Gilgit City

For quite some time now, we’ve been planning to visit the northern areas of Gilgit Baltistan. Sometimes the schedule was tough to make out time and sometimes our budget didn’t support. Finally we managed both and embarked on our journey towards Gilgit. We left at 8:00pm by bus via KKH (Karakoram Highway). More than half of the route was covered in dark and at almost 9am we stopped at Chalas for breakfast.

There we had tea and anda paratha. Food was ok for the place. After taking half an hour break, we continued our journey amongst the gigantic Rocky Mountains with river flowing on one side of the steep road. It was somewhat scary but for us, it was quite an experience and fun. Weather was hot as was everywhere in Punjab and other surrounding regions of lower altitude. It was 28^th June on the day and an obvious hot summer throughout the way.

It was getting boring and we were anxiously waiting for us to reach Gilgit city bus station as soon as possible. Finally by 11:30am, we reached there and waited for the person who had to host us. It took us pretty long so we waited at the nearby restaurant. They were expensive, especially for those who had visited for the first time and were not aware of the native language. They mug you in whatever way they can; both, your guide as well as the hotels. Overall services were good but I believe one must have a known reference there before visiting the place. Place is good and has scenic views to offer, but there you start comparing the place with Naran Kaghan, Naltar, Phandar and other such places in the vicinity. I don’t know if that is gonna happen with everyone who visits Gilgit city or did it happen only with us but overall I would rate the place 8/10.

Rating

Site: 8/10

Accessibility: 8/10

Services: 7/10

Staff: 8/10

Market: 9/10

Residents: 8/10

Resourcefulness: 9/10

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Canadian Resort, Khanpur Dam

Their tea is best! Their food is best!

Yes, I have to say it already because that’s the first thing that comes to my mind whenever I hear about Canadian Resort. Even if we visit any other place, we always come here for tea.

Anyway..

For quite some time now, Khanpur dam is becoming more and more of tourist attraction; not only for the dam and the views but for the latest constructing resorts. These resorts have increased the beauty of the place manifold. Canadian Resort is one of them constructed by the side of the dam.

Besides its magnanimous and beautiful architecture inspired by Mughals, its big lawns and chaarbagh (again inspired by Mughals) add to the beauty of the place. It gives a royal feels to the visitor. A small bird farm on one side corner is an abode to hens, ducks, Muscovy ducks, rabbits, parrots, partridges and other similar birds. Walking down the paths running along the terraces in the lawns with mesmerizing views around, fresh air and the magnificent architecture of the resort itself gives a 

sense of nobility and imperialism.

It is a perfect place to visit with families. Besides the wonderful setting, the staff is exceptionally hospitable, services are good, food is appetizing and the tea.. their tea is best! This resort has hosted multiple big events including those of television. A highly recommended place for everyone to visit.

Rating

Site: 9/10

Accessibility: 8/10

Services: 9/10

Staff: 9/10

Resourcefulness: 9/10

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Beer Valley

Beer Valley has been known to me since childhood for it is one of my closest friends’ hometown. It is located near Haripur city and takes almost 30 to 45 minutes to reach there. We often visit him or the place, but every single time it has to offer us a different experience. It is that fortunate site which is blessed with some real serene natural beauty. From lush green roadside views to fresh air, river flowing on one side to the mesmerizing views of knolls and hills around. The best part is the smooth accessibility by good roads. Not only just that, there is few population but the most beautiful souls reside there. People of Beer are very loving and hospitable, which I believe, add to the beauty of the place.

We have our own spot by the river down the bridge, where we gather on the full moon night and cherish the breathtaking moment of the time. We enjoy the BBQ and dance around the fire. The antique bridge itself is a worth seeing site. Even if one doesn’t go that far to the bridge and stop by the river side on the way, it is a very good picnic point. One can comfortably come along with family to spend some quality time close to nature.

I am writing a general view because I cannot talk about just one visit to the place. I don’t know for what particular reason, but it has such a mystical breath that I always have a soulful experience, every time I visit Beer. I recommend everyone to visit Beer, but please don’t pollute the place and keep its beauty preserved for everyone who visit later.

Rating

Site: 9/10

Accessibility: 9/10

Market: 8/10

Residents: 9/10

Resourcefulness: 8/10

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Shah Allah Ditta (Saturday, 15th Februay, 2020)

It has been two years since we are in Islamabad but we had never visited Shah Allah Ditta ever before despite hearing a lot about its natural beauty. Eventually, this Saturday we prepared the breakfast and rode to Shah Allah Ditta by 10:00 AM. Riding past the under constructed sector D12, we were gradually moving away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. From small farms alongside road to the small knolls, we were getting closer to our destination. It was getting greener and bumpier as we proceeded.

We realized that our plan to travel on motorbike was better, for we could have a 180 degree view and a better pace on the kind of routes there are. Especially, the air was very clean and refreshing; one can literally feel the difference while breathing there. When we reached the place, we slowly rode higher and higher on the hills to get a perfect viewpoint.

After reaching at our estimated top, we found a spot on one of the small knolls there and had breakfast. Then we spent some time there enjoyed the breath and the views and head back down, passing by the many resorts on the way and finally to the famous caves of the place. The whole place was breathtakingly beautiful. There was also a small stream of drinking water leaking right from the bottom of one of the hills. We had a good tea with pakoray there and then we moved back to home. It was our first time as well as our best time at that place. Highly recommended!

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Gandhara Castle Resort (Sunday, 23rd February, 2020)

It was cold but refreshing Sunday morning when we were eating last oranges of the stock in the sun, when my parents decided to visit Khanpur and see me off to Islamabad from there. It was sudden unexpected plan like most of our plans to explore the areas in the vicinity. So we got up and started preparing to leave from Haripur towards Khanpur for lunch.

Khanpur is a town and one of the 44 union councils, administrative subdivisions, of Haripur District in the Khyber Pakhtunhwa province of Pakistan. Khanpur is gradually becoming tourist attraction for its beautiful resorts and other natural site views of the region; other than Khanpur Dam. So many people are investing in building bewitching restaurants and resorts to host people coming from other cities to cherish the beauty of the region from different perspectives.

Within half an hour or so we were at Khanpur looking for another resort we heard about there. Following the directions on the way we finally reached Gandhara Castle Resort hidden in a partially remote but mesmerizingly beautiful part of Khanpur alongside the dam.

We first went inside to place the order and then to visit the place. Menu was good but most of the things were not available, so we went with whatever was told us would be convenient to be cooed within 30 to 45 minutes. The place was huge as compared to other places around and what caught our attention was the peculiar and well planned division of the place into indoor and outdoor spaces. It was a perfect place for a family trip where interests of people of all ages were served. There were swings for kids, volleyball net and ball for youngsters, boat rides for all, outdoor stoves for those who were interested in cooking their own meals at the spot, bamboo huts for the families who wanted to enjoy their meals while cherishing the enchanting sites around, and a big restaurant with comfortable seating for big meet ups or lunch al at one place. The whole resort is carefully designed with captivating landscape and charismatic architecture.

After taking the ride of the dam on the boat, we sat in one of the bamboo huts for taking our lunch. We ordered biryani but that was just okay-ish. It didn’t taste that well as expected; also it took way longer than the said time. So, on food side, the place is fine; or may be just we didn’t have a good experience but as for the place itself it was almost 10/10.

Anyway, we then went to buy the special Khanpur oranges to relish the last of the season’s stock and said final goodbyes and left for Islamabad.

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