Lonely Planet’s introduction of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) describes it as “stretching for 700 km along the border of Afghanistan, astride the Khyber Pass and other historical gateways that led to India from Persia and Central Asia, and embracing some of Asia’s most impenetrable mountains and intractable peoples…a large part of NWFP’s attraction lies…Continue reading Pakistan – Islamabad to North-West Frontier Province
Category: Indian Subcontinent
Pakistan – Baltistan
Baltistan is a semi-autonomous region in Northern Pakistan ranging from Skardu to K2, principally inhabited by the Balti Shi’a Muslims of Tibetan descent. We spent about a week in this beautiful section of the country, enjoying the incredible scenery and the warm hospitality of friendly villagers. Our tour took us to Skardu (Karpochu Fort, Skardu…Continue reading Pakistan – Baltistan
Pakistan – Gilgit to Deosai
Our guidebook describes this region as “between Central Asia and the plains of Pakistan is a geographical vortex rich in history, cultural diversity and dramatic natural beauty. In this collision zone of the Indian and Asian continents, the Pamir, Kunlun, Hindukush, Karakoram and Great Himalaya ranges are knotted together. In the 1960s, Pakistan and China…Continue reading Pakistan – Gilgit to Deosai
Pakistan – Shandur to Hundrap Lake
“Let other people play other things – the king of game is still the game of kings” This verse is inscribed on a stone tablet next to a polo ground in Gilgit, and modern day polo players in Pakistan have taken the saying to heart. Shandur’s famous polo ground is one of Pakistan’s largest tourist…Continue reading Pakistan – Shandur to Hundrap Lake
Bhutan
Bhutan is a Himalayan Kingdom that has long fascinated us. A small Asian nation landlocked between China and India, Bhutan has managed to use its isolation to preserve a rich cultural history. A little bit of research revealed that Bhutan has been extremely cautious in opening up its doors to the outside world. Especially after…Continue reading Bhutan