14 Days in heavens of Gilgit-Baltistan, A mega tour to GB

[Xoofi]

It was a long journey from Manthokha to Khaplu. It took about 4 hours to reach Khaplu from Manthokha. It was already 1 AM after reaching Khaplu.

Even the drivers were hell tired after a long drive from Deosai to Skardu to Manthokha to Khaplu.

It was a candle light dinner at Karakoram Lodges, Khaplu. It was about 2 AM by then. After the dinner, we soon retired to our rooms.

Thats the view of Karakoram Lodges next morning (19th August). Our hotel in Khaplu. Its was a great hotel and the price was also very reasonable.

Since everyone slept late so next day we were very late while leaving to Machlu village and then to Hushe Valley.

Breakfast was served in Hotel.

We left hotel of Khaplu very late. It was 1 PM when we started the journey towards Machlu village and Hushe Valley.

[Xoofi]

Soon after you leave Khaplu, there is a huge suspension bridge on Shyok River that connect Khaplu to Machlu and Hushe.

I crossed this river on foot, was a great experience.

As soon as we neared the village of Machlu, there were enormous Apricot trees along with the road. And these were fully loaded with ripen apricots. Members got excited after spotting these free fruit and ate as much as they could.

I gathered a lot of apricots to eat in Hushe

The supply is too much that most of it is wasted.

It was wheat harvesting season and the whole village was full with golden wheat everywhere. They were indeed very hardworking people.

More khoobanis

Meanwhile everyone ate apricots, the curious kids gathered around us.

One of the pehalwaan kid of Machlu

Kids came running when they saw our jeeps approaching.

Another Balti kid

NIC entry here once again.

After Machlu village, we are moving towards Hushe.

[chdemon]

buhat ala bhai (Y)

[Xoofi]

A little girl bringing grass on her back.

Village of Marzigond. In this village, there are so many schools.

One of the school of Marzigond

After Marzigond, here comes the village of Kanday. From here a trek leads to base camp of K-6

A small suspension bridge before Hushe.

Finally reached Hushe valley at 4 PM.

[mountainier]

following your thread with great anticipation as planning the same next week inshallah..... a big thumbs up and bravo ... share the costs and other detailed info also

[Xoofi]

There were so many schools in Hushe too. All the kids I met in Hushe were educated and well mannered. Loved this place.

A mosque (khanqah) in Hushe

The kids gathered around the jeeps and after spotting two big bags of Apricots, the kids told us that apricots doesn't grow in this area and they get very less chance to eat these. So we distributed all in the kids. It was a great moment of happiness while distributing among kids. There were 4 cricket teams of kids in Hushe so I also distributed 4 tennis balls among the captains. Other members also distributed some snacks, toffees, biscuits, cash. However, no kid was begging. All was given on our own happiness.

A group photo with Hushe kids.

Wheaty Mashabrum view

Mohammad Ali, a policeman in Hushe valley. Gave us a brief history about Hushe and its rulers. Also gave information about K-6 and K-7 trek.

A cute little girl, Kiran Batool

Well, the kid in red jacket and head scarf is the most clever and funter kid of Hushe Really very smart kid.

Three brothers, Mohammad Bashir, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Ali. Bashir was very intelligent kid and he was among toppers in his school. He spent a lot of time with me and also brought dried peas for me from his home.

A guest house in Hushe

Group members with Little Kareem, a famous mountaineer (now retired) from Hushe.

Finally lunch was served in Hushe.

It was already 7 PM+ when we started the return journey towards Khaplu. We reached Khaplu at around 10:30 PM

After dinner, another shisha session was done and then everyone retired to their rooms somewhere after midnight.

[Xoofi]

Next day (20th August), all the members woke up early and visited Khaplu palace and Khanqah-e-Chaqchan mosque but I was too sleepy and skipped its visit. What a pity

We left Khaplu at around 11 AM to reach Skardu city.

Khaplu is a big city with modern banking facilities, big stores and schools.

It was school off timing and we spotted school going kids every where. It was really good to see education at its best in Gilgit-Baltistan.

More school kids.

Meanwhile the wheat harvesting continued en route.

Thats the mighty Shyok river. I was amazed by its size, its quite big river.

A roadside waterfall in completely barren mountains.

