EXPLORING PAKISTAN
Situated on the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia, Pakistan is a beautiful country with a unique history and cultural heritage.Pakistan was the site for one of the world’s earliest human settlements: the great prehistoric Indus Valley Civilization.
The land of Pakistan ranges from lofty mountains in the north, the Karakorams and the Himalayas, through dissected plateaus to the rich alluvial plains of the Punjab. Then follows the desolate barrenness of Baluchistan and the hot, dry deserts of Sindh blending into miles and miles of golden beaches of Makran coast.
Pakistan: A Tourist’s Paradise
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Pakistan’s main attractions include adventure tourism in the Northern Areas,cultural and archaeological tourism as found in Taxila, Moenjodaro, Harrappa, and early Muslim and Mughal heritage at Multan, Lahore, Thatta, Peshawar and Swat.
PROVINCES OF PAKISTAN
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan is a Federal Capital Area and the country has four Provinces as under :
1) Punjab
2) Sindh
3) NWFP
4) Balochistan
MOUNTAINEERING IN PAKISTAN
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Northern Pakistan has the greatest concentration of the highest peaks in the world. It has 5 peaks over 8,000 metres including the world’s second highest, K-2 (Chogori, 8611 m), 29 peaks of over 7,500 metres and 121 of over 7,000 metres. Hundreds of peaks have yet to be climbed. This,is a great challenge for mountaineers and mountain climbers the world over.
All peaks/routes for mountaineering have been designated as open zones or restricted zones.
| S.No | Peak | Height (m) | International. Ranking | Range |
| 1 | K-2 | 8611 | 2 | Karakoram |
| 2 | Nanga Parbat | 8125 | 9 | Karakoram |
| 3 | Gasherbrun I | 8068 | 11 | Karakoram |
| 4 | Broad Peak | 8047 | 12 | Karakoram |
| 5 | Gasherbrum II | 8035 | 14 | Karakoram |
| 6 | Gasherbrum III | 7952 | 15 | Karakoram |
| 7 | Gasherbrum IV | 7885 | 20 | Karakoram |
| 8 | Distaghil Sar | 7885 | 20 | Karakoram |
| 9 | Kunyang Chhish | 7852 | 22 | Karakoram |
| 10 | Masherbrum NE | 7821 | 24 | Karakoram |
| 11 | Rakaposhi | 7788 | 27 | Karakoram |
| 12 | Batura | 7785 | 25 | Karakoram |
| 13 | Kanjut Sar | 7760 | 29 | Karakoram |
| 14 | Saltro Kagri | 7760 | 29 | Karakoram |
| 15 | Trivor | 7720 | 6 | Karakoram |
| 16 | Tirichmir | 7708 | 41 | Karakoram |
| 17 | Chogolisa | 7654 | 46 | Karakoram |
| 18 | Shispare | 7619 | 49 | Karakoram |
| 19 | Skyang Kangri | 7544 | 58 | Karakoram |
| 20 | Pamuri Chhish | 7492 | 67 | Karakoram |
| 21 | Noshaq | 7492 | 68 | Karakoram |
| 22 | Tirichmir NW | 7487 | 69 | Karakoram |
| 23 | K-12 | 7468 | 73 | Karakoram |
| 24 | Teram Kangri | 7468 | 73 | Karakoram |
| 25 | Malubiting W | 7452 | 76 | Karakoram |
| 26 | Sia Kingri | 7422 | 79 | Karakoram |
| 27 | Skilbrum | 7420 | 80 | Karakoram |
| 28 | Teram Kangri II | 7406 | 84 | Karakoram |
| 29 | Haramosh | 7406 | 84 | Karakoram |
| 30 | Istro-o-nal | 7403 | 85 | Karakoram |
| 31 | Mt Ghent 7400 | 7400 | 86 | Karakoram |
| 32 | Yukshin Gardan | 7400 | 87 | Karakoram |
| 33 | Ultar Sar I & II | 7388 | 88 | Karakoram |
Trekking in Pakistan
Pakistan is a paradise for trekkers. Most of the trekking routes are in the northern mountains of Hindukush, the Karakorams and the Himalayas. For most of the treks, trekking season is between May to October.The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, has defined trekking as walking below 6000 m. It has designated three zones for trekking; open, restricted and closed.
What to buy
Pakistan is a treasure house of exquisite handicrafts, made by people who grew up weaving, creating pottery, working with metals wood and stone, decorating and building things small and great. Pottery in Pakistan is a living history, a traditional craft that became an art, with its origins going back to 3,000 years B.C. Today, each region of Pakistan claims its own special jars and jugs, from sturdy terracotta to paper-thin ceramics. For those keen on shopping, the prices are reasonable. You will find yourself returning home with hand-woven carpets, copper and brass items, woodwork, embroidered “Kurtas” (shirts) and “Khussas”(shoes) and countless objects d’art.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS
| ABBOTTABAD | Club Annexe, Jinnah Road.Tel: 0992-334399 |
| BAHAWALPUR | PTDC Motel, Club Road, Near DC Office.Tel: 0621-82835 Fax: 0621-85362 |
| GILGIT | PTDC Motel Chinaar Inn, .Tel: 0572-4262 |
| ISLAMABAD | Agha Khan Road, Markaz F-6 (Super Market).Tel: 051-9202766, 9212760 Fax: 051-920402 |
| ISLAMABAD AIRPORT | Opposite International Arrival Lounge, Islamabad International Airport. Tel: 051-9280563 |
| KARACHI | Shafi Chambers, Club Road, Saddar. Tel: 021-9202971 Fax: 021-9206376 |
| KARACHI AIRPORT | International Arrival Lounge, Quaid-e-Azam International Airport. |
| LAHORE | Room No.3, Faletti’s Hotel, Egerton Road. Tel: 042-6363946 Ext.TIC, 6306528 Fax: 042-6364819 |
| LAHORE AIRPORT | Opposite International Arrival Lounge, Lahore International Airport. Tel: 042-92200231 |
| MOENJODARO | PTDC Motel. Tel: 0741-459266 Fax: 07443-493 |
| MULTAN | Hotel Sindbad, Nishtar Chowk, Bahawalpur Road. Tel: 061-512640 |
| PESHAWAR | Benevolent Fund Building, Saddar Road.Tel & Fax: 091-286829 |
| QUETTA | Muslim Hotel, Jinnah Road. Tel: (081) 825826 |
| RAWALPINDI | Room No.7, Flashman’s Hotel, The Mall.Tel: 051-514672, 581480 Ext.7 |
| SAIDU SHARIF | PTDC Motel, Opposite Serena Hotel.Tel: 0936-711205 Fax: 0936-713776 |
| SKARDU | K-2 Motel. Tel: 0575-2946 Fax: 0575-3322 |
| SOST | (1st May to 15th November)PTDC Motel, Pak-China Border. |
| TAFTAN | PTDC Motel/Reception Unit, Pak-Iran Border. Tel: 0886-510302, 510248 |
| THATTA | PTDC Hospitality Complex. |
| TAXILA | PTDC Motel, Opposite Taxila Museum, Museum Road. Tel: 0596-2344, 534890 |
| WAGHA | PTDC Motel/Reception Unit, Indo-Pak Border. |