Pakistan should be on everyone’s list of tourist destinations for 2017 — but what if you already live there? Then perhaps you should consider visiting these five must-visit places for the New Year. In a country of Mughals and mountains, wild frontiers and scattered ruins, you will be amazed at the beauty you can find. Here we’ve presents five unmissable destinations to explore this year.
1. Lake Saiful Muluk
At an altitude of 3,200 meters and surrounded by snowy mountains, Lake Saiful Muluk rewards those who make the three-hour uphill walk from Naran. You will find the pathway just above the bazaar, but there is also the option of hiring a jeep and splitting the cost with other tourists. Expect to pay around Rs 700 — well worth it to see this natural beauty.
2. Deosai National Park
Another high point in Pakistan, this one has an average elevation of 4,114 m: the Deosai Plains are among the highest plateaus in the world. If you make it to the park, expect to find rich flora and fauna. It is also home to one of the highest lakes in the world, Deosai Lake, at 4,142 m. The breathtaking scenery on display across the plains is enough to make 2017 a memorable year.
3. Naltar Valley
Accessible via a 2.5-hour drive from Gilgit, this gem is well worth visiting. Covered with pine trees and otherworldly plant life, it has a dreamlike feel to it. This is an Instagrammer’s dream; lush colors all year round will make you fall in love.
4. Shangrila Resort
Right in the north of Pakistan, in the central valley of Gilgit-Baltistan, is a picture-perfect location. Locals call it a paradise, and that is exactly what it feels like. No visit is complete without stopping at the restaurant, which is built in the shape of an aircraft.
5. Rama Meadow
Rama Meadow doesn’t feel like Pakistan at all; it looks more like somewhere in Minnesota in a time long since past. Watch the sheep and cows graze while crystal-clear water flows in streams from high in the mountains. Set against the backdrop of Chongra’s ice-covered peak and Nanga Parbat’s southern ridges, this little meadow is a work of art.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Lahore Times.