Northern Areas of Pakistan (Deosai, Skardu, Rakaposhi) Photo Gallery by Waqas Usman at pbase.com

Nanga Parbat 2005 | Taxila - Indus Valley Civlization - NWFP, Pakistan | Government College University, Lahore (GCU, formerly GC) - Punjab, Pakistan | Garhi Habibullah Khan and Muzaffarabad - NWFP & AJK, Pakistan | Kaghan Valley, Lake Saiful Mulook and Malika Parbat - NWFP, Pakistan | Good old Lahore - Punjab, Pakistan | Northern Areas of Pakistan (Deosai, Skardu, Rakaposhi) | Quetta to Lahore Jan '06 - Balochistan, Pakistan | Malam Jabba 2005 - Swat Valley, NWFP, Pakistan | Manora Island Beach - Karachi, Pakistan | Mangla Dam Trip - March 2002 - AJK, Pakistan | Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan | Maps of Pakistan

Northern Areas of Pakistan (Deosai, Skardu, Rakaposhi)

These are the photos from my 2002 trip to Gilgit, Rakaposhi (7,788 m, Karakoram, #27 in the world and #12 in Pakistan), Skardu, Satpara Lake, Kachura Lake, Shangrila Lake and Deosai Plains. The journey from Islamabad to Gilgit takes 18-24 hours (depending on the circumstances, and your luck, it's not uncommon for landslides to block the road for hours, although they're cleared as soon as possible). Gilgit and Skardu are two main hubs for all trekking expeditions in Northern Areas. PIA flies regular flights on Gilgit-Islamabad-Gilgit and Skardu-Islamabad-Skardu routes (about 50 minute flights) but these flights are also subject to weather clearance, and in winters flights can be delayed for days.

:: From Islamabad to Gilgit ::	:: To Rakaposhi and Back ::	:: Panoramas at Rakaposhi's base camp ::	:: Skardu, Kachura and Shangrilla ::
:: Satpara Lake ::	:: Deosai Plains ::	:: Trishing and back to Gilgit ::	:: Last Day at Gilgit ::
:: On the way to Lahore ::

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SHAHID CHAUDHRY		19-Jun-2009 09:41
WONDERFULL, I AM SO HAPPY TO VIEW THESE PICTURES, SO MUCH GOOD EFFORTS OF YOURS, KEEP IT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Naeem Rana		11-Jun-2009 07:18
its very amazing and the area is no doubt a gift of almight Allah.

Saima Ikram		07-Jun-2009 04:39
awesome pics... great job.. keep it up

zahid		09-May-2009 15:44
skardu is a very beautiful city there people is very good and have good and bright mand i love this city skardu is a part of paradise.

TARIQ JOHAR H@RI		20-Jan-2009 21:35
SKARDU IS ONE OF NATURAL PARADISE .ITS GIFT OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE OF SKARDU ITS TRADITIONS , PLACES ,PEOPLES ALL R BEST .

usman		14-Jan-2009 03:15
very great and very...................................................................BEAUTIFUL i wish to travel on these roads and rocks feer kadon ja ray o????????????????????????????????

Natasha Rupani		10-Dec-2008 23:12
I would like to invite you to visit our website for Rupani Foundation, NGO that works in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, www.RupaniFoundation.org. We provide valuable skills and education to help develop the economies and better the quality of lives for the people in Northern Areas Pakistan.

Arif Wattoo		04-Sep-2008 17:36
Briefly very nice.There is no alternative to these places in the world.Dear waqas there is a suggestion that we should establish some group that will promote tourisim in Pakistan and explore the unexplored areas of Pakistan for the whole world. Is there anyone who would like to join me and form agroup? arifwattoo@ymail.com

barbie		22-Aug-2008 18:31
very nice awsome pictures.

