Trip to Toli Pir

Toli Pir is located in Azad Kashmir, Tehsil Poonch, District Rawalakot. It’s a hill top area with height of approximately 8800 ft above sea level. Its only 20 minutes’ drive from the district Rawalakot and the Poonch river can be seen from this location. It is the highest mountain located in vicinity of Rawlaakot. 
This trip was planned by our finance teacher of Comsats. We gather at 7 o clock in morning at parking area of Comsats University. Coaster was hired for group of 30 people. Bus was departed at 8 o clock with all the class mates.

It took almost 3 hours 20 minutes to reach the District Rawalakot as we adopted the route from GT road towards Kahuta. Road is congested and narrow because of single road for two way traffic, secondly there were many blind curves that requires to be cautious while driving. If you have no experience of driving in hilly areas, it is strongly recommended to hire experienced driver and enjoy your tour.

Though road conditions are not good but scenic beauty of Pines tree make your trip amazing. All over the route you would see greenery, small huts and not to forget the height area view. Till Rawalakot there is not even a single reasonable place where one can stop for the refreshment, so it is recommended to take your meal along with you for enjoying the picnic as well.

We stopped at Dhabba in main city of Rawalakot for refreshment. Weather was bit cold even in month of May. So we ordered chicken karahi along with chowpati for whole class. Food was delicious and everybody enjoyed it. After  having food from Dhabba, bus was departed towards Toli Pir. It took us almost 20 minutes to reach the parking area of Toli Pir.

People say that if there is any heaven on earth then it is Kashmir, Toli Pir proved it right. It’s a 15 min walk from the parking area to the top of Toli Pir hill and literally you can feel the clouds here. It’s the place of peace where you can get out of your anxiety and depression and the view let you think, how beautiful God has created nature. It is one of the most beautiful discovery of my life in which nature was seen from very close.

Tourism May Proves to be a Helping Hand Towards Pakistan’s Falling Economy

Pakistan has everything from the world highest mountains to deepest rivers and sea, weathers from summer to winters, spring to autumn, from deserts to beaches, from snow to valley, Pakistan has every possible thing that is essential, and the things tourists are looking for. The only thing that Pakistan is lacking in this industry is maintenance of tourist’s attractions and proper decor needed. But new government has did many things in recent months to boost tourism in Pakistan like it is discussed in previous blogs that the visa policy for tourists is changed and tourists can get it easily and also on the spot visa can also be provided and many facilities like Helicopter service will be provided to tourists from hotel to destination and back. The thing to boost tourism to that extent that it can improve the Pakistan economy is the proper marketing channel that is the need of the time to improve the Pakistan image and make the tourists and the foreigners realize that there are many beautiful places to explore.

As of statistics given on Emerging Pakistan Tourism contributed 2.7% of GDP and it is expected to grow double in the upcoming years. To increase the tourism in Pakistan media can play a vital role by publishing the interviews of foreigner’s visitors and by showing the hospitality of Pakistani people. And by engaging the foreigner’s bloggers and you-tubers with them to show case the true positive image of Pakistan. More the tourism activities in Pakistan more the economy moves towards stability.

Memorable Journey Towards the Heart of Mountains

Shogran is the Pakistan’s most beautiful hill station, situated in a green plateau in the Kaghan Valley northern Pakistan at a height of 2,362 metres (7,749ft) above sea level.

Shogran is located at 34 kilometres away from Balakot. I went there with my family, cousins and relatives on 8th September 2018. The transport we prefer was Toyota Hiace. We went straight from Islamabad to Abbottabad, Usmania resturant. We all had lunch over there. Food was delicious. Then after eating, we started our journey towards Shogran. The road from Islamabad to Abbottabad is good, but the road that takes you to the Shogran hills is not constructed well. The road from kawai to Shogran was okay at that time but not due to poor maintenance is not so good. We went from Kawai to Shogran in 30 mins. It is a beautiful place where the air is so fresh, the mountains are so close and seemed ready to welcome us. The must visit place in shogran is Forest Rest House. It has a big grassy lawn, with an outstanding view. Me and my relatives, we all sat there on the fresh green grass and enjoyed our snacks. All the uncles and boys played bat ball on the garden, while the women and the girls were enjoying their badminton racket match. There are some markets on the hill which provides you tea, coffee, chips and some of the shops has traditional things like cloths, bags, shawls etc. Hotels and motels are available on a very affordable price. One of the best hotels to stay were Arcadian Spruce woods, Pine Park Shogran, Cedarwood. We stayed for a night in my friend’s hotel over there. It has nice and big bedrooms. His farm was well maintained and clean. There was a lot of beautiful birds, ducks in the farm. We did bbq at night, and then we had some soup. The stars seem so close at night, the sky looks like it has diamonds in it. The wind was so cold at night that we did a bonfire on a side and enjoyed gossips. Mobile phone service is also available there.

