Pakistan

Traveling

Traveling is tiring in Pakistan. In season, there is great warmth and minibuses are crowded with people. In two places often sit three people. However, the surrounding mountain scenery makes up for these woes. Expect frequent military inspections.

• ** Mountainous North of Pakistan: ** Tourists visit Pakistan mainly because of the amazing mountain scenery that can be seen here. There are five 8,000 mountains, more than 100,000 and almost innumerable 6,000 in the four highest mountains in the world: Karakoram (K2, Broad Peak, etc.) and the Himalayas (Nanga Parbat). Fewer tourists are already visiting the Hindu Kush (Tirich Mir) separating Pakistan from Afghanistan. There is a promontory of the Pamirs in the very north of the country. The Deosais Plains lying between the Himalayas and Karakoram are also interesting regions. – ** Punjab: ** Tourists visit the flat Punjab, the agricultural heart of the country, basically just because of the beautiful historic city of Lahaur. – ** South and far west of the country: ** the vast Thar Desert extends from the east. The southwest is filled with extensive but lower Suleiman mountains. In general, this part of the country is little visited.

• The most frequent trips to Pakistan start in ** Islamabad ** and combine climbing or trekking in ** Karakoram ** or ** Himalayas ** with a visit to the fabulous ** Hunza Valley **. However, you can also take beautiful trips with breathtaking mountain views and without demanding hiking in the form of „tours“ off-road vehicles, which will take you through the picturesque mountain valleys with only short walks. Popular routes lead through the ** Kaghan ** valley, to ** Fairytale meadows ** below Nanga Parbat, through ** Deosais plains ** to Skardu, further to ** Hunza valley **, or to the ** Khunjerab pass ** and back by a long drive across the Karakoram Road **. ** – ** Great excursion circuit through northern Pakistan **: the ideal start of this circuit is in Islamabad from where you will head to the Pakistani part of Kashmir – Azad Kashmir. The road leads through the Kaghan Valley with a side trip to Lake Saiful Malik (3,220 m above sea level). Another beautiful lake along the way is Lulusar (3,428 m above sea level). Via the Babusar Pass (4,170 m above sea level) you will reach Chilas, which is already in the Nanga Parbat area. Here the trip to the fairytale meadows under this eight-thousanders continues. Then continue from Astora

Less visited routes start in ** Karachi ** by the Arabian Sea or in ** Lahauru ** in Punjab and lead to Peshawar or Chitral, or to ** Swat Valley **.

The great „Trans-Asian“ expeditions have two branches in Pakistan. – Either a classic land link from Europe to India / Nepal leading from Zahed Iran in Iran through arid Baluchistan to Quetta and then Pakistan east to Lahore – Or Pakistan's journey north as a connection to the Silk Road through Central Asia and China through the Khunjerab Pass.

For travelers is north the most interesting parth of the country, relatively easily accessible from Islamabad. Southern parts of the country passes only travelers on long trips from Europe to India and beyond.

Pakistan is definitely not the destination, where we will recommend traveling with children. This state is not entirely safe, while there is very hot in the season and travel is slow and tedious.