By Ramsha Sadiq

Be it the enchanting green meadows in Kaghan Valley or the magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks in Gilgit-Baltistan, there is no shortage of picturesque tourist destinations in Pakistan just waiting to be explored. While these tourist destinations are perfectly safe for families as well as solo women, you can’t just pack a bag and leave to explore these veritable pieces of heaven on earth.

Here is a list of dos and don’ts that all travellers will find extremely useful.

Tips for travelling to northern areas of Pakistan

Here are some major do’s and don’ts of travelling to popular vacation destinations in the country, including Hunza, Skardu, Kashmir and Naran etc.

Do: Pack light

When planning a trip, make a list of things to carry while travelling to northern areas. This list should ideally include a raincoat, a warm jacket, a pair of waterproof boots, a woollen cap, a pair of gloves, extra socks, a few shirts and trousers, a first aid kit, prescribed medicine (if any), and a few other items of personal use. However, make sure to pack light and only keep essentials in your backpack. In addition, pack a power bank and an extra battery for your camera.

Don’t: Travel in the monsoon

For those planning to travel to the northern areas during the summer holidays, try and plan and trip before July, as that’s when the monsoon period officially starts in Pakistan. Since heavy rainfall can lead to landslides, getting caught in the rain in the middle of a mountainous road can be quite dangerous.

Usually, the spell of heavy rain lasts until October, after which the winter begins to set in. Therefore, the best time to go on a tour is before the end of June.

However, don’t forget that it might start drizzling at any time. So, always keep an umbrella or a raincoat in reach.

Do: Wear layers

While you shouldn’t pack too much stuff, you should always pack enough clothes so that you’re able to dress in layers. Those who have travelled to the northern areas before would agree that the weather can change at any given time. While it may not be very drastic, you will experience a rise in temperature whenever the sky gets a little clear. Similarly, the wind might get a little chilly at the drop of a hat.

Therefore, instead of wearing a lot of warm clothes, dress sensibly and in layers, so you can take off and put them on as needed.

Don’t: Put your expensive belongings on display

This is one of the most important rules of travelling, no matter where you’re going. Although the crime rate in the northern areas of Pakistan, particularly Gilgit Baltistan, is extremely low, you should still avoid wearing flashy jewelry or displaying your expensive smartphones while travelling. Moreover, it’s always better to carry a small amount of cash on hand. If needed, you can easily withdraw money from an ATM machine, which can be easily found in almost all tourist destinations in Pakistan.

Do: Explore hidden destinations

The northern areas of Pakistan are full of beautiful places waiting to be explored. While the valleys of Hunza and Chitral see a large influx of tourists all around the year, there are still several villages in these regions that are yet to make it to the travel brochures.

For instance, the villages of Arang Kel in Azad Kashmir and Minapin in Nagar Valley, two of the most beautiful places in Pakistan, remain underrated travel attractions despite having a stunning landscape. Make sure to include these places in your travel itinerary.

Don’t: Trek or climb unless experienced

While adventurers from across the world travel to northern Pakistan during holidays, you need to think twice if you are planning to go hiking or trekking on your own – especially if you don’t have prior experience.

Since most of the popular trekking routines lay in the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges, climbing these peaks without proper gear and training can be quite dangerous.

Do: Try local food and delicacies

Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are famous for their traditional food, which is extremely popular among tourists. Although you can easily find restaurants serving desi, Chinese and even Continental dishes in this area, it’s always better to give the local cuisine and delicacies a try.

However, before consuming anything, make sure to ask about its ingredients to ensure it doesn’t have something that you might be allergic to.

Don’t: Spend a lot of money on shopping

Buying a few souvenirs during your trip to the northern areas of Pakistan is completely okay. But you should refrain from spending too much money on buying things that you can find in your own city or can order online. Instead of buying things such as clothes and bags, opt for items such as traditional jewellery, handmade caps and other handicrafts so that your purchases help the local industry.

https://www.zameen.com/blog/tips-travelling-northern-areas-pakistan.html