The next morning, we woke up to a beautiful view, nice and shinny day. We did our breakfast. We enjoyed a lot while drinking tea with such an amazing weather. After breakfast we had to go back, as we went there for a day, but we all were sad to leave such a nice place where anyone can live for there whole life. We took a lot of photos in the morning for memories. And then we started our journey again back to Islamabad.

Trail 5 Margalla Hills

Trail 5 Margalla Hills

One of the most popular and best tracks is located at F-5 Margalla Road Islamabad. This track is almost 3.8 km long, divided into three routes. First route of 1.8 km is simple and straight to hick as there is no steep path and route is clear from rocks, this route leads to the spring where hikers can fill their bottles with cold water stream.

There is steep route as well also known as “trail 5 dangerous”. So, it gives a good combination of tough and relax time. “Trail 5 dangerous” has steep slippery path and it is highly not recommended for beginners to use and as well as not to return from this track especially. 

My journey to trail 5 started with group of my Comsian fellows. We were 15 people, bunked the International Relation class and gather at trail 5 for getting out of monotonous routine. We started our hiking session at 0900 PST in crew form.  All mates were wearing joggers, highly motivated as they were mentally ready for 3 hours continuous hike session.

Initially route was like piece of cake, everybody passed it easily. After 1.5 hours of hick we decided to take break for 30 minutes near water spring as everybody were exhausted. So, we filled our bottles here and opened our lunch boxes for restoring the drained energy.  After the break, again hiking session begins.  Our group was divided into 2 directions, one towards normal track and other towards dangerous track. I opted towards dangerous track as it was shortcut for reaching near Pir Sohawa road. It was in short million-dollar view from the curve of the steep mountain, where one can observe the nature closely. 

There were monkeys spotted at track, it is highly recommended to hold stick or teaser to avoid any sort of unfortunate accident. Though chances are very less, but still accident can be happened anytime and after all it’s a wild animal. (P.S The boy climbing at tree is Sedrick J Nicholson who was our CR at that time.)

The moment we reached Pir Sohawa Road was not less than “EID” for us, after 4 hours of hick we were able to reach this place. At the point everybody was just like, now no more steps! So, we decided to hire careem/uber. Unfortunately, our 3g was not working at that point so we decided for plan B. Plan B was to find some lift! 15 people were fitted in 3 vehicles successfully and were dropped at “Monal Resturant”.

At Monal, the moment we sit for lunch each and every person consumed almost one liter of water. After 15 minutes order was placed in which we ordered chicken karahi, malai boti, chappati, lasagnia, pizza and sandwiches.  Gossip session started till the arrival of our food! The level of hunger was at its peak and my fellows were like “Kab Ayay Ga Order”. Finally, after 30 mins order was placed and yes it was amazing.

After having food from Monal, we departed from Monal by hiring a single cabinet. All fellows were settled in back of Cabin. It was really an amazing trip and a day well spent with best people of that time. I didn’t remember what I ve studied in my IR Class but i do remember this day, and it is one of the golden day of my life.

Trip to Khunjarab Border (Part 1) The Rebellious Start.

Well we have Daniyal, Haris, Ijlal and me (Ahmed) were planning about this trip form few months. We were filling our parents ear about our trip and we were saving money for that trip from few months. It was Thursday, ‎September ‎17, ‎2015 before to decide the date to go on a life experiencing trip full of adventures and see the nature of our beautiful Pakistan on our all alone. One day before leaving we gather all the necessary stuff which was going to be used on our trip and pack our bags on that night. 

The Rebellious Start. 

