Pakistan
Visiting Takht Bhai Monastery: Gandhara’s Hilltop Sanctuary
Located in western Pakistan – not far from the Afghan border – Takht Bhai is one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the ancient Gandhara region. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, it’s one of the best-preserved monasteries of its era. But for a variety of reasons, only several hundred international
Top Things to Do in Peshawar: Pakistan’s Frontier City
Peshawar, the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with a population of nearly 2 million, sits at the edge of the Khyber Pass – the historic mountainous route connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan. The city’s strategic location has made it a crossroads of empires for millennia. Accordingly, there are plenty of things to do in Peshawar
An Epic 2-Week Gilgit-Baltistan Itinerary
Gilgit-Baltistan is Pakistan’s northernmost territory and is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Simply put, this is one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. And this Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary will take you to turquoise glacial lakes, suspension bridges over roaring rivers, ancient forts, and valleys dominated by 7,000-meter peaks. Given how
Top Things to Do in the Hunza Valley: Forts, Glaciers & More
Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan territory is home to some of Asia’s most striking mountain scenery. And the Hunza Valley is one of the easiest places to experience its dramatic landscapes from up close. But Hunza’s highlights aren’t just scenic – they’re also historical. Not long ago, Hunza was an independent kingdom, positioned at a strategic crossroads
A Day in Passu: The Passu Cones, Hussaini Bridge & More
Passu may just be a small village, but it’s one of the most scenic sections of the Hunza Valley and of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole. It’s known for its turquoise Hunza River and Attabad Lake, along with the jagged peaks of the Passu Cones. And located just 15 kilometers north of Karimabad, the region can
The Rakaposhi Basecamp Hike: Everything You Need to Know
There are a myriad of epic hikes in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. And the hike to the Rakaposhi Basecamp is gradually becoming considered a ‘must-do.’ With that said, given its remote location near the village of Minapin, it attracts only a tiny fraction of the visitors that Fairy Meadows does. There are two common ways of
Fairy Meadows: How to Hike to Behal Camp (& Beyond)
Fairy Meadows is one of northern Pakistan’s most popular destinations. And as discussed in our ‘How to Get to Fairy Meadows’ guide, getting there is arguably the highlight of the whole experience. But you should also be sure to set aside time for the hike to Behal Camp and the Nanga Parbat Viewpoint, a fun
How to Get to Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows, located at around 3,500 m above sea level, is one of northern Pakistan’s most talked-about destinations. It’s the best place from which to view the Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain in the world. But just getting to Fairy Meadows is a big part of the adventure – and according to some, the
Top Things to Do in Skardu: Pakistan’s ‘Little Tibet’
Nestled in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan at around 2,500 meters above sea level, Skardu is one of the world’s most breathtaking places. The city is surrounded by towering mountains of the Karakoram range, while its outskirts are home to high-altitude deserts, scenic lakes, and ancient forts. This guide covers the top things to do in
How to Hike to Skardu’s Mansur Rock
Skardu’s Mansur Rock (confusingly also known as Marsur Rock) is one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most photogenic natural formations. The arrow-shaped boulder juts dramatically into the sky, overlooking the Hussainabad Valley and Indus River. In the following guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the steep hike up to see it. And for more
Skardu: Hiking to Kharphocho Fort & Narsok Organic Village
Skardu is one of the major towns of the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, a region that’s fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful. There’s quite a lot to do around the area, but a great way to get oriented is to start with an easy hike that you can do with no need for
Visiting Katas Raj: Pakistan’s Most Sacred Hindu Temple
Located in the Salt Range of Punjab, roughly midway between Lahore and Islamabad (but slightly closer to the capital), Katas Raj is Pakistan’s most important Hindu pilgrimage site. For a country that’s 96% Muslim, visiting Katas Raj, an active Hindu temple complex, feels like an anomaly. Yet the site has been considered sacred for millennia.
Top Things to Do in Islamabad: Pakistan’s Green City
Islamabad is Pakistan’s capital, though it ranks only tenth in population with just over a million residents. Unlike most South Asian cities, it’s a planned city built from scratch in the 1960s. Foreign visitors typically land in Islamabad before heading further north to Gilgit-Baltistan. But despite being so new and largely residential, there are enough
A Guide to Taxila: The Heart of Ancient Gandhara
Taxila – a major center of the ancient Gandhara region – was arguably the most cosmopolitan city of the ancient world. It wasn’t just a place where east met west, but a space where a myriad of different philosophies and cultures flourished side by side. Here, ancient Greek, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Buddhist ideas all coexisted
Top Things to Do in Lahore: Pakistan’s Cultural Capital
Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, is home to the largest concentration of Mughal architecture in the country. Long the most prominent city of the Punjab region, it’s also regarded as Pakistan’s cultural capital. Nevertheless, tourists are rare here. This guide to the top things to do in Lahore details what you can expect if you decide
The Lahore Museum: A Visitor’s Guide
The Lahore Museum is Pakistan’s flagship museum. Founded in 1865 and housed in its present building since 1894, it features around 14,000 artifacts (out of roughly 60,000) on display which span millennia. While it may not be as large as other major museums in Asia, there’s still plenty to see, and this guide to the