BABU BAYI		08-Aug-2008 06:10
ABOUT NOTHERN TRAVEL You may travel by aero-plan, by bus or by train but traveling by horse is unique one, especially on the mountainous region. Horse is beautiful animal but expensive to keep it. Horse has been used only for ridding, war and traveling in the pastime. Horse has a vital role in the Northern Area’s culture on the North part of Pakistan. The Polo is national game of this region and could be played by horses. In the North of Pakistan people now use the horses for ridding, polo game and for loading too. In the summer the people on the mountains change their pasturelands with cows, sheep, goats and camps, so they use horses and yaks to transport the loads. The YAK is dweller of mountain and is a fierce looking shaggy creature, similar to cow and have been found in the North part of Pakistan. Especially yaks have been found in the Upper Hunza Valley- Gojal, Skardu, Chitral region. Yaks have been used as a source of milk, beef, wools and carrying the loads to the mountains in the pastures and also for ridding on the mountains. “NORTH PAKISTAN TREKS, TOURS AND EXPEDITIONS” is pleased to offer you different programs of Horse ridding in various regions of Northern Areas of Pakistan. These areas, in the North of Pakistan are known for natural beauty and invigorating climate. They are snow-bound for the most part of the year, so the modern life has not affected their original form. In fact the most inhabitants living in these areas are mostly friendly, shy and innocent to to-days world. Everywhere you will find hospitable people welcoming you to their homes. Visiting to these areas also offers a unique experience of stepping back in the time because in most of the valleys people live to day the man lived centuries ago, free of all complications which are generally faced by the competitive life of modern city dwellers. We may arrange the Polo” The king of the games and game if the kings” in Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu, which is actually originated in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. And developed int

BABU BAYI		08-Aug-2008 06:07
Shina is a Dardic Language spoken by 321,000 people in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan in Ishkoman and Yasin Valley and in parts of Hunza. Spoken in Northern Areas including Gilgit District, scattered villages in Yasin and Ishkoman valleys, Punial, Gilgit, Haramosh, lower Hunza Valley; Diamer District, Chilas area, Darel and Tangir valleys, Astor Valley; scattered areas of Baltistan District, Satpara, Kharmang, Kachura, and other small valleys; NWFP, east part of Kohistan District, Sazin, Harban. Also spoken in India.

BABU ASTORI		08-Aug-2008 05:57
MINOR LANGUAGES & DEAD LANGUAGES OF PAKISTAN MINOR LANGUAGES: Besides the smaller languages and dialects, there are several minor languages that are spoken in very remote areas of Pakistan, with relatively very small number of speakers. These languages, nevertheless, are part of the cultural heritage of Pakistan and need to be documented and preserved. Most of these languages have remained in isolation and thus the effects of urbanization [in specific] and globalization [in general] have not reached them yet. Aer Badeshi Bagri Balti Bateri Bhaya Brahui Burushaski Chilisso Dameli Dehwari Dhatk Domaaki Gawar-Bati Gawri Ghera Goaria Gowro Gujari Gurgula Hazaragi Jadgali Jandavra Kabutra Kachchi Kalami Kalasha Kalkoti Kam-Kataviri Kamviri Kati Khetrani Khowar Kohistani Koli, Kachi Koli, Parkari Koli, Wadiyara Kundal Shahi Lasi Loarki Marwari Marwari Memoni Od Ormuri Pahari-Potwari Phalura Sansi Savi Shina Shina, Kohistani Torwali Ushojo Vaghri Wakhi Waneci Yidgha DEAD LANGUAGES OF PAKISTAN: Pakistan is not only home to some of the most ancient languages of the world but also a breeding ground to a horde of languages brought by invaders from all sides. Linguistically, therefore, Pakistan is influenced by two directions: India – because of the roots of its Dravidian and Indo-Aryan languages; and Middle East – because of the scripts and vocabulary of Arabic and Persian. The original Dravidian and Indo-Aryan languages of Indus Valley Civilization are dead now, but have left profound influence on all major languages of Pakistan. Some of those non-existent languages of that glorious past are mentioned here. 1: Dravidian 2: Dardic 3: Indic 4: Sanskrit 5: Vrachda

Eid Ali		15-Jul-2008 10:32
Salam to all pakistanies and i belong to gilgit, and my friend are to wish to visit the northren ares

Ghulam Abbas		28-Apr-2008 02:04
Being a resident of Nothern areas (Ghizer), i m grateful to the team of this web page for their splended effort. Yet there are many areas to be explored espacialy the utter lake,baboser lake and Chanter velley of Ishkoman. let us explore more the visible aspect of Creator i.e the natural beauty.

