Biafo Glacier is a vast glacier in the Karakoram mountain range in Shigar district.

Biafo Glacier

In a Glimpse:

Biafo Glacier is a vast glacier in the Karakoram mountain range in Shigar district, Gilgit Baltistan, spanning over an area of 67 km. The natural attraction of this glacier is that it meets the Hispar Glacier to form the longest flow of glacial system outside the polar regions of the world at an altitude of 5,128 at the Hispar La (pass) giving birth to Snow Lake which is not a lake but a huge snow basin – one of the largest in the world with a depth of 1600 meters – out which both the glaciers flow connecting the two mountain kingdoms of Nagar and Baltistan.

How to get there:

Only accessible for a short period during summers, Biafo glacier is located at a trekking site and the track takes several days to complete offering the trekkers a strenuous route.

What to do there:

Acting mainly as a trekking destination, Biafo is one of the most remote adventures in the world which was first discovered by the English trekker Martin Conway and the one who gave Snow Lake its name describing it as:

“Beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold finer.”

Snow Lake lies at the head of Biafo glacier and the foot of Hisper glacier, accentuated by the presence of gigantic peaks of BainthaBrakk or Ogre and the Latokk group.

There are established campsites on the Biafo Glacier edges requiring a daily hike of around 6-7 hours.

Moving up the surroundings, you will observe a shift from lush green to sandy and the rocky campsites. Biafo is mostly a smooth glacier but the route includes a lot of boulder hopping making it hard work to keep going.

Neela Sandh Breathtaking Waterfall Travel Guide

In a Glimpse

A magnificent and breathtaking lake surrounded by stunning wildlife is called Neela Sandh. The place received its name because of its glorious view. A place that can unwind and give relaxation by an appealing nature, wide-ranging mountains, vegetation, and tall trees covers it all along the way to a waterfall. Moreover, the site provides a spectacular view of the adjoining areas. In addition, the clean, blue water shines like pearls in the daylight, making the place’s scenery stupefying and fascinating.

Locality Assessment of Neela Sandh

Neela Sandh is in Lehtrar Road, Rawalpindi District of Punjab, the province of Pakistan. It is about 25 miles away from Islamabad. The word Neela, derived from the Urdu language, means blue, as the water reflects blue color. Its depth varies from 27-50 feet deep. Therefore, Neela Sandh is a great place to have picnics as it is a calm and captivating place.

Atmospheric Conditions

The Neela Sandh is a semitropical picnic point where the weather changes according to the different times of the year. For example, during summer, from May to August, the average temperature can go from 20° at its lowest and 37° at its highest. Similarly, during winter, which is mainly November to January/February, the average temperature can start at 3° at its lowest and go up to 8° at its highest. With this, Neela Sandh is a place where rainy days are observed from time to time.

Things to do at Neela Sandh

You can do many things to explore this picturesque spot. The route is a small, well-maintained metalled road; a pleasant drive through magnificent landscape makes the journey enjoyable. On-site parking is provided with Neela Sandh Hotel where one must descend the valley to see the three beautiful ponds. Moreover, a phenomenal waterfall is formed as water flows from one pond to another. Transparent and immaculate water sparkling under the daylight adds more fascinating beauty to the view.
When it’s too hot in Islamabad / Rawalpindi in the summer, Neela Sandh water pool is a great place to go diving in cold, clear water. The location is quiet adventurous for keen explorers.

The water reservoir is dangerous for non-swimmers since the depth of the water abruptly increases over a few feet, catching a non-swimmer off guard. Wearing life jackets, provided on-site, is strongly advised for non-swimmers. If you feel hungry while enjoying, there is a tiny canteen where you can get tea and beverages. Neela Sandh is a unique waterfall and the best place for enjoyment with a mesmerizing view. You can also make arrangements to bring additional things to enjoy live barbeque here; the perfect spot away from the day-to-day city buzz and having a picnic in Islamabad’s outskirts. Moreover, people often choose this enchanting place for photography as well. It is an exceptional place to have a social gathering with family and friends.

