Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Port Grand Project, Karachi

2011-08-07T03:15:00.000-07:00

Ranikot Fort

2011-03-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

The Great Wall of Sindh also known as Deware Sindh in sindhi language is the world's largest fort with a circumference of about 26 km or 16 miles. Since 1993, it has been on the list of tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is located in the Kirthar Range, about 30 km southwest of Sann, in Jamshoro District, Sindh, Pakistan. It is approximately 90 km north of Hyderabad

It has an approximate diameter of 6 km. Its walls are on the average 6 meters high and are made of gypsum and lime cut sandstone and total circumference is about 20 km. While originally constructed for bow and arrow warfare it was later expanded to withstand firearms.

It is reputed to be the largest unexplored fort in the world. The purpose of its construction and the reason for the choice of its location are still unknown.

Ranikot is the most talismanic wonder of Sindh. Visible from five kilometers away its massive undulating walls twist and dip over the hills. With the circumference of about twenty kilometers, its walls, built with dressed sandstone and reinforced with 45 bastions along the outer wall, of which 7 are rectangular and the remaining are round. All modified through the ages to accommodate the use of gunpowder, this perhaps makes it the largest fort in the world.

The original purpose and architects of Ranikot Fort are unknown. Some archaeologists attribute it to Arabs, or possibly built by a Persian noble under the Abbasids by Imran Bin Musa Barmaki who was the Governor of Sindh in 836 CE. Others have suggested a much earlier period of construction attributing to at times the Sassanians Persians and at times to the Greeks. Despite the fact that a prehistoric site of Amri is nearby, there is no trace of any old city inside the fort and the present structure has little evidence of prehistoric origins.
Archaeologists point to 17th century CE as its time of first construction but now Sindh archaeologists agree that some of the present structure was reconstructed by Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur and his brother Mir Murad Ali in 1812 CE at a cost of 1.2 million rupees (Sindh Gazetteer, 677).
Fort Ranikot is located in Lakki Mountains of the Kirthar range to the west of the mighty River Indus at a distance of about 30 kilometers from the present day town of Sann. A mountainous ridge, Karo Takkar(Black Hill), running north to south, forms its western boundary and the 'Lundi Hills' forms its eastern boundary. Mohan Nai, a rain-stream enters the fort from its rarely used western 'Mohan Gate', where it is guarded by a small fortification, changes its name to 'Reni' or 'Rani Nai' or rain-stream and gives the fort its name. Ranikot is thus the 'fort of a rain stream' - Rani. It runs through it, tumbles in a series of turquoise pools to irrigate fields and leaves the fort from its most used 'Sann Gate' on the eastern side. It then travels about 33 kilometers more to enter the Lion River - Indus.
Most of the twenty six kilometers long wall is made of natural cliffs and mountains which at places rise as high as two thousand feet above sea level! Only about 8.25 km portions of its wall are man-made, built with yellow sandstone. This was first measured on foot by Badar Abro along with local guide Sadiq Gabol. As one enters the fort, one can find hills, valleys, streams, ditches, ponds, pools, fossils, building structure, bastions, watchtowers, ammunition depots, fortresses - all inside Ranikot, adding more to its beauty and mystery. A spring emerging from an underground water source near the Mohan Gate is named as 'Parryen jo Tarr' (the spring of fairies).
Currently, only the Gabol Baloch tribe occupies the area within Ranikot. The area has become a virtual village for the Gabol's over the past century who earn their livelihood by offering tours to many of the visitors, as well as by small scale farming . Today, the Gabol tribe chief Nabil Gabol is trying to attract the Sindh government's funds to develop the area into an international tourist site

Flood affected people and place

2010-10-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Landslide lake in Pakistan ,Hunza

2010-07-15T01:01:00.000-07:00

Landslide lake in Pakistan

On January 4th, 2010 in the remote Hunza River Valley of northern Pakistan, a massive landslide buried the village of Attabad, destroying 26 homes, killing 20 people, and damming up the Hunza River. As the newly-formed lake grew, authorities rushed to evacuate and supply those affected in the landslide area and upstream. The lake is now over 300 feet deep and 16km (10 mi) long, submerging miles of highway, farms and homes. Earlier this week, the lake reached the top of the natural dam, and began to spill out - rapid erosion of the landslide debris has authorities worried about a potential breach, and locals have been evacuated as officials monitor the developing situation. Special thanks to the Pamir Times for sharing their photos and coverage of this event. (38 photos total)

This photograph was taken while a secondary landslide was taking place near Attabad village in northern Pakistan on January 22, 2010, after the original massive landslide of January 4th blocked most of the Hunza Valley and dammed the Hunza River. Original here. (Inayat Ali (Shimshal)/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND)

Residents from surrounding area visit the scene of the massive landslide in the Hunza River Valley in northern Pakistan on January 5, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

A view of the newly-forming lake formed due to blockage of the Hunza River, seen three days after the landslide, on January 7, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Land cracks visible in the land near what remains of the village of Attabad on February 1, 2010. FOCUS geologists warned that the cracked portions might fall at any time. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Another view of the growing lake formed behind the landslide, seen from the ruins of Attabad village on February 1, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Local volunteers conducting search for bodies in rubble near the village of Attabad on January 6, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

A funeral service is held for some of the victims of the Hunza Valley landslide on January 6, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Men climb across landslide debris in the Hunza River Valley on January 7, 2010. The growing lake is visible in the background. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

With the only highway wiped out by the landslide, Gojal Valley locals turn to airlifts to help them evacuate and get access to goods and services. Photo taken on January 7, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Heavy machinery is employed to lift and carry a wooden boat up the side of the landslide debris to be deposited in the lake to aid evacuation and supply missions on April 6, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Gulsher Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

In this image taken on April 30, 2010, local people use a boat to ferry their vehicles in a lake caused by landslide which cuts off part of the Karakoram highway to China, in the Hunza district of northern Pakistan. (AP Photo/Shabbir Mir) #

In this image taken on Thursday March 11, 2010, Pakistani loaders carrying goods imported from neighboring China which are ferried through a lake due to blockade of the Karakoram Highway, in Attabad, northern Pakistan. A massive landslide early this year formed a natural dam in the Hunza River created a lake that is consuming upstream as it expands. If dam breaks, a flash flood could threaten downstream villages. (AP Photo/Shabbir Ahmed Mir) #

An aerial view, taken from military helicopter, of a natural dam caused by a landslide in Attabad village, Hunza district, northern Pakistan, May 21, 2010. Thousands have been evacuated from their homes this week in north Pakistan amid fears a lake, formed after a landslide blocked the Hunza River on January 4, could soon burst, triggering massive flooding and severing an important trade link with China. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

An aerial view, taken from military helicopter, of a natural dam caused by a landslide in Attabad village, Hunza district, northern Pakistan, May 21, 2010. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

An aerial view shows a lake overtaking a village in the Hunza district of northern Pakistan on Saturday, May 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Shabbir Hussain Imam) #

Villagers, who lived near a lake created after a landslide in Hunza district, collect belongings from their home at Sheeshghat village in Hunza district of northern Pakistan May 24, 2010. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

Women, who lived near a lake created after a landslide in Hunza district, cut barley in a field in Seeshghat village in Hunza district of northern Pakistan May 24, 2010. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

