The Bucket List: Pakistan Zindabad! Mysterious land with something for all tastes

Posted on by
The tomb of Bibi Jawindi is found in Uch in Hyderabad province, Pakistan. Archeological evidence shows that Uch was founded by Alexander the Great in 325 BCE and called Alexandria of the Indus.

         Another place on my bucket list is a country that has a bad reputation based mainly on biased media reports of the place: Pakistan.

         If you searched the internet for the news perspective on Pakistan, it is a no-go zone with terrorists waiting to blow up everyone. It is overrun with Taliban and extreme fundamentalists.

         But if you look beyond the headlines to other travel reports and blogs of people who have taken the time to visit the country, you find a land that is filled with warm, welcoming people, rich cultural heritage, and breath-taking natural beauty.

         Pakistan is a land with something for everyone. If you travel to see history, experience different cultures, try new foods, visit historical sights or to climb mountains, it’s all in Pakistan.

The Throne Room of the Mountain Gods

This aerial view of the Baltoro Glacier shows the pathway to Concordia, also known as the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods because the area is home to four of the 14 8,000-metre peaks in the world.

         One of my goals in life is to trek the to Concordia in the heart of the Karakoram mountain range in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Concordia is also known as the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods.

         This is because Concordia is access point to four of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks — K2, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum II.

         I think I would need two trips to do what I want to accomplish in Pakistan. One would be to visit the cities of Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The second would be a trek to the Concordia glacier. The reason for two trips is the trek takes three weeks by itself.

K2 is the second highest mountain in the world behind Everest, but is considered to be a much more difficult summit. Between 25 and 30 percent of the climbers who attempted K2 have died.

         One of the lures for me is to see K2, the world’s second highest mountain and the world’s most difficult mountain. One in four people who attempt to summit K2 dies. While more than 4,000 people have summited Mount Everest, only 306 have successfully summited K2. Some years, no one summits K2. To stand in the shadow of a merciless mountain would be awe-inspiring.

The cities

         If you have read Rudyard Kipling’s Kim, then you know of the Zamzama gun he wrote of that guards the city of Lahore. The city has stood for a thousand years and represents the capital of the Punjab region of Pakistan. While it is renowned for its cultural heritage of the north, but it needs to be explored to be found.

         The nation’s capital, Islamabad, is adjacent to the city of Rawalpindi and forms a green oasis by Pakistani standards according to the guide pages. Since it is the seat of government, it tends to be more of a government city.

         The northwest is dominated by the frontier city of Peshawar which is the gateway to the Khyber Pass and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the famous Khyber Pass remains closed to visitors. The area is under constant surveillance by military and permits are needed which are not given out to tourists.

         To the south in the geographic centre of Pakistan is the city of Multan, often referred to as the city of saints. It is well known for blue pottery, glasswork, and shoes. To the far south on the coast of the Persian Gulf is Karachi the largest city and financial centre of Pakistan.

         Other places that have been recommended are Mohenjo-daro and Taxila, both heritage sites. Mohenjo-daro dates back to 2000 BCE. The Gang

Considerations:

         Just last month (May 2019), Pakistan finally launched its e-visa system for 175 countries including Canada, the US, and the EU. Check their website to see if you are eligible for e-visa and how to apply. Like other Islamic nations, people travelling on an Israeli passport will be denied entry. But, if you have another passport and have a Israeli immigration stamp will not be problematic.

Getting in:

         British Airways is the only Western Airline that offers flights to the capital city of Islamabad three times a week.

         Pakistan International Airlines is the national flag carrier with flights from Toronto, the UK Milan, and Paris. Otherwise, the major Middle Eastern carriers (Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad), Oman Air, Saudia, and Turkish Airlines will be your best bet with flights to all major airports in Pakistan from major western airports.

Potential itineraries 1 hike to Concordia Glacier and K2 base camp

  • Day 1: Arrive in Islamabad
  • Day 2: Travel flight (weather permitting) to Skardu.
  • Day 3: Drive to Askolie
  • Day 4: Askolie to Korofong trek (6 to 8 hours)
  • Day 5: Korofong to Bardumal trek (8 hours)
  • Day 6: Paiyu trek (6 hours). First views of Baltoro Glacier and Trango Tower
  • Day 7: Paiyu rest day
  • Day 8: Paiyu to Khoburse (6 to 8 hours)
  • Day 9: Khoburse to Urdukas (4 hour trek)
  • Day 10: Urdukas to Goro (8 hour trek). On to the Baltoro Glacier
  • Day 11: Enter the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods at Concordia. K2 on the left.
  • Day 12: Rest day at Concordia to sit in the shadow of K2 in awe.
  • Day 13: Return to Goro camp site
  • Day 14: Urdukas
  • Day 15: Paiyu
  • Day 16: Julla
  • Day 17: Korofong
  • Day 18: Askolie
  • Day 19: Skardu (first hotel since Day 2)
  • Day 20: Return to Islamabad
  • Day 21: Cushion day/Leave Pakistan

         As for a proposed itinerary of the major centres of Pakistan, I’m open to suggestions from my Pakistani friends about where I should visit on a 21-day tour.

Leave a comment