Raikot bridge to Tatu village

We reached Raikot bridge about 2 hours drive from ancient city of Chilas on Karakoram highway in district Kohistan .we had been traveling since last 36 hours the journey started from Lahore on Friday night and here we were at Raikot bridge on a sunny Sunday morning waiting for the start of next step in our 5 days expedition to Nanga Parbet base camp.
As we reached Raikot bridge four jeeps were ready with their drivers waiting to take us through one of the most exciting and dangerous jeep track along the mighty mountains of Karakorum range. Level of excitement increased as we loaded our backpacks on to jeeps and prepaid for the most exiting jeep journey of our trip . next stop Tatu a small village in Karakorum range .
sounds from the jeep engines broke the silence as our journey started from Raikot bridge. The distance from Raikot bridge up to Tatu villag is only 12km but the elevation makes it tough .Raikot bridge is at 4500ft from sea level and our destination Tatu village is at 9000ft .the track is almost a total incline shaped like a snake along the twist and turns of the mountain range. This jeep track was hand build with rocks and wood planks along the mountains by locals about 20 years ago .the track is very hostile there is no shadow, along the way no water along this barren land stretch moreover the track is so narrow that there is hardly space for one jeep .as the jeep travels on the track the lifes of the passengers are in hand of the skilled drivers from the local area as they are the only once allowed to run their jeeps on this track .The track is very hostile in summer month’s temperature in those rocky ridges rise up to 50 degree but the journey is worth the effort. Jeeps took about 2 hours to complete this 12 km journey and each and every sec is worth taking the risk .in the middle of the journey I saw glimpse of the mighty Nanga Parbet (known as killer mountain )standing high with all its glory .on this 12 km of stretch I came across some of the most beautiful and unforgettable views the jeeps stopped at Tatu the small village surrounded by mighty mountain. This is the place where our exiting jeep journey will end and we will continue on foot .