Asslam-o-Alykum
Over the years i had traveled to places like Giliat, Swat, Naran, Poonch valley AJK but this year i planned to explore Gilgit Baltistan the most prestigious travel spot in our country. As Gilgit was long distance from Lahore and I had never traveled there so I decided not to take my car and planned to go by air. So one month ahead of tour, I took leaves from office for first week of September and with the help of a friend who is travel agent I booked Islamabad to Gilgit flight dated 31.08.2016 and return flight from Skardu to Islamabad dated 05.09.2016 for myself, my wife and my 15 month old son.
Tour Details:
DAY 1: 31.08.2016
We went to Islamabad from Lahore on bus. We reached Islamabad airport got boarding pass and 10 minutes afterwards PIA cancelled flight due to bad weather and they arranged booking for us in next morning flight. So we took luggage and spent night at rest house near blue area. Due to a day wasted we had to skip Naltar valley.
Day 2: 01.09.2016
Next morning well before flight time we reached Islamabad Airport got boarding pass and flew to Gilgit Airport. The plane was 38 seater ATR-42 which flew at maximum height of 18000 feet and had some serious stability issues. The Pilot briefed us about all the major spots we flew above like lake Saiful malook, Babusar top, Nanga Parbat. After 45 minutes we first landed at Skardu airport as it was a transit flight. Then again took off for 20 minute flight towards Gilgit airport. After reaching Gilgit we went to PTDC Gilgit eat breakfast and hired a Taxi driver for whole tour and left for Karimabad. We spent some time on Rakaposhi view point and few other spots. My family was very tired so after reaching Karimabad we quickly got a reasonable room for stay.
Day 3: 02.09.2016
We got up early in the morning and went to Altit, Baltit Fort, Gojal lake and Borith Lake. Then in evening we went to Gilgit city spent some time at Gilgit river and got a good room for stay.
Day 4: 03.09.2016
We got up early and started our journey towards Skardu via Astore before dawn. At dawn we reached Bunji which is junction of three mountain ranges and two rivers. Then we reached Juglot from where we ate breakfast and continued our journey towards Astore.
At 10am we reached Rama, thereafter valley started to open and greenery also increased. Three hours later we reached Chilum and started ascend towards Deosai. The whole area of Chilum is lush green and very scenic. At 2pm we reached Sheosar lake, went to bara pani and had lunch and spent some time at various spots. Then we started our journey towards Skardu and reached Satpara lake at maghrib time. Half an hour later we reached Skardu after tiring 14 hours journey. We got to hotel and went to sleep immediately.
Day 5: 04.09.16
We got up at 10am and had breakfast then travelled to Shigar cold desert, Shigar Fort, Satpara lake, Lower Kachura lake and upper Kachura Lake.
Day 6: 05.09.16
Got to Skardu airport flew to Islamabad, went to Lahore via bus.