#Lahore Karahi House

[risingpakistan1947]

Discover the Unique Experiences that Await on Mall Road Lahore

Mall Road Lahore, a bustling and historic strip in the heart of Pakistan's cultural capital, is a vibrant testament to the city's rich heritage and modern charm. Lined with majestic colonial-era buildings, this iconic thoroughfare is a melting pot of old-world elegance and contemporary vitality. As one stroll along its wide pavements, flanked by lush green gardens and towering trees, the spirit of Lahore comes alive through the lively sights, sounds, and aromas that permeate every corner. From trendy boutiques to quaint cafes serving aromatic cups of tea, Mall Road offers an eclectic mix of experiences for both locals and tourists alike. This article takes you on an enchanting journey through the captivating tapestry that is Mall Road Lahore - where history meets modernity in perfect harmony. Those who love old buildings and mean to learn history shall visit Mall Road Lahore. Mall Road also boasts an array of cultural activities that make it a delightful destination for locals and tourists alike. Throughout the year, there are festivals, exhibitions, and live performances taking place here that showcase Pakistan's rich artistic heritage. Whether it's enjoying classical music concerts at Alhamra Arts Council or witnessing traditional dance performances by various local troupes – there is something for everyone on Mall Road Lahore. Click here to check the guided tours of Lahore, Pakistan

GPO Mall road, Lahore

Exploring the Charm of Mall Road Lahore

Located in the heart of Lahore, Mall Road is a bustling and vibrant place that encapsulates the essence of this historical city. As you stroll along its wide sidewalks, you will be treated to a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells. The impressive colonial-era buildings that line the road are a testament to Lahore's rich architectural heritage, with their intricate detailing and majestic facades. Each building seems to have its own story to tell, from government offices to bookstores. Another highlight of Mall Road is its wide range of restaurants and cafes that cater to diverse tastes. Whether you're in search of traditional Lahori cuisine or international fare, there are plenty of options available. The food scene here is eclectic yet rooted in local flavors and ingredients – from aromatic biryanis to spicy karahi dishes – ensuring that every meal becomes a culinary adventure. So, exploring Mall Road in Lahore is an experience like no other. Its grandeur of colonial buildings provides a fascinating insight into the city's history while offering ample opportunities for photography enthusiasts. 2 Days tour to explore Lahore with a Guide

Underpass No.8, Mall Road Lahore

Architectural Marvels of Mall Road Lahore

One cannot talk about architectural marvels without mentioning the Mall Road in Lahore. This lively road is home to a remarkable collection of architectural gems that reflect the rich history and cultural heritage of the city. As you wander along this historic road, it is impossible not to be captivated by the sheer beauty and grandeur of every structure that adorns its sidewalks. From the majestic Governor's House, with its intricate detailing and awe-inspiring façade, to the iconic General Post Office building with its fusion of Mughal and British architectural styles, each structure tells a unique story. The stunning architecture of Lahore High Court, adorned with elegant columns and arches, stands as a testament to both past glory and enduring craftsmanship. Even modern buildings on Mall Road like the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab innovative designs that seamlessly blend old-world charm with contemporary features. Top Historical Tours of Pakistan The architectural marvels on Mall Road are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as important landmarks in Lahore's history. These structures have witnessed countless significant events over the years – from colonial rule to national independence – making them an integral part of our cultural identity. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty in every structure, a visit to Mall Road will leave you mesmerized by its stunning architectural wonders.

Unraveling the Unique Shopping Delights at Mall Road

One cannot talk about Mall Road Lahore without mentioning its reputation as a shopping paradise. Whether you are an avid shopaholic or just enjoy browsing through the latest trends, this bustling street offers retail therapy at its best. From high-end luxury brands to local boutique shops, there is something for every taste and budget. One of the highlights of Mall Road Lahore is its diverse range of designer stores. Fashion enthusiasts can choose such as local favorites like Khaadi and Sapphire, as well as international brands like Zara and Mango. The stores offer not only trendy clothing but also accessories and footwear to complete your fashion-forward look. Top 10 places to visit in Lahore, Pakistan For those eager to explore traditional Pakistani handicrafts, Mall Road Lahore won't disappoint either. Many shops specialize in beautifully crafted pottery, intricate woodwork, and hand-woven fabrics. These unique pieces make for perfect souvenirs or home decor items that add an authentic touch to any space. Remember to bargain while shopping here; it adds an element of thrill while getting the best prices. One cannot talk about Mall Road Lahore without mentioning its reputation as a shopping paradise. From high-end luxury brands to local boutique shops, there is something for every taste and budget.

Indulge in a Food Adventure along Mall Road

As you stroll along Mall Road Lahore, be prepared to tantalize your taste buds with a plethora of delightful local delicacies. Whether you are a fan of street food or prefer fine dining, this iconic location has something to offer for every culinary enthusiast. One cannot miss the famous Lahori breakfast, featuring dishes like nihari (a slow-cooked beef stew) and halwa puri (deep-fried bread with semolina pudding). The aroma wafting from the small roadside stalls will surely entice you to indulge in these mouthwatering treats. If you're in the mood for something more refined, head to one of the many upscale restaurants that line Mall Road such as Bistro, Gloria Jeans, Covo Restaurant, Eat & Sip, Dynasty Restaurant etc. From traditional Pakistani cuisine to international flavors, these dining establishments cater to every palette. In addition to the delectable food options, Mall Road also offers an array of sweet indulgences. Be sure to try jalebi—a deep-fried pretzel-shaped dessert soaked in syrup—for a sugary treat that melts in your mouth. If you prefer something lighter, sample some creamy kulfi ice cream or rich falooda topped with vermicelli noodles and rose syrup. If you want to experience something different there are many luxurious hotels for your stay and dining such as Pearl Continental Mall Road, Avari Hotel, Hotel 1 Mall Road, etc. All give you everything you want because they have a wide range of local and international dishes. So, come to Mall Road Lahore and indulge your taste buds. Top 10 hotels in Lahore Pakistan Mall Road in Lahore offers a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences that will linger in your memories for years to come. The bustling road is steeped in history and charm, with its majestic colonial-era buildings and vibrant atmosphere. As you stroll along the road, you'll be captivated by the sights and sounds of local vendors selling everything from aromatic spices to colorful fabric. So next time you visit Lahore or find yourself longing for new adventures, make sure to explore Mall Road Lahore.

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#AvariHotelLahore #AvariLahore #GPOmallroadLahore #Lahoremallroad #Mallroad #MallroadLahore #Pakistan #PCLahore

[ellafryme]

Lahore karahi house is an Indian, Pakistani Restaurant and Takeaway in Whetstone ME7 1AJ. Located in the heart of Rochester, Lahore karahi house offers fresh Indian food and fast service for delivery & collection Order takeaway food and book a table online from Lahore karahi house through ChefOnline in just a few clicks. Just browse the menu, select your order and proceed to the checkout.

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[muhammadsajidaliraza-blog]

