Most Beautiful Places and Breathtaking Views of Pakistan

 Breathtaking Views of Pakistan

Even before December, snow starts falling in the mountainous regions of Pakistan. But people wait for winter holidays to enjoy it. The first question is which hill station to travel to? Because God has given colors to many places in Pakistan where the views of snow-capped mountains, forests, frozen rivers and waterfalls are stunning.

Easy Routes to Murree and Galiyat

Accessing these places is not difficult, whenever and whoever wants can enjoy the beauty here from any part of the country. Families are seen moving in caravans on Murree Road in Rawalpindi. 

With excellent roads and facilities, there is no fear in these places. Now the motorway from Rohri in Sindh has made it easier. If you're single, you'll pay a modest fare to move from Rawalpindi to these beautiful destinations, which fall to the lucky ones.

Murree's Mall Road is as vibrant and beautiful as a European street. Shopkeepers keep piles of snow which children want to see. The aroma wafting over the coffee and ice cream stalls beckoned. 

Somewhere suddenly it starts snowing, there is a noise and the guests who come seem happy with their good fortune.

Snowballs are thrown at each other's heads. More enthusiastic tourists come from Mall Road. Also visit Pindi Point and Kashmir Point. A chair lift is also established at Pindi Point which takes the tourists down to Bansara Street. Here in the silence of the forest snow like cotton cheeks whitens the trees and paths.

In Murree meanwhile rooms are easily available for modest rent, with heater and geyser facilities available.

Ninety percent of honeymooners go to Murree. People also go to Bhurban, Nathia Gali, Ayubia, where silence reigns are everywhere due to lack of people. In the forests of Nathia Gali, the leaves, colored like henna, begin to fall. A picnic is arranged at Bandar Point.

The visitors are also amused by mischievous monkeys in the forest, who steal food from them and quickly hide in trees. These days there is no problem to enjoy the snowfall in the streets.

There are two ways to go from Murree to Galiyat. One route descends towards Azad Kashmir while the other route ends at Abbottabad. Thandiani can be reached through Darya Galli, Kali Matti, Barian, Khaira Galli, Changla Galli, Koza Galli, Ayubia, Khanspur and Donga Galli.

Similarly, passing through Jhika Gali, Kashmiri Bazar, Bhurban, Rawat, Ochha, Osiya, Upper Deol, and Basian at Beirut, the Azad Kashmir border is reached via Kohaly. All these routes can be easily reached in two to three hours from Murree.

Snowcapped Mountains of Kashmir

Muzaffarabad, the capital of Kashmir, is also accessible from Rawalpindi. New and comfortable buses, coaches, at a rent of five to six hundred rupees, take you to this paradise called Kashmir.

Traveling from Muzaffarabad to Pir Chinasi is an adventure. Here, at a height of more than ten thousand feet, the shrine of Hussain Shah Bukhari appears lost in the snow. As soon as the clouds move away, its dreamy beauty begins to fade.

A mysterious hum is heard from the forests below. Here are the highest pastures which are not visible due to snow. Since there is no provision for walking around the shrine, tourists head back to Muzaffarabad.

The beauty of Neelum Valley also turns blue under the snow. If the sky is reflected on the river, a storm of beauty is created.

Here the emotions of Kashmiris standing on both sides of Line of Control are controlled. They write letters to each other and throw them across the river. This place is also called meeting point. As soon as it snows here, business life is paralyzed. Houses, shops, roads are all covered in snow. A deep gloom and silence begin to spread.

The Silences of Kaghan Naran

Naran is at its peak in June and July. There is a buzz in restaurants and food shops, Tika and fish odors, eggs and hot pakoras take the place. But in December there is a dead silence. Out of 3,000 hotels, only half may be found open.

Beyond Kaghan, on the way to Naran, the branches of snow-covered trees wave their hands and ask for return. But die-hard tourists tired when they reach Naran. They are disappointed to see locks and chains on the hotel doors.

