Most of us don’t think of Pakistan when it comes to planning vacations, but it really should be on your bucket list, as it is an amazing place to visit. But don’t just take our word for it.
Condé Nast ranked Pakistan as its top holiday destination for 2021, CNN described Pakistan as adventure travels best kept secret, and Forbes listed it amongst its 10 Coolest Places to Go in 2019.
These are the 8 reasons we believe that Pakistan should be near the top of your bucket list:
Contents
01. You won’t have other tourists to worry about
At least you won’t for now, but it is changing. Over the last two years tourism has increased by over 300% thanks to it being easier to get to Pakistan and improved security in the country. As the word gets out about Pakistan, the number of visitors is bound to increase exponentially.
However, for now you are unlikely to encounter many other foreigners. So, if you want that special experience that none of your friends have had and have the historical sites and natural beauty to yourself, Pakistan needs to be in your plans soon.
02. The scenery is stunning
It’s impossible to overstate the natural beauty of Pakistan. In 2018, The British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan as the world’s best adventure travel destination, describing it “one of the friendliest countries on earth, with mountain ranges and scenery that are beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.”
Some of the most breath-taking landscapes can be found in:
- Skardu, where you will find turquoise lakes and the world’s second highest mountain, K2;
- the Kalasha Valleys, home to the unique Kalash tribe;
- Hunza, in the Karakoram Mountains;
- Gilgit-Baltisan where you will find some of the world’s highest mountain ranges; and
- the Gojal Valley, that includes the magnificent blue waters of Attabad Lake.
03. Amazing historic sites
Mosques, Mausoleums, Mughals and the Raj: Pakistan has so much to see whether it’s the Grand Jamia Mosque, the Mausoleum of Emperor Jahangir, Lahore Fort or Victoria Clock Tower. The influences of different periods in history can take you through hundreds of years in time in a single day’s sightseeing. And, of course, there is a good chance that you’ll be the only foreign visitor there!
As the tourist infrastructure around the attractions can be a bit thin, you might want to consider the services of a local guide such as Shahid of Pakistan Travel & Tours, who will tailor an itinerary to meet your specific needs. https://www.pakistantours.pk/
04. Food
The food in Pakistan is utterly delicious: biryanis, grilled skewered meats, fresh fruits, karahis, and Biryanis (did we mention biryanis?) that are spicy, sweet, and rich. Lahore in particular is famous for its food. What’s more, the prices are great too, especially the street food.
Apart from Biryani, our other favourites are chicken karahi, nihari and, if you prefer something vegetarian, Haleem. We tend to skip dessert and end our meals with a cooling glass of lassi, a yogurt-based drink made with spices and fruit.
05. People
A culture of hospitality and a desire to help people seems to be deeply ingrained into the people of Pakistan, at least that’s what we found to be true. Generally, Pakistanis will just let you be, but if they see you in need or you ask for assistance they will often will go way above and beyond to help. If you are on foot and ask for directions, don’t be surprised if you are given a guided tour by a smiling local all the way to your destination.
Canadian vlogger Rosie Gabrielle who undertook a solo motorcycle journey around the world says that she received numerous offers from families in Pakistan to stay with them and that she was greeted with “countless smiles and cheers of joy as I pass people and they realize it’s a female riding.”
06. Value
Just like anywhere, you can, if you wish, spend a lot of money, although it will be a lot harder to do so in Pakistan than in most countries. Nick once went on business and stayed at the five-star Nishat Hotel in Gulberg for just $100 per night, which included a fabulous breakfast; accommodation that would have cost many times more elsewhere. However, we generally prefer Airbnbs and in Pakistan we have stayed in some wonderful ones for as little as $12 per night.
As we have said already, the food is amazing: the street food is some of the best value we have tried anywhere, and even the prices at fairly swanky restaurants are extremely reasonable. Transportation too is super affordable, and Pakistan has a good supply of Ubers. One Uber tip is to elect to pay by cash rather than credit card as many of the drivers prefer cash and seem less likely to accept rides if cash isn’t the method of payment.
07. Safety
Before our first trip to Pakistan, many of our family and friends warned us against going there, even though they knew nothing about the country. The fact is, with a few exceptions, Pakistan is a very safe place to visit, even for solo female travellers. After a few days, you will feel as safe or safer wandering around a city like Lahore or Islamabad than doing the same in many major metropolises in Europe or North America.
Most of the major tourist areas such as Hunza and Ghizer are extremely safe for visitors too. That said, you should do your research before you travel as security issues do exist in some of the more remote rural areas. The good news is that the areas to avoid are well away from the destinations you are likely to even consider as a first time visitor: Balochistan, the Kashmir border area and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in the north-west of Pakistan.
In reality, the biggest risks you are likely to encounter are the types of petty crime you might experience in Paris or Rome, although the chances of having your bag snatched in Pakistan is much less than in a major European capital city.
08. It’s much easier to visit Pakistan than ever before
Not so long ago, Pakistan wasn’t an easy country to visit because of visa restrictions, the requirement for government issued “No Objection Certificates” for foreign tourists seeking to travel to large parts of the country, and the limited choice of airlines. However, this has all changed. As recently as 2019 the Government of Pakistan launched online-visas for citizens of 175 countries, while 50 are allowed to obtain visas on arrival.
Our recommendation, even if you are eligible for a visa on arrival, is to obtain an e-visa in advance: it will shorten the arrival process at the airport and reduce the chances of being frustrated by officious airline employees. It’s also easy to find convenient flights with some of the world’s best airlines, including the big 4 middle eastern airlines through their hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Istanbul: we’ve used Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, but you may prefer Emirates or Etihad.
We hope that you will seriously consider a visit to Pakistan soon: it’s safe, easy to get to and you are guaranteed to have an amazing time. Once you make your first visit, don’t be surprised to find yourself planning a return trip very soon after you get home!
What did you think of this article on Pakistan, did I miss anything you needed to know? Let me know below in the comments.
Author
Nick Abbott
Hi, I’m Nick. Visiting foreign countries has been an important part of my life since my parents moved to Kano in Nigeria in 1977. Since then, as both a military officer and in later jobs I have enjoyed the huge privilege of being exposed to many different countries and cultures.
I am delighted to be able to support my wife Monique and Yes2Yolo primarily by contributing travel articles, providing editing and proof-reading services and being a general sounding board.
Excellent Nick. Hmmmm…I’ve never thought of visiting Pakistan…was nowhere even near my bucket list; but now you have me thinking. Thanks for sharing. I’m curious about their music and dance.
Very nice and well said about Pakistan 😊
Thank you for dropping us a comment Farwa!
Awesome stuff and we are waiting for you to visit us again ❤️
Thank you Umair and we are looking forward to visiting again…