Where To Stay

Gilgit has a number of comfortably furnished and reasonably priced cottage-hotels, motels including PTDC's Chinnar Inn, and rest houses. For assistance, please contact: Tourist Information Centre, PTDC Motel, Chinnar Inn. (Tel: 05811 – 54262, 52562).

How To Get There

BY Air: PIA operates three daily flights between Islamabad and Gilgit. All flights are subject to good weather. The flying time is one hour and one-way fare is approximately US $ 44 for foreigners. By Road: Gilgit is also accessible from Islamabad/Rawalpindi by the Karakoram Highway. Rawalpindi to Gilgit via Swat is 704 km and takes 19 hours by bus/van; Rawalpindi to Gilgit via Thakot: 628 km. 16 hours by bus/van; Rawalpindi to Gilgit via Babusar Pass 535 km. 21 hours by jeep. There is a regular bus and van services operate on the Karakoram Highway between Rawalpindi and Gilgit via Besham. The main bus terminal of NATCO & other private bus lines is at Pirwadhai General Bus Stand, Rawalpindi. Advance booking is required (Tel: 051-5462181)

Sports

The favourite sport in Gilgit is polo which local folks claim originated here. It's more rugged, free-style version than the sedate variety known in the plains. The polo tournament held from 1st November to 7th November is a festive occasion and draws a large number of visitors. Angling The streams and lakes of Gilgit are full of trout. These are at Kargah Nullah (10 km, from Gilgit), Singal (61 km), Gakuch (73 km), and Phandar (117 km from Gilgit). Permits for fishing are issued by the Assistant Director, Fisheries, Government of Pakistan, Gilgit. Trekking & Hiking Trekking and hiking in the rugged mountains and verdant valleys of Gilgit are allowed only in the "open zone" which extends unto 16 km. short of the cease-fire on the Kashmir border and unto 50 km short of the Afghan border. Guides are available from PTDC Motel, Gilgit. Please check for latest rules and list of treks from the Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad. Mountaineering Around Gilgit are towering mountain peaks, waiting to be scaled. Permits for mountaineering are issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

Gilgit Valley

At an elevation of 1,454 metres lies the Gilgit Valley. The quaint little town of Gilgit has spectacular scenic beauty. The peak tourist season is from April to October though you can visit the valley round the year. The maximum temperature in May is 33 C and the minimum 16 C and in September, maximum 28 C and minimum 11 C. Places to visit Gilgit Bridge: The bridge over the fast flowing Gilgit River, at the end of its traditional bazaar, is the largest suspension bridge in Asia (182 metres long and 2 metres wide) permitting enough room for one jeep at a time to cross. Kargah Buddha: Located on a rock near Kargah Nullah (ravine), 10 km. from Gilgit town is a beautiful rock engraving of Buddha from 7th century A.D. Monument of Taj Mughal: A victory monument of Taj Mughal, built 700 years ago, is 30 km. jeep drive from Gilgit town. Sher Qilla: It is 38 km. from Gilgit - Trekking route links with Naltar valley. Trout fishing can be enjoyed in Sher Qilla Nullah and a small lake. Singal: About 61 km from Gilgit - Trekking route links with Chilas and Kohistan valley. Gahkuch: Headquarter of Ghizer District - Ideal place for trekking, good fishing sports and duck shooting in season. It is the gateway to Iskoman Valley. Government rest house and private hotels are available (73 km from Gilgit). Archaeological sites in village and a near by village Hatoon. Naltar Valley: Two hours jeep drive from Gilgit link rod. Government Rest house, Private hotels and a Ski slope, lush green Alpine forest with small lakes and glaciers, trout fishing in lake. Trekking routes link with Iskoman, Chalt and Punial valley.