One of Pakistan’s most renowned tourist destinations, Swat earns its fame for its mountainous landscapes, forests, and pristine rivers. Kalam Valley, in particular, is a popular destination for both Pakistani and foreign visitors, and for good reason.
In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (KPK for short), Kalam has a relatively warm climate for such a mountainous region. While the summits aren’t quite as high on average as those in Hunza or Skardu, the mountains here are vibrant, with deep colors and forests like very few other places in the world.
Because of its comparatively warm climate, Kalam is far more accessible year-round, and you can even explore in winter without facing the frigid temperatures that more northern regions experience in the coldest months.
Kashmir has long captured my imagination, and Neelum Valley in particular is known for its lush, mountainous beauty that has inspired many travelers. Far from the dry, desert mountain landscapes of Hunza and Skardu, Neelum glows with color, its mountains covered in deep green fields and brilliant wildflowers.
The political situation in Kashmir is delicate, as control of the region is divided between India and Pakistan. If you want to enter Pakistan-administered (Azad) Kashmir as a foreigner, you will need to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Pakistani government, and there is no guarantee that getting one is achievable.
However, as a Pakistani, simply show your national ID card at a checkpoint, and you will be granted entry. Regardless of your country of origin, you can’t miss Kashmir and Neelum Valley if you can find a way to visit.
Phander Valley is spectacularly wild, the kind of place for those seeking to get off the grid without too much effort. This paradise is for escaping a consistent cell signal, relaxing, and enjoying unspoiled natural wonders.
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Phander has everything a traveler could want: day hikes and longer treks, fishing, camping, rich culture and history to uncover, and guesthouses and hotels at all price ranges to keep you warm and cozy between adventures. Travelers can get to Phander from either Chitral (only in the warmer months) or Gilgit.
A place of vibrant culture and history, Kalash is a special part of Chitral, full of its own customs and a distinct tribe. Despite many attempts over the years by outsiders to impose outside culture and religion on the Kalash, this special place has preserved its traditions.
Visitors to Kalash are in for a special treat: the Kalasha people are a one-of-a-kind tribe in Pakistan, practicing a unique religion found nowhere else. For travelers seeking an unforgettable cultural experience unlike anything else you’ll ever see, a visit to Kalash is not to be missed.
Kalash’s climate means winters can be extremely harsh and summers mild, so plan a summer trip to avoid freezing temperatures and the difficulties of traveling when roads become an icy, slippery mess.
A starting point for treks leading to the foot of the world’s ninth-highest mountain, Fairy Meadows is one of the most strikingly beautiful places on Earth. After an exhilarating jeep ride from Raikot Bridge and a short two-hour uphill hike, you’ll find yourself among a bevy of hotels and campsites in a place that looks like it came straight out of a mythical storybook.
Fairy Meadows is one of Pakistan’s most well-known and popular places to visit, and as such, it has seen rapid development in recent years. New hotels spring up often, and construction noise is now a constant presence. This is no longer an off-the-grid destination, but you can still visit without feeling swarmed by tourists.
If you are looking to avoid the crowds, travel in late September or early October. It will be a little colder, but you can avoid huge crowds without facing freezing temperatures that might be too much to handle.
A valley of spectacular natural beauty, Shimshal is renowned largely for being the setting of one of Pakistan’s most dangerous roads. The journey to Shimshal is a sensory overload, alive with raging rivers, titanic mountains, chasmic drops, and of course, no small amount of danger. And that’s before you even reach the village!
Shimshal Village is a home base for both short day hikes and lengthy treks (as well as climbs of nearby mountains), so it has plenty of guesthouses and lodges for travelers to stay at. This destination is for those who love exploring rugged, mountainous areas on the edge of civilization.
Not particularly easy to reach, you can either take public transport from Hunza or attempt the road on a motorcycle. That said, the Shimshal road earns its dangerous reputation, so arrange a public jeep/van unless you are very experienced on a bike.
A unique enclave within Pakistan, Hunza is a famed tourist destination. This valley is home to multiple 7000-meter peaks, some of the most bizarre geological formations you’ll see anywhere, and, of course, the legendary Karakoram Highway.
Hunza offers something for everyone, from popular, cozy hotels with incredible views to lesser-known hidden gems, smooth highways with unbeatable vistas, and the kindest, most hospitable people in the world. There’s always something new to do here, but the crush of tourists can be overwhelming at times, especially at peak summer.
Late August or early September is a great time to visit Hunza if you want smaller crowds with warm weather, but Autumn in Hunza is simply otherworldly.
Despite neighboring Hunza and being close and easily accessible from touristy Karimabad, Hoper Valley sees far fewer visitors and is much quieter. That is a shame, but it is a huge boon for the travelers who dare to make the trip!
A short, easy drive from Karimabad, Hoper has plenty to brag about: sweeping, epic vistas, historic sites, massive peaks, and a huge glacier that extends down from a 7000-meter mountain and stretches for miles. You can spend a lot of time adventuring here, and sadly it doesn’t get enough visitors.
