Gilgit-Baltistan, Jewel of Pakistan

Immense, untamed and astonishingly beautiful, Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan is the ‘Great Land’ that needs to be experienced to be believed. Step into some of the world’s greatest wildernesses, where snow tipped mountains reflect in blue and green lakes, grassy plateau play host to Himalayan brown bears, and packs of Markhor, Marco Polo sheep and Snow Leopards.

Gilgit Baltistan is located in the northern Part of Pakistan, bordering with China, Afghanistan and India. Rock carvings In this region suggest that humans settlement in the area dates back to 2000 BC. Within the next few centuries after human settlements in the Tibetan Plateau, Gilgit Baltistan became inhabited by Tibetans, who proceeded the Balti People of Baltistan. Current Baltistan is still similar to Ladakh physically and culturally. But not religiously as the region was converted to Islam in the 14 century by the Sufi preacher from Persia and Central Asia.

Ancient History, rich culture and the landscape of Gilgit Baltistan is has been attracting religious Pilgrimages, Merchants and explorers from all around the world. Some of the world famous warriors, Changez Khan, and Alexander the Great pass through the Ancient Silk route of this region to reach China and Middle East. The descendent of Alexander the Great’s trope are still believe to be living in Kalash Valley. They are the only non Muslim living in the region who still follow the ancient form of Hinduism.

Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan is home of many of the world tallest Peaks and the junction point of Karakoram, Himalaya and the Hindukusch. Survey teams and mountaineers has been exploring these wild mountains since many centuries. In 1856 A European survey team discovered K2, they named the mountain as Karakoram 2 as it was the second mountain surveyed. Since the discovery many Adventures tried to scale the mountain but could reach the summit until 1954 when an Italian team led by Arsito Deaio succeeded to assent the might K2 for the first time in the history. Including K2, three of the other world tallest peaks, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I And Gasherbrum II rises from the Baltoro glacier. Three of the world’s longest glaciers outside the polar regions are found in Gilgit-Baltistan: Baltoro glacier the Biafo Glacier and the Batura glacier.

According to the government figures, in 2018 around 18,000 people came to visit Pakistan compare to 2014-15 when only 6000 tourist visited. In 2019 these numbers significantly increased due to government online, e-visa scheme and many other tourist friendly approaches. Most of these tourist were adventure and mountaineering enthusiast who visited the Mountains in Gilgit Baltistan. In 2020 these number expected to be double hence creating business opportunities for entrepreneurs who are looking to invest in hotel, restaurant, guest houses and information technology.