As water rises, locals use a makeshift pedestrian bridge to help them supply and evacuate in the Hunza River Valley in northern Pakistan. The pillars are from an under-construction "friendship bridge" for the now-partly-submerged Karakoram Highway. Photo taken on March 17th, 2010. Original here. (Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

This image, acquired by the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) aboard NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite on March 16th, 2010 shows the blocked Hunza River and the growing lake, then 11 km (7 mi) long, inundating several villages and 5 km (3 mi) of the Karakoram Highway. Landslide blockage is at lower right. (NASA Earth Observatory/Jesse Allen/NASA EO-1 team) #

Pillars of the under-construction "friendship bridge" for the Karakoram Highway, now flooded - seen on May 2nd, 2010, only two weeks after the same scene was photographed from a different angle in image #18. Original here. (Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

While the boats brought to the new lake have been a great help for the stranded people, concerns for safety of the passengers remains a major issue. Photo taken on May 2nd, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Pakistani soldiers help villagers as they board an army helicopter in the village of Altitin in the Hunza district of northern Pakistan on May 21, 2010. Flooding from a lake in northern Pakistan risks affecting 40,000 residents of some 34 villages already evacuated to safety, a top disaster management official said. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) #

Children walk near tents set up for displaced people who were affected by a natural dam caused by a landslide in Attabad village in Hunza district of northern Pakistan May 19, 2010. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

A girl cries while sitting with others to protest against the government's failure to announce compensation for those displaced by a lake created after a landslide during a demonstration in Attaabad village in Hunza district of northern Pakistan on May 22, 2010. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

Residents of the Gojal (Upper Hunza) Valley ride across the lake flooding their villages and rising daily. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

A view from a military helicopter of the lake growing behind a natural dam caused by a landslide which passes through Sheeshgat village in Hunza district of northern Pakistan May 24, 2010. (REUTERS/Abrar Tanoli) #

On February 28th, The second largest bridge on Karakuram Highway submerged in the lake water between Shishkat and Gulmit, two of the largest settlements of Gojal valley. The bridge had already been closed for all sorts of traffic due to the dangers posed by wind and water. Photo taken on February 22, 2010.Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Workers use machines to dig a spillway to release water pressure built up by the natural dam caused by a landslide in Attabad village in Hunza district of northern Pakistan May 12, 2010. Fears are growing a lake created by a landslide will burst and cause a massive flood that could affect more than 50,000 people in northern Pakistan and disrupt a key trade link with China, residents said on Wednesday. (REUTERS/Moizuddin) #

In this mage taken on Thursday March 11, 2010, bulldozers leveling a ground to make spill for water accumulated in a lake due to blockade the Hunza River in Attabad, northern Pakistan. A massive landslide early this year formed a natural dam in the Hunza river created a lake that is consuming upstream as it expands. If dam breaks, a flash flood could threaten downstream villages. (AP Photo/Shabbir Ahmed Mir) #

The people of Gojal carrying daily essentials on their backs across the landslide site on January 12, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

People climb the 700 ft high landslide debris to be able to reach the boats while moving towards Gojal Valley on March 28, 2010. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Some trees will bloom only for a while this year in the Gojal Valley villages of Ayeenabad and Shishkat in northern Pakistan. Photo taken on March 28, 2010.Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

A scene looking down on flooded orchards and homes in the village of Ayeenabad, Pakistan on May 8th, 2010. The hard work of at least three generations have been destroyed by the lake. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

A gate near an orchard lies submerged in the upper Hunza Valley on April 14th, 2010. Around 40 houses in Ayeenabad and Shishkat Payeen have been dismantled to save valuables from sinking in the lake water. Original here. (Zulfiqar Ali Khan/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

A partially submerged pedestrian bridge in the Upper Hunza Valley, seen on May 7th, 2010. Original here. (Afzal Khan and Aslam Shah/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

Huge clouds of dust arise as land slides continued on January 6, 2010, the second day of the Attabad disaster. Original here. (Afzal Khan and Aslam Shah/Pamir Times / CC BY-NC-ND) #

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on the Terra satellite acquired this false-color image of the landslide lake on June 1, 2010 - now 16km (10 mi) long. Compare to image image #19 above, taken 10 weeks earlier, and see that the lake has grown by 5km in length. Water appears in varying shades of blue. Vegetation is red. Bare rock appears in shades of brown and gray. (NASA Earth Observatory/Jesse Allen/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team) #

After the lake began to flow through the spillway that was cut into the landslide debris on May 29th, the flow of the water has increased, but still does not match the inflow upstream from the Hunza River. And - as is evidenced by these two images (May 30th on the left, June 4th on the right), the outflow is eroding the debris, working back toward the lake - potentially signaling an upcoming breach where nearly five months worth of river flow might wash away the dam and cause serious flooding downstream. Scientists and authorities are monitoring the situation and evacuations have been undertaken for all threatened areas. (Images courtesy of Focus Humanitarian Assistance via Professor David Petley / Hunza Landslide monitor

Beautiful Kashmir

2010-06-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

2009-11-05T08:07:00.001-08:00

Rakaposhi (Räkapoşi) is a mountain in theKarakoram mountain range in Pakistan. It is situated in the Nagar Valley approximately 100 km north of the city of Gilgit. Rakaposhi means "shining wall" in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Dumani ("Mother of Mist"). It is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highestin Pakistan, but it is more popular for its beauty than its rank might suggest.

Rakaposhi was first climbed in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of aBritish-Pakistani expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. Both of them suffered minorfrostbite during the ascent. Another climber slipped and fell on the descent and died during the night.

Park

The people of Nagar has dedicated theRakaposhi range mountain area as a community park. The Minister for Northern Areas inaugurated the park. The Rakaposhi mountain range is the home of endangered species such as Marco Polo sheep, Saknussemm tigers, brown bear, wolvesand many other species.

Notable features

Rakaposhi is notable for its exceptional rise over local terrain. On the north, it rises 5800m in only an 11.5km horizontal distance from the Hunza River. There are magnificent views of Rakaposhi from theKarakoram Highway on the route through Hunza. A tourist spot in the town of Ghulmat (located in theNagar Valley) called "Zero Point of Rakaposhi" is the closest convenient view point of the mountain.

Magic Of Hunza Valley

2009-11-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

The Hunza Valley (Urdu: ہنزہ) is a mountainous valley in Gilgit in the Gilgit-Baltistan autonomous region, an area under the control of the government of Pakistan. The Hunza valley is situated to the north of the Hunza River, at an elevation of around 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). The territory of Hunza is about 7,900 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi). Karimabad (formerly called Baltit) is the main town, which is also a very popular tourist destination because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains like Ultar Sar, Rakaposhi, Bojahagur Duanasir II, Ghenta Peak, Hunza Peak, Diran Peak and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak), all 6,000 metres

(19,685 ft) or higher.

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Colors of hunza Valley at Spring

This is the view from Karimabad down the Hunza valley. The Karakoram Highway is passing here. The snow covered montain in the background is the Rakaposhi (7788m).

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Spring Scene in Hunza

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Hunza Valley in Autumn

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Hunza is one of the most exotic places in Pakistan. The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon.

Enjoy this northern view of hunza Valley. Shot taken from Baltit Fort Roof, Karimabad, Hunza.

Geography

The Hunza is situated at an elevation of about 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). For many centuries, Hunza has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person travelling on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals; only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals.