Zain Ali		16-Apr-2008 11:48
AoA to all and special thanks to Waqas bhai, Dear Waqas bhai, I have visited Kalam Velley 3 times and also Kaghan Naran Velley 3 times. I want to explore more places. Please send me a mail with a detail plan of 8 days visit with maximum coverage of Northern areas. Remember we are just 2 friends from Lahore which are willing to visit. My Email address is zainbaba_withlove@hotmail.com I hope you will not dissapoint me Waiting for you email which will contain maximum details Best regards, Zain Ali

Waqar Hasan		08-Apr-2008 06:36
I feel pleasure in viewing all the pics given by you. In fact these pics took me back to the northern areas in my thouights because i have the most wonderful experience of staying there for 6 years. I appreciate ur skill and passion to discover the heaven in Pakistan.

Anwar ul Haq		06-Apr-2008 17:17
Well done Waqas & team. It's a great effort by you. I'm so excited to see this web page on Pakistan. Continue with the good work. May Allah reward you for your good work.

SABIR ALI SHAH		26-Jan-2008 20:12
If some one ask me what do u like on this almighty planet of almighty,my answer will definitly be,"the natural land scapes and big mountains".And if some budy is yet to visit northern areas of pakistan,i guess he has yet to see the real nature.The areas of Skardu,Swat,Kaghan,Naran,and karakuram range are deserving to be called heavens on earth...And if some budy wish to visit there,never forget to watch the mighty K2 mountain(29000 feet)...tirich mir(26000 feet),and other countless peaks which are above the hight of 24000 feet.And if u dont visit the lush green valleys of kaghan and naran,u will be a big looser.

Imran khan		25-Jan-2008 20:27
salam to all those who belongs with that website and those who's aprcait i m so happy to found that web site.there is no doubt that northern areas is heaven in the world i m also belong with northrn areas but i spend more time in uk,me and my fiends we are making programe to go outside for tour we decide we will go to that place which really looking like pradise we searching on net and atleast find that website,trust me my brothers may be u guys will not belive there 23 my frineds are ready for visit to my homecountry on 15 march inshallah my friends is so impresd some of them are belong dubai soome are belongs southafrica and some belongs from uk and malaysia o m so happy really happy thnx alot waqar brother really thnx.

Saira		05-Jan-2008 15:02
It;s very beautiful

Sheraz Sohail Awan		03-Jan-2008 08:25
Hi waqas, this is Sheraz again after a very long time cuz very busy with work and studies, but not as much busy k i cant go there, i am continously visiting northern areas from last three years, in 2005, 2006 and then 2007 and Inshallah this year again going to Skardu, well according to your advice i bought a digital cam(olympus C770) and took so many pics and yes i found out that u were rite there is no big deal in having good pics if u have good cam, so now whenever i want to visit these areas i look into my pics and there i am, many thanks to u and whats happening with u, have u visited any site or what..................... Regards Shery.

abdul haseeb		28-Dec-2007 01:45
very good

Yasir Iqbal Yasi		01-Nov-2007 22:44
Salam All The Readers. i being a Gilgitian, proud of my area. no doubt this is heaven on earth. it is open to all the world. come to gilgit and enjoy the high mountains views, nice glaciars, beautiful lakes. WELCOME 2 GILGIT PIONEERS, THE GREAT GILGITIANS

wajid ali baltistani		19-Oct-2007 20:35
I am very pleased to see this web site.keep it up because it will aware the people about the northern areas.thanks for this effort.

farrukh malik		07-Oct-2007 22:01
i am farrukh.if we talk about the northern areas of pakistan no doubt it is not to say wrong that these areas are like pradise especially deosai,i have visited all these sites in skardu and adjointed areas like gilgit, hunza.we were 15 people sent by HEC as deligates.We spent 14 days there it was a wonderful experince of my life i love deosai very beautiful,mountains,lakes.in shangrilla what sight it was never forgetable.when i recall this visit i really fresh up again and i still in those valleys even now.we have enjoyed alot there. it will remain with me as a fresh memory.

sajid amin		10-Sep-2007 09:09
hi mr waqas i am very please to see this type of site on the internet. this site will attract many people from pakistan and also from outside of country by which the economic situation of our area will also improve. I will really apperatiate your effarts. And i will pray success in your life. Lastaly i will say that i am also from northera areas.

