Romance with Silk Route, Pakistan

January 2, 2020
Pakistan

As the name suggests, one thinks of a silky smooth route but its all opposite. In fact it was once a treacherous route through the mighty mountains and perilous passes at an altitude where one can hardly breath due to thin air lacking enough oxygen. The route gets its name due to the trade of silk from ancient China to the other western parts of the world.


Some of the route passes through the modern day Northern Pakistan. In the ancient times it was merely walking trails, with the advent of the wheel then came the jeeps and now the modern day traveler can get to these places in the comfort of luxury air-conditioned coaches. or partly by plane (flights subject to weather, not so reliable) and rest by road. The North is bordered with Central Asiatic states, Afghanistan in the North west, China to the North and India through Tibet and Ladakh in the North East. To the North west there’s a buffer zone aka Wakhan Corridor. The barter trade still goes on between the nomadic tribes of the Central Asia and Northern Pakistan.

My first encounter with these awe-inspiring people and jaw dropping vistas, started in my teen years. The romance with these heavenly places is still ever young and etched deep down. These are very unique places in the world where you can see the glaciers right besides the road and can enjoy the views of the mighty peaks with eternal snows right through the window of your hotel rooms.

Pakistan is home to five of the top 14, 8000 meters peaks in the world and many longest glaciers outside the Polar region.
I had the opportunity be on one of these high adventure treks starting from Biafo glacier in Baltistan over the Snow Lake and Hispar La into Hispar Valley to Hunza.
Biafo and Hispar glaciers together form the longest glaciers outside the polar region, 120Km of eternal snow, ice and glacial moraine.

Pakistan is home to five of the top 14, 8000 meters peaks in the world and many longest glaciers outside the Polar region.
I had the opportunity be on one of these high adventure treks starting from Biafo glacier in Baltistan over the Snow Lake and Hispar La into Hispar Valley to Hunza.
Biafo and Hispar glaciers together form the longest glaciers outside the polar region, 120Km of eternal snow, ice and glacial moraine.

These mountain valleys being so remote, were able to keep some of its unique culture including language, customs, traditions, attire and cuisine.

It is believed this is where James Hilton’s Lost Horizon, Shangrila or lost paradise, is.
These mountain kingdoms once ruled by local rajas and mirs, were always mysterious to the outsiders. During British colonialism and Russian expansion, Brits were afraid of some passable mountain passes, from where a whole Russian army could invade. Hence started the great game where European Explorers, would come under the guise of traders, etc to explore the valleys and passes, some lost their lives along the way as they appeared very suspicious to the locals.

Ancient sites of Gandhara Civilztaion are still in great shape and can be visited at Takht e bahi, Taxila, Peshawar and Swat. Buddhism flourished in these valleys and spread from here to the outer world. Ancient Gandhara has now been inhabited by our Pathan tribes for centuries. Without enjoying the hospitality of our Pathan tribals here, your trip will be incomplete.

Coming back to modern day, Pakistan in general, and these mountains in particular, never received the positive attention they deserved. Quite recently due to technological advances, stories of these amazing places and hospitable people are emerging in the western medias.

Anyone who once visits these places, comes back totally transformed and spreads the positive experience.
No wonder, Pakistan was known as the best kept secret of Asia for so long.

The secret is out. British backpacker Society and top notch travel magazine of Europe, Conde’ Nast have declared Pakistan as the top destination of 2020.

Pakistan has a lot to offer, be it adventure tourism, religious, wilderness or cultural tours. Pakistan is The Place and ExplorEast is your one stop shop for all your travel needs. ExplorEast Tours n Treks, where experience meets passion and compassion.
To give you a unique interactive experience!!

by
Humaira Khan

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