As the tourism industry witnesses signs of boom, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has earned a spot on CNN's list of the top 25 must-visit destinations for 2025.
In the list published on Wednesday, CNN Travel noted, "The Gilgit-Baltistan region in the Karakoram Mountains isn't the easiest place to get to - flight schedules can be unreliable, roads can be blocked off seasonally - but it has more tantalising peaks than a lemon meringue pie".
"It's home to five of the 14 'eight-thousander' peaks recognised as the world's highest. That includes K2, the world's second-tallest mountain but No. 1 in terms of difficulty and danger," the report added.
CNN Travel described hiking in GB as an unparalleled challenge, stating, "It makes the Himalayas look like a traipse in Central Park." However, the broadcaster cautioned that solo travel in the region is "not an option."
Renowned for its stunning landscapes and adventure tourism, the region attracts thousands of tourists and foreign climbers annually for trekking, paragliding, and mountain expeditions.
The region's allure is evident from the increasing number of climbers applying for permits. In 2024, over 1,700 foreign adventure tourists sought permits for various expeditions, with 175 aiming to scale the formidable K2 during the summer, according to a senior government official.
Earlier last year, Deputy Secretary of the GB Tourism Department Sajid Hussain revealed that adventure tourism was booming.
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