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Travellers usually pass through Gilgit en route to other places such as Hunza and Chitral. As a result, Gilgit doesn’t feature on most itineraries. However, Gilgit and its surroundings deserve a minimum of 2-3 full days.
Gilgit lies at the junction of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers and at an altitude of around 4920 feet. It lies in a lower elevation than both Skardu and Hunza and therefore offers slightly warmer weather. Because of this it is an ideal location to base yourself when the higher altitude areas are closed due to off season conditions.
Gilgit's old bazaar is centered around the main city square. It is a central location for the many goods moved via the northern areas trade routes. Some of the goods include dried fruits, local woolen items, handicrafts, and other items. During your visit, be sure to try some of the local delicacies as well.
Kargah Buddha
Located about 10 kilometers from the city, this large Buddha carving is from the pre-Islamic or early Islamic period. It takes a 30 minute hike along a rough trail to reach from the main road. The carving is located on a cliff overlooking a deep gorge.
The carving is not very well known, so it is not very crowded. It is worth the short hike for travelers who find it. During the hiking season some travelers hike the gorge from the carving to the city.
Naltar Valley
This beautiful valley is just a 40 kilometer drive from Gilgit. From the entrance to the valley, you climb through pine forests to higher, cold, alpine lakes. The upper part of the valley is very cold, even in the summer months.
The cold climate and high altitude of the valley give the three lakes different colors during different times of the day. People often visit these lakes to take pictures. The Pakistan Air Force has a ski resort and a small airport in the valley.
It takes about 2 hours to reach the upper part of Naltar from Gilgit in a good jeep. The road to lower Naltar is paved, but the road above lower Naltar is very rough. A trip to Naltar takes the better part of a day, and stopping in Naltar for the night is not a good idea. Staying in Gilgit is much better.
Gilgit Fort is relatively old and has a British colonial period architecture. Gilgit has been a garrison and administrative center since the 1800s and Gilgit Fort and the area around it reflect that period. Hiring a guide to show you Fort and the area around it will help you understand Gilgit's history better.
Upper Jutial is another good place to get a view of Gilgit valley and to see the Gilgit city and surrounding peaks. It is relatively quiet up there and there are a few hotels and guesthouses to stay in.
Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit run on an irregular schedule depending on the weather. Gilgit’s airport is short and is surrounded by mountains. Flights are often canceled due to cloud covering the runway. Travelers need to be flexible after their plans in Gilgit due to the unpredictability of the airlines. Road trips to and from Gilgit provide a greater degree of flexibility.
From Gilgit, the road to Skardu (170 km) and to Hunza (100 km) provides access to other beautiful regions of Northern Pakistan.
A Gilgit based tour gives travelers the opportunity to explore surrounding areas including Naltar Valley and the Kargah Buddha in addition to the scenic drive to the Hunza Valley.
For groups and individuals that want to see Skardu but not do the complete Skardu circuit, a tour of Gilgit can fulfill their travel needs.
International travel groups are offered a variety of accommodations, from hostels to hotels, and a choice of restaurants and conference facilities in Gilgit. HospitalityTours.com.pk organizes the logistics and transportation for groups in Gilgit.
Other sights within day trip distance of Gilgit include Rakaposhi and the Gilgit-Indus river confluence as well as the scenic drive to the Hunza Valley.
This section presents a sample itinerary of a Gilgit tour package designed by Hospitality Tours.
According to the website, Hospitality Tours creates personalized itineraries and is not constrained by a fixed departure schedule. Their sample Gilgit itinerary includes transport from Islamabad, 3-star (or similar) accommodation in Gilgit, a licensed city guide, all meals, and transport back to Islamabad.
Hospitality Tours explains that they confirm various aspects of a prospective itinerary. These aspects include the availability of guides and accommodation. Once a client approves a proposed itinerary, the tours and accommodations are made, and the client is given a point of contact during the trip.
Sample itineraries available on the Hospitality Tours website include a 3-day tour of Gilgit city, Kargah Buddha, and Naltar. Longer itineraries include tours of surrounding areas and connect to either Skardu or Hunza.
Where your accommodation is located in Gilgit. Lodgings in lower bazaar are more convenient for shopping but can get noisy. Higher up lodgings are more quiet. Depends on your preferences.
If your flight to Gilgit has a scheduled road section. A longer travel time is better than a unexpected cancellation.
Prior check the condition of the jeep track to Naltar. In the beginning and end of the season, the track can get very muddy.
Check if there are any restrictions to the sites near military areas on your itinerary. There are no restrictions to Gilgit city but sites near military areas can restricted and a local guide will know about access restrictions.
Don't make plans that are too dependent on the availability of flights to and from Gilgit. The Gilgit airport can get very foggy and flights can get cancelled.
Don't make plans to go shopping on Fridays before midday. Most places in Gilgit are closed from morning to early afternoon.
Visitors to Naltar tend to think of it as a two to three hour excursion. The trip from Gilgit to the upper valley takes two hours each way. A visit to the upper lakes and any other higher altitude lake takes a full day. A visit to the lower Naltar valley takes less than half a day. Most tourists make the long journey to Gilgit just to visit the upper lakes.
Should I stop in Gilgit?
There are enough places in Gilgit to keep one busy for at least a couple of days (Kargah Buddha, Old Bazaar, British Fort area, Naltar valley). Gilgit is a convenient place to break up a long journey and gives the travel weary a chance to explore a new area. Gilgit offers a different experience then Skardu and Hunza and is worth exploring.
What is special about Naltar Valley?
Naltar Valley has several high altitude lakes with pine forests. There is also a ski resort operated by the Pakistan Air Force. The change in elevation from Gilgit city to the upper areas of Naltar valley is significant. The upper lakes change colors as the sun moves during the day.
Can foreigners visit Gilgit city?
Yes. Gilgit city is accessible for foreign nationals on a standard Pakistan tourist visa. Foreign nationals can arrange for a complete tour of Pakistan including all domestic travel and lodging through HospitalityTours.com.pk. The company personnel coordinates all aspects of travel from beginning to end.
What kind of hotels are in Gilgit?
There are several hotels and guesthouses located in Gilgit. The PTDC Motel is located in Gilgit and is owned and operated by the Pakistan Tourism Corporation. This is the only government operated hotel in Gilgit city. The HospitalityTours.com.pk staff determines what hotels and guesthouses have rooms available before informing clients.
Many tourists (local and international) visit Gilgit city during the seasons. Over the years, the condition of security in Gilgit-Baltistan has been improving and now in Gilgit, a developing tourist market exists. Like other places in the region, it is always better to keep up to date about the situation and follow your service provider’s instructions. This is more of good sense than being cautious.
The staff of HospitalityTours.com.pk requires your travel dates and the names and ages of travelers to create an itinerary. There is no obligation or charge until you approve the itinerary.
Whatsapp: +92 341 111 3777
Email: info@hospitalitytours.com
Website: www.hospitalitytours.com.pk
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