“You have got to be kidding me!
Pakistan?No way!” This is the response you would probably be getting in case you
break the news you are backpacking to Pakistan. This is what media is presenting
Pakistan but to be very honest, this isn’t the reality. In fact the truth is far
more different. Let the cat come out of bag!
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Pakistan is one of the sensational places to hang
your hat in. If you spend a moment just talking about the plus points of
visiting Pakistan, these are more than you can shake a stick at.Culture with
deep pockets, incredible food, super friendly people, architectural splendor,
spectacular views of mountain scenery and so on. All these things define
Pakistan.
If you are on the loose and wanting to visit Pakistan for the first time, here
are some tips you shouldn’t miss out on.
Pack Accordingly
Well, packing is something you must keep a close eye on. You might have heard
the Spanish proverb “On a long journey, even a straw weighs heavy.” Consider
applying it. Just keep enough stuff on you while backpacking Pakistan, that
includes your clothes, medications if any, shoes, earphones, camera etc. For
excess baggagei.e. more than allowed by your airline, go for a well reputed
cargo from UK to Pakistan company. But, don’t over pack in any way.
Keep Calm and Enjoy the Moment
Take no notice of the news just popping out about Pakistan on the screen of your
TV, you need to just cross that bridge when you come to it.Your trip will go
futile if you will pay heed to what media is talking about. Just enjoy the
moment and forget everything else. Keep smiling and look confident while you are
out on the streets. Pakistanis are really helping people and most of them will
go out of their way to make you feel like at home. Don’t get alert if you notice
yourself being stared at, just live the moment you are spending and that’s that.
Dress Modestly
That’s the point needing huge attention. Dressing modestly is really a good
idea. Having said that, Pakistan is the place with diverse and rich culture and
towering majority of the people out there are conservative. It is recommended to
dress yourself up according to the regions and customs. This does not go for the
big cities like Lahore and Islamabad though, but isn’t it better to look like
the locals? This will help you get covered up and face less staring by the
people.
If you are visiting mosques, shrines and other holy places, you need to take off
your shoes before getting inside. And if you are a female, put a scarf or
dupatta over your head and chest.
Transportation in Pakistan
Getting into and around Pakistan is quite easy. Airlines, trains, public busses,
taxis and auto rickshaws, the country has diverse and broad transportation
system. It is recommended to use public transportation to move around the
country as it’s super easy and inexpensive method. Train is the top of the line
choice if you want to spend only a few bucks and it’s super exciting as well. Be
that as it may, main source of transportation is Northern and hilly areas is
four wheeler jeep. Overall, traveling around Pakistan is very much easy and
cheap.
Staying Healthy In Pakistan
Traveling to Pakistan means you are about to dive in a spice-packed world.
Pakistani cuisine is pretty similar to Indian food and is considered as one of
the most famous foods around the globe. Just try each and every dish of Pakistan
during your visit. No kidding (But avoid too much spice if your stomach does not
puts up with it.)
Don’t forget to get some necessary shots before your trip. Speak to your doctor
about your period of stay in Pakistan and ask for the necessary medications if
there’s a need. Avoid drinking tap water and eating food which is open to flies.
Eat freshly cooked food and use bottled water to keep yourself hydrated.Having
said that, don’t forget to taste every dish. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Keep Enough Cash All the Time
It is highly recommended to keep enough cash on you while going out. There’s not
a widespread trend of credit cards in Pakistan, though malls and restaurants in
big cities accept credit cards. Keep the cash in different pockets so that you
would be able to use it if you lose from one pocket.Don’t throw a lot of money
to beggars in Public places as pick pockets and thugs can run after you as fast
as a cheetah. I kid you not.
Make Multiple Photocopies of Your Documents and Keep Them
Safe
It will be multum in parvo to make several photocopies of all of your valuable
documents like passport, visa, tourist card etc. and keeping them with you all
the time instead of the original ones. It’s just because you will be asked by
the Police atseveral check posts, especially if you are travelling to Northern
areas. Over and above that, it will cost very little if you lose them as the
originals are on you secured.