Hunza was easily defended as the paths were often less than 0.5 metres (20 in) wide. The high mountain paths often crossed bare cliff faces on logs wedged into cracks in the cliff, with stones balanced on top. They were also constantly exposed to regular damage from weather and falling rocks. These were the much feared "hanging passageways" of the early Chinese histories that terrified all, including several famous Chinese Buddhist monks such as Xuanzang.

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Karoon Peak, Hunza

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Gojal Area, Upper Hunza Valley, Northern Areas of Pakistan

Climate

The temperature in May is a maximum of 27 °C (81 °F) and a minimum of 14 °C (57 °F); the October maximum is 10 °C (50 °F) and the minimum −10 °C (14.0 °F). Hunza's tourist season is generally from May to October, because in winter the Karakoram Highway is often blocked by the snow.

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The Magic Of Hunza Is Hard To Depict; where the glacial water of Ultar is known for some therapeutic distinctiveness, which, in favorable circumstances have caused the aboriginal populace, long life and a very low ratio of heart diseases.

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Deraan Peak, Hunza, Pakistan.

Spectacular scenery

Hunza is one of the most impressive places in the world. Several high peaks rise above 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) in the surroundings of Hunza valley. The valley provides spectacular views of some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains of the world which include Rakaposhi 7,788 metres (25,551 ft)7,788 m (25,551 ft), Ultar Sar 7,388 metres (24,239 ft)Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 metres (24,045 ft), Ghenta Peak 7,090 metres (23,261 ft), Hunza Peak 6,270 metres (20,571 ft), Darmyani Peak 6,090 metres (19,980 ft), and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 metres (19,685 ft). Hunza Valley is also host to the ancient watch towers in Ganish , Baltit Fort and Altit Fort. Watch towers are located in heart of Ganish Village, Baltit Fort stands on top of Karimabad whereas Altit Fort lies at the bottom of the valley.

The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. As one travels up on the Karakoram Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves. On the way one can witness the 65 kilometres (40 mi) long 'Batura' glacier, the second longest in Pakistan, surround by Shishper, Batura and Kumpirdior peaks. On reaching Sost one can continue the journey up to Khunzhrav or turn west to witness the mystic beauty of Chipursan (also Chapursan) valley. Chipursan valley has some of most exotic tourist spots in the area. In Yarzerech (also Yarzirich) you can have a look at the majestic Kundahill peak (6,000 metres (19,685 ft)), or trek along the Rishepzhurav to the Kundahill to experience the soothing sceneries. Beyond Yarzerech one can travel further to Lupghar, Raminj, Reshit, Yishkuk up to Bobo Ghundi (Oston), the shrine of Baba-e-Ghund, a saint from Afghanistan near the border between Pakistan and Wakhan region of Afghanistan.

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Nagar Valley, Diran Peak from Darbar Hotel, Karimabad, Hunza.

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Boulter Peak, taken during the Walk in the Duikar Valley, in Hunza, Pakistan.

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Hunza, mostly remains covered under the sacred gown of snow in winter, when unwraps, its sensuous hilly contour and the luxurious vegetation become a magnet. The lands of fairy tales, where the snowcapped hills stood high to higher limits. Gigantic mountains that have stretched over an area of 110 kilometers surround the valley. The terrain is full of variety with diversity in the heights of the peaks of 1500 meters to 8000 meters.

As one travels up on the Karakorum Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves. On the way one can witness the 65 km long 'Batura' glacier, the second longest in Pakistan, surround by Shishper, Batura and Kumpirdior peaks. As much as the valley is famous for its beauty, the people of Hunza are noted for their friendliness and hospitality.

So whether you are a culture shark, an adrenaline junkie, or simply in need of a stress-free time. Whatever you may be, you just can't get out of the Talismanic effect of Hunza

Taken: Between Chakarin and Darandas over looking the Nagar.

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Diran Peak Hunza

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Passu Cones taken from the bed of River Hunza near Gulmit, Hunza

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Altit, Hunza

Gasherbrum2

2009-10-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

Gasherbrum II (also known as K4) is the 13th highest mountain on Earth, located on the border of Pakistan-China. Gasherbrum II is the third highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram range of the Himalaya.

The standard route is via the SW ridge as it is relatively free of objective hazards such as ice falls and avalanches. A typical expedition lasts 7 to 8 weeks with climbing permits costing about $7,500 USD for five climbers.

Gasherbrum II was first climbed on July 8, 1956by Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch and Hans Willenpart of an Austrian expedition.

Dudiptsar Lake

2009-10-29T04:33:00.000-07:00

Dudiptsar lake or Dudipat Lake

is a beautiful lakeencircled by snow clad peaks. The lake lies in the extreme north of Kaghan Valley at N35.0185 E74.0895 and is about a four hours drive from the chief town Naran. The road is not entirely accessible for cars, even Jeeps. From Besalonwards the visitors have to trek about 6-8 hours in vast alpine meadows to reach the lake.First four hour trek is really hard.And best season for visit is after 25th july till end of september.

Trek consists of at sometimes steep climb while at other places walk through huge flat valleys, but at all the time filled with amazing sights.

Its water is a beautiful greenish blue and very cold too. Dudipatsar is also close to another major Lake Lulusarwhich is the main contributory to the Kunhar river that runs through Kaghan valley. At a distance from the lake lies theBabusar Top or the Babusar Pass which is the end of 150 km long Kaghan valley.

The whole area is accessible for four months every year from June-September after which it is closed to snow.

It is highly not advised to track it in snow, as there is a high probability of avalanches in the area. The lake used to have abundance of trout, but illegal fishing using dynamite and nets has resulted in a sharp decline.

The word "dudi" means white and "sar" means lake. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow at surrounding peaks. In summer the water of the lake reflects like a mirror. Getting to the lake takes four to six hours of tough hiking.

The word "sar" is used with the name of each lake in the area meaning lake. In the summer when the water of the lake reflects like a mirror a large number of visitors from different areas of the country come to watch the enchanting views of these lake.

The whole area is private property but declared national park by Government of Pakistan.

The deep blue Dudipat Sar, at 3,800 meters, is surrounded by green hills at about 4,800 meters, with snow patches in the shady hollows. This lake is very little visited by people and its natural beauty is still very much protected. October 8, 2005's earthquake in North Pakistan has made it more difficult to be accessed. However the government of Pakistan decided on March 14, 2006 to take all steps to restore tourism of the Kaghan valley which includes building new tourism spots and rebuilding previously destroyed ones.

Naltar Lake

2009-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

Naltar Lake

There is a lake in the Naltar valley known as 'Bashkiri Lake'at a distance of 32 kilometers from Naltar Bala.This lake is a wonderful and marvelous look in the summer and as well as winter.The road from village to "Lake" is nonmetallic and narrow along side of a stream throughout this road coming from the mountains.There are a lot of beautiful scenes along this road.In winter it is almost impossible to reach the lake through any vehicle due to the snow(10 to 15 feet high)on the road

Lake Saif ul Maluk

2009-10-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

Lake Saiful Muluk (Urdu: سیف الملوک) is a lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley (34°52′37.34″N 73°41′37.71″E / 34.8770389°N 73.6938083°E / 34.8770389; 73.6938083) near Naran. It is in the north east of Mansehra District in the North-West Front ier Province, Pakistan. At an altitude of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level it is amongst one of the highest lakes in Pakistan.

The lake is accessible by a 14 km road from Naran (which is accessible by a road from Mansehra via Balakot and Kaghan) during the summer months. On foot, the trek from Naran to the lake takes about 4-6 hours. The water is clear with a slight green tone. The clarity of the water comes from the multiple glaciers all around the high basin which feed the lake.