A Concluding Note for Neela Sandh 

Neela Sandh is a must-visit place, as its calmness and tranquility are found nowhere else except this beautiful place. The area has captured many tourists and visitors’ attention. Without a doubt, Neela Sandh can be considered as one of Pakistan’s most fascinating places. The site has a unique flair to make a person feel relaxed and close to nature.
Last but not least, you visit this waterfall on a weekday, it will most likely to be very calm and perfect time to swim in the water. Additionally, the place not only soothes your nerves but also fascinates the adventurers. But remember to keep it clean and do not disturb the serene beauty of this attractive waterfall. Pack your bags and dive into the adventurous journey!

 Shimshal valley is the remotest valley of Gilgit Baltistan.

Shimshal Valley

In a Glimpse:

Shimshal valley is the remotest valley of Gilgit Baltistan, located at an altitude of 3,100 meters making it the highest human settlement of the district with a total population of 2000 people.

It is located at a distance of 4 hours from Hunza valley and the journey consists of one of the most dangerous dirt roads of the world which is only suitable for trained drivers. In our beautiful Pakistan, Shimshal is home to high peaks like Dastaghil Sar towering at 7885 meters, Mulungutti Glacier, Shimshal Whithorn, and Shimshal lake making it a point of interests for both mountaineers and other tourists looking to unwind in the calm of nature.

For years up until October 2003, Shimshal valley was inaccessible by motor roads. It was in 1985 that a combined project was started in collaboration with the locals to connect the valley via a road with the Karakoram Highway. It took 18 years of combined efforts to construct the 56 Kilometers long road which possesses the might that has humbled many egos.

Climate/Weather Condition:

It is typically very cold in Shimshal Valley, the winters are particularly harsh with temperatures falling to -27 Degrees at the night and -7 during the day.

The best time to visit Shimshal Valley is from May to August as the road remains covered with snow for most of the year.

How to get there:

Shimshal valley is accessible from Karakoram Highway from Hunza Valley after the Batura glacier via a rather perilous but adventurous jeep ride on a non-metallic road.

Due to its remote location, only a couple of jeeps make the journey per day starting from Aliabad but one can board at any point in the way up to Passu.

The jeep ride to be booked in advance, however, it can be arranged on spot but it is subject to availability.

People traveling from outside of Pakistan typically require a permit to visit the valley, their travel agents/guides will be able to help them acquire those.

What to do in Shimshal:

Trekking and Yak Safari are the popular attractions of Shimshal Valley. Shimshal pass trek is the major activity of the region which offers a beautiful view of the high pastures of the Valley including the view of Minglik Sar – a 6000 meters high peak – and a beautiful lake known as Shimshal lake which has thin grass on one side and thick grass on one.

Shimshal valley also features peaks that served as a training ground for aspiring mountaineers. High peaks of the valley include:

• Destaghil Sar – 7885 meters
• Kunju Sar – 7790 meters
• Trivor – 7577 meters
• Chhish – 7492 meters
• YukshinGardan Sar – 7530 meters
• Momhil Sar – 7343 meters
• Malungutti Sar – 7207 meters
• Shimshal Whitehorn – 6303 meters
• Minglik Sar – 6150 meters
• Lupghar Sar – 7200 meters
• Yazghil Sar – 6000 meters

The valley is home to many gigantic glaciers including:

• Malungutti
• Khurdopin
• Yazghil
• Odver
• Ver Zharav

Apart from this due to its remoteness Shimshal offers unmatched peace and quietness that is enough to make its visitors leave with an unforgettable experience.

The hospitality of the People and Culture:

The people of Shimshal valley are Wakhi speaking and majorly belong to Ismaili community. Shimshalis is to Pakistan what Sherpas are to Nepal as this valley has produced some of the best mountaineers of the country including Samina Baig who is the first Pakistani woman to have climbed Mount Everest and the Seven Summits.

