  Karachi is the capital of the Sindh province. It is a bustling centre of commerce and industry, a big port and the largest city of Pakistan with a population of over seven million. It has an International Airport which is a major link on all east and west air routes. Karachi has sunny beaches at Sandspit, Hawks Bay, Paradise Point and Clifton. It has a lot to offer, including the National Museum, the Hill Park, a golf course, a squash complex and modern medical facilities. |
Chaukundi Tombs  27.35 kms (17 miles) out of Karachi on the National Highway on a high ground area a cluster of unusual graves built in the shape of slabs upon slabs of rectangles (hence the name four-sided). These date back to 16th-18th centuries. The distinguishing feature of these graves is the superb carving and engraving of the sandstone slabs with various floral motifs and designs of jewellery (on those of females) and of horses and swords (for the males) |
 Abbottabad 116 km (72 miles) from Rawalpindi and 217 km (135 miles) from Peshawar, is a small town in a spacious valley surrounded by green hills. It is also a popular summer resort 1255 meters (4120 feet) above sea-level. It lies on the newly constructed Karakoram Highway. |
Peshawar  About 172 km (107 miles) west of Rawalpindi/lslamabad by road and about half on hour by air lies the last major town of Pakistan, the ancient and legendary Peshawar, city of the proud Pathans. Of interest in Peshawar are the Balahisar Fort, Qissa Khawani Bazaar, Chowk Yaadgar, Mahabat Khan Mosque and the Museum. |
Rawalpindi  275 km (171 miles) to the north-west of Lahore is Rawalpindi. It is fast developing into a large modern city. It has many play grounds, a pleasant club, an Army Museum, a number of good hotels and restaurants and a huge Ayub Park, Rawalpindi is the last halting post leading to the numerous holiday spots and hill resorts of the north, such as Murree, Nathiagali, Ayubia, Abbottabad, Swat, Kaghan, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral. |
Islamabad  Islamabad the new capital of Pakistan is a well planned modern city with large public buildings, attractive parks wide boulevards, newly built beautiful Shah Faisal Mosque and well laid out shopping centres. The Rawal Dam is a popular picnic spot. There are top and medium class hotels and motels as well as a camping site. |
Lahore  1305 km (811 miles) to the north-east of Karachi, just about 1.5 hours flight by PIA, is Lahore, "the city of gardens" and the capital of the Punjab. It is an ancient town, rich in historical monuments, including some of the finest specimens of Muslim architecture -- the Badshahi Mosque of Emperor Aurangzeb, the Wazir Khan Mosque, the Shalimar Gardens of Emperor Shahjahan, Emperor Jehangir's Mausoleum and the Royal Fort of Akbar with its fabulous Hall of Mirrors. Lahore is considered to be the cultural capital of Pakistan because of its numerous colleges, places of learning, sports activities, frequent stage plays etc. The Museum in Lahore is considered to be the best in the sub continent. It houses the statue of fasting Buddha beside a host of priceless relics. The Horse and Cattle Show is an annual event held at the Fortress Stadium every spring. It is a pageant of equestrian sports, folk dances, music and tattoo parades. Lahore is at its best in spring and autumn. |
Marree & Gallies  About 64 km (40 miles) from Rawalpindi, situated at an altitude of 2286 meters (7,500 feet) above sea-level is Murree where lofty peaks tower above green pine covered slopes. It is one of the most popular summer resorts in Pakistan. The Gallies are quaint little hill resorts north-west of Murree and there is a motorable road running through them all. Murree and the Gallies offer horse riding, golf, chair lifts in Ayubia and pine shaded walks galore, alongside magnificent vistas of the plains. |
Kaghan Valley  This is a 154.5 km. (96 miles) long picturesque valley ending northwards in the 4148 meters (13.600 ft.) high Babusar Pass. Jeep service is available in the valley during summer, while motels and rest-houses offer comfortable accommodation . There is a PTDC stopover Motel in Balakot and a big tourist resort in Naran which provides excellent accommodation with meals at reasonable rates. It is an ideal area for trekking and trout fishing. Best time of the year in the Kaghan Valley is June 1 - Oct. 15. Worth visiting are Shogran, Lake Saiful Muluk and Lalazar. Lake Saiful Muluk nestles at a height of more than 3200 meters (about 11000 feet) in the shadows of Malike Parbat, the "Queen of the mountains" which is about 5300 meters (about 17500 feet) high. |
Chitral-Kalash Valley  A 50 minute flight from Peshawar takes you to the north western extremity of Pakistan where lies the exotic valley of Chitral. Towering the valley is the majestic 7705 meters (25,264 ft.) high Trichmir peak. In three narrow valleys about 40 km (25 odd miles) from the town of Chitral live the famous Kafir Kalash tribe. They are known the world over for their primitive pagan traditions and their love for dance and music. Chitral has many sulphur springs and is popular for trekking, mountaineering and trout fishing. There are a couple of hotels in Chitral. PTDC has a Motel and transport hiring facilities at Chitral. |
Swat Valley  Connected by air with Islamabad and Peshawar and by road with the whole country, Swat is a picturesque valley with a rich historical past. Swat museum has exquisite specimens of Gandhara sculptures, as Swat was a flourishing Centre of Buddhism and Gandhara school of sculpture. Swat valley is ideal for trout fishing, trekking and mountaineering. It remains open throughout the year but best time to visit is from May to end of October. |
Gilgit,Hunza & Khunjerab Pass  Among the hill resorts in the Northern Areas is the Gilgit Valley. It is accessible by air from Rawalpindi as well as by KKH (Karakoram Highway). There are regular bus, minibus and airconditioned Coach Services. Gilgit is famous for its fruit orchards. trout fishing and as a base for mountaineering. North of Gilgit and touching China is Hunza Valley, famous for longevity of its people, luscious fruits, and the magnificent peaks, including Rakaposhi (7788 meters). One may now travel on Karakoram Highway and cross over Khunjerab Pass for travel to China in conducted tours and transport run by Pakistan Tours Ltd., a subsidiary of PTDC, and NATCO. |
Skardu  Skardu is 241 km east of Gilgit and accessible by air and road from Rawalpindi. Accommodation is available at PTDC's K-2 Motel at Skardu and the picturesque lakes of Satpara and Kachura. Skardu is a base camp for all mountaineering. |