Muneer Islam Qureshi		07-Sep-2007 06:05
Dear Brother Waqas Usman i really appreciat your efforts regarding the tours and Yes, these places are really makes me mesmerized me, i just visited Balakot, Maidan, Behrain, kalam and Glacier in 1988 September. Now i recall my memory. When we see these beautiful scenes and pictures, we say " Fabi Ayeeye Aalaye Rabikuma Tukaazziban "

Tarik		01-Sep-2007 05:44
Hi Waqas, The pictures are amzing! Looking at the pics brought back memories of the time when I visited Skardu, Shangrilla, Kachura & Satpara Lakes, Naran & Kaghan way back in 1988... i was totally mesmerized by the scenic beauty of those places and i got addicted. Recently, last year, i visted Swat, Malam Jabba, Madian, Bahreen & Kalam and once again I was witnessing "heaven on earth"... this year in October I will be in Pakistan again to do a jeep safari up the KKH... My frenzz tell me that the sceneries and colours in October are a site to behold! I cannot wake to embark on my journey in those Northern Areas of Pakistan again... Thank you for the pictures... Tarik

Muhammad Yaqoob Baltistani		02-Aug-2007 12:57
Asslamoalaikum, Mr. Waqas, What an amazing effort done by you to promote these back ward area of naturally beautiful Baltistan to the rest of the world, despite belonging from Baltistan, I couldn't visit the most sagnifiacant highiest plateau on the earth "DEO SAI PLAIN" i had a trip to Baltistan this year too in June-2007 & i had planned to go Deo Sai but due some circumstances i couldn't fullfill my plan, this job has done by you, i am feeling very happy to see such beautiful scenaries, i again congratulate you, with best wishes Muhammad Yaqoob Baltistani Karachi

Aamir Shahzad		28-Jul-2007 12:06
Thanks for sharing ur picturesque and chivalrous journey. Keep on travelling like the vegabonds and share your journey pics with all. Hats off to your efforts and ur CAMERA.

Noor Khan		13-May-2007 16:26
Asalaam aliekum Great gallery. Thanks for sharing your trip yaar. Very enjoyable. Your comments make it so personal. Great photos. I've spent much time in those areas, makes me homesick. Love all your Pakistan photos, and that's coming from someone who has a fair amount myself. Shokriya, Khuda hafez.

maheen nadeem		06-Apr-2007 09:20
i went to gilgit..hunza uptill sost..which was truely paradise was gulmit..ohh it was absolutely ravishing experience...wholeheartedly wana visit again..ppl were extremely hospitable too that added to the beauty i plan to go again very soon..such journies lifts the wait off my shoulders..i recommend it to everyone ..enjoy n relax

Waqas Usman		21-Mar-2007 07:05
Salam Imtiaz, Sent an email to your address.

Guest		04-Mar-2007 10:42
Hi waqas I am planning to go to Sakardu from last four years but every time when I plan some thing hapens particularly my friend who is very special for me. But this time I am committed to go even in the month of March.... lets see!

amin		19-Feb-2007 08:20
hi mr waqas when i found thi site on net i become very please. iam also from northern areas. this will help in the tuorasim in our areas. I give u best wishes 4 ur future.thanku.

sadia rozi ( balti)		18-Jan-2007 10:48
hello, waqas nice trip i enjoy your trip becouse i am also going there can i ask your email address. i am also balti but i am not living skardu i was going there. nice place have a good trip.

Muhammad Saqib		14-Jan-2007 05:36
Dear Waqas, I am thrilled to see beautiful Pakistan thousands of miles away from home. You have done a superb job in promoting the scenic beauty of Pakistan. The Pakistanis need to manage its beauty and God gifted resourcess so to benifir its economy and people. I wish you good luck in proting Pakistan in a constructive way not the way many think. Good luck for your future endevours. M. Saqib Perth Australia.

Waqas Usman		08-Dec-2006 06:51
Thank you Ilyas for the appreciation, yep it was a memorable trip. I can still go through the images frame by frame without getting bored... too bad I only had a 64MB memory card back then, and they didn't have a Win 2k PC in Gilgit to transfer images :) I remember having to make tough choices of "which one to delete" :) Still, it's great what I got in the end.

M. Ilyas Sarwar		06-Dec-2006 12:14
I was just browsing through the internet and came across this page. WAQAS! you had done a great job. Just refreshed my memories. Miss you all and the trip. Cheers Ilyas

hassan akram		31-Oct-2006 19:45
This is hasoo.. you will never believe how i came accross you website after 4 years or more i think. I was searching for a picture of SWAN building on google and a link to your website came up. Bilal Akram did tell me that you came here and when i explored your website a little further .. i found all the old picture .. Amazing to see all the good old trip pictures after such a long time. Happy bhai chaa gain hain aap. Try to see if you can find some pictures of the hunza trip. But if i remember correctly you didnt go on that one .. did you??? cheers Hasooo

Waqas Usman		13-Oct-2006 17:24
Wa Alaikum Assalam kyoon nahin jinab, just drop me a mail or call me (number in your mailbox) to discuss anything related to travel where I might help by giving any suggestions or recommendations.