A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake.^[1] It is the story of prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake.^[2] The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon.

A poet and writer from Balakot, Ahmad Hussain Mujahid, has written the story of Saif ul Malook. The first edition of the book Saif ul Malook was published in 1999.

Tourism

The Guardian ranked Lake Saiful Muluk as the 5th Best Tourist Destination in Pakistan. Mansehra District has had a flourishing tourism industry in the past due to its many mountain ranges and the Saiful Muluk Lake, however since the 2005 earthquake the region has seen a decrease in tourists. This lake is about ten thousand feet above the ground level of Naran, this beautiful lake reflects many colors in minutes.Lately there has been an interest in building hotels in the area.

K2 ---> Second largest peak Pakistan

2009-10-17T03:58:00.000-07:00

K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth (after Mount Everest). With a peak elevation of 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), K2 is part of the Karakoram range, and is located on the border between the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China and Gilgit, in Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan. K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the difficulty of ascent and the 2nd highest fatality rate among the 'eight thousanders' for those who climb it. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. Unlike Annapurna, the mountain with highest fatality rate, K2 has never been climbed in winter.

The name K2 is derived from the notation used by the Great Trigonometric Survey. Thomas Montgomerie made the first survey of the Karakoram from Mount Haramukh, some 130 miles (210 km) to the south, and sketched the two most prominent peaks, labelling them K1 and K2.
The policy of the Great Trigonometric Survey was to use local names for mountains wherever possible and K1 was found to be known locally as Masherbrum. K2, however, appeared not to have acquired a local name, possibly due to its remoteness. The mountain is not visible from Askole, the last village to the south, or from the nearest habitation to the north, and is only fleetingly glimpsed from the end of the Baltoro Glacier, beyond which few local people would have ventured. The name Chogori, derived from two Balti words, chhogo ('big') and ri ('mountain') (شاہگوری) has been suggested as a local name, but evidence for its widespread use is scant. It may have been a compound name invented by Western explorers or simply a bemused reply to the question "What's that called?"^[6] It does, however, form the basis for the name Qogir (simplified Chinese: 乔戈里峰; traditional Chinese: 喬戈里峰; pinyin: Qiáogēlǐ Fēng) by which Chinese authorities officially refer to the peak. Other local names have been suggested including Lamba Pahar ("Tall Mountain" in Urdu) and Dapsang, but are not widely used.
Lacking a local name, the name Mount Godwin-Austen was suggested, in honour of Henry Godwin-Austen, an early explorer of the area, and while the name was rejected by the Royal Geographical Society it was used on several maps, and continues to be used occasionally.
The surveyor's mark, K2, therefore continues to be the name by which the mountain is commonly known. It is now also used in the Balti language, rendered as Kechu or Ketu(Urdu: کے ٹو). The Italian climber Fosco Maraini argued in his account of the ascent of Gasherbrum IV that while the name of K2 owes its origin to chance, its clipped, impersonal nature is highly appropriate for so remote and challenging a mountain. He concluded that it was...

"...just the bare bones of a name, all rock and ice and storm and abyss. It makes no attempt to sound human. It is atoms and stars. It has the nakedness of the world before the first man - or of the cindered planet after the last."

Climbing routes and difficulties

There are a number of routes on K2, of somewhat different character, but they all share some key difficulties. First, of course, is the extreme high altitude and resulting lack of oxygen: there is only one-third as much oxygen available to a climber on the summit of K2 as there is at sea level. Second is the propensity of the mountain to experience extreme storms of several days' duration, which have resulted in many of the deaths on the peak. Third is the steep, exposed, and committing nature of all routes on the mountain, which makes retreat more difficult, especially during a storm. Despite many tries there has been no successful ascent during the winter. All major climbing routes lie on the Pakistani side, which is also where the base camp is located.

Abruzzi Spur

The standard route of ascent, used far more than any other route, is the Abruzzi Spur, located on the Pakistani side, first attempted by Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi in 1909. This is the southeast ridge of the peak, rising above the Godwin Austen Glacier. The spur proper begins at an altitude of 5,400 m/18,000 ft), where Advanced Base Camp is usually placed. The route follows an alternating series of rock ribs, snow/ice fields, and some technical rock climbing on two famous features, "House's Chimney" and the "Black Pyramid." Above the Black Pyramid, dangerously exposed and difficult to navigate slopes lead to the easily visible "Shoulder," and thence to the summit. The last major obstacle is a narrow couloir known as the "Bottleneck," which places climbers dangerously close to a wall of seracs which form an ice cliff to the east of the summit. It was partly due to the collapse of one of these seracs around 2001 that no climbers summitted the peak in 2002 and 2003.

On August 1, 2008, a number of climbers went missing when a serac in the Bottleneck snapped and broke their ropes. Survivors were seen from a helicopter but rescue efforts were impeded by the high altitude. Eleven were never found, and presumed dead

Routes

Northeast Ridge (long and corniced; finishes on uppermost part of Abruzzi route), 1978.
West Ridge, 1981.
Southwest Pillar or "Magic Line", very technical, and second most demanding. First climbed in 1986 by the Polish-Slovak trio Piasecki-Wróż-Božik. Since then the Catalan Jordi Corominas was the only successful climber on this route, despite many other attempts.
South Face or "Polish Line" (extremely exposed and most dangerous). In 1986, Jerzy Kukuczka and Tadeusz Piotrowski summitted on this route. Reinhold Messner called it a suicidal route and no one has repeated their achievement. "The route is so avalanche-prone, that no one else has ever considered a new attempt."
Northwest Face, 1990.
Northwest Ridge (finishing on North Ridge). First ascent in 1991.
South-southeast spur or "Cesen route" (finishing on Abruzzi route. A possibly safer alternative to the Abruzzi Spur because of avoiding the first big obstacle on Abruzzi called Black Pyramid ), 1994.
West Face (technically difficult at high altitude), done by a Russian team in 2007

Satpara lake , skardu valley Pakistan

2009-10-16T05:28:00.000-07:00

Satpara Lake is an important lake in Skardu Valley which supplies water for the town of Skardu, which is located at 2,636 meters (8,650 ft). It is one of the most picturesque lakes in Pakistan.
In 2002, the Government of Pakistan decided to build a dam on the Satpara Lake. The Government allocated Rs. 600 million ($10 million) for Satpara Dam project in 2004's financial year. The progress on the project, however, has been slow.

The elevation of Satpara lake is 8650 feet above sea level. The lake is spread over an area of 2.5 km². A story is attached with this lake by local people that there is gold mine in the bottom of this lake, that is why its water seems shining in the day time

Kachura lake -Skardu ,Pakistan

2009-10-16T04:29:00.000-07:00

Kachura Lakes

There are two Kachura Lakes—the less well known Upper Kachura lake and the more famous Lower Kachura Lake, better known as Shangrila Lake. Lower Katsura lake is home to the Shangrila Resort hotel complex (possibly the reason for the lake's alternative name), built in a Chinese style and another popular destination for tourists in Pakistan. The resort has a unique style of restaurant, set up inside the fuselage of an aircraft that crashed nearby. Kachura lake 18m from Skardu. Kachura Lake is famous for its deep blue waters. There are numerous places to visit and things to do near Kachura Lake, situated near Skardu in the northern area.