A group photo of our team at Ghowari.
From left to right:
1) Asghar Khan: Jeep Driver, From Chalt, Hunza-Nagar
2) Chacha Haji: Jeep Driver, From Phunder, Ghizer
3) Arif Ali: Jeep Driver, From Chalt, Hunza-Nagar
4) Tahir (aka Disco): Jeep Driver, From Bargo, Gilgit
5) Toqir Ahmed: Owner of Indus Exploration & Logistics, A Gilgit based tour operator. He is nephew of Rehmat Nabi (Raikoti) and lives in Jutial, Gilgit
6) Shukrullah: Cook, From Hussainabad, Hunza-Nagar. He was a lucky survivor of Nanga Parbat base camp massacre.
7) Naib: Cook, From Hussainabad, Hunza-Nagar

A dust storm

Check post before entering Skardu district from Ghangche district.

Yadgaar chowk, Skardu city

Reached Baltistan Continental Hotel on Benazir Road, Skardu at 4 PM. After getting a little rest, our next destination was Kharpocho Fort.

[gemini85]

nicely described.keep it up

[ism1]

koi break shreak nahi hoga Sufyan dear, very fast moving thread as was ur trip !!!

[Xoofi]

At about 5:15, we left our hotel in Skardu to visit Kharpocho Fort. Spotted a rainbow, it was beautiful but that was all I could capture with a point and shoot

Steep hike towards the fort.

Getting on top of Skardu

Beautiful Indus and Skardu

Finally Kharphocho Fort in sight after a 20 minute steep hike

But the fort was a big disappointment. There were just 3-4 rooms and a bit of clearing.

Helipad at Kharpocho

Polo match going in Skardu city.

Beautiful sun rays hitting the mountain top.

While returning back, a boy gave us figs from the tree in his house. These were the sweetest figs I ever ate.

Football match in Skardu.

[Xoofi]

koi break shreak nahi hoga Sufyan dear, very fast moving thread as was ur trip !!!

Haha.. Sir mai ne kaha aik dafa hee pura post kar doon.. bar baar kahan time milta hai

[aesiege]

Finally reached Tareshing at around 4 PM. A lot of time was wasted en route for photo sessions. We had to camp in premesis of this hotel as you can't camp here in open. However, for many group members, it was kind of luxury so they abandoned the camping and booked rooms in the hotel. In the end, only 9 out of 23 members ended up camping, rest members booked rooms (Btw, I camped too )

We had 6 camps here last night (15th)

[Xoofi]

After coming down from Kharpocho Fort, Some of the members wanted to try some local delicacy. So about 10 people decided to visit a hotel named Deewan-e-Khas on a local's recommendation.

Ordered some trout. It was delicious.

And Chicken Mushkoot. In this dish, chicken is cooked in walnut gravy. A slight bitter walnuty taste to it. But it was good.

After having dinner, we did a long walk from Deewan-e-Khas to our hotel on Benazir Road. It was great to watch the peace of this city.

After reaching our hotel, there was a small gathering on hotel's rooftop along with sheesha session. The moon was great that night and below was the most perfect shot of the moon from my camera. Around 1 AM, we retired to our rooms to sleep.

[arfanmahmood1]

Very nice thread. You sum up all your tour in just few pages and details with pics are excellent. Mazza ah gaya

[mubbi]

great stuff yar, you described your thread in a very good way and the pics are awesome as well but the most important thing is you uploaded in an unbelievbly quick manner

[Xoofi]

On the morning of 21st August, we left Skardu around 10 AM. Today's final destination was Gilgit after covering both Kachura Lakes.

Passing Cadet College Skardu.. Kaash idhar admission le lia hota

Mighty Indus besides Skardu-KKH road

After reaching Shangrila Resorts

A great resort but was not my cup of tea. Don't like the commercialization in wilderness.

Grapes in Shangrila

Refreshments were served here.

A heart type shape in clouds

Trout farms

Trouts can be seen swimming around.

[mountainier]

dewan e khas is a great eating place probably one of the best eating place of GB

had a sumptous dinner back in 2009

great going

[Xoofi]

After reaching Upper Kachura. A little trek leads to the lake.

Moving towards Upper Kachura Lake

A small hotel. Here the fishing rods were available and the trout was cheaper too but we didn't have much time

Finally the Upper Kachura Lake is in sight.

These trees stand inside the lake.

Lets boat a little. I wanted to do some paddle boating but the condition of their boat wasn't good so I passed.

Other people enjoyed motor boating, but it moved with a snail's speed. It took 45 minutes for their return journey.

A fly on a flower. A pic taken while going back towards the jeeps.

View of Shangrila Resorts from up.

Finally hit the Skardu-KKH Road again for a long and tiring journey towards Gilgit.

[ifoo_786]

Awesome pics yaarraa

[emmaar]

Great tour Xoofi...and very well described.
Plz reduce the per post attachments as it took a long time to open the page.