Upon arriving to the town of Khaplu, which once acted as the second-largest kingdom in old Baltistan, having guarded the trade route to Ladakh, we were immediately charmed. Tree lined dirt roads following babbling creeks, that broke from the Indus River and Shyok River, where families hung drying laundry, and children played joyfully with farm animals. We … More The Small Kingdom of Khaplu
Duikar is a small village about 30 minutes from Karimabad, perched on a hilltop about 10,000 feet high. The rightfully named Eagle’s Nest Hotel offers sensational views of surrounding peaks, while enjoying tea from their rooftop terrace. The most notable peak, to us anyhow, was the 19,600 foot rock-spire, Bublimotin, also known as Lady Finger. … More Eagle’s Nest, Onward to Gilgit
Karimabad truly feels like a dreamy utopia, nestled in a lush valley surrounded by dramatic snowy mountain peaks. Upon checking-in to the lovely Hunza Serena Inn, I literally had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn’t staring at a digital green screen simply projecting such a stunning backdrop. Almost too beautiful to be real! … More Karimabad, Hunza Valley
Not long into our continued journey down the Karakoram Highway, view of the stunning Attabad Lake and its uniquely bright turquoise water caught us all by surprise. How is such pristine color even possible?? The lake was formed in 2010 due to a massive landslide creating a dam, blocking the Hunza River flow. Sadly, many villages … More Attabad Lake & Hussaini Suspension Bridge – Gems of the KKH
From Kashgar, we started the infamous Karakoram Highway, one of the highest paved roads in the world (maximum elevation is 15,466 ft). The highway traces one of the many paths of the ancient Silk Road. A path crossed and written about by Marco Polo. The highway was built by the governments of Pakistan and China. … More Crossing the Khunjerab Pass from China into Pakistan
Wandering Ways 