Skardu Pakistan

2009-10-16T04:07:00.001-07:00

Skardu سکردو, is the principal town of the region Baltistan and the capital of Skardu District, one of the districts making up Pakistan's Northern Areas.

Skardu is located in the 10 km wide by 40km long Skardu Valley, at the confluence of the Indus river (flowing from near Kailash in Tibet and through neighbouring Ladakh before reaching Baltistan) and the Shigar River. Skardu is situated at an altitude of nearly 2,500 m (8,200 feet). The town is surrounded by grey-brown coloured mountains, which hide the 8,000 metre peaks of the nearby Karakoram range.

Tourism, trekking and mountain expedition base

Skardu, along with Gilgit, are the two major tourism, trekking and expedition hubs in the Northern Areas. The mountainous terrain of the region, including four of the world's fourteen Eight-thousander peaks (8,000m and above), attracts the attention of tourists, trekkers and mountaineers from around the world. The main tourist season is from April to October; outside this time, the area can be cut off for extended periods by the snowy, freezing winter weather.

Accessible from Skardu by road, the nearby Askole and Hushe Valleys are the main gateways to the snow covered 8,000 m peaks including K2, the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak and the Trango Towers, and also to the huge glaciers of Baltoro, Biafo and Trango. This makes Skardu the main tourist and mountaineering base in the area, which has led to the development of a reasonably extensive tourist infrastructure including shops and hotels. However, the popularity of the region results in high prices, especially during the main trekking season.

Treks to the Deosai Plains, the second highest in the world (at 4,100 m or 13,500 feet) after the Chang Tang in Tibet, either start from or end at Skardu. In local Balti language, Deosai is called Byarsa, meaning 'summer place'. With an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres, the plains extend all the way to Ladakh and provide habitat for snow leopards, ibex, Tibetan brown bears and wild horses.

Weather and climate

The climate of Skardu during the summer is moderated by its mountain setting and the intense heat of lowland Pakistan does not reach here. The mountains also block out the summer monsoon and summer rainfall is thus quite low. However, these mountains result in very severe winter weather. During the April to October tourist season, temperatures vary between a maximum of 27°C and a minimum (in October) 8°C. However, temperatures can drop to below -10°C in the December-to-January midwinter period. The lowest temperature of the year can reach -25°C

Shimshal Valley and Lake

2009-10-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Shimshal is a small village located in Gojal, in the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan.

The village had been cut off from the Tehsil Headquarter Gulmit for centuries. Only in October 2003, for the first time, did a jeep go there, after the new road from the Karakoram Highway was constructed. The famous Shimshal River comes from this area and then transforms the shape of Hunza River, which mixes with the Indus River below the capital city Gilgit.

Shimshalis use numerous seasonal mountain grasslands, located several days walk from the village, to sustain herds of yaks, goats, and sheep. Most of these grasslands are located within what has been declared as the Khunjerab National Park but as a matter of fact that is not the reality because the whole region belongs to shimshal people as it has started from their Great Great Great GrandFather Mamo Singh who found this place for himself and his wife later on when they had the first child who later on won the Local Polo Game from Kargiz (Chinese) using a Yak and they had horses according to Shimshal's History and Tradition.

The people of Shimshal are Wakhi and they speak the Wakhi language. They belong to the Ismaili sect of Islam.

Siri Payee Lake ,Kaghan ,Pakistan

2009-10-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

Payee Lake is situated near Shogran in the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan. It is situated at the height of almost 3,000 m (10,000 feet).

It is surrounded by Makra Peak, Malka Parbat, Moosa da Musalla and the mountains of Kashmir.

The lake is accessible via Kiwai passing through Shogran through a jeep track.

A stamp has been issued on this lake

Takht bahi-Buddhist monastic complex

2009-10-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Takht Bahi (or Takhtbai or Takht-i-Bahi) is a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the 1st century BCE. The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Takht means "throne" and bahi, "water" or "spring" in Urdu. The monastic complex was called Takht-i-Bahi because it was built atop a hill watered by a spring.

It is located about 15 kilometers from Mardan in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province.^[1] A small fortified city, dating from the same era, sits nearby. The ruins also sit near a modern village known by the same name.

Structure

There are four main areas of the Takht Bahi complex:

The "Stupa Court", a cluster of stupas located in a central courtyard.
The monastic chambers, consisting of individual cells arranged around a courtyard, assembly halls, and a dining area.
A temple complex, consisting of stupas and similar to the Stupa Court, but of later construction.
The monastic complex, which consists of small, dark cells with low openings, which may have been used for certain forms of Tantric meditation.

Additional structures on the site may have served as residences or meeting halls, or filled secular purposes. All of the buildings on the site are constructed from local stone, and are mortared with lime and mud.

History

The monastic complex likely was founded in the early 1st Century BCE.Despite numerous invasions into the area, Takht Bhai's hilltop location seems to have protected it from destruction, unlike many comparable early Buddhist monastic complexes. The complex was occupied continuously until the modern era, when charitable funding for the site ended.

Archaeologists have divided the history of the complex at Takht Bhai into four periods, beginning in the 1st Century BCE. This first era continued until the 2nd Century CE, and is associated with the Kushan king Kanishka, as well as early Parthian and later Kushana king. The second construction period, which included the creation of the Stupa Court and assembly hall, took place during the 3rd and 4th Centuries CE. A third construction period, associated with the later Kushan dynasty and the Kidara Kushana rulers, occurred during the 4th and 5th centuries. The final construction period, which saw the creation of the so-called Tantric complex, took place in the 6th and 7th Centuries CE, and was overseen by invading Hun rulers.

The first moder historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by the French Officer, General Court. Explorations and excavations on this site began in 1864. The site underwent a major restoration in the 1920's.

Nearby Localities

The villages of Lund Khwar, Sher Garh, Charsadda Sehri-Bahlol and Takkar are other historical places in the vicinity of Takht-Bhai. Takkar is a historical village. Sardar Ali Takkar, a well known pashtu-language singer, was born in the village of Takkar. Takhtbai contains the remains of Buddha which has not been properly excavated. The word "Sehri-Bahlol" has been explained by various people in different ways. The local people, claim that this is a word of Hindi Language and means "Sir Bahlol", a prominent political and religious leader of the area. However, the name is not as old as the village of Sehri-Bahlol. The village is located on hillack surrounded by lush green fields where the local people practice agriculture. Economically people are poor with low literacy rates. The local people continue illegal excavation in their homes and land, damaging the historical monuments. Some of the local dealers of antiques misguide the local population and instigate them to involve them in illegal excavation. It requires national and international attention to preserve the remnants at Sehri-Bahlol.

Nanga Parbat -Naked Mountain

2009-10-11T04:05:00.000-07:00

Nanga Parbat (Urdu: نانگا پربت) is the ninth highest mountain on Earth. Nanga Parbat means "Naked Mountain" in English, parbat deriving from the Sanskrit word parvata (पर्वत) meaning "mountain, rock", and nanga from the Sanskrit word nagna (नग्न) meaning "naked, bare". Known as the "Killer Mountain," Nanga Parbat was one of the deadliest of the eight-thousanders for climbers in the first half of the twentieth century; since that time it has been less so, though still an extremely serious climb. It is also an immense, dramatic peak that rises far above its surrounding terrain

Location

Nanga Parbat is the western anchor of the Himalayas and is the westernmost eight-thousander. It lies just south of the Indus River in the Astore District of the Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan administered Kashmir. Not far to the north is the western end of the Karakoram range

Rupal Face

Notable features

Nanga Parbat has tremendous vertical relief over local terrain in all directions. To the south, Nanga Parbat boasts what is often referred to as the highest mountain face in the world: the Rupal Face rises 4,600 m (15,000 feet) above its base. To the north, the complex, somewhat more gently sloped Rakhiot Flank rises 7,000 m (22,966 feet) from the Indus River valley to the summit in just 27 km, one of the 10 greatest elevation gains in so short a distance on Earth.

