"Baltistan and Beyond! Travels Thru Nthn Pakistan" Pakistan by lachydragon

Pakistan Travel Guide: 4,627 reviews and 7,833 photos

Ray and Lachy on the Baltoro Glacier - Baltistan. - Pakistan

How it all came about.........

In June 2001 I embarked on my first overseas trip. Having finished my sencondary schooling and keen to take a break for a year before starting on univiersity, I had the most fantastic opportunity leap up.

A good friend of my dad who has travelled widely and used to work for Australia's national airline - Qantas, asked Dad if he would be keen to do a trip into Northern Pakistan!

Dad then suggested that I come along too. So at age 18, having lived in Australia all my life I was about to embark on my first overseas trip into Northern Pakistan - not every traveller's number 1 destination and certainly the 'deep end' for a first-time traveller.

But my Pakistan advernture was not to be that simple! I have always enjoyed the outdoors, having been brought up camping and bushwalking with my family. In the back of my mind I had always entertained the notion of a grand trek (something like a Himalayan adventure through Nepal and Bhutan). Upon closer inspection I found that the North-Eastern corner of Pakistan (in the unique region of Baltistan) lies the mighty K2 and 8 other peaks over 8000 metres!

In what was to be the best decision of my life, I shared my new found geographical knowledge with a good friend.

So, with my curiosity and my friend's grandiose notions of mountain trekking, I set off for a month in Pakistan, taking me from the 38 degree heat and dust of Islamabad, into the rugged beauty of Skardu, and them by Jeep to the tiny village of Thongol. From Thongol I began the most amazing 15 days of my life as I trekked along the Baltoro Glacier to the Mighty K2 and then crossing the 5500m snow-pass of Gondogoro La at something well-below zero degrees! (armed with ice-axe, harness, crampons and a decent block of chocolate!)

More info on my other pages

I have so far created an Islamabad, Skardu and Hushe page for my trip. The Skardu page has travelogues for the trekking trip and is where you can find all my mountain photos from Baltistan, please check them out if that kind of thing interests you!

And remember, if you enjoy my pages please take a little time to rate them.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Welcoming people, stunning mountain scenery, glaciers and colourful cities!
Cons:Not being able to return quite as soon as I would like, a beautiful country again caught in an unsettled period of history.
In a nutshell:Hey, Pakistan is home to the second highest mountain on earth! All the good trekking is not just in NEPAL!

Last visit to Pakistan: Jun 2001
Intro Updated Oct 2, 2011
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Reviews (11)

Do spend some time in the cities too! Things to Do (2)

My one regret about the trip I did to Pakistan was that I planed it as a trekking trip but found that I would have loved... more travel advice

My Friend Alan on Gondogoro La! - Pakistan

Pakistan has some great Mountaineering... Sports & Outdoors (1)

Well, my trip to Pakistan certainly couldn't be classified as mountaineering, but I trekked through some areas that were... more travel advice

Jeeps to get around in the mountains Transportation (3)

The Jeeps were the real workhorses when the roads got tough. In my travels in the Northern Areas, Jeeps and trucks were... more travel advice

Travel into Baltistan Off The Beaten Path (1)

Most people who pass through Baltistan do it enroute to the trekking areas, but if I was to return to Pakistan I would... more travel advice

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Comments (14)

TONY786 Nov 24, 2005 at 9:07 PM Report Abuse

PAKISTAN ZINDABAD I for one am glad that Pakistan is not popular with tourists as it will remain unspoilt as I want it all to myself!, great pages
Maph Apr 1, 2004 at 2:36 PM Report Abuse

Great page
DesertRat Nov 21, 2003 at 9:27 AM Report Abuse

This is good. And clearly you agree with me: Pakistan is Asia's best-kept secret! And the north--what can I say? I just hope you make it to Swat, Hunza, and Chitral, too, some day...
Laurina Nov 21, 2003 at 9:17 AM Report Abuse

definitely the best pages on Pakistan I've seen so far! Great writing and pictures - congrats :o)
call_me_rhia Aug 25, 2003 at 2:13 PM Report Abuse

wonderful pages.. if there's a sight i want to behold once in my life is Nanga Parbat... wish me luck!
najamrulz Aug 9, 2003 at 2:11 AM Report Abuse

Lovely page and worth reading information & tips. I really liked your tips on Pakistani cities n northern areas. great pics, you havd done gr8 job. keep up the good work & happy travels!!!
AndreSTGT Jul 21, 2003 at 3:32 PM Report Abuse

Hey, this an excellent page with some beautiful pics. Unfortunately i didn't make it way up north into the mountains, well, next time. DO visit Lahore on your next trip. It's a great city
TOOCOOL Jun 15, 2003 at 1:08 AM Report Abuse

Great pic and a great page. Welcome back onto Vt!
joks Mar 28, 2003 at 12:27 AM Report Abuse

Nice page mate, love to see Pakistan one of these days too. Esp the Northern mountains..love your pictures.
tini58de Feb 2, 2003 at 12:25 PM Report Abuse

What an adventure as a first trip abroad! Wonderful page! Really enjoyed it!