Pakistan - Your Travel Destination 2019 (Part VI): Dare to Watch Live Snow Leopard Hunting a Markhor

Pakistan has been blessed with every weather, resources, wild life, birds, mountains and plains that interest all categories of tourists, adventurers, mountaineers, trekkers, bird watchers and wild life lovers. Today's post is for those who can dare and climb up the snow clad mountains of Pakistan's northern areas and watch some of the near extinct species of wild life, like the Deosai plains bears, Marco Polo sheep, the mighty twisted horned Markhor and the agile snow leopards.

Before we talk of the adventure that awaits the wild life lovers, let me introduce to you the Markhor and the snow leopards.

Markhor, with its long twisted horns, is the national animal of Pakistan. The excessive hunting of this beautiful animal has reduced its population to few thousands and is at the risk of extinction. Markhor which is a member of the goat family and has its habitats in sparsely wooded mountainous regions at altitudes ranging from 700 m (2300′) from November to May up to 4000 m (13,000′) in the summer. The Markhor forages tussocks of grass about 8 – 12 hours daily, and it is usually active all day except for several hours in the middle of the day, when it rests and chews its cud. Besides Pakistan, Markhor is also found in area that extends from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India (Kashmir).

The snow leopard, another endangered species is found in the mountain wilderness of the Himalayan and Central Asian region at heights of 3,000-4,000 meters above sea level. In Pakistan, the snow leopard is found only in the Hindu Kush and Karakoram  region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir with an estimated population of around 200-420 according to the Snow Leopard Trust.

In remote wilderness of the mountains, wildlife adventurers can find bot these majestic animals dueling at razor sharp mountain edges and slopes. Out there where hardly any human can reach, Markhors are striving to survive the claws of rather sluggish looking snow leopards. But when it comes to chasing the Markhors in search for meat on hoof, the predator assumes immense agility and tactical skills.

Now watch a beautiful video shot in the rugged mountains of Gilgit Baltistan of Pakistan in which a snow leopard is seen hunting a Markhor - but would he succeed:

Do you dare to be there watching this live in the wilderness of HinduKush and Karakoram mountain ranges of Pakistan? Try it - it is a lifetime experience !!

Photos: | Markhor (Wildlife Warriors) | Snow Leopard (Pixabay) |
References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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Healing Hot Springs of Garam Chashma - Chitral, Pakistan

Natural springs with hot water oozing out of sulfur rich mountains are famous the world over for healing skin diseases. While visiting Ramsar, Iran, I visited one of the springs and saw the fuming hot sulfur rich water and people taking bath. The Northern Areas of Pakistan too are rich in such hot springs where more than tourists patients abound for healing their skin related diseases.

One of the hot spring rich areas is Garam Chashma - or the Hot Springs as its is exactly translated into English. It is a small place some 45 kilometers north-west of Chitral, located at 1859 meters (6,100 feet) above mean sea level, overlooked by the famous Trichmir, the 7,700 meters high peak. Going exactly by its name, the place has hot water springs mixed with sulfur that have water as hot as above the boiling point.  

The sulfur springs are famous for healing a number of skin and joint diseases. This is what people of the area believe and thus attract a large number of tourists and patients to this scenic place for treatment. For the convenience of tourists special bathrooms have been constructed around the springs.

From Chitral, a narrow metaled road travels up north and then turns north-west along thr the Lotkuh River and on to Garam Chashma. The road is at most places washed off due to falling rocks and stones of the stony and muddy mountains due to rains and melting snow. Thus it is better to hire a jeep from Chitral or use a sturdy vehicle. 

Lotkuh River (seen in photo above), which passes through Garam Chashma, is famous for its brown trout fish. For anglers fishing is allowed from April to September for which permit has to be obtained from local fishery department.

Ali, a sturdy young man from Garam Chashma, who works as a helper with us, recently showed a number of photos of his village on his mobile that in fact urged me to write this post. All photos shared in this post, except for the Markhor and Murgh-e-Zareen (for which source are give) all photos have been taken by Ali.

Ali posing during spring but snow has still not melted

The mountain slopes on both sides of the Lotkuh valley abound in pine, ‘deodar’ and fir trees. In the valley, one comes across vast stretches of cherries, mulberry, apricot, apple pear, grape, pomegranate and melons gardens, besides Chinar and walnut trees. The pomegranates of Garam Chashma taste heavenly sweet and tourists take loads of pomegranates when departing this beautiful land - and I have already requested Ali to get me box full of these !!.

Ripe cherries of the season

Beside growing food orchards and trees, the locals till the rugged mountain patches with hard labour and assistance of animal drive plough to grow food for them. Mostly wheat and barley is cultivated.

Ploughing with snow clad mountains 

For those interested in wild life, the place is a bliss and one can spot by luck the near extinct snow leopards and Pakistan's national animal markhor besides ibex, urial, wolves and black bear. For hunters, however, there is a caution as these wild animals are protected by the wildlife department. 

The mighty Markhor (Photo Source)

Ali posing with the mighty horns of a Markhor

The beautiful multi coloured Murgh-e-Zareen (Photo Source)

Garam Chashma and surrounding areas also have majestic birds like Murgh e Zareen and various species of Chikor including the Ram Chikor or the snow partridge which clucks and whistles high on the stony steppes. Murgh e Zareen or surkhaab is a species of pheasant and is also known as the Himalayan Monal and is hunted for its crest feathers. 

Ali's father in his last days before he expired of illness six months ago

Ali posing with a Chitral Scout

I could not find a video on YouTube showing the exact hot springs of Garam Chashma except the one below which show pools of sulfured water coming from the springs.

