Tour de Pakistan

Rawal Lake, Islamabad
Rawal lake is situated in Islamabad. This lake is primary source of water for residents of Islamabad. Rawal lake is a major tourist spot for residents of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This covers an area of 8.8 sq km. Parks and Lush green gardens are favorite picnic spots for tourists. Murree and Margalla hills stand in the background of lake that offers breathtaking view. Flower gardens are also a tourist attraction in this lake resort. Benches and seat have been installed along the banks of the lake, from where sparkling water offers amazing view.

Recreational activities:
Fishing, boating, sailing and water skating are undertaken by many clubs in rawal lake. Scuba diving facilities are also available here.

Kaghan, The Valley of Meadows and Lakes:

Kaghan valley is a main tourist attraction in north western areas of Pakistan. Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and glacier are the trademarks for its unspoiled beauty. It is best to visit Kaghan from May to September. People of Kaghan are hospitable and easy-going. Hindko and Pushto are major languages in Kaghan. Area is alpine mainly. Beautiful meadows and forest in the backdrop of peaks over 17000 feet give an amazing feast to the eyes.

How to Get In:
Kaghan valley can be reached through road going via route of Abbottabad, Mansehra and Balakot.

Tourist Attractions:
The main tourist attractions are Sri paye, Shogran and Kunhar river fishing

Shalamar Garden Lahore:

Shalamar Garden is one of Lahore's many gardens. Thats the reason why Lahore is called the city of gardens. There are a lot of serene and scenic gardens in this city. Many of these garden were built in ancient times by famous Mughal Emperors. Mughals are cherished in the history for their love of architecture and other arts. This is one of the most beautiful piece of architecture and landscaping. This garden was constructed on Emperor Shah Jahan's will. He is the same emperor who built the wonder of the world Taj Mahal of Agra.
Talking about the structure installed in Garden. Fountains installed in the garden are still in working conditions. Their number is in hundreds. These keeps the garden temperature very mild and pleasant. There are terraces at different heights at which water flows and fountains are installed in pools. A throne carved into marble stone is near the waterfall. This garden has become the biggest attraction for the lahorites.

Ziarat and Juniper Forests:

Ziarat district is located in Balochistan, the south-western province of Pakitan. Ziarat is the most popular tourist place for the residents of the southern part of Pakistan. It is scenic and beautiful. At altitude of 2543 meters above sea level it is loved by all tourisism enthusiasts. Karachi is although far away from the scenic Norther Areas of Pakistan but Ziarat is not a far away place to visit for karachites. It has scenery and purity of nature, but historical aspect of ziarat is also very important.
Ziarat word means shrine of a religious leader in Islam. There is famous shrine of Nao Gaza Baba, which is visited by people all round Pakistan. Ziarat is famous for its juniper forest. This forest has been estimated to be the oldest juniper forest on earth. And it is the 2nd largest juniper forest in the world with estimated area of 247000 acres.

Tourist Attractions:
There are a lots of tourist attractions. The Ziarat Residency is a national monument and it is the place where Great leader and founder of Pakistan The Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent his last days. It is visited by many tourists and Pakistanis from all over Pakistan. Other famous tourist attraction is the Apple and Cherry farms around Ziarat. Hospitable owners of the farms open their arms to tourists and treat them like their family.

Murree Hills:

Murree city is a very popular and frequently visit tourist spot not only for Islamabad/Rawalpindi residents but also from all over the world. Murree is situated in Province of Punjab and is considered to be the most visited and loved tourist spot.

Murree is located almost 30 km (twenty miles) to Islamabad.

The name Murree is derived from 'marhi', "high place". It is nearest hill station to capital city Islamabad. Thats why in summer season there are thousands of tourists from south of Pakistan visit Murree to enjoy pleasand weather. There is chair lift facility available ayubia with beautiful views. People come from accross the world to have a ride in this chair lift. Wild life is also an important factor in attracting tourists specially children. There are a lot of monkeys which are very friendly to people and people feed them with snacks etc. Snow leopard is found here in Murree and often sighted around the hills.

How to Get In:
There is only one way of getting to murree that is by road. A lot of transport is available for murree which is comfortable and scenic views can be enjoyed while on way to murree.


Tourist Attractions:
Ayubia hills and chair lifts are a main attraction in Murree Hills. For shopping and eating Mall Road Murree is the best place. Patriata Chair lifts are a lifeline for the tourists in murree.

Skardu Valley:

Skardu:
Skardu is a very beautiful valley in Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Skardu is capital of Balitistan. Balti language is spoken in majority. Its altitude is 2,438 metres above sea level. Great peaks can be seen in its background. Skardu has the wealth of beauty and purity of natue. In summer a lot of tourists visit its scenic places and enjoy pleasant weather and hospitable people.

It touches the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Indian-occupied Kashmir. The tourist season starts in April and ends in October. The maximum temperature is 27 C and minimum (October) -8 C. Apart from its incomparable views of mountain peaks and glaciers Baltistan's five valleys, - Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears.

How to Get in:
By Air
PIA flies almost daily flights to Skardu so its the most convenient way to get there.
By Road
By road its 20 hrs journey by Northern Areas Transport Co. bus.

Tourist Attractions:
Beautiful lakes like Shangrila lake and Satpara lake are a popular destination for tourists.Buddha Rock Carvings: Dating back to 8th century AD, a huge Buddha figure surrounded by small Buddhisatvas is carved on a rock, three kilometres from Skardu across Sadpara Nullah on Skardu-Sadpara Road. This is also a very important destination.

Swat "The Switzerland of Pakistan":

Swat valley is located about 160km from capital city Islamabad. Swat river is a famous river that flows through district swat. It is situated in Hindu Kush moutain range. Saidu sharif is the capital but Mingora is the biggest town in Swat. Sky high mountains lush green meadows and sparkling lakes are tourists main attraction. Swat is known as "Switzerland of Pakistan".

How to Get in:
Swat is accessible only by road and is on way from mardan to mingora. People here are hospitable and caring. There are a lot of hotels and lodging facilities available. Due to recent unrest in Swat areas the tourists are not being attracted as once were. But with peace being restored it is hoped that this would rejuvinate with hustle and bustle of tourists.

Tourist Attractions:
There is a magnificent ski resort in Malam Jabba, Swat. Hiking tracks and fishing spots are also popular activities.

Kallar Kahar "the lake town":

Kallar Kahar:

Kallar kahar is a tourist destination about 125km from Islamabad/Rawalpindi on motorway M-2 on way towards Lahore. Kallar kahar has historic importance in many ways. Infact history of Indo-pak cannot be complete without mention of Kallar kahar. Famous Mughal Emperor Zaheeruddin Babar stayed here and addressed his army before heading towards Delhi. He built famous Takhat-e-babri in Kallar kahar which is attraction for many history lovers. He also constructed a garden named as Bagh-e-Shifa which still exists.

Kallar kahar lake is tourist attraction that has emerged as a major tourist spot in Punjab province. This fresh water lake offters scenic views of sparkling water. Fishing, boating are also very common here. There are restaurants and TDCP resort for hosting tourists. Unfortunately there is no lodging facitity available for tourists in Kallar kahar as yet.

Kallar kahar is famous for its Peacocks. They live in jungles around Kallar kahar and are seen around Famous shrine in Kallar kahar.