Top 5 places to visit in Pakistan

1. Nathia Gali:

Nathia Gali is a Himalayan village in the north of Pakistan near the Indian border. It's arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth, and it has been a favorite tourist destination for decades now!

Rising to over 6,000 feet above sea level, this place can get very cold and snowy in winter. But people come from all around (and beyond) to experience just what makes Nathia Gali so unique. The weather alone draws many tourists here because living at such high elevations gives you a completely different perspective on life...especially when visiting during the spring or summer months!

This beautiful mountain town also features amazing scenery, including bluer than blue rivers and an array of wildflowers covering practically every inch of the landscape.

If you're looking for some fun on your trip to Pakistan, then be sure to check out Nathia Gali's rafting and paragliding opportunities!  You'll also find dozens of great cafes, restaurants, hotels, and shops for all sorts of shopping needs. If there were ever a place where heaven meets earth, this would be it!

What Makes Nathia Gali special:

The weather conditions and relative isolation make this a perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and some good ol' fashioned rock scrambling. You'll see plenty of people here enjoying the sights on foot, by horseback, or even in hot air balloons!

It's not all fun (or at least that's what they want you to think) either. The scenery and environment can also be very healing, so that you might see a few spa resorts or yoga retreats dotting the landscape as well.

Booking. Com has various hotels and guest houses listed for Nathia Gali. Before planning your visit to Nathia Gali, do use our coupons to get an off on Booking.com.

2. Hunza Valley:

The Hunza Valley is located in the northern part of Pakistan at the foot of the Karakoram Mountain Range. It's a piece of paradise nestled inside this breathtakingly beautiful country!

If you want to get away from it all and experience something different, Hunza Valley is calling your name. The scenery is absolutely amazing, and few other places on earth can offer such a unique travel experience for so little money. The people here are amiable and welcoming, making you feel right at home in no time flat!

As if the scenery itself weren't enough to bring you back again and again, there are some wonderful opportunities for hiking, mountain biking (and even paragliding) up in these parts. And if you're looking for some relaxation, then the local hot springs will do the trick!

The best thing about Hunza Valley is that it's incredibly cheap compared to other locations in Pakistan. If you want a vacation where your money goes further and better - this is definitely the place to visit.  Accommodations range from under $20 per night for a guest house to $60 or more for larger, deluxe places with all sorts of great amenities.

As far as dining goes, there are plenty of restaurants around town where you can get an amazing meal (or just a snack) for fairly low prices. It's incredible how well preserved Hunza Valley is, considering most of the country has been ravaged by a war!

As far as the people are concerned, many of them still live in their original homes and don't seem to care about anything happening on the outside...which is exactly why this place is so popular for those looking to get away from it all.

What is special about Hunza Valley?

While many people visit Hunza Valley for the scenery and hiking opportunities, others come here to experience something entirely different. Several religious sites attract local and foreign visitors, providing some insight into this ancient culture and their beliefs regarding spirituality.

The people in Hunza Valley are unique because they live outside the system...meaning there is less political turmoil or concerns about finances.  They don't need much money to survive - so they've taken what they have and applied it towards building a more peaceful life instead of fighting or squabbling over resources like most other places in Pakistan seem to do.

Hunza Valley can be tough to get to, depending on where you're coming from, but if you do manage to get there, tourists and visitors seem to love it. In fact, many people say that they didn't actually want to leave when their vacation was over.  If you're fortunate, maybe you'll get stuck here for a while too!

Booking. Com has various hotels and guest houses listed for Hunza Valley. Before planning your visit to Hunza Valley, do use our coupons to get an off on Booking.com.

#3. Skardu:

If you're looking for a more remote location in Pakistan, then Skardu will definitely fit the bill. It's the gateway to K2 and offers the best opportunities for backpacking across any part of South Asia.

Skardu is located in Gilgit Baltistan, a vast region encompassing Kashmir, Ladakh, and Khunjerab National Park. If that weren't enough to tickle your backpacking fancy, it also features some gorgeous scenery! The terrain can be steep and rugged,d but at the end of the day (or hike,) you'll have stunning views overlooking some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

The people here are amicable and will be eager to invite you over to have dinner with them. Even if you don't understand the language, they will still be eager to point out different locations around town and tell you stories about what life is like here...especially if they know you're staying in that spot for a while!

Skardu can be tough to get to as it's far removed from any of Pakistan's airports or train stations, but thankfully there are some great deals on flights that can make the trip more affordable (check flight prices on Skyscanner). If you're looking for a place off the beaten path, this is definitely worth consideration, even if it means arranging your own transportation.

The weather in Skardu tends towards cold during the winter months and warm during the summer, so bring appropriate clothing and gear with you. A large ski resort nearby offers great opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowboarding (for those of you who prefer to do rather than watch).

What is special about Skardu:

Skardu is one of the more remote places in Pakistan, but it also has some of the most beautiful views. 

The gateway to K2, Skardu, will ensure you get a chance to see some absolutely stunning scenery!

If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path location with plenty of opportunities for backpacking, this is a great place to visit. If you plan on visiting and staying a while, do make sure that your insurance covers medical evacuation in case something happens while you are out there - the chances are that if something does happen, it's going to take quite a while for anyone to be able to reach your location.

Booking. Com has various hotels and guest houses listed for Skardu. Before planning your visit to Skardu, do use our coupons to get an off on Booking.com.

#4. Naran:

Located in the Northern Punjab region of Pakistan, Naran is a small village that most people wouldn't have even known about until recently. Thanks to social media and places like Instagram, however, there has been a huge interest in this place as it's one of those rare gems that put "off the beaten path" into perspective.

Naran is certainly not hard to get to, but it requires some planning because of how far removed it is from any civilization (and traveler) access points. While most people would drive directly through the southern route to make their way up towards Kashmir or India - many are choosing to schedule an extra day or two just to see this little gem for themselves!

With no electricity or running water, this is one of those places that makes you appreciate how "modern" we have become. Even a simple shower can be a bit trickier, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would say that it's all worth it when you get to experience such an amazing community!

What is special about Naran:

The people here are some of the happiest and most welcoming that you will ever meet - regardless of where in the world or when in history they were born! It is also known for its scenic backdrops that make for excellent photography opportunities. As far removed as possible from any typical industry, Naran gives travelers the chance to interact with local Pakistanis and fully immerse themselves in Pakistani culture. If you want to do something different and perhaps even help support the local Pakistanis, this would be a great option. You may end up staying longer here and helping out with various projects, but that's part of what makes it so special!

You can find many hotels near Naran on Booking.com. Before visiting, please make use of our coupons to get discounts for hotels in Naran.

#5. Muree:

Muree is a city in northern Pakistan that was once known for its historical significance. The original walled city here dated back to 1620 and was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Today, however, much of this has been replaced with a more modern design, so while most people speak fondly of this town, only a few remember it as the way it used to be.  It is still a popular tourist destination, and most travelers come through Muree on their way up towards Kashmir (or vice versa). Still, you will notice that not many actually get out of their vehicles when passing through here. With lots to see and do, this is one place where you should definitely spend a little bit of extra time when passing through. The city is full of beautiful mosques, temples, and shrines - all of which make for excellent opportunities to take some amazing pictures!

What is special about Muree:

Muree has a rich history that dates back hundreds of years, and despite what you may have read or heard about - this town still holds many interesting attractions. Most people pass through on their way up towards Kashmir, but this isn't the only reason why people visit Muree. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and tour operators here as well, so it would be wise to do your planning early if you ever plan on visiting this trendy destination. You can find many places to stay with Booking.com, including your hotel near Muree.