Pakistan is so much more than what media portrays it to be. Just like any other beautiful country on earth, Pakistan also has some wonderful and captivating places worth visiting. And tourists from all over the world are attracted by the scenic beauty of these places and the kindness and hospitality of its people. From tall mountains to crystal clear blue lakes, Pakistan no doubt is the land of majestic beauty. Below mentioned are some of the most beautiful and worth visiting valleys of Pakistan.
10. Shigar Valley
Situated in Gilgit Baltistan, the Shigar valley is most beautiful place in Pakistan. This place is quite unique and different in a very delightful way from the other valleys mentioned here. It holds the site of a pleasant and cold desert known as the Sarfaranga desert. There are many trekking routes in Shigar, the most famous one is Baltoro; Which is the trekking route to the 2nd highest mountain of the world, K-2. The tour starts from the Shigar bridge. After crossing the bridge with 20 minutes drive you reach the majestic cold desert of Shigar valley.
The shigar viewpoint is a spot from where you get to see almost the entire valley of shigar. Another worth admiring site in shigar is the blind lake shigar also known as Jazbazoo. The water of this lake is fresh and pristine. In addition, it gives a charming and enchanting view to the eyes.
9. Jhelum Valley
Another captivating valley of Pakistan attracting many local and international tourists. The Jhelum river passes across the valley of Jhelum and ends at the river of the Neelum Valley. Jhelum valley has so much to offer to the tourists. The place is full of spectacular charms of nature. The beauty attracts many tourists to the valley which also helps Pakistan economically. The tourists report the time spend in Jhelum valley as the most cherishable time of their lives. Among the many fascinating tourist spots in Jhelum, Chamm is one of the most visited tourist spots. In addition, the valley has a beautiful waterfall which gives freshness to the environment.
There are many villages in this valley, however, Leepa village steals the most attention because of its lush green meadows. Then there is Chikar, which is another tourist spot and has a pleasant climate.
8. Chitral Valley
Other than Kalash, Chitral district owns another valley holding a cultural heritage and exquisite beauty, known as the Chitral Valley. Not only beautiful but Chitral also holds a historical significance for the people of Pakistan that’s why it is also given the title of “the Pearl of Pakistan’s North”. The people here are so welcoming and allow a stay with them in their houses and share their food with the tourists. Being a historically valuable place, Chitral museum has been created to display the old weapons and antiques. Polo is mostly played by the Chitralis which is why a polo ground is present in the city.
Green meadows, snow-clad mountains, streaming rivers, and variety of flora is present in Chitral valley which means there are several spots for the tourists to camp, hike and go fishing. Hotels and guest houses are also available here for the tourists.
7. Bagrot Valley
The majestic Karakoram range of Gilgit Baltistan hides another ravishing valley of Pakistan, the Bagrot valley. The distance between the Gilgit city and Bagrot valley is of almost half an hour. The valley is known for the fruits and vegetables it supplies. Bagrot is visited by the tourists mostly in summer because the temperature is much pleasant at that time of the year.
Ice glaciers from the Karakoram are also supplied by the Bagrot valley’s villages. River Bagrote provides irrigation for the fields in bagrote by running through the whole valley which makes agriculture the main source of the economy here. Hotels and guest houses are available for tourist stay.
6. Naran & Kaghan Valleys
240 Kilometres from the capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad lies the breathtaking Naran & Kaghan Valleys in the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Tourists come to visit Naran & Kaghan valleys during the hot summer season to avoid the hot sun. During the vacation, they take the root of Naran & Kaghan. There are a lot of tourist activities here, such as hiking, camping, site seeing and fishing, the place is full of excitement and adventures for the travelers. Beautiful flora and fauna can be seen here on high mountains full of lush green meadows.
The Kaghan valley starts from Balakot, a town in Mansehra District. Balakot is located on the surface of lofty mountains. The river Kunhar is also present on the other side of the town. Halfway through the Kaghan valley, you will reach the middle point of it which is known as the Naran Valley. This place is so peaceful and calm with a fresh and newly washed up environment that it won’t be wrong to call it a small heaven on earth.
Lake Saif-ul-Maluk of Kaghan valley is famous for its beauty and fairy tales that are told by the locals. Apart from that, there are several other tourist spots that will leave a deep impression on your memory. Such as Shogran, Sharan, the manor valley and don’t miss the Babbusar top, that will give a picturesque view of the majestic Kaghan valley.
5. Kalash Valley
In the Chitral district of province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lies another valley not only comprising beautiful landscape and charming greenery but also home to beautiful and blue-eyed people. This place is known as “the Kalash or Kalasha Valley”. The sound of music is heard in the streets of Kalash all day long with people in cultural dresses dancing around to the sound of beating drums. There are several historic monumental sites and dancing halls in the villages of Kalash.
