Pakistan is a place of natural wonder and spiritual fulfillment. It is home to some of the most glorious and unique landscapes and also the most hospitable people in the world. Pictures alone can hardly do justice to the serenity offered by the landscapes as they have been preserved throughout millenia. A melting pot full of rich history and diverse cultures, ethnicities and languages sprawled over a breath-taking terrain is the definition of majestic Pakistan.
Traveling through Pakistan can be handled by car, but visiting the most essential spots for nature lovers will be done by foot. Nearly all of the natural splendor that can be seen is accessible through hiking trails and developed roads. Pakistan is a land filled with mountains, and between those mountains are gorgeous valleys with water as blue and bright as the sky. There are dozens of these valleys alone to explore, but the most famous among them is the Hunza Valley. It encompasses many rivers, valley passes and forests, all left untouched but for the road that travels through them.
The northwest frontier of Pakistan also known as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is blessed with pristine valleys, fresh blue lakes, thick natural forests and historical landmarks dating back from the time of the ancient Gandhara civilization. Swat is one of the most scenic valleys in the world with the magnificent swat river gushing through it. Offering a spectacular sight of natural waterfalls, fresh river streams and also snow-capped mountains. From lush green meadows to snow-capped mountains that invite you to explore sports activities and festivals at the Malam Jabba ski resort; Swat valley is a fairy tale that has everything to offer. This majestic land is full of boundless unexplored and well-hidden gems within. The glorious Kumrat valley with a beautiful 19th century mosque made of deodar trees and exquisite carvings to the floating clouds of Siri Paye in Naran and Kaghan valley are just small examples of the countless mesmerising spots the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has to offer.
The Passu Cones, also known as the Passu Cathedral, is a natural mountain formation that looks like it was plucked from a fantasy novel. It was named because at a distance, in the sun’s direct light, it resembles the many peaks and cones of a cathedral roof. Some of Pakistan’s most beautiful sights occurred in the last generation. The Attabad Lake was formed when a landslide blocked off the Hunza River back in 2010. Now it stands as a testament to nature’s power to remain beautiful even in the face of tragedy.
Pakistan also hosts some of the world’s most beautiful and well preserved national parks. The coastal park of Hingol has a wonderful view of the ocean at Pakistan’s border and naturally amber sands. The Deosai National Park is called the “Roof of the World”. It’s the second highest plateau on the planet, complete with running rivers and meadows full of trees and hosts the rare Himalayan Brown Bear.
Pakistan has mystified travelers for millenia. One spot discovered by German explorers, dubbed the “Fairy Meadows”, looks like a postcard from the Swiss Alps. Pakistan rivals the most famous mountain countries when it comes to scenic views, as well as heights. The Nanga Prabat visible from the Meadow is the 9th tallest mountain peak in the world. For those who want a taste of challenging the great mountains, they can make a trek up to the Rakaposhi Base Camp. It’s a hiking challenge that’s worth the view. The town of Gilgit hosts tourists who come looking for a mighty climb.
In the other direction from Gilgit is a popular alcove of a beautifully reflective lake in the Naltar Valley. It’s a popular enough destination to have multiple inns and places to stay to enjoy the lake in winter when it’s frozen over or in the summer when it’s as clear as a mirror. Pakistan even has beauty in its desert. The Katpana Desert is the world’s highest altitude “cold” desert. It even gets snow in the winter, a rarity no other country can claim.
The people of Pakistan are hospitable and welcoming to those who seek out the natural beauty of the land. The rich cultures of the native people, both in the cities and the tribes that live simple lives in the countryside, are treasures to behold. In Pakistan you will find kind people willing to share the same bounty they have known their whole lives to enrich others. Throughout your travels the locals will also warmly welcome you and invite you into their homes as hospitality is an integral part of the Pakistani society and Islam.
Pakistan’s majestic beauty is a gift from nature to the world. It is home to people who have been influenced by that beauty, whose cultures revere and celebrate it, and who wish for the rest of the world to see it as they do: with their own eyes and with their own hearts.
