Pakistan is located in South Asia, bordering India, Iran, Afghanistan and China. Pakistan was originally part of British India with India and Bangladesh, later the Indian subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan. East Pakistan became independent Bangladesh in 1971. The landscape can be roughly divided into three areas. In the north you will find the three largest mountain ranges in the world, the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram Mountains and the Himalayas.
To the southwest lies the vast but sparsely populated plateau of Balochistan. In addition, there are the Punjab and Sind plains of the Indus River. Besides these three parts, Pakistan mainly consists of barren mountains and arid plateaus, you will also find archaeological sites, impressive monuments and colorful bazaars. Pakistan is especially suitable for adventurous travelers.
Pakistan is a country which is unfortunately known as a perpetual conflict zone, a place marked by political instability, sectarian violence, corrupt politicians, Taliban supporters and terrorist attacks. And yes, there are a few zones with political tensions and border disputes where it is usually discouraged to travel. However, the country has so much more to offer than the image painted by the media. Pakistan has a history as old as time itself, with famous archaeological and historical sites and monuments. It is a cultural focal point where many civilizations and religions have flourished and coexisted for thousands of years. It’s not home to just Muslims either. Hindus, Christians and local tribes also have their homes here.
The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and endlessly varied. To the north you will find some of the highest mountains in the world and the Karakoram Highway, the highest international highway in the world connecting China to Pakistan. Mountain trekking is still an adventure here, compared to the well-marked trails in Nepal and India. During your holiday, don’t forget to visit Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan full of beautiful shrines and ornate Mughal architecture. The real capital Islamabad is a modern metropolis with the best restaurants in the country.
Even if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly advises against travel to tribal areas (border with Afghanistan) and Balochistan among others, several regions are remarkably beautiful and accessible. The landscapes of Pakistan, from the Indus Valley to Gandhara, passing through the Kalash villages will give you unshakeable memories.
Pakistan is home to four of the ten highest peaks on the planet, including the second highest peak in the world, Mount K2, located in the northeast of the country. About a third of the country is covered by cultivated plains in the Indus Valley, and occupied by most of the large population, the rest being divided between mountain ranges and deserts. Bears, deer and jackals populate the reliefs, while sharks and turtles roam the waters of the Arabian Sea which borders the country.
Its rich history is that of an Asian country which has known Greek and Buddhist influences. It was one of the territories from which came two of the main religions practiced in the world, Hinduism and Buddhism. Today predominantly Muslim, the country also has about 7 million Hindus and 3 million Christians.
Prices for trekking are, on the whole, much higher than for Nepal, but the beauty of the landscapes is truly unique. For example, you can go to the Nanga Parbat massif, or to the lands of Balistan. One of the country’s only non-Muslim tribes resides in the Kalash territory south of Chitral. North of Peshawar, a city bustling with markets and horse-drawn carts, lies the beautiful Swat Valley and equally lush Chitral region.
The city of Karachi in the south is the most important. There is the Quaid-i-Azam mausoleum which protects the body of the late Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, and the great Masjid-i-Tuba mosque with its huge white roof. The markets of the Saddar district are full of various artisan products from all over the country. Lahore is located near the border with India, and it is the most visited city in the country. Capital of the province of Punjab, it is made up of a multitude of lively neighborhoods with heterogeneous atmospheres. The very fertile region is one of the safest in Pakistan. From the friendly city of Bahawalpur, it is possible to travel to Cholistan, a desert populated by nomadic tribes, or Lal Suhanra National Park.
Pakistan is home to many historical treasures listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, starting with the Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore. A heritage of Mughal civilization, the marble buildings are adorned with gilding and mosaics and the gardens on three terraces offer an exceptional spectacle to the visitor. The archaeological ruins of Mohenjo Daro in the Indus Valley provide a good overview of the grandeur of the cities of yesteryear. The Sacred Mountain of Sulaiman-Too is home to places of worship and caves with rock carvings depicting humans, animals and geometric shapes.
Despite the various conflicts that animate the country, the Pakistanis are a very warm and welcoming people if one respects their customs. Women invited to dinner will be able to witness the culinary preparations and daily life of Pakistani women, while travelers will stay with the men in other parts of the house. Indeed, the separation between the sexes remains very marked in this country which was nevertheless the first Muslim country to have been ruled by a woman, Benazir Bhutto.
In other areas, visitors will be struck by the countless naive and multicolored paintings that adorn the vehicles and transform them into incredible traveling works of art. In addition, in the cockpits there are a host of amulets, bells, chains and pious images, placed there to ward off the evil eye. The ceremonies during major pilgrimages to shrines, such as Sehwan Sharif, are accompanied by spectacular dances. Among the Kalashs, animist tribes of the Hindu Kush, festivals accompanied by music and dances are celebrated during the main stages of the agricultural calendar and at births, weddings and funerals.
So, there you have it, a colorful introduction to a colorful country. It is clear that that country has an immense offer of culture, nature, wildlife and history to choose from. You will be amazed about what is awaiting you and it certainly won’t be your last trip. Have a look at our travel packages to Pakistan or send us an email and we’ll gladly help you out with your travel to Pakistan!
