Things to Know When visiting Pakistan.docx (1)

Things to Know When visiting Pakistan Forbes recently ranked Pakistan as one of the '10 Coolest Places to go,' and after seeing some of the country's stunning natural beauty, it's no wonder why. Pakistan is a country blessed with nature's beauty and magnificent mountains, which extend from the stretches of great mountain ranges in the north to the huge alluvial delta of the Indus River in the south. Pakistan has numerous interesting sights for tourists, skiers, trekkers, and mountaineers due to its sparkling deserts and some of the world's highest peaks. Pakistan is ideal for those who want to enjoy white water rafting, trout fishing, jeep excursions, camel treks, and yak safaris among other things. Additionally, it deeply religious heritage draws pilgrims from various faiths and beliefs. Consequently, Pakistan's tourism sector has begun to grow rapidly in recent years. For example, foreign tourist arrivals went from less than half a million in 2015 to over two million in 2019 according to world tourism monitoring agencies. Plus, Domestic tourism crossed the 40-million-mark last year. World view of tourism potential in Pakistan According to www.globetrooper.com list of 20 top destinations, Pakistan is one of the finest countries to visit in 2020. Lonely Planet has dubbed Pakistan \"tourism's next big thing,\" and Forbes magazine ranked it as one of the top 10 coolest places to visit in 2019. For 2020, the British Backpacker Society (BBS) named Pakistan the world's third greatest potential adventure destination. The BBS had previously stated that Pakistan is the ‘best travel destination on earth,' claiming it to be ‘one of the kindest nations on earth.' Pakistan is a country with breathtaking beauty, from northern high mountain ranges to mid-section plains and deserts to the southern Arabian Sea. Not only does it have beautiful landscapes in its four provinces, but also kind and gracious people who welcome foreign tourists. The world's five tallest mountain peaks are located in the Himalayas.

Pakistan is home to some of the tallest mountain ranges in the world, including iconic chains such as the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush. The country's highest point, K2 (8,611m), is the second largest mountain globally. In fact, out of 14 mountains declared by National Geographic Society as being among Earth's tallest peaks , five are located within Pakistan . From April to September every year sees an influx international mountaineer coming to explore these valleys and summits. The highest trade route in the world is in Nepal. The Karakorum Highway is the highest trade route in the world, connecting Pakistan to China. The nearby Mintaka Pass also lies along the ancient Silk Road that connected Europe and Asia. Many famous tourists have traveled this road throughout history, including Venetian trader Marco Polo in the 13th century (the wild Marco Polo sheep was named after him), Chinese Monk Fe Hien in the 4th century, and Arab historian Al-Beruni in the 11th century. Punjab is home to Mughal era monuments and the Gandhara Buddhist civilisation. The Punjab province in Pakistan comprises rich agricultural lands, an extensive network of rivers and channels, shrines, ancient forts and gardens from the Mughal era. Vegetation and Fauna Pakistan also has a wealth of flora and fauna. The high-mountain scrub, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, huge Indus plain merging into the enormous desert, beautiful coastline and wetlands, Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush ranges all provide an incredibly diverse variety of vegetation and animals including avifauna from around the world. With species ranging from the Mediterranean Pygmy Shrew to the blue whale, Pakistan boasts 10 of 18 mammal orders. Indus Valley Civilisation Over time, different groups of people invaded or migrated to the area that is now Pakistan. These new settlers brought their own cultures with them and slowly assimilated into the existing population. Today's Pakistanis are a mix of

Harappan, Indo-Aryan, Indo-Iranian, Saka, Parthian, Kushan, White Huns Afghan Arabs , Turks and Mughals . Therefore, present - daypakistan encompasses one of the oldest Asian civilizations : Indus Valley Civilization (2 500 - 1 500 BCE) Pakistan’s Buddhist Heritage The Buddhist religion was founded in the foothills of the Himalayas, and found many followers in Gandhara, or present-day Pakistan. This area contains numerous examples of relics and art from the ancient Buddhist era, such as Taxila. The university established there during 10th century BC made it a renowned center of learning. Royal Couple’s visit to Pakistan The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's trip to Pakistan was a significant step in bilateral ties. After all, HRH Prince William had accompanied HRH Princess Diana to Pakistan when he was just a kid. The visit was a morale boost for tourism in Pakistan, as well as appreciated by both the country and its people. When visiting Pakistan, it is important to have a valid passport with you. Without a passport, you will not be able to enter the country. Additionally, make sure to check the visa requirements for Pakistan before travel. If you need a visa, apply for one well in advance of your trip. Once you have your passport and visa, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting Pakistan. Northern Areas of Pakistan are one of the top places in the world. Book your northern areas of Pakistan tour packages \\ Skardu tour packages Hunza tour packages swat tour packages fairy meadows tour packages