Top off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations in Pakistan

Pakistan is one country that is overlooked for tourism and active adventure entertainment. It is a common misconception that it has little to offer for those with a wandering spirit. Besides the capital Islamabad, which is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Pakistan, there are numerous mountain ranges, tall peaks, serenading valleys, and mountainous passes that are breathtaking and worth the visit. While touring the entire nation can be considered treading an off-the-beaten path, there are some hidden gems of places studded between the mountains and deserts that are even more enticing and memorable.

There are ten or more passes or paths among the mountain ranges and five out of the fourteen highest peaks in the world are in Pakistan in its mountainous border in the north. The fertile Indus plains are towards the south and these destinations are just a click away with Pia Airlines!

Here are some of the unexplored and uncharted destinations that are sure to make it your top favorite destination to revisit and enjoy.

1. Attabad Lake

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A place such as this is impossible to skip this list!  As an accidentally formed lake in 2010, after a landslide, this 21km lake with its turquoise water shimmering under the mountain sun has its inflow of tourists. Located in the Gilgit Baltistan province along the Hunza Valley hillside, this lake is known for its boating, fishing, and hiking expenditures.

2. Cold Desert

  This cold desert again is in the Skardu region of the Gilgit-Baltistan province. Geographically speaking the sand dunes are not sore on the eyes but the cherry on top that’s worth the hike is the snow-covered dunes making this location one of the most beautiful highest deserts in the world!

3. Concordia

This view will stay in your memory for a long time! This is the most scenic hiking trail for mountaineers with a spectacular view that cannot be missed. Pakistan’s five highest mountain peaks in the world, and this location gives you the undiluted view of four of them in their own glory. The sunsets that glisten on the snow-capped peaks bordering the Northern Chinese border are what await you after your climb.

4. Hunza Valley

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Known for luscious farmlands along its foothills and endearing mountain ranges on both sides, the Hunza Valley in the Gilgit Baltistan province has the Himalayan range meeting the Karakoram range. This valley of kissing foothills is known for some rare species of animals that can’t be missed.

5. Karakoram Highway

This is the path between mountains that border Pakistan and China in the northern territory. The Karakoram highway is the highest paved international roadway in the world with its horizon sporting tall peaks, sky-reaching mountains, and glaciers in each turn. A little detour can take you to some of the tallest mountains with spectacular views.

6. Passu

The beauty of Passu is incomparable as it hosts many peaks that are together called the Passu Cones. A series of folded mountain ranges are a highlight in the Karakoram range with the immensely captivating view of the Passu glacier. You will be forced to stop and relish in these hiking trails among the glaciers and the Hussaini suspension rope bridge that was once deemed the most dangerous bridge in the world.

7. Khunjerab Pass

As the highest mountain peak in Pakistan, this peak belongs to the Karakoram mountain range and is still the highest international border as it leads into China. The World’s highest ATM machine is situated here and it is sure to be thrilling to be standing there and have an epiphany of sorts on a wintery sunset backdrop.

8.  Shandur Pass

This 3700m pass area connects the northernmost Chitral area with the Gilgit province in the east. This past hosts a golf ground that is, (you guessed it) the world’s highest golf ground where the annual Shandur Polo Festival is celebrated.

9. Mohenjo- Daro

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This is the archaeologically significant city in the southern Sindh province which was the birthplace of one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the Indus Valley Civilization. The remains here speak of the rich culture that painted this world in the late BCs.