Hoper is majestic in any season, but summer and autumn provide the best experience with great weather, clear views, and vibrant colors. The drive through the valley is one of my favorites in all of Pakistan.
Another remote region of Pakistan, Broghil Valley is defined by raw, achingly beautiful wilderness and vast, mountainous landscapes. As part of Chitral, Broghil borders Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor and is not an easy destination to reach.
Like Chapursan, Broghil isn’t frequented by many tourists, foreign or Pakistani, so the valley is almost completely unspoiled, and visitors can explore without worrying about being overwhelmed by a crush of tourists, even though Broghil is home to a splendid national park.
If you plan to visit, this is a place you need to be 100% committed to seeing, as it is one of Pakistan’s more hard-to-reach spots. But the region’s pure, untamed beauty will reward the more intrepid traveler with an unforgettable experience.
This bustling cultural city is packed with delicious food, cultural and historical sites, and unbelievably chaotic traffic. Vibrant and alive, Lahore is an exciting city that can keep you busy for hours.
Home to cultural sites like the Badshahi Mosque, the famous Wagah Border Ceremony with India, and more, Lahore is rich in history. On top of that, the city is well-known as a foodie’s paradise, with a huge variety of fantastic dishes to enjoy on the cheap!
Lahore’s main downsides are that it is very crowded and hot in summer, so it is best to explore this one-of-a-kind city in the cooler months.
Reminiscent of Switzerland, Naltar Valley is a must-see area in Gilgit-Baltistan. Visitors can enjoy pristine, lush pine forests, glacial lakes, hikes for all difficulty levels, and even snow skiing.
Naltar has what I swear are the purest lakes in the world, fed entirely by glacial melt in a part of the valley with virtually no civilization. The valley has essentially everything a nature lover could want, and it’s all relatively easy to access! Visitors can even see a Snow Leopard habitat, reachable by jeep or on foot.
A great summer destination, Naltar is reachable by jeep or motorcycle. As of this writing, though, a significant portion of the road is in nightmarish condition, so you shouldn’t attempt it unless you’re both very experienced riders and prepared to suffer all kinds of body aches.
Makli is one of Pakistan’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rooted in centuries of history, unique culture, and mind-blowing architecture, all dedicated to memorializing those who passed on centuries ago.
The tombs draw on influences from across South and West Asia, creating a myriad of diverse monuments to explore. This is another site in Pakistan that travelers seeking to learn more about the region’s history can’t miss.
Like the rest of southern Pakistan, especially Sindh, the country’s southernmost province, summer temperatures here can get scalding hot and dangerous, so I recommend doing everything you can to travel in a cooler season if possible.
Home to truly stunning, lush natural beauty, Naran and Kaghan are destinations commonly frequented by Pakistani tourists from the south looking to escape the city and experience mountainous landscapes without going too far north. Naran is surrounded by towering green peaks and offers great hiking, including the famous Saif Al Malouk lake.
Unfortunately, mass tourism has overrun Naran, and huge piles of roadside trash are a common sight. Unreasonably expensive hotels and mass littering plague Naran, and there is no end in sight, which is all the more tragic because the region is genuinely lovely.
If you want to stay among huge, green mountains without dealing with overpricing and mass tourism, I highly recommend staying in Kaghan, just south of Naran. It’s far cheaper, less crowded, and you get the same verdant, mountainous beauty without the crowds.
A hidden gem of Northern Pakistan, Misgar Valley is virtually untouched by tourism despite being only a short drive from the Karakoram Highway. One of the five Silk Road routes in Central Asia ran through Misgar, and as a result, this valley is full of fascinating history and heart-stopping scenery.
The village itself is incredibly picturesque, and a few kilometers later you can see a fort at a river fork that guarded the Silk Road’s path to China before Khunjerab Pass came into use.
Best visited using your own transportation, Misgar is a great day trip from wherever you are based in Upper Hunza. Right now, there are a guesthouse or two in the village, but they are hard to find, and there is very little other infrastructure to accommodate travelers. Despite that, this valley and its people are an absolute must-see in Northern Pakistan.
Not far from the ancient Walled City of Lahore, this tomb is a can’t-miss historical landmark and one of Pakistan’s most elegant examples of Mughal architecture. Anyone fascinated by peculiar, unique history will find exploring this site a remarkable experience.
Although the site’s history is a bit hazy, with differing accounts attributing construction to different people, this Mughal emperor’s tomb remains, to this day, unbelievably well-preserved for casual visitors and serious students of history alike to soak in.
One of the world’s most prominent archaeological sites, Mohenjo-Daro is also one of the world’s most ancient cities, founded by the mysterious Indus Valley civilization. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a highlight not only of Sindh province but of all of Pakistan.
Despite its age, Mohenjo-Daro is well preserved, but this jewel of the ancient world is under constant threat from erosion. Responsible visits to one of the world’s first examples of a major city are encouraged soon, as this site faces a constant risk of permanent change or damage.
We have the following Northern Areas Tour Packages on discounted rates.
