Traveling to Pakistan? Here is what you should know.

Pakistan has a lot to offer to tourists- no ifs, and, or buts about it. That said, picturesque sceneries, lush green forests, snow-capped mountain peaks, super delicious cuisines, easy on the eye valleys, warm-hearted people, rich culture, historical buildings and much more. If I am being brutally honest, this country has got everything to cater to the needs of any tourist belonging to this world.
If Pakistan is on your bucket list as a peripatetic then you are going to hang your hat in one of the most beautiful destinations of the globe. However, security and safety are things of great import when you pay a call to any place as a backpacker.

Pakistan is the next on your wander list? Here is what a British girl has to say all about her experience in Pakistan.

For this case, we have hand-picked a few tips for the travelers planning a tour to Pakistan. Just give the under-mentioned tips a once-over with a fine-tooth comb to enjoy a trouble-free tour to Pakistan. Without any fuss, let’s get on with this:

Tips for travelers visiting Pakistan.

Food and Water.

Well, Pakistani food is regarded as one of the most finger-licking cuisines in the world. And that’s something not to be missed at any cost while paying a visit to Pakistan. Pakistani cuisines taste same as the Indian food which means your stomach has to put up with extra spice. If you ask me, do try out the street foods of Lahore and Karachi- no ifs, and, or buts about it. With that, the traditional foods of Northern areas of Pakistan are flavorsome. But, don’t dare to eat extra spicy food if your stomach opposes spice.

A Pakistani man preparing food.

If you spend a moment just talking about drinking water, almost every area of Pakistan is facing the issue of clean drinking water. Therefore, keep a filtered water bottle on you and stay hydrated all the time. Don’t drink tap water at any cost. It is recommended not to eat the food open to dust and flies or otherwise you’ll end up suffering from a Delhi belly.

Moving Around.

Thanks to the broad-shoulder network of roads and railways, getting around Pakistan is as easy as falling off a log. Everything is just right in the blockhole to meet the needs of travelers. That said, trains, buses, taxis, flights, autos; everything is available. We recommend to pick out trains for longer journeys (like if you want to travel from Lahore to Karachi). This way, you would be having a great experience while saving lots of bucks. Be that as it may, taxis and autos are your best companions for inter-city travel. It would be fructiferous to keep a map on you (Google maps in case of having a stable internet connection) to single out the most convenient route and bargain for the fares.

You can also take the services of flights to travel around. Almost all the major cities have airports to cater to meet the needs of travelers. But, that’d be costly. And you’ll enjoy traveling on buses and trains in Pakistan. Don’t take my word for it and experience yourself.

Packing your Bags.

Regardless of the place you travel to, packing appropriately is something really important. I mean, why filling your rucksack with all the stuff when everything is available at the destination place you are going to hang your hat in? Yes, everything is easily obtainable in Pakistan so you need to take only the super necessary things with you. Also, it’d be hard to take care of all the luggage on you. For this case, fill your traveling bag with the important things to minimize your burden. Keep a pair of shoes and jeans, medications (prescribed by your doctor), chargers and power bank, earphones, soap, towel, important documents, credit cards and anything that you think would be necessary to pack and that’s that.

However, thanks to plenty of Cargo Companies from the UK to Pakistan these days which can take care of your excess luggage if you have extra stuff more than permitted by the airline you are traveling with.

Bargaining while shopping around.

It might seem a bit weird to you but you’ll spot people bargaining while purchasing from the local shops. Yes, you heard it right. And this can too save you quite a lot of bucks. This is due to the reason that the local shopkeepers sometimes tend to make extra money by doubling up the actual price if they find you a foreigner. To keep safe against this, you can bargain to buy the things at actual price. That’s not a big ask, is it? Thus, bargaining while shopping around from the local shops would save you thumping great amount of money.

Places that must be on your bucket list while visiting Pakistan.

Rama Meadows.

