Ganesh Valley

Introduction:

Ganesh Village is a small and ancient village on the KKH in central Hunza. Originally a single compact cluster of houses, greater Ganish now comprises about seven clusters of dwellings. Ganish was recognized for its strategic location on the brench of the Silk Road leading out of the Karakorum into Uighur China (Xing Kiang). The historic village was restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service focus on three physical components, Pharee, a historic water pond, Sawab Ha, (the house of benediction) two storied, and two roomed with carved wooden elements, Jataq open space used for the common and shared activities of the community and the Mosques The ancient house in Hunza has received the UNESCOs Heritage Award for 2009. The House, a 400-year-old architectural masterpiece, formerly used by envoy of Mir of Hunza.

Sacred Rocks Hunza valley

Introduction:

From Ganesh village you can walk on across the road bridge to the so-called sacred rocks, about 400 meters beyond the bridge, between the KKH and the Hunza River below Altit Fort. Called “the guest book of the Silk Route” by professor A H Dani. Pakistan’s famous archaeologist, the rocks record 2,000 years of travels along the road to and from China. The inscriptions are in Kharoshthi, Barhmi, Gupta, Sogdian and Tibetan. The rock carving and inscriptions around Ganesh village give proof of the Buddhist influence in the area. The inscriptions are in four different scripts and the carvings are of human and animals figures.

Gulmit valley Gojal (upper Hunza)

Introduction:

Halfway 135 km both from Gilgit and Khunjerab Pass. It is 35 kilometers from Hunza. Gulmit is Gojal's largest settlement. It locates on the main KKH at an altitude of about 8871 feet (2,703 meters). It served as the summer capital of the former Hunza state.  It’s very picturesque in spring and there are many fine walks along irrigation channels in the area. Kamaris is the higher village offers fine views back to the jagged Passu spires, the road to northwest of the village for another hour to the end of the Gulmit Glacier. Andra Fort placed on a spectacular mount above the old settlement of Gulmit, the ruins of Andra Fort speak of the strategic defensive outfits of the village. This was basically a collective Fort, built during the late 17th century when Hunza - Nagar wars were common, you can see the archaeological ruins from this most spectacular mount. For the tourist it is a breath taking view from Andra, 30-minute detour northeast from Kamaris to visit the ruins of the Andra Fort

Passu Glacier Gojal (upper Hunza)

Introduction:

Passu Glacier The village owns the grazing rights up the north side of the 56 kilometres long Batura Glacier, so is able to support large herds of yaks, cattle, sheep and goats, but is less fortunate with its agricultural land. About five kilometres further on you round a corner to find Passu Glacier straight ahead. It is white and shining and deeply creased, and looks exactly what you expect a glacier to look like, most other glaciers in the area are covered in rocks and gravel. Above the glacier to the left the jagged line of the Passu and Batura peaks, seven of them over 7,500 metres. Some of these peaks are still unclimbed and are referred to by number, not name, on the map.

Ishkoman Valley

Introduction:

The valley, running north to south to join the Gilgit valley, divides the Karakoram Range from the Hindu Kush. Incorporated into Pakistan in 1972, it is about 100 kilometers to Chatorkhand and Phakora to the road head at Imit. There are five possible treks from the Ishkoman River through Phakora across the 4,600-meter Naltar Pass, 55 kilometers long, restricted-zone trek to the Chipursan valley, Koz Sar 6,677 meters, Chillinji Pass 5,291 meters and Karumber Pass 4,343 meters. The Ishkoman Pass is well used by locals going to Darkot or upper Chitral, but the route is narrower, higher, less scenic and less populated than the Asumbar Pass.

Diamar Valley

Introduction:

Diamar Valley south of Gilgit, here the Skardu road branches east to Baltistan following the upper Indus River, the dividing line between the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges. On they way to Chilas you look south to magnificent views of the Nanga Perbat Massif, the western end of the Himalayan Range. Chilas is the main town of Diamar valley, it is three and half hours drive from Gilgit. There are more than 20,000 pieces of rock art and petro glyphs all along the Karakoram Highway. Chilas was an important junction on the ancient trade route. From here the roda leads over the Babusar pass covering distance 200 km to the Kaghan valley and Mansehra via Islamabad. Babusar is located at a distance of 35 Kilometers from KKH near Chilas, which takes two hours drive onward journey to Babusar. The Babusar Pass is 4173 meters (13,812 feet) high with lush green mountains, covered with thin forest, have beautiful lakes. Babusar pass remained the gateway between Gilgit Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan till the construction of KKH.

Mayoon Valley

Introduction:

The first valley in the old Kingdom of Hunza, Mayoon and Hussainabad descends from the north to join the Hunza River at Khizarabad about ten kilometers upriver of Chalt, opposite Nilt and the KKH. There are several small settlements and pasture up the valley.