Back from Hunza, onto next adventure!

I told you about those amazing gift shops, gemstone jewelry, and such things... So, we had to stop on the way back, of course. The green set you're looking at is made of jade stone. It's in the semi-precious category, while the rest are just stones, not even semi-precious. This green set was a gift from my better half... Yes, it all started with a ring, and one thing led to another, and it turned into a full set. It's set in silver. This is my favorite jewelry item these days. If it were up to me, I would pair it with every outfit 😜

So, after this shopping trip, we embarked on our next journey... towards Naltar.

What is Naltar now?

The Naltar Valley is a valley situated about 34 kilometres (21 miles) from the city of Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is a forested area distinguished by its three lakes, Strangi Lake, Blue Lake, and Bodlok Lake, as well as by the mountainous landscape. sr

The valley boasts a rich and vibrant culture, preserved and cherished through generations. Its people possess a deep sense of community and pride in their heritage. Warm and hospitable, they eagerly share their traditions with visitors. The valley hosts numerous traditional festivals and celebrations enjoyed by all. One of the most popular events is the Naltar Mela, held annually in the summer. This festival showcases the region’s culture, offering visitors a chance to experience the traditional music, dance, and cuisine of the area.

The average climate of Naltar Valley is cold. During summer it reaches a maximum of 22 degrees celsius whereas in winters it can drop down to a freezing –15 degrees celsius.

The excitement of going to a new place is something else. That feeling can't truly be expressed in words. I had heard a lot about Naltar, but never had the chance to visit before...

Alright, so the truth is that by the time we reached Naltar, I was quite exhausted. I made an executive decision that we would only explore the beauty of Naltar Valley and wouldn’t visit any more lakes. So, we sat comfortably outside our guestroom, had coffee, enjoyed a hot meal, and then... we headed toward the ski spot.

Below are some of the pictures that I snapped along the way:

And we finally reached the famous ski resort:

_{ski resort, Naltar: picture by @soulfuldreamer}

_{same ski resort slope in winter, Naltar: picture sr Wikipedia}

My husband and I sat in front of that slope for about half an hour... I wished time would stop, and I could just soak in the view to my heart’s content. Resting my head on his shoulder, we both silently watched the distant mountains for a long while.

The next day, after breakfast, we set off on our journey back... but my heart felt as if it was still stuck somewhere in those mountains.

As we stood there, gazing at the majestic Nanga Parbat in the distance. I can't help but share a few things with you. This towering giant, also called the "Killer Mountain," reaches an incredible height of 8,126 meters. Just looking at its vast, snow-covered slopes gave me a sense of awe, knowing how challenging and dangerous it is to climb.

And then, as we continued on, we found ourselves at the spot where three of the world’s most iconic mountain ranges meet — the Himalayas, the Karakorams, and the Hindu Kush. It’s surreal to witness this natural marvel in person, knowing we were standing at the crossroads of such immense beauty and history. It’s not just a meeting of mountains, but a meeting of worlds.

_{The Place where the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindu Kush Meet. Picture by @soulfuldreamer}

_{The Place where the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindu Kush Meet. sr}

A lot happened on our way back... The same dam construction was ongoing, and once again, we encountered road blockades. But maybe, just maybe, I’ll save that story for another time because right now, I’m at the airport, heading to Turkey. I’ve been working on this post throughout for the latest couple of days and I’ve just finished it now.

As I sit here, waiting for my flight, I can’t help but reflect on how surreal it all feels—leaving one adventure behind while another awaits.