Next day Haris picked Dani and ijlal with all their things in the car trunk which was almost full came to my house. We decided that we will park Haris car in our garage and we will take my car instead of Haris because ground clearance matters a lot when you are going to mountain areas. Haris car had low ground clearance that’s why they choose my car. For further safety I already lifted my car by installing aluminum gaps of 3 inch on upper portion of my car shocks. 

My parents didn’t know about it and I was afraid that they may refuse me to go. Dani opened the gate of my house, and we start pushing the car to get out of garage towards the road. We didn’t started the car because my parents were sleeping and I don’t want them to know that we are going on my car. 

It was after midnight around 2 am we started our journey. Our first stop was Naran, and we want to reach there before afternoon. We have everything, so we decided to take a break near Kaghan and make our breakfast. We stopped beside the Kunhar River and bring our related stuff like stove, eggs, kettle, and bread for the breakfast. Haris was the chef he started making omelet, Ijlal, Dani and me we were washing utensils in the river, so we can have our breakfast, appears to be easy but that icy water was not so pleasant to our hands.

Exceptional day Trip to Khanpur Dam

Khanpur dam is located on the Haro River near Potowar Plateau in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. About 40 km drive from the capital city Islamabad. The dam supplies drinking water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It is 167 feet (51 m) high and has a water storing capacity of 110,000 acre feet.

I went there with my college group. It was my first visit over there. Then i started visiting that place again and again with my family, friends and cousins because it is a very beautiful, peaceful, mind refreshing place, including a lot of water sports.

I and my friends did cliff diving there.  We went to a cliff in a boat that charged around Rs1500. We were provided with life jackets in the boat. I was the first one, who jumped off the cliff. Some of my friends where scared, but it is worth trying. When i jumped off the cliff, i feel the cool wind blowing all over my body, and in two seconds I was in the water but that two seconds seems like if the time was stopped for me. We were wearing life jackets, that makes you came on top of the water quickly as u dive in deep. Life jackets help swim easily and we did this again and again, we jumped and then climb back to the cliff for another jump. I did this four to five times, and every time i did, it was fun. Then we went for a boat ride. It took around 40 min of boating to cover the whole lake. The feeling while sitting on the boat was quite fun because the boat was fully decorated with lights and flowers, we sang a lot of songs while being on the boat. The sunset and view of lake was breath taking from the boat, as we get more close to the water and mountains. We touched the cold water while sitting on the boat.

A trip to Khanpur dam must be on your book-list, if you haven't done it yet, then what are you waiting for? Get a group of friends and family together and be prepared for a memorable trip.

Helicopter Service can be a milestone to boost Tourism in Pakistan

PTI Government is doing lots of efforts to boost and revive tourism in Pakistan. Now Pakistan is going toward stability, the current Prime Minister is doing a great job in improving the image of the country to foreigners to explore the beauty of Pakistan. This will be a great deal to improve our revenue by advertising the good image of the country.

Prime Minister created the tourism task force for the revival of tourism and he said that Pakistan has many hidden beauties and open doors for the tourists and said that they will also focus on eco and religious tourism. He launched the portal, where tourists can send their documents and details so to get Pakistan’s visa in 7 to 1o days. The previous policies were not such flexible but now the old mind set is changing.

Recently, on Thursday 14th March 2019 Prime Minister launched the e-visa service for 175 countries which is a very good step to boost tourism, this will prevent tourists who are willing to visit Pakistan form much hassle.

The second biggest initiative that Prime Minister is going to take is the launch of Helicopter service in northern areas of Pakistan with low fares in comparison to flights, it will help tourists to spend lots of time in exploring beauties than in journey. This service will be available in:

• Chitral
• Swat
• Malakand
• Bunir
• Kalam
• Upper Dir
• Osho
• Kolkot
• Lower Dir
• Gilgit-Baltistan

The final discussion about the launch of this service is on Tuesday 19 March 2019. License will be given to the firms willing to provide services to tourists from resorts and license will be valid for 5 years.

