Are you ready to board the next trip to the far northern areas in pakistan? If you\’ve been doing it every year, you\’re probably a pro by now. But, if you visit the mountains and stunning land fields for the first time, here is all you need to know. [ctt_hbox link=\”2f8F1\” via=\”no\” ]There is no shortage of gorgeous tourist spots in Pakistan, whether it\’s the stunning green meadows of Kaghan Valley or the sky-high snow-covered mountain peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan.[/ctt_hbox]
According to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), almost 1.1 million tourists visited the northern territories of Pakistan in 2017, with only 30% of them being domestic visitors. According to a report, the government estimates that tourism will contribute roughly PKR 1 billion to Pakistan\’s economy by 2025. While the northern parts of Pakistan are safe for families and even women-only trips, you can\’t simply pack your belongings and leave to explore these stunning locations. You should keep in mind a few things to ensure that you don\’t have any issues during your vacation.
1 – Be Fluent In the Language
Communication, and how you will communicate if you do not know the correct terms, is the key to travelling anyplace in the world. Because learning a new language is difficult, learn a few words from the trip edition so you won\’t be caught off guard when stopping to meet the locals. Most urban Pakistanis speak, write, and understand English to various degrees.
However, it is recommended that travellers learn a few common Urdu words to make their journey go more smoothly. While the multi-ethnic country is home to various regional languages and many northern areas in pakistan do not speak Urdu fluently, visitors who seek to communicate in the national language will instantly gain favour with the locals.
2 – Plan Your Packing
One of the most basic stages in preparing for a journey to the northern areas in pakistan is to pack the right essentials. Because the weather tends to get colder as you travel north, making sure you have the necessary warmers and sweaters should be your top priority, even if you\’re sweating.
Packing your bags should be done with caution. Make a list of items to bring while travelling to the north when planning a trip.
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- Raincoat
- warm jacket
- pair of boots
- woollen cap
- Extra socks
- Couple of shirts and pants
- First aid kit
- prescribed medicine
Make sure to pack light and only bring what you need in your backpack. In addition, bring a power bank and a spare camera battery.
Pick up your bag once you\’ve finished packing everything and see if it\’s light enough for you to carry about without getting fatigued. You can, of course, leave your luggage at the hotel, but if you want to get the most out of your trip and see more locations, you\’ll likely have to carry your suitcase around a lot because you won\’t be staying in one area for long.
3 – Always keep a Small Amount Of Cash With You
While you should have your bank cards with you, have a sufficient quantity of cash on you at all times. Pakistan is still catching up on paperless transactions and relies largely on cash. Before go their, get your cash exchanged or research the finest money changers to get decent rates. As silly as it may seem, not having the necessary elements could get you into trouble. Make sure you always have some cash on you. Remember to bring your identification and, if applicable, your driver\’s licence.
4 – Be Aware Of The Culture
Know where you\’re going and what the people in that area value. If you expect to spend a lot of time with the natives, learn some fundamental cultural etiquette beforehand. The major ethnic groups of Pakistan are Punjabi, Pashtun, Sindhi, Hazara, Baloch, and Urdu (there are many others). Languages, customs, food, traditions, and cultural practises and beliefs are unique to each community. However, there are a few issues that practically everyone agrees on; for example, a sizable proportion of northern areas in pakistan still believe in careful male-female interaction and modest clothing.
Because Pakistan is an Islamic republic, spicy food is preferred, drinking water should be bottled, and alcohol consumption is discouraged. Milder alternatives and international cuisines are available in many restaurants, but they are difficult to get across in smaller cities and villages. Don\’t miss out on the delectable local cuisine, and Pakistan\’s fruits are some of the best in the world!
Also Read: Most Beautiful Mountains In The World
5 – Be Aware Of Your Strategy
Most important thing to do while organising a vacation to the northern areas in pakistan is to create an itinerary. This will be advantageous because you will devote the majority of your time to determine where to go and what to do. In addition, knowing your plans ahead of time will make it easier to arrange for lodging and transportation.
Depending on which locations you visit and when you can experience opposites in terms of weather in a single trip. In the summer, practically the entire country suffers from the oppressive heat, except the northern regions, which provide a welcome respite from the oppressive heat. The southern portion of the state has lovely chilly weather in the winter, and it gets colder and colder as you journey north (there are, after all, even glaciers up there). Make sure you\’re prepared.
6 – Don\’t Forget Your Gadgets
This should go without saying because we all enjoy photographing gorgeous locations and mountain peaks. However, if you run out of something, you must bring everything you need. Include extra cables and chargers, as well as a power bank and a camera, in your luggage.
Make sure you have all of your appropriate travel and identity documents with you, as well as as many photocopies as possible because travellers are frequently requested to register at many checkpoints for their safety.
7 – Use a Sim that isn\’t in Use
Some networks tend to perform poorly in particular sectors. So, in case of an emergency, keep a spare functional sim on you to keep in touch with your loved ones.
8 – No Spend Money On Shopping
While you should acquire souvenirs, don\’t overspend on items that can be purchased anywhere. Purchasing a few souvenirs during your journey to northern areas in Pakistan regions is perfectly acceptable. However, you should avoid spending too much money on items that you can either find in your area or get online.
Instead of buying clothes and luggage, consider buying traditional jewellery, handcrafted caps, and other handicrafts to support the local economy.
9 – Don\’t Traveling In The Monsoon
A rainy day necessitates the use of an umbrella. The monsoon season in northern areas in pakistan begins in July and lasts until October.
Those considering a journey to the northern territories during the summer holidays should do so before end July, as this is when Pakistan\’s monsoosn season begins. Being caught in the rain in the middle of the road can be quite dangerous, as excessive rain can cause landslides. This weather usually lasts until October, when the winter begins to set in.
10 – Visit Unexpected Places
Northern areas in pakistan are popular tourist destinations. Arang Kel, a lovely village in Azad Kashmir, will enchant you with its beauty. Beautiful sites abound in Pakistan\’s northern regions, just waiting to be discovered. However, while the Hunza and Chitral valleys attract a steady stream of visitors throughout the year, there are still a few communities in these areas that have yet to be included in travel brochures.
11 – Don\’t Climb Unless You Have Experiencd In Trekking
If you aren\’t an expert, don\’t engage in any adventurous activities. Pakistan is a trekker\’s and climber\’s dream due to its gorgeous mountain ranges and tall peaks. While tourists worldwide go to northern Pakistan for the holidays, you should think carefully about climbing or trekking on your own – especially if you have no prior experience. Because the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindukush ranges are home to the most popular trekking routes, ascending these peaks without the necessary equipment and training can be extremely risky.
12 – Eat Local Food
To make your trip more unforgettable, try the diverse local food Traditional food is famous in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, and it is very popular among tourists. Although restaurants selling Indian, Chinese, and even Continental cuisine are many in this neighbourhood, it is always good to sample the local cuisine and specialities.