BALTISTAN

Gilgit Baltistan is perhaps the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geographical and scenic beauty.

It is located strategically close to the heart of Central Asia and is the hub of the world’s greatest mountain ranges. The Karakoram, the Himalaya, the Hindu Kush, and the Pamir radiate out from this centre like the spokes on a wheel. These mountains have carefully guarded Pakistan’s frontiers with China, India, Afghanistan and across the narrow Wakhan corridor. Rich in history, culture and natural beauty, the area has been visited for centuries by travellers; both modern day tourists and ancient travellers from the Silk Road. It also remained for many years a focal point for political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese Empires.

Five out of the fourteen mountain peaks over 8000 meters including the K-2 (world’s second heights peak) and some of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions are located in Gilgit Baltistan. Gilgit Baltistan is an autonomous self governing region that was established as a single administrative unit in 1970, formed by the amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, the Baltistan region and the former princely states of Hunza and Nagar.