K2, at 8,611 metres (28,251 ft) above sea level, is the second-highest mountain on Earth, after Mount Everest at 8,849 metres (29,032 ft). It lies in the Karakoram range, partially in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and partially in the China-administered Trans-Karakoram Tract in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang.
The Karakoram is a mountain range in the Kashmir region spanning the border of Pakistan, China, and India, with the northwestern extremity of the range extending to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Most of the Karakoram mountain range falls under the jurisdiction of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is controlled by Pakistan. Its highest peak, K2, is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It begins in the Wakhan Corridor (Afghanistan) in the west, encompasses the majority of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and extends into Ladakh and Aksai Chin. It is part of the larger Trans-Himalayan mountain ranges.
Masherbrum is a mountain located in the Ghanche District in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. With an elevation of 7,821 metres, it ranks as the 22nd highest mountain globally and the 9th highest in Pakistan. It holds the distinction of being the first mapped peak in the Karakoram mountain range during the Great Trigonometrical Survey, leading to its K-number designation as "K1".
Baltistan also known as Baltiyul or Little Tibet, is a mountainous region in the Pakistani-administered territory of Gilgit-Baltistan and constitutes a northern portion of the larger Kashmir region that has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947. It is located near the Karakoram and borders Gilgit to the west, China's Xinjiang to the north, Indian-administered Ladakh to the southeast, and the Indian-administered Kashmir Valley to the southwest. The average altitude of the region is over 3,350 metres (10,990 ft). Baltistan is largely administered under the Baltistan Division.
Gasherbrum is a remote group of peaks situated at the northeastern end of the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram mountain range. The peaks are located within the border region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and Xinjiang, China. The massif contains three of the world's 8,000 metre peaks. The highly visible face of Gasherbrum IV has gained the nickname the "Shining Wall" and this has often been claimed as the meaning of the word "Gasherbrum". However the name Gasherbrum comes from "rgasha" (beautiful) + "brum" (mountain) in Balti, hence it actually means "beautiful mountain".
The Baltoro Glacier is a glacier located in the Shigar District of the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan. It stretches for 63 km (39 mi) in length. It is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. It is home to some of the world’s highest mountains. It runs through the Karakoram mountain range, close to K2, which is the second highest peak in the world, reaching an elevation of 8,611 meters. Within a 20-kilometer radius, there are three more mountains with elevations exceeding 8,000 meters.
Mitre Peak is a mountain in the Karakoram mountain range near Concordia in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Concordia is the confluence of the Baltoro Glacier and the Godwin-Austen Glacier in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan. It is located in the Baltistan region of Pakistan, at 4,691 metres (15,390 ft) above sea level. The area is often used as a base camp for mountaineering expeditions on K2 and other nearby peaks, and is also a popular destination for trekkers and backpackers.
The Baltoro Muztagh is a subrange within the Karakoram mountain range. It spans across the Baltistan region of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is the northernmost political entity of Pakistan, and extends into Xinjiang, China. The crest of this range also serves as part of the border between Pakistan and China.
The Skardu District is a district of Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region. Skardu District is bounded on the east by the Ghanche District, on the south by the Kharmang District, on the west by the Astore District, on the north-west by the Rondu District and on the north by the Shigar district. The district headquarters is the town of Skardu, which is also the division headquarters.
Gasherbrum V is a mountain in the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram range of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan.
Gilgit-Baltistan is an administrative territory of Pakistan in the northern part of the country. It was given self-governing status on August 29, 2009. Gilgit-Baltistan comprises 14 districts within three divisions. The four districts of Skardu Kharmang Shigar and Ghanche are in the Baltistan Division, four districts of Gilgit Ghizer Hunza and Nagar districts which were carved out of Gilgit District are in the Gilgit Division and the third division is Diamir, comprising Chilas and Astore. The main political centres are the towns of Gilgit and Skardu.
The Abruzzi Glacier is situated to the north of the Baltoro Kangri peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This glacier merges with the Baltoro Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers outside of the polar regions. Initially, the glacier flows in a northwest direction before veering westward. The Abruzzi Glacier offers magnificent vistas of K2, the second highest peak in the world and the highest peak in Pakistan.
Gondogoro Glacier or Gondoghoro Glacier is glacier near Concordia in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It serves as an alternative means to reach Concordia, the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwin-Austen Glacier.
Gondogoro Pass is a mountain pass that stands at an elevation of 5585 meters. It is located in the Baltistan region of Pakistan, approximately 25 km south of the world's second-highest peak, K2. This pass serves as a connection between the Gondogoro Glacier to the southwest and the Vigne Glacier to the northeast.
The Skardu Valley is located in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The valley is about 10 km wide and 40 km long. It is at the confluence of the Shigar River and Indus River. Surrounded by the giagantic Karakoram and Himalayas ranges and with its nearby lakes, it is an important tourist destination in Pakistan. Skardu is the main town of Baltistan along the wide bank of the river Indus. Skardu is the largest district of the Northern Areas. Baltistan is home to some of the highest peaks in the world, the Karakoram Range, Skardu is very popular with Mountaineering Expeditions. It is equally popular with high altitude trekkers, who treks to Baltoro Glacier, K2 Base Camp and Concordia. Skardu by road, lies approximately 5 hours away from Gilgit and 10 hours drive from Besham.
Hushe is the last village of the Ghangche District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is the highest village in the once extremely remote and impoverished Hushe Valley. Hushe men began working as cooks and porters for mountaineering expeditions in the 1960s. Hushe is no longer the poorest of villages, as its popularity as a trekking and climbing destination continues to grow. Climbers and trekkers come all the way from Baltoro Glacier, Concordia and K2 via Gondogoro Pass, descend into Hushe village to reach Skardu District. Access to the Gasherbrums peaks is also possible going north up through Hushe Valley.
Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, an administered territory of Pakistan, focuses on its access to various mountain ranges and alpine terrain. Various tourist destinations attract millions of travelers from within Pakistan. On the other hand, tourists from other countries also routinely visit GB. An estimated 1.72 million tourists visited the region in 2017 according to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). Travelers had contributed Rs.300 million to the local economy in 2017. The authorities were expecting 2.5 million tourists in 2018 which would have meant an additional Rs.450 million to the economy.
Kutiah Lungma Glacier is a glacier that stretches for approximately 12 km in length and has a width of about 3 km. It is situated within the Karakoram mountain range in the Stak Valley of District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This glacier is located in the Stak Valley, which is sometimes referred to as Staq, and it falls within the subdivision of Roundu in district Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan.