 Baltit Fort is a 700-year-old fort located in Gilgit Baltistan

Baltit Fort

In a Glimpse:

Baltit Fort is a 700-year-old fort located near Karimabad in Gilgit Baltistan and once acted as the capital of the state of Hunza, and remained inhabited by the Mirs (rulers of the state) up until 1945.

Baltit fort is strategically located to provide a panoramic view of Hunza to assess threats from both outside and inside of the state. It is the best place to visit as the fort is situated on an artificially flattened surface just below Ultar Glacier and has become a popular tourist destination after its restoration in 1990 by Agha Khan Foundation.

Baltit Fort is a three-floor building standing on a high rock. The ground floor features storage chambers and a staircase that leads up to the upper floors. The first floor houses a grand open hall, a further staircase leads to the second floor (mainly used in winters) that contains an audience hall, dining hall, kitchen, guest room, and servant quarters. The third floor (mainly used in summers) contains an additional bedroom and reception hall.

 History:

Before Baltit Fort was built, a nearby fort in Altit village remained the capital of the state. It was built as a result of a feud between the two princes of the time Prince Ali Khan (younger) and Prince Shah Abbas (Elder brother, also known as Shabos), and subsequently became the capital of Hunza as the power struggle between the two brothers resulted in the death of the younger brother.

How to get there:

Baltit Fort is accessible via Karakoram Highway and Madan Gal located on a 35-minute drive.

What to Do in Here:

Baltit Fort itself is a treat to experience for everyone visiting it. It offers insight into the ways and lifestyle of its inhabitants preserving their cultural heritage and traditions.

 The Hub of Colossal Natural Beauty

Astore Valley

In a Glimpse

The epitome of natural beauty marked with geographic variety, countless trekking trails, and ever changing landscapes, Astore valley stretches at the eastern face of Nanga Parbat and southeast of Gilgit. The valley has a rich cultural and historical background besides being the hub to access many significant tourist attractions around Skardu valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The valley, at an altitude of 2600m above sea level, is an amazing place to visit while on a journey through beautiful Pakistan. The total area of 5,000 km², spreading over 120 km makes it difficult for visitors to explore the entire valley in just one visit.

The Astore Road is a 115 km long metalled road leading you to the mountain town of Astore, the capital of Astore district in Gilgit Baltistan. The road ends at the Burzil Pass.

Topography and Climate

The climate of Astore Valley is moderate during summer; neither hot nor cold. Bu, in winter heavy snowfalls up to 4-6 feet cause temperatures to drop immensely. Most of the valley remains snow-clad from October to April.

The whole valley landscape features arid plains giving rise to sharp, rocky mountains on either side, turning into lush green fertile meadows at small distances.

The mighty Nanga Parbat accompanies the landscape in the background all along as you traverse Astore Valley. Following River Astore, the valley with more alpine features takes you to the giant glaciers presenting the wild and aggressive side of the valley

The vigorous climate conditions and mesmerizing landscape confers great significance to this valley, making it home for the growth of medicinally valued plants.

Accessing Astore Valley

There are two ways to approach Astore Valley; from Skardu via Deosai Plain is a 7-8 hours drive covering a distance of about 152 Kms, the other one is direct from Karakoram Highway to Astore valley. Distance from Islamabad is 494 km, an 11.5 hrs drive along River Indus, whereas, distance from Raikot Bridge to Astore is 55 km, a 1.5 hrs drive.

Astore is accessible from Gilgit via Jaglot as well by Jeep, a 4-5 hours drive covering 120 Kms. You can access the valley only on four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Skardu-Deosai route remains closed from November to June due to heavy snow and landslides. As most of the valley constitutes remotely located villages, land phones are the only communication channel with the outside world in these months.

Attractions in Astore Valley

Astore is the hub to access many tourist attractions, surrounded by Diamer in its west, Gilgit in the north, Skardu in the east, and Neelum district in the south. Besides the picturesque and enigmatic landscape of Astore valley itself, Astore is the central point to access many natural attractions specifically in the Skardu region.