There is much more to Pakistan and its scenic beauty hidden in the mountains and plains of the country. Do scroll through my blog for some very interesting and beautiful places of my country - Pakistan.

Video courtesy Faheed Iqbal
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10 Unique Natural Treasures

The world is replete with natural wonders that attract the attention of the tourists from around the globe. Pakistan is one of those gifted countries which have features and wonders that the Nature has gifted it. These unique wonders are spread from the seashore of the Arabian Sea to the snow capped towering mountains up in the north.

Herein under are some of the most unique features that are one of their own kind in the world of nature that one would be fascinated to visit if one happens to be in Pakistan.

K-2

K-2 , the biggest pyramid like feature in the world: Located in the Karakorum mountain range up in the north of Pakistan, the 28,251 feet high K-2 or the Mt Godwin Austen or Chogori (in local Balti language) is not only the second highest peak of the world after Mt Everest, this pyramid shaped natural feature of the world. Visible from far distance, even when flying in the aircraft, K-2 is also considered as the Savage Mountain since it is more difficult to climb than Mt Everest. 

Panoramic view of the Trango Towers

Trango Towers – the sheerest verticals of the world: Located in the Karakorum mountain range and part of the Trango Massif, these bare and unique verticals reaching out to 6,286 meters (20,608 feet), are the world’s most sheer verticals and rock features. These verticals are located across the famous Baltoro Glacier attract mountaineers from across the globe to scale these awesome rock verticals. The Trango Massif is surrounded by the K-2, the Gasherbrums and the Broad Peak (all above 8,000 metres). 

Nanga Parbat

Eight thousanders: There are fourteen peaks in the world that are above 8,000 metres and are known as the Eight Thousanders. Of these fourteen peaks, five are located in Pakistan. These include the K-2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-I, the Broad Peak and the Gasherbrum-II. 

Deosai Plains and the Brown Bears

Deosai Plains and its extinct Brown Bears: Spread over an area of some 3,000 kilometers, the Desoai Plateau is the second highest plateau after the Tibetan Plateau in the world. The endless and awesome Deosai Plains are located at the boundary of the Karakorum and West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe. Located in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan, the plains at an average height of 4,114 metres above mean sea level are rich in flora and fauna of its very own kind. 

Princess of Hope

Princess of Hope: This beautiful naturally carved feature resembles a woman standing gazing at distant horizon clad in a royal gown and hood is located in the Balochistan province of Pakistan along the coast of Arabian Sea. The name of Princess of Hope was given to this feature by Hollywood star actress Angelina Jolie, who is also the UN ambassador of goodwill when she visited Pakistan. 

Pakistani Sphinx

Pakistani Sphinx: This natural feature, located close to the Princess of Hope feature, resembles very closely with the Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt. 

Mud Volcanoes

Mud Volcanoes: Balochistan coastline along the Arabian Sea is an area rich in natural trove and unbelievable features. Mud Volcanoes stretched along the coastline between Karachi and Ormara are class of their own. The biggest crater has a diameter of 450 feet. 

Juniper Tree

Juniper Forests: The Juniper forests located near the town of Ziarat in Balochistan are the the second largest Juniper forests in the world after the Junipers of California, some as old as 57000 years. 

Extinct snow leopard

Snow Leopards: Pakistan is among few lucky countries where snow leopards can be found high up in the snow bound areas of its northern region, specially in Khunjrab (bordering China). They are found at altitudes varying between 3,000 and 5,500 metres. 

Blind Indus Dolphin

Blind Dolphin of Indus: We often see Dolphins dancing and jumping near the ships in the movies, and in Titanic too. The look full of life, friendly, jovial and extremely sporty - may be because they can see. But there is species of the Dolphins that cannot see – they are virtually blind and unlike the seas, they are found in the Indus River in Pakistan. In local language it is called “Susu.” 

Read more about these unique treasures at Pakistapaedia

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Snow Leopards - a beautiful animal on the verge of extinction

Pakistan is among few lucky countries where snow leopards can be found high up in the snow bound areas of its northern region, specially in Khunjrab (bordering China). They are found at altitudes varying between 3,000 and 5,500 metres .  

This beautiful animal, now on the verge of extinction, has thick hair, wide fur-covered feet that act as natural snowshoes. These leopards have powerful legs which aid them in jumping as far as 50 feet. They use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill. Their favourite meal is devouring the poor Blue Sheep and mountain ibex. The snow leopard does not roar like other big cats of Africa and India. Rather it has a sort of a chuffing /sneezing sound that it emits to attract attention during its mating.

The snow leopard has a cryptic nature of hiding from people, or even its prey, until the final rush when it can catch something. There are generally no reported cases of snow leopards being man-eaters. In fact, they are so non-aggressive and so timid in a number of cases where a snow leopard got into a corral with the livestock, the herdsmen simply got in with a club and beat it to death.  

At present, only a few hundred of these beautiful animals are left in Pakistan and a few thousands the world over. If their unabated hunting continues, a few years from hence, these animals will only be seen in zoos or in picture books. The snow leopard is listed in the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Animals as Endangered.


Nisar Malik, a Pakistani journalist along with cameraman Mark Smith, spent 18 months following this most enigmatic of animals. Thus eventually gaining valuable insights into the day to day life of the snow leopards. Set in the wilds of the Hindu Kush, this film profiles a much misunderstood part of the world, going beyond the myth to tell the snow leopard's real story. Watch the first part of the video below. You may watch the complete series of six episodes from YouTube.

Related Reading:

Fauna and Endangered Wildlife of Pakistan (Pakistanpaedia)

Snow Leopard Conservation in Pakistan

Snow Leopards (Wikipedia)

Snow Leopard Photo Courtesy Wikipedia

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