Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan Recognized as Top Holiday Destination by Financial Times

Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan Recognized as Top Holiday Destination by Financial Times

Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan region has earned global recognition as one of the top 50 holiday destinations for 2025, according to the Financial Times. The UK-based publication praised the area for its stunning mountain landscapes and improved security conditions, making it increasingly attractive to travelers.

“Northern Pakistan boasts some of the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery, and an improved security situation, easier access, and better accommodation options mean that more visitors are discovering it,” the Financial Times noted.

Highlighting recent developments, the report mentioned Pakistan’s introduction of online visa applications in August 2024, now available for citizens of over 120 countries. The region also offers guided 14-day group tours that provide an immersive experience of the local culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes, including six days of trekking.

Earlier, CNN Travel included Gilgit Baltistan in its list of the top 25 destinations to visit in 2025. The US-based broadcaster described the region in the Karakoram Mountains as remote and challenging to reach but immensely rewarding for its unparalleled natural beauty.

“The Gilgit Baltistan region isn’t the easiest place to get to—flight schedules can be unreliable, and roads can be blocked seasonally—but it has more tantalizing peaks than a lemon meringue pie,” CNN Travel remarked.

The region is home to five of the world’s 14 “eight-thousander” peaks, including K2, the world’s second-highest and arguably most challenging mountain to summit.

Thriving Tourism Amid Challenges

Gilgit Baltistan has become a hotspot for both local and international tourists, offering activities such as mountaineering, trekking, paragliding, and expeditions to its iconic peaks.

Despite the region’s growing popularity, it remains challenging for climbers. In 2024, the Alpine Club of Pakistan reported nine mountaineering fatalities, including climbers from Japan, Pakistan, Russia, and Brazil.

As Pakistan continues to enhance its tourism infrastructure, Gilgit Baltistan’s recognition by prominent global publications underscores its potential to become a premier adventure travel destination.