Nagar Valley – Formerly Princely State of Gilgit Baltistan

Cherry blossom in Nagar khas 2

Nagar Valley – Formerly Princely State of Gilgit Baltistan

Nagar Valley is located near Gilgit Valley, which is also a famous valley in our country. It is a division of Hunza Nagar district. The valley is divided into two parts, the area units of which are called Nagar-1 and Nagar-2. After calculation, the altitude of the valley is 2438 meters. The main city in the valley is Nagarkhas, the capital of the erstwhile state of Nagar.

In Nagar, Gulmit is a major attraction for respected and famous travellers because of its beautiful scenery and surrounding mountains. Nearby mountains include Mount Rakaposhi and Mount Dilan, which have an altitude of 7,788 meters. There are more than thirty peaks near the valley.

 

Best Time To Visit Nagar Valley

The weather in the valley remains pleasant from mid-April to the end of September. The maximum temperature in the valley in summer is thirteen degrees, but in winter, from October to the end of March, it becomes very cold and almost unpredictable. The lowest temperature in winter is -14 degrees.

Brief History of Nagar Valley

A few things about Nagar Valley are captivating, some in their simplicity, and others in their marvellous intricacy.

In northern Pakistan lies an absolutely stunning district: Hunza Nagar, earlier known as Brushal, is a lakeside paradise. Hunza and Nagar used to be independent princely states parted by the River Hunza, which marked the border between them.

The small states of Hunza and Nagar were notorious for looting trader caravans travelling through China.

The British Government wanted to expand their trade to Russia from here, but the states did not allow them.

Thus, in 1891, the British Army under Colonel Durand invaded Nagar. The British surrounded Nagar’s Natl Fort and eventually seized it six months later.

Today, the Karakoram Highway is the world’s highest commercial highway. It passes through the Nagar Valley, crosses the Hunza-Nagar River, and enters Hunza at Pison.

What is so special about the valley?

As you leave Hunza and cross the river bridge after Ganesh Village, the road that turns right will take you to Hooper. There was a private carpenter before Hopper, and it was formerly a carpenter’s centre. The kingdom is filled with blessed fruit trees, including cherries, apples, and apricots.

The literacy rate in the valley is over 90% for boys and about 59% for girls. Languages spoken in the valley include Shina and Burushki. Almost 60% of the population speaks Brushashki, and the rest, 40%, speaks Shina in Nagar Valley.

One road leads from Nagar Hasbazar to Hispal, the last town in the north, and another leads to Hooper, home to the glacier and Rush Lake. Hopper had no human infrastructure.

Not long after people settled there, there was a waterfall with water as clear and sweet as honey. The people here are very caring and love to provide tourists with nuts, apricots and all kinds of delicacies.

What the traditional Top Dishes of Nagar Valley and Hunza Valley?

Nagar Valley is enrich with organic foods. Dishes to eat in Nagar Valley are shared below:

  1. Chapshuro dish
  2. Gialing (Giyaling/Golay/golee)
  3. Sharbat (Shulbat)
  4. Shirik(Paratha)
  5. Phiti(Type of thin Chupati)
  6. Phulai (hareesa)
  7. Sharado(Hoi Lo Garma)
  8. Diram Phiti/Fitti
  9. Buttering Dowdo(Apricote Soup)
  10. Hani Dowdo(Apricot Almond)
  11. Tumoro Tea(Mountain Tea)

Best Accommodation options in Nagar

Best hotel to stay in Nagar Valley are:

  1. Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet Village Nagar
  2. Minapin Village Nagar
  3. Hopper Village Nagar
  4. Jafferabad Villages Nagar
  5. Thole Village Nagar
  6. Qasimabad Village Nagar

Famous Lakes in Nagar Valley

There are two famous lakes in the region of Nagar Valley Gilgit Baltistan.

  1. Rush Lake
  2. Kachali Lake

Mountain Passes In Nagar

There are two mountain passes are there:

  1. Chaprote Village Pass
  2. Hispar Village Pass

Famous Peaks in Nagar

There are three famous peaks:

  1. Rakaposhi
  2. Diran
  3. Golden Peak (Spantik Peak)

Famous Glaciers in Nagar

  1. Hopper Glacier
  2. Miar Glacier
  3. Hisper Glacier
  4. Barpu Glacier
  5. Pissan Glacier
  6. Silkiyang Glacier
  7. Minapin Glacier

Famous Meadows in Nagar

  1. Hapakun (Minapin)
  2. Gappa (Chalt)
  3. Daiter (Chalt)
  4. Barpu (Hopar)
  5. Shahshabaran(Ghulmet)
  6. Menamgusham (Sumayar)
  7. Kachali (Minapin)
  8. Sumayar Bar (Hopar)
  9. Silkiyang (Sumayar)

Nagar Valley – A Magical Land: 

Hooper is the most sublime beauty in Nagar, a land of snow-clad mountains, but the sheer power of glaciers to carve out new landscapes also makes them magnificent.

In Gulmit Valley lies Rakaposhi Mountain, whereas the Diran Peak stands high in Minapin.

While I was going to Hunza Valley from Karakoram Highway, I noticed a long line of vehicles standing in queues due to a big landslide blocking the road near Minapin.

My driver took an alternate route through the Minapin village, and I witnessed the stunning scenery racing past. From the dangerously narrow and bumpy route my driver took, I searched for the Karakoram Highway.

After a couple of hours, we finally managed to get back on the Karakoram Highway. While the engine was in full swing on our way to Hunza, for the first time ever, I saw Nagar Valley.

Delectable green grassland with Golden Peak in the backdrop, I witnessed smiling faces peering out, local children playing, women working hard in the sunshine, and animals grazing fields—Nagar is famously known for its serene village life.

Sooner, once you leave Hunza and cross the river bridge after Ganesh village, a road turning right takes you to Hooper.

Before Hooper was Nagar Khas(original), which was once the centre of Nagar. The area is blessed with fruit trees comprising cherries, apples, and apricots.

Nagar Khas is full of hard-working, soft-spoken people with narrow homes and outlets.

A road from the Nagar Khas Bazar leads to the last village of the north, Hispar, and another towards Hooper, which hosts glaciers and Rush Lake. After Hooper, there is no human infrastructure.

Shortly after the settlement is a waterfall with water as pure and sweet as honey. The people here are heartwarming and like to offer tourists walnuts, apricots, and other delights.

I reached Hispar at sunset. The village did not seem to belong here.

It appeared as if it was cut off from the rest of the world. A strange silence and coolness surround the air. I decide to stay here for the night.

As I stood in the valley shaking with cold, I saw a shooting star.

Scared, I shut my eyes as I sensed it approaching as if it was going to drop any second. The next moment, it disappeared. It was frightening, but I longed to see it once again.

Narrow escapes in the wilderness are thrilling. These remote lands are filled with beauty and serenity, as well as terror and fear.

 

 

 

 

Ejaz Hussain
Ejaz Hussain

The Writer, CEO & Founder of Pakistantourntravel.com is a passionate traveler with a deep love for exploring the breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems of Northern Pakistan. From the majestic mountains to the vibrant cultures, he takes great delight in immersing himself in the rich experiences and sharing captivating tales from his journeys. You can catch him as he unravels the wonders of this enchanting Pakistan and inspires fellow adventurers to embark on their own unforgettable expeditions. Connect with him @ [email protected]

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