The valley’s enormous dimensions comprise unrivaled jewels as Deosai Plains, Rama Lake, and Rupal Valley in the surrounding areas. Astore Town is renowned for its versatile natural beauty and access to some of the world’s unique mountain attractions.

Rama Meadows followed by Rama Lake is at a distance of about 10-11K from Astore. Rama Valley is at a higher altitude than Astore and jeeps take more than an hour to reach Rama Meadows and Rama Lake.

On this historical route, Dar Lay Lake, a 5-6 hours drive away is a profoundly captivating site.

The Chronicle of Astore

The Astore valley presents historical splendor of Gilgit Baltistan region in Pakistan. For centuries, Gibians used the Astore road to maintain commercial connections with Kashmir through trade and travel. People used to travel to Srinagar for study and trade purposes, mostly to import Kashmiri fabrics.

Through the generations, people from all across the region  made countless trips through Astore valley. These travels contributed to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the valley. It also contributed in major settlement of Sunni Muslims belonging to Wahhabi sect in Astore valley. In contrast, all other areas of Gilgit Baltistan region have only Shia muslims making the community.

According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, “around 1600, Ghāzī Mukhpun, a Persian adventurer, is said to have married a princess of the Skārdu reigning family.

The four sons born of this union became Rās of Skārdu, Astor, Rondu, and Kharmang. From them descended the families of present chiefs of those areas. Afzal, Guada, Chilma were sons of Astor. They lived in Juttay, Ganda gam (Arzalabad), Gudai (Guadabad), Chilm (Chilmabad) respectively”.

Folks of Astore

The cultural and historical background of the valley is intriguing, but the valley indeed has much more to offer. Astore valley has around 100 villages inhabited by 70,000 people.

The remoteness of the valley has inhibited these villagers’ socialization; however, the people of Astore valley are very hospitable.

If you want to connect with locals on a deeper level, Astore is the best place to visit in Gilgit Baltistan region. While traveling you will find that the inhabitants of the valley are simple people. They manage to lead a life of self-subsistence and their hospitality is beyond bounds.

Accommodation

There are no hotels in the valley except very few small arrangements in Astore Valley. However, if you intend to stay, mingling with locals may present you with an offer or invitation to stay in their house. Least you will surely be offered “Tumoro”, the largely used herbal tea in Astore.

 “Beauty is truth, truth beauty – that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” (John Keats)

In a Glimpse:

The Patriata chairlift is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the hilly area of beautiful Pakistan. However, it is situated at 7,500 feet above sea level, the highest peak in the area. As a result, getting there can be difficult. Although it is always possible to drive from New Murree to Patriata, Moreover, a ride on the Patriata chairlift is a far better option, with stunning vistas along the way.

History:

Patriata was once Murree’s backward and most deserted town, but many locals gained jobs and other sources of income due to the chairlift.
The Punjab government built the lift and cable car system in 1990 with technical assistance from an Austrian firm.

How to get there:

Patriata is west of the Jhelum River, around 20 kilometers south of Murree and 59 kilometers south of Islamabad.
From Islamabad/ Rawalpindi, there are two routes to Patriata: one is the well-constructed Expressway, second is the old Murree Road, Lower Topa, and Jheeka Gali.

How long is the ride?

From New Murree to Patriata, you can take a chair lift and cable car. The ride is around 7 kilometers long in total. When the chairlift reaches between the hills, New Murree is at ground level that looks amazing.
First of all, you must purchase a ticket first to get on to the chairlift. After that, the cable car will take you to Patriata Hill from there.

Climate:

The hill station is a popular tourist attraction because the climate is mild here than further south. The snow-capped hills are a sight to behold in winters, but the summer weather brings back the foliage and makes the place even lovelier.

