If you are of Pakistani origin and live in the West, a vacation in the Northern areas of Pakistan could be a great way to reconnect yourself and your family to the adventurous pristine beauty of Pakistan and its hospitable culture. Photos don’t do justice. Scenic Pakistan must be experienced for a memorable time with family.
The splendor offers its own reward: many children of Pakistani origin growing up in the West usually remain underwhelmed with anything that the country has to offer. A trip far north flips that narrative on its head. Whether the Pakistani North ends up being a once in a lifetime trip for your family or a recurring destination after you’ve been there the first time; your children will cease to view northern Pakistan’s natural splendor with anything but awe.
A vacation in towns like Hunza or Skardu, in the province of Gilgit-Baltistan, would represent the epitome of stunning views for photography buffs and instagrammers with snow covered peaks and glaciers at the convergence of formidable mountain ranges like the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindukush. With Nanga Parbat or K2 hanging over the horizon, you are surrounded by nature at its finest – and deadliest. You experience the true Asian rockies in their unsheathed glory – a sight which is both exhilarating and humbling.
When choosing between Hunza and Skardu, Hunza edges out Skardu for its tourist attractions, hiking trails, accommodations, and splendid views. Skardu offers tremendous trekking opportunities and, of course, a chance to make it to the famous K2 base camp – Baltoro – for the more adventurous minded.
Come for the sights, stay for the hospitality: Part of a good vacation is the food experience, and Northern Pakistan offers choices in spades. You can hike the Alps, but then you have German food waiting for you when you come down for dinner. Only in Pakistan will they serve you pakoras and hot chai when it rains; spicy trout by the river; and sumptuous chapli kababs when you return famished from a long hike. And for those looking for Yak steak or burger, you won’t be disappointed in Hunza either. Those traveling from the west would do well to stick to the cardinal rule for avoiding stomach bugs: “Boil it, cook it, peel it – or forget it.” Choose to eat only freshly prepared meals to avoid risks of falling sick.
Different strokes for different folks: Generally traveling farther north might work better with teen-aged or adult children. Since tourism is still developing – drives can be long, traffic can throw you off schedule, and the culture tends to be nuanced with few but remarkable differences between places, traditions, and people. A penchant for active lifestyle along with a dose of curiosity should go well with the terrain in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. You could make it all the way to the Chinese border if you so choose once you’ve reached Hunza. But short of going the distance to Gilgit-Batlistan, you can choose to go halfway – only six hours from Islamabad – to Naran, Shogran, or Kaghan in the province of KP to make for an enjoyable getaway. The mountains and hills are treed, greener, and appear far friendlier – offering plenty of exciting viewpoints, water bodies, and activities. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more laid-back vacation with younger children and grandparents, you should choose to remain within a few hours of driving distance from Islamabad in the beautiful environs of Nathiagali and Bhurban for an unhurried stay.
Logistics: The cost of flying into Pakistan from the west offsets any savings you’d expect from a vacation to the northern areas owing to the favorable exchange rate. Economically, a vacation up north makes most sense for those already visiting Pakistan to see family or attend a wedding in the summertime who might then choose to extend their time in the country by a week or two to experience the North. A family of four should be able to plan a seven-day outing reasonably well at less than $300 a day.
Clockwise from the top left: Mountain Story – nestled in the Hunza Valley on an apricot farm. Top right: Views in Naran KPK. Bottom right: Driving through the mountains. Bottom left – Driving along the winding Kunhar river.
Domestic Flights: You can now fly from Karachi directly to Skardu. Otherwise there are flights out of Lahore and Islamabad as well. To reach Hunza, you could choose a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit which is on a propeller plane – susceptible to cancellation if the weather is overcast. So if your destination is Hunza, then have a backup plan to drive the distance from Islamabad.
Accommodations: Travelers from the west are likely to find some accommodations disappointing in terms of service. When looking at hotels, you could pick one of the Roomy Hotels on your way up to Hunza. Of course, where you find Pearl Continental or Serena Hotels, you are covered well but those aren’t everywhere. Pearl Continental has a brand Hotel One which presents a good substitute for travelers. While in Hunza, if you are looking to stay in the valley far from the noise of the bazar, Mountain Story lodge and resort offers an excellent and economical choice for those looking for a quiet spot nestled on an apricot farm in the Hunza valley.
Views of the Rakaposhi Peak (left) and the Passu Cones and Glacier (left) from Hunza Lush views from Nathiagali
Driving the distance:Â A road trip up from Islamabad heading north presents plenty of viewpoints along the way and picturesque settings to make the road trip a joyous experience. Although a drive up north past KPK into the Gilgit Baltistan province is not devoid of risks. Since Gilgit-Baltistan is more along the Chinese border rather than the Afghanistan border, thankfully the risks have less to do with homicides, terrorism, or kidnappings and more to do with traffic jams, falling rocks, landslide delays, or weather conditions. While driving up north, once you get beyond 6 or 7 hours of driving distance from Islamabad, the roads and traffic aren’t for the faint of heart. Best advice is to rent a car that is in good condition, hire an experienced driver with it, plan to drive during daylight hours only, and budget extra time.
Making it to Gilgit from Islamabad could take up to 10 to 12 hours. You can choose the more commercially trafficked yet longer Karakoram highway or the more picturesque and a slightly shorter summers-only route via Chillas – which also eventually drops you on to the Karakoram Highway going to Gilgit. Hunza is another hour and forty five minutes further up from Gilgit. As arduous as the prospect of the drive sounds, with appropriate breaks, overnight stays, viewpoints and roadside restaurants – the journey through the mountains along winding rivers could be as much a memorable part of the vacation as the destinations.
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