Nanga Parbat from Fairy MeadowsAt 4,100 meters, near the Rakhiot Base Camp

Layout of the mountain

The core of Nanga Parbat is a long ridge trending southwest-northeast. The ridge is an enormous bulk of ice and rock. It has three faces, Diamir face, Rakhiot and Rupal. The southwestern portion of this main ridge is known as the Mazeno Wall, and has a number of subsidiary peaks. In the other direction, the main ridge arcs northeast at Rakhiot Peak (7,070 meters). The south/southeast side of the mountain is dominated by the massive Rupal Face, noted above. The north/northwest side of the mountain, leading to the Indus, is more complex. It is split into the Diamir (west) face and the Rakhiot (north) face by a long ridge. There are a number of subsidiary summits, including North Peak (7,816 m) some 3 km north of the main summit. Near the base of the Rupal Face is a beautiful glacial lake called Latbo, above a seasonal shepherds' village of the same name.

Approaching Nanga Parbat Base Camp
View from Latbo village. Notice a tiny yellow tent at the bottom right.

First Ascent
Nanga Parbat was first climbed on July 3, 1953 by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of a German-Austrian team. The expedition was organized by the half-brother of Willy Merkl, Karl Herrligkoffer from Munich, while the expedition leader was Peter Aschenbrenner from Innsbruck, who had participated in the 1932 and 1934 attempts. By the time of this expedition, 31 people had already died on the mountain. The final push for the summit was dramatic: Buhl continued alone, after his companions had turned back, and arrived at 7 p.m.; the climbing being harder and more time consuming than he had anticipated. His descent was slowed when he lost a crampon, and caught by darkness he was forced to bivouac standing upright on a narrow ledge, holding a small handhold with one hand. Exhausted, he dozed occasionally, but managed to maintain his balance. He was also very fortunate to have a calm night, so he was not subjected to wind chill. He finally reached his high camp at 7 p.m. the next day, 40 hours after setting out.The ascent was made without oxygen, and Buhl is the only man to have made the first ascent of an 8000m peak alone.

!National Symbols of Pakistan!

2009-10-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

National Flag

The national flag of Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستان کا پرچم) was designed by Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii and was based on the original flag of the Muslim League, which itself drew inspiration from the flag of the Mughal Empire in India. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, just days before independence. The flag is referred to in the national anthem as Parcham-e-Sitāra-o-Hilāl in Urdu (lit. Flag of the Crescent and Star). The flag comprises a dark green field, representing the Muslim majority of Pakistan, with a vertical white stripe in the hoist, representing religious minorities. In the centre is a white crescent moon and a white five-pointed star, which symbolize progress and light respectively. The flag symbolizes Pakistan's commitment to Islam, the Islamic world, and the rights of religious minorities. The flag is flown on several important days of the year including Republic Day and Independence Day. The flag was approved by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of the nation. It is associated with the flag used by the All-India Muslim League as an emblem of its aim of achieving an independent Muslim state. Their flag was green, with a central white star and crescent. At independence in 1947, a white stripe was added at the hoist to represent the state's minorities. The green and white together stand for peace and prosperity. The crescent symbolizes progress, and the star represents light and knowledge.

National Emblem

The State Emblem of Pakistan was adopted in 1954. The emblem's green colour and the star and crescent at the top are symbols of Islam, the religion with which most Pakistani citizens identify. In the center is a quartered shield, with each quarter containing a major crop of Pakistan at the time of its adoption: cotton, jute, tea, and wheat. The floral wreath around the shield is Poet's Jasmine (the national flower) and represents the Mughal cultural heritage of Pakistan. The scroll at the bottom contains the national motto in Urdu, coined by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which reads from right to left: (Urdu: ایمان ، اتحاد ، نظم) Iman, Ittehad, Tanzeem translated as "Faith, Unity, Discipline".
National Anthem

The Qaumī Tarāna (Urdu: قومی ترانہ) is the National Anthem of Pakistan. The Pakistani national anthem is unique in that its music preceded its lyrics. At independence, on August 14, 1947, Pakistan did not have a national anthem. When the flag was hoisted at the independence ceremony it was accompanied by the song, "Pakistan Zindabad, Azadi Paendabad". The flag itself had only been approved by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan three days earlier.^[1]^[2]^[3] Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, asked Lahore-based Hindu writer, Jagannath Azad on August 9, 1947 to write a national anthem for Pakistan in five days.^[4].^[5] The anthem written by Azad was quickly approved by Jinnah, and it was played on Radio Pakistan.^[6] Azad's work remained as Pakistan’s national anthem for approximately eighteen months, despite competition from a rival attempt by B.T. Baghar.

National Game

Field hockey is a team sport in which a team of players attempt to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking the ball with hockey sticks into the opposing team's goal. Its official name is simply hockey,^[1]^[2] and this is the common name for it in many countries. However, the name field hockey is used in countries where the word hockey is usually reserved for another form of hockey, such as ice hockey or street hockey.

Hockey has several regular international tournaments for both men and women. These include the Olympic Games, the quadrennial Hockey World Cups, the annual Champions Trophies and World Cups for juniors.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the global governing body. It organizes events such as the Hockey World Cup and Women's Hockey World Cup. The Hockey Rules Board under FIH produces rules for the sport.

Many countries have extensive club competitions for junior and senior players. Despite the large number of participants—hockey is thought to be the field team sport with the second largest number of participants worldwide (the first being association football)—club hockey is not a large spectator sport and few players play as full-time professionals.

In countries where winter prevents play outdoors, hockey is played indoors during the off-season. This variant, indoor field hockey, differs in a number of respects. For example, it is 6-a-side rather than 11, the field is reduced to approximately 40 m x 20 m; the shooting circles are 9m; players may not raise the ball outside the circle nor hit it. The sidelines are replaced with barriers to rebound the ball.

National Animal

Markhor stand 65 to 115 centimetres (26 to 45 in) at the shoulder and weigh from 40 to 110 kilograms (88 to 240 lb). Females are tan in colour with a white underbelly and a pattern of black and white on the legs. Males have a lighter tan colour with the same white underbelly and pattern on the legs, as well as a black face and a large amount of long shaggy white fur on their neck and chest which can grow to knee-length. Both sexes have corkscrew-shaped horns which can grow up to 160 centimetres (63 in) long in males, and up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in females.

National Bird

The Chukar is a rotund 32–35 cm long bird, with a light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly. The face is white with a black gorget. It has rufous-streaked flanks and red legs. When disturbed, it prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings.

It is very similar to the Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca, but is browner on the back and has a yellowish tinge to the foreneck. The sharply defined gorget distinguishes this species from the Red-legged Partridge. Their song is a noisy chuck-chuck-chukar-chukar.

National Flower

Gardenia or Jasmine is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania. Several species occur on Hawaiʻi, where gardenias are known as naʻu or nānū.

