Lets tour Abbottabad

Let me make a point here that it is May 2012 and I am writing about Abbottabad. This writing has nothing to do with the adventures of the OBL operation and this is more about the veiled beauty of Pakistan - Abbottabad.

A road heading to famous spots near Abbottabad

Abbottabad is famous for various reasons, for example this garrison city of Pakistan has the best military school. The PMA Kakul functions like the Sandhurst in UK. Abbottabad is famous for its valleys, blooming flowers and fertile land. Moreover, Abbottabad is an ideal place for people who want to avoid the hustles and bustles of cities like Karachi and Lahore. Undoubtedly, it is one of the cleanest and the most beautiful cities of Pakistan.

 

Abbottabad is the principal city of the Abbottabad District in khyber pakhtunkhwa (KP sounds better!). It is around 4120 ft above seal level and is located around 100 km from Rawalpindi. The city is much like a valley with scenic beauty and beautiful romantic weather at its peak. The city is also known as ‘The City of the Maple Tree’. 

 

Trekking, Hiking, Camping, Photography and Golf  is a must!



The beautiful Abbottabad




Ilyasi Masjid

Must See:

§  Mukeshpuri 9800 feet and Miranjani 9750 feet are its highest peaks.

§  Takaya

§  Ilysi Mosque, Shimla Pahari(hill)

§  Nawansheher Bazaar stairs

§  Dodheyal

§  Harno (tourist area with open water)

§  Thandiani(~25 km)

§  Swinging Bridge near Harno

§  Dhamtoor



Lets tour Mohenjo Daro

The name of Mohenjo-daro is widely recognized as one of the largest and most important early cities of South Asia and the Indus Civilization. Mohenjo-daro means 'Mound of the dead' and  was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.  Mohenjo-daro is located in the Larkana District of Sindh, Pakistan. 

Mohenjo-Daro was the first city in the world to build streets in a grid fashion. 

Mohenjo-Daro is also the first city to have built a fully functioning drainage system as well 

This street has rocks to cover the drains

Many important buildings surround the stupa. This includes the 'Assembly Hall' and the 'Great Bath'. Each structures looks meaningful!

This stupa is a Buddhist building, from the Kushan period, much later than the underlying ruins 

Picturesque: Mohenjo-Daro

This ancient site is truly a wonder and is worth visiting, even for people who are not archaeologists by profession :)

My next blog will be about something very philanthropic in nature. You have to wait for it!

Lets tour Pakistan

Pakistan is situated between latitude 24 and 37 degrees North and longitude 62 and 75 degrees East. The country borders China in the north, Afghanistan in the North-West, Iran on the West, India on the East and the Arabian Sea in the South. The great mountains ranges of the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindukush for the Pakistan’s northern highlands. The Punjab province is a flat, alluvial plain with five major rivers eventually joining the Indus River flowing south to the Arabian Sea. Sindh is beautified with the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch in the east and Kirthar range on the west. Baluchistan is an arid tableland, encircled by dry mountains.

Pakistan as a Tourist Destination

Pakistan is a special interest destination. Its main attractions include adventure tourism in the Northern Areas, cultural and archaeological tourism as found in Taxila, Moenjodaro, Harrappa, and early Muslim and Mughal heritage of Multan, Lahore, Thatta, Peshawar, Swat. Besides this, birds watching Jeep safaris, desert safaris, trekking and mountaineering are readily available tourist specialized products.

For centuries, the ancient Silk Road remained the main trading route between the South and the Central Asia. After the construction of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) along the same alignment, which joins Pakistan with the Chinese Muslim autonomous region of Xinjang, the ancient trade link has been revived. The KKH has provided a great opportunity for international travelers to explore the unspoiled natural beauty, unique culture and traditions of the Northern Pakistan together with other Silk Route destinations like China, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The first known inhabitants of the Pakistan region were believed to have been the Soanian-Homo erectus, which settled in the Soan Valley and Riwat almost 2 million years ago. Over the next several thousand years, the region developed into various civilizations like Mehrgarh, Gandhara and the Indus Valley Civilization. The region has also been apart of the Greek, Mongol, Persian, Turkic, Arab and British empires, giving Pakistan a rich and diverse history.