Record Memories at Every Single Place
Keep a nice and decent camera on you all the time while travelling. Create a
record of the special moments you are spending out there. Your memories are
something you can look back on in many years to come. With that, the moments
captured by you will never ever happen again. For this case, why not arrest them
in your camera?
On that account, don’t forget to pack a camera with a lot of bells and whistles
at the time of packing your bag for Pakistan. Plus, get your family and friends
amazing gifts from this beautiful country.There are plenty of things you can
take back home from Pakistan. The most famous of these are dry fruits,
handicrafts, sweets, pottery crafts and so on.
5 Must see Places in Northern Pakistan
Well, if you want to visit Northern areas, we have drawn up a list for you. Give
this list an once-over with a fine tooth comb to win yourself a tremendous tour
of Northern areas. Off you go!
1 Shangrila Resort Skardu, Heaven on the Earth
The Shangrila Resort Skardu is one of the most amazing places of Gilgit
Baltistan. Also named as “Heaven on Earth”, the Shangrila resort is cuddled up
amongst some of the highest peaks of the planet. This resort is hemmed in flower
filled gardens and fruit laden orchards. This buddy-buddy resort, due to its
eye-catching location, receives huge admiration from all the travelers.
Unequivocally, Shangrila resort makes you leave a piece of your heart right
there when you leave.
Another mesmerizing features of this beautiful resort are Kachura Lake and a
unique restaurant build on the fuselage of an aircraft that had crashed nearby.
Still and all, all the things combine dramatically to make for a delightful
view. Absolutely sensational, isn’t it?
2 Naltar Valley, the Magic Carpet of Pakistan
Another great place, that’s much publicized for its thriving wildlife,
picturesque scenery and aesthetic Mountain View and these are the spots,Naltar
valley has been in lime light for. Naltar is an easy on the eye valley near
Gilgit, Pakistan you must feast your eyes on.
The beautiful Naltar Lakeis a high mountain pristine pure water lake located at
a height of 3.228m (10,590ft) above the sea level. Situated in the heart of
Naltar Valley in the Gilgit District of Gilgit–Baltistan territory of Pakistan,
Naltar Lake is a second to none place for the nature lovers. And you know the
best part of the story? It is the winter season that imparts this Lake even more
awe-inspiring look. It’s the time when tourists pop out for a wonderful
experience of skiing on the slopes of this valley. That’s truly mind-boggling.
3 Siri Paye
Now move on to Siri Paye. Siri Paye islush green place covered with some of the
hypnotizing landscapes. Don’t forget to visit Siri Paye and I am sure you will
not be taking your eyes off this amazing place. Lush green mountains with
snow-capped tops hit the nail on the head. Now you’d be knowing why tourists
beat the drums loud for this stunning place.
4 Deosai Plains
Imagine standing at the height of 4000 metres above sea level? Whoa.Yes, we are
talking about the second highest tourist spot in the world, Deosai plains. The
word Deosai is the union of two words ‘Deo’ (giant) and ‘Sai’ (shadow). For
centuries, it is believed that this place is haunted by giants, thus the name
‘The Land of the Giants’ came on the scene. Vola!
The tremendous aspect of Deosaiis a lake called Sheosir Lake. Best time to visit
Deosai is between June and August. Deosai is another must see place of Northern
Pakistan.
5 Upper Kachura Lake
You might have seen plenty of beautiful sights before, but some places are
synonymous with picturesque scenery and beauty. The place we are talking about
is Upper Kachura Lake. This lake is regarded as one of the most visited sites of
Pakistan and tourists from all around the planet have been hypnotized by the
captivating beauty of this Lake. It is surrounded by the snow-capped mountains
majestically in winters and if you talk about the summer season, when the snow
melts, the vegetation that wraps the slopes makes it look like absolutely
magnetizing. That’s impressive, isn’t it?
So, which one of the above mentioned places you are going to give a hand on
while visiting Pakistan?