Pakistan is one of these places that the more time you spend there, the more you realise there is to see. I’ve spoken to people who have spent months there and feel like they barely scratched the surface. With such a big country and holiday time being limited, here are our 7 picks for must visit places in Pakistan.
Wagah Border Ceremony
This is easily one of the coolest things you can do in Pakistan. The Wagah border ceremony which takes place just outside Lahore on the border with Pakistan is a fantastic performance of pageantry with such a fun atmosphere you’ll be talking about it for weeks after you experience it.
Super tall soldiers from both sides of the border have a show off in the form of doing high kicks and yells. On either side there are people to get the crowd hyped up as well as blaring music with colour galore! The best way to experience this is to rock up and get amongst the crowd. The chants are easy to learn so get involved and don’t forget to get a temporary Pakistan face tattoo.
Skardu
Skardu is the easiest part of the mountains to get to by flight in Pakistan. This incredible area has some of the most amazing scenery and is the type of place that should be onm everyone’s bucket list. Visiting the towns in this region is beyond spectacular. Even though you’ll be driving a few longish distances, you won’t even notice because of how amazing the views are. If you’re choosing to visit the mountain areas then Skardu is your best bet if you’re strapped for time as it has fewer flight cancelations than other airports in the region.
Gilgit
Gilgit is another epic mountain destination with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This region, home to some of the world’s highest mountains (such as K2) is almost impossible describe how beautiful it is. Places like the Fairy Meadows simply don’t even feel real they are so strikingly beautiful. Getting to Gilgit can be a little tricky as flights are often cancelled due to bad mountain weather and the alternative is a long drive. We therefore only recommend this trip is you have some time to spare as delays in this area are common, however definitely worth it!
Badshahi Mosque and Walled City of Lahore
This complex located in the heart of Lahore is some of the most beautiful architecture in the country. The Badshahi mosque and the Lahore Walled city are a great example of Moghul architecture with beautiful domes, tile work and just grandiose size. Walking through this complex is a must do if you visit Lahore. One of the best parts of visiting here as well as many parts of Pakistan is the distinct lack of foreign tourists which will make you stand out like a sore thumb to the locals. But, have no fear, people here are extremely friendly and you’ll very likely be asked for a couple photos. This is also a good spot to pick up some cheap souvenirs such as magnets.
Faisal Mosque Islamabad
If you’re in Islamabad, you’ll definitely have to check out the Faisal Mosque. It is only open on the inside during prayer times, but the best part is the architecture on the outside! Built by Saudi Arabia, the Faisal Mosque is one of the largest in the entire world and is also one of the more unique designs you’ll see. With the backdrop of the Muree Hills photos here will look amazing. Our one piece of advice is do not feed the monkeys!
Khewra Salt Mine
This is definitely one of the more unique things to see in Pakistan and is a great way to break up a trip between Islamabad and Lahore. The Khewra Salt Mine is the second largest salt mine in the world and is definitely one of the coolest! Inside you can find super cool lighting and all kinds of buildings and tunnels carved directly out of the salt. If you’ve been to Wieliczka Salt Mine outside of Krakow it is a similar vibe, but ultimately it's Pakistan so it offers a slightly more unique experience. If you’re visiting, make sure you have local cash as they no longer accept USD for foreigner entry tickets.
Mumtaz Begahm
This one is a little weird, but we like weird. If you visit Karachi Zoo you will have the opportunity to meet the famous Mumtaz Begham. Mumtaz is a transexual half person half fox that sits in a cage and tell fortunes. Yes, you read that right. The tradition started off when a man dressed up like the fox to cheer people up, this has since been passed down to the man’s son, who has said that while they aren’t transexual in everyday life, the dressing up cheers people up and they enjoy doing it. If you’re wondering what the future could hold for you then perhaps you should pay a visit to Mumtaz.
The best way to see many of these highlights are to join us on a Saiga Tour of course! To see what Pakistan tours we have available you can check them out on our website. Our Pakistan tours pair up perfectly with a trip to their famous neighbour Afghanistan for which we have several combo tours available. To sign up and secure your place send us an email to [email protected] .