BOOKING & INFORMATION Call/SMS/WhatsApp [phone] 2-Days (2Days,1Night) Hiking (1 Day Hiking) Trip to Nathia Gali-Mushkpuri Top #Females | #Families | #Bachelors | #Couples All Are Invited To Join Us Limited Seats Available.... First Come First Serve basis Donga Gali, Nathia Gali & Mushkpuri Top Availability: 25th and 26th Jul-2019 Max People: 14-28/vehicle |TRIP COST| Package from Lahore/Faisalabad: Rs:5500/- per head. Package from Islamabad: Rs: 5000/- per head. |ADVANCE PAYMENT| Booking in Advance: Rs. 3000/- Remaining Payment: One day before departure. Registration Deadline: 23th Jul-2019 |Departure & Arrival Location| Thokar Niaz Baig, Daewoo Terminal. Departure from Lahore 11:00 PM(Sharp) Departure from Islamabad 6AM(Sharp) |EXCEPTIONS| For Couples-2500/- P.H with Separate Room. |Price Includes| Travel through Private air-conditioned vehicle (14/28-Seater). Hotels stay as per plan on 4x4 Pax sharing Quality 2 time meals a day All Tolls and Taxes Basic First Aid Kit Tour Guide Photography |Menu| |2-Time Quality Meals| Breakfast (Egg, Pratha,Chai,Chany) Dinner (Chicken Karahi with Drinks, Raita, Chapati, and Salad) |Price Excludes| Extras at hotels like hot / soft drinks. Entry Tickets & Porter charges for personal carriage Insurance and liability |Complementary| Umbrella, Rain Coat Sunscreen Glasses T-Shirt, Warm Clothes Trekking shoes, Long Boots |Main Attraction| Donga Gali Nathia Gali Mushkpuri Top |Day-00| Departure from Lahore: 11:00 PM(Sharp) on 24-07-19 |Day-1-Arrival at Islamabad| Members from Islamabad will join at 6:00AM at Rawalpindi Faizabad Skyways terminal. Continuous journey towards Nathia Gali Short stay on the route at Murree Breakfast at Dunga gali at 8:00AM Arrival at Nathia Gali Transfer to hotel (Snow Land Guest House & Restaurant) and explore surroundings Dinner and Overnight stay in hotel |Day-2-Departure for Mushkpuri Top| Early Breakfast at 8:00AM Hike to Mushkpuri Top Reach at Mushkpuri Top & Explore Surroundings till 2:00 PM Departure for Islamabad at 3:00PM Dinner at Islamabad Departure for Lahore at 6:00 PM Reach back (at CH.Numan Travel & Tours) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3ogalg_XV/?igshid=gshxec6sz8o5

#females #families #bachelors #couples

[i-nathanwheeler]

Lahore Karahi House offers A FREE 1.5L Bottle of Soft Drink On Orders Over £25. We have lucrative offers for all our customers, be it takeaway or dine in. Be sure to claim your discount or offer while billing and avail them while you order online with us. Currently, we offer a free 1.5L bottle of soft drink on orders over £25. For online order, please visit here - https://www.chefonline.co.uk/lahore-karahi-house-gillingham-rochester-me7/menu

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[nathancarterworld-blog]

Lahore Karahi House is an Indian, Pakistani Restaurant and Takeaway in Whetstone ME7 1AJ. Located in the heart of Rochester, Lahore Karahi House offers fresh Indian food and fast service for delivery & collection. Order takeaway food and book a table online from Lahore Karahi House through ChefOnline in just a few clicks. Just browse the menu, Pick your favourite food items and proceed to the checkout. 

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[topfygad]

Pakistan travel guide – The ultimate backpacking itinerary

This is the most comprehensive and detailed Pakistan travel itinerary available on the internet

From south to north, I spent two whole months traveling in Pakistan. I arrived in Karachi by plane and left the country overland through China.

It was a wild, adventurous journey and probably one of my best traveling experiences ever.

From extremely overwhelming hospitality to the most striking landscapes ever and just wilderness everywhere;  Pakistan is bloody awesome and, unless you have actually been there, it’s very difficult to explain and convey the deeply personal experience you get.

With all my honesty, if you like real adventure, traveling to off the beaten track destinations and just getting immersed in the local culture, I strongly believe that Pakistan should be at the very, very top of your bucket list.

However, I am also aware that Pakistan is not the easiest place to travel in the world, as traveling information is scarce and you can’t really get the comforts which you may find in other countries.

For this reason, based on my personal journey, I have compiled some useful information and created this Pakistan travel guide and ultimate backpacking itinerary which, hopefully, will help you plan your journey through one of the most fascinating countries I’ve ever been to.

This Pakistan travel guide aims to help you plan your itinerary but it doesn’t really talk about other traveling information such as visas, safety, budget, etc. For this, you should read: 70 Things you should know before traveling to Pakistan

    Here’s all the content:

Travel insurance for Pakistan Tours for Pakistan Backpacking in Pakistan: a 2-week travel itinerary Backpacking in Pakistan: a 1-month travel itinerary Extending your Pakistan travel itinerary – Additional places Other resources for traveling to Pakistan

Pakistan is a pretty big country.

By this, I mean that Pakistan is a destination which can’t be visited in a week or, at least, not properly.

Most of the country’s beauty lies in the northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan), which are not easily accessible. Once you have reached these northern areas, moving from one place to another takes ages, sometimes several hours just for less than a hundred kilometers.

In addition, this is also the capital of unexpected events. Believe me when I say that, during my 2-month journey, I experienced more than ten bus breakdowns, no kidding, perhaps even more. Traveling in Pakistan is extremely slow.

Therefore, if you’re planning to visit Pakistan for a week, I would recommend going when you have more time to spend there. However, if your job will never allow you to do that, no problem, I am sure you can work something out and visit a couple of southern cities.

Total transparency! If you like my website and found this post useful, remember to buy your insurance through my link, as I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks

  Travel Insurance for Pakistan

If you are planning to do some trekking and go a bit wild, I recommend you buy World Nomads because:

The basic plan already covers trekking up to 6,000 meters (note that, in Gilgit-Baltistan, it is very easy to reach 4,000-meter base camps. 

They provide with unlimited medical expenses (and Pakistan can be wild)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS

If you want to know more options, read how to get the right travel insurance for Pakistan.

  Tours for Pakistan

I know this post is about backpacking in Pakistan on your own, but if you are thinking about hiring a guide, I recommend you go with the guys from Find my Adventure, a local Pakistani company with many years of experience and good reputation. 

(In any case, if you are planning to do some serious trekking, then you will require a guide)

They can arrange any customized tour for you and the good news is that the readers of this blog can get an exclusive 10% discount on the final quote by using my promo code ATC-PAK.

Just email them through their contact page, mentioning my blog and promo code. 

  Backpacking in Pakistan: a 2-week travel itinerary

If you are backpacking in Pakistan for two weeks, you can get a nice feeling of the northern areas, as well as a few cities. However, just to let you know: you will have to rush a lot.

Note: This 2-week Pakistan travel itinerary is for anyone, whether you are traveling by public transportation, hitchhiking or in your own car. However, as I said before, from landslides to bus breakdowns, Pakistan is the country of unexpected events.

Note 2: If you really want to save time, you can fly from Islamabad to Gilgit (northern areas), as the bus journey that goes through the Karakoram Highway takes a whole day. However, just keep in mind that flights fill up very quickly, so book in advance. Get the lowest prices on Skyscanner for the Islamabad-Gilgit flight. 

  Places to visit in Pakistan – 2-week map itinerary

The 2-week itinerary follows the Karakoram Highway, almost until the Chinese border. There are loads of other places to discover along this road, so remember to read my Ultimate guide to travel the Karakoram Highway.



  Day 1,2 – Arrival in Lahore

Lahore is the cultural capital and where the real things are going on. From Sufi dancing to underground ladyboy parties, good food and one of the most stunning mosques I’ve ever seen; Lahore is like nowhere else and that’s why your journey should start here.

If you fly to Pakistan, there’s the option of flying to Islamabad which, apparently, would be more convenient, as it’s literally closer to the north. However, I seriously think that you can’t miss Lahore.

In Lahore, go to Badshahi Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques I’ve ever seen and one of the largest in the world. Its courtyard can fit up to 100,000 worshippers. Can you believe it? More than the Camp Nou Football Stadium in Barcelona!

After visiting the mosque, you can’t miss strolling the alleys of the Old City, where you can get lost among spice bazaars, colors and loads of street food. In the Old City, there’s another very cute mosque called Wazir Khan, dating from the 17th century, which once was one of the most important centers for training Islamic calligraphers.

At night, I recommend you go to one of the many rooftop restaurants in the fancy Food Street and order a delicious lamb karahi (a local curry).

If you have time, you should also go to see the Wagah Indian-Pakistani border ceremony. As you may know, Pakistan and India are not the best friends ever, so, every day, they do a weird ceremony which basically, is a hostile show of power. There are hundreds of people attending and both Indians and Pakistanis show a freaking crazy fanaticism.

Where to stay in Lahore

Backpacker Hostel – Lahore Backpackers – This is the meeting point for all the independent travelers in Pakistan and the only real backpacker hostel. The manager is a super helpful guy who can arrange anything for you, like attending the Thursday night Sufi dancing or just get into a crazy party anywhere.

