Now that the summer months are almost over, morning and evening chills have started to take root in the cities and villages. The Earth is ready to orbit us through a few months of freezing winters. And one scrumptious thing about winters are winter vacations and even if you don’t have them, there are still weekends to look forward to!

So, as you embark on this cool journey through the cosmos, don’t forget you can embark on journeys through Pakistan to make the most out of this season. Confused where to go? Here’s a list of our top tourist places for this winter!

1. Murree

First up on this list, we have Murree, a mountain resort in the Galyat region of the Pir Panjal range. With its pleasant weather, snowfall spells, neo-gothic and Tudorbethan architecture, the iconic and memorable Mall Road, its chair lifts and cable cars, it’s a sight to behold. 

Places to Visit

• Mall Road

Activites to Do

• Riding chair lifts
• Riding cable cars
• Enjoying snowfalls
• Touring Mall Road
• Having a warm cup of Kashmiri chai
• Shopping for souvenirs
• Scenic views of the mountains and valleys

Also, considering the Murree tragedy at the beginning of 2022, be sure to regularly check for weather updates and traffic conditions to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Also pack emergency and first aid supplies just in case. If you are stranded, you have enough supplies to sustain you and your loved ones!

2. Hunza Valley

The Hunza Valley, another renowned place in the list is a mountainous valley residing in the crook of the northern part of the Gilgit Baltistan region in Pakistan. It was formed by the Hunza River and is a bejeweled part of the country with its refreshing air, green vegetation, starry skies, and beautiful people. 

Places to Visit

• Sacred Rock of Hunza
• Baltit Fort
• Altit Fort
• Attabad Lake
• Borith Late

Activities to Do

• A night of stargazing

3. Chitral

Chitral, another one of the many paradises of Pakistan’s northern regions, once the largest district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan but now has split into Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral. It neighbors the Hindu Kush Mountain range of Gilgit Baltistan. It’s another sight to look out for during winters to sightsee as tourism has increased significantly in this region. With its scenic views and a respite from life’s hustle, one can see why.

Places to Visit

• Bumburet
• Rumbur
• Kalasha Museum
• Kalash Valley
• Chitral Fort
• Chitral Goi National Park

4. Gorakh Hill

Pakistan’s northern areas are famous winter destinations but let’s not forget there are hidden gems in the southern provinces of Punjab as well. One such up-and-coming attraction is the Gorakh Hill, a hill station in Sindh, Pakistan. It is situated in Kirthar Mountains and lies near Dadu City. 

Activites to Do

• Bonfire Night with your friends or family under the sky
• Camping outside in tents
• Enjoying scenic views
• Watching sunsets and sunrises
• Befriend Mr. Juman Jamali, the behind-the-scenes man making sure your stay is smooth as can be. 

5. Pir Sohawa

Pir Sohawa is located outside Islamabad on top of the scenic Margalla Hills which sees many tourists, especially during the winter months. It’s one of the most prominent and well-known resorts. The best time to go is at night when the city of Islamabad can be seen twinkling like stars on Earth from this location. 

Places to Visit

• Monal Restaurant with delicious food and a place to sit and enjoy picturesque scenes

Activities to Do

• Birdwatching along the trails
• Hiking trails if you want to enjoy the views but while staying active and healthy

6. Malam Jabba

Malam Jabba is a ski resort and hill station in the Hindu Kush Mountain range which offers a variety of recreational and leisure activities accompanied with stunning scenic views of the surrounding valleys. The place is also home to Pearl Continental Hotel that offers luxury accommodation to its national and international tourists and organizes fun and exciting events throughout the year such as the Winter Sports Festival.

Activites to Do

• Skiing
• Zipline
• Chairlift
• Trekking
• Biking
• Backpacking
• Camping

7. Ziarat Valley

Ziarat Valley is another charming spot in Balochistan which receives snowfall from around November to March and is known for the Ziarat Residency – Quaid-e-Azam’s residency. So, the place is loaded with beauty and history all in one and is perfect for a winter vacation getaway.

Places to Visit

• Prospect Point is a spot from where tourists can see the Koshki Valley lying below. There are roads that will take you to the spot, but people also prefer trekking up to the point for a more memorable trip.
• Urak Valley is one tourist attraction known for its cherry and apple trees and is located near Quetta.
• Hanna Lake, also known as Hanna Jheel, is another popular tourist spot to go to and enjoy. There’s also the Hanna Lake Restaurant at the banks of the lake where you can sit and enjoy your meal.

8. Swat

Swat is a famed valley in the northwest region Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that offers scenic views and lots of tourist attractions, some of which are still undiscovered. Many tourists flock to this place, especially during winters to get away from the sweltering heat of the plains. Because of its magnificent beauty, it’s also known as the ‘Switzerland of Asia’.

Places to Visit

• Buddhist Stupas some of which are the Shankardar, Butkara and Gumpat Stupas
• Swat Museum showcasing the place’s Buddhist heritage and antiques

Activities to Do

• Winter sports and activities such as skiing
• Swat trout fish and other mouth-watering cuisine
• Camping
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Water activities like kayaking, rafting
• Rock climbing
• Road and mountain biking

9. Ormara Beach

Ormara Beach is a scenic beach in the Gawadar District and is a great place to travel to, especially through a road trip. With Ormara now connected to the wider urban area of Pakistan with the Makran Coastal Highway, more people are known to visit this place and enjoy what it has to offer. 

Places to Visit

• Rock formations like the Princess of Hope and the Balochistan Sphinx
• The Hingol National Park that spreads over three districts of Lasbela, Gwadar and Awaran. It boasts diverse flora, fauna, rock formations and mud volcanoes.

Activites to Do

• Watching sunsets and sunrises

10. Rakaposhi Base Camp

Rakaposhi Base Camp is situated at the base of the Rakaposhi Peak alongside Minapin Glacier. Ambitious mountaineers or even beginners can visit this destination through a beginner to medium level trek that starts from the Minapin Village off the Karakoram Highway. The trek itself is rather short but tourists, especially the ambitious ones can also go up to the Diran Base Camp and cross the glacier if accompanied with a guide.

Places to Visit

• Diran Base Camp
• Hakapun Base Camp

Activities to Do

• Crossing glaciers with experienced guides

Conclusion

Those were some of the areas you can check out and visit in winters that are some of the timeless and top destinations. Be sure you take nothing except photos and memories and leave nothing but your footprints because it’s our responsibility to ensure we leave a place better than we found it. Do the necessary research, pack luggage smartly and take the necessary precautions. And most importantly, have fun!

Main Image Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash