WHERE WILL YOU GO?
From glacier-topped peaks in Gilgit-Baltistan to Mughal-era walled cities in the Punjab — Pakistan is a country of extraordinary contrasts. Here are the destinations that define the journey.
Hunza Valley,
Gilgit-Baltistan
A valley carved by glaciers over millennia, framed by peaks that pierce the clouds. Hunza is the jewel of the Karakoram — home to the ancient Baltit Fort, the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake, and the Eagle's Nest viewpoint where five mountain ranges stretch to the horizon. It is also the northern terminus of the Karakoram Highway, the world's highest paved international road, leading all the way to the Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border at 4,693m.
Best Time
Apr – Oct
Terrain
High Alpine / Glacial
Skardu &
Deosai National Park
Skardu sits at the confluence of rivers and is the gateway to K2 — the world's second-highest peak. Here, the Sarfaranga Cold Desert meets turquoise mountain lakes, and the 7th-century Kharpocho Fort watches over the valley from its rock perch. The historic Shigar Fort, now a beautifully restored heritage hotel, and Khaplu Palace complete the valley's extraordinary story. Beyond lies Deosai — the second-highest plateau on Earth at 4,000m+, where Himalayan brown bears roam freely across meadows of wildflowers.
Best Time
Jun – Sep
Terrain
High Plateau / Cold Desert
Chitral &
The Kalash Valleys
Deep in the Hindu Kush, beyond the 10.4km Lowari Tunnel, lies one of the world's most extraordinary living cultures. The Kalash people — polytheistic, non-Muslim, and unique on Earth — maintain ancient traditions in the valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir. Their festivals, wooden temples, and traditional dress have remained largely unchanged for centuries, recognised as intangible cultural heritage. Nearby, Chitral Fort — seat of the ancient Kho kingdom — and the route to Birmoglasht, where Markhor (Pakistan's national animal) can sometimes be spotted, round out an unforgettable experience.
Best Time
May, Sep, Dec
Terrain
Mountain Valley / Cultural
Lahore &
The Mughal Heartland
Pakistan's cultural capital is a feast for all the senses. The Walled City contains some of the finest Mughal architecture on the planet — Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, the tiled perfection of Wazir Khan Mosque, and the Shalimar Gardens, all UNESCO-listed. The food streets of Old Lahore are legendary. From here, Taxila — one of the ancient world's greatest centres of learning and home to the Gandhara Buddhist civilisation — is just an hour's drive. Taxila's Dharmarajika Stupa and museum hold artefacts from a civilisation that flourished here over 2,000 years ago.
Best Time
Oct – Mar
Terrain
Urban / Historic