ISLAMABAD – In a big development, Pakistan ranked among top 15 traveldestinations of the World in 2020.
Thwarted by tales of terrorism and Taliban rule, Pakistan’s tourismindustry has been stymied for the past two decades. But ancient valleys,relaxed visa restrictions and a high-profile royal visit in the offing meanthis remarkable country is finally getting the focus it deserves.
Because this is a place of exquisite landscapes, where green spaces areoverlooked by towering mountains. In fact, Pakistan has more peaks tallerthan 22,965ft than China and Nepal combined, making it an almost magneticspot for adventure travellers and intrepid hikers.
Visitors can follow in Michael Palin’s steps while traversing the 12,250ftShandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo field, or meet with theKalash people of the Hindu Kush, famed for their cowrie-shell headdressesand brighter-than-bright embroidery.
In Lahore, the sight of 100,000 worshippers crammed into the sandstone17th-century Badshahi Mosque will leave you breathless, while Mughal-eraarchitectural masterpieces stand resplendent on bustling street corners.
‘Having operated tours in Pakistan since the late 1990s, I’ve had aringside seat to its troubled tourism industry, but finally it seems to beimproving,’ says Jonny Bealby, founder and CEO of adventure-tour operatorWild Frontiers. ‘
A focus on security measures, which saw the British FCO lift its adviceagainst travel to large parts of the north, and the election of Imran Khan,who has vowed to increase international tourist numbers, has already had animpact,’ he says.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are also due to visit this Autumn towitness the magic of the mountains first-hand, while many of thefrustrating permits previously required to travel here have been dropped.
Hardy visitors will find that little has changed since Mughal times – withthe peaks’ gemstone mines, fairy meadows and winding trails worn into theground by heavy-laden yaks – while the Karokoram, stretching upwards fromthe north-west frontier and carved into the ancient bedrock, is one of theworld’s most astonishing highways. – CN Traveler