Pakistan is truly a blessed country where people get to enjoy all four seasons. Its colourful weather, awe-inspiring nature and vibrant culture are admired by tourists from all over the world. When it comes to planning to spend their summer holidays or winter vacations, people mostly prefer visiting the northern areas of Pakistan because they host spectacular natural attractions that are quite famous among travellers and adventure-seekers.
So, if you also have plans to take a trip up north this winter, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we have rounded up some of the best tourist destinations in the country’s northern region.
Places To Visit In Northern Areas Of Pakistan
The places we are about to mention below are not only famous for their picturesque views but also for offering some of the best facilities to tourists in terms of road and communication infrastructure as well as hotel accommodations for short stays and holiday homes.
Now, without further ado, let’s get started with our list!
Visiting Swat For Adventure Tourism
Experiencing snowfall and watching mountain peaks covered with a white blanket may be an everyday routine for the residents of Swat but these breathtaking sights surely captivate tourists. In summers, people visit Swat to get refreshing views of mountains and meadows while enjoying the pleasant weather but comes winter, they plan to enjoy snow and adventure sports.
The Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to many beautiful cities, which is why it is visited by tourists all year round. The most preferred spots where travellers like to stay are Malam Jabba, Gabin Jabba, Kalam, Matiltan and Mahodand. You can also easily find a room in a hotel in any of these locations starting from PKR 4,000.
Those who frequently visit Swat can also make an investment of a lifetime and buy themselves an apartment. You can check out Cedar Valley in Kalam where you can find studio, 1- and 2 bedroom apartments that can also be rented to generate a side income.
Shogran In Winters
Shogran is slightly off the route that goes to Naran and further to Babusar Top. The tourism destination is famous because it further links you to scenic natural attractions of the region like Siri Paye and Makra Peak, which are quite famous for hiking and camping. In the winter season, Shogran gets covered in snow and you have to rent a 4X4 vehicle to reach your desired destination, however, in summer you can even take your own car.
There are plenty of hotels and resorts which you can book in Shogran for an overnight stay. If you reach Shogran in the middle of the day, it wouldn’t be wise to travel to Siri Paye instead you should plan it for the next day early morning. It is mainly because most of the roads get covered in snow, making it far too risky to travel at night.
There is a commercial market too where you can dine out for snacks, lunch and dinner. Getting a hotel room is fairly easy and you can book a room in different resorts starting from PKR 6,000 per night.
Kalash Valley And Its Winter Festival
Kalash consists of three different valleys, Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. The locals of Kalash Valley have different festivals which they celebrate throughout the year. You may have heard about the Chilam Joshi which is celebrated in the summer season. Hundreds of locals and tourists participate and enjoy the festivities for four consecutive days.
Their most important festival is celebrated in the winter season from December 7 till December 22 every year and is known as Chawmos. Kalash winter festival marks the end of the harvesting season and welcomes the new year. It’s a great opportunity for tourists and locals to take an up-close look at the historic traditions of the valley. Along with these exciting and colourful displays of the local culture, the natural beauty of Kalash Valley will also leave you spellbound.
Bring jackets, sweaters and other types of winterwear items that’ll keep you desirably warm and cosy because the weather of Kalash Valley gets really chilly in winter. There are private hotels and guest houses all across Kalash and room charges per night usually start around PKR 2,000 to PKR 3,000, which may also vary from season to season.
Have you been to any of the aforementioned places to visit in the northern areas of Pakistan? We’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to drop us an email at blog@zameen.com. For more travel guides and places to visit in Pakistan, stay connected with Zameen Blog.