The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus after Dr. Alexander Garden (1730-1791), a Scottish-born American naturalist.

They are evergreen shrubs and small trees growing to 1–15 metres (3.3–49 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three or four, 5–50 centimetres (2.0–20 in) long and 3–25 centimetres (1.2–9.8 in) broad, dark green and glossy with a leathery texture. The flowers are solitary or in small clusters, white, or pale yellow, with a tubular-based corolla with 5-12 lobes (petals) from 5–12 centimetres (2.0–4.7 in) diameter. Flowering is from about mid-spring to mid-summer and many species are strongly scented.

National Tree

Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar, or Deodar; Urdu: ديودار deodār; Hindi, Sanskrit: देवदार devadāru; Chinese: 雪松 xue song) is a species of cedar native to the western Himalayas in eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, north-central India (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Kashmir), southwesternmost Tibet and western Nepal, occurring at 1500-3200 m altitude. It is a large evergreen coniferous tree reaching 40-50 m tall, exceptionally 60 m, with a trunk up to 3 m diameter. It has a conic crown with level branches and drooping branchlets.

The leaves are needle-like, mostly 2.5-5 cm long, occasionally up to 7 cm long, slender (1 mm thick), borne singly on long shoots, and in dense clusters of 20-30 on short shoots; they vary from bright green to glaucous blue-green in colour. The female cones are barrel-shaped, 7-13 cm long and 5-9 cm broad, and disintegrate when mature (in 12 months) to release the winged seeds. The male cones are 4-6 cm long, and shed their pollen in autumn

National Juice

In Pakistan, sugarcane juice is sold fresh by road side vendors only, as the juice begins turning black very quickly because of oxidation. It is sold in glasses with or without ice. Sugarcane juice is the national juice of Pakistan, It is called "Roh" in Pakistan.
National Fruit

Mangoes belong to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous species of tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent.^[3] Cultivated in many tropical regions and distributed widely in the world, mango is one of the most extensively exploited fruits for food, juice, flavor, fragrance and color, making it a common ingredient in new functional foods often called superfruits. Its leaves are ritually used as floral decorations at weddings and religious ceremonies.

Deosai National Park-Skardu

2009-10-04T03:32:00.000-07:00

The Deosai National Park is located in the Skardu, Northern Areasof Pakistan that is known as the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA). The park is located on the Deosai Plains, that are among the highest plateaus in the world with an average height of 4,114 metres above the sea level, covering an area of about 3,000square kilometers. For just over half the year - between November and May - Deosai is snow-bound. In the summer months when the snow clears up, Deosai is accessible from Skardu in the north and the Astore Valley in the west. Deosai is well known for its spring season when it is covered by a carpet of millions of flowers and a wide variety of butterflies.

Shausar Lake

There is a lake named Shausar Lake in the Deosai Plains meaning in local language"white lake"-Shau-white,Sar-lake. The lake is at a height of 4,142 m (13,589 feet). Its approximate length is reported to be 2.3 km (1.4 miles), width 1.8 km (1.2 miles) and average depth 40 m.

Aproaches

Deosai plains can be accessed through Astore Valley,which is comparatively easy route.Gilgit to Astoreonwards is a wide jeepable track which winds through Gudai and Chilum .The alternate and relatively narrow track is from Skardu .

Wildlife

The Deosai Plains are also home to the Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox,Golden Marmot, Wolf, the Ladakh Urial, the Snow Leopard, and over 124 resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include theGolden Eagle, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Indian Sparrowhawk and Snowcock.Deosai Plains make up one of the last frontiers of natural habitat for the Himalayan Brown Bear, a creature that once roamed the mountains freely. The Deosai National Park was established in 1993 to secure the survival of the bear and its habitat. Having long been a prize kill for poachers and hunters, the bear, Pakistan's largest omnivore, now has a hope for survival in Deosai where its number has increased from just 19 in 1993 to 40 in 2005.

Herodotus - 'Gold-digging ants'

Research by the French ethnologist Michel Peissel makes a claim that the story of 'Gold-digging ants'reported by the Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC, was founded on the goldenHimalayan Marmot of the Deosai plateau and the habit of local tribes such as the Minaro to collect thegold dust excavated from their burrows

Murree - Heaven on Earth

2009-09-30T02:04:00.001-07:00

Murree is a former British hill station on the border between Punjab andAzad Kashmir in Pakistan.

An American journalist Camile wrote, that, "Everything and Anything can happen in Murree. Romance is in the atmosphere; intrigue is in the air. The roads to this happy holiday's resort embrace both the heaven and earth. In Murree it is easy to fall in love".

Murree remains charming all year round. In summer it is cool - even chilly in the evening - while light rain is common. In Winter Murree hides herself under thick blanket of snow. Which proves to be an extremely attractive vacation spot for travellers.

Get in

Taxis and buses run from Islamabad, and take about 1 hour. It is a picturesque drive and has a few well developed tourist spots at Charra Pani and Company Bagh. The Chattar water park is only 15 minutes outside Islamabad. There is also an alternate but longer route to Murree from Islamabad via Nilore and Simli Dam. The alternate route joins at Lower Topa. The mountain drive is refreshing and the scenery is breath-taking especially on the Nilore-Simli-Lower Topa route.

Another two way road is constructed from toll-plaza to Pataryata, the drive is very scenic and refreshing. An link road is available for those want to go to Murree.

Get around

Murree is the administrative Headquarters of the Murree district. It is well connected by road to other towns of the area. These small towns are Khanspur, Ghora Gali, Sunny Bank, Jhika Gali, Bhurban, Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Kalabagh and Patriata. Murree is also linked by road to the larger towns of Islamabad, Muzafarabad and Abbotabad.

The best option is to travel by own car. Public transport ( buses, taxis and vans ) are readily available but would be generally crowded.

Except for the Islamabad-Murree highway all other roads are single / two lane roads and the driver should be conversant with mountain driving skills.

The nearest air link is Islamabad International Airport and the nearest rail Link is at Rawalpindi Cantonment Station.

If you are to hire a taxi from Islamabad to Murree you need to pay just Rs.400 and the taxi will drop you from Faizabad to Murree and if you want it double way you may even get it in Rs.700 for Islamabad-Murree round trip. If you are to go by bus you have to pay just Rs.40 As one way fare.

Do

The main attractions of Murree are its natural scenery and refreshing atmosphere. It is an ideal place for a family get away and vacation. With its many places of interests like Patriata, Ayubia, Nathia Gali, Bhurban, Khanspur it offers many spots for picnics, mountain hiking and trekking. The best of these treks is from Dunga Gali to Murree on the water pipeline. The Golf Course at Bhurban is unique because of its altitude and tough layout. The area around Patriata has been developed and provides excellent hiking and trekking paths. It also has a scenic two stage cable car that would take the tourists up to the top. Those not interested in waiting in the queue for the ride can drive up to the Patriata top.

Buy

Murree has a variety of handicraft shops selling curios for the tourist to remind them of their visit to this hill station. Traditional clothing items , head wear, carved walking sticks, jewelery items and leather goods are abundantly available.

Also visit Millenium Mall - on main Mall road, next to Usmania Restaurant. A complete shopping mall with every kind of multinational brands in cosmetics, clothing, shoes, grocery, watches, leather, restaurants, coffee, ice cream parlors, sweets from all over the world, some of famous names are KFC, Pizza Hut, Indulge coffee shop, Nirala sweets, Gucci, Emporio Armani, Nike, Addidas, Piere Cardin, Rado, Tissot, Victoria Secrets, and many more have already got outlets in this mall. 1st floor is only for joy land amusement park for children.

