People are Simply Amazing all around Pakistan!
While backpacking in Pakistan, the people I met were the foremost hospitable, kind,, and welcoming folk that I’ve got ever encountered.
From the bustling streets of Lahore to the quaint mountain towns of Hunza, each time a neighborhood person spotted me I might, without fail, be rewarded with an enormous grin and infrequently an invite to dinner. I lost count of just what percentage of cups of free chai I drank but it absolutely was a lot…
man boiling chai in Pakistan
One of the various kinds of strangers who invited me into their homes in Pakistan.
I’ve been lucky enough to create many friends on my travels but the friendships I’ve forged in Pakistan were a number of the foremost genuine I’ve got ever made; the people simply cannot do enough for you.
I couchsurfed my way around the country, being welcomed into the homes of various strangers who always insisted on feeding me sort of a king and showing me around their local town. I really like Couchsurfing. it’s a tremendous thanks to meet locals, though in Pakistan this can be also possible just by stepping outside!
Unbelievable Landscapes
OK, even the foremost illiterate map readers should know that Pakistan is known for its mountains, valleys, rivers, glaciers, and forests… this is often a rustic with quite its fair proportion of truly wondrous sites, and tourism in Pakistan is guaranteed to set out eventually!
girl in a red jacket standing ahead of a mountain in Hunza valley Pakistan
Traveling to Pakistan means casual daily scenes like this.
Five of the world’s fourteen highest peaks, including the famed and deadly K2, are found in Pakistan. If you’re into climbing, rafting, or trekking, Pakistan is that the country for you.
I have explored over 70 countries and i can safely say that Pakistan is that the most diverse and delightful country I’ve got ever visited. There are lots of unclimbed peaks just waiting to be conquered by a worthy adventurer…
Everything is feasible in Pakistan
You’ll often hear Pakistanis say this phrase, and trust me after I say they’re NOT joking. Before visiting, you would possibly have thought Pakistan to be a hardline place with strict rules and bureaucracy. And while the latter may be faithful a point, there seems to be the simplest way around EVERYTHING during this country.
man dancing at a Sufi festival in Pakistan
Sufi festivals also tend to grant rave-like feels…
Connections are golden and knowing the proper people will allow you to access experiences and places that you just would never be ready to otherwise.
A good bribe will go a protracted way, and you’ll be able to quickly move up the timeline of stuff you want through with some extra dollars. On top of all that, things persist in Pakistan that you just just would never expect. From wild Sufi festivals that are the other of conservative to underground electronic danceroom music scenes, everything really is feasible in Pakistan.
“I’m not just like the others”, said this guidebook — and that we should agree.
484 pages with cities, towns, parks,
and ALL the out-of-the-way places you may WANT to grasp.
You’ll be able to see K2 With a Tour
The multi-day trek to K2, the 2nd highest mountain in the world, is one of the foremost amazing experiences you’ll be able to ever have. We’re talking surreal landscapes, glaciers, and everyone that jazz.
But unlike much of Pakistan which, with a touch of grit, is explored alone, you need to be with a registered guide and tour company to move to K2. Why? Because it’s located within Central Karakoram park, a region that’s restricted for foreigners.
trekkers doing the k2 trek amongst the mountains of northern Pakistan
Pakistan IS Safe!
Recently, I’ve been getting lots of questions on Pakistan, the most one is just – is it safe to visit Pakistan?– the solution is comparatively simple. Yes, as long as you steer beyond Interior Balochistan and therefore the former FATA region of KPK.
police laughing in Pakistan
Pakistan IS safe!
It’s true that Pakistan does sometimes get hit by terrorist attacks but, right now, every country within the world seems to be a prey and you’re no safer sitting reception. The media feeds on fear and prejudice, don’t let yourself be influenced.
Pakistani people are extremely anti-Taliban (and the Pakistani military kicked Taliban ass within the border regions) and can do everything they will to stay you safe in any respect costs.
On occasion, you may be assigned a police escort. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in an exceedingly dangerous area, it just means the local police branch is being overprotective as there’s nowhere you’ll be able to travel in Pakistan as a foreigner that’s actually dangerous.
Since 2019, escorts and security guards have mostly been abolished, but you continue to may be asked if you wish one. I personally don’t believe this can be necessary unless you’re trying to travel to a known dangerous area.
