K2 and More: Gilgit-Baltistan on CNN’s 2025 Travel List
News Desk
Islamabad: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan’s picturesque northern region, has earned a spot on CNN Travel’s list of 25 must-visit destinations for 2025.
Known for its awe-inspiring landscapes and towering peaks, GB attracts thousands of tourists and climbers annually.
The region, part of the Karakoram Mountains, is home to some of the highest mountains in the world, including K2, the second-tallest peak globally, renowned for its difficulty and danger.
Despite its challenging accessibility unreliable flight schedules and seasonal road blockages GB offers unparalleled adventure for mountaineers, paragliders, and outdoor enthusiasts.
CNN Travel describes the region as having “more tantalizing peaks than a lemon meringue pie” and notes that it is home to five of the 14 “eight-thousander” peaks, including K2.
While the region is known for its challenging terrain, 2024 saw a surge in mountaineering expeditions, though nine climbers tragically lost their lives in attempts to summit various peaks, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
However, GB remains accessible through guided tours offered by global operators such as G Adventures, Wild Frontiers, and Intrepid, with organized hikes available starting around $3,000.
Other destinations on CNN’s 2025 list include Almaty (Kazakhstan), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India), Chemnitz (Germany), Rabat (Morocco), Vancouver Island (Canada), and Turkey’s Kaçkar Mountains.