Eat

There are many restaurants in Murree, mostly along The Mall. One very popular restaurant is called Al-mai-dah.

'Fuschia Restaurant' near Kashmir Point just before the Governors House is a newly opened restaurant. It offers a mix of English, Pakistani, Italian, etc. The Restaurant also has thrilling games for children such as a Jumping Castle, Trampoline, battery powered cars and an Arcade.

Red Onion Chain of Restaurants situated on the main mall road, stands one of the most modern restaurant in Murree. Established in 1993, pioneer to 'Buy one Pizza & Get the second one Absolutely FREE' this restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines not offered anywhere else in the vicinity i.e Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Pakistani & Continental. Prices are very moderate, ambiance is modern & customer service is very friendly! Other branches of Red Onion; Nathia gali, Abottabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Rawal Dam & Karachi.

Saffron: An elegantly decorated restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Saffron offered the ultimate personalized culinary experience. The menu is a blend of continental and local favorites including our very own rendition of the ever-popular chicken karahi and chicken makhani. Saffron lies overlooking crisscrossing paths, beautiful hills and valleys. The restaurants outdoor patio allows you to dine under the roof of the world , in the most breathing natural surroundings our part of the world has to offer.

The Huqqa Pani Lounge with its gracious old world charm serves a variety of fruit flavored tobacco or sheesha. Apart from the shakes and drinks, the room offers a wonderful and relaxing atmosphere with a glorious view of Murree and the surrounding hills.

KFC, Millenium Mall Murree at the end of Mall road

Angeethi - the Grill is located adjacent to the Huqqa Pani lounge and follows the same earthen traditional theme. So after relaxing in the lounge, you can come and watch our chefs prepare a variety of mouthwatering barbeque dishes. The beautiful backdrop and the traditional ambience , combined with the delicious food make dining at The Grill an occasion to remember.

Drink

Hard liquor is only available to foreign passport holders at PC Bhurban hotel. However night receptionists at nearly all hotels are able to arrange some stuff for a little consideration. There are no bars and pubs where liquor is otherwise sold.

Health and medication

There are many well equipped medical centres in Murree and surrounding which can always provide you with basic medical treatement,like Abbasi hospital at Suny Bank,Tariq medical centre Bhurban,alshafa clinic Murree and many more.Along with these medical centres there is a military hospital "CMH" situated on Murree mallroad.So you donot need to worry for medical treatement in case of any emergency while visitin Murree and surroundings.

Sleep

Murree being a well established tourist destination has a wide variety of lodgings available to suit all pockets. The top of the line is the 5*Pearl-Continental Hotel at Bhurban. However PC Bhourban is 25 minutes drive away from Murree proper. Other good standard hotels are available in Murree proper besides a number of other hired lodgings of various standards. Another option is to hire summer houses. Murree also has a number of private and government owned rest houses or Dak bunglows. Generally the summer season rates are 5 to 6 times the winter off season rate.

There are a lot of hotels and restaurants on Mall Road Murree. In May 2007, Usmania Restaurant charged us Rs.3500 for five triple bedrooms. They serve good Pakistani cuisine as well.

Shangrila Resort Hotel Murree, adjacent to the Punjab House on Lawrence College Road in Murree is fabulous and a bit eccentric. Standard rooms begin at 7,000 PR, the Executive Suite (recommended) is 10,000 PR, and the Deluxe Room is 15,000 PR, Family Suite 2-Bed Rs. 8000.00 PR, Family Suite 4-Bed Rs. 12000.00 PR, Deluxe Room Rs. 15000.00 PR, Deluxe Suite Rs. 20000.00 PR. A nice and quiet get-away high up in the pine trees, Shangrila has a full restaurant, a grill, a tobacco bar, and a billiards room. Located near the shopping and commercial districts, as well as the famous Mall Road. Saffron all-day fine dining restaurant, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets as well as an extensive ‘a la carte menu with an emphasis on natural and fresh ingredients. Full Service Restaurant, BBQ-Buffet Restaurant, Lounge for Family Re-Unions and Private Gatherings, Dining and Entertainment facilities, as well as several individual cottages, which are located in a secluded corner of the premises.

PC Bhurban The top of the line is the 5* Pearl-ContinentalHotel at Bhurban. However PC Bhourban is 25 minutes drive away from Murree proper.

34 Morning Side designer hotel Nestled in the Murree Hills, 34 Morning Side is situated in the posh Kashmir Point area, 50 meters from the Governor’s Residence. The suites are fully-equiped with internet, flat-screen television, mini-bar, etc. The hotel also has an amazing terrace, gym, pool table, foosball, caram board, etc. It also houses a mini-cinema. This brand-new designer hotel has everything you can imagine. Check out the website for further details.

Murree Holidays (Murree Apartments), Mount view road Cecil Hotel Murree (5 Minutes walk from Murree Bus stant), ☎ +92 322 500 0106, checkin: 4:00 PM; checkout: 12:00 Noon.Amurree.com is the first service in Murree to provide online reservatin and booking. It is situated in main city with beautiful mountains and landscape PKR 1000/night. edit
Cecil Hotel, Cart Road, ☎ 0513411131-32-34

2009-09-30T01:07:00.000-07:00

Ayubia National Park is located in NWFP, Pakistan. It is a small natural park located at 26 km from the Murree hill station established in 1984. It has been developed as a resort complex from a combination of four mini resorts of Khaira Gali, Changla Gali, Khanspur andGhora Dhaka in Galyat. Ayubia was named after President Ayub Khan.

Standing at some 26 kilometers from the tourist hotbed of Murree Hill Station, over 100,000 tourists flock to Ayubia National Park and the places around every year. It is well known for its picnic spots.

Facilities

Since there are 7 villages and 4 major towns around it, and since this area attracts a very large number of tourists annually, there is a large number of hotels and restaurants around the park.

In addition to riding trails, hiking places, picnic spots and motels, there is a chairlift in the central place of Ayubia that takes the tourists to a nearby summit for a view of the forested hills. This chairlift was the first recreation facility of its kind in Pakistan and is still a major attraction for domestic tourists.

Climate

The climate of the park is cold in the summers, but harsh in the winters. While it remains only placidly hot in May and June, the cold sets in when the monsoons come to lash in late July and early August. In the winters cold increases in severity gradually until the West Winds bring rains, which eventually turn into snow. The park remains snow-capped through the later part of winters.

River Harnoi -Abbotabad

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River harnoi is a wonderfull picnic place and it is situated near Abbotabbad

Wonderfull Abbotabba

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Abbottabad is a city located in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan and is the third-largest city in the province after Peshawar and Mardan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, 150 km north ofIslamabad and 200 km east of Peshawar at an altitude of 4,120 feet (1,260 m). The city is well-known throughout Pakistan for its pleasant weather, high standard educational institutions and military establishments. It remains a major hub for tourism of the Northern Areas in the summer.

The city is bounded at all four sides by the Sarban hills, from which residents and tourists can see breathtaking views of the region and city. The location of the city and the hills allows Abbottabad to experience pleasant weather in the summer, and cold winters

Burn Hall

Night View

View from Shimla Mountain Top

View from Sarban Mountain Top