Since summer vacations are finally here, a number of families across the country must have started planning their trips to the beautiful northern areas of Pakistan to relax and seek reprieve from the scorching heatwaves.
Be it the enchanting green meadows in Kaghan Valley or the magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks in Gilgit-Baltistan, there is no shortage of picturesque tourist destinations in Pakistan just waiting to be explored. While these tourist destinations are perfectly safe for families as well as solo women, you can’t just pack a bag and leave to explore these veritable pieces of heaven on earth.
To make sure you don’t run into any problems during your trip, we have compiled a list of dos and don’ts that all travellers will find extremely useful.
Tips for Travelling to Northern Areas of Pakistan
Here are some major do’s and don’ts of travelling to popular vacation destinations in the country, including Hunza, Skardu, Kashmir and Naran, to name a few.
DO: Pack light
When planning a trip, make a list of things to carry while travelling to northern areas. This list should ideally include a raincoat, a warm jacket, a pair of waterproof boots, a woollen cap, a pair of gloves, extra socks, a few shirts and trousers, a first aid kit, prescribed medicine (if any), and a few other items of personal use. However, make sure to pack light and only keep essentials in your backpack. In addition, pack a power bank and an extra battery for your camera.
In addition, don’t forget to keep a few face masks and a bottle of hand sanitiser with you at all times.
Once you are done packing everything, pick your bag up and see whether it’s light enough for you to carry around without feeling tired. Of course, you can leave your luggage at the hotel, but if you want to make the most out of your trip and explore more places, you may have to carry your bag a lot as you won’t be staying in one place for long.
DON’T: Travel in the monsoon
For those planning to travel to the northern areas during the summer holidays, try and plan and trip before July, as that’s when the monsoon period officially starts in Pakistan. Since heavy rainfall can lead to landslides, getting caught in the rain in the middle of a mountainous road can be quite dangerous.
Usually, the spell of heavy rain lasts until October, after which the winter begins to set in. Therefore, the best time to go on a tour is before the end of June.
However, don’t forget that it might start drizzling at any time. So, always keep an umbrella or a raincoat in reach.
DO: Wear layers
While you shouldn’t pack too much stuff, you should always pack enough clothes so that you’re able to dress in layers. Those who have travelled to the northern areas before would agree that the weather can change at any given time. While it may not be very drastic, you will experience a rise in temperature whenever the sky gets a little clear. Similarly, the wind might get a little chilly at the drop of a hat.
Therefore, instead of wearing a lot of warm clothes, dress sensibly and in layers, so you can take off and put them on as needed.
DON’T: Put Your Expensive Belongings on Display
This is one of the most important rules of travelling, no matter where you’re going.
Although the crime rate in the northern areas of Pakistan, particularly Gilgit Baltistan, is extremely low, you should still avoid wearing flashy jewellery or displaying your expensive smartphones while travelling. Moreover, it’s always better to carry a small amount of cash on hand. If needed, you can easily withdraw money from an ATM machine, which can be easily found in almost all tourist destinations in Pakistan.
DO: Explore hidden destinations
The northern areas of Pakistan are full of beautiful places waiting to be explored. While the valleys of Hunza and Chitral see a large influx of tourists all around the year, there are still several villages in these regions that are yet to make it to the travel brochures.
For instance, the villages of Arang Kel in Azad Kashmir and Minapin in Nagar Valley, two of the most beautiful places in Pakistan, remain underrated travel attractions despite having a stunning landscape. Make sure to include these places in your travel itinerary.
If you want to travel off the beaten path and explore someplace new, take a look at some of the hidden tourist destinations in Pakistan.
DON’T: Trek or climb unless experienced
The majestic mountain ranges and lofty peaks make Pakistan a paradise for trekkers and climbers.
While adventurers from across the world travel to northern Pakistan during holidays, you need to think twice if you are planning to go hiking or trekking on your own – especially if you don’t have prior experience.
Since most of the popular trekking routines lay in the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges, climbing these peaks without proper gear and training can be quite dangerous.
DO: Try local food and delicacies
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are famous for their traditional food, which is extremely popular among tourists. Although you can easily find restaurants serving desi, Chinese and even Continental dishes in this area, it’s always better to give the local cuisine and delicacies a try.
However, before consuming anything, make sure to ask about its ingredients to ensure it doesn’t have something that you might be allergic to.
DON’T: Spend a lot of money on shopping
Buying a few souvenirs during your trip to the northern areas of Pakistan is completely okay. But you should refrain from spending too much money on buying things that you can find in your own city or can order online.
Instead of buying things such as clothes and bags, opt for items such as traditional jewellery, handmade caps and other handicrafts so that your purchases help the local industry.
If you are a fan of road trips and are thinking about taking one this summer, check out this detailed guide on how to plan a road trip from Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass. The entire trip will take about five days and you’ll be able to explore a number of major tourist destinations in Pakistan.
Here are a few more travel guides that may help you plan your next adventure this summer.
- Must-Visit Places in the Picturesque Galiyat Region
- The Most Beautiful Hill Stations in Pakistan
- Most Beautiful Lakes in Pakistan
Meanwhile, if you are looking for more summer vacation spots near you, head over to Zameen Blog. You can also get in touch with us by sending an email at blog@zameen.com. Last but not least, don’ forget to visit our Facebook page for the latest updates on the tourism industry in Pakistan.
