CNN Highlights Gilgit Baltistan in Its Top 25 Travel Destinations for 2025

Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Pakistan’s northernmost region, has been recognized by CNN Travel as one of the top 25 destinations to visit in 2025. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and towering peaks, GB offers unparalleled experiences for adventure enthusiasts.

The region is home to five of the world’s 14 “eight-thousander” peaks, including K2—the second-highest mountain globally and considered one of the most challenging to the summit. According to CNN Travel, hiking in this area “makes the Himalayas look like a traipse in Central Park,” emphasizing the rugged terrain and demanding conditions.

With its stunning landscapes, the region draws thousands of tourists and climbers from around the globe each year, providing opportunities for mountaineering, paragliding, and trekking on its majestic summits.

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 recognized 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.

In 2024, GB saw a remarkable increase in adventure tourism, as more than 1,700 international climbers sought permits to conquer its majestic peaks. According to government officials,175 climbers aimed to conquer K2 during the summer season.