LOCATION: One
of the major attractions of Chitral are the Kalash valleys
– the home of the kafir-kalash, a primitive pagan tribe.
Legend says that some soldiers of Alexander the great settled
in Chitral and raised their families through inter marriages
with the local population. Kafir-Kalash are thus their direct
descendants. Kafir-Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bamburet
and Rambur, south of Chitral. Bamburet, the largest and
the most picturesque valley, inhabited by Kalash, is 40
Kilometers from Chitral and is connected by a Jeepable road.
FACALITIES:PTDC
has constructed a new motel facility at Bamburet to facilitate
the increasing number of visitors who come from across the
world to meet and study the social and ethnic life style
of the Kafir-Kalash.NOTE :Foreign
tourists require permits for visiting the Kalash valley,
which are issued at check post outside Kalash valley.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHERN
PARKISTAN:
NORTHERN PAKISTAN:
Northern Areas of Pakistan,
spread over 72,496 sq. km are as fascinating as its southern
region. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying
from 1,000 m to 8, 000 meters, the regions of Gilgit, Hunza
and Baltistan recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns of
these regions are as interesting as its geography. The people
with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like
polo, provide the traveller an unforgettable experience.
Nowhere is the world is such a great concentration of high
mountains, peaks, glaciers and passes except Pakistan. Of
the 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on earth, 04 occupy
an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram
range. These are; K-2 (8,611 m, world’s second highest),
Gasherbrum-I (8,068 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m) and Gasherbrum-II
(8,035 m). There is yet another which is equally great,
Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), located at the western most end
of the Himalayas. In addition to that, there are 68 peaks
over 7,000 m and hundreds others over 6,000 meters. The
Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside
Polar region; Siachen (72 km), Hispar (61 km), Biafo (60
km), Baltoro (60 km) and Batura (64 km).
TREKKING & HIKING:
The Kalash are a good natured
carefree people who love music and dancing particularly
on occasions of their religious festivals. PTDC
has constructed a new motel facility at Bamburet to facilitate
the increasing number of visitors who come from across the
world to meet and study the social and ethnic life style
of the Kafir-Kalash. The motel has a beautiful reception
lounge and a restaurant offering continental and Pakistani
dishes. Creation of motel facility at Bamburet is a major
initiative taken by PTDC as part of its programme to promote
tourism in remote areas regarded as attractive tourist destinations.
Trekking
and hiking in the rugged mountains and verdant valleys of
Gilgit are allowed only in the "open zone" which
extends up to 16 kms. short of the control line on the Kashmir
border and up to 50 kms. short of the Afghan border. Guides
are available at PTDC Motel, Hunza . However, applications
for obtaining permission to bring a trekking group for restricted
zone into the country should reach the Ministry of Tourism
by 31st December alongwith a map indicating the route within
three months of the expiry of the last date for the receipt
of applications. The names, passport numbers, place of issue,
must also be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism.
MOUNTAINEERING:
Around Gilgit are towering mountain peaks, waiting
to be scaled. Permits for mountaineering are issued by the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
FACILITIES:PTDC
has constructed a new motel facility at Bamburet to facilitate
the increasing number of visitors who come from across the
world to meet and study the social and ethnic life style
of the Kafir-Kalash. The motel has a beautiful reception
lounge and a restaurant offering continental and Pakistani
dishes. Creation of motel facility at Bamburet is a major
initiative taken by PTDC as part of its programme to promote
tourism in remote areas regarded as attractive tourist destinations. |
Pakistan Motels