Click here to see the latest prices

  A bit nicer – Rose Palace Hotel – If you are looking for a nicer option, this hotel was recommended by a female traveler, who said it has gorgeous furnishing and tolerable overall quality.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 3, 4 – Islamabad

Islamabad was built in 1960 with the sole objective of becoming the capital of Pakistan. Composed of wide and extremely clean streets and greenery, Islamabad might differ a bit from the image you have of Pakistan. Here is where the Pakistani elite lives and where you find the best restaurants in the country. Huge mansions and the most expensive cars are just the normal everyday stuff in Islamabad.

By the way, wild marihuana grows everywhere in this city

Here you must visit the Faisal Mosque, the largest one in the country. If you stay for the night, go for dinner and see the sunset at Monal, located at the highest point of a hill from where you get magnificent views of the city.

Moving around town is a bit tricky, as distances are freaking long. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you’ll have to mainly rely on taxis. Get Uber, as it’s way cheaper than the regular taxis.

Islamabad is just OK. I stayed here for a few nights because I had plenty of time and I spent my days eating at some very good restaurants and hanging out with local friends at very expensive Western-style cafés. This should be the least interesting place to visit in your Pakistan travel itinerary. If you want to skip it, that’s fine. However, if you travel by public transportation, you must stop here on your way to the north (Gilgit-Baltistan). Buses leave after 6pm though, which means that, if you leave Lahore early in the morning, you may have time to catch one on the same day.

Read: The ultimate guide to the Karakoram Highway

Marihuana Islamabad

How to get from Lahore to Islamabad

These two big cities are connected by a pretty good and wide 380-kilometer road and the fastest way to get there is by bus. They leave every day at all times. Just ask at the hostel for the exact location. Alternatively, you could also go by train but it’s much slower, plus it gets delayed pretty often so, if you only have two weeks, you may want to go by bus. Timing: 4 hours.

Where to stay in Islamabad

Budget Guest House – Nexus Grace – Islamabad doesn’t really have budget options and Nexus Grace is one of the very few. Recently listed online, this guest house has very comfy and tidy rooms, run by some very helpful staff.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Budget Hotel – Royal Galaxy Guest House Islamabad – This guest house is very highly rated by most travelers and offers pretty good rates as per Islamabad standards. People claim that it has very comfortable and clean rooms, so you can get some good sleep before heading to the mountains.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 5, 6 – Fairy Meadows

Coming from Islamabad through the KKH, when you arrive at Raikot Bridge, you will see a detour that takes you to Fairy Meadows, a stunning, green meadow, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. From here, you get stunning views of Nanga Parbat, a striking peak 8,125 meters high, which belongs to the Himalaya range. 

For further information, I wrote a very comprehensive guide: Fairy Meadows trek and Nanga Parbat base camp

How to get to Fairy Meadows from Islamabad

There are 4 or 5 daily buses (from 6pm to 9pm, approximately) that depart from Islamabad to Gilgit. NATCO is the best company out there and the one that the Pakistani middle class uses. The VIP bus, which is the only one with AC, costs 2,000PKR ($20). Theoretically, the journey takes 15 hours but, due to the constant landslides and the endless breakdowns, mine took more than 21 hours. By the way, I recommend buying your ticket at the bus station on the morning of the day of departure. Try to book a first-row seat. Location of the station: 33.638026, 73.025308. You will need to get off at Raikot Bridge, which is around two hours before Gilgit.

For more details, remember to check my Fairy Meadows Guide.

  Day 7 – Gilgit

Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, a city with a Shia majority and the perfect base for exploring the surrounding valleys. It has a wide range of hotels and restaurants, as well as bazaars and a few touristic sites. Given its strategic location which, for years, linked China with the Indian sub-continent, Gilgit became a proper city.

The town has a river with some pretty bridges where you can take nice photos. I also recommend you visit the Kargah Buddha, a Buddha statue carved in a cliff during the 7th century.

Gilgit may be a nice town but, if you only have two weeks, don’t stay here for long as the beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan is in the surrounding valleys. Actually, if you have your own vehicle, I would recommend going straight to Minapin.

How to get from Fairy Meadows to Gilgit 

There’s no actual public transportation but, at Raikot Bridge, the police will stop the first car or bus that passes to take you to Gilgit, for free. Welcome to Pakistan!

Where to stay in Gilgit

Budget Hotel – Madina Hotel II – Most backpacker will come to this place, if there is any in town, of course! It’s a simple but very great place, with awesome staff!

Click here to check prices

  A bit nicer – Cozy Lodge Gilgit – This hotel is quite budget but it is better than the previous one, with very accommodating staff and tasty breakfast included. If you are not a backpacker, you may prefer to stay here.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Top-end – Serena Hotel – If you want some semi-luxury and comfort (I do very occasionally, just to re-charge energy) Serena Hotels is a pretty popular hotel chain in Pakistan.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 8, 9 – Minapin and Rakaposhi base camp

Following the Karakoram Highway, around 75 kilometers from Gilgit, you find a detour that leads to Minapin, a small, lovely village with awesome views of the mountains and from where you can organize a trek to the Rakaposhi base camp, one of the best treks I’ve ever done.

Spend the first night in Minapin and, early on the next day, go to the base camp. If you are reasonably fit, you can reach it in just one day and come back the day after. I am sure you won’t regret it.

For more information, read: A guide to the Rakaposhi base camp

How to get from Gilgit to Minapin 

If you don’t have your own car, hitchhiking is the easiest way, much quicker than going by public transportation. Actually, I didn’t take a single minibus when traveling in the north of Pakistan.

Where to stay in Minapin

Budget Hotel – Osho Trang – Minapin also has what is the best guest house in Gilgit-Baltistan, run by Israr, a very kind man who has been dealing with foreigners for many years.

  Day 10, 11, 12 – Karimabad

Karimabad is the main city in the region of Hunza, the most northern area in Pakistan, a place whose inhabitants are Ismailis, the most liberal branch of Islam. For the first time in your journey, here you will most likely talk to women and, perhaps you may be invited to drink some local wine, who knows.

Ladies, it’s time to uncover your head and get some relaxation!

Karimabad is surrounded by striking mountains over 7,000 meters high, as well as being home to two UNESCO World Heritage forts. Given its laid-back atmosphere, it’s really easy to spend 4 or 5 days wandering around Karimabad and its narrow alleys which, by the way, are made of stone and, at some point, they have a close similarity to some old cities in Europe.

Here, you must visit Baltit and Altit forts and Eagle’s Nest, a 360º viewpoint, from where you get clear views of Rakaposhi, Diran, and Lady Finger.

If you like hiking, Karimabad is also a great place for day hikes.

Karimabad, one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan

How to get from Minapin to Karimabad 

Like I said, hitchhiking the Karakoram Highway is the easiest way to move around.

Where to stay in Karimabad 

Backpacker hostel – Old Hunza Inn is the most budget, backpacking option.

Nicer – Hunza Lounge – A more mid-range option, this hotel has pretty decent prices and good reviews. Click here to see the latest prices

Top-end – Hunza Serena Inn – If you are looking for the best hotel in Karimabad, Hunza Serena Inn is an awesome hotel. I used to go there to have tea, enjoy the views and connect to the internet  Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 13, 14 – Back to Lahore or Islamabad

If you are planning to go back by public transportation, you really need to plan ahead for your journey back to the city, as buses leave Gilgit very early in the morning and the journey may take up to 21 hours. Therefore, perhaps, you should leave Karimabad on the 12th day.

Alternatively, like I said before, if you want to save an entire day, you could also fly from Gilgit to Islamabad. Find the cheapest prices on Skyscanner.

Moreover, to save an extra half day, it would be wise to book your return flight from Islamabad, not Lahore.

  Pakistan Travel Guide: a 1-month itinerary

If you are backpacking in Pakistan for a whole month, you can do all the above and, in addition, visit the northwest of the country which, basically, includes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This means that you don’t have to make the long journey from Islamabad to Gilgit through the Karakoram Highway. Instead, go to Peshawar and, from there, go north through Swat, Chitral and the Shandur Pass, on your way to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Before taking this route, you should know that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most conservative area in Pakistan, inhabited by the Pashtuns, an ethnic group with very extreme, fundamentalist ideas about Islam. Here, most women wear the Afghan burqa, so if you are a woman, dress very modestly. For men, you should definitely dress like them, in a local salwar kameez.

