TAXILA

An important Hindu and Buddhist centre, Taxila was a great centre of learning which attracted students from far off lands. It came under Buddhist, Greek, and Persian influence, remnants of which remain. Bearing the tag of one of the ancient universities of India, Taxila, deriving its name from Taksa, the great gransdon of Bharata, is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO that lies 30 km from Islamabad. The capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara, it came under Persian rule in 326 BC and was later ceded to Alexander the Great. The Huns destroyed it around the 5th century BC.

MAKRAN

Makran, a partial desert coastal strip in Balochistan, has some of the best and unspoiled beaches in the world. Running along the Arabian Sea, the coastline is envisaged as a centre for surfing and scuba diving. The rugged mountain strip and quiet fishing villages enhance its appeal as a remote and isolated tourist destination.

Mohenjo-daro

Mohenjo-daro or "mound of the dead" in Sindha, was a huge settlement of the Indus Valley Civilization at around 2600 BC. One of the earliest well-organized habitations known to mankind, the excavations at the site reveal it to have been one of the most advanced townships in South Asia. The city was an engineering marvel and its planned layout talks of sophisticated town planning. Mohenjo-daro is also a World Heritage Site. A bronze statuette of a "dancing girl", said to be about 4500 years old, is the most famous face relating to Mohenjo-daro, which was excavated in 1926.

Khyber Pass

Part of the ancient silk route, Khyber Pass links Peshawar in Pakistan with Kabul in Afghanistan. The mountain pass is part of the Hindu Kush range and has been the trade route between South and Central Asia. The Khyber Pass, at an elevation of 1070 metres, is the route through which the Aryans came to India, it is said. Alexander the Great and the series of Muslim invasions took place through the pass. One can have a glimpse of the famous Pashtun hospitality, culture, and cuisine, as it is they who mostly live here.

Lahore

The capital of Punjab, Lahore has much more to it than being just 25 km away from the Wagah border. Lying on the Ravi river, Lahore has a rich cultural history that begs to be savoured. Culturally vibrant, the bazaars in the lanes and alleys of the city sell traditional ware such as hand-embroidered clothes, fabrics, leather good, trinkets, glass bangles, and beaten gold and silver jewelry. Full of mausoleums and monuments, the Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Fort and the Minar-e-Pakistan are three major tourist spots in a city also known for its food street, Gowalmandi, where the best of traditional Pakistani cuisine is available.

Northern mountains

Snow-clad peaks, lead by K2, at 8611 metres, is the highest mountain in the world, running in northern Pakistan. Pristine valleys and glaciers make it a tourist paradise. The folk costumes, dances and culture of the people in these areas make travelling here a unique experience. The area also has some of the longest glaciers outside of the Polar region including the Siachen. The beautiful Swat Valley, made notorious by the Taliban, is part of the Hindu Kush range in the region. Shandur pass here houses the world`s highest polo ground.

MughaL Heritage

Pakistan is full of Mughal architecture. Besides Lahore, important tombs, mosques, forts and other monuments dot the country. Multan, Derawar and Bahawalpur house some of them. Rani Kot Fort, located in Jamshoro district, Sindh, is the largest fort in the world. The Badashahi mosque opposite the Lahore Fort, the tombs of Jahangir, Akbari Sarai and Shah Jahan and the edicts of Shahbazgari and Mansehra rock edicts are among the important historical monuments.

Deosai Plateau

One of the most beautiful regions of Pakistan, the Deosai plateau is the second highest plateau in the world next only to Tibet. Spring is the season to visit the place, as it bursts into a riot of colours with wild blooms. Fishing and camping sites abound. Enclosed by snow-clad peaks, the Nanga Parbat is visible from here. Edelweiss (flowers) carpet the area.

Karimabad

It is to tourists from West Pakistan that Karimabad in Hunza valley caters to. Said to be one of the top tourist spots of the country, Karimabad is full of mountains, deep gorges and glaciers. The mountain slopes are covered with colourful flowers. Apricots grow in abundance here. The misleading name of Hunza water for an alcoholic drink is a popular local brew. The Rakaposhi mountain in the Karakoram range is the centre for adventures sports.

Kalash Valley

Nestled in remote locations of Chitral District in the North West Frontier Province, the customs and lifestyle of the people of the Kalash Valley is like none other in the country. They are said to be the descendents of Alexander the Great. Some historians hold that they hail from Nuristan of Afghanistan. Their language has an Indo-European genesis with several dialects. Folklore, songs and epics abound as part of their oral tradition. They have quaint festivals and funeral rites, all of which makes a visit to their habitation an interesting experience.