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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. |
