The Katas Raj temples attributed to Hindu Shahiya (615-950 A.D) are dedicated to Lord Shiva and is an important Hindu pilgrimage site in Pakistan. It is believed by the followers that this particular complex was constructed at a place that was visited by Pandava brothers of the great Indian Epic “Mahabharata” This particular site is also the most significant Hindu temple site salt Range. Here also exists a lake which is labelled as “The lake of tears” and Hindus come there for bath. It’s a Holy Spring. There also are havelis of different periods –Hanuman Haveli with a library and Ram Chandra Temple. Hanuman fought by the side of Shiv when he and Ram Chandar had a spat between them and Shiv successfully won and became the king of Katas. British era’s haveli can also be found in Katas Raj, which is now marked as the building of a police station. Another haveli of Hari Singh Nalwa exists which was constructed in the Sikh period, assembled by the Sikh emperor Raja RanjitSinghain Katas after a long period of 50 years. The archaeology department is planning to make this haveli a Museum in future years.
Nathia Gali is known as the City of Fog for it can get very very very foggy here. The usual definition of fog doesn't stand here. Fog means visibility reduced to 1 km , here fog mean visibility reduced to a few feet. Also, this area recieves the most high rainfall in Pakistan and it always seems to be raining here (which is very good). But the main beauty of this area isnt high mountains, its the greenery. Lush green hills and mountains with wonderful pine trees.
My trip to Skardu in Gilgit Baltistan was beautiful, stunning, chaotic and more than a little adventurous. Here are 7 things you need to be careful about when planning a trip here.
1. Buy a map – do your research
I know we are used to ‘Googling’ everything but in remote places like these a basic map will be far more handy. Go to the places you want to go not where the driver wants to take you! When planning a major journey, there are always little places (like Manthal Buddha) where you can check out a mosque, a ruin, a tapestry. Your map will tell you so stop and ENJOY!
My trip to Skardu was beautiful, chaotic and more than a little adventurous. Here are 7 things you need to be careful about when planning a trip here.
Stopping the car along the ride just to see these golden marmots.
2. Don’t carry designer anything on the trip!
I know we want to look the best for pictures but when your Coach handbag is drenched in rain you will regret carrying a backpack. Something sturdy that will carry all the essentials you need AND make sure your shoulder isn’t titled towards the right (because that’s where you carry your bag)
3. When eating out, try out the local specialties
Hotel menus do have options for continental food and they do serve a mean mushroom & cheese omelette. BUT why try something that you can get in your own city? Be adventurous, ask them what their local dishes and then give it a shot. Order one safe item like chicken karahi, chicken handi, palak paneer or well biryani but otherwise go for local. We loved the creamy walnut gravies at Khaplu. However, the buckwheat pancake & palpu was literally not our piece of cake.
My trip to Skardu was beautiful, chaotic and more than a little adventurous. Here are 7 things you need to be careful about when planning a trip here.
Enjoying a late lunch on our first day at Khaplu Palace in Gilgit. Chicken in a creamy walnut sauce with mamtu (meat dumplings) and garam naan.
4. Make friends – divide your travel cost
We met this German tourist on our trip – she was staying at Serena Khaplu & joined us in the journey to Serena Shigar. When the driver mentioned the Manthoka waterfall trip detour we decided to split the cost making it cheaper for everyone. Similarly, when we went out at Shigar she decided to join us in our Deosai trip. Not only did it decrease our overall cost but it was also company on the really long road trip. Same with our adventurous trip back from Islamabad. Going as a couple is great but even if we divide the cost per head, the cost center remains the same :p
5. Be prepared – switching from plan A to plan B is inevitable
Our original plan was to go by plane from Skardu to Islamabad and then train from Islamabad to Karachi. We ended up taking a 24 hour road trip followed by a plane ride that got delayed by 6 hours. We wanted to go hiking and it started raining. We saw a guest who tripped over the last step on the stairs and sprained their ankle. So yeah, things happen. Focus on the silver lining and enjoy your time! Just be prepared with travel essentials (next point)
6. Make sure all your bags have hand sanitizers
The thing with beauty in a remote area is that you are literally in the middle of nowhere so modern conveniences like supermarkets & clean washrooms are not so nearby. So make sure your bag has toiletries – I carried hand sanitizer, tissue paper AND toilet paper. Towels & bedsheets in your suitcase – you never know where you might have to stay the night (e.g. our night at Naran) 7. Get a good driver
During our time at Skardu we saw only one traffic jam. But what we did see were a lot of roads going up, down and round & round. So it’s essential that you get a good driver – someone who doesn’t brake or accelerate too much and drives at a smooth pace. Make sure the car is in good condition – the fuel tank is full and there’s a working spare tire.
I am Yawer, My home town is Bagh Azad Kashmir, and I live in Islamabad for study, so I frequently to and fro Islamabad and Kashmir. The journey starts from Kashmir Highway to Bahara Kau to Expressway to Jhika Gali to Kashmir.
In winter, this travel becomes especially hard and adventurous, last night I went home and half of the way was snowy, and boy is it hard to drive in snow and the hard part only made it great.
I loved every moment of travel. I left somewhere near 4 PM and reached 9 PM, the time was great. Murree was full of tourists and people enjoying the snowfall but as I left Murree towards Kashmir, snow only grew but the number of people traveling grew thinner. The road grew thinner, the snow wall becomes taller. The drive was only becoming harder but still, it was fun and great. I will attach a video of it down.
In line with the vision of promoting tourism in the country, the KPK government has set up a new tourist spot in Galliyat region. The newly built spot, Samundar Katha lake located in Barra Gali, offers a fascinating spot for a day out with your loved ones. The green-colored lake is surrounded by lush green mountains and the spot becomes all the more attractive when covered in a blanket of clouds. The tourists have already started visiting the place as groups find it a perfect summer getaway. The lake, which has reportedly been created artificially by the KP Forest Department, offers various activities such as zipline, boating, horse-riding, other watersports, and camping. The lake is located a few kilometers away from Nathia Gali and offers fascinating views. The lake has been built to promote eco-friendly tourism in the province and the government is focusing on keeping the place clean and green.
One of the oldest lakes in Azad kashmir known as banjosa lake. A perfect spot that attracts the crowd. Beautiful & ancient. Peaceful & a perfect place for family picnic. The beautiful bluish water & quick fast running motor boats on it are a huge cause of its popularity. Banjosa lake is a place which is worth visiting if someone visits kashmir.
Banjosa lake is located just near the city of Rawalakot. From the twin cities it hardly takes a 3 hour drive to reach that everlasting destination. And as far as the roads are concerned they’re crystal clear. Now talking about the people over there so its another great experience because the people are much loving much caring and their hospitality is unquestionable.
Looking for zip lining in Islamabad? There are two places which offer zip lining at a very reasonable prices. The one is in Khanpur Dam other is in Buddha caves, Shah Allah Ditta. Both of them have one thing in common, they both ensure their customer's safety. They would not let you go until you have been properly equipped with the safety measures. Despite zip lining Buddha Caves and Khanpur Dam are itself the tourist attraction. The Buddha caves are one of the kind. The type of mountain which you don't get to see in usual sights. Khanpur dam offers many other fun activities like paragliding, boating, river rafting, speed boating, para sailing, air gun shooting, jet ski, cliff diving and scuba diving as well.
Visiting salt mines? Sounds odd. Doesn't it? Yes. It does sounds odd but when it comes to Khewra salt mines, it seems no more awkward. This is no ordinary salt mine. Khewra salt mine is the 2nd largest salt mine of the world and Pakistan's Largest mine. Located in Khewra north of Pind Dadan Khan. The mine is situated in the salt range an outer range of Himalaya mountains.
This mine is one of a major tourist attraction of Pakistan, drawing upto 250,000 tourists a year. Currently the salt is being extracted from the 27th floor of the mine. Since 140 years, all of the 27 floors have been completely extracted. Nobody is sure of how many more floors are remaining. It is still unknown.
The site earns considerably good revenue being the major tourist attraction in the region. Since it's "Salt mine", each and every thing inside the mine is made up from the salt. Tourist are taken to the mine in the salt mine railway. There are numerous pools of salty water inside. Badhsahi mosque, Minar e Pakistan and many other sculptures made up of salt are also placed inside the mine. The site is not recommended for the elderly people or those who face problem in walking. The site asks for lots of walking.
Fairy Meadows is a grassland near one of the base camp sites of the Nanga Parbat located in the Diamer district of Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. The place was named by the German climbers. At an altitude of about 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) above the sea level, it serves as the launching point for trekkers summiting on the Rakhiot face of the Nanga Parbat. It was decleared as the National Park by the Government of Pakistan in 1996. The place is often referred to "Heaven on Earth" beacause of its mesmerizing location and lush green mountains with the sight of snow covered K2.
The tourist season starts in April and continues until the end of September. The place generates revenue of 17 million rupees from tourism only. If you are the one who loves camping, Fairy meadows is the best place for you.
Lahore Aye means Lahore is Lahore in the local language! Often said by Punjabi's who are proud of their city and fair enough they have all reason to be! I'm a big fan myself... Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque is the city’s icon, its premier religious site, and a focal point for celebrations and festivities. It’s also a photographer’s paradise – one’s lens is drawn to the incredible ornate arches, the bulbous marble domes and the soaring red stone minarets. The glimpses of the city which peep over the high walls; the residential blocks, the gurdwara, the Shahi fort opposite. The devotees who pray in a seemingly endless cycle of recitations and prostrations, those that sit and wonder.Badshahi Mosque is located in Lahore. It was built in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. It is a fine example of the architecture of Mughal Era. Today, it is the largest mosque in Pakistan and is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world.
Las Danna is a tourist resort in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located 15 kilometers (9.3 m) from Bagh city at the height of 8,612 feet (2,625 m)
It is a very beautiful place to visit with lots of privacy here as there is no tourist visited here. the reason because no tourist came to this place is that it is quite far from Rawalpindi even the closest town from Rawalpindi to lasdana is Rawalakot which is a three-hour drive from Lusdana. so if anyone interested in visiting this place they have to keep in mind that more the two day are needed to reach here, enjoy and leave back to Rawalpindi.it is approximately 6 hours drive from Rawalpindi and you need a good vehicle to reach here as there is steep uphill drive at the end of your journey. The attractions here are sightseeing as this place is quite a high altitude. You can see Poonch city across the border in Indian occupied Kashmir from here.there is snow here till the second week of June and even after melted snow, the weather is still cold at nights and mornings at all time of the year. so do bring a sweater or some warm clothes with you whenever you are visiting. The best time to visit this place is from Mid June to September. After that, the cold becomes quite unbearable and the fun ends. There is so much peace here. When you reach here the time slows down, you can leave all the worries of the world back where you came from and enjoy the tranquility and fresh air. the oxygen level is a little low here as it is a high altitude place but you will not going to find any more refreshing air then this place. Just lay down anywhere and breath in the fresh air with no noise to disturb here. there are also quite a large amount of horses are present here. these horses are wild and they roam around eating grass all day. the scenery with green grass, tall green trees, horses and fresh air brings people a sense of peace and relaxation. there is one government guest house with more under construction for tourists. Its a good place for hiking, biking, and fun. There is an army check post near the guest house. there are also some old bunkers from the war of independence from 1947 which are still intact and open for tourists to have a glimpse of the past glory. All in all, it will give you great joy and peace when you will visit this place. you just need to plan for 2 or more days to fully enjoy the trip.
Pir chanasi is a shrine and tourist destination located 30 kilometers east of muzaffrabad City on the top of hills at an elevation of 2,900 meters. The mountain peak has gained large fame for its zuyarat of a famous saint, Pir chanasi, known as Pir sayed Hussain Shah Bahari. The ziarat is just an icon. The attractiveness is actually the beauty of this place!
A must visit with your family & friends. A quality place where you can easily spend some quality time. The most attractive perk of Pir Chanasi is that you can easily visit it in a Day and mostly a perfect place for the weekends. Easy to go Easy to come back. Loads of greenery in the summers. Entire whitewashed in the winters. Whenever you go this place won’t fail to impress.
In Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of the most visited provinces along with major tourist attractions. It's capital city Peshawar attracts much indirect tourism.
Famous Foods in Peshawar
Chapli kabab is the specialty of Peshawar. It is made of minced beef blended with cornflour, onions, peppers, tomatoes and some other items. It is served with the hot naan. One start craving for it after seeing this spicy and delicious kabab.
Charsi Tikka is the most palatable dish in Peshawar. Its popularity is expanded throughout Asia. It is served with the hot naan bread and chutney. One must eat the delicious and appetizing tikka when coming to Peshawar.
Traditional Green Tea
There are numerous Qahwa Khanas in Peshawar. It is the best option for exhausted travelers to get relief from the tiredness. It is often taken in winter by the individuals. It is prepared by the infusion of the unfermented green tea leaves in hot water. It is served hot in small bowls.
People of Peshawar:The residents of Peshawar are very friendly and hospitable to their visitors, friends.
Beautiful Places
There are the following beautiful places in Peshawar which will compel the tourists to come again and again.
Qilla Bala Hisar is the higher fort. It is the attention-grabbing place in Peshawar for the tourist revealing the history. It tells us the tale of the Durrani empire. It is opened for tourists with the help of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf. Must visit there once come to Peshawar.
Qissa Khwani Bazar
The name itself reveals that it is the market/bazar of the storyteller. It is an important place for the tourist because of its historical value and pleasant atmosphere. According to history, it was the center for businessmen before Qissa Khwani Bazar. In the day, they used to do business, and in the night, they used to tell stories while sitting near the fire and take tea.
Khyber Pass is known to be one of the oldest passes in world history by connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan. Throughout history, it is a strategic pass that links Pakistan with Central Asia and South Asia. Although it is the best tourist spot. Now it has been banned because of the takeover by the Taliban.