On the other hand, the Pashtuns are the most hospitable and inviting people in the country. You’ll have a lot of fun.

A Pashtun man, somewhere in the Swat Valley

  Places to visit in Pakistan – 1-month map itinerary

Instead of following the KKH from Islamabad to Gilgit, you ascend from the western part of the country.



  Day 1, 2, 3, 4 – Lahore and Islamabad

Check the 2-week backpacking itinerary for all details. 

  Day 5, 6 – Peshawar

Peshawar is history: it’s the oldest city in Pakistan, one of the oldest cities in Asia and used to be the capital of the Kushan empire. Located right at the border with Afghanistan at Khyber Pass, Peshawar had also been a really important and remarkable Silk Road point, linking north and south, east and west Asia.

Today, Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and home to the finest bazaars in the country. Due to its proximity to the Tribal Areas, a region filled with loads of Taliban-friendly people, you should be careful, always dress like a local in a salwar kameez and, if possible, try to walk around with local friends. I met local people through Couchsurfing, so I never encountered any problem.

The best thing you can do in Peshawar is to stroll down its bazaars, buy a real Pashtun hat, go to a restaurant to eat the best lamb in the country and, basically, get ready for one hundred chai invitations.

However, to be honest, not many people invited me because, apparently, I really look like a Pashtun, so they thought I was a local, especially wearing my salwar kameez 

I would have liked to visit the historical Khyber Pass but it requires a permit which takes several days to proceed, as well as some well-connected friends. Alternatively, just at the gate of Khyber Pass, there is a market selling smuggled stuff from Afghanistan, such as daggers or even USA military suits.

How to get from Islamabad to Peshawar 

NATCO buses run daily for just a few USD. You can also come by train. Ask any local friend where the bus station is.

  Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 – Swat Valley

Important: Swat Valley is subject to some instability and, occasionally, for no apparent reason, they don’t allow foreigners to enter. For several months in 2017, nobody had any trouble getting in but, in December 2017, some American tourists were not allowed to enter the region. I recommend you try to get an NOC (a special permit for sensitive areas), just in case. More information below. 

The local Pashtuns call it the Switzerland of Pakistan but, in my opinion, Swat is way better.

If you like hiking through fairy forests, along some of the most off the beaten track mountains in Pakistan, you can’t miss the Swat Valley.

Some years ago, in 2009, the region was controlled by the Taliban but, after a six-month bloody war, they were finally expelled. Do you know Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who won the Nobel Peace Prize? She’s from the Swat Valley and got the prize after she was shot for refusing to obey the Taliban during this invasion.

Remember that this is a super conservative area, inhabited by people with very deep fundamentalist ideas. Most men living here have never seen a woman’s face apart from their close female relatives. Actually, girls wear the hijab since they are really, really young and, when they grow up, they switch to the Afghan burqa. Just be careful with what you say and respect their local beliefs. If you do, you’ll have the best experience ever, trust me.

But despite all this, as I said, the Swat Valley is home to an extreme beauty. I recommend you visit Malam Jabba, a ski resort which turns into a lush, green meadow in summer. Also, you should visit some pretty big Buddha carvings which are worth a look.

If you like trekking, there are a lot of hiking opportunities around. I recommend you first go to Mingora, the main town in the Swat Valley, and organize your treks from there.

Furthermore, you really can’t miss Kalam, a small district a couple of hours from Mingora, consisting of a village in the middle of a stunning, beautiful valley. Kalam is a real off the beaten track place, so be prepared to be excessively overwhelmed by the local hospitality. I stayed there a couple of nights and it was, by far, my favorite place in the Swat Valley.

To know what is it like when traveling in the Swat Valley, read this post from Offbeat Traveling: Visiting the Swat Valley in Pakistan

For trekking tips, read: Trekking in Kalam, Swat Valley

By the way, in Swat, you must contact my good friend Ihsan Khan from Swat Backpackers, a local Pashtun who will be happy to show you around and organize treks for you at a very friendly price, staying at his place as well. Ishan can also help you get the bloody NOC, which they may require if you try to enter the Swat Valley.

Where to stay in Mingora 

Rose Palace – I stayed at this mid-range hotel for a couple of nights. Double rooms with private bathroom.

Where to stay in Malam Jabba 

Samsons Inn Mala Jabba – One of the few good options in Malam Jabba. This mid-range hotel could be a good option, especially if you are two people. Click here to check prices

Where to stay in Kalam 

I stayed in a very budget hotel called Mehboob Hotel, which was not very nice. Alternatively, you can stay at the PTDC Hotel, which is within the mid-range option.

Malam Jabbad – Best places to visit in Pakistan

  Day 12 – The journey to Chitral

The journey to Chitral is a pretty tough one and it takes the entire day. I left early morning and arrived in Chitral around 11pm. We got delayed two hours because the bus driver ran out of gas. Yeah, this should not surprise you in Pakistan.

If you are in Mingora, you should first get a minibus to Timargara. At Timargara, you must take a second minibus towards Chitral. It’s a pretty awesome and scenic journey.

Alternatively, if you are in Kalam, you can also go to Chitral through Kumrat Valley and Dir. For more information, read: How to get from Kalam to Chitral.

Apparently, only in September 2017, they finished a tunnel which had been built for ages, so you may save a good couple of hours.

  Day 13 – Chitral

Chitral is a relatively big town and a transit point for going to the Kalash Valleys or Gilgit Baltistan.

I didn’t do much here besides checking out one mosque and registering at the police station. If you don’t register, they won’t allow you to enter the Kalash Valleys. By the way, if you visit the Kalash, the police in Chitral will also give you a private guard armed with an AK-47, which is compulsory for any foreigner visiting the area since. in 2009/10, the Taliban crossed the border, attacking and killing several people nearby.

Getting a guard seems to be pretty cool but it actually sucks, as you don’t have the freedom to move around.

However, I was really lucky and didn’t get one as I went there during the Kalash Joshy Festival and, since there were a lot of foreigners, they ran out of policemen

Where to stay in Chitral  

Al Farooq Hotel – Good Wi-Fi and friendly owner.

Chitral Mosque – Places to visit in Pakistan

  Day 14, 15, 16 – Rumbur and the Kalash Valleys

More than 2,000 years ago, on his journey through the Hindu Kush range, Alexander the Great and his troops left their footprints and descendants in what is today called the Kalash Valley, home to an ethnic community in Pakistan who have fair skin, are blue-eyed and believe and practice a religion which for centuries, has been classified as pagan.

Unlike more conservative Pakistan, the Kalash people drink alcohol and women have a completely different role, represented in more freedom, a greater independence and some very colorful dresses.

From an anthropological point of view, the Kalash Valleys are such a unique and fascinating place.

There is much to say about Kalash people and that’s why a very detailed article is on its way.

In this valley, we also managed to enter a forbidden village inhabited by people who are originally from Nuristan, an Afghan province which is today a Taliban-controlled area. It was such a great and funny story. Read: Sneaking into an Afghan village in Afghanistan.

There are several Kalash villages, all of them spread across three different valleys, named Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir. Bumburet is the biggest village, hence the most commercialized one; whereas Birir is, perhaps, too small and there is not much going on. I suggest you go to Rumbur, which is very authentic and big enough to keep you busy for a couple of days.

For more information, read this post I wrote for the Broke backpacker: Exploring the Kalash Valleys

How to get to Rumbur 

Whichever valley you visit, you should first go to the village of Aini (30km away). From Chitral main bus station, there are mini-vans, as well as shared taxis, going there. In Aini, you can take one of those local pickups with 20 other locals hanging from the back of the car with their chickens and their goats. It’s quite a cool experience.

Where to stay in Rumbur 

Engineer’s Guest House –Engineer (this is his actual name) is a local, kind man who speaks very good English and will try to make your stay unforgettable.

In Aini, on our way to the Kalash Valley

  Day, 16, 17 – Back to Chitral and the journey to Gilgit through Shandur Pass

This was the best road trip I did while backpacking in Pakistan. It was really tough but awesome at the same time. The road ascends through freaking steep cliffs by finally going over Shandur Pass, a breathtaking 3,700 meters mountain pass.

It’s a 360-kilometer challenging, mountain road. We did it in a private Jeep and it took us more than 18 hours, leaving at 5am and arriving at 11pm. But damn, what a journey… The road is absolutely fascinating from the start until the end.

At the Shandur pass, you also find the highest polo pitch in the world. If you are traveling in Pakistan during the summer months, you may be lucky to see a polo match.

Moreover, as you can imagine, there are plenty of valleys and trekking opportunities around this area but, for this, you will need a hell of a lot of time. We wanted to camp somewhere near Shandur Pass but, when I was there in May, it was really cold.

If you want to go by private Jeep, ask the owner of Al Farooq Hotel, as he has loads of contacts. We got a pretty good deal, finding one guy who had to go Gilgit anyways, so we paid less than 15USD each.

If you go by public transportation, the journey takes two whole days. Yes, two days! You need first to go to Mastuj, stay there for a night and take a second minibus on the next day. I seriously think that, if you can share costs, going in a private Jeep is, definitely, much better.

Taking a break at Shandur Pass

  Day 18 to 30 – Gilgit, Fairy Meadows, Minapin, Rakaposhi basecamp, Karimabad and back to Islamabad

Check the 2-week backpacking itinerary for all details. 

  Extending your Pakistan travel itinerary – Additional places

I traveled in Pakistan for two months, which allowed me to visit a couple of additional places. If you have only one month but you have a car, it’s also possible to visit some of them.

Backpacking in Pakistan – 5 more additional places



  Astore Valley (5 days)

If I had to choose one place from Gilgit-Baltistan, I would choose the Astore Valley. Home to the most stunning scenery I have ever seen, the Astore Valley used to be a trading route that connected Gilgit-Baltistan with the Indian subcontinent. Coming here takes a lot of time, so plan your trip accordingly. The heart of the Valley is 7 to 8 hours from Gilgit, assuming that you are traveling by Jeep. 

For more information, I wrote this post: Astore Valley, a historical paradise in Pakistan

  Naltar Valley (3 days)

Another very pretty valley located 3 to 4 hours from Gilgit. Naltar is greener and at a lower altitude than Astore. It receives quite a lot of domestic tourists, who come for both trekking or just chilling. In Naltar, you can’t miss the Rainbow Lake, a very peculiar lake with loads of color tonalities. If you are not camping, I recommend staying with my friend Salman at The Dream Jungle Inn, located quite inside the valley. Call him at [phone].

Rainbow Lake – Tourism Pakistan

  Passu (3 days)

Located in Hunza, following the Karakoram Highway after Karimabad, the Passu Range is one of the most iconic ranges in Hunza, as the mountains are so sharp and thin that they look almost impossible to climb. Passu is a peaceful village from where to do awesome treks, as well as visiting Passu and Batura glaciers, the latter being one of the largest glaciers in the world, outside the polar regions (56km).

  Khunjerab Pass (1 day)

Located at 4,600 meters above sea level, the China-Pakistan border crossing, which goes over the Khunjerab Pass, is the highest and, consequently, one of the most beautiful borders in the world. It has become a real tourist attraction, which means that you can actually go there, even if you are not planning to cross.

For more information, read: China-Pakistan border crossing at Khunjerab Pass.

  South Pakistan (7 days)

What about the southern part of Pakistan?

Most travelers just explore the northern areas but, Sindh and Punjab provinces are where the real cultural heritage of Pakistan lies. I was actually planning to explore these two areas thoroughly but, when I came in April, it was really, really hot so I quit and headed north. In a week, I just managed to visit two cities: Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, and Multan, home to some Sufi shrines. If I ever come back to Pakistan, it will be in winter and I look forward to exploring the entire south and visiting places such as Thatta, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, and many others.

  Other resources for traveling to Pakistan

Tours and agencies

Private, tailored tours – I definitely recommend the guys from Find My Adventure, a local Pakistani company with many years of experience who can arrange absolutely anything you want. Moreover, the readers of this blog can get an exclusive 10% discount on any of their tours by using the promo code ATC-PAK. Just email them through their contact page, mentioning my blog and the code.

Swat Valley – As I said before, contact Ihsan Khan from Swat Backpackers for any trekking in the Swat Valley.

Thank you for reading until the end. I really hope you enjoyed my Pakistan travel guide. If you have any further concern or want to suggest a place, just mention it in the comments below. 

If you like my website and found this post useful, remember that, if you book any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks

  source http://cheaprtravels.com/pakistan-travel-guide-the-ultimate-backpacking-itinerary/

[ellafryme]

Lahore Karahi House is the best choice for Indian, pakistani food experience, located in 164 High Street, Gillingham, Rochester ME7 1AJ. Our love of food can bring you the best quality and the true taste of Indian, pakistani cuisine. We offer takeaways to our customers cooked by our professional chefs that makes your mouth watery!

#Order Indian food online #Indian takeaway in Gillingham #Indian food in Gillingham #Indian takeaway in Rochester

[lahorekarahihouse-blog]

Grab a bite at the Lahore Karahi House

There are various ways by which we can acknowledge food for giving us the meaning of life. Have we ever thought why we earn? Well, although it is simply not because we earn to eat, however one of the main reasons is food. Thinking apart from the box food is the fuel for our existence. Today, food has reached a level where it is more than just a necessary. To some food is luxury, to some its necessity to others it is just a way to de-stress ourselves. No mater, what the reason is food had and will always be the center of attraction in any situation of life.

How Indian Food Came to Gillingham

With the globalization which started with the British colonization, people have exchanged their food habits. Initially it was restricted to a location but today it has just pushed the boundaries and made its way to zillions of hearts across the world. Making sure of the fact that there is region specific restaurant in every region of the world, people relish on other’s food habits. We can easily find the real taste of Indian food at the

Lahore Karahi House in Gillingham

. There are many other region specific restaurants in the region but of all Indian restaurants is the most prominent one. This is because the people of Gillingham have tasted sophisticated and non spicy food. With the entry of Indian food they were just blown away with the rich and spicy taste of the Indian dishes that had brought in variation.

Takeaway food and its importance

Setting aside the idea of food we should also focus on the takeaways that are more necessary in the ad times. Say if we are travelling to some other place of the country or the continent we should be ready with the food when we are hungry. We have to ready with the nearest

takeaway restaurants in Gillingham

, which can deliver food in no time. A restaurant that is specifically made for takeaways are hard to find, however, it is easy to find a restaurant which can deliver the takeaway in no time.

As the business strategy goes all the restaurants make sure that they attend the present customers in the restaurant rooms. They however, keep the option of takeaway; they always take a few extra minute to deliver the food. Finding a restaurant that can help us get the takeaway no sooner we ask for it is hard to find. However, there are restaurants which solely concentrate on takeaways. It is best to find a restaurant that can take orders online or over the phone and keep the food ready so that we can pick up the food while we pass through the restaurant. That will save time and the restaurant chefs get time to cook the food as well.

To conclude there is

Lahore Karahi House in Gillingham

that can promise us the delivery of takeaway foods on time. On the other hand they are the best restaurant who can also guarantee the real taste of Indian foods. Therefore, it’s time to caress our taste buds with the Indian flavor in Gillingham.

#Lahore Karahi House

[i-nathanwheeler]

Lahore Karahi House is an Indian & Pakistani restaurant serving delicious Indian & Pakistani food. Lahore Karahi House is Located in the heart of Rochester, we are popular amongst the locals and around. We are running for a while and we specialise in Indian & Pakistani cuisines.

We are a restaurant and takeaway, and we deliver in Burham, Rainham, Chatham, Strood, Halling & Cuxton. We are open 7 days a week and our opening hours are Monday to Saturday: 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM & Sunday: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM.

