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Garma
Garam
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Rawalpindi275 km (171 miles) to the north-west of Lahore is Rawalpindi. It is fast developing into a large modern city. It has many play grounds, a pleasant club, an Army Museum, a number of good hotels and restaurants and a huge Ayub Park, Rawalpindi is the last halting post leading to the numerous holiday spots and hill resorts of the north, such as Murree, Nathiagali, Ayubia, Abbottabad, Swat, Kaghan, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral. Murree and GalliesAbout 64 km (40 miles) from Rawalpindi, situated at an altitude of 2286 meters (7,500 feet) above sea-level is Murree where lofty peaks tower above green pine covered slopes. It is one of the most popular summer resorts in Pakistan. The Gallies are quaint little hill resorts north-west of Murree and there is a motorable road running through them all. Murree and the Gallies offer horse riding, golf, chair lifts in Ayubia and pine shaded walks galore, alongside magnificent vistas of the plains. Hasan Abdal
It has a Sikh Gurdwara (temple) known as Panja Sahib having a sacred rock with the hand print of their religious leader, Guru Nanak. Twice a year, Sikh pilgrims visit this Gurdwara from all over the world. Two other historical buildings of Mughal era (Muqbara Hakeeman and so-called tomb of Lala Rukh) are located just opposite the Gurdwara. On the nearby hill, at an altitude of 714 meters, there is a meditation chamber related to a 15th century Muslim Saint, Baba Wali Qandhari, popularly known as Baba Hasan Abdal. The saint stayed in Hasan Abdal from 1406-1416 AD but died and buried in village Baba Wali near Qandhar (Afghanistan). The devotees and visitors climb over the steps leading to the hill, for offerings and to have a panoramic view of Hasan Abdal. AbbottabadAbbottabad 116 km (72 miles) from Rawalpindi and 217 km (135 miles) from Peshawar, is a small town in a spacious valley surrounded by green hills. It is also a popular summer resort 1255 meters (4120 feet) above sea-level. It lies on the newly constructed Karakoram Highway. Swat ValleyConnected by air with Islamabad and Peshawar and by road with the whole country, Swat is a picturesque valley with a rich historical past. Swat museum has exquisite specimens of Gandhara sculptures, as Swat was a flourishing Center of Buddhism and Gandhara school of sculpture. Swat valley is ideal for trout fishing, trekking and mountaineering. It remains open throughout the year but best time to visit is from May to end of October. Kaghan Valley
This is a 154.5 km. (96 miles) long picturesque valley ending northwards in the 4148 meters (13.600 ft.) high Babusar Pass. Jeep service is available in the valley during summer, while motels and rest-houses offer comfortable accommodation . There is a PTDC stopover Motel in Balakot and a big tourist resort in Naran which provides excellent accommodation with meals at reasonable rates. It is an ideal area for trekking and trout fishing. Best time of the year in the Kaghan Valley is June 1 - Oct. 15. Worth visiting are Shogran, Lake Saiful Muluk and Lalazar. Lake Saiful Muluk nestles at a height of more than 3200 meters (about 11000 feet) in the shadows of Malike Parbat, the "Queen of the mountains" which is about 5300 meters (about 17500 feet) high. You can see its picture here. Chitral - Kalash ValleysA 50 minute flight from Peshawar takes you to the north western extremity of Pakistan where lies the exotic valley of Chitral. Towering the valley is the majestic 7705 meters (25,264 ft.) high Trichmir peak. In three narrow valleys about 40 km (25 odd miles) from the town of Chitral live the famous Kafir Kalash tribe. They are known the world over for their primitive pagan traditions and their love for dance and music. Chitral has many sulphur springs and is popular for trekking, mountaineering and trout fishing. There are a couple of hotels in Chitral. PTDC has a Motel and transport hiring facilities at Chitral. Gilgit, Hunza & Khunjerab PassAmong the hill resorts in the Northern Areas is the Gilgit Valley. It is accessible by air from Rawalpindi as well as by KKH (Karakoram Highway). There are regular bus, minibus and airconditioned Coach Services. Gilgit is famous for its fruit orchards. trout fishing and as a base for mountaineering. North of Gilgit and touching China is Hunza Valley, famous for longevity of its people, luscious fruits, and the magnificent peaks, including Rakaposhi (7788 meters). One may now travel on Karakoram Highway and cross over Khunjerab Pass for travel to China in conducted tours and transport run by Pakistan Tours Ltd., a subsidiary of PTDC, and NATCO. Skardu
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