Makran Coast
Pakistan has yet to turn its beaches into dream holiday resorts, but if exploring an unspoiled coastline with natural beaches is your thing, then the Makran Coast is definitely worth visiting. The breathtaking landscape in the province of Balochistan is a pleasant surprise in what is otherwise rugged terrain consisting mostly of barren mountains. The coast itself is a 1,000-kilometre stretch along the Gulf of Oman and is interspersed with pristine beaches that are accessible via the 650-kilometre long Makran Coastal Highway, which starts from Karachi in Sindh, passes the towns of Ormara and Pasni, and ends in Gwadar. It is advisable to begin your journey from Karachi at the crack of dawn so you can make the most of the long drive. Notable beaches on the coastal strip include Kund Malir Beach, Astola Island, Ormara Beach, Sonmiani Beach, Gwadar Beach and Pasni Beach.
Ushu Forest
This well-preserved forest is full of deodar trees and is a fabulous place to get lost. The road that leads into the forest continues on to several villages set along the Kalam River.
Passu Cones
The Passu Cathedral is a natural work of art and one of the most recognisable scenes in Pakistan. Though staying overnight in Passu village is no longer allowed, the cones are visible from a ways away, starting from the village of Gulmit. The most iconic view of the Cathedral is from the Karakoram Highway, about an hour’s drive from Gilgit City.
Derawar Fort
Derawar Fort is a large square fortress in Ahmadpur East Tehsil. Approximately 130 km south of the city of Bahawalpur, the forty bastions of Derawar are visible for many miles in the Cholistan Desert. The walls have a perimeter of 1500 metres and stand up to thirty metres high. Derawar Fort is an important place for tourists. The off-road Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally or TDCP Cholistan Jeep Rally was recently established near the Derawar Fort in Ahmadpur East Tehsil.
What a magnificent fort, rising out of the surrounding Cholistan desert! Visible for miles. This is an incredible visit, not to be missed. The massive fort is both beautiful and daunting.
Deosai Plains National Park
Deosai is often referred to as the roof of the world. And it kinda is. At 4,117 metres (13,497 feet), the massive plateau is the second-highest on the planet, and is only really accessible during summer.
Sprawling emerald-green meadows, snow-capped peaks and glistening blue lakes greet visitors who make the journey to this beautiful spot. The Himalayan Brown Bear calls Deosai its home and has been spotted by many a visitor – watch out for them if you’re camping!
The park charges an entrance fee of 1,000 rupees for foreigners and 40 rupees for Pakistanis.
Katpana Desert
Beautiful places in Pakistan truly cover every landscape imaginable… Including the Katpana Cold Desert. Though it has all the makings of a ‘warm’ desert, what makes the Katpana stand out is its altitude. It does, in fact, become covered with snow in the winter.
Said to be the highest cold desert in the world, sand dunes at this altitude look truly unique. Very few countries can lay claim to such a rarity. Travellers can reach the Katpana Desert easily from Skardu, as it’s only about 30 minutes away. Don’t count on there being public transport, though.
Lahore
A city… Say what? Yes, Lahore may be a metro but its treasure trove of historical places surely makes it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan. Lahore was the city of Mughals, and so much of their creations still remain. If you’re wondering what are the best places to visit in Lahore, hold tight because there’s a whole lot of them!
The most famous of the city’s monuments include the Badshahi Mosque, the Wazir Khan Mosque, and of course the Lahore Fort. Add to that dozens upon dozens of beautifully preserved tombs, lively shrines, and havelis upon havelis, and you have yourself the cultural capital of Pakistan.
Kalash Valleys
Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country, and the Kalasha form what is perhaps its most distinct indigenous group. The Kalash Valleys – Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir – are a part of Chitral, the largest district in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and are ringed by the famed Hindu Kush mountain range. The remoteness of the valleys has helped them preserve their uniqueness over the centuries. The predominantly light-skinned, blue-eyed Kalasha people are known for their colourful garb and polytheistic religion. This religion, which reportedly subscribes to either a form of animism or ancient Hinduism, is a world apart from that of their Muslim neighbours. They love dancing, brewing their own wine and playing traditional musical instruments. The best time to visit these valleys is during any of their three annual festivals – Chilam Joshi in May, Uchau in September and Chawmos around the time of the winter solstice.
Khaplu fort
Khaplu fort, also known as Yabgo Khar meaning fort on the roof, is an old fort and palace located in Khaplu. The palace now houses a hotel operated by Serena and a museum depicting the history and culture of Baltistan.
The fort was built in 19th century and is a tourist attraction for a long time now. The fort is a masterpiece for beautiful architecture and it also was the place of residence for the Raja of Khaplu. This an awesome beauty of Pakistan. The palace won the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award as the best project in the “Poverty Reduction” category in 2012. In 2013 the palace was awarded the Award for Distinction by UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards, along with Lal Chimney Compound in India and The Great Serai in Afghanistan.
Ranikot Fort
Ranikot Fort is very near to Jamshoro and is the largest fort in the world with a circumference of around 32 kilometers. For the same reason it is also known as ‘the great wall of Sindh’. Although the real builder of the fort is unknown, some archaeologists believe it to be built by the Arabs or by Persians in the 9th.
Start planning your holiday ! Don’t miss out to these places.
