Pakistan is a tourist destination, which offers unique and unbelievable opportunities for tourists to make memories of a lifetime. It harbors a beautiful culture, breathtaking landscapes and a fantastic assortment of natural wonders. Pakistan is a country full of nature’s beauty as majestic mountains, incredible deserts, lush plains, tranquil beaches, and icy glaciers, there certainly is a paradise for nature fanatics. Further north in Pakistan is the beautiful little tourist destination in Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan, it provides one of the most gorgeous and varied landscapes in the entire world which makes it certainly one of the numerous tourist destinations in the nation.

GB besides being a land of towering mountains has been decked with picturesque valleys, glistening lakes and charming villages that carry an old tradition and culture across them

As an adventurer’s dream, Gilgit Baltistan is home to some of the highest peaks on the planet like K2, the second highest mountain on earth. The region is quite popular for trekkers, climbers, and nature lovers, who want to explore the rough terrain and the exotic beauty of the region. GB besides being a land of towering mountains has been decked with picturesque valleys, glistening lakes and charming villages that carry an old tradition and culture across them. The warmth of local people will make visitors’ experience more enriched.

Attabad Lake, which is described as the wonder of the 21st century, is surely one of the most astonishing natural attractions in Gilgit Baltistan. Attabad Lake is found in Gojal Valley near Hunza Valley and was formed due to a landslide in January 2010, which blocked the Hunza River. What started out as a disaster, however, eventually became one of the most splendid tourist attractions in the area. The lake pad, as it’s called, is turquoise blue, surrounded by towering mountains and it is an awesomely impressive sight that gets visitors from all over the world.

A list of exciting experiences tourists can enjoy includes ice skating on the frozen lake which is open for business in the winter months

In the years, Attabad Lake has turned into a place of tourism and recreational activity. A number of water sports like boating, jet skiing and fishing are available for those looking for an adventurous game. A list of exciting experiences tourists can enjoy includes ice skating on the frozen lake which is open for business in the winter months. The area’s tourism has been even further perfected with the development of resorts and lodges around the lake, the place attracting not just families but honeymooners as well as adventure fanatics alike.

Other spectacular destinations of Gilgit-Baltistan are beyond Attabad Lake. A valley, Skardu — also called the gateway to some of the world’s highest mountains — is an enchanting place to have pristine lakes such as Shangrila Lake, Sheosar Lake, and Satpara Lake. Skardu being such a mesmerizingly beautiful place, goes well with the rich cultural heritage in the region where you can see the historic forts of Skardu Fort and Shigar Fort where you can see how the history of the region is.

This city has the Baltit and Altit forts, historical sites which give glimpses of the royal past of the Hunza rulers dotted in the valley

One of those gems in Gilgit Baltistan is the Hunza Valley, especially famous for its awesome scenery, rich cultural tradition, and people of the place. This city has the Baltit and Altit forts, historical sites which give glimpses of the royal past of the Hunza rulers dotted in the valley. The region is also renowned for its apricot orchards and organic produce and is therefore the perfect area to explore the local, edible, cuisine.

Yet another highlight of Gilgit-Baltistan’s tourism landscape is Fairy Meadows, a lush green plateau at the base of Nanga Parbat. The place is called ‘Heaven on Earth’ and offers a breathtaking sight of the killer mountain, Nanga Parbat, and is the base camp of trekker and mountaineers. It is the serenity of Fairy Meadows which makes it a perfect place for camping and nature walk from the boring hustle of city life.

Deosai is known as ‘the Land of Giants’, because of its immense landscapes, wildflowers in multiple hues, and its diverse wildlife – including the Himalayan brown bear

Deosai National Park is another of the Gilgit Baltistan’s main attractions being one of the highest plateaus in the world. Deosai is known as ‘the Land of Giants’, because of its immense landscapes, wildflowers in multiple hues, and its diverse wildlife – including the Himalayan brown bear. Photographers, nature lovers, everyone who wants to admire the untouched beauty of Pakistan’s wilderness would find the park a bliss.

It also has a great potential for growth in Pakistan’s tourism industry specifically in Gilgit-Baltistan. Tourism is a factor highly important to the government and has taken a stand on its improvement, from better roads, to better security measures to improved tourist facilities. Measures have been taken to drive a green eco-tourism and sustainable tourism practice for the conservation of the beauty and culture of the region.

This is important to expand more tourism by developing responsible tourism policies with proper emphasis on the conservation of the environment and provision of job opportunities to local communities. Better access through improved road networks and domestic flight services will significantly reduce the difficulty of travel for both the domestic and international tourists. On top of this, the promotion of Gilgit Baltistan as a must visit by means of either digital marketing or an international tourism campaign can be pursued.

If there are further efforts put in the development of infrastructure, promoting sustainable tourism, and international promotion of Gilgit-Baltistan, then it can become one of the top tourist destinations in the world

Ultimately, Pakistan and in particular, Gilgit-Baltistan is a potential tourism destination. Travelers looking for something different, unique and unforgettable should find the region’s breathtaking landscapes and many adventure tourism opportunities make it an ideal destination. However, suppose there are further efforts put in the development of infrastructure, promoting sustainable tourism, and international promotion of Gilgit-Baltistan. In that case, it can become one of the top tourist destinations in the world and help in the economy of Pakistan and also add to the footprint of global tourism.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia