Join me @ Facebook | Google+ | Twitter | 500px | Instagr | YouTube

* * * * * *

This is a view of Tupopdan mountain, one of the most amazing places along Karakoram highway.

The Karakoram is a ‘who’s who’ of the world’s tallest peaks – including K-2, second only to Everest. And its valleys deliver a glut of glaciers, the longest outside the polar regions, with some creeping right to the road edge. The 240-kilometer Hunza Valley is an ancient and remote kingdom in the northeast of Pakistan, nestled close to China and the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan. The simplicity of village life belies the valley’s strategic and economic importance. Not so many years ago, travel through its narrow gorges and high passes was treacherous as local brigands supplemented meagre agricultural outputs by raiding silk route caravans, trading slaves and capturing loot

The Tupopdan "sun drenched mountain" (translation of local name) or Cathedral Spires of Passu 6106m, visible from the Karakoram Highway. It feels like a sight straight out of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is located in Gojal, Upper Hunza in Northern Areas of Pakistan. The KKH here crosses the raucous streams of the Gulmit and Ghulkin glaciers, then passes the town of Sesoni. In this stretch of valley you begin to see Tupopdan, a multipinnacled ridge culminating in a 20,000-foot peak. Tupopdan is a giant pincushion of sheer, Knifelike spires mountain rising straight up from the plain and dominating this section of the valley. The Wakhi village of Pasu (8,500 feet elevation, 102 miles from Gilgit)

Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, f/5.6, 0.01 sec (1/100), ISO 100, 18 mm , GND8 filter

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Pakistan Asia Upper Hunza Karakoram Karakoram highway Passu Gilgit adventure travel tourism sunrise dawn dusk sunset water view panorama long exposure landscape waterscape scenic nature exploration outdoors magic light wildnerness Tupopdan sun drenched mountain natur natura natuur natureza edge of the world beautiful scenery vacation trip breathtaking overlook outlook vista wonderful fantastic awesome stunning beautiful incredible mood dramatic light atmosphere paysage paisaje paisagem paesaggio Landschaft wasser agua shore river dark dark blue scenery mountain mountains blue www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova

© All Rights Reserved

Join me @ Facebook | Twitter | 500px | Instagram | YouTube

* * * * * *

This photo was taken just before sunset at Fairy Meadows camp, it is one of the most beautiful places I've been to. This shot is connected with rather funny story - I was wondering around the village and became the main object of attention of local boys. They have been following me everywhere I went. They watched me with great interest how I got to those strange positions to get the best picture from the best angle. At some point one of them wanted to become a photographer and I've given him my camera. Suddenly I had many boys around me and when they thought that the picture was being taken, I was kissed by several 6-13 years old boys. I thought it was really funny but had to find something that would take their attention away from trying to kiss me. As I had an idea to take photo with circles in the water, I tried to explain them that I need them to bring some medium size stones and to through them into the water. As they hardly spoke any English, I had to show them first. Luckily they thought it is great fun and went to find some stones. Once they came back, they started to throw stones into the water all at once, so I had to gently ask them, that I need only one stone at a time after the water got quite again. At the end, they all stood in the queue and all have been so happy to help me create wonderful photos.

The mountain in the picture is Nanga parbat (also known as Nangaparbat Peak or Diamir) is the 9th highest mountain on Earth and the 2nd highest in Pakistan. Nanga Parbat has tremendous vertical relief over local terrain in all directions. To the south, Nanga Parbat boasts what is often referred to as the highest mountain face in the world: the Rupal Face rises an incredible 4,600 m (15,000 feet) above its base. To the north, the complex, somewhat more gently sloped Rakhiot Flank rises 7,000 m (22,966 feet) from the Indus River valley to the summit in just 27 km, one of the 10 greatest elevation gains in so short a distance on Earth. Nanga Parbat is the fastest growing mountain on Earth and it is still growing about 7mm a year (but dont ask me how they measure it!)

Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, f/5.6, 0.01 sec (1/100), ISO 100, 18 mm

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Pakistan Asia Karakoram Karakoram highway travel tourism vacation trip scenery scenic breathtaking overlook outlook vista view exploration wonderful fantastic awesome stunning beautiful incredible mood magic light dramatic atmosphere outdoors wildnerness edge of the world nature natuur natureza landscape paysage paisaje paisagem paesaggio Landschaft lumière Licht beauté morning evening sky ciel cielo Himmel colors color colour colours couleur couleurs farbe Farben colores mountains mountain Glacier blue winter snow symetry www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova

© All Rights Reserved

Join me on Facebook | Google+ | Twitter | 500px | Instagram

~~~~~~~~~

This is a shot of Mt. Tupopdan (6106m) taken at the sunset with new and old suspension Husaini Bridge in foreground.

Probably one of the more instantly recognisable pictures you'll see in books and promotional pictures of Pakistan is of the numerous suspension bridges that cross the rivers in and around Northern Pakistan. And in saying that, one of the more famous day treks around the region is known as the Two Bridges trek which as the name suggests sees you crossing two bridges on a five hour trek in the area surrounding Passu and the neighboring villages before ending at Borit Lake.The trek itself is probably more of a pleasant stroll than a strenuous effort but the setting and the scenery is some of the best I've seen so far. Apart from crossing the two bridges you meander through farming villages, traverse steep ravines, cross potato and pumpkin fields as the farmers wave hello and end the day by enjoying a nice cold drink by an alpine lake.

Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, f/22, 0.8 sec (4/5), ISO 100, 21 mm

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Pakistan Asia Upper Hunza Karakoram Karakoram highway Passu Gilgit adventure travel tourism sunrise dawn dusk sunset water view panorama long exposure landscape waterscape scenic nature exploration outdoors magic light wildnerness Tupopdan sun drenched mountain rock geology DiamondClassPhotographer natur natura natuur natureza edge of the world beautiful scenery vacation trip breathtaking overlook outlook vista wonderful fantastic awesome stunning beautiful incredible mood dramatic light atmosphere paysage paisaje wasser agua shore river dark dark blue scenery mountain mountains blue www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova

© All Rights Reserved

Join me on Facebook | Google+ | Twitter | 500px | Instagram

~~~~~~~~~

This photo was taken in Beyal Camp which is a wonderful place surrounded with beautiful thick Pine forest, spellbinding views of Raikot Glacier and Nanga Parbat.

The mountain in the picture is Nanga parbat (also known as Nangaparbat Peak or Diamir) is the 9th highest mountain on Earth and the 2nd highest in Pakistan. Nanga Parbat has tremendous vertical relief over local terrain in all directions. To the south, Nanga Parbat boasts what is often referred to as the highest mountain face in the world: the Rupal Face rises an incredible 4,600 m (15,000 feet) above its base. To the north, the complex, somewhat more gently sloped Rakhiot Flank rises 7,000 m (22,966 feet) from the Indus River valley to the summit in just 27 km, one of the 10 greatest elevation gains in so short a distance on Earth. Nanga Parbat is the fastest growing mountain on Earth and it is still growing about 7mm a year (but dont ask me how they measure it!)

No digital manipulation was done here. The moon is where it really was.

Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, f/10, 0.002 sec (1/500), ISO 200, 200 mm

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Pakistan Asia Upper Hunza Karakoram Karakoram highway Beyal Camp Raikot Glacier travel tourism vacation trip scenery scenic breathtaking overlook outlook vista view exploration wonderful fantastic awesome stunning beautiful incredible mood magic light dramatic light atmosphere outdoors wildnerness edge of the world nature natuur natureza landscape paysage paisaje paisagem paesaggio Landschaft light lumière Licht beauté morning evening sky ciel cielo Himmel colors color colour colours couleur couleurs farbe Farben colores mountains mountain Glacier moon luna blue winter snow symetry www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova

© All Rights Reserved

Join me on Facebook | Google+ | Twitter | 500px | Instagram

~~~~~~~~~

Fairy Meadow is lush green plateau situated in the foots gin of Nanga Parbat at the Western edge of the Himalayan Range. The name Fairy Meadows is part of the legend that Fairy’s have their heaven on this lush green plateau. This legendry name Fairy Meadows is everlasting gift of the western tourist to the local people. Fairy Meadow offers superb views of the Nanga Parbat (8125 m) the highest mountain in Pakistan in Himalayas. (9th highest in the world) Nanga Parbat is a Persian word, which means “Naked Mountain”, the local People call “ Diamer (Monarch of the God). It is also know “Killer Mountain” among the mountaineers as more 40 climbers have lost their lives trying to conquer it during expeditions. It is about 540 km drive through Karakorum Highway, from Islamabad to Raikot Bridge (1400 m). Where local Jeeps will take you up to the Tatto village. It is one and half hour exciting drive from Raikot Bridge to the last village of Tatto (2900 m). There are several photo stop on the way up to Tatto, including most impressive view of Karakorum Highway & River Indus from the one of the sharp turn of the road. On arrival at Tatto have lunch in the local restaurant, after lunch hire Porters and start trekking on very easy old jeep road for (02 – 03 hours). It is a great experience to have overnight in fixed camping side, or in the traditionally built wood Huts, which offers magnificent view of the North face of the Nanga Parbat. Please note that there is no electricity there, so come with as many charged batteries as you can !!

There are several short walks on this plateau, including the full day excursion up to the base camp (3900 m) of Nanga Parbat. It is very easy walk through the forest till then the edge of the plateau call Beyal Camp (3500 m). Whereas the trek from Beyal Camp to base camp is little difficult along the Raikot Glacier. The lush green Plateau of Fairy Meadows is well known for its thick forest of Pine trees and wild flowers including Edelweiss. The friendly people of the high mountains of Himalayas still remember the Fairy’s and Nanga Parbat in their songs. It can be a soul-stirring experience to share music and dance during campfire.

Camera Model: Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, Lens’s focal length: 18.00 - 200.00 mm, Photo Focal length: 125.00 mm, Aperture: 7.1, Exposure time: 1/200 s, ISO: 200

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Pakistan Asia Karakoram travel tourism vacation trip scenery scenic breathtaking overlook outlook vista view exploration wonderful fantastic awesome stunning beautiful incredible mood magic light dramatic atmosphere outdoors wildnerness edge of the world landscape Places to Stay Traditional Wood Huts Traditional Wood Huts grass golnden dark blue sunset panorama paysage paisagem paesaggio www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova world holiday place destination location journey tour touring tourist traveling visit visiting sight sightseeing

© All Rights Reserved