Overview

Officially called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, this beautiful country boasts a 650-mile coastline along the famed Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Bordering countries include Iran, Afghanistan, India and China. It was a part of India till 1947, after which the Pakistan movement led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League resulted in the formation of the Muslim majority state of Pakistan.

Activities & Attractions

Though the country was once considered as a dangerous region, today Pakistan is growing in the tourism industry. Pakistan is known for its natural splendor, diverse cultures, people and landscape. There are a large number of ruins of ancient civilizations like Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, and Taxila. The Northern Province is a spectacular destination with many passes like the famous Karakoram Pass and Khunjerab pass. It is also the place where the world's three famous mountains, the Himalayas, the Karakorams, and the Hindukush, meet.

Takht-I-Bhai, a well-known and preserved monument has a Buddhist monastery. There is a stupa, shrines, and a large hall of assembly. Another place, Swat is known around the world as the holy land of Buddhist land of learning and piety. Taxila is also another Buddhist establishment and is over 3,000 years old. The Taxila Museum and its surroundings have many interesting things about the ancient archaeology. Some of the important sites here are Dharmarajika Stupa and Monastery, Bhir Mound, Sirkap, and Jandial Temple. The salt range with so many monuments is also worth seeing.

Lahore has a lot of beautiful gardens, monuments and palaces. Karachi is also an important tourist center. Other places of importance are Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mirpur, Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan. The ceremonial changing of the guard at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi is a must for every tourist. While planning a Pakistan vacation, you should pay attention to the way you dress. Both the genders are expected to wear long pants and not shorts, but decent clothing is especially required for women. For women, the legs, forearms, shoulders and chest area should be covered with loosely fitted clothing. Men should abstain from shorts and go for jeans or slacks. T-shirts are accepted but should not have any inflammatory writings or symbols. Plains shirts, free of logos, are the best.

In the main part of Pakistan, it is desert. The temperatures in the summer can range from 90 - 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The northwest is more temperate. In the northern regions of Pakistan, you should expect a more arctic climate with heavy snow.

Lodging

There are numerous hotels in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. Some of the luxurious, expensive five-star rated hotels of Pakistan are Serena Hotel, Marriott Hotel and Radisson Hotel in Islamabad, Hotel Shalimar and Hotel Blue Sky in Rawalpindi. There are also guesthouses, youth hostels, and camping facilities available. Most of the travel and tour services offer special discounted hotel rates and can be booked online.

Transportation

Transportation in Pakistan is wide-ranging but still developing to serve a population of over 170 million people. Buses play a significant role in commuting a large population from one destination to another within city. Both government and private bus services are available. Auto rickshaws are available in almost every city and town in Pakistan for traveling smaller distances.