Asif Iqbal khan		01-Oct-2006 07:59
Nice pictures.These pictures tells us how beautifull our beloved country Pakistan is.

Samad Khan		19-Sep-2006 10:15
Nice photographs and thanks for promoting Pakistan as well. Keep up the good work. Do visit my gallery as well :)

Waqas Usman		01-Aug-2006 21:09
Wa Alaikum Assalam Abdullah, Thanks for your the appreciation. That sounds like an awesome trip you're planning. I've mailed you in detail (and I'll write about those tips on the page as well later on). Feel free to write to me or call me if you have any other questions. Waqas. +92 321 4060186

Abdullah		29-Jul-2006 20:23
Salam. Thanks for those awesome Pakistan pictures, Waqas and fellow helpers. I wanted to ask you a few questions as I plan on going there too, near Gilgit and then to the Himalayas, Urumqi, China etc. How much did this total trip cost you? How did you arrange these visits and from where? Is the total time you stated, with or without any salat time, as Muslims have to pray? Lastly, did you have any other unprecedented stoppages or problems in the way to deal with? Apart from that, thanks again, and I hoep you asnwer my questions whcih will help others much, and me certainly. Wasallam

Mahira		21-Jun-2006 19:27
Awesome pictures. A trip to Pakistan, without ticket/visa... just what I wanted.

Khadim Hussain.		12-Jun-2006 09:44
Waqas bhai thankyou for visiting my home place. I am very glad to know about this website in which you had captured many beutiful scenes of Baltistan. Certainly it will help tourist to see this beutiful part of world. thankyou.

Waqas Usman		29-Aug-2005 05:25
Assalam o Alaikum Taqi bhai, and thank you for your compliments. I'm sure you'll enjoy out there, hope you have a nice and safe journey! Waqas

Muhammad Taqi		27-Aug-2005 01:15
Hello Mr. Waqqas Congratulation on a job welldone as well as thanks for promoting this part the world to the rest. I simply say that dispite belonging to Skardu, I am still unable to visit several places such as you have visited. It is just due, may be I am not lucky enough to do so or due I visit my home just for short vacation as I am in K.S.A. After having a look of your fentastic galleries I am being forced to arrange a separate vacation package to enjoy the beauty of nature of such as interier SHIGAR, KHAPLU & DEO SAI PLAINS. Once agian accept my heartiest thanks nd congratulations for the job welldone Truly yours' Taqi Balti Jeddah

Rehan Rattu		23-Jul-2005 16:35
I love you and your camera which helped me slipping into past .. :( thnx for every thing

Waqas Usman		13-Sep-2004 22:35
Thank you Sheraz. Those were memorable days, I still enjoy thinking about it, I wish I had had the chance to visit those areas again, but I wasn't here last year, and I was busy with my family this year, Allah knows when I'll be able to visit those places again. Digital photography is not a problem, this was my first digital camera and my first manual camera as well, you can handle it once you get your hands on a digital camera, there's nothing to lose, press the shoot button and keep shoooting, keep deleting the unwatned images. I hope you had a nice trip.

Sheraz Sohail Awan		13-Sep-2004 10:10
well what can i say simply marvelllous i have visited these places recently and after that i m in love with those places but unfortunately i have all the scenes in my mind i dont have any specialized camera and also i am not a good fotographer so thats why i dont have good pics so now due to Waqas saab i m able to flash back my memory well done waqas saab plz keep on tracking and traveling and also keep on uploading good pictures of beautiful places best of luck Reagrds Sheraz.

Imran Arshad		31-May-2003 13:05
First of all accept my congratulations on visiting these most beautiful parts of Pakistan.All the pics you have taken are beautiful.Specially the visit to Rakaposhi basecamp pics are the most beautiful. But I find one thing short in your galleries and it is that you have not given the information regarding these places, the distance between different places and the number of days required to reach each point and return as well as the number of days in camping and jeep expenditures etc. I am planning a visit of these areas later in June this year. So I want to contact you to plan my visit of these areas. Looking forward for your reply Imran Arshad (Islamabad) imranarshadbajwa@yahoo.com

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