Solo female travel in Pakistan may be a small amount trickier thanks to it being very rare for both locals/foreigners but if you’re taking basic safety precautions and doing research, you’ll be fine.
It absolutely was a component of Brits Raj
One thing you may not understand about Pakistan is that it absolutely was part of a people’s Empire. As such, English is widely taught in schools and is usually the factual language for all business and political dealings.
For those looking to travel to Pakistan, this suggests that you simply are ready to communicate alright with the locals.
man lighting the normal stove in Chitral trip Pakistan
English is spoken everywhere, even in foreign places like Yarkhun Last.
It still pays to find out a bit about Urdu because Pakistani people are very impressed to listen to you speak it. Often they’re going to shower you with compliments and large smiles.
People living in mountainous regions are less ready to speak English in addition so Urdu actually pays when you’re visiting Gilgit-Baltistan.
What is the One Item Every Traveller NEEDS???
There is one item every traveler NEEDS. Some travelers don’t even know they have it, but those travellers need it over anyone.
It’s Home to part of the Historical Old Silk Road
kk during pink sunset
This way to China!
To travel in Pakistan is to step into the pages of history. traveller was one in every of the primary European explorers to tackle The trade route, an ancient trade route that spanned the Orient, linking the treasuries of the empire to the Imperial Dynasties of China.
At the trade route’s heart lies the Karakoram, a pivotal crossroad between The Indian Subcontinent, the center of East, and Central Asia. it’s the corridor through which advanced three great faiths – Islam to the east, Buddhism to the north, and curry to the West.
Today, the unendingly impressive Karakoram Highway runs the length of the country and offers stunning views, epic motorbike adventures, and therefore the chance to follow in the footsteps of history.
You Get to Drive on the very best Road in the World
The Karakoram Highway may be a high-altitude road that connects Pakistan to China. it’s the very best paved road in the world and maybe a vital artery of Pakistan’s economy. Trucks constantly ply this route and transport goods between the 2 Asia countries.
The Karakoram Highway is additionally breathtaking! The road itself goes straight through the guts of the mountains and offers unrivaled views of them. You’ll see Rakaposhi, the Passu Cones, and also the Khunjerab border, all without even leaving the car!
A tour of Pakistan’s KKH should get on any motorist’s bucket list. It’s one of the foremost impressive roads ever and an absolute marvel to drive on.
Traveling in Pakistan is reasonable
Pakistan is the second cheapest country I’ve got been to. It’s VERY EASY to go to Pakistan on a budget of around $100 every week – this can cover food, accommodation, transport, and many of awesome activities. It’s also possible to spend even less if you have got some quality adventure gear.
a floor mat sleeping found while traveling in Pakistan
A cheap backpacker room in Chapursan Valley in Hunza.
Photo: Chris Lininger
If you’ve got Pakistani friends, they’ll almost certainly put into effect treating you to everything. Pakistanis are unbelievably generous and although i attempted on many occasions to procure dinner, my Couchsurfing hosts would never allow it.
Accommodations in Pakistan are often quite expensive in cities, but there are multiple places you’ll be able to camp and it’s also very easy to search out a Couchsurfing host. confirm you pack your tent if you would like to save lots of money on accommodation – well worthwhile when staying at places just like the Fairy Meadows.
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Osprey Aether
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Pakistan Has Fantastic Treks
Pakistan has a number of the world’s best trekking, even better than Nepal. There are many truly stunning treks in Pakistan – from simple day hikes to multi-week expeditions that need some damn good adventure gear – and even the laziest of backpackers will have the possibility to work out some truly stunning terrain.
girl at rush lake backpacking in Pakistan
Get lost within the mountains of Pakistan…just not literally, as you shall die!
Whilst backpacking in Pakistan, I went on some stunning treks, the most effective of which was a hike to the legendary Fairy Meadows where I spent three days soaking in the incredible views of mountain peak, the world’s ninth highest mountain.
I had the spot entirely to myself, it was low-season, and that I had to trek through waist-deep snow to induce there. it had been a very peaceful, special place.
The Food is Incredible
Pakistani food is simply spectacular – rich, spicy, sweet; all and so some. There are savory curries, grilled skewered meats, fresh fruits, biryanis, karahis, and much, rather more in Pakistan.
There were several times while i used to be traveling in Pakistan that I went out of my thanks to finding the simplest possible morsels.
bowl of Pakistani karahi and green saag paneer on a glass table
We need some karahi!