Spending the night there is risky. The cold gets embedded in bones. Those who go to Saif-ul-Maluk Lake sit in a jeep early in the morning and make their way back by noon.

In these circumstances, the jeep fare increases from 2500 to 3500 Rupees but it is a good deal. In these days of snow, the lake-viewers offer prostrations and thanksgiving. Their eyes become moist with joy. It is an incredible sight. Groups of youths also walk during snowfall.

From here, the vehicular route to Jal Khad, Butta Kundi, and Babu Sir Top opens in May. On the way back, you can also visit high mountain of Shogran. Only jeeps ply this route. People from all over the world come here to enjoy the snowfall. A few hotels may be found open for accommodation.

Breathtaking Views of Swat and Chitral

There are excellent coasters and wagons that take just eight hours from Pindi to Kalam. The rent is 1000 rupees. Here, like Naran, hotels and markets are closed. Those who are keen on seeing the snowfall can go to Mahodand Lake in the early morning by booking a room in Bahrain.

From Kalam to the lake, only jeeps ply, the fare of which is up to five thousand rupees and eight people can easily sit in the jeep. It is an exciting and fulfilling adventure. As they emerge from the black forests of Kalam, the villages of Ashu and Mittaltan are covered in snow.

Here there is a bit of a walk in the market of the town. Tourists smiling at the sight of tourists going to Swati Lake roasting their hands around a big bonfire. Water is poured into the jeeps at the place of Paluga.

It is a difficult and rocky path. If the jeep stops somewhere, groups of children surround it. They also sing songs to ask for money “Tum Chale Aao Paharan Ki Qasam”, is their favorite song. Lake Mahodand appears as a white fairy.

Pieces of ice can be seen floating in the distant water. As soon as you get out of the jeep, your knees sink into the snow. Better to come prepared here.

In addition to warm clothes, gloves, mufflers must be worn. Camping can also be done here. The night passes in a huff. But in the light of day, the area wakes up in form of a magic night. The most beautiful weather is the wind whistling in snow-covered forests, seeing the frozen waterfalls and taking hundreds of pictures.

On the edge of the forest, the hospitable Kohistanis here welcome the tourists in comfort of tea house. They extend a plate of Pakoras and says 'Don't Panic'. Sir, the real danger is from humans to humans. There are certainly wild beasts here, but they do no harm.

Similarly, on the way back from Swat, one can easily go to the valleys of Kumrat and Chitral by passing through Dir. Thanks to the motorway, the business life here is lively.

Kailash can also be reached through the Lowari Top tunnel. The New Year festival can also be seen here in last week of December, as if we have reached ancient times.

Gilgit Hunza – A Long Journey

It takes a long time to see snowfall in Hunza and other northern regions. Due to closure of Babu Sir Top, the traffic on Karakoram Highway increases. It takes eighteen to twenty hours from Abbottabad to Thakot, Dasu, Kamila, Patan, and Chilas to Gilgit.

From Gilgit, Hunza is reached in another three hours. Walking in the stony streets of Hunza is a unique pleasure. The children here will welcome the elderly, in English. Old women wearing colorful hats laugh at the tourists. Those who reach here are brave enough to travel not only to Hunza but also to Sakardu, Shagar, Nawam, and Khunjerab.

Ziarat – A Beautiful Dream

In the snowy regions of Baluchistan, the most famous station is Ziarat at Khan Hanarzai, Zhob, Muslim Bagh, the last residence of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

By the way, this place is named after a senior Kharwari Baba. It is surrounded by forest trails, quiet rest houses and forests. The fragrance from the cypress trees intensifies on snowy days.

Here transparent springs and humming winds beckon tourists. People coming from different cities of the country are prone to rumors and fears about Baluchistan, but when they reach here and see the hospitality of local people, all the fears disappear.

Please share your experience with us in Comments box, if you visited any of the most beautiful places mentioned above.