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India vs Pakistan: Match off between highest peaks and treks of the two nations

To celebrate the India vs Pakistan final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, we compare the mountain passes, peaks and valleys of the two countries that you can trek to. Let's look at the best treks in India and Pakistan and see which country aces the test.

Published: June 16, 2017 4:00 PM IST

By Anoop Menon

India vs Pakistan are in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017; it is a match that will almost certainly be a blockbuster. In the spirit of this epic match off, we are taking some of the best treks and trails that Pakistan has to offer, and comparing it with our own. And this will not be an easy match; Pakistan has some of the highest peaks and grandest mountain passes and trails in the world, hidden within the Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains. K2, Nanga Parbat, Tirich Mir and Broad Peak are just some of the noteworthy peaks here. But India is no small player either; it has the Zaskar, Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar and Ladakh mountains, and peaks like Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi and Chaukamba to summit. ALSO READ: 10 photos that showcase the beauty of Kargil

Usho Valley & Mohandad lake vs Kashmir Great Lakes

Ushu Valley, Swat, Photograph Courtesy: Muhammad Ashar/Wikimedia Commons

Ushu Valley, Swat, Photograph Courtesy: Muhammad Ashar/Wikimedia Commons

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The Usho or Ushu Valley trek takes you through the river valley of Swat at heights of around 7,500 feet, with incredible views of the snow-clad Himalayas, including Flaksair mountain. The trek follows the foothills of the Hindu Kush, covering the beautiful Mohandad lake. It is a hike that is ideal for nature lovers, since it takes you through dense forests and lush meadows. The Kashmir Great Lakes trek in India, meanwhile, takes you through similar vistas. The highest point you reach is at around 13,750 feet, covering 72 km. Along the way, you encounter the sacred lakes of Kashmir, including Gadsal, Gangabal and the Satsar lakes.

Kashmir Great Lakes

Kashmir Great Lakes trek, Photograph courtesy: India Hikes

Rakaposhi Trek vs Kheerganga Trek

Stunning view of Himalaya mountains from the Rakaposhi base camp

Stunning view of Himalaya mountains from the Rakaposhi base camp

Also called the Minapin trek, the Rakaposhi base camp trek is a short one and one of the best trekking trails in the scenic Nagar Valley. It starts from Minapin, which is where it gets its name, and offers incredible views of the imposing Rakaposhi and Diran peaks of the Haramon mountains. You also get to see the glaciers adjoining the peaks from Tagafari. The base camp at a height of around 4,900 meters is a summer pasture for the nearby villagers. The Kheerganga trek, meanwhile, is a similarly simple and short trail in Parvati Valley, but is around half the altitude of Rakaposhi, at 2,900 meters. Still, at the top you get to enjoy the view of the valley and chill at the hot water springs.

Goats standing on the rock Beautiful view of Himalayan mountains, Kheerganga, Parvati valley, Himachal Pradesh

Goats standing on the rock Beautiful view of Himalayan mountains, Kheerganga, Parvati valley, Himachal Pradesh

Nagar Rush Lake trek vs Bhrigu Lake trek

Rush Lake First View After Two Days Trek From Hooper Valley, Photograph Courtesy: Muhammad Azeem/Wikimedia Commons

Rush Lake First View After Two Days Trek From Hooper Valley, Photograph Courtesy: Muhammad Azeem/Wikimedia Commons

Located in the heart of Hunza Valley, the Nagar Rush lake is one of the highest of its kind in Pakistan and the trek to this place is open and accessible even to the less experienced trekkers. Along the way, you go through immaculate terraced fields, high altitude green meadows and magnificent glaciers. You also get an incredible view of the Karakoram mountains from the lake, which lies around 5,200 meters above sea level. India has plenty of alpine lakes; Brighu Lake in Himachal Pradesh, for instance, lies around 4,300 meters above sea level.  The trek to this scenic lake starts from the Ramsu base camp and offers beautiful views of Solang Valley. The Gowrishankar and Tripura Sundari temples also lie along the trails. ALSO READ: Pakistani girl breaks stereotypes and takes an epic journey on her bike!

Brighu Lake, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Photograph Courtesy: Kartik.a.rokde/Wikimedia Commons

Brighu Lake, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Photograph Courtesy: Kartik.a.rokde/Wikimedia Commons

Kalasha Valley vs Markha Valley trek

Kalash Valley in Chitral, Pakistan, during the Chillam Joshi Festival, Photograph Courtesy: Waleed0343/Wikimedia Common

Kalash Valley in Chitral, Pakistan, during the Chillam Joshi Festival, Photograph Courtesy: Waleed0343/Wikimedia Commons

Kalasha Valley lies in the Chitral region of Pakistan, offering a window into the culture and lives of the Kalasha tribesmen who live in the Hindu Kush. Their homes stretch across the isolated and scenic valleys of Birir, Rumbur and Bumboret, offering plenty of views to the traveler. And since the elevation here is just a little over 1,000 meters, the trek here is pretty accessible to everyone. Meanwhile, the Markha Valley trek is one of the most famous ones in Ladakh, taking you across the Stok La, Kongmaru La and Gandla passes along the banks of the Markha River. It offers a glimpse into Tibetan culture not seen in the usual tourist circuits of Ladakh, with the camp near the base of Kang-Yutze being the highlight.

Markha Valley

Markha Valley

Batura Glacier vs Pindari Glacier trek

Landscape Reflection Of Batura Glacier, With Lake In Foreground, Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan

Landscape Reflection Of Batura Glacier, With Lake In Foreground, Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan

We wind up this list with a comparison of the glacier treks of India and Pakistan. In the regions of Nagar and Hunza in Pakistan, the 60 km Batura glacier is one of the best treks you can choose in the country. The trek is pretty easy, taking you across valleys with thousands of flowers and, of course, the glacier itself. You also get to see the Karon Koh, Passu Peak and Ultar peaks along the way. In India, the Pindari glacier trek in Uttarakhand is considered the best in the state. The trek is easy enough for families to attempt with their children, although the trail does get more difficult along the way, with mountain ridges, streams and spider walls to be crossed, and dense rhododendron forests too.

Pindari Glacier

Pindari Glacier

Pakistan and India have even more mountain passes, peaks and valleys to explore, and we have not even included the mountain ranges south of the Himalayas. So in this epic match off of India versus Pakistan, the winners are the mountaineers and travelers who get to trek in these countries. NOW READ: 15 funny and witty highway sign boards to celebrate 56 years of BRO in Ladakh!

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