Flora and Fauna:

As soon as you reach the highest point from the cable car or chair lift, the surrounded area on the ground is densely forested, where several monkeys and leopards can be found.
The Cable Car & Chair Lift ride is an unforgettable and lovely experience. There are many beautiful views and spell-binding far hill vistas.
So, Patriata is one of the most beautiful and alluring locations and the best place to visit.

“The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in Nature that is ours.”
(William Wordsworth)

Jallo Park Travel Guide

In a Glimpse:

Lahore is a beautiful and happening city, and not many people would imagine finding a peaceful corner in the city. Yet, the provincial capital is known as the ‘City of Gardens’. There are many green areas to explore throughout the city if you’re seeking a peaceful location to unwind and observe nature, but none compare to Jallo Park, Lahore’s largest park. It is more than just a gorgeous place with beautiful flowers; it’s also home to one of the city’s largest wildlife parks and a Wildlife Breeding Center.
“The Park has been designed as a theme park with a blend of cultural, educational, and amusement facilities,” according to Punjab’s Forest, Wildlife, and Fisheries Department. This spot should be on your bucket list if you enjoy nature. As already mentioned, this park contains a diverse range of exotic wildlife, including birds, insects, and other animals, and it spans 461 acres and is a place worth visiting.

Creation of Jallo Park:

The recreational location, run by the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, was founded in 1978 and contained a forest research facility, a wildlife breeding center, a theme park, a sports complex, restaurants, and more. The park was once a reserve forest that provided lumber and fuel wood. Currently, the park is home to over 120 different tree and plant species.

Climate/Weather Condition:

The weather in Lahore usually hikes up to at least 40°C in summers and falls to 7°C in winters. However, the spring is generally delightful with a temperature of 20°C.
What better time to visit a serene garden than in the spring? Winter, on the other hand, is also not an unpleasant season to visit.

How to get there:

Jallo Park is located on Jallo Road, which eventually links to Canal Road. It is close to both the Grand Trunk Road and the Lahore Ring Road. To the south of the botanical garden is Barki Road. Sky Land Water Park, Sozo Water Park, and Shalimar Gardens are some of the neighboring attractions. In the meantime, Allama Iqbal International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.

What to Do in Jallo Park:

Visiting Jallo Park makes it a must to do the following

• Visit the Rock garden
• Relax in the Aesthetic Man-made lake and waterfall
• Flower-strewn lawn and gardens
• Boating
• Butterfly house
• Wildlife park for learning purposes
• Log huts for people who want to extend their visit
• Summer huts and pavilion for picnics
• Children’s swings, water slides, and rides

Butterfly house of Jallo Park:

Jallo Park’s butterfly house is the first of its kind in Lahore and the botanical garden’s main feature. According to officials, it is Pakistan’s first-ever butterfly house and acts as a source of education and enjoyment for the citizens. The house is a 300-foot tunnel that provides the best environment for insects. Inside the tunnel is a butterfly laboratory that serves as an educational tool by informing tourists about the diverse species found there. The atmosphere is carefully controlled since it is critical to preserve humidity, as butterflies cannot survive in high temperatures.

The hospitality of the People and Culture:

The inhabitants of Lahore are well-known not only locally but also internationally for being both welcoming and energetic. It’s much more warm and pleasant because the majority of the residents are Punjabis. Lahore’s culture speaks for itself, with men and women who are as gourmet as they can be, as well as loud and progressive. In Pakistan, Lahore is known as Zinda Dilan e Lahore (Lively Lahorites).

Murree Travel Guide

In a Glimpse:

In the beautiful land of Pakistan, Murree is considered one of the most visiting and popular cities for tourist attractions. Tourists visit Muree to escape the scorching heat at this magnificent hill resort. Mountains with lush green trees, a cool climate, clean air, lovely valleys, and, most significantly, clouds are caressing you with joy on the highways.
Murree is famous for its spectacular scenery of pine and oak-covered mountains criss-crossed with waterfalls and streams filled with meadows and woods.

