Underrated Scenic Destinations in Pakistan That Should Be On Every Traveller’s List
Pakistan’s breathtaking northern regions have long been a favorite travel destination. Travelers from all over the world go to these stunning locations to explore the breathtaking nature and enjoy the friendliness of the residents.
Many tourists travel annually to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. However, several valleys and towns in these areas still need more attention.
Due to their accessibility, most of these picturesque locations are rarely featured in tourist guides. However, you should still include them on your list of stunning locations in Pakistan.
GILGIT BALTISTAN, PHANDER VALLEY
The picturesque Phander Valley, also called “Little Kashmir,” has grown in popularity among domestic tourists in recent years. It still needs to be a popular travel location, though. Beautiful Phander Lake, famed for its beguiling blue water, is found in the Valley, which is located in the Ghizer area of charming Gilgit Baltistan.
Phander is one of Pakistan’s top tourist destinations thanks to its stunning landscape, vibrant flowers, historic wooden homes, and tranquil environment.
Visit this breathtaking Valley in July and August if you don’t want to suffer from frostbite and lose a few fingers. Even though it is considered tourist season there, Hunza and Gilgit will be significantly less busy. Additionally, you’ll get the opportunity to see mulberry, cherry, and apricot trees in full bloom. These trees give the brisk springtime landscape a splash of color.
You can request a fishing rod from the owner of your hotel if you have a fishing license. You can also spend some time capturing trout fish and buying other supplies.
Gilgit has easy access to Phander Valley. It will take roughly six hours to arrive if you take a NATCO bus from Gilgit. Make sure to include Phander on your itinerary if you’re traveling to Gilgit-Baltistan this year, since his stunning region of Pakistan might soon become a popular tourist destination.
BALTISTAN, GILGIT, MINAPIN VILLAGE
Many people think Hunza includes Nagar District, which needs to be corrected. The strange thing is that, up until the early 1970s, these two districts were independent states.
Both Hunza and Nagar’s economies have experienced growth due to the expanding tourist industry. Even though Gilgit-Baltistan is constantly bustling with tourists, you should extend your trip by a few more days to visit Minapin. It is one of the Nagar District’s most picturesque settlements.
Nagar has become increasingly well-liked by domestic travelers traveling through the area because of its stunning landscape and incredibly kind locals. Many travelers still need to learn about this undiscovered gem, though. It is one of those locations where you can unwind by kicking your feet up while sipping a nice cup of tea in a calm and tranquil setting.
The community of Minapin has its little dam for producing electricity. Along with various fruits and vegetables, the area also has a lot of cherry and mulberry farms. In addition to letting you buy their products at a fair price, the owners also allow you to eat the berries while giving you a tour of their farms.
On the Hunza River’s left side is Minapin. It is conveniently accessible and has a direct connection to the Karakoram Highway. Adventurers who desire to hike to Rakaposhi base camp frequently stay overnight in this stunning location in Pakistan.
You can add a night in this village to your vacation itinerary if you’re planning a road trip to Gilgit Baltistan’s Khunjerab Pass.
PUNJAB’S SOON VALLEY
Soon Valley is located in Khushab District and is one of Pakistan’s most underrated tourist attractions. It has a direct connection to the highway between Sargodha and Mianwali.
Like other places on this list, Soon Valley has recently experienced a slight tourist boost. Uchhali and Khabeki lakes, where you may go boating, are in the Valley. In this Valley is also the lovely Kanhatti Garden, a Mughal-era garden with a lovely waterfall. Jahlar Lake, Sodhi Bagh, Depp Sharif Ponds, and Kufri are well-liked tourist attractions.
You can reserve a hotel there since Nowshera is the Valley’s capital. Utilize the city as a hub while touring Soon Valley’s stunning scenery and historic fortifications.
The Valley is just a short drive from Islamabad, making it a fantastic weekend vacation with loved ones, friends, or even by yourself.
AZAD JAMMU, RATTI GALI LAKE, AND KASHMIR
Ratti Gali Lake, a captivating lake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s breathtaking Neelum Valley is a haven for hikers and trekkers. It is located more than 12,000 feet above sea level.
Mountains always covered in snow frame the Ratti Gali Lake’s sparkling blue water in pristine clarity. It is only open from July through October. The rest of the year, the lake is impassable due to the amount of snowfall.
One of Pakistan’s most picturesque tourist spots, Ratti Gali Lake, is accessible after a 3-hour journey from Dowarian in Neelum Valley. From there, a 2-hour jeep trip will get you to the stunning Ratti Gali base camp. Once there, you have two options: hire a campsite in the tent city for the night or continue walking for an additional hour to see the lake. You can go to Hans-Raj Lake if you reserve lodging at the base camp. But keep in mind that it would involve another 4 hours of hiking.
Because it can be highly exhausting for young children, this tour is better suited for adults. To go to Ratti Gali Lake, you may hire a horse from the base camp if you’re going with your children.
