Pakistan is an almost undiscovered touristic treasure. This does not mean you can explore it on your own. There will be many Pakistani’s watching over your shoulder to share the experience, for Pakistan has one of the fastest growing population in the world.

Gilgit is the most important city in the North of Pakistan. Althought the town itself is not evry big, nor extremely exciting, it is the best place to start exploring the region which has some of the best mountain scenery in the worldGilgit is the most important city in the North of Pakistan. Althought the town itself is not evry big, nor extremely exciting, it is the best place to start exploring the region which has some of the best mountain scenery in the world (see picture above)

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan extends along either side of the historic Indus River, following its course from the mountain valleys of the Himalayas down to the Arabian Sea. Bordering on India, China, Afghanistan and Iran, it is strategically located astride the ancient trade routes between Asia and Europe.

Pakistan has a lot to offer to the exploring traveler. In the south you’ll find beautiful beaches, lagoons and mangrove forests. The high uprising peaks of the Himalayan, the Karakorams and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges dominate the north, with the K2 (8611 m.) as a final challenge to alpinists. Without doubt this is one of the most beautiful mountain regions in the world. The Karakoram Highway which runs over the over the Khunjerab pass and leads from Islamabad via Gilgit, Hunza Valley and Passu to Kashgar in China is an unforgetable way to see this region. The nearby Valleys of Chitral, Swat and Skardu are extremely beautiful as well. Landscapes in the north range from Swiss style mountain scenery to what you can expect to see on the moon.

Between the mountains in the North and the sandy beaches in the South, there are all sorts of landscapes from harsh deserts and green valleys to fertile plains and desolate plateaus.

But it’s not just natures wonders to be see here. Though Pakistan as a country is relatively new, it’s really the birthplace of mankind. Fossils of Homo sapiens found in the area date back 50,000 years. Pakistan has ruins of the most ancient civilization of the planet and has cities that have been full of life for centuries now, and have the monuments to show for it. Most interesting city of all is the capitalIslamabad, but Peshawar or Quetta are also well worth your visit, and then there’s the city of contrasts Karachi, also called the city of lights or Lahore, the city best known for its beautiful gardens, were the national flower, Jasmine, grows abundantly that should not be missed either.