Pakistan is underrated travel destination that has plenty of exciting destinations filled with beautiful nature, culture and heritage. Take a pick from these cities and regions for your first trip to Pakistan!!

Pakistan has not received enough limelight as much as it truly deserves! This country that neighbours India is an evocative mix of culture and nature waiting to be explored. Since travel in Pakistan is often much less heard of compared to India, here’s our pioneering effort to put forward to you some mesmerising destinations that might just get your heart wanting for more!

1. The Karakoram Highway

Often called the KKH, the Karakoram Highway is probably the first thing that will come to one’s mind when someone speaks of the Northeastern Pakistan. And why not? Considered to be one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, with some sources pushing for it to be the eighth wonder of the world, the 805-mile long KKH connects Pakistan with China, running from Abbottabad down to Gilgit-Baltistan that leads up to Kashgar, in the province of Xinjiang in west China.

As much as the beauty is set to marvel you with never-ending display of beautiful sceneries like that of Mansehra, Thakot and especially Gilgit-Baltistan, the road is, in fact, one chilling jeep drive in the world, with its twisted paths, narrow corners and probably “I’m going to die now” moments. At some areas, no two jeeps can ride side by side, thus one must really understand the roads well to be able to meander through these narrow paths. Hire a driver for this one, and make sure there are spare tires. Don’t forget your refreshments too!

2. Gilgit-Baltistan

Immensely adored for its geographical landscape that boasts unforgiving scenic beauty, Gilgit-Baltistan is well-loved by mountaineers, trekkers and anglers. You can’t get enough of the valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan! But one of the most highly sought after is the Hunza Valley, which some have called the Shangri-La of Pakistan.

Another popular destination is the Skardu district that lies in the centre of Gilgit-Baltistan. Its stunning views of crystal clear lakes, deserts, picture-perfect roadways and villages make up Skardu’s fascinating yet unique beauty. Avid mountaineers will be happy to learn that the district is the base camp for some of the world’s highest mountains such as the K2, K3 and Gasherbrum.

3: Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir, which literally translates to “Free Kashmir”, is a self-governing political entity like Gilgit-Baltistan that, along with the latter, forms part of the Pakistan-controlled area of once the unified state of Jammu and Kashmir.

4: Islamabad

Pakistan’s capital Islamabad is a peaceful city surrounded by calming scenery, and it is no wonder that it has been travellers’ favourite after Lahore. One of the most sought-after location is the Faisal Mosque, with its splendid whitewashed facade and four minarets towering over you. Located on the foothills of Margalla Hills, which itself is popular among hikers, the mosque is, in fact, a gift from Saudi Arabia for the people of Pakistan, and is the largest mosque in the country.

One of the most sought-after location is the Faisal Mosque, with its splendid whitewashed facade and four minarets towering over you. Located on the foothills of Margalla Hills, which itself is popular among hikers, the mosque is, in fact, a gift from Saudi Arabia for the people of Pakistan, and is the largest mosque in the country.

There are also great museums to visit, such as the Lok Virsa Museum if you are interested in learning more about the culture and heritage of the different groups of people in Pakistan. From here, you can take a five-minute drive up the road to catch a glimpse of the blooming-flower structure of the Pakistan Monument. It symbolises the country’s provinces — Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa — in four petals while the three smaller petals represent its three territories, namely Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

5: Lahore

Lahore is a wondrous mix of cultural, artistic and heritage-filled attractions that boast the legacies of the Mughal Empire and the British Raj, enchanting gardens, parks, and forts, majestic mosques, and scrumptious food. A couple of days at Lahore may not suffice to explore this beloved city.

6: Karachi

Despite Karachi losing its crown as the capital of Pakistan, it still remains the largest and most populated city of the country, and also its economic heartbeat. With this, Karachi has become one of the most cosmopolitan cities of Pakistan, home to large numbers of ethnic Sindhis, Punjabis, Pashtuns and other nationalities.

Karachi is one place where you can see the love and admiration of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in many landmarks, monuments and buildings, such as the Quaid-e-Azam Museum, the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum, the Wazir Mansion (the founder’s birthplace) and the Bagh-e-Jinnah, also known as the Frere Hall Garden.

Be sure to check out the architectural splendour and luxurious interior of the Mohatta Palace in the wealthy district of Clifton. The palace was constructed during the 1920s by a Marwari businessman who wanted to save his wife from dying from a serious illness. After doctors told him that refreshing sea breeze could cure his wife’s illness, he decided to build this mansion, which, during that time, received immense winds from the nearby sea. Now, due to the surrounding high-rise residential areas, winds barely reach the palace, although you could still catch a view of the sea if you head up to the rooftop.

Here you go, many beautiful places to visit on your tour to Pakistan. If your travel, share your experience
with us. A trip to remember indeed!