Holiday Guide to Pakistan

From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching, are a few activities, which entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan.

Pakistan is endowed with a rich and varied flora and fauna. High Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges with their alpine meadows and permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the vast Indus plain merging into the great desert, the coast line and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory. Ten of 18 mammalian orders are represented in Pakistan with species ranging from the world’s smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean Pigmy Shrew, to the largest mammal ever known; the blue whale.

Pakistan is home to 108 peaks above 7,000 metres and probably as many peaks above 6,000 m. There is no count of the peaks above 5,000 and 4,000 metres. Five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world (the eight-thousanders) are in Pakistan (four of which lie in the surroundings of Concordia; the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwin Austen Glacier).

Pakistan is blessed with vast plains in the Indus basin, a rocky span of plateaus in the southwest and majestic mountains in the north with beautiful valleys, snow-covered peaks and glaciers. A large part of Pakistan is a mountainous land and has 108 peaks above 7000 metres out of which five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world are in Pakistan including three of the world’s biggest and most spectacular mountain ranges, the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindukush.

K2 also known as Mount Godwin- Austen is considered the National Mountain of Pakistan. It is the second highest mountain in the world with the 8,611 meters above sea level. K2 is the highest point of the Karakoram mountain range. Deosai plains, Baltora Glaciers, Hingol National Park, Neelum Valley, Thar Desert, Saiful Muluk, Hunza Valley, Mohenjo-Daro are just a few of the spectacles to see in Pakistan.

What To See, Where To Go

K2 also known as Mount Godwin-Austen or Chhogori, at 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) above sea level, is the second highest mountain in the world, after Mount Everest at 8,848 metres (29,029 feet). It is located on the China–Pakistan border between Baltistan in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China. K2 is the highest point of the Karakoram range and the highest point in both Pakistan and Xinjiang.

Broad Peak

Broad Peak is the 12th highest mountain in the world at 8,047 metres (26,401 feet) above sea level. The literal translation of “Broad Peak” to Falchan Kangri is not used among the Balti people. The English name was introduced in 1892 by the British explorer Martin Conway, in reference to the similarly named Breithorn in the Alps

Gasherbrum I

Gasherbrum I surveyed as K5 and also known as Hidden Peak, is the 11th highest mountain in the world at 8,080 metres (26,510 feet) above sea level. It is located on the Pakistan–Chinese border and Xinjiang region of China. Gasherbrum I is part of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram region of the Himalaya. Gasherbrum is often claimed to mean “Shining Wall”, presumably a reference to the highly visible face of the neighboring peak Gasherbrum IV; but in fact it comes from “rgasha” (beautiful) + “brum” (mountain) in Balti, hence it actually means “beautiful mountain.”

Gasherbrum II

Gasherbrum II surveyed as K4, is the 13th highest mountain in the world at 8,035 metres (26,362 feet) above sea level. It is the third-highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, and is located in the Karakoram, on the border between Gilgit–Baltistan province, Pakistan, and Xinjiang, China. The mountain was first climbed on July 7, 1956, by an Austrian expedition which included Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch, and Hans Willenpart.

Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat locally known as Diamer, is the ninth highest mountain in the world at 8,126 metres (26,660 feet) above sea level. Located in the Diamer District of Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan region, Nanga Parbat is the western anchor of the Himalayas. The name Nanga Parbat is derived from the Sanskrit words nagna and parvata which together mean “Naked Mountain”. The mountain is locally known by its Tibetan name Diamer or Deo Mir, meaning “huge mountain”.

Best Time To Visit Pakistan

May to October is generally considered the best time to travel to Pakistan, as there is little to no snow in the entire country, and the summer holidays make the country rather lively. This is the best time to travel to the northern reaches of the country, where the beautiful valleys and stunning peaks lie.

Where to Stay in Pakistan

The tourism infrastructure in Pakistan is still in its developmental stage and hence there is a dearth of internationally operated hotels in the country. Here is a list of prominent hotels in Pakistan that might interest visitors from the Middle East:

Nishat Hotel Johar Town – Lahore
PC Hotel – Gwadar
Luxus Grand Hotel – Lahore
Serena Khaplu — Gilgit-Baltistan
Movenpick Hotel – Karachi
Garihat Castle — Chitral
Serena Hotel – Islamabad
Rooplo Guest House – Thar
Glamp Pakistan – Katpana
Hunza Serena Inn — Karimabad
Luxus Resort – Attabad Lake

How To Get There

Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad have international airports connecting with many Middle Eastern cities, especially Doha and Dubai.

Visa Requirements

Pakistan Online Visa System is now open for the citizens of 179 countries. Generally, a visa is required to enter, exit or transit through Pakistan. Pakistan issues various types of visas, including e-visas. Make sure you get the right visa for your travel and that it’s valid for the purpose and duration of your stay. Beware of fake websites offering e-visa services.

Make sure that your passport is valid for at least for 6 months from the date of arrival and at least one of its pages should be blank for stamping. Applicants can stay in the country for up to 30 days at first entry for less than 3 months travel visa.

Getting Around

Since safety is a major concern in Pakistan, a safe option to get around the country is Uber. Uber allows you to track your journey, see ratings for Uber drivers, and if you keep an eye on the map you can ask if you think they are taking you in the wrong direction. It is advisable for foreigners to sit in the back seat.

Pakistan has an extensive rail network. Trains are relatively comfortable, albeit a bit slow. Prices are reasonable unless you want AC class. It is advisable to book your ticket ahead of time, and with the help of a local.