
33 kms and many more.
For most of the trek, trekking season
is between May to October. The Ministry of Tourism,
Government of Pakistan, has defined trekking as
walking below 6000 meters (now it is relaxed up to 6500
meters for the year 2010). It has designated three zones for
trekking; Open, Restricted and Closed. Foreigners may trek
anywhere in open zone without a permit or services of a
licenced mountain guide/trekking agency. For trekking in
restricted zone, foreigners must pay a prescribed fee of 50
US$ per person per trek to obtain a trekking permit from the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan Islamabad trough
a local trekking agency/company. It also requires to hire a
licenced mountain guide, buy a personal accident insurance
policy for the guide, cook and porters and to attend
mandatory briefing and de-briefing at the Ministry of
Tourism Islamabad, at the beginning and the end of the
trekking trip. No trekking is allowed in closed zones which
are the areas near, Pak-Afghan border and near the Line of
Control with Indian-held-Kashmir.
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