Peshawar Museum was constructed in the memory of Queen Victoria and was established in 1907. This is one of the most visited museums in Pakistan. It shows the following architectural styles of Muslims, Hindus and British, ancient books, weapons, coins, art, ornaments, clothes, sculpture, pottery, and 14000 other objects.
Hi all, I am Rameen Kamran with my new blog which is about the beauty of my beloved country Pakistan. Here I am with a beautiful place Shangrila resort, Skardu.
Skardu, the central vale of Gilgit Baltistan is situated in Northern Pakistan. It is the symbol of beauty and tranquility. On Karakoram Highway, the narrow road goes to Skardu after Jaglot. It is the journey of about sixteen hours from Islamabad. You’ll be blessed with numerous rivers and kindness of the resident during this journey. By crossing the old bridge made of wood on the Indus river, you will reach the Shangrila. It is a popular tourist attraction in Skardu, & is famous by the name of Paradise of earth. The best part of this area is the coffee shop in Shangrila which is made in the shape of aircraft.
#beauty #Pakistan #heaven #selfies #cold #travel #mountain #greenery #coffee #enjoy #blessing_of_Allah #friends #best_place
The Pakistan National Monument is one of the rare recreational places, which is attracting the visitors from all over the country. It is located at the west viewpoint of the Shakarparian Hills, and represents the four provinces and three territories. The blooming flower shape shows Pakistan’s progress as a rapidly developing country. The monument has been designed to reflect the culture and civilization of the country and depicts the story of the Pakistan, dedicated to those who sacrificed themselves for future generations.The tourist train helped further in promoting tourism and cultural activities in the Capital.I visit the monument every week in search of peace and comfort. In an aerial view, the monument looks like a star (center) and a crescent moon (formed by walls forming the petals), similar to that of the national flag, this view really fascinate me a lot, especially in night, when the lights are turned on.It is grand, it is huge and it is absolutely magnificent.
Hey all, This is Rameen Kamran with the new blog. This blog explores the very famous festival of Chitral. Chitral is a charming valley. It is situated in the range of the Hindukush mountain of Pakistan. Qaqlasht festival in the Chitral is very famed and called as Jashn-e-Qaqlasth. It is celebrated every year in the month of April. It is assumed that it is a very old festival. Some people believe that it is about 3000 years old. Rais's ruler used to organize this event and after that, it was sustained by the Katoor family. This festival aims to shield the sole and unique culture of Chitral.
you must travel there and enjoy with your family and friends.
Hey all,
This is Rameen Kamran with my second blog which is focused on the beauty of Pakistan. Simply we can say that “Paradise in Pakistan”. Here I am with my experience to Naltar valley.
When someone talks about Pakistan, the first thing come to our mind is corruption, extremism, and terrorism. Regardless of these problems, we still love Pakistan. Due to the above confusion, we have neglected the charm of Pakistan. The incredible locations in Pakistan will make you acknowledged to praise its beauty. Below is the experience of my 1st visit to Naltar valley which is well known for its beautiful and colorful ponds. It is located near Gilgit. This valley is covered by the pine trees which make you feel that you’re not in this world. The world’s palatable potatoes are grown in this valley. If someone wants to know about the beauty of paradise, then he/she must visit Naltar valley at once. This place will compel you to come again and again.
Pakistan is beautiful, it is utterly blessed! We don’t just say it… it actually is. When it comes to breathtaking landscapes and mind-blowing sceneries, Pakistan is absolutely matchless. You think Switzerland is the most stunning place on this planet? Think again…
All spots are exceptionally appealing and lovely. You can appreciate every last snapshot of your tour. Naran and Kaghan are two isolated yet commonly associated delightful valleys situated in Pakistan. These two world’s acclaimed valleys are notable all around the globe due to their common magnificence that pulls in a large number of tourists, trekkers and picture takers to visit them consistently. Naran, Kaghan are said the place where there is lakes. Nature has favored them with every one of that things that other don’t have. These spots are viewed as a huge wellspring of national wage on account of tourism. Kaghan Naran, are situated in the territory of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, area Mansehra.
Hi everyone. I am Anum Gul and here I will tell you about Islamabad's famous places that you would love to travel.
Saidpur is a Pakistani village located in a ravine in the Margalla Hills, near Islamabad and the Damn-e-Koh overlook. These days the village is serving as one of the favorite picnic place in Islamabad for both local and foreign visitors.
Hello everyone, I am Rameen Kamran and this is my first post.
Here is the most beautiful mosque of Islamabad. The name is Shah Faisal Mosque. It is located on the foothill of Margalla hills in Islamabad. The architect was Vedat Dalokay of Turkey. The mosque's architecture is strikingly modern and unique.