We thrive to serve our customers the best. Happy customers leave us good wishes and good reviews. We have real good reviews in Google and we have a 3.7-star rating on service and hygiene.

#indian restaurant Gillingham indian restaurant near Gillingham indian takeaway Gillingham indian takeaway near Gillingham order food online

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Where To ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ When Dishoom’s Fully Booked added to Google Docs

Where To ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ When Dishoom’s Fully Booked

The government’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme offers diners a discount of up to £10 per person, excluding booze, when they eat out from Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

Don’t worry, Dishoom’s 50% off the entire bill offer isn’t the only thing worth going out for this month. In fact there are plenty of restaurants across London, both serving curries and not, with deals or always-reasonable prices, who are part of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme. If you’re looking for minimum spend in particular, then check out our £10 Guide.

Find all of our ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ guides, here.

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INFATUATION NEWSLETTER Get our newest guides & reviews first,

plus more restaurant intel you won't find anywhere else. ATL ATX BOS CHI LDN LA MIA NYC PHL SF SEA DC Subscribe Smart move. Excellent information will arrive in your inbox soon. Do you have friends and family who also eat food? Enter their emails below and we’ll make sure they’re eating well. (Don’t worry, we won’t subscribe them to our newsletter - they can do that themselves.) Help Your Friends No Thanks Well done. You’re a good person. All good. We still like you. Want to quickly find restaurants on the go? Download The Infatuation app.   THE SPOTS  Karolina Wiercigroch Tayyabs £ £ £ £ Indian  in  Whitechapel ££££ 83-89 Fieldgate St

The raucous Punjabi curry house just off the Whitechapel Road is an always-reliable bet for a good time, if done the right way. That way involves a group of friends, plenty of jangling bags from the offie, and the reassuring sizzle and smell of plenty of portions of their famous lamb chops. Plus it’s BYOB, so there’s money saved there.

 Karolina Wiercigroch Rasa Sayang £ £ £ £ Malaysian  in  Chinatown ££££ 5 Macclesfield St

Rasa Sayang recently had a bit of a revamp and moved around the corner to Frith Street and the good news is that it’s still just as delicious. This Malaysian spot offers reliably tasty char kway teow and Hainanese chicken rice all for under a tenner, without discount. There are plenty of vegetarian options too, like morning glory or sambal okra, and all in all it’s a guaranteed winner.

Lahore Kebab House ££££ 2 Umberston St

Another legendary Whitechapel restaurant, Lahore is an institution for excellent value, deliciously daal-filled, group meals. That isn’t to say you can’t enjoy their onion bhajis and a portion of softly spiced chicken karahi alone. But the more the merrier is the way to go at Lahore, with family, friends, and dishes on the table.

 Bellanger £ £ £ £ French  in  Islington ££££ 9 Islington Green

N1’s very own answer to Lazarus, the French brasserie has reopened (from August 14th) with a new remit and aesthetic after closing a year or so ago. With an intention to be priced more like its sibling Brasserie Zedel, Bellanger will more than likely have some excellent prix fixe menus and a menu of reasonably-priced brasserie classics.

Diwana Bhel Poori House ££££ 121-123 Drummond St

Diwana is an old-school Indian restaurant in Euston with a fine menu of all-vegetarian options. We generally opt for a thali - a platter of curries, pickles, and breads - along with a bhel poori - samosas, daal, poori and other snacks. All of it, again, is priced extremely reasonably.

Yipin China £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Islington ££££ 70-72 Liverpool Rd

Yipin is Islington’s go-to Chinese restaurant with a menu that spans Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hunan dishes. It’s the kind of place where you can (and we have) spent a not insignificant chunk of money, but the portions here are generous and the flavours excellent, so you don’t have to over order like we do. Twice cooked pork belly and hot and numbing beef are particular favourites.

 Gunpowder £ £ £ £ Indian  in  Shoreditch ,  Spitalfields ££££ 11 White's Row

With locations in Shoreditch and Tower Bridge, Gunpowder offers a little bit of that geographic spread that Dishoom has. It also offers things that Dishoom doesn’t, like their famous curry venison-filled doughnut, and lamb chops the size of a VHS tape. They also offer a two or three-course set lunch that comes to £10 as part of EOTHO.

Lahore Kebab House ££££ 2 Umberston St

Another legendary Whitechapel restaurant, Lahore is an institution for excellent value, deliciously daal-filled, group meals. That isn’t to say you can’t enjoy their onion bhajis and a portion of softly spiced chicken karahi alone. But the more the merrier is the way to go with Lahore with family, friends, and dishes on the table.

 Giulia Verdinelli Persepolis £ £ £ £ Vegetarian ,  Vegan ,  Middle Eastern  in  Peckham ££££ Peckham High St.

A Persian deli-cum-cafe, this BYOB spot in Peckham serves fantastic mezze at fantastic prices. Their ‘tasting menu’ - a £20 series of seemingly unlimited vegetarian courses - is the best move. Though any mezze and dessert combo is a winner.

 Roti King £ £ £ £ Malaysian  in  Euston ££££ 40 Doric Way

Roti King is mega-popular Malaysian restaurant in Euston that serves tasty and delicious roti canai with bowls of curry, as well as nasi lemak laksa, and more. You’re best off coming here as a couple rather than en masse because it’s walk-in only (though you can pre-queue via app), but quality and quantity of food makes it all worthwhile.

Rasa ££££ 55 Stoke Newington Church St

Rasa is a south Indian spot in Stoke Newington that’s been making excellent all-vegetarian Keralan food since the mid ’90s. Famous for their pink interior and exterior, and their delicious and good value food, nothing here goes over £8 - from beetroot curries, to potato and chutney filled dosas - and a lot of the menu is vegan and gluten free.

Dumpling Shack ££££ Old Spitalfields Market

As well as making London’s best shen jiang bao soup dumplings, Dumpling Shack are also doing some brilliant EOTHO-specific deals. Every Tuesday they’re offering special sets for £10, including: six pork soup dumplings, spicy beef noodles, and a drink, or four dumplings, prawn wontons, crispy spring onion pancake plus a drink. All for a tenner. There’s also a Sichuan hot fried chicken sandwich dinner deal.

 LDN Guide: Where To Have A Great £10 Meal With The ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ Scheme Read

via The Infatuation Feed https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/eat-out-to-help-out-where-to-go-when-dishoom-is-fully-booked Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://trello.com/userhuongsen

Created August 12, 2020 at 07:42PM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

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Where To Order From When You Want Leftovers For Tomorrow (1) added to Google Docs

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There’s something satisfyingly primitive about seeking out leftovers in your own home. You emerge from your cave in dire need of sustenance. You hunch foraging in your fridge, sniffing and inspecting containers like a fox in sliders. Eventually, you end up leaning somewhere, anywhere, with one hand rhythmically forking cold noodles, as the other absentmindedly scratches your midriff. Before eventually repeating, again and again, until someone calls you “a hideous pig experiment gone wrong” for eating all the leftovers. You are Ray Mears and something that David Attenborough would talk about rolled into one, and these are the restaurants you should next be foraging from.

Jump To

North

South

East

West

Central

NORTH  Gokyüzü ££££

We’re not going to lie to you, eating leftovers from Gökyüzü is very nice. But it does mean you have to find the self-restraint to not inhale their manti, mixed meze, pide, and falafel in one sitting. You can do it. We believe in you. Want to stock your fridge with something other than tonic water and Babybel? Order a selection of their cold meze.

 Giulia Verdinelli Namaaste Kitchen £ £ £ £ Indian  in  Camden ££££ 64 Parkway 7.8 /10

Eating toast for breakfast? Boring. Eating butter chicken for breakfast? You’re a maverick, a creative, a savant of snacking. Namaaste Kitchen are delivering their excellent Indian dishes from Camden, including king prawn biryani and their signature lamb chops. The menu is huge and full of winners, but you’re definitely going to want to get involved in the zardaloo kofte from the house specials section.

 Quartieri £ £ £ £ Pizza ,  Italian  in  Kilburn ££££ 300 Kilburn High Rd 8.4 /10

You don’t have time to do any cooking today. After all you’ve got three naps on your agenda, and that puzzle isn’t going to finish itself. Quartieri in Kilburn delivers the kind of big Naples-style pizzas that should keep you going for a couple meals, especially if you make the executive decision to get that calzone. Our top pick is La Diavola, a spicy salami number that comes covered in fresh basil.

