| The northern areas of Pakistan contain the highest | | | | their community was in operation and all were hoping |
| concentration of peaks and longest glaciers outside | | | | and praying for a successful hunt as this would mean |
| the polar region. This is where the world's 3 greatest | | | | considerable foreign exchange for their development |
| mountain chains collide the Karakorams, Hindukush | | | | schemes. I was advised by our friend Anchan Ali |
| and the Himalayas. Emanating out of these rugged | | | | Mirza who is a son of the soil to pioneer the Astor |
| mountains flow rivers, their tributaries and melted | | | | markhor hunt in this virgin land. It was a new area |
| glacial water thus creating a rich source of inhabitance | | | | and a test case for all. We crossed the mighty river |
| for some of the world's rarest wild life species the | | | | "Indus" on a local traditional raft known as "Zakh". |
| Astor , Pir Panjal markhor, Laddakh Urial, Himalayan | | | | This form of transportation on rivers is even used |
| Ibex and Blue sheep. | | | | until today. Earlier the floats of "Zakh" were made of |
| Heavy poaching by locals as well as outsiders had led | | | | goat skin but now days a more modern form of tyre |
| to an alarming decline in population of these important | | | | tube is being used. Although a safe form to cross but |
| species until when foreign and local NGOs arrived to | | | | a hair raising experience. |
| their rescue and initiated a programme for the | | | | It is a traditional belief that a good male buck has 19 |
| sustainable trophy hunting of these game species and | | | | times the wisdom of a human being and hence we |
| its use. The importance to perpetuate the population | | | | were to show some great strength, intelligence, |
| of the Markhor at community level and the local | | | | courage and patience in the days ahead. The walk in |
| inhabitants direct involvement through interest in | | | | the rugged mountains of the Karakorams is |
| conservation has led to satisfactory results in | | | | challenging and demanding and only those souls with |
| achieving this objective. The social benefits derived | | | | the spirit of adventure are likely to succeed. At |
| through income generation from hunting | | | | certain points we used safety ropes for crossing |
| Licence fees has played an instrumental role in | | | | cliffs and falls. Fortunately we spotted a good male |
| successful conservation. Those | | | | buck from a distance on the very first of our arrival |
| Communities who earlier did ,not have the resources | | | | and I was able to take a shot successfully. It was |
| to run educational, health and other social endeavours | | | | not until the next morning that we were able to bring |
| were now able to undertake these projects. | | | | down the animal due to poor visibility. As it had |
| Hunting the "markhor" as has been for many was | | | | turned out it was a mature buck of about 34 inches |
| one of my great desire. I was able to fulfill this | | | | although we were expecting a larger trophy. After all |
| pursuit and dream with the help of my friend Renaud | | | | the hours of continuous driving and arduous walking I |
| Desgrees du Lou who happened to know Anchan Ali | | | | could not have been a more satisfied man. Amongst |
| Mirza from the Karakroams - Pakistan and they were | | | | all of us there existed a great sense of pride and |
| able to organize a successful hunt for me in the | | | | achievement. |
| Karakorams - Pakistan. Although I had an option of | | | | We then drove towards our next goal which was |
| hunting either of the northern population of the | | | | the Himalayan Ibex near the town of Skardu. |
| markhor I opted for the Astor since not many | | | | Interestingly when we arrived in this area we were |
| hunters that I have known had ventured into the | | | | surprised to spot a few exceptional size trophies of |
| heart of the mighty Karakorams where this animal | | | | Astor markhor. . Anchan Ali Mirza had already taken a |
| survived. | | | | Hungarian hunter there earlier and therefore, It was |
| We flew Into Islamabad where we were swiftly | | | | not possible to hunt markhor again as the only licence |
| checked through customs and then embarked on a | | | | had been utilized. The Himalayan Ibex survive here in |
| long journey along the "Karakoram Highway". Driving | | | | good numbers and we were successful in bagging a |
| on the Karakoram Highway is a journey in itself, It is | | | | male buck of 40". I am told that if you were to drive |
| a once in lifetime adventure with breath taking views | | | | further onwards into deep valleys of the Karakorams |
| of Nanga Parbat, the second highest peak in Pakistan | | | | there is a very strong population of Himalayan Ibex. |
| (8125 metres). Today Silk is found in all the world's | | | | But for now I thought these 2 trophies are enough. I |
| markets. It travels easily and cheaply by sea and air | | | | have been fortunate enough to be able to hunt |
| freight. This was not always so. The early trade in | | | | successfully in a trip that normally would have entailed |
| silk was carried on against incredible odds by great | | | | a few more days. I wished I had the pleasure of |
| caravans of merchants and animals traveling at a | | | | flying back from Skardu but un-conducive weather |
| snail's pace over some of the most inhospitable | | | | conditions did not permit us and hence we hastily |
| territory on the face of the earth - searing, | | | | drove back to Islamabad. We bid farewell and |
| waterless deserts and snowbound mountain passes. | | | | returned. |
| It was through this "Silk road" whereby traders of | | | | IGNACIO RUIZ GALLARDON |
| ancient times carried silk from Kasghar over | | | | Karakoram Treks & Tours, Pakistan's oldest |
| Taklamakan desert and Karakoram Highway into | | | | trekking company. Deals in trekking expedition to |
| India. | | | | k2,Broad peak,nanga parbat, Himalaya, tirich |
| Our first halt was at the bustling town of Gilgit, we | | | | mir,gasherbrum,adventure,g2, spantik, trango tower, |
| continued driving further up to the valley of Bunji. | | | | diran. |
| The inhabitants of Bunji were expecting a foreign | | | | We also provide Hotel services in these regions. |
| hunter for the first time. It was the first year that | | | | |