If you long for solitude and a chance to connect with nature, look for offbeat destinations. There are quite a few in Pakistan, and they are still unnoticed by tourists.
About Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the multiethnic countries in South Asia and is known for the rich landscapes in the northwest and the extensive alluvial delta of the Indus River in the south. Being a place known for its natural beauty, Pakistan has vast mountain ranges, which include Pamir, Karakoram, and Kunlun. Its picturesque northern areas have several peaks of over 7000 metres high, and they draw tourists from different parts of the globe.
Tourists who want to engage in various activities like sightseeing, mountaineering, trekking, and skiing find Pakistan a popular destination. The US-based magazines’ Conde Nast and Forbes have Pakistan on their list as one of the top-most tourist destinations to visit in 2020. The visitors and travellers have a lot to experience by driving through the Karakoram Highway, enjoying the delicious flavours of Lahore, and visiting Karachi’s bustling markets.
How to Reach?
You have travel options by air and road to Pakistan.
By Air:
There are flights operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from London, San Francisco, Manchester, Birmingham, New York, Copenhagen, and Paris to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. You can also find PIA flights to several cities across Europe, the Middle East, and India. For the best PIA airline ticket price, you can check the leading travel websites, and book your flight in advance for the early-bird offer.
Further, you can also find flights by Etihad Airways to some major cities around the world from Islamabad and Karachi. The prime airports in Pakistan are the Islamabad International Airport (ISB), Karachi Jinnah International Airport (KHI), and Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE).
Places to Cover:
Pakistan has an increasing number of tourists visiting its valleys, peaks, landscapes, and mountain ranges. There are some places which are less known and frequented by tourists. They are:
- Soon Valley, Punjab
Situated in the northwest of Khushab District in Punjab, Pakistan, Soon Valley is an unnoticed tourist destination. Nevertheless, the place is known for beautiful lakes and springs, spectacular landscapes, versatile mountains, lush green fields, and sanctuaries.
Some of the attractions include Uchali Lake and Khabeki Lake, Kanhati Garden, and Amb Shareef temples. You can reach Soon Valley from Islamabad and Lahore by travelling by road. It is about 250 km to Naushahra from Islamabad and over 300 km from Lahore.
2. Minapin Village, Gilgit Baltistan
Home to several spectacular mountain peaks, Minapin village is in the north of Gilgit city in the Nagar District, along the Karakoram Highway. The place has been gaining tourist attention due to its mountainous topography. The Minapin valley or village is located in the Hunza-Nagar District in Gilgit Baltistan, providing easy access to the three popular peaks in the Karakoram range.
You can reach Gilgit Baltistan by road from Islamabad and take a public van from there to reach Minapin. You can go trekking, walk on the glaciers, and visit mulberry farms. There are hotels and camping sites in Minapin Nagar, which help tourists have a decent stay.
3. Phander Valley, Gilgit Baltistan
If you have a peaceful and wonderful place to put your feet up in your itinerary, then it should be Phander Valley. Famously called ‘Little Kashmir’ for its scenic beauty, Phander Valley is still not revered as one of the must-see tourist destinations. You can find this amazing place located in the Ghizer district in Gilgit Baltistan.
You can find the picturesque Phander Lake with blue water, beautiful wildflowers, and peaceful surroundings that make it an ideal weekend destination for tourists. The best time to visit this peaceful destination is between April and October. You can reach Phander Valley by a NATCO bus from Gilgit and get down at Phander Valley. There are affordable hotels and guesthouses for a comfortable stay. For more updates, visit: https://streeetjack.com/
4. Ratti Gali Lake, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir
Located in the beautiful Neelum Valley at an altitude of over 12000 feet from the sea level in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Ratti Gali Lake is a spectacular alpine glacial lake visited mostly by sports enthusiasts like trekkers and hikers. The snow-capped mountains around the lake are an attraction. You can visit Ratti Gali Lake in the months between July and October by road reaching Dowarian Town in Neelum Valley and then, the Ratti Gali Lake.
5. Garam Chashma, Chitral
A village with spectacular views in the wonderful Lotkoh Valley in Chitral is what Garam Chashma is all about. The place is known for the hot Sulphur spring, which attracts a lot of local tourists. You can visit Garam Chashma for bathing in the water known to have healing properties.
6. The Hingol National Park, Baluchistan
Known for some famous tourist spots, the Hingol National Park is located in Balochistan along the Makran Coastal Highway. You can find different varieties of endangered animals here. Being one of the best natural reserves in Pakistan, the park features a range of topographical features ranging from arid mountains to subtropical forests. You can reach the park from Karachi
7. Gulmit Village, Gilgit Baltistan
Situated in the Hunza Valley, the Gulmit village is a gateway to Shimshal valley, Chapurson valley, Boibar valley, Khunjerab valley, and Misgar valley. The place has a lot of scenic beauty with scintillating mountains and beautiful glaciers.
It’s time you have all these lesser-known destinations in Pakistan on your itinerary. Plan your travel by comparing the pia airline ticket prices and booking your ticket earlier to save money.
