Khaplu and north of Pakistan needs tourists to come and help them
Agha Iqrar Haroon
I know Muhammad Iqbal Balti owner of Baltistan Tours Pakistan from extreme north —Khaplu valley since 1983 when I started my career as tourist guide. That time I was student of second year in Government College Lahore. It was quite fun to work as tourist guide in summer vacations. I am fortunate that people I found in tourism industry almost 32 years ago are still best friends although I shifted my profession from tourist guide to a journalist in 1988. People like Iqbal Balti have given their lives to tourism industry in Pakistan although there is less tourism left in Pakistan after 9/11 disaster. I can write a handbook about Iqbal as he is politician, philanthropist, tour guide, owner of hotel and a tour company. But I am happy that tour guide is still alive inside Iqbal Balti even after archiving so many things in his life.
Iqbal never stops even treks are harsh, uphill and difficult. Therefore despite numerous problems being faced by tourism industry, Iqbal is striving to help tourism industry in his area. This time, Iqbal targets domestic market as hope are taken away about international tourism arrivals due to constant terrorism in the county.
For celebrating 30 successful years in tourism field, he is celebrating 2014 as the year of Adventure and cultural domestic tourism in Khaplu valley and introducing wonderful and virgin treks to domestic tourism. He is introducing un-explore new trek with the name of Gangche Lake trek that is 4600 m above sea level.
I asked Iqbal for a brief interview to promote products of extreme north.
Question: What are you offering to promote domestic tourism market in this season?
Answer: I invite people from Karachi to Khyber to come and view all the high peaks of Karakoram including 8000 m peaks K2, Broad Peak, G-I, G-II and visit Balti culture and Archaeological center Khaplu Baltistan, where they can see old settlement of Balti culture, Khaplu palace (UNESCO awarded) and Masjed of Chaqchen (Buddhist temple converted to Masjed in 15th century), Astana Mir Muhammad (UNESCO awarded) and many others.
Q: What is special for Ghangche Lake?
Ghangche Lake is a water resource of Khaplu town and high pastures of the area. It was the ibex hunting area of Yabgo density of Khaplu in old Baltistan. We are introducing Ghangche Lake Trek for Adventure lovers. This place is very much interesting for Researcher, Archaeological,Homeopathic doctors, agriculturalist, land scalper, Biologist, Geologist, natural photographers and culture Lovers.
Q: What service you offer to nature lovers through your company?
A: Baltistan Tours offers a wide range of programs to suit all tastes and pockets including Treks, Trekking Peaks, Mountaineering Expeditions, Mountain Biking, Rafting, Hunting, Jeep Safaris, Culture tours and Archaeological Tours and Holiday packages for students, old citizen and families, in Pakistan and provide assistance to arrange similar programs in China and the Central Asian States. Baltistan Tours Pakistan has the honour to be the first and senior most Tour Operator of the region in culture and adventure travel having its base in Skardu, Northern Areas Pakistan and the gateway to the Throne Room of Mountain gods. BT offers a wide range of programs to suit all tastes and pockets including Treks, Trekking Peaks, Mountaineering Expeditions, Mountain Biking, Rafting, Hunting, Jeep Safaris, Culture tours and Archaeological Tours and Holiday packages for students, old citizen and families, in Pakistan and provide assistance to arrange similar programs in China and the Central Asian States.
Q: Iqbal you are also running Balti Yul mountaineering school. What is it? Tell us about this school
A: I am proud to have initiated capacity building of Alpine Guides, High Altitude Porters and Low Altitude Porters by establishing a mountaineering School “Balti Yul Mountaineering School” at Khaplu in collaboration with International Leadership Institute USA. Students joining the school are also given proper knowledge about First Aid, Emergency Rescue, Protection of environment and leadership.
Q: Anything you wish to share with our readers
A: I want to tell people around the world that Skardu and Khaplu valleys are very peaceful and there is no radicalism in this area and people of these areas need visit of foreigners and locals from other parts of Pakistan so poor people can survive. Otherwise I fear anti-social elements can lure our youth for anti-social activities. Khaplu and north of Pakistan needs tourists to come and help them.
