RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – Eleven members from the Netherlands will cycle on the Karakoram Highway from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, to Karakuli Lake in China and back to Islamabad, Pakistan. The biking tour was started from Flashman’s Hotel, Rawalpindi, on the morning of September 7, 2012, which was seen off by Managing Director PTDC Mir Shahjahan Khetran.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that despite all odds, PTDC is working hard to promote adventure tourism along the Karakoram Highway and the Gilgit Baltistan region. It is very encouraging that such adventure bikers are continuously visiting Pakistan only due to its natural beauty, diverse landscape, and climbing, as well as the most hospitable people.
He said that it was the effort of the tours department of PTDC for making all these arrangements of the biking tours that such activities are continued over the years. PTDC is not only providing services throughout the country to Pakistani tourists but also its foreign guests.
The group will bicycle in different parts of Karakoram Highway. Team Leader Kolkhuis Tanke Pascal has visited over a dozen times to Pakistan and always brought a group of cyclists. This biking tour is dedicated to peace and harmony from the people of the Netherlands to the people of Pakistan who are great hockey playing nations.
During their biking trip, the group will visit Abbottabad, Mansehra, Thakot, Besham, Chilas, Raikot, Gilgit, Hunza, Sost, and on to Khunjerab Pass, the highest point on the Karakoram Highway, i.e. 4,723 meters above sea level. They will also see beautiful valleys, and high peaks like Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters), Rakaposhi (7,776 meters), Diran Peak, Shispar Peak, Vulcan Glacier, Passu Glacier, and Batura Glacier along the route. They will also cross the famous 20 kilometer-long Ata Abad Lake in Hunza Valley on boats. The lake was formed as a result of landslides and floods in 2010.
They will also visit famous forts of Baltit, Altit, and have a view of Rakaposhi from the Base Camp in Nagar Valley. From Khunjerab Pass, they will drive to the Chinese border town of Taxkurgan before biking on to Karakuli Lake under the shadow of the famous mountain of China Mustag Ata (Father of Mountains).
After staying in a yourt (a traditional nomad camp) along the Karakuli Lake, the group will return back to Islamabad, Pakistan, on the same route, and will then fly back home to Amsterdam.
