UK Foreign Office (FCO) relaxes travel advice to the Gilgit-Baltistan region
Good News for Pakistan Tourism!
The UK Foreign Office has lifted advice against travelling to the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, opening up some of the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery to Britons!
The negative travel advisory was put by The British government when some travelers were killed at Nanga Parbat base camp in the month of June 2013. Such news will be highly welcomed as the region with breath taking scenery will be open for foreign travelers.
Trekking, mountain climbing and other adventurous activities will all be available in one of the world’s highest mountain peaks present in Pakistan which surround itself with the beautiful landscape. It is noted that, founder of adventure tour operator Wild Frontier, Jonny Bealby expressed his happiness on such news and further said, “Gilgit-Baltistan is very close to my heart, as the beauty of the area and the hospitality of the local people inspired me to start Wild Frontiers, in order to allow others to discover this fantastic region.”
K2, second highest mountain peak in the world is also present in the region which offers views beyond one’s imagination. The region also has different valleys like Hunza Valley which is also full of amazing views and with each season it has new scenery to offer to its visitors. The Hunza Valley is also home to forts which are centuries old and the tourists can also see snow leopards, Marco Polo sheeps and eagles. Hunza Valley also has variety of crops like cherries, apricots and grapes which is not really found in other part of Pakistan.
The Valley is connected with the Karakoram Highway which also gives access to people all the way to China. “The introduction of new flights to Gilgit and Skardu airports would make region accessible and a lot more reliable in the future”, says Jonny Bealby. Gilgit-Baltistan has few hotels but among the reputed ones is Eagle’s Nest Hotel. Jonny Bealby also added that, “We are delighted to see that the Foreign Office now agrees with our assessment of the situation and hope this will encourage others to start running trips to this most beautiful part of the world.”
Around 270,000 Britons visit Pakistan every year and it was reported by foreign office of Pakistan that most trips were free of trouble.
