Zain writes

                                       KARIMABAD

Karimabad town which was known as Baltit in early days, is located on the west bank of River Hunza and is capital of Hunza District which is in Hunza valley at height of 8200 ft. The town has developed into a tourist destination over the years and is also ranked as ‘Best Tourist Sites’ in Pakistan. Karimabad is a beautiful place that boasts natural beauty, an abundance of wildlife and flora and fauna. It has awesome cafes and beautiful places to explore, which are surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The town is hilly but you don’t need a car because all major attractions are on a walking distance. If you get a chance to visit Karimabad then you must climb up the Baltit Fort which is surrounded by snowy mountains and is the most prominent landmark in Hunza Valley and best place to take pictures.

Baltit Fort

There is another fort at the bottom of valley which is also worth visiting; you can enjoy the view of Altit village from there as Fort is currently under renovation. Don’t forget to hike on a trail that starts from near the Baltit Fort and within 3 to 4 hours you will reach the Ultar Base Camp where you can enjoy the view of glaciers and Ultar peaks from close while having tea and food from a hut and you can also camp there.

Ultar Peak

                       

If you like history you can go to Ganish village to see old mosques, one of which is 400 years old and Shikari watchtower is also there. Visit Café de Hunza to enjoy coffee and walnut cakes. Do wander around the Karimabad Bazaar for a little while which is full of local shops overwhelmed with local stuff. You can purchase traditional dresses, precious stones and dry fruits from there. To witness sunset or sunrise you must visit Eagle’s Nest located at a distance of 20 minutes from Karimabad with also a view of 11 most iconic tops of the world.

                                              Mushkpuri

Mushkpuri which is also known as Mukeshpuri is second highest mountain peak in Galyat and is about 80 to 90 kilometers away from Islamabad depending upon the route you choose. It will take about 3 hours to reach Dungagali or Nathiagali from where you will need to hike for about 4 kilometers to reach the top to enjoy the beautiful scenery. 

Summers View

 One trek starts from the Pines Hotel in Nathigali spiraling upwards through the beautiful green pine forest displaying natural beauty. Hikers on their way to Mushkpuri top are presented with colorful fairy carpet of flowers in the green Meadows of Mushkpuri. Another trek descends to the other side towards Dunga Gali giving you the bird eye view of Ayubia National Park down below. It’s a good trek for the families to go out and enjoy the beautiful natural pine forest of galyat.

Winters View

 There are number of people with horses on the trek who can assist you if you get tired on the way or are not good at hiking. On the top you can enjoy a very fresh air with beautiful view of Kashmir along with tea and snacks that you can buy from the stall from there. I have been there and will recommend you that place which is as fantastic in Winters as in Summers. You should take some fruits or homemade dishes with you because after the hike you will be very hungry and need to have some food.

                                     

                                            Miranjani

Miranjani is the highest peak, at 2,992 meters in elevation, of Abbottabad District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. From Nathiagali to Miranjani is a track of near about 10km ascend and 10km for back. It’s a one day track which is very beautiful. It’s a jungle track.

Miranjani in Summers

The real enthusiasts can walk up a track starting from the Governor’s House to the top of Miranjani Hill, a beautiful trek that takes 6 to 7 hours both ways. Guide can be hired near Governor House Nathia Gali which may charge 500 or so.

Miranjani is an attraction for hikers. From Nathia Gali it takes four hours to reach the peak via a steep track. Another route starts from the Governor’s House. From Miranjani one takes many short strolls through the pine forests in Ayubia National Park. The top offer scenic views of next virgin hills. The trek can be more extended up to Dagri Rest House, Beeran Gali Rest House and upto Thandiani (02-03 Days).

Miranjani in Winters

   Siri Paye

The peak's top offers spectacular views. Places easily seen include: Azad Kashmir, Jhelum River , Tarbela lake, Abbottabad city, Havelian, and Thandiani. On a clear day the 'treacherous' mountain Nanga Parbat can be seen Take 1.5+ litre bottle of water with you, you may also take biscuits, slice or lunch beverages to be eat at the top. Its a tough hike and there are no shops or food stalls on the top so make sure you take your own food items along with you.

Siri Paye is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.058m above the sea level, located in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. On your visit to Shogran, must visit Siri Paye Meadows and Siri Lake. Siri Paye brags beautiful green mountains and snowcapped tops, with a serene domain and characteristic excellence that is soul-mitigating.

  Street condition from Shogran to Siri Paye isn’t too great however this place merits seeing. On the rich green level of the Kaghan Valley, close to the slope station of Shogran, lies the beautiful Siri Paye. After a tiring and challenging jeep travel from Shogran, vacationers are met with a glorious scene including a lake settled upon the green knolls of Siri Paye. The place is the ideal escape spot from a hustling and clamoring city life. The trail is pretty steep. Starting from Kiwai, at 1.502m above the sea level, the ascent is 13.8 km long. Heavy snow keeps valley covered throughout the winter season.  

Do not travel this road in severe weather conditions. Avalanches, heavy snowfalls and landslides can occur anytime, being extremely dangerous due to frequent patches of ice. Warm clothes are recommended for nights due to low temperature. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. Some turns are enough to raise your hair. While at Siri Paye, visitors can remain in rest houses or camp in the wide spread of green knolls.

                                 

 Fairy Meadows

Fairy Meadows, named by German climbers and locally known as Joot, is a grassland near one of the base camp sites of the Nanga Parbat, located in Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Fairy Meadows the 9th highest mountain in the world and 2nd highest in Pakistan after K-2, is in a green lush plain from where you get striking views of Nanga Parbat, starting from a vast glacier which, gradually, ascends to the foot of that huge ice block.

Fairy Meadows is a very popular tourist attraction among the locals and it can get very very crowded so avoid peak times like the midsummer months or during public holidays. From Raikot Bridge, the jeep will take you through one of the bumpiest roads you will ever experience in Pakistan. The roads zigzag its way up the rocky mountain for about 1.5 hours and you will arrive at a village, where the trail head begins. From the village, the trail gradually climbs for about 2 hour, and then it goes up steep for about 30 minutes until you arrive in Fairy Meadows. At Fairy Point, you can begin your trek! If you are unfit, it’s possible to hire a donkey to carry you or your luggage.

If you have a tent, you can pitch up but good luck getting away without paying somebody something, the locals at The Fairy Meadows are keen to make money out of visitors. Greenland Resort by far offers the best view of Nanga Parbat with a clear view over the glacier towards the mountain.