My name is Attaullah (Atta), and I was born in the majestic mountain kingdom known as Hunza where James Hilton’s “Lost Horizon is based. I spent my childhood as a part time shepherd chasing flocks in heavenly meadows above my hometown, Karimabad. This is where my lifetime romance with nature started. During my school summer vacations, I used to join treks and expeditions as porter or camp helper. This allowed me to visit majestic valleys and mountains of Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush. When I finished my college in early 90’s it was already golden era of tourism in Pakistan. I decided to choose mountain guiding as my career and started learning different aspects of mountaineering and trekking through training offered by the Alpine Club of Pakistan and secured Cowasjee Gold Meal. I was a member of the first Pakstani civilian expedition to Diran Peak (7273m) and a member of the route making team of the Alpine Club’s training expedition to Passu Peak, (7478m). My passion for the outdoors further grew leading me into river guiding. I was privileged to have been trained by two veteran SOBEK river guides with whom I made the first descent of the Ghizer River. I am also honoured to have guided WF’s first ever K2 Base Camp trek (fund raising for WF School in a very remote part of Karakoram) that was led by Jonny Bealby himself. I am now coming of an age where I am slowly drifting away from hardcore stuff and getting more inclined towards leading moderate tours such as jeep safaris and sightseeing tours but honestly speaking, I can still lead K2 BC trek!
How did you fall into tour leading?
My late Uncle was a famous mountaineer who shared very exciting stories of his adventures, which always fascinated me as a young man. My hometown attracts many tourists visiting Pakistan. I used to work as a local guide during summer vacations which provided me the opportunity to interact, share and learn. I felt like I had found the door of a virtual university, and I decided to enter. I have been guiding treks and tours since 1986 but it was probably in 2006 when I was privileged to have accompanied Jonny Bealby on one of his trips to Pakistan. Working with him enlightened me about tour leading skills and I learnt more from him than in two decades of guiding. This knowledge and skills are reflected in my subsequent tours with WF.
What do you like most about tour leading?
I enjoy taking challenges head-on. Yes! Tour leading is more challenging in compared with acting as a local guide. The biggest challenge is to meet the expectations of customers, and moreover gain a comprehension of their expectations. This totally changed my concept of guiding professionally. At the same time, I enjoy the thrill of being my own boss (not really) and making important and sometimes tough decisions. It takes a little time before you make an impression on your clients but when they start trusting and relying on your abilities then I start loving my job!!!! Tour leading gives me opportunity to meet different people from around the world and learn about other cultures, history and customs. Through this job I have had the opportunity to meet celebrities and famous people like William Darlymple.
Where is your favourite part of the world?
I haven’t travelled much abroad but have briefly visited Spain, Turkey and China, but for sure I find no match with my own country. Fairy Meadows is one of my most favourite places, but my hometown of Hunza allows me to witness the most amazing sunsets where the mountains transform their colour from white to “Flamingo Red”.
Where is your favourite travel highlight?
Once I was travelling to Khyber Pass with a group of foreigners. On one of the bends of a winding road, suddenly a caravan of camels emerged - 20 camels were laden with Sonny Trinitron TV sets that were being smuggled from Afghanistan into ‘Smugglers Bazaar’ in Peshawar.
What's the craziest request you've ever had from a client?
Once I rescue a fallen client (weighed 82 kg) from a 30 meter deep crevasse in Snow Lake basin. He had broken his ankle and badly bruised his ribs making him absolutely unable to take a single step. He said, “either carry me until the end of the trek or throw me back into the crevasse I had fallen into”.
What's the one thing you couldn't travel without?
My cell phone (on jeep tours) map, compass and first-aid kit on treks, whistle too. Passport if I am travelling abroad.
Which famous person would you like to travel with?
Angelina Jolie !!!!!! just kidding definitely Michael Palin would be my first choice
Have you ever made a cultural faux pas?
Once we were driving by a vast Cemetery and an American client asked me how much a grave would cost? I spontaneously replied, “a life” and everyone laughed a lot.