Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has been named among the top 25 must-visit destinations for 2025 by CNN, a US-based broadcaster.
Known for its breathtaking landscapes, the region attracts thousands of tourists and international climbers annually, offering activities such as mountaineering, paragliding, and trekking on its majestic peaks.
In its list published on Wednesday, CNN Travel highlighted the allure of GB, stating: “The Gilgit-Baltistan region in the Karokoram Mountains isn’t the easiest place to get to — flight schedules can be unreliable, roads can be blocked off seasonally — but it has more tantalizing 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 channel added.
Describing the rugged terrain, CNN Travel remarked that hiking in GB "makes the Himalayas look like a traipse in Central Park". However, it emphasized that solo travel in the area is not feasible.
Gilgit-Baltistan remains a magnet for mountaineers, with over 1,700 foreign adventurers applying for climbing permits in 2024. Among them, 175 individuals sought to conquer K2 during the summer, according to government officials.
