Day 4: Naran to Gilgit

Date: 18th September 2015
After spending two wonderful days at Naran, during which we visited Saiful Muluk Lake, Lalazar, Batakundi, and Kunhar River also roamed in Naran Bazar, now is the time to move toward Gilgit. Gilgit is the Capital city, of the most spectacular part of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty, the Gilgit-Baltistan. It is at a distance of 250 KM from Naran and it is the region where world’s three mightiest mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayas – meets. Godwin Austen or K-2 (world’s second heights, peak) along with five out of the fourteen highest mountains are located in Gilgit-Baltistan region. Some of the largest glaciers outside Polar Regions are also part of this region. This area is filled with the Beautiful landscape, unique cultural heritage and rich biological diversity and also holds a deep cultural heritage and a diversity of rare fauna and vegetation.

The 8-hour journey took off on the same road that leads toward Batakundi, the same place from where a road goes to Lalazar. The road is metaled and well-constructed, there were waterfalls, steel & wooden bridges, shops and houses on the route. After crossing Batakundi we spotted a remaining part of Glacier, this glacier is formed during the winter season, but as this is the end of summer season only small part of this glacier remain. This is the first time in our life that we took in a glacier. We went along after taking some photos at this place.

Part of glacier on the way to Chillas

Part of glacier on the way to Chillas
We were having an awesome drive along the beautiful valley and after almost an hour of drive, our jeep stops at a spot called Jalkhad. It is an area where at one side of the road is High Mountain and on the other side is Kunhar River, with its fresh and clear water flowing toward Naran. We were told by our jeep driver that we will stop here for 10 to 15 minutes as he requires to hold teatime. We also resolved to deliver tea to such marvelous spot.
At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

At Jalkhad

After having tea and using up some photographs our journey once more started toward Chillas, Chillas is a town between Naran and Gilgit. It is a point at which the Mansehra-Naran-Chillas highway connects with Karakorum Highway, with hotels, restaurant, and marketplace this town serves as the short-term stop or even for a night stay for those travelling on Karakorum Highway.

In this area there are many lakes and the two most popular lakes, the Payala (Bowl) lake because of its appearance that resembles a bowl and the Lulusar Lake, passes along the itinerary we are travelling along. After a 2 km drive we stop to view the Payala Lake, the lake is deep down from the road but it can be seen. Another lake that rests on this route is Lulusar Lake. Lulusar is a group of mountain peaks and a lake in the Kaghan Valley. At 11,190 ft. it is the primary headwaters of Kunhar River, and is some 48 kilometers from Naran, on the road ascending toward Babusar. With mirror-like water reflecting the surrounding snowcapped Lulusar Mountains, it is believed the biggest lake in the Kaghan Valley.
Payala Lake (Jalkhad)

Lulusar Lake (Jalkhad)

Lulusar Lake (Jalkhad)

Lulusar Lake (Jalkhad)

Lulusar Lake (Jalkhad)

Lulusar Lake (Jalkhad)


Lulusar Lake (Jalkhad)

The road to Chillas goes above the mountains and passes through the highest point in Kaghan Valley, the Babusar Pass, which is the highest peak in the Kaghan Valley (13,700 ft.). Equally, we were going upward on the mountain the weather is getting colder & colder. Riding for almost 5 hours, we reached the Babusar Pass. We were told by our jeep driver that this place has frequent snowfall and rain all around the year, except for winter when it is completely blocked. At the time when we were on that point, the weather was sunny but windy and the temperature was very low making us feel really cold.
Babusar Pass
Babusar Pass

Babusar Pass

Babusar Pass

Babusar Pass

Babusar Pass

Babusar Pass

We are at the highest peak of this route, now the road toward Chillas started ascending. Our journey along the beautiful route continued until we reached ‘Dalain’ and we settled to end there for tea. Having tea and snacks at the river bank in this cold weather makes us feel so fresh. The place is amazing and the surrounding was breathtaking.
Dalain

