THIRD (3) DAY - JULY 28 , 2015 Continue - -
The PTDC motel Hunza is in Alaiabd on Main KKH
Aliabad* is the administrative and commercial center of the*Hunza–Nagar District*of*Gilgit–Baltistan,Pakistan*(formerly in the*State of Hunza,Northern Areasof Pakistan).
The town is located in a relatively wide section of the*Hunza Valley, in the northeastern corner of*the Karakoram range, between two forks of the*Hunza River. In May 2010 government officials warned that the nearby*Attabad lake*was close to flooding the area.[1]
Like most localities in Hunza–Nagar, Aliabad lies along the*Karakoram Highway, which crosses this mountainous district.
Karimabad is bit high on mountain slopes and most commonly known as the Hunaz
it’s the residential piont of Mir of Hunza - Both the famous Forts Altit and baltit are there
al-most all hotels , resturant's and local hartiage shops are there
The main bazar is attraction of tourists , where various shops sells traditional things like Shawls , caps , dress
embroided dress, dry fruits , carved wood patterns and lot of other things
The most famous thing in this market is GEM'S of hunza , in various forms from Raw stone to jewellary is there
and lot of tourists gather on each shop , But the qaullity and pureness are questionable
Most of the resturants are in the Mian Bazar of Karimabad and from Burgers to the Typical local dishes are
avaiable there
Karimabad*(Urdu:كريم آباد) is the capital ofHunza Valley*in*Gilgit-Baltistan, northern*Pakistan. Karimabad is also known as*Baltit. It is named after*Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual head of*Shia*Ismaili*Nizari*community.The Guardianranked it as the 12th Best Tourist Site in Pakistan
There are some good caf? - which erves the local dishes like
Hidden Paradise Resutuarant
A must visit restaurant if you want to taste local cuisine. All dishes are prepared fresh on order with home grown organic ingredients. Hunza food are generally non-spicy but they ask if you like your food spicy and spice up the food a little or suggest which dish would be palatable for people from south of Pakistan.*
Like it's name it was hidden from the main road and if we were not told about it we couldn't find it on our own. It's at two minutes walk from Cafe D Hunza and some 10 minutes walk from Hunza Serena Inn. The place has a rustic look. It is managed by a family, father mostly cooks and his very polite and educated sons help in the service.
Than from the bazar of katimabad you take the stone made path rising among the houses of local population
which is tough climb for families , so take your time enjoy the beautiful views all around and move on up
Rakaposhi in full view on one side - deran peak on the other and and if you look above the karimabad you can see Ultar Peak
and a gimpse of Lady finger peak
Baltit Fort*or*Balti Fort*is an ancient fort in the*Hunza valley*in*Gilgit-Baltistan,*Pakistan. Founded in the 1st CE, since 2004, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list.[1]
In the past, the survival of the feudal regime of*Hunza*was ensured by the impressive*Baltit fort, which overlooks*Karimabad. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the local prince married a princess from*Baltistan*who brought master*Balti*craftsmen to renovate the building as part of herdowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of buddhist*Tibetan*influence in Baltistan at the time.
The*Mirs of Hunza*abandoned the fort in 1945, and moved to a new palace down the hill. The fort started to decay which caused concern that it might possibly fall into ruin. Following a survey by the*Royal Geographical Society*of London a restoration programme was initiated and supported by the*Aga Khan Trust for Culture*Historic Cities Support Programme. The programme was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.
The currving stone path move up and up and few places it is covered by the local house build over it
house are made of stones and some are very old - some have very good patterens made
some have been decortaed many plants and flowers
all along the path various types of shops are there , selling various tradional items
where there come the open spaces there are fruit tress , some having raw fruits some ready to be pick and some are barren as the fruit is
pluched from there
tourists while moving up keep licking the fruits and have the delecious taste
But dew to this the trees near the path and bushes fallng near have been all barren as the approahable fruit is taken away
here you can have the help of locals , who are normally very cooperative specially chlideren , who love to goes up the tress
and pluck fruit for the visitors and if you offer money they refuse and take it on insistance
On the way up to fort - the cutural side and important places in the life of the people oh hunza are highlghted
one such place is the playground , where normally Foot ball is going on , this ground is used for various
local functions also
than there is local community hall , where various local functions of the Hunza people are held , when we reach there
a Meeriage cermony was going on , and ladies member of were allowed to go to ladies side and see the tradionla
Bride and we meet bridegrrom and offered local sweets
Than there is a place , where sone stone benches are placed and you can see nad meet some old Hunza Baba jees
sitting there - it is called the Drawing room of Hunza ( Karimabad) - now on decline
Previously one can have all the informations and news of karimabad here but now chnaging times and technology
have its effects
Almost at last turn on the climbing path came a two way --
mian turn keeps going up towrdas the Baltit Fort
the turn to left take you to the track of Ultar glacier and Ultar meadows and base camp of Ultar peak
Now on the last turn you take and look up and the Fort is there rising to the sky and back ground filed with
Ultar Peak - what a view
Baltit Fort*or*Balti Fort*is an ancient fort in the*Hunza valley*in*Gilgit-Baltistan,*Pakistan. Founded in the 1st CE, since 2004, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list.[1]
In the past, the survival of the feudal regime of*Hunza*was ensured by the impressive*Baltit fort, which overlooks*Karimabad. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the local prince married a princess from*Baltistan*who brought master*Balti*craftsmen to renovate the building as part of herdowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of buddhist*Tibetan*influence in Baltistan at the time.
The*Mirs of Hunza*abandoned the fort in 1945, and moved to a new palace down the hill. The fort started to decay which caused concern that it might possibly fall into ruin. Following a survey by the*Royal Geographical Society*of London a restoration programme was initiated and supported by the*Aga Khan Trust for Culture*Historic Cities Support Programme. The programme was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.
