Rakaposhi (Räkapoşi) is a mountain in theKarakoram mountain range in Pakistan. It is situated in the Nagar Valley approximately 100 km north of the city of Gilgit. Rakaposhi means "shining wall" in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Dumani ("Mother of Mist"). It is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highestin Pakistan, but it is more popular for its beauty than its rank might suggest.

Rakaposhi was first climbed in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of aBritish-Pakistani expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. Both of them suffered minorfrostbite during the ascent. Another climber slipped and fell on the descent and died during the night.

Park

The people of Nagar has dedicated theRakaposhi range mountain area as a community park. The Minister for Northern Areas inaugurated the park. The Rakaposhi mountain range is the home of endangered species such as Marco Polo sheep, Saknussemm tigers, brown bear, wolvesand many other species.

Notable features

Rakaposhi is notable for its exceptional rise over local terrain. On the north, it rises 5800m in only an 11.5km horizontal distance from the Hunza River. There are magnificent views of Rakaposhi from theKarakoram Highway on the route through Hunza. A tourist spot in the town of Ghulmat (located in theNagar Valley) called "Zero Point of Rakaposhi" is the closest convenient view point of the mountain.

Magic Of Hunza Valley

The Hunza Valley (Urdu: ہنزہ) is a mountainous valley in Gilgit in the Gilgit-Baltistan autonomous region, an area under the control of the government of Pakistan. The Hunza valley is situated to the north of the Hunza River, at an elevation of around 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). The territory of Hunza is about 7,900 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi). Karimabad (formerly called Baltit) is the main town, which is also a very popular tourist destination because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains like Ultar Sar, Rakaposhi, Bojahagur Duanasir II, Ghenta Peak, Hunza Peak, Diran Peak and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak), all 6,000 metres

(19,685 ft) or higher.

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Colors of hunza Valley at Spring

This is the view from Karimabad down the Hunza valley. The Karakoram Highway is passing here. The snow covered montain in the background is the Rakaposhi (7788m).

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Spring Scene in Hunza

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Hunza Valley in Autumn

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Hunza is one of the most exotic places in Pakistan. The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon.

Enjoy this northern view of hunza Valley. Shot taken from Baltit Fort Roof, Karimabad, Hunza.

Geography

The Hunza is situated at an elevation of about 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). For many centuries, Hunza has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person travelling on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals; only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals.

Hunza was easily defended as the paths were often less than 0.5 metres (20 in) wide. The high mountain paths often crossed bare cliff faces on logs wedged into cracks in the cliff, with stones balanced on top. They were also constantly exposed to regular damage from weather and falling rocks. These were the much feared "hanging passageways" of the early Chinese histories that terrified all, including several famous Chinese Buddhist monks such as Xuanzang.

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Karoon Peak, Hunza

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Gojal Area, Upper Hunza Valley, Northern Areas of Pakistan

Climate

The temperature in May is a maximum of 27 °C (81 °F) and a minimum of 14 °C (57 °F); the October maximum is 10 °C (50 °F) and the minimum −10 °C (14.0 °F). Hunza's tourist season is generally from May to October, because in winter the Karakoram Highway is often blocked by the snow.

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The Magic Of Hunza Is Hard To Depict; where the glacial water of Ultar is known for some therapeutic distinctiveness, which, in favorable circumstances have caused the aboriginal populace, long life and a very low ratio of heart diseases.

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Deraan Peak, Hunza, Pakistan.

Spectacular scenery

Hunza is one of the most impressive places in the world. Several high peaks rise above 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) in the surroundings of Hunza valley. The valley provides spectacular views of some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains of the world which include Rakaposhi 7,788 metres (25,551 ft)7,788 m (25,551 ft), Ultar Sar 7,388 metres (24,239 ft)Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 metres (24,045 ft), Ghenta Peak 7,090 metres (23,261 ft), Hunza Peak 6,270 metres (20,571 ft), Darmyani Peak 6,090 metres (19,980 ft), and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 metres (19,685 ft). Hunza Valley is also host to the ancient watch towers in Ganish , Baltit Fort and Altit Fort. Watch towers are located in heart of Ganish Village, Baltit Fort stands on top of Karimabad whereas Altit Fort lies at the bottom of the valley.