Rama Valley is regarded as one of the grandiose places to pay a visit to. You can soothe your eyes by watching lush green pastures, crystal clear water lakes, beautiful high-altitude forests, and mountain views, this place has got everything that a picturesque destination is supposed to offer to its tourists. Surprisingly pulchritudinous!

Rama Meadows.

This marvel of nature is located at an altitude of about 3300 meters above sea level. The valley is enriched with refreshing air and most of the time gets wrapped in snow. If you are fixing your gaze on witnessing the real beauty of Rama Valley, then the summer season is the most suitable time to visit this place. It doesn’t matter whether you are on a solo trip or romantic retreat, Rama Meadows possesses magic in its air to make you feel joyous and happiest. Just imagine standing at such high altitude, stretching your arms and taking long breaths. It will surely take you far away from all worries of life. No kidding!

Gojal Valley.

The next must-see place on our bucket list is Gojal Valley. If you are an adventurer and questing for a place with tranquil life, then your search ends with Gojal Valley.

Gojal Valley.

Gojal Valley has been spotlighted from years and an exceptional number of tourists visit this amazing place each year. This perfect Valley is home too conspicuous sceneries, rich culture, wildlife, pristine water lakes, snow-capped mountains, glistening glaciers, fruit-laden gardens, lush green woods, and amazing pastures. The inhabitants of Gojal Valley are loving and hospitable. They are so humble and caring that they won’t care about themselves in serving their unknown guest. Almost everyone in the Valley is sophisticated and life is far away from the hassle and bustle.

Shangrila Lake & Resort.

Shangrila Resort, also known as the “Heaven on Earth”, is another place that must be on your bucket list. This place is truly a hidden gem and Mother Nature has decorated this place amidst easy on the eye landscapes and mountains. Having whereabouts in Gilgit Baltistan, the Shangrila Resort lies within earshot of some of the sky-high mountain peaks of the globe.

Read also: 4 Beautiful fresh-water lakes in the vicinity Skardu city/

Beautiful flower-filled gardens and picturesque fruit-laden orchards add to the beauty of this resort. Just a single look can make the onlooker fall in love with the Shangrila Resort. In the heart of the resort, a Lake named Kachura Lake can be found which works like icing on the cake. Moreover, a restaurant built on the fuselage of an aircraft that had crashed nearby hits the nail on the head. Truly sensational, isn’t it?

Shangrila Lake & Resort Skardu.

If you ask me to define the Shangrila Resort in a single word, I would say a single word to beat drums for this hidden gem and that’s “Magic”. Don’t worry, you’d say the same after visiting this place for once. I kid you not.

Ranikot Fort.

Having whereabouts in Sindh province of Pakistan, Ranikot Fort is another historical place that you must pay a call to. Also known as the great wall of Sindh, Ranikot Fort is the largest Fort of the Globe (with the circumference of around 26km). However, this hidden gem still needs the focus of authorities for its upraise. You can make the even-handed approach that lending eyes to the walls, rocks, and sands inside the Fort will make you leave your heart right thereafter your first visit.

Ranikot Fort.

Lime cut sandstone and gypsum is used in the walls of the Fort. Travelers can find a lot of ditches, building structures, pools, watch-towers, bastions, streams, hills, ammunition depots, valleys, and ponds inside the Fort. Overall, Ranikot Fort is a place worth visiting.

Recipe for Golee or Giyaling, Preparation of a traditional Hunzai breakfast.

Golee, A traditional Hunzai Breakfast.

Go-Lee is to make your breakfast savory. It is usually served on breakfast on usual occasions but also cooked on special occasions as well. Normally it is best with a Namkeen Chai, but you can eat it with simple chai if you feel uncomfortable with the namkeen thing. Giyaling is a local occasional dish of a Hunza valley. It is specially made on the occasion of Gianni, and Ginani is an event which is performed after the cultivation of a crop especially the wheat. In the month of May and June when wheat began to prepare, all the owners of a land go to their fields to enjoy the Ginani event with Giyaling. Recipe of Giyaling. Flat bread, made with whole grain flours, rich in vitamin B-17. it is served by spreading butter on bread, on extraordinary events. Try to prepare Golee at home by looking at this recipe for Golee.

