Pakistan

Pakistan is one of Asia’s best kept secrets. As well as offering its visitors a host of sophisticated beach resorts and fascinating ancient sites and cities to wander through, Pakistan is also one of Asia’s premier trekking and expedition destinations. Its impressive and varied landscape stretches from the Arabian Sea to the mountainous ranges of its northern border. This, coupled with its long history and warm, friendly people makes any trip to Pakistan a truly unforgettable experience.

On the north west of the Indian sub-continent, with Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north, Pakistan blends together the best cultures from its past conquerors. This gives each of its cities, villages and towns a distinct traditional vibe. Many travellers return from this part of the world having experienced flourishing and fascinating civilisations which have managed to withstand over 5000 years of history.

Adventure seekers and outdoor types will be in awe of the blessings that nature has cast upon Pakistan – over half of its land is mountainous and the rest of it is a stunning mix of valleys, crystal clear lakes, plateaus, deserts and beaches. All of this allows for an almost unlimited range of adventure activities and expeditions, particularly in the north and in the exceptionally beautiful Indus Valley. After travelling through and exploring Pakistan, you’ll no doubt want to sit down and tuck into some great food; well Pakistan also comes through on this aspect too. Its cuisine is well known for its richness and flavour and is influenced by Afghan, Indian, Iranian, Asian and Middle Eastern cooking – all this makes for some very interesting and hearty dishes no matter which region you visit!

Islamabad

Pakistan’s capital city attracts people from all over the country who flock there to enjoy its modern, peaceful atmosphere and lush scenery as well as appealing to travellers and visitors from the West. Whilst it was only built in the 1960’s, Islamabad screams of history and is a mixture of many civilisations. Its climate also makes it very appealing and it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the South Asian region. Take time to explore the many attractions packed into and around the city such as the impressive Shah Faisal Mosque, the Rose Gardens, Murghzar Zoo and museums. Once you’ve soaked up the culture, Islamabad’s surrounding hills will no doubt tempt you to try out some hiking, trekking, fishing or even paragliding.

Karachi

The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other cities and towns. It blends together elements from Asia, the Middle East and even the West to offer an exciting international feel, coupled with skyscrapers and a host of cultural institutions such as the National Academy of Performing Arts. Its location at the mouth of the River Indus provides many an opportunity for boat trips and sailing, while its streets buzz with hundreds of street restaurants, teahouses and juice stalls which serve you until the early hours.

Lahore

Lahore has existed through 1000’s of ancient civilisations and really is synonymous with Pakistan. In the heart of Punjab, the most populace province in Pakistan, Lahore is bustling with local pride and offers its visitors plenty to see and do. The main thing you will notice about Lahore is the plethora of ancient architectural treasures such as Lahore Museum, Minar-e-Pakistan and the stunning Badshali Mosque, one of the largest in the world and rivalled in beauty only by the Taj Mahal. Lahore is also a paradise for shoppers and bargain hunters with many markets and traditional bazaars to wander through.

Some people may wonder why more and more travellers are looking to Pakistan as it hasn’t had the best of reviews from Western media; but missing out on a trip to this great country really would mean missing out on one of the best experiences of your life.

More great pictures from Pakistan…

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