Going beyond the urban charms, you will find places still retaining exceptional natural beauty. This summer, climb a mountain, visit a valley and park, experience the lunar landscapes, and have close encounters of the wild kind. Fly with Serene Air to reach Islamabad or Karachi and travel to the best natural attractions in Pakistan, which you cannot afford to miss anytime.
1. Baltoro Glacier
Located in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Baltoro Glacier is one of the longest glaciers in the world. The 62-kilometer-long glacier in Pakistan rolls down the Karakoram Mountain Range, making it the most sought-after trekking destination. The Baltoro Glacier has the Masherbrum Mountains located on the south and the Baltoro Muztagh on the north and east. It serves as the starting point for the highest mountain, K2 in the region.
The Baltoro Glacier’s melted water forms the Shigar River, which joins the Indus River in Skardu Valley and hence, a tributary to it. Concordia is the confluence of two glaciers, the Baltoro Glacier and Godwin Austen Glacier, a popular trekking destination. The place is also known for several glacial lakes that serve as basins. There are flights to Islamabad and from there to Skardu.
2. Neelum Valley
Offering a breathtaking panorama of mountains and lush green trees, Neelum Valley lies in the north and northeast of Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. Called an emerald or green gem, the valley is rich with evergreen forests, beautiful meadows, alluring rivers, and wonderful brooks. Nature lovers visit the valley for its beauty, serenity, and calmness. You can find fruits like apples, apricots, plums, and walnuts grown in the valley. To reach Neelum Valley, you should travel 2-3 hours by road from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad.
You will get enchanted with Neelum Valley and dream of living for the rest of your days in this earthly paradise. The alluring and breathtaking natural scenery of Neelum Valley, the tall and lush green trees, the exquisitely constructed Neelum Valley hotels, and the pleasant Neelum Valley weather is more than enough to keep you gazing at the landscape and frequently inspiring thoughts of being lost in the charm of heaven.
3. Hingol National Park
A place of natural wonders, Hingol National Park is situated in Karachi about 200 kilometers northwest. The significance of the park lies in its distinctive ecosystems. With arid subtropical forest in the north, mud volcanoes in the east, and mountainous terrain in the west, Hingol National Park is home to numerous animals, including endangered species. Some animals you will come across are wild Sindh Ibex, Chinkara Gazelle, Baluchistan Urial, Indian pangolins, and honey badgers.
There are beaches, caves, and a marine ecological zone along the coast, with attractions like the ephemeral lake, mangroves, dolphins, and sea turtles. Tourists frequent this place to watch distinct rock formations like the Baluchistan Sphinx and Princess of Hope. You can reach the park from Karachi traveling 4-5 hours along the Makran Coastal Highway.
4. Trango Towers
When it comes to rock towers that are difficult to climb, the Trango Towers Peaks are considered the hardest ones to climb. Located in Gilgit-Baltistan in north Pakistan, the cliffs pose a major challenge to rock climbers. Those on a trekking expedition to Baltoro Glacier can find Trango Towers, with four identifiable summits. The tallest one in them is 6,286 meters high and it is the main peak.
Great Trango is a complex structure containing steep rock faces, snow gullies, and vertically hanging headwalls, which are topped by snow ridges. You can reach Skardu by road if you can fly to Islamabad from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, or Dubai in the UAE.
5. Deosai Plains
Called the ‘Summer Place’ by the Balti people, Deosai Plains is the second highest plateau in the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan. An alpine plateau noteworthy for its ecological value and beauty, the Deosai National Park covers a large area of about 3000 sq. km. uninhabited grassland.
The park’s rich biodiversity is due to its location, where the Karakoram-Pamir and the Himalayan highlands merge and species stream through these biogeographical provinces. Hence it contains a wide variety of species like Tibetan wolves, Tibetan red foxes, Himalayan ibexes, and Golden marmots. You can reach Deosai Plains from Skardu city, which is just 30 km away from the park. Skardu is over 560 km away from Islamabad.
6. Thar Desert
Being the largest desert in Pakistan, the Thar Desert covers a vast area of about 50,000 square kilometers, covering the Sindh and Punjab provinces. Tourists visit the place to watch the beautiful sand dunes, some wildlife, and heritage sites. You have to reach Karachi to travel to Sind by road. One of Sindh’s most significant districts, along with Thatta, Badin, Larkana, etc, is Tharparkar. Tharparkar means “crossing across the sand” in Hindi. It consists of the two terms “thar” and “parkar,” which indicate “passing across” and sand ridges, respectively. The area, which covers 4,894,663 acres, has a population that is varied in terms of culture, religion, and ethnicity.
The district’s capital, Mithi, is located between Islamkot Road and the Mithi Bypass. The tallest sand dune in the city, “Gaddi bhit” is located there. Please keep in mind that Thar Desert Pakistan is an underdeveloped region of Sindh and does not have any significant fast-food restaurants or fine-dining establishments offering meals. There aren’t many hotels and guest rooms in the neighborhood.
7. Saiful Muluk
Situated at about 3225 meters above sea level, Saiful Muluk is a natural wonder formed by glacial moraines. This mountainous lake is located in Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is in the north of Naran. Known for its rich eco-diversity, Saiful Muluk has a large variety of blue-green algae and vascular plants among other species of plants.
You can plan your trip to these natural wonders in Pakistan by booking flights in advance. The easiest way is to check travel websites. Serene Air offers great deals on flights connecting Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE with Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar in Pakistan.