Camile, an American journalist, commented:
“Everything and anything can happen in Murree. Romance is in the atmosphere; intrigue is in the air. The roads to this happy holiday resort embrace both heaven and earth. In Murree, it is easy to fall in love”.

Murree is 64 kilometers from Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. It connects Islamabad and places in Punjab, the Northwest Frontier Province, and Azad Kashmir via a well-built road network.
The Expressway that connects Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Murree has significantly decreased travel time.

History:

Murree is derived from ‘marhi,’ which means ‘high place.’
It is in the territory of Pir Panjal range at 7,517 feet above sea level. It was founded by the British in the 18th century.
The British colonial administration developed Murree town just after capturing this part of India in 1850. Murree served as the summer headquarters of the Punjab local government until 1876.

Climate:

The mild climate of Murree is one of the reasons for its popularity as a summer retreat. However, a few travelers choose to visit Murree in the winter when it is less congested, snowy, and the landscapes are breathtaking.
Murree is one of the most beautiful places in the world to see snowfall in the winter. People enjoy snowball fights and ice skating.

Places to visit:

The Mall Road:

Mall road is the most famous visitors’ spot and marketplace in Murree. Therefore, the hustle and bustle remain here all the time. It has a bazaar downstairs, like 10 feet below the main Mall road.
However, if you want to save time, go to the hills during the day and Mall Road at night when you only need to shop or eat. On both sides of the road, there are food points, restaurants, and various shops.

Pindi Point:

Pindi Point is one of Murree’s most popular tourist attractions. The 1.5-kilometer chairlift trip from Pindi Point to Bansara Gali is a lot of fun. The scenery from the chair lift is breathtaking. There are large pine trees all around that provide a soothing effect to the eyes.

Patriata (New Murree):

On the Lower Topa, New Murree lies around 15 kilometers from the prominent Murree hills. It is a well-developed hill station with beautiful landscapes and tall trees. Patriata is well known for its chair lift. The ride is around 7 kilometers long in total.
As soon as the Chair lift reaches the central hill, the Kashmir Mountains are visible from here. You can stay and enjoy the refreshment
The cable car will take you to Patriata Hill; from there, the view is alluring and mesmerizing.
The Chair Lift and Cable Car ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You may see many beautiful scenes of nearby and distant hills. The hills are completely covered in snow; however, gorgeous green scenery can be seen in the summer.

Kashmir Point:

The nighttime lighting on the mall road from GPO to Pindi Point is lovely to watch from Kashmir point. Likewise, lighting on neighboring mountains and valleys seems like stars on earth, giving a magnificent view from height.

Where to Stay:

As a well-known tourist destination, Murree offers a wide range of hotel options to suit all budgets. Murree also includes a variety of private rooms and rest houses run by the gov-ernment.

What to Buy:

Murree has a wide range of handicraft shops where tourists can buy trinkets to remember their visit to this hill area. In addition, traditional attire, headwear, carved walking sticks, jewelry, and leather goods are plentiful.

How to reach there:

It takes around 2 hours to reach Murree via Expressway. You can travel to Murree by different means. Many buses and vans run from Islamabad (Faizabad) and Rawalpindi (Pirwadhai) to Murree. Daewoo Bus also goes through the Expressway.

 In a Glimpse

Shogran is a hill station in the beautiful Northern Pakistan, situated at a height of 2,362 meters above sea level on the Kaghan Valley’s green plateau. Shogran is 34 kilometers away from Balakot. It is situated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.Affordably priced hotels and motels are open. Telenor and Zong provide mobile phone services in the region. The locals are pleasant and calm. During the summer, it is mostly inhabited. The vast expanses of lush green lawns attract the majority of tourists. The views of Siri Paye and ‘Musa kaMusala Peak’ from the rest house lawns are spectacular, making it one of the best places to visit.

Weather

Summers and winters are free to tourists at Shogran (although in winter only one hotel is open for stay). The peak season is from June to August each year. The weather is always good during this period. At night, the temperature drops to 3 °C (37 °F) from a high of 20 °C (68 °F). Heavy rains and hailstorms are brought by monsoon winds. Thunderstorms and heavy rains keep the air calm, but they also make it difficult for tourists to get about. Because of the cold, it is recommended that you dress warmly at night. Throughout the winter, the valley is blanketed with snow.

