A traveller's reflection: 2015 Pakistan Day 08 : Sost

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Crossing the Atta Abad Lake)

Day 08: Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Route: Sost – Karimabad
Distance: 90 km
Hotel: Hilltop Hotel

By 04:30 in the morning we were already on the coaster ready to drive back to Karimabad, tracing the same route we came. Today we were introduced to Karim, a local guide to replace Ghafur who needs to attend to his father’s funeral in Gilgit.

(A refreshing morning walk in the cool weather)

(The girls taking a rest, huddling close to each other)

(The jetty for the boat hire)

(A few long-tail boats to choose from)

By 05:30 we reached the Atta Abad Lake and had to walk quite a distance in the cool morning weather to board the boat. We hired one of the boats for a 45-minute journey down the lake and with the morning sun rising over the mountains the trip is pleasant. The beautiful turquoise coloured lake is surrounded by massive mountains up to 7,000 m high. As we passed into the shade, we felt the cold as we were still at about 2,700 m.

(The planks are for balancing when carrying a car across the lake)

(Our colorful boat for the 45-minute ride)

(A clear blue sky without any cloud)

(A clear blue water of the lake)

Omar drove the coaster through the tunnel to the other side of the lake and waited for us there. The journey to Karimabad was uneventful with a few stops at check-points. We reached Hilltop Hotel Karimabad before noon. As it was still early, we walked a short distance up the sloping road to Baltit Fort, an ancient fort in the Hunza valley.

(Arriving in Karimabad hill resort)

(Walking up the steep street)

(A photo shot with the Hunza ladies)

(An elderly Hunzakut wearing a traditional attire)

Founded in the 1st CE, since 2004, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. We spent time exploring the mystery and charm of the fort and met the local Hunzakuts who are known for their longevity.

(The gate and the high wall of Baltit Fort)

(A hiking track to the base camps)

(The apples are in season)

(Another gate to the Fort courtyard)

(A beautiful staircase of flower garden)

(A small door, an entrance to the inner rooms)

(Intricate carvings on the main pillar)

(A couple photo on the roof top)

(With Rahmet next to the prayer room)

(A stained glass window overlooking the Hunza Valley)

(The Baltit Fort from the courtyard below)

On the way back to the hotel we had a round of shopping at the souvenir shops along the road where we bought t-shirts and hand-woven shawls. We had lunch and a short rest in the hotel before we drove to Altit Fort, another ancient fort in the Hunza valley. It was originally home to the hereditary rulers of the Hunza state who carried the title Mir. Altit Fort and in particular the Shikari tower is around 1,100 years old which makes it the oldest monument in the Gilgit -Baltistan.

(The entrance to Altit Fort)

(Water catchment area for bathing and washing)

(Three pretty girls and two handsome boys)

(View of Karakoram Highway from the top floor of Altit Fort)

(The old tower at Altit Fort)

(A balcony overlooking houses in the valley)

(Flat rooftops of Hunza Valley houses)

After visiting the Altit Fort we took a 25-minute drive by jeep to Duikar. At 2,800 m altitude, Duikar is said to be Hunza highest village. As it was quite strenuous to climb the eroded hill behind the Eagle's Nest Hotel, only a few of us managed to climb to the top, the best view point to look down the valley of Hunza and to look up the magnificent mountain ranges of Rakaposhi. We stayed a while to watch the beautiful sunset on the horizon.