Pakistan

Day Trips

Start your day with a hike up the Margalla Hills where the sunrise paints the lush greenery in golden light. Enjoy viewing Islamabad’s skyline and serene trails as birds chirp around you. Capture panoramic photos of Faisal Mosque nestled among the peaks.

Descend to the city for lunch at a local dhaba serving spicy street snacks and refreshing lassi. Visit the grand Faisal Mosque and stroll through the nearby Shakarparian Park. Explore the Pakistan Monument Museum for an insightful look at the nation’s history.

Dine at a rooftop café in F-6 sector overlooking the city lights. Wander through the bustling Centaurus Mall for shopping and desserts. End the evening sipping Kashmiri chai at a cozy street tea stall.

Drive north to the ancient ruins of Taxila and explore its Buddhist stupas and archaeological museum. Wander between moss-covered stone structures that date back over two millennia. Learn about the Gandhara civilization through intricate sculptures and relics.

Continue your journey to Murree, the queen of hill stations, nestled in the pine forests. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a hillside café with panoramic mountain views. Walk along Mall Road, sampling local cherry jams and fresh pakoras from roadside vendors.

As dusk falls, head to Pindi Point for a horse ride beneath towering deodar trees. Sip hot tea while wrapped in a blanket on a hilltop bench. Retire to a cozy chalet lit by lanterns, listening to the soft rustle of the trees outside.

Set out early to the Khewra Salt Mines, the world’s second largest. Descend into the tunnels lit by colored lights reflecting off pink salt walls. Marvel at the salt cathedral and the miniature salt replicas of landmarks.

Enjoy a picnic lunch near the mine entrance while breathing in the crisp subterranean air. Visit the on-site salt therapy spa for a rejuvenating session in the crystal chambers. Learn about salt extraction techniques from local guides.

Head back towards Islamabad, stopping at a roadside dhaba for spicy karahi and naan. Chat with fellow travelers over a cup of steaming chai. Arrive in town as the city lights shimmer against the dark sky.

Begin at the Badshahi Mosque, where crimson walls and marble domes glow in the morning sun. Witness morning prayers echoed by the mosque’s vast courtyard. Explore the adjacent Lahore Fort, wandering through Sheesh Mahal’s mirrored halls.

Relish a traditional Lahori lunch of nihari and halwa puri in a bustling old city eatery. Meander through the narrow alleys of the Walled City, discovering centuries-old havelis with intricate frescoes. Visit the Wazir Khan Mosque to admire its exquisite tile work.

Experience the vibrant ambiance of the Shahi Hammam light and sound show at sunset. Stroll along the decorated Persian Mosque as dhol drums reverberate. End the night at the Food Street near Fort Road, sampling sizzling tikkas and creamy lassi.

Rise early for a hearty breakfast before heading to the Wagah Border ceremony. Join cheering crowds as Pakistani and Indian soldiers perform the electrifying flag-lowering parade. Feel the pulse of patriotism as drums beat and spectators chant.

Return to Lahore for a relaxing lunch in the Liberty Market area. Browse boutique shops selling hand-embroidered garments and traditional jewelry. Stop for a refreshing kulfi from a roadside vendor.

Venture to Anarkali Bazaar in the heart of the city for an evening of historic exploration. Wander through shops offering spices, fabrics, and handcrafted leather goods. Sip refreshing sugarcane juice as the bazaar bustles under star-lit skies.

Depart for Multan, the City of Saints, arriving at its famous blue-tiled shrines. Visit the shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya and observe devout pilgrims offering prayers. Admire the intricate tile mosaics that adorn the holy sites.

Enjoy a traditional Multani meal of saag and makki rotis at a local tandoor. Drive south to the Cholistan Desert and explore Derawar Fort rising from the sands. Wander its inner courtyards and climb the ramparts for desert vistas.

Set up a desert camp and relish a starlit dinner around a bonfire. Listen to folk musicians playing dholak drums and singing Sufi melodies. Drift to sleep in a traditional Bedouin-style tent under a canopy of stars.

Journey to Bahawalpur, the gateway to Cholistan, starting at the grand Noor Mahal palace. Tour its opulent halls and lush gardens built in Italian style. Sip tea in the marbled courtyard while recalling royal tales.

Head to the ancient town of Uch Sharif to visit its iconic Sufi shrines decorated with blue-green tiles. Explore crumbling tombs shaded by old neem trees. Engage with local caretakers to learn about the town’s spiritual heritage.

Return to Bahawalpur for a quiet dinner at a local dhaba. Try spicy laban chai and paratha cooked on a tandoor. Share stories with traders in the Qila Kohna Bazaar as lanterns cast warm light.

Fly to Karachi and start your day at Clifton Beach, feeling the Arabian Sea breeze. Stroll along the shoreline collecting smooth seashells. Sample pani puri from beachfront vendors.

Visit the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum and pay respects at the tomb of Pakistan’s founder. Explore the surrounding gardens and museum detailing his life. Continue to the National Museum of Pakistan to see ancient Indus artifacts.

Dine at a seaside restaurant serving fresh seafood curries and tandoori prawns. Walk along the illuminated seawall at sea view as families gather for evening outings. Sip a cold Sharbat while watching fishing boats drift by.

Travel north to the UNESCO site of Mohenjo-Daro, the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization. Walk the ancient city grid, exploring the Great Bath and granaries. Imagine daily life over four thousand years ago.

Enjoy a picnic among tumble ruins shaded by acacia trees. Visit the on-site museum showcasing pottery, seals, and tools from the Harappan era. Discuss preservation efforts with archaeologists working on site.

Drive to nearby Larkana for a homestyle Sindhi dinner in a local household. Taste delicious Sindhi biryani and sweet pakoras. Share stories with a family who welcomes you with warm hospitality.

Take an early flight to Gilgit and drive along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza Valley, framed by snow-capped peaks. Pause at the Rakaposhi Viewpoint to capture the sunrise over granite towers. Enjoy hot tea at a roadside dhaba.

Explore Karimabad, wandering through traditional bazaar stalls selling apricots and handicrafts. Hike to the ancient Altit Fort and marvel at its timber architecture. Relish a local lunch of chapshuro and apricot soup.

Watch the sunset from Eagles Nest viewpoint as the valley bathes in pink and purple hues. Return to a family-run guesthouse for a simple dinner of local pulses and flatbread. Unwind around a wood-fired stove, listening to tales of mountain lore.