A trip I started planning 3 years ago, in one of the most conservative countries on the planet…..while everyone was asking, why Pakistan?
Looking for information regarding my trekking adventure on the Everest base camp and the world’s highest mountain, I found out about the second one, the legendary K2. To my surprise, Pakistan was home to that mountain, together with 4 more peaks over 8,000m. I had no intention of climbing any of them, but while searching, I discovered a country with countless treasures. A country with outstanding mountain landscapes, vast deserts, biblical cities, special tribes, and a long coastline. A country that, up to yesterday, was in a state of war because of the Talibans, and considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
Thankfully, the conditions have changed, Pakistan has been at peace for the last few years, and my dream came true 4 months ago, despite the pandemic. The original plan was traveling solo. Quite by chance, I found a co-traveler, and early of April, 2 women alone left for a journey around this huge country, with the 220.000.000 strict, conservative and “bad” residents.
A month later, having traveled from north to south, from central to the eastern border with India and while overcoming a lot of difficulties, I came back to my country, carrying along the best impressions and the sweetest memories of misunderstood Pakistan and its incredibly hospitable locals.
It is said that “A picture is worth a thousand words”. I am giving you 40 pictures for a start, following by the words in the upcoming posts.
Faisal Mosque, inspired by a Bedouin tent, is the main attraction of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad
Truck decoration has become an art through years and locals spend huge amounts of money to make their “babies” the most beautiful of all! – Islamabad
Kind, smiley, friendly, hospitable, amazing locals everywhere around the country!
Altit Fort in Hunza valley, is the oldest monument of Gilgit-Baltistan province
Breathtaking views to Hunza valley and Karimabad village from Baltit Fort
Attabad lake was actually the result of an accident! A major landslide was the reason for this unreal gem to become the most attractive landscape of the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
You need only one hour of hiking up to Passu Glacier, at an elevation of 3.300m above sea level
Hussaini bridge is supposed to be the most dangerous suspension bridge in the world! Well, I have to admit that the crossing is not that scary after all, plus you have those excellent views to Passu Cones
Barbecue is the best food option in Gilgit town
The narrow and unpaved road on the mountains that leads to Tatu village, is a real nightmare and extremely dangerous during winter
Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world, as seen from Fairy Meadows National park
Shangrila resort is heaven on earth, placed around the shores of the impressive lower Kachura lake (or Shangrila lake) in Skardu valley
The outstanding Upper Kachura lake, on the legendary Karakorum mountain range
Cherry Blossom in Skardu valley
Sarfaranga cold desert, on the way to Shigar valley, Skardu
Katpana desert in Skardu is the highest cold desert in the world, at 2.226m. above sea level
Sand dunes and snowy peaks on the Himalayan and Karakorum mountain ranges – Katpana desert
Glamping under the Pakistani sky in Katpana desert
Shigar Fort, the old Palace running as a museum and luxury hotel in Skardu district
Crossing high mountains, rivers and valleys on the way to Chitral valley
The inhabitants of Kalash valley is an indigenous, non-Muslim tribe of Pakistan, famous worldwide for their colorful outfit and their special annual festivals
The unique houses of Kalash tribe, made of stone and wood in Rumbur village
The carved wooden buildings in the old city of Peshawar, the oldest city in Pakistan, located around 500km far from the border with Afghanistan
Locals of Peshawar are mainly Pashtuns, who keep the old Muslim traditions in their everyday life, up to now
Inside the Sheesh Mahal or “The Palace of Mirrors” part of the impressive and glorious Lahore Fort
Wandering around the old city of Lahore, visiting the bazaars, the old hammam and some wonderful mosques
Multan is mostly known as “City of Saints”, because of the large number of those colorful Sufi shrines built inside the city and the wider area
The central square of Multan
Derawar fort in the middle of the vast Cholistan desert
Local children studying the Quran in Abbasi Jamia Masjid Qila mosque – Derawar
The amazing sunset over the Arabian Sea from Clifton beach in Karachi
Mazar-e-Quaid Mausoleum is the iconic symbol of Karachi
Truck art in Sindh province
Nomads of the south
In Makli Necropolis, one of the largest funerary sites in the world, the visitor can wander around a 10km² desert area, exploring more than 500.000 tombs!!
The busy city center of Thatta, the medieval capital of Sindh province, on the way to Makli Necropolis
The Chaukhandi Tombs, the haunted sandstone necropolis, is placed just 30km away from Karachi. Less impressive than Makli, however it is worth a visit, as the graveyard is dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries AD
Everyday life in Karachi
Top photo: Nanga Parbat peak and Raikot glacier from Fairy Meadows national park