Autograf ££££ 488 West Green Rd

Green Lanes spot Autograf has a dish on their menu simply called ‘plate size schnitzel’. If that doesn’t say ‘hello leftovers’ to you, then nothing will. This classic Polish spot are also delivering a range of dumplings, red borscht with ravioli, potato pancakes, and a big mixed platter of some of their most popular dishes. Get some of the bread for peak dipping potential too.

Yard Sale Pizza ££££ 54 Blackstock Rd

Your lounge is starting to look like a Tracey Emin installation. And honestly, if someone asked you when you last showered you’d plead the fifth. Time to throw an 18-inch pizza into the mix and get your shit together. Yard Sale are delivering serious sustenance in the form of huge margheritas and big-deal toppings like wild broccoli marinated in chilli oil, fennel sausage, and truffle oil. Heads up, there are a whole bunch of vegan options too.

 Morso ££££ 130 Boundary Road

A big portion of cacio e pepe and some rump tagliata? Don’t mind if we do. Morso in St John’s Wood have started delivering their Italian classics, and whether you’re in the mood for beef carpaccio or some classic tagliatelle al ragu, you’ll find something on the menu for you. We’ve also got our eye on their arancini and parmesan fries.

SOUTH FM Mangal £ £ £ £ Turkish  in  Camberwell ££££ 54 Camberwell Church St 7.5 /10

Out of all the things that come off of FM Mangal’s ocakbasi grill in Camberwell, it’s hard to pick a favourite. The adana kebab is juicy and perfectly spiced. The aubergine and peppers, just the right amount of smoky. And the flatbread - the flatbread that’s soaked in meat juices, rubbed with a-never-not-exciting secret rub, and grilled over coals - is something we’d isolate with forever. Which is why you’ll be ordering a lot here, for today, tomorrow, and again in the near future.

 Karolina Wiercigroch Mr Bao £ £ £ £ Taiwanese  in  Peckham ££££ 293 Rye Ln 8.1 /10

There’s one problem with Mr. Bao’s menu, and that problem is that it’s extremely unlikely you can fit it all into one stomach (but lord knows have we tried). Everything available to order at this Taiwanese spot in Peckham is the kind of thing you turn back to later that night, or first thing the next day, with no second thoughts. Shiitake mushroom bao for breakfast? Absolutely. With a side of fried chicken for elevenses? Fuck yes.

Lahore Karahi ££££ 1 Tooting High St

The menu at Lahore is so extensive that Tolstoy might nod off before he gets to the aloo gobi. We’d advice against that though, as you’ll want to order lamb chops, pakoras, tandoori prawns, biriyani, curries, daal, and more from its Tooting location.

Kaosarn £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Brixton ££££ Brixton Village 7.5 /10

Kaosarn is a yes, yes, yes restaurant. Yes to spring rolls, yes to tod mon pla (spicy fish cakes), yes to larb, yes to papaya salad, yes to curries, yes to... look, you get the picture. Basically, there’s little that you won’t want to order from this homely Thai restaurant in Brixton Village. But equally, there’s little you won’t want to stuff yourself with. So try and save some for later, yeah?

 Theo's Pizzeria £ £ £ £ Pizza  in  Camberwell ££££ 2 Grove Lane 8.3 /10

If you know your way around a kitchen, then you’ll know that pizza is like rice. In that if you’re planning to make (or in this case order some), then you always want to go over the top for today, tomorrow, and the next day. And no, that doesn’t mean we think you should egg fry your margherita or nduja pizza from Theo’s in Camberwell, it means we think you should be eating both, cold, the next day, along with leftover aubergine parmigiana and tiramisu too.

Coal Rooms £ £ £ £ Modern European  in  Peckham ££££ 11a Station Way Not

Rated

Yet

Though Coal Rooms has shut its doors for the time being, the Peckham Rye spot has reinvented itself as the endearingly named Fat Boy BBQ. Open from Thursday to Sunday, there is quite literally nothing on this menu that we don’t want to eat. And if you’re questioning whether short rib, hot wings, or mac and cheese keep well the next day. Well, all we can say is come back to us at around midday on Saturday.

EAST  Lucky And Joy £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Clapton ,  Hackney ££££ 95 Lower Clapton Road 8.0 /10

Lucky & Joy is one of those restaurants that leaves its menus on the table along with a pen, and says “go on, we dare you not to over order”. Happily, we never haven’t. And nor have we ever regretted it. That’s because this Chinese spot in Clapton is damn good. So good that we think about the sesame noodles day and night, and the turnip cake, or the sweet potato wontons, aren’t far behind. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, you can check their menu and ordering details via Instagram.

Singburi £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Leytonstone ££££ 593 High Rd Leytonstone Not

Rated

Yet

If you live in or around Leytonstone, then you’re sorted. You’re fine. You have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to leftovers. Because you have Singburi. This homely restaurant in E11 is arguably London’s finest spot for Thai food, and its changing specials board (found here) is like the 10 to 12 commandments of what you should be eating this weekend.

 Yard Sale Pizza £ £ £ £ Pizza  in  Clapton ,  Hackney ££££ 105 Lower Clapton Rd 8.0 /10

As always, Yard Sale are delivering serious sustenance in the form of huge margheritas and big-deal toppings like wild broccoli marinated in chilli oil, fennel sausage, and truffle oil. Heads up, there are a whole bunch of vegan options too.

Krapow £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Clapton ,  Hackney ££££ 62 Chatsworth Rd Not

Rated

Yet

Whenever we’ve been to Krapow, we’ve always liked to instigate The Invisible Friend Rule. And no, that doesn’t mean we sit trying to feed an empty chair crispy chicken wings, it means we always order like there’s one extra person with us. Because why wouldn’t you want to order krapow moo, and spicy aubergine, alongside a curry, some larb, and a cucumber salad too?

House Of MoMo ££££ 52 Boleyn Rd

A momo is a Nepalese dumpling that’s either steamed or fried, and filled with meat, veg, cheese, or a mixture of all three, and served plain or with a curry, or chilli sauce. Now if that doesn’t make you want your house to be known as house of momo, momo, momo, and also those momos over there, then we don’t know what will. Not only is this Dalston spot tasty, but it’s excellent value too (10 momos are just over £10), and you can order from here

Saravana Bhavan £ £ £ £ Indian ,  Vegetarian  in  East Ham ££££ 300 High Street North 7.6 /10

Saravana Bhavan is the biggest South Indian chain in the world, and their entirely vegetarian menu is pretty hefty too. Available to order from their East Ham branch, the menu here could legitimately fill your fridge for weeks, let alone a night or two. There’s an extensive choice of dosas, parottas, rotis, naans, curries, and more, as well as a handy kid’s menu too.

01 Adana £ £ £ £ Turkish  in  Stoke Newington ££££ 25-27 Green Lanes Not

Rated

Yet

Few things make us happier than opening the fridge to find a few takeaway boxes filled with hummus, cacik, imam bayildi (stuffed aubergines), cold beyti kebab, some salads, and flatbread ready to warmed in the oven for good measure. That’s often the situation when we order from Adana 01 in Newington Green.

west Melabes £ £ £ £ Mediterranean  in  Kensington ££££ 221 Kensington High Street Not

Rated

Yet

Who needs a social life and human contact when you have hummus? Not us. Well, that’s what we’re telling ourselves anyway. Fill the isolation void with Melabes’ classic Middle Eastern and mediterranean dishes like the falafel, chargrilled aubergines, baba ganoush, and their hefty gyros feast. Go on, get a couple pale ales too.

Saporitalia £ £ £ £ Pizza ,  Italian  in  Notting Hill ££££ 222 Portobello Rd 7.9 /10

We love seeing our friends. And when we say friends, we mean the anonymous delivery driver that knocks at our door and runs away. We also love eating big pizzas with a side of rigatoni alla norma, with some garlic focaccia thrown in for good measure. Saporitalia are delivering all of the above from Notting Hill, and yes there is tiramisu too.

