Author: Edna Cooper

10: Its food is incredible

The food in Pakistan is just spectacular – spicy, rich, sweet, and more. There are savory curries, fresh fruits, grilled skewered meats, biryanis, etc. here.

There were some times while you are traveling in Pakistan that you go out of your way to look for the best possible morsels. You see, Lahore has fantastic (and spicy!) dishes, particularly on Food Street. We want to recommend to you as well that just about everyone visits Haveli Restaurant. Yet, the best Pakistani food which you may ever have is at one roadside stop outside of Narran – here, the karhais are just so damn great.

11: Multi-cultural awesomeness

Ceremonies, Festivals, weddings, and parties…

This country tends to be mentioned in the media as being one place of religious intolerance. It is far from true – here, you can find Muslims, Hindus, as well as Christians living side by side in a lot of cities.

Here, the ethnicity is diverse, too. People from the East tend to be more Punjabi, and the West tends to be more Aryan (like Iran). Also, the North tends to be more Turkic. There are even various tribal groups still living – they are mostly undisturbed, within some remote parts of the country…

Traveling in Pakistan is getting assaulted from all sides by tastes, new colors, sights, and smells. You will truly feel like you are getting back to the adventuring raw spirit, and you will be fascinated by the numerous colorful characters you meet upon your travels here.

12: There are still untouched communities

Do you know The Man Who Would Be King epic? The hidden hill tribes of Pakistan and Afghanistan indeed partly inspire it. In the film, two British ex-soldiers go to one remote part of Hindu Kush, searching for glory and treasure. 

8: Traveling here can be cheap

It is one of the cheapest nations you may have been to. You can visit here on a budget of about $100 a week – it will cover food, transport, accommodation, and many awesome activities.

If you make Pakistani friends, they may insist on treating you to anything. Pakistanis are often generous, and although we may try on a lot of occasions to pay for dinner, your hosts may not allow it.

Accommodation here can be quite expensive, yet there are multiple places that you can camp. Also, finding a couchsurfing host is easy. Make sure you pack the tent if you desire to save money on accommodation.

Trying to organize your solo adventure tours here can be quite a hassle. For example – it may be pretty easy to visit Everest through one trek in Nepal, but K2 requires far more logistics. Owing to the bureaucracy and costs, many visitors will probably eventually be part of one organized tour in Pakistan.

9: Your Fantastic Treks

This country has some of the best trekking in the world, even better than Nepal. A multitude of treks are genuinely stunning; you can do there in Pakistan – from multi-week expeditions to simple day treks. Not all, even the laziest of backpackers may have the chance to appreciate some genuinely stunning terrain.

As you are backpacking in Pakistan, you can go on a few stunning treks, for instance, a hike to Fairy Meadows – the legendary one where you can spend about three days soaking in the stunning views of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world. You can also have the spot entirely to yourself in the low-season, and you may need to trek through waist-deep snow for being there. It is a peaceful, unique place.

5: It was the British Raj’s part

Pakistan has been one part of the British Empire for a while. That is why English has been widely taught in schools as well as being often the functional language for all business as well as political dealings. For people on a tour of Pakistan, they can feel free to communicate with the locals.

That said, it pays to pick up a little Urdu. People here will be impressed when hearing you speak it. Usually, they will show you with huge smiles and compliments. 

6: Its Silk Road

To visit Pakistan means stepping back into history’s pages. Marco Polo was among the first European explorers to deal with The Silk Road – it is known as one ancient trade route which spanned the Orient, connecting the Roman Empire’s treasuries to China’s Imperial Dynasties.

At the heart of the trade route lies the Karakoram – one pivotal crossroad between Central Asia, The Indian Subcontinent, and The Middle East. 

Today, the Karakoram Highway runs the country’s length and offers stunning views, great motorbike adventures and the opportunity to follow in the history’s footsteps.

7: Drive on the world’s highest road

The Karakoram Highway is famous as one high-altitude road which links Pakistan to China. Notably, it is the world’s highest paved road and Pakistan’s economy’s vital artery. Trucks keep following this route and transporting items between the Asia countries.

Not all, the Karakoram Highway is breathtaking! You see, the road itself directs straight through the mountains’ heart and offers their unrivaled views. You will be able to see Rakaposhi, the Khunjerab border, and the Passu Cones, all without leaving your car!

In general, a tour on KKH of Pakistan should be on the bucket-list of any motorist. It has been one of the most outstanding roads ever.

2: Great Landscapes

It should be the most beautiful country in the world.

Even the most illiterate readers of the map may know that this country is well known for its mountains, rivers, forests, valleys, and glaciers. It has more than the fair share of wondrous tourism and sites.

Five of fourteen highest peaks in the world, inclusive of the famed K2, are seen in Pakistan. If you like climbing or trekking, this country should be your next destination.

We have traveled to many countries, and we can safely say that this one is the most beautiful we have ever visited. Many unclimbed peaks are waiting for you to conquer.

3: Nothing is impossible in Pakistan

The chances are, while you are in Lahore, word will get out that one backpacker is visiting and, before you know it, you have been invited to one exclusive party that is held in the middle of nowhere,

You will pass one small army, prove you are on the guest list. Then, you will be into a crazy party. An international DJ, many young, rich and beautiful people, trippy lights as well as energizers to keep you going.

4: It is safe

Undeniably, Pakistan sometimes becomes hit by terrorist attacks, yet, right now, countries around the world are probably fair game. While the media feeds on prejudice, you should not allow yourself to be influenced.

People here are anti-Taliban and willing to do anything to keep you safe and sound at all costs.

You may be assigned one police escort. It does not need to mean you are in danger. But it means the police branch here desires to keep you safe.

You may find yourself to have some bodyguards. You can make friends with them fast even though they do not speak English.

Have you traveled in Pakistan? When you first told your Mum that you planned to travel to this country as part of your hitchhiking adventure over The Middle East, was she somewhat skeptical? She may be wondering why you will visit Pakistan. Pakistan is usually portrayed as one of the war-torn hellholes. Yet…

Visiting this country is a unique experience. It is probably frustrating, life-changing, enlightening, and surprising. It is the ultimate destination for your backpacking, and if you are one avid fan of a real adventure, you should travel here.

The reasons are:

1: Its people are amazing

Plus, they wish you to enjoy Pakistan.

People here are undoubtedly the kind, welcoming, and hospitable folk that you have ever met. From Lahore’s bustling streets to Hunza’s quaint mountain towns, every time local persons spot you, you will, without fail, get rewarded with a big grin and usually an invitation to dinner. You may lose count of the number of cups of free chai that you drink yet it may be a lot.

There may be occasions that one kindly man invites you to visit his family from a small mountainous village, and you may want to stay for long there – trekking on the nearby glaciers as well as playing cricket with others. If you are lucky enough, you will make many friends on your travels, yet the friendships you get in Pakistan may be among the most genuine you have ever made. People here are simply warm-hearted.

You will be able to couch surf your way around the country, getting welcomed into many homes of strangers who will always insist on feeding you like a king as well as showing you around their local town. You will not be able to wait to come back to see your many friends again.