Kalash valley is famous for the rich culture of its people. Their cultural festivals and hospitality attract many tourists. There is a plenty of appreciable flora and fauna in Kalash. Travelers usually prefer the native fruits, vegetables, and nuts over plastic snacks.
Other than that there are several famous lakes in Kalash valley which are the reason for its fresh and cold environment. Bahuk the Sacred Lake is situated between the small valleys ofRumboor and Bumburet. Lake Awazak, which is surrounded by lush green flora. Many grazing animals are attracted by the fresh grass around the lake. Lake Shawal is another lake in Kalash valley with cold and fresh water and is surrounding by mountains. Herds are also brought to this lake for grazing. A visit to Kalash valley becomes the most memorable tour for the tourists only because of its charming people.
4. Swat Valley
The title given to this valley is enough to describe its captivating and breathtaking beauty. Swat valley is also known as the “Switzerland of East”. The striking scenic beauty of this place is because of the mesmerizing waterfalls, the roaring rivers, snow clad mountains and magnificent flora and fauna found in the Swat valley.
The people of Swat are known for the friendly and hospitable environment they provide to their visitors. The market town in the twin city of swat “Mingora” is quite large and old and sells traditional items.
The whole valley of swat holds an exquisite and charming beauty but some of the tourist spots most visited by the travellers are Malam Jabba, a hill station and an alpine destination for skiing, Daral lake, a picturesque site for hiking, shahi baagh, an enchanting grassland with lush green flora, Sair village, home to friendliest people ever! And much more worth seeing places. Swat valley is full of delightful hill stations, wonderful camping sites and views you will never forget.
3. Hunza Valley
The old valley of Hunza was once a princely state with the town of Baltit as its capital, sharing a border with China on the north-east side and a border with Pamir on the north-west side. Hunza has a long history of peace and harmony which makes it a great source of tourist attraction. People of Hunza are well known for their hospitable and friendly nature.
The first pleasant site to see when you enter Hunza valley is Rakaposhi viewpoint from where the great snow-clad mountain known as Rakaposhi is seen. The tourists are overwhelmed by the fresh breeze that runs through the snowy mountains and enchanting trees.
Secondly, Karimabad – the current capital of Hunza, widely known for its diverse variety of culture. Altit Fort is another site worth seeing in Hunza valley. A pleasant and delightful apricot orchard and a garden of cherries welcome the tourists at the gate of Altit Fort. This fort gives a clear image of the marvelous architectural skills of the ancient world of Hunza.
The snowy “Eagle nest Hunza” is the name given to the highest mountain of Hunza which gives an overview of the valley. A tour to Hunza is incomplete without meeting the kind-hearted and lively people of the Gojal village. They are well-known for there spellbinding and captivating voices and they have a majestic skill over playing instruments.
2. Kumrat Valley
Located in the Upper Dir district of KPK. The enchanting valley of “Kumrat”, a tourist site and home to a variety of flora and fauna. Markhor, monkeys, snow leopards, porcupines, and jackals are found in Kumrat valley. This place is a reflection of heaven on earth. The climate of Kumrat is extremely welcoming for the tourists in summer with a pleasant temperature of around 20C, however, in winters the temperature drops to -4 to -10.
Kumrat valley attracts many tourists, people from all over Pakistan visit this valley to get an escape from the hot weather. Kumrat valley is adored by the travellers for its evergreen and lavish environment. Other than the lush green lands, Kumrat valley has splendid snowy mountains which get covered by 3 to 10 feet of snow giving a frosty touch to its environment. The surging river panjkora of Kumrat gives a mesmerizing view to the eyes.
There are not many hotels and restaurants in Kumrat, however, majority of the area is present there for camping, bonfire, and fishing. The clean and fresh environment and calm weather of Kumrat is the main reason why it is loved and cherished by the tourists.
1. Neelum Valley
In the northeast of Azad Kashmir lies another beautiful valley of Pakistan known as the “Neelum Valley”. This place is a real life fairyland. The cold chilly weather adds to its pleasant environment. The streaming river of Neelum attracts the tourists. There are several small restaurants on the side of the Neelum river. Travelers sit there with a hot cup of tea in hand and enjoy the soothing scenery with sweet and calm noise of the flowing water.
Neelum valley has always been a source of attraction for the tourists. Every year in summer, people come to visit this enchanting place of streams, waterfalls and remarkable flora and fauna. Keran, Jagran, Sharda, Kel, Taoubat are some of the charming sites to see. Likewise you can enjoy snowfall all across the valley in winter.
A site to see, a place to remember and a lake worth appreciating, “Ratti Gali” is full of red beautiful flowers and green fields. A jeep track, camping, and bonfire are available at the Ratti Gali resort. It is situated at the height of about 12000 feet of Neelum valley. There is a village near by, which is known as Dowarian, that’s why Ratti Gali lake is also known as the Dowarian lake. There are several other jaw-dropping sites at the Neelum valley that deserve recognition through the eyes of the nature lovers.