Takht Bahi ancient Buddhist Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated atop a 160 m high hill, about 80 km from Peshawar, off-the-road to Swat. It has sculptures in stone and stucco that indicate the highly developed skill of their creators, dating back to 2nd century AD.

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization (3300–1300 BCE; mature period 2600–1900 BCE) that was located in what is now Pakistan and some parts of modern day eastern Iran, Afghanistan and small parts of India as well. Flourishing around the Indus River basin, the civilization primarily in Sindh and Punjab.

HISTORY OF PAKISTAN
BC
Soanian People 500,000
Mehrgarh Culture 7000–2800
Indus Valley Civilization 3300–1750
Vedic Civilization 2000–600
Indo-Greek Kingdom 250BC-11AD
Gandhara Civilization 200BC–1000AD
Indo-Scythian Kingdom 200BC–400AD

AD
Indo-Parthian Kingdom 21–130
Kushan Empire 60–135
Rai Dynasty 489–632
Umayyad Caliphate 661–750
Pala Empire 770–850
Ghaznavid Empire 963–1187
Mamluk dynasty 1206–1290
Khilji dynasty 1290–1320
Tughlaq dynasty 1320–1413
Sayyid dynasty 1414–1451
Lodhi dynasty 1451–1526
Mughal Empire 1526–1858
Durrani Empire 1747–1823
Sikh Confederacy 1733–1805
Sikh Empire 1799–1849
British Indian Empire 1849–1947
Dominion of Pakistan 1947-1956
Islamic Republic since 1956

Lets go Cholistan & Thar

Cholistan Desert (locally known as Rohi) sprawls thirty kilometers from Bahawalpur and covers an area of 

26,300 km². It adjoins the Thar Desert extending over to Sindh and into India. The Tharparkar District is one of the major parts of the Thar desert region. Tharparkar consists of two words: Thar means ‘desert’ while Parkar stands for ‘the other side’. Years back, it was known as Thar and Parkar but subsequently became just one word ‘Tharparkar’ for the two distinct parts of Sindh. On the western side, Parkar is the irrigated area whereas Thar, the eastern part, is known as the largest desert of  Pakistan. Rainfall in the area is very low, from 0-250mm per year, all falling between July and September, and the climate is harsh with temperatures ranging from near freezing up to 50°C.

The word Cholistan is derived from the Turkish word Chol, which means Desert. Cholistan thus means Land of the Desert. The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals. The common language spoken is Saraiki (Indo-Aryan language). The locals are skilled in arts and crafts. They engage in leather works, jewelry, pottery and much more. 

The dry bed of the Hakra River runs through the area, along which many settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization have been found. The Desert also has an Annual Jeep Rally, known as Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally. It is the biggest motor sports event in Pakistan.

 

Wildlife

Camels, Hog deer, ravine deer, black buck (rare deer) and blue bull are common. Fox, jackals, hares, porcupines, mongoose, arks, owls and hawks are also found. Wild boars are found in large numbers in the forest areas.

Lets go Chapursan Valley

Chapursan Valley is situated in upper hunza, it starts from Sost and ends on Irshad Pass which links Pakistan to Afghanistan via Wakhan Corridor. Chapursan means, 'What else do you need!. During the reign of the Mir of Hunza and later under British occupation the area was heavily hunted. In recent years, conservation efforts undertaken by the communities have slowly helped

to increase the wildlife population. Today, Himalayan ibex, wolves, golden eagles and even snow leopards can again be observed in their natural habitat.

It's almost a 4 hour tough jeep ride from Sost to Zoodkhun (first house) which is the last inhabited village of Chapursan Valley. 


At Zood Khun, accommodation, trekking information, yak and jeep transport and more can be found at the Pamir Serai guesthouse run by the redoubtable Alam Jan Dario, horseman, musician and ambassador of Wakhi Tajik culture. As the operator of Pamir Trails (www.pamirtrails.com), Alam Jan Dario runs cultural and adventurous treks on foot or horseback into the valleys and over the passes of his spectacular homeland.

