Pakistan in Blossom: A Trip Report (March-May)

This report details my experience in Pakistan during the blossom season, which typically occurs between March and May. This trip marks my fourth visit to Pakistan, covering all four seasons: autumn foliage, summer, blossom, and winter.

While my previous blossom trip in 2016 was disrupted by heavy rains and flooding, this time around, I was fortunate to experience the full splendor of the blooming apricot flowers. This period coincides with the Thai Songkran festival, making it a popular time for Thai tourists to visit Pakistan.

This report focuses on the visual aspects of the trip, providing images to aid your decision-making process.

Key Points:

  • Blossom season in Pakistan typically occurs between March and May.
  • The timing of the bloom varies depending on location, altitude, and weather conditions.
  • The last week of March and the first three weeks of April are generally considered the best time to witness the blossoms.
  • This report is based on a trip taken in April 2017.

For other Pakistani destinations, you can check out the links below, which I have reviewed quite a few of.
Or for more information, you can follow me on http://www.facebook.com/witgoaway

Both changing leaves (Oct-Nov)
[CR][ Pakistan ] + Changing colors in Pakistan + (Oct-Nov 2016)
https://pantip.com/topic/36949651
[CR][Traveling to Pakistan] Just try looking....and you'll fall in love (Oct 2014)
https://pantip.com/topic/34015062


Both during the hot season (Jul-Aug)
[CR][ Pakistan ] Pakistan Summer - Easy on the eyes, easy on the mind (Jul.2017)
https://pantip.com/topic/36783719

[CR]:::::: Pakistan Ep.3 :::::: Pakistan ... Go with your heart, listen with your eyes...(Jul.2016)
https://pantip.com/topic/35461554

Other treks, comparing 3 seasons
[CR]13 places to change your perspective - Pakistan -
https://pantip.com/topic/36277257
[CR][ Pakistan ] Rush Lake Trek : If you have the heart, you can reach it
https://pantip.com/topic/36786944
[CR]---The Dark (Side) of Pakistan --- In the dark side of Pakistan
https://pantip.com/topic/35284424
[CR]-- Rush Lake Trekking, Pakistan -- So beautiful that I forgot to put on sunscreen..
https://pantip.com/profile/439878 Most of them will bloom around this time, around Hunza Valley and Ghizer Valley. I'll go through them one by one.

Continuing our journey...haha ^^

This trip took place from April 5th to 15th, 2017, with a total of 12 friends.
The camera used throughout the trip was a Canon 5D Mark II with a 24-70f2.8 lens.

April 5th, 2017
We departed from Bangkok and arrived in Islamabad around 11 pm. We checked into our hotel, surprised to find a significant number of Thai people there...55+
We were greeted by rain at the airport.

April 6th, 2017
We set off early in the morning for Chilas, halfway to Gilgit, via the Karakoram Highway. The journey took the entire day and was somewhat tiring.

April 7th, 2017
We received the unfortunate news that the road ahead to Gilgit or Fairy Meadows was blocked due to a landslide caused by heavy rain...
...Here we go again...because in April 2016, we also encountered heavy rain and landslides, but that time it was much worse, with flooding that forced us to take an entirely new route >> Link here https://pantip.com/topic/35149998

We ended up taking photos and waiting...

None of them are ordinary...

The driver should be the model...

The journey continued after a full day of photography, but due to road closures, another night in Chilas was necessary. The hotel was packed with tourists.

On April 8th, 2017, the journey resumed in the late morning. However, more bad news emerged: Fairy Meadows had multiple road closures. The plan was to return there later, with the hope that the roads would be cleared within a week.

Leaving Chilas, the group encountered the landslide site from the previous day. The sight confirmed the reason for the delay. The previous day's news reports had been inconsistent and inaccurate.

Wow, that's quite a lot!

In reality, the roads can intersect easily... what's difficult is that they came down to talk, so it looks confusing... I don't know what they agreed on, haha.

After a while of being stuck in traffic, I'm starting to feel refreshed again. ^^

Tonight, I will rest in Gilgit. Tomorrow, I will continue to Ghizer Valley. (April 9, 2017)

I will leave early in the morning for Gupis Valley and Phander Valley. Along the way, I will start to see some flowers blooming, especially when I reach Gupis Valley and beyond. The flowers will become more and more abundant as I continue my journey.

The sky is clear. I used a CPL filter, which makes the colors a bit darker.

Along the way, there were flowers to be seen, which was a relief, as I was initially concerned that the rain would cause them to fall. Seeing them like this is a welcome sight.

The children came out to greet us with adorable smiles. Some of the children's mothers even came out to take pictures with them! 55+

And then we arrived at Phander Lake, which was frozen over. However, during other seasons, the water is a slightly greenish-blue. Tonight, we will return to Gupis to sleep, as tomorrow we have a long journey to Hunza.

When Pink, everything is frilly...even the old driver can be sweet...

10-Apr-2017 Arrived at Hunza, the valley of flowers…

Well… the first picture I took didn't show anything (55+) because the light was so strong, so bright… it was white and I couldn't see anything.

But when I got closer, I was like, "Wow, there are a lot of them!"

The morning light was a bit too strong, so the flowers were kind of blurry and hard to see…

I met models... all professions.

Upon closer inspection, it appears slightly pink...

The closer you are, the pinker it gets.

Paki starts to be sweet. 55+

Today's destination was Khunjeerab Pass, but… the road was closed due to snowfall. The road was slippery and dangerous, so we couldn't go any further… - -"

On the way to Khunjeerab, we passed Attabad Lake. No matter what season it is, it's always beautiful.

We're in the same boat now.

A uniquely shaped mountain near Pasu.

The national animal of Pakistan, the ibex, can be spotted near the Khunjerab Pass.

Unable to travel to Khunjeerab, we continued our journey to the Passu area. We took a walk around the suspension bridge, which was featured on the cover of an older edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Pakistan.

First and only photo of us jumping together in the first shot…^^

11-APR-2017: Hopper Glacier + Baltit Fort

Before the trip, we took a morning walk around Hunza…

Atmosphere in front of the school.

And now, the moment of truth has arrived… Hopper Glacier.

The torture isn't over yet... let's continue walking up to Baltit Fort again...

12-APR-2017: Altit Fort > Gilgit
The Hunza Valley is in full bloom during this period.

The Altit Fort is a historical landmark in Hunza Valley, Pakistan. It is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and its rich history. The fort was built in the 11th century and served as the residence of the Mirs of Hunza. It was abandoned in the 19th century and fell into disrepair. However, it has since been restored and is now a popular tourist destination.

The shy young man...fiddled and twisted before we could take a picture...oh, our model.

Rakaposhi Peak, at an altitude of 7,788 meters, is clearly visible with good weather and clear skies.

Naltar Valley, a ski resort in Pakistan, was closed when I visited, as the season had ended.

Continue to Gilgit and take a stroll through the Gilgit market...

13-APR-2017 Travel from Gilgit to Mansehra, a full day on the road...prepare your butt well. 55+
14-APR-2017 Before entering the city, visit Taxila > Faisal Masjid > Centorus before flying back to Thailand at 23.00 hrs.

Thank you....
+ To all my fellow travelers
+ To everyone who follows me
+ To Pantip for sharing my stories...

See you in the next review, for more information please follow me at http://www.facebook.com/witgoaway

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