MONAL

Monal Resturant is located at Margalla Hills over the plains of Peshawar and Lahore. It is situated at height of about 1173 Meters above sea level. The resort depicts modernity with touch of pastrol idyll. The Monal Resturant, fame of Pir Suhawa , gives a impressive  view of Islamabad in day as well as night. It is a popular place among the citizens of Islamabad, as well as the foreign visitors and tourists. It is a destination point for a hiking trip from the bottom of Margalla Hills climbing almost vertically straight up from the village of Saidpur, Islamabad. The sight is an ideal place for enjoying picnics in forest while listening to singing birds and watching wildlife. After rains of monsoon forest in the hills of Pir Sohawa turns green. Pir Sohawa proves for a good alternative of Murree to the residents of Islamabad and that too only at a distance of a 20 to thirty minutes beautiful drive Open onto the adjacent valley and its hamlet, providing a spectacular aerial view of Saidpur Village and the expanse Islamabad. The decor of each of these terraces is a unique theme, and together they provide an environment that can cater to every need and mood of a varied clientele. There is a general terrace; terrace for families; and a balcony for those in search of solitude and security. The dining hall has also been specially designed with a complete glass wall to provide a full view of The Monal’s splendid natural setting. Specilly monal restaurant food is very delicious. At The Monal you will also have an opportunity to shop for souvenirs and traditional jewelry and handicrafts. An array of traditional shopping carts lines the main entrance, offering trinkets and treasure straight out of Ali Baba’s magical cave. In addition to its culinary delights, The Monal offers food for the soul with live music ever evening. Special musical evenings are also arranged on festive occasions. That “Ghazal Nights” could be a memorable experience for the start.

Kalash Valley and Chitral

The Kalash individuals are Pakistan's smallest religious individuals and, consistently, they hold a progression of inconceivably bright celebrations. From Gilgit, it is conceivable to get a 14 hour Natco transport, crossing the dazzling Shandur Pass, to Mastuj. From Mastuj, you should then take a four hour jeep to Chitral where you can visit the Kalash Valleys and remain with Engineer Khan at the Kalash Guesthouse. The Kalash individuals hold a large number of their conventional convictions and a visit to the valleys is a special chance to see this little network, said to be plunged from the armed forces of Alexander the Great. On the off chance that you need to visit the Bumbaret and Kalash Valleys, you should initially enlist at the Foreigner Reigstration Office in Chitral Police Station. In Bumbaret, Kalash Continental Guesthouse comes prescribed as a spot to remain. It is presently conceivable to get to Chitral from Swat by jeep or from Gilgit by means of NATCO transport.
The transport ride to Chitral from Gilgit is around 14 hours (grand ride). The transport isn't GOING TO CHITRAL OR EVEN MAJUD! In Gilgit you purchase a ticket for Majud, yet they will record a little town 25km before Majud as the last goal. It's written in Urdu so it's not reasonable for generally outsiders. They won't clarify this… my host in Gilgit purchased the ticket for me and revealed to me the transport will ride to Majud as this is the thing that he was told by the transport organization. A couple of kilometers before Majud there are two avalanches which are not crossable for the NATCO-transport. So the transport will simply stop at the last police checkpoint before Majud and that is it. At that point the diversion begins… the police won't let you through thus there are two choices accessible: Either hanging tight for an "uncommon vehicle" originating from Majud or remaining medium-term at the Guesthouse which is directly beside the checkpoint…A large portion of the general population in the transport chose to begin strolling since one of the cops said it's about a hour stroll till we are on the opposite side of the avalanche. There would be vehicles sitting tight for us on the opposite side, we were told. Following three and a half hours strolling (completely prepared) in obscurity we at long last crossed two avalanches and the police lifted me up from that point to escort me to an inn. These two are unquestionably not crossable for any vehicles right now!I touched base at the TPDC motel in Mastuj and could remain for nothing (at the telephone the proprietor offered me a space for 2150, I declined and inquired as to whether he can offer me a spot to camp). I think he just offered to remain for nothing since he realized that my transport to Chitral is leaving at 5am. From Majud jeeps (150 Rs) are not going directly to Chitral, they're going to Booni where you need to change to a van (130 Rs) going to Chitral.Before leaving Gilgit, buy enough water for at least one and a half days.. I neglected to purchase water the day preceding I left from Gilgit and this was a major slip-up. There's no shop in Gilgit which is open at 6am. There's solitary one stop in transit where you can purchase something. Utilize this! On the off chance that you don't have water at Shandur Pass you will feel the elevation. Shandur pass has "dozing offices". There are two tent inns en route. Try not to anticipate anything unique. Sit on the left half of the transport, you'll see a greater amount of the delightful landscape in transit. Al Farooq lodging offers incredible single spaces for 600 Rps per night – WiFi is the best I had in Pakistan up until this point.