IN VILLAGES/ON HIGH PASTURES

• be considerate of the local culture
• wear appropriate clothing. Locals usually love to see foreigners wearing shalwar kamiz
• ask permission before taking photographs, especially of women or religious places 
• if you want to give a gift or a donation, hand it to a responsible, respected person, such as a schoolteacher or community leader 
• when offered local food be humble and thankful. You can share some of your own food in exchange

WHILE TREKKING

• dispose properly of all your garbage. Burn paper, collect plastic, flatten tins and carry them out. Hiding garbage under a stone is not an option!
• leave your campsite in the state you found it
• use gas or kerosene for cooking. If you need to use wood, leave a donation for the village
• choose toilet sites at least 50m away from your camp and from any river or water source. Dig a toilet pit for larger groups
• avoid toilet paper if possible. Use water instead be an example to your guides and porters by following and explaining these guidelines and their reasons

Lets tour Fairy Meadows

Fairy Meadows is a meadow on the north side of Nanga Parbat ( elevation 8,126 metres (26,660 ft) 9th highest in the World and 2nd highest in  Pakistan), a few kilometers south of the Karakoram Highway and the Indus River in the Diamer district of Northern Areas, Pakistan. This legendry name Fairy Meadows is everlasting gift of a german tourist Willy Merkl to the local people, local name of Fairy Meadows is Fantori.

Nanga Parbat is a Persian word, which means Naked Mountain, Nanga Parbat is also called the "Killer Mountain" as more then 40 climbers have lost their lives trying to conquer it during expeditions and locals call it Daimoryi, which is the end of Himalaya. Most tourists who come to see Nanga Parbat stay at Fairy Meadows, which is at an elevation of 3,300 m (10,827 ft). On the route to the meadow lie two small villages, Tatu and Fanturi.

Nanga Parbat is also called the Killer Mountain and locals call it Daimoryi, which is the end of Himalaya. The meadows are lush green alpine pastures situated in the middle of a pine forest at an altitude of 3,306 m. The meadows have been a thrilling destination for polo lovers, spending couple of days here, having a touch of real adventure.

How to get there?

From Islamabad PIA operates two flights from Islamabad to Gilgit. Raikot is 75 km from Gilgit & further 50 minutes jeepable journey will take you to Jhel (Tatu) village. Jeeps are available round the clock, carrying 6 passengers on one vehicle, but they are expensive as they charge Rs. 3000 for such a short trek. A small cafe in Jhel village offers refreshments & lunch. 

From there Fairy Meadows is a three hours scenic pine forest hike on foot or on ponies, its an unforgettable trek!

Islamabad -> Gilgit -> Raikot -> Jhel Village -> Fairy Meadows

Islamabad -> Chillas -> Raikot -> Jhel Village -> Fairy Meadows

Rawalpindi -> Kaghan Valley -> Babusar Pass -> Chillas -> Raikot -> Jhel Village -> Fairy Meadows

Accommodation and Facilities

At Fairy Meadows best option for stay is Raikot Sarai owned by Rehmat Nabi, its manager is Dilber Khan, a very friendly person, log cabins are available having the fascinating views of Nanga Parbat. It has a camping site where tourists can pitch their own tents or, they can hire tents. Dining area & kitchen are located adjacent to camping site. Toilets & baths can be reached very comfortably from cabins & tents, hot shower is also available.

Hikes and Treks
The famous day hike from Fairy Meadows is for Beyal Camp & the base camp of Nanga Parbat. Friendly and experienced mountain guides, who are familiar with the terrain, accompany the visitor, taking them to different treks. Staff at cottages is experienced and help trekkers in planning their routes. Camping equipment & food can also be arranged for these treks. Natural rock climbing pitch is a part of this beautiful setting, where climbing may be practiced under the supervision of well trained staff.


Food
Fresh Pakistani and European meals are available in comfortable Dining Hall. Local food can also be prepared upon request.