The northern areas of Pakistan is a heaven for those who seek adventure travel. It has got all the ingredients for adventure travelers. From the highest mountains of the world to lush green valleys to pristine lakes, all these nature wonders are in abundance in the north of Pakistan.
Here I take you through a visual journey of my adventure travel experience through the north of Pakistan.
Pristine Lakes and Solitude
The north of Pakistan is full of pristine lakes. Some of them provide a really great sense of solitude. My favorites, the ones which I have explored so far, are Karomber lake, Chitta Katha lake and Saral lake. Once I explored 20+ lakes in a single trekkig trip in Kaghan and Neelum valleys. Some are very easy to access (e.g. Saif-ul-malook lake) and camp there but others require strenuous multi-day trekking (Rush lake).
Chitta Katha lake, Shounter valley, Kashmir, Pakistan / Photo: Sher Ali’s Photography
Ratti Gali lake, Neelum valley, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Karomber lake, Ishkoman, Gilgit Baltistan / Photo by Sher Ali’s Photography
Ratti Gali lake, Neelum valley, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Saral lake, Neelum valley, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Solitude at Saral lake, Neelum valley, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Fairy lakeof Sat Sar Mala lakes series in Kaghan valley, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Shandur lake, Chitral, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Thrilling Mountain Passes
You are a tough guy and like to walk in true wilderness? Then head to the north of Pakistan. Mountain passes connect different regions of mountainous landscape to each other but most of them are difficult to cross and not a good choice for someone who doesn’t have a strong will. Usually crossing a pass involves trekking through varied terrains for an average 6-7 hours a day. Some passes are technical and require mountaineering experience to cross them e.g. Gondogoro La, Haramosh La, Mazeno pass etc.
Gondogoro La (5940m), Karakoram, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Gondogoro La (5940m) trek, Vigne glacier, Karakoram, Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Darkot pass (4600m) connecting Yasin and Broghil valleys / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Darkot pass (4600m), Yasin valley, Gilgit Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Shandur pass, Ghizer valley, Gilgit Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Babusar pass (4173m), Kaghan valley, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Jabbah Gali pass, Neelum valley, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Saral pass (4488m), Kaghan valley, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Ratti Gali pass, Neelum valley, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Strenuous Treks
Gondogoro La (5940m) top, Karakoram, Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Goro-II, Baltoro glacier, Karakoram, Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
K2 base camp trek, Concordia, Karakoram, Baltistan, Pakistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Karomber lake trek, Broghil valley, Chitral, KPK, Pakistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Rawat, Darkot, Yasin valley, Gilgit Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
On top of Gondogoro La 5940m, Karakoram, Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Herrligkoffer base camp, Rupal side of Nanga Parbat, Astore valley, Gilgit Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Tashain glacier, Mazeno base camp trek, Astore valley, Gilgit Baltistan / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Mazeno base camp trek, Shigiri, Astore valley / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Chikar, Broghil valley, Chitral, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Short and Quick Adventures
Dagri Bangla trek, Bhiran Gali, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Gulpur waterfalls, Gulpur, Kotli, Kashmir / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Loh-e-Dandi top, Margalla hills / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Mushkpuri top, Nathia Gali, KPK / Photo by: Sher Ali’s Photography
Have you ever been to northern areas of Pakistan?
If so then which areas have you explored so far and what areas are on your bucket list?
Please share your travel experiences through comments section below. π
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Aamir
January 29, 2016 at 8:17 pmVery nice and informative blog.
Photography really is amazing…!
The Silent Traveler
January 30, 2016 at 10:59 amthanks a lot
Faiza Meer
January 29, 2016 at 11:10 pmA Treat to my Eyes……. Super Oosum (y)
The Silent Traveler
January 30, 2016 at 10:59 amthank you π
Akhlaq
January 30, 2016 at 7:31 pmit’s really wonderful to see such places through camera’s eye.. you really are blessed to have a passion of sightseeing.
The Silent Traveler
February 1, 2016 at 6:16 pmThank you for kind appreciations. I will have more articles in coming future, IA.
tahir ahmad
February 2, 2016 at 9:25 amBrother …I have been to some of these places during my hiking and trekking ….what you have explained is absolutely right and our youngsters should go and explore the northern areas of Pakistan..
Wonderful treat to see such a wonderful one from you…God bless you
The Silent Traveler
February 3, 2016 at 9:34 amThanks for your kind appreciation. The goal is not only to inspire local Pakistani people but also to show to the foreigners that Pakistan is where they should be seek adventure travel.
Arif
February 2, 2016 at 10:58 amStunning! Although, I think the photographers eye and sense of timing has a lot to do with how the photographs have turned out. Were it not for being flat-footed, I would have asked to be allowed to accompany you for one of your treks.
The Silent Traveler
February 3, 2016 at 9:36 amIf you are new into trekking then you can start from smaller treks like trails on Margalla hills, Mushkpuri trek etc. and then gradually start doing tougher treks like Dagri Bangla trek.
Bianca @itsallbee
February 2, 2016 at 11:07 pmThese pictures are absolutely stunning!!! I love hiking and would never pictures Pakistan like this. In my mind a lot drier. This has to go on the life time bucketlist for sure.
The Silent Traveler
February 3, 2016 at 9:09 amWell Pakistan is one of the rare countries which offers all kind of weathers and all kind of landscapes. It is a heaven for those who seek adventure travel. 5 out of 14 8000er peaks (including K2 which is the 2nd highest peak in the world) are here.
meher
February 16, 2016 at 10:17 amyour photography and the landscape are WOW….
The Silent Traveler
February 20, 2016 at 1:28 pmThanks a lot for liking the photos. π
Faiz
July 20, 2016 at 1:01 pmI love to see these places. Very astonishing places to visit these natural beauties. awesome post like to share it