Read: Top Traditional Foods in Hunza Gilgit Baltistan.

Giyaling served with Almond oil. Yummy ♡

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Ingredients and utensils for Golee/Giyaling.

Plain flour. 500g
Eggs 2
Salt As per taste.
Water 2 cups. Milk optional.
Butter (Desi Ghee) 200g
Cooking Oil 1 tsp
Deep bowl 1
Coffee scoop 1
Pan 1
Platter 1
Table spoon

Go-lee or Giyaling. A traditional breakfast at Hunza.

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Preparation of Giyaling.

  1. Take a large deep bowl.add flour, a table spoon butter and salt to taste.
  2. Whisk eggs well and add them to the flour bowl.
  3. Add water and whisk all the ingredients until they are mixed well.
  4. You can add a pinch of baking powder but it’s optional.
  5. Heat a pan over moderate heat and grease it with cooking oil.
  6. Fill coffee scoop of mixture and spread it on the preheated pan adjust the heat
  7. accordingly.
  8. if the temperature is right it will turn golden/brown underneath in 50 seconds.
  9. If it is golden flip it to cook the other side and cook it for another 40 seconds.flip it again
  10. and cook for 15 seconds
  11. when Go-lee is cooked well shift it on a platter take a table spoon of butter and spread well.
  12. repeat the process(step 6-9) to make another Go-lee.

The preparation of Chapshuro, Recipe for Gilgit Baltistan version of Pizza.

Chapshuro, Gilgit Baltistan version of Pizza.

Chapshuro is one of the most delicious dishes of Gilgit Baltistan. It is the Gilgit Baltistan version of pizza. Chap Shuroo is a bread filled with a mixture of chopped Beef/Yalk meat,
onion, and other spices. Chapshoro is filled with chopped meat (lamb, beef), onions, chile peppers, tomato and fresh coriander leaves. They are baked on medium heat on for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Jugloot Gouro is the famous place for most delicious Chapchurro in Gilgit Baltistan.

Before you start, have a look at other traditional food of Hunza, Read: Top Traditional Foods in Hunza Gilgit Baltistan

Ingredients for Chapshuro.

  1. Beef/mutton/chicken minced ½ kg.
  2. Onion 4 medium size.
  3. Red crushed chili 1 tea spoon.
  4. Salt to taste.
  5. Green chili 2.
  6. Coriander.
  7. Black pepper 2 pinches.
  8. Plain flour ¾ kg.
  9. Water.
  10. Cooking oil 2 table spoon.

Berckuzh or Chapchurro. The Gilgit Baltistan version of Pizza

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Preparation for dough.

Take a deep large bowl and put flour in it. Put salt to taste and two table spoon of cooking oil. Pour a cup of water and knit to make the dough. Add more water if required. Knead the dough for 15 minutes. Keep the dough aside.

Preparation for the filling.

Pre heat a pan and pour a teaspoon of cooking oil. Add meat in it and stir fry for 5 minutes in case of mutton or beef and 2 minutes if you are making the filling of chicken. Add Black pepper, red crushed pepper, and salt too. Put the mixture in a bowl.
Take 4 onions and chopped them and add to the mixture, add coriander and green chilly as well and mix properly.

How to fill?

Divide dough into 5 equal parts and roll with hands to make balls; roll the balls and make round Chapattis with rolling pin. With the help of a spoon put the mixture in the half circle of chapatti. With the other half of bread and lock it with help of fingers and make semi circles. Repeat the same process.

Finally the cooking of Chapshuro.

Heat a skillet when it is hot put the semi circles on it. Keep turning the sides after 1 minute till 15 minutes. When it is cooked well serve it with raita.