The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. As one travels up on the Karakoram Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves. On the way one can witness the 65 kilometres (40 mi) long 'Batura' glacier, the second longest in Pakistan, surround by Shishper, Batura and Kumpirdior peaks. On reaching Sost one can continue the journey up to Khunzhrav or turn west to witness the mystic beauty of Chipursan (also Chapursan) valley. Chipursan valley has some of most exotic tourist spots in the area. In Yarzerech (also Yarzirich) you can have a look at the majestic Kundahill peak (6,000 metres (19,685 ft)), or trek along the Rishepzhurav to the Kundahill to experience the soothing sceneries. Beyond Yarzerech one can travel further to Lupghar, Raminj, Reshit, Yishkuk up to Bobo Ghundi (Oston), the shrine of Baba-e-Ghund, a saint from Afghanistan near the border between Pakistan and Wakhan region of Afghanistan.

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Nagar Valley, Diran Peak from Darbar Hotel, Karimabad, Hunza.

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Boulter Peak, taken during the Walk in the Duikar Valley, in Hunza, Pakistan.

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Hunza, mostly remains covered under the sacred gown of snow in winter, when unwraps, its sensuous hilly contour and the luxurious vegetation become a magnet. The lands of fairy tales, where the snowcapped hills stood high to higher limits. Gigantic mountains that have stretched over an area of 110 kilometers surround the valley. The terrain is full of variety with diversity in the heights of the peaks of 1500 meters to 8000 meters.

As one travels up on the Karakorum Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves. On the way one can witness the 65 km long 'Batura' glacier, the second longest in Pakistan, surround by Shishper, Batura and Kumpirdior peaks. As much as the valley is famous for its beauty, the people of Hunza are noted for their friendliness and hospitality.

So whether you are a culture shark, an adrenaline junkie, or simply in need of a stress-free time. Whatever you may be, you just can't get out of the Talismanic effect of Hunza

Taken: Between Chakarin and Darandas over looking the Nagar.

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Diran Peak Hunza

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Passu Cones taken from the bed of River Hunza near Gulmit, Hunza

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Altit, Hunza

Gasherbrum2

Gasherbrum II (also known as K4) is the 13th highest mountain on Earth, located on the border of Pakistan-China. Gasherbrum II is the third highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram range of the Himalaya.

The standard route is via the SW ridge as it is relatively free of objective hazards such as ice falls and avalanches. A typical expedition lasts 7 to 8 weeks with climbing permits costing about $7,500 USD for five climbers.

Gasherbrum II was first climbed on July 8, 1956by Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch and Hans Willenpart of an Austrian expedition.

Dudiptsar Lake

Dudiptsar lake or Dudipat Lake

is a beautiful lakeencircled by snow clad peaks. The lake lies in the extreme north of Kaghan Valley at N35.0185 E74.0895 and is about a four hours drive from the chief town Naran. The road is not entirely accessible for cars, even Jeeps. From Besalonwards the visitors have to trek about 6-8 hours in vast alpine meadows to reach the lake.First four hour trek is really hard.And best season for visit is after 25th july till end of september.

Trek consists of at sometimes steep climb while at other places walk through huge flat valleys, but at all the time filled with amazing sights.

Its water is a beautiful greenish blue and very cold too. Dudipatsar is also close to another major Lake Lulusarwhich is the main contributory to the Kunhar river that runs through Kaghan valley. At a distance from the lake lies theBabusar Top or the Babusar Pass which is the end of 150 km long Kaghan valley.

The whole area is accessible for four months every year from June-September after which it is closed to snow.

It is highly not advised to track it in snow, as there is a high probability of avalanches in the area. The lake used to have abundance of trout, but illegal fishing using dynamite and nets has resulted in a sharp decline.

The word "dudi" means white and "sar" means lake. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow at surrounding peaks. In summer the water of the lake reflects like a mirror. Getting to the lake takes four to six hours of tough hiking.

The word "sar" is used with the name of each lake in the area meaning lake. In the summer when the water of the lake reflects like a mirror a large number of visitors from different areas of the country come to watch the enchanting views of these lake.

The whole area is private property but declared national park by Government of Pakistan.

The deep blue Dudipat Sar, at 3,800 meters, is surrounded by green hills at about 4,800 meters, with snow patches in the shady hollows. This lake is very little visited by people and its natural beauty is still very much protected. October 8, 2005's earthquake in North Pakistan has made it more difficult to be accessed. However the government of Pakistan decided on March 14, 2006 to take all steps to restore tourism of the Kaghan valley which includes building new tourism spots and rebuilding previously destroyed ones.