Karakoram Highway
The construction of the Karakoram Highway began in 1966 and was completed in 1978. The total length of the Karakoram Highway is 1,300 kilometers, of which 887 kilometers are in Pakistan and 413 kilometers are in China. This highway starts from Hassan Abdal in Pakistan and passes through Haripur Hazara, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Bisham, Dasu, Chilas, Jaglot, Gilgit, Hunza Nagar, Sasat and Khunjerab Pass to Kashgar in China.
The construction of this road surprised the world because for a long time, the world's big companies were unable to do this work. A famous European company had declared its construction impossible after an aerial survey. Despite the dangers of severe weather, heavy snowfall and landslides, the construction of this road is a miracle that Pakistan and China made possible together. According to a survey, 810 Pakistanis and 82 Chinese lost their lives in its construction.
According to the report, 8,000 tons of dynamite were used to tear apart the hard, rocky chest of the Karakoram Highway, and 30 million cubic meters of rocky mountains were cut down to complete it. What is this highway? It is simply amazing! Sometimes it is charming, sometimes it is mysterious, sometimes it is peaceful, sometimes it is noisy, sometimes it asks questions, sometimes it answers.
The curiosity to hear the stories of people who have lived on this same road for centuries, and sometimes the curiosity to know the history of the Indus River, which sometimes hits the rocks along the road!! The starting point of the Karakoram Highway is in Hazara district, where lush green views and beautiful valleys accompany you till "Thakot".
From Thakot, the highway runs along the Indus River to Jaglot, then turns towards Skardu. After Thakot, the Kohistan region begins, where rivers of water descending from distant heights play an important role in making the journey memorable and interesting. After Kohistan, the Chilas region begins, which is an area consisting of rocky mountains. Chilas is an important area of Dia Mir district, it is also called the gateway to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Chilas can also be reached from Naran via Babu Sar Top. After Chilas, the Karakoram Highway starts going around Nanga Parbat and then comes the Raikot bridge, this is the same place from where jeeps are rented to go to Ferry Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp. After Raikot, Nanga Parbat, Indus River and Karakoram Highway form such a beautiful combination that it forces tourists to be silent for some time.
After this, the Gilgit Division begins, after which the first important place is Jaglot. From Jaglot, the route to Astore, Deosai and Skardu Baltistan goes. Another thing that makes Jaglot stand out is that here the three greatest mountain ranges of the world, the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush and the Karakoram, come together and there is no other place in the world where three major ranges come together. After Jaglot, the capital of the northern regions, Gilgit, begins, which has a prominent position due to its commercial, political and social characteristics.
Naltar, Ishkoman, Ghizer and Shindur etc. are reached from here by jeep. Beyond Gilgit, the Nagar region starts, which is known for the Raka Poshi peak. You will get to see this beautiful and giant peak from every place on the Karakoram Highway. Nagar and Hunza are located on both sides of the Karakoram Highway. Coming here, the beauty of the Karakoram Highway is at its fullest. I don't think any tourist who reaches this point on the highway does not bite their fingers in surprise. "Pasu Konz" is the best example of this.
The Hunza and Nagar region is very beautiful. High peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and rivers are the specialties of this area. The prominent mountains of this area are Rakaposhi, Altar, Batora, Kanyang Kush, Dastgil Sar and Passo. There is also an artificial but very attractive lake called Attabad, which is 21 kilometers long, which was formed by the collapse of a mountain. After Sasat, the last point of the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan is Khunjerab Pass. The area from Sasat to Khunjerab consists of uninhabited, difficult mountains and continuous climbs.
The height of the Karakoram Highway at Khunjerab Pass is 4,693 meters, which is why it is called the highest highway in the world. Khunjerab is home to unique animals of the world, including Marco Polo sheep, snow leopards, marmots, bears, yaks, markhors, and nile cows. For this reason, Khunjerab has been granted the status of a national park.
On this road, you can see all kinds of geographical sights, including lush mountains, rocky and barren mountain ranges, giant snowy peaks, numerous rivers, waterfalls, pastures, and glaciers. This is a precious gift of natural beauty from God, which not only makes your journey beautiful but also leaves a deep impression on your heart and mind. The Karakoram Highway is not just a road, but it is the eighth wonder of the world.