Best Spots in Islamabad the Tourists should be Aware of

It is the most beautiful city of Pakistan. The tourists come every year from all around the world to visit Islamabad and there are many people coming from different cities of Pakistan to visit Islamabad.

Tourists came for a tour of week or less. So, they only cover that spots that are very much popular and famous all around the world and they didn’t see the beauty beyond that place. One of the most famous places in Islamabad is ”Faisal Mosque”, there are thousands of tourists visiting it every month, but they don’t know about the tracks for hikers near Faisal Mosque like the “Trail 3”,”Trail 5” and “Trail 6”, they all are under 30-minute drive from Faisal Mosque and a fun spot for hikers and adventurous people.

The other spot was very well known for Islo (people living in Islamabad) people known as “Rose and Jasmine Garden” which is now shadowed by the “Pakistan Monument”. Tourists are very rarely pay visit to Rose and Jasmine Garden, but they must visit Pakistan Monument, as Islamabad Citizen I suggest people to visit Rose and Jasmine Garden in Spring and you will not find different beautiful flowers in one place in Pakistan and that view is just refreshing.

There are also many places that many people living in Islamabad are also not aware of “Neela Sand” is a best picnic spot having a waterfall near Nilore. “Railway Heritage Museum” present in Golra it gives a unique look of Victorian Style Railway Station that was established in 1882 and is a connecting point between Peshawar, Kohat and Havalian. “Pharwala Fort” many people are even not familiar with the name it is just 40 miles away from Islamabad at Kalar Syadan. It is the capital of Gakhar State and it was conquered by Babar.

It doesn’t cover all the tourist’s spots in Islamabad but closely cover all the lesser known places to the tourists that are new in Islamabad and those who are coming from outside of the country or city.

Friends Visiting The Jewles Of Pakistan

How It Started: 

It’s my first blog after visiting numerous places of Pakistan, i consider it’s time to communicate people around the world what's the feeling of getting ever lasting memories. It is well said by Ibn Battuta that “Travelling, it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” The taste of hospitality, the taste of pondering new way of doing things, the taste of adventures, and the taste of experience you will remember for lifetime. There is so much in my mind to tell, thinking where to start, let me say it’s in my blood. My grandfather was very fond of travelling within Punjab and KPK provinces of Pakistan. He lived in Lahore and visited Muree for minimum hundred times. I remember when he was old around eighty years, and all the family use to halt them from taking tours, he use to go on local buses without telling anybody.

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First One Day Trip to Nathiagali
‎August ‎04, ‎2010

Let me ask you, can you travel alone? Well i don’t enjoy travelling without friends even if it’s for 10 km drive. I was lucky to have a bunch of crazy friends in my college life. Finding that rebel minds in Islamabad is quiet a blessing. I remember our first trip was from Islamabad to Nathiagali. As I belong to a brown family, and issue remains that we are never easy to get approvals. At other hand we teenagers had some wicked solutions for that, so we told our families that it was a college trip but we went to Nathiagali with a picnic basket on a local transport and stayed there for a night all on our own. I had visited places within Islamabad many times with friends, but Nathiagali was a starter that led us to visit ninety percent of popular destination in Pakistan.

Travelling in Pakistan is a truly matchless experience. It can be frustrating, informative, life changing and much more. Pakistan is the best backpacking destination, if you are admirer of real adventure. Pakistani people are most hospitable, loving, kind and welcoming, especially if you are a foreigner.
With my crazy crew of friends I travelled from Islamabad towards places that are the borderlines of Pakistan like, China boarder, Wagha boarder Lahore, Karachi Sea and to the future of Pakistan Gawadar Port. I’ll be uploading soon how we travelled all these places in the minimum budget we can. I’ll be sharing stories that totally change my Life and I’m sure if you travel yourself you will experience the warmth of my adventures in Pakistan.