Saturday, August 24, 2024 Tourism surges as the ‘Yosemite of Pakistan’ offers captivating, crowd-free adventures, drawing trekkers to its stunning landscapes and hidden gems. The ‘Yosemite of Pakistan’ attracts just 1 percent of the trekkers who flock to Nepal’s peaks – yet the experience is even more captivating. A hollow thwack echoes as a tennis ball connects with a cricket bat, soaring into a grassy clearing beyond our colorful tents.
A surreal scene unfolds as porters and trekkers scramble to retrieve the ball in our camp, nestled between towering rock formations. After flying to Skardu in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, we made our way to the village of Kanday. Situated at 3,000 meters above sea level, it served as our gateway to the Nangma Valley, often called the “Yosemite of Pakistan” – minus the crowds.
Our trek began by crossing swift snowmelt streams, navigating around ancient boulders, and traversing vibrant fields of young wheat and potatoes lined with poplars. As we left the terraces behind, the trail led us into the valley’s steep V-shaped entrance, where the towering rock seemed to envelop us. As night fell, we stored the cricket bat and gathered in the orange canvas mess tent under a star-studded navy sky.
Cozy inside, we enjoyed a dinner of noodle soup, dahl, and fresh bread while reflecting on the day’s 6.5km trek. Over herbal tea, our serene chief guide, Muneer Alam, delivered the nightly briefing: the next day’s route would .