Lahore has amazing (and spicy!) food, particularly on Food Street, and that i recommend that everybody visit the Haveli Restaurant for a few truly iconic sunset views.
Multi-cultural Awesomeness
Pakistan could be a country that’s often depicted within the media as being an area of nonsecular intolerance. this can be removed from truth, you’ll find Muslims, Christians, and Hindus living side by side in many of the country’s cities.
Pakistan is ethnically diverse still. People from the East are more Punjabi, the West is more Aryan (like Iran), and also the North is more Turkic – some folks living in Gilgit Baltistan are offshoots of Tajiks. There are even many tribal groups still living, largely undisturbed, within the more remote parts of the country…
To travel in Pakistan is to be assaulted from all sides by new colors, tastes, sights, and smells. I actually felt like I used to be getting back to the raw spirit of adventuring and that I was fascinated by the numerous colorful characters I met upon my travels in Pakistan.
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There are Still Untouched Communities
Rudyard Kipling’s epic the person Who Would Be King was partly inspired by the hidden hill tribes of Afghanistan and Pakistan. within the movie, two British ex-soldiers jaunt a foreign a part of the chain in search of glory and treasure. Granted, they perished because of their own hubris, but you’ll be able to still visit a number of these areas!
A backpacker in Pakistan hangs out with local women within the Kalash Valley
Somewhere faraway the beaten trail, one long vagrant finds good vibes.
Photo: Chris Lininger
One of the foremost famous communities is that the Kalash. Within the province of Chitral, the Kalash tribe may be a very distinct tribe of Dardic indigenous people, once thought to be descended from soldiers of Alexander The Great’s army – deserters who had disappeared into the hills and now board legend.
The Kalash people practice their own religious beliefs and are very keen on colorful festivals. Women are treated as equals to men and folks enjoy libations over most Pakistanis usually do.
You can visit the Kalash people at the instant if you wish. Just reach intent on a neighborhood tour operator in Pakistan and that they will organize everything for you.
It’s Home to Incredible Mughal-era Architecture
The Mughals were one among the best dynasties of the Indian Subcontinent and built many famous monuments just like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort in India. Lahore was the capital of the Mughal Empire for several years, which suggests it hosts a number of the empire’s most brilliant architecture!
shot of the colorful details of the wazir khan masjid in Lahore reasons to jaunt pakistan
The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore courtesy of the blokes who brought you the Taj Mahal
The Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort are two of the foremost impressive buildings in Asia and are great to go to. Both of those structures are beautiful and appearance almost sort of a fairytale. While I used to be visiting them, I actually imagined i used to be in Aladdin.
There are lots more Mughal structures in Pakistan, including the Wazir Khan Masjid, the Rohtas Fort, Shalimar Gardens, and therefore the Tomb of Jahangir. Visit all of them if you’ve got the possibility.
There are a lot of Beaches
People often imagine Pakistan to be pure desert or super mountainous – they forget that it shares a border with the sea too!
drone view of the ocean and beach in Pakistan
The illustrious coastline of Pakistan.
There is over 1000 km of coastline in Pakistan and most of it’s empty. Imagine desert beaches with hardly any development and only the waves to influence. There are sea stacks, arches, white cliffs, and fine sand, all of which together appears like the proper beach to me.
Granted, lots of Pakistan’s coastline is off-limits because it’s a component of Balochistan. Balochistan could be a semi-autonomous tribal area and is usually quite hectic. We’d recommend visiting the world with a Pakistani tour operator.
The beaches outside of Karachi are excellent though – beautiful and popular with the locals. You’ll get to determine a more fun side of Pakistani culture and catch some serious rays within the process.
Final Thoughts on Traveling to Pakistan
In a nutshell, Pakistan is an adventure playground.
This is a rustic that really has everything; friendly locals, stunning landscapes, incredible treks, untapped froth rafting, undiscovered expeditions, colorful festivals, tasty food, and simply enough thrills to stay you on your toes.
A trip to Pakistan isn’t your standard adventure, this can be an opportunity to essentially connect with the local people and to work out a rustic which, really, most foreigners are uneducated person about.
Through the surreal experiences and landscapes, I guarantee you one trip to Pakistan simply won’t be enough. And it shouldn’t be. this can be a land that would take several lifetimes to explore!