It’s summer vacations in Pakistan, and most Pakistanis are waiting for Eid to head towards the northern areas, where temperatures are relatively cooler, and a lot of thrilling entertainments await them. Among the various activities you can enjoy up north is a ride on one of the most famous chairlifts in Pakistan. The views from these chairlifts are spectacular, and the thrill of soaring above the ground is an experience that should not be missed by any enthusiast.
5 Must-Visit Chairlifts in Pakistan
Here are five of the most popular chairlifts in Pakistan located in the country’s top tourist destinations:
- Ayubia Chairlift (Ayubia)
- Arang Kel Chairlift (Neelum Valley, AJK)
- Malam Jabba Chairlift (Malam Jabba Ski Resort)
- Pindi Point Chairlift (Murree)
- Patriata Chairlift (New Murree)
Below, we’ll discuss each of these tourist destinations with regards to their chairlifts and other amenities so you can shortlist the chairlift you want to ride first.
Ayubia Chairlift
Credits: Facebook/Galiyat Development Authority, Abbottabad
Named after Muhammad Ayub Khan, who was the second President of Pakistan, Ayubia was declared as a national park in 1984. Surrounded by several small villages and at a fairly close distance to Nathia Gali, the region is a hub of tourism. Nearly 100,000 tourists visit the park every year, as it is well known for its picnic spots. The other feature which makes the park a must-visit is the chairlift, which was the first of its kind in Pakistan when it was constructed.
A ride in Ayubia’s chairlift takes you up to Mukeshpuri summit, a hill that offers the best views of the forested area below. While you can also hike up to the summit, riding the chairlift amidst the forest, for a distance of 1.5 kilometres, has an unparalleled charm. The park is maintained by the Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the best time to visit it is during May and June. Once the monsoon season comes in, the weather becomes colder and the park witnesses a lot of snowfall in the later parts of the year.
Arang Kel Chairlift
Credits: Facebook/Murree Hill Station
The beautiful village of Arang Kel is a hill station that is accessible via a 3-hour trek from the town of Kel, which is one of the must-visit destinations in Azad Kashmir. If the thought of a long and treacherous trek is making you change your travel plans, you can always take a ride on the Arang Kel chairlift, which is managed by the Pakistan Army and will take you from Kel to Arang Kel with ease over a distance of one kilometre. From there, you can reach the summit with a short hike of just 30 minutes.
Malam Jabba Chairlift
Credits: Facebook/Swat Valley
Malam Jabba Ski Resort in Swat Valley is currently home to Pakistan’s most popular chairlift. Malam Jabba is also Pakistan’s oldest and largest ski resort. It sits at an elevation of around 9,000 feet above sea level, making snowfall a given in the winter months. While the peak skiing season here runs from January to March, you can visit the resort during the summer season as well, as the resort offers scenic hiking and trekking trails all around. The views that you will witness on the chairlift ride will further endorse your decision of visiting this popular destination.
The Malam Jabba chairlift can carry more than 200 people over a distance of 640 metres, offering scenic views from more than 100 cable carts. The ride in the chairlift will take you to the top of the ski slopes, and you can choose to either trek, ride or ski downhill. It is also the only ski resort in Pakistan owned by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC)
Pindi Point Chairlift
Located close to Murree’s Mall Road, Pindi Point is a tourist spot in the Murree Hills. Surrounded by lush green pine forests, the spot offers a small coffee shop and a playground for kids. However, its main attraction is the chairlift that can take you down 1.5 kilometres, straight into the Bansra Gali’s wildlife park. The ride surrounds you with pine trees all around and even gives you views of the zigzagging trails below. Once you’ve reached the park, visitors can explore the small zoo and get close to a range of animals and birds before heading back up the hill.
Patriata Chairlift
Credits: Facebook/Murree Hill Station
Also known as New Murree, Patriata is a hill station nestled amidst the Murree Hills. It is located at the highest point of elevation in the area, at 7,500 feet above sea level. Thus, reaching it can be quite a task. You can always drive up from New Murree to Patriata, but what would be the fun in that? A ride in Patriata chairlift is a much better alternative, offering scenic views throughout the journey. In the winter, the hills are covered in snow and are a delight to witness, but the summer weather brings back greenery to the area and makes it even more beautiful. The ride in its entirety is of about 7 kilometres, taking you right to the top, where a fabulous view awaits you.
These are some of the most famous and most scenic chairlifts in Pakistan. Make sure you do not miss your chance to take a ride on one of these when you are visiting these top tourist destinations. In fact, Murree Hills make the perfect destination for a weekend getaway from Islamabad if you are residing in the capital.
For more blogs on tourism within the country, stay tuned to Zameen Blog, the top tourism blog in Pakistan.