CHITRAL, GARAM CHASHMA,
Chitral’s stunning Lotkoh Valley is a small, picturesque town called Garam Chashma. It gets its name from the bubbling hot spring that erupts from sulfur deposits, which is its main draw. The community has seen a rise in visitors in recent years from all regions of Pakistan. Most visitors to this stunning location in Pakistan take a bath since the water is thought to treat several skin conditions.
Make sure to visit Garam Chashma if you intend to travel to Chitral. The community is well-known for its lush green meadows set against a beautiful background and the well-known hot Sulphur spring.
In addition, the government has already built several public restrooms for tourists who want to soak in the spring’s cooled-down water due to its rising popularity as a new tourist destination in Pakistan.
A direct water connection to the Sulphur spring is also available in almost all of the area’s hotels and guest houses. Therefore, if you’re looking to stay anywhere in Chitral, pick a hotel in the peaceful community of Garam Chashma and dip in the water there, which is reputed to have medicinal and therapeutic qualities.
NATIONAL PARK OF HINGOL, BALUCHISTAN
Hingol National Park, Pakistan’s biggest national park, is the habitat of numerous birds and animals at risk of extinction. A little more than 243 kilometers separate it from Karachi.
If only for a single day, anyone looking to escape city life must visit this park in Baluchistan. Adventurers will love Hingol National Park’s magnificent mountains and stunning Kund Malir beach. It is also among Pakistan’s most breathtakingly stunning locations.
Numerous species live in the nature reserve. Baluchistani urials, Sindh leopards, Pakistani sand cats, Indian foxes, Sindh ibex, Chinkara gazelles, golden jackals, marsh crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, and green sea turtles are just a few of the animals on the list.
The Chandragup mud volcanoes, Kund Malir beach, Princess of Hope’s spectacular natural rock structure, and an old Hindu temple known as Rani Mandir are all included in Hingol National Park.
It will take 4 hours to get to the national park if you’re traveling from Karachi to Gawadar. One of Pakistan’s most picturesque highways, the Makran Coastal Highway, can take you there.
GILGIT BALTISTAN’S GULMIT VILLAGE
Gulmit is a little settlement in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Upper Hunza Valley in the Gojal Valley, around 8,200 feet above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful and underappreciated locations in the entire area. A few days in Gulmit hamlet will renew your mind and soul thanks to the welcoming locals, the green wheat fields, and the apricot orchids.
Gulmit hamlet, located on the Hunza River’s bank, has a lengthy cultural heritage. The locals still occupy traditional homes and dress in Hunza-exclusive embroidered headgear.
Several hotels have also appeared in the village of Gulmit due to the recent uptick in tourism in Pakistan. It is simple to take day trips from this location, where you can spend a few nights, to the charming Atabad Lake, breathtaking Passu Cones, frigid Gulkin Glacier, and other lovely communities nearby.
It is simple to take day trips from this location, where you can spend a few nights, to the charming Atabad Lake, breathtaking Passu Cones, frigid Gulkin Glacier, and other lovely communities nearby.
GILGIT BALTIC, SHIGAR VALLEY
The picturesque Shigar Valley, located about 32 kilometers from Skardu, is another underappreciated tourist attraction in Pakistan. However, hikers are among its biggest fans.
Getting to this lovely valley can be challenging in a remote area. However, as Shigar is regarded as the entrance to the Karakoram Mountains, you’ll notice a lot of local and foreign mountain climbers wandering around the Valley in the summer and fall. Trekking from Shigar to the K2 base camp takes about seven days.
Shigar Valley also has a stunning, chilly desert if you are not interested in mountain climbing. The Valley also has the stunning blue Blind Lake, Shigar Fort, Fong Khar, the ancient Ambrique mosque, and fruit orchids.
Shigar Valley is not only one of Pakistan’s most stunning locations, but it also has some of the friendliest residents. You can stroll through beautiful gardens while staying here and savor the regional specialties.
AZAD JAMMU, KASHMIR, AND ARANG KEL
Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley is now a well-liked travel destination. The village of Arang Kel, located in the Valley’s upper reaches, is still quite remote. The road to Arang Kel becomes exceedingly difficult during the monsoon and winter months, one of the leading causes. It is practically impossible to approach this stunning location in Pakistan during that time.
This settlement, which is 8,379 feet above sea level, is reachable through a chairlift set up by the Pakistani government or by hiking just over two hours from Kel village.
Due to the towering pine trees, snow-capped mountain peaks, and lush green meadows surrounding Arang Kel, it is aptly known as the Pearl of Neelum Valley. Many travelers like to set up camp under the starry night sky. However, a few accommodations in the neighborhood are more suited for families with young children, including hotels and guest homes. Along with a few stunning waterfalls, this area is home to the lovely blue Lund Sar Lake.
Which of these stunning locations in Pakistan will you visit this year?
