Pakistan is a country blessed with rich heritage, diverse cultures and spellbinding landscapes – pretty much everything a tourist can ask for. From the coasts of Baluchistan and plains stretching through Sindh and Punjab, from the lush green valleys and meadows of KP and GB to the majestic mountains of the North, Pakistan is probably amongst the very few countries to have so much to offer.
Here are some of the most beautiful places in Pakistan, other than the usual vacation destinations, to experience in winters.
Malam Jabba
Malam Jabba, Swat Valley, is emerging as an extremely adventurous yet popular tourist destination in Pakistan.
Located about 300 KMs away from Islamabad and approachable both by road and by air, Malam Jabba is home to one of the only two proper skiing destinations with skiing resorts in Pakistan. Tourists can visit Malam Jabba in winters, when the entire place is blanketed by snow, to enjoy skiing and sight-seeing.
There is a proper skiing resort there, which offers comfortable accommodation, skiing and snowboarding, chairlift, cable car etc.
It is absolutely safe and easy to approach, making it suitable for families. As far as the sights are concerned, Malam Jabba is second to none. It is situated right in the middle of snow-capped mountains and offers breathtaking sceneries, making it one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan.
Gorakh Hills
While the people of Karachi crave cold weather throughout the winter season and cherish even the mildest of cold, Gorakh Hill is an extremely good option to experience pure winters. Located 90 KMs from Dadu city and 420 KMs from Karachi, Gorakh Hill station is amongst the very few spots that receive snowfall in Sindh.
It is amongst the highest plateaus of Sindh and offers breathtaking sights and subzero temperatures, rare in the region.
Even though Gorakh plateau isn’t developed as a proper tourist destination yet, you can still visit the place to enjoy the weather and the sights and if you’re lucky enough, you may actually witness snowfall there.
Naltar Valley
Naltar is amongst the most beautiful places in Pakistan and is growing fast as a popular tourist destination, ideal for pure nature lovers. Widely known for its colorful lakes and mesmerizing landscapes, Naltar valley will offer you a completely different and unique experience in winters. The snow-capped mountains with river streams flowing through and lakes that’ll take your breath away, Naltar Valley is nature in its purest form.
Situated just 40 KMs away from Gilgit city, Naltar valley also hosts a skiing resort.
Even though the temperatures drop drastically during winters in Naltar, it would be worth everything
Siri Paya, Shogran
Shogran is a pretty popular tourist destination, more or less exploited and commercialized however, situated just a couple of hours away from Shogran are the meadows of Siri and Paya. Siri Paya meadow is an extremely peaceful and beautiful place that offers spellbinding sights. The whole area is blanketed by snow in winters with beautiful pine trees and mountains in its vicinity. Siri Paya is also the base camp for hikers interested in summiting the Makra peak.
MKM and Malika Parbat Peaks are also visible from Siri Paya meadows and Makra summit.
Arang Kel, Azad Kashmir
If you want to experience a winter fairytale, Arang Kel is the place to go. A lush green village in summers and a beautiful snowland in winters, Arang Kel is certainly amongst the most beautiful places in the country.
Arang Kel is pretty easy to approach from Kel. You can either opt for hike or embark a chairlift from Kel to reach this heavenly destination.
Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows is a popular tourist destination in summers however in winters, only pure adventure lovers should head for Fairy meadows. The area receives heavy snowfall and the temperatures drop way below zero hence one must be properly equipped before going there in winters however, it is a pure treat for adventurous travelers, looking to explore.
With a magnificent view of Nanga Parbat and with hills, massifs, glaciers and pines in its vicinity, Fairy Meadows is bound offer you a unique and extreme winter experience.
So with winters already here and winter vacations just around the corner, start planning a trip to one of these beautiful places in Pakistan.