Dalain

Dalain

Dalain

Dalain


Dalain

Running up & down, left & right, crossing bridges & water flowing along the road from the mountains, mesmerizing the green plains, the trees and the potato & corn crops harvested by the locals we reach Chillas in 6 hours. We have turned over half way of our journey and stop for a lunch in a local eatery. We stay there for an hour and had Biryani for the lunch. Our jeep driver took the jeep to a nearby shop for some maintenance and we stretched our legs in the hall of the motel. Chillas is a town serving as the lodging and resting area for those travelling on Karakorum Highway, the Highway is connecting Pakistan and China. The weather at Chillas was too hot, but we were prosperous as the motel hall was air conditioned.
Chillas

Chillas

Chillas

Chillas

There are many wonders along the road we were traveling toward Gilgit. The first one is just outside Chillas, called Tata Pani. These are a series of hot water streams running from the mountains. The water is so hot that steam can be seen evaporating along the main road. For a moment, we looked into the water and go on toward Gilgit.

Smoothly and comfortably traveling on the route, we get to an awesome place in Thalichi area, the Nanga Parbat Viewpoint. From this spot on a clear day, one can view the Peak of Nanga Parbat Mountain. Nanga Parbat at the height of 26,660 ft. above sea level is the ninth highest mountain in the world. It is the western anchor of the Himalayas around which the Indus River skirts into the plains of Pakistan. The impression after looking at the mighty Nanga Parbat is unexplainable. We simply stand on that point and keep on staring at it for a long time.

The Mighty Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat View Point


Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Nanga Parbat View Point

Except for some patches the Karakorum Highway is marvelously constructed. We have been going for about 9 hours starting from Naran, and 4 Hours from Chillas. After stopping at Nanga Parbat View Point and the famous Rai Kot Bridge, the road that leads to Nanga Parbat Base Camp, Fairy Meadows, we arrived at our next stay at the Confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers. At this point, the Indus River meets the Gilgit River. The Indus is 3,200 km long, making it the 3rd longest river in Asia and the 21st longest in the world. It enters Pakistan flowing northwestwards in Baltistan, having already travelled nearly a 1,000 km from its source near Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailas in Tibet, China passes through Ladakh along the path.
Gilgit is the river that originates from the Shandur Lake at a height of approximately 12,000 foot. This river is a tributary of the Indus River and flows past the town of Gilgit. Gilgit River is also referred to as the Ghizar River.

Another wonder that also exists at this place is where the three mightiest mountain ranges of the world converge. The Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayan ranges meet here at the confluence of the Indus and Gilgit rivers. East across the Indus is the Himalaya; the Karakoram in the North and in the West the Hindukush.

The Himalaya, is about 2,400 km long, runs through Pakistan, India, China, Bhutan and Nepal. The Karakoram, 500 km long, lies mostly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The 966 km long Hindukush range straddles both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers

Confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers

Hindukush Ranges

The Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayan ranges meet here

The Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayan ranges meet here

The Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayan ranges meet here

Himalayan Ranges

The Mighty River Indus

Karakoram Highway at Confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers

The Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayan ranges meet here

Confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers 
The Mighty River Indus

Himalayan Ranges

Karakoram Ranges

After spending about 10 hours on the road, we arrived at our today’s destination Gilgit. Gilgit is a big city and there was lots of traffic. There are many Hotels and Restaurants in Gilgit both budget and high class. We prefer to stay at Jamal Hotel on Airport Road. It is a good budget hotel with courteous and caring staff. The room was neat and comfortable too and also has free internet connection. In that respect is beside a local market near the hotel where we roamed around after checking-in at the hotel. We had dinner at a local restaurant in the marketplace before arriving back to the hotel to catch some Z's.
Naran to Chillas

Naran Glacier, Payala Lake, Lulusar Lake

Babusar Pass

Chillas to Gilgit
The Confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers
Meeting Point of the Karakoram, the Hindukush and the Himalayan Ranges 
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