Accessibility 

The climb to the top is challenging. It’s a narrow and steep 4×4 gravel path. The path necessitates complete focus. Many egos have been shattered on this journey. It’s not for the faint of heart, and beginner drivers can avoid it. Siri Paye is known for its scenic green mountains and snowcapped peaks, as well as its quiet climate and natural beauty.

This road should not be driven in bad weather. Winds from the monsoon bring heavy rains and the occasional hail storm. Thunderstorms and heavy rains keep the air calm, but they also make it difficult for tourists to get about. With such a high summit height, it is prone to winter snowfalls, and the road can be blocked at any time if the access is not cleared of snow. Because of the cold, it is recommended that you dress warmly at night. Throughout the winter, the valley is blanketed with snow.

The road is difficult to navigate in the Kaghan Valley. This is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs, so drive carefully. A few twists are enough to make your hair stand on end. The trail is very difficult. The climb begins at 1.502m above sea level in Kiwai and lasts 13.8 km. The elevation gain is 1.556 meters over this stretch. The average gradient is 11.2%, with some parts reaching 15%.

Siri Paaye Meadows

It is mandatory to drive up the rough jeep track to the Paye Meadows, which sits pretty among the clouds at 10,500 feet, while in Shogran (3,200 meters.). This 6 km. perilous, thrilling, and (for some) jaw-clenching drive up steep hairpin turn is an adventure in and of itself – and one you will not soon forget. Fitter tourists should skip the jeeps and go for a 2 to 3-hour walk up the lush pine forest trail instead.

The jeep ride up to the Siri plateau, with its nice little pond (or pool, as some call it) and dilapidated forest department hut, where you can sit on the veranda, will take you about 45 minutes. After another 15 minutes or so of driving, you’ll arrive at your final destination: the stunning Paye meadows, which roll slowly and exquisitely up to the majestic Makra Peak.

Once you’ve arrived at Paye, take leisurely walks through the meadows, pack a picnic lunch, and take your time taking in the breathtaking views. For most days, the weather will change quickly at the top, and rain falls in quickly and heavily with little notice in the late afternoon or early evening. So bring extra jackets with you and return to Shogran with plenty of time before sunset. Keep in mind that the descent will take just as long as the ascent.

From early summer to late autumn, Siri and Paye are only accessible by jeep (May to November). During the winter and spring months, the trail is fully and deeply snowed in, though it is possible to hike up with proper equipment. To put any rumors to rest, Sar (hence Sari or Siri) means ‘Lake’ in Hindko, the local language, and ‘Paya’ (or Paye) is a high grazing field.

Makra Peak

The Makra (Spider) mountain, at 12,746 feet (3,885 meters), may not be as high as its more powerful cousins in Northern Pakistan, but that is a blessing in this case. The 2 to 2.5-hour hike from the meadows to the summit of Makra Peak is relatively easy in the summers, with the peak rising only about 2,200 feet above Paye, making the summit a common target for amateur trekkers. Climbing through knee-deep snow in the Spring/Autumn is also feasible and often successful, but it is certainly a more strenuous undertaking. Visitors who wish to climb to the summit should schedule their hike so that they return to Paye before sunset. Hikers have gotten lost in the dark on the way down in the past, which has had significant consequences.

Paprang and Shinkiari Hut

The relatively flat and simple 6 km walk from Shogran to Paprang is ideal for visitors who want to appreciate nature without exerting themselves too much.

The jeep track to Paprang runs south of Shogran, almost horizontally, across beautiful forested mountainsides and truly refreshing nature. You’ll pass a couple of lovely streams along the way, as well as glaciers if you visit before mid-June. At a leisurely walking speed, it should take you about 1.5 hours to reach Paprang.