New Culture Revolution, SW3 £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Chelsea ££££ 305 Kings Road, Not

Rated

Yet

Some prawn chao mian today. A little sweet and sour pork tomorrow. A big portion of sauteed duck rice noodles now, some yeung chow fried rice and kung po chicken later. Basically, the game plan is entirely up to you, but New Culture Revolution has a huge menu full of great Chinese classics. This cheap and cheerful spot is delivering in and around Chelsea and we’d recommend getting a round of their dumplings too.

 Giulia Verdinelli La Mia Mamma £ £ £ £ Italian  in  Chelsea ££££ 257 King’s Road 8.1 /10

When we found out that homely Italian spot La Mia Mamma are delivering their survival kits across London from Chelsea, we had a reaction that can only be described as One Direction fan meets Harry Styles circa 2012. For £65 you get 1/2kg of pasta dough, dried dough, 2 handmade sauces, flour, aubergine parmigiana, pizza dough, charcuterie, meatballs, mini arancini, croquettes, cannoli, ricotta, handmade stracciatella di burrata, and a bottle of wine. Even we’d struggle to consume all that in one sitting, and there’s an even bigger, bumper kit if you’re looking to feed the whole family for a week.

Tokyo Pizza £ £ £ £ Pizza  in  Maida Vale ££££ 47 Maida Vale Not

Rated

Yet

Japanese and Italian hybrid? Don’t mind if we do. Maida Vale’s Tokyo Pizza is serving up just that with its wagyu beef-topped pizzas, yuzu and enoki mushroom-dressed salads, and mochi garlic bread with ponzu dip. The more you read, the more you want to try, and that should guide your approach to ordering.

Esarn Kheaw £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Shepherds Bush ££££ 314 Uxbridge Rd. 7.6 /10

We’re definitely not above eating spring rolls at 10am whilst dressed in a towel. And trust us, you shouldn’t be either. Esarn Kheaw are delivering some of the best Thai food in London, including their khanom jeep, tom yum soup, signature laab, and big stir fry and curry portions too. Be warned that this Shepherd’s Bush spot is pretty spicy, but there’s also some milder classics like pad thai on the menu.

CENTRAL  Giulia Verdinelli Murger Hanhan £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Mayfair ££££ Sackville St 7.8 /10

If you asked us whether we miss our social lives or Murger Hanhan’s biang biang noodles more, we know which one we’d pick and it would be the one with all the chilli sauce. The good news is that you can get everything from the tofu skewers and huge soups, to their classic pork murger delivered to your door if you live in or around Mayfair. If you’re also after something sweet, there’s mixed mochi ice cream too.

 Karolina Wiercigroch Homeslice ££££

There’s something quite majestic about pizzas being measured in length. You don’t see a 50cm lasagne on a menu, or a 17-metre kebab, but you do see a 20-inch pizza on Homeslice’s menu, and it’s even more exciting at 10am the following morning. If you’re within two miles of their Marylebone branch, then you order these giant beauties, including the wagyu beef special, from here.

Nonna Tonda ££££ 191 Victoria St

When we hear ‘serves four’, our stomach hears ‘tasty, tasty leftovers’. Nonna Tonda, a handmade pasta spot in Victoria, are delivering everything you need to make excellent pasta dishes at home. Their batched sauces, garnishes, parmesan, and fresh pasta come in servings for two, four, or six people so go ahead and double up your order to keep you covered for a couple days.

 Yauatcha £ £ £ £ Chinese ,  Dim Sum  in  Soho ££££ 15-17 Broadwick St 7.7 /10

If you told us last year that we’d someday eat Yauatcha’s high-end dim sum while wearing our Pokémon slippers, we would have either laughed in your face or backed away very slowly. But that’s exactly what you can do now that this glam Chinese spot in Soho are delivering. Their ‘Taste Of Yauatcha’ menu will keep you going for a whole day, if not two.

L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele ££££ 199 Baker St

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele is a legendary Neapolitan pizza place that’s delivering from their Baker Street restaurant. Super-thin and sloppy pizzas aside, the menu has plenty of lovely beige bits - arancini, frittatina, babas, tiramisu, and more - to fill you well and allow a few slices to be saved for tomorrow.

via The Infatuation Feed https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/london-restaurant-delivery-leftovers Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://trello.com/userhuongsen

Created May 22, 2020 at 08:42PM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

[instantdeerlover]

Where To Order From When You Want Leftovers For Tomorrow added to Google Docs

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There’s something satisfyingly primitive about seeking out leftovers in your own home. You emerge from your cave in dire need of sustenance. You hunch foraging in your fridge, sniffing and inspecting containers like a fox in sliders. Eventually, you end up leaning somewhere, anywhere, with one hand rhythmically forking cold noodles, as the other absentmindedly scratches your midriff. Before eventually repeating, again and again, until someone calls you “a hideous pig experiment gone wrong” for eating all the leftovers. You are Ray Mears and something that David Attenborough would talk about rolled into one, and these are the restaurants you should next be foraging from.

Jump To

North

South

East

West

Central

NORTH  Gokyüzü ££££

We’re not going to lie to you, eating leftovers from Gökyüzü is very nice. But it does mean you have to find the self-restraint to not inhale their manti, mixed meze, pide, and falafel in one sitting. You can do it. We believe in you. Want to stock your fridge with something other than tonic water and Babybel? Order a selection of their cold meze.

Namaaste Kitchen £ £ £ £ Indian  in  Camden ££££ 64 Parkway 7.8 /10

Eating toast for breakfast? Boring. Eating butter chicken for breakfast? You’re a maverick, a creative, a savant of snacking. Namaaste Kitchen are delivering their excellent Indian dishes from Camden, including king prawn biryani and their signature lamb chops. The menu is huge and full of winners, but you’re definitely going to want to get involved in the zardaloo kofte from the house specials section.

 Quartieri £ £ £ £ Pizza ,  Italian  in  Kilburn ££££ 300 Kilburn High Rd 8.4 /10

You don’t have time to do any cooking today. After all you’ve got three naps on your agenda, and that puzzle isn’t going to finish itself. Quartieri in Kilburn delivers the kind of big Naples-style pizzas that should keep you going for a couple meals, especially if you make the executive decision to get that calzone. Our top pick is La Diavola, a spicy salami number that comes covered in fresh basil.

Autograf ££££ 488 West Green Rd

Green Lanes spot Autograf has a dish on their menu simply called ‘plate size schnitzel’. If that doesn’t say ‘hello leftovers’ to you, then nothing will. This classic Polish spot are also delivering a range of dumplings, red borscht with ravioli, potato pancakes, and a big mixed platter of some of their most popular dishes. Get some of the bread for peak dipping potential too.

Yard Sale Pizza ££££ 54 Blackstock Rd

Your lounge is starting to look like a Tracey Emin installation. And honestly, if someone asked you when you last showered you’d plead the fifth. Time to throw an 18-inch pizza into the mix and get your shit together. Yard Sale are delivering serious sustenance in the form of huge margheritas and big-deal toppings like wild broccoli marinated in chilli oil, fennel sausage, and truffle oil. Heads up, there are a whole bunch of vegan options too.

 Morso ££££ 130 Boundary Road

A big portion of cacio e pepe and some rump tagliata? Don’t mind if we do. Morso in St John’s Wood have started delivering their Italian classics, and whether you’re in the mood for beef carpaccio or some classic tagliatelle al ragu, you’ll find something on the menu for you. We’ve also got our eye on their arancini and parmesan fries.

SOUTH  FM Mangal £ £ £ £ Turkish  in  Camberwell ££££ 54 Camberwell Church St 7.5 /10

Out of all the things that come off of FM Mangal’s ocakbasi grill in Camberwell, it’s hard to pick a favourite. The adana kebab is juicy and perfectly spiced. The aubergine and peppers, just the right amount of smoky. And the flatbread - the flatbread that’s soaked in meat juices, rubbed with a-never-not-exciting secret rub, and grilled over coals - is something we’d isolate with forever. Which is why you’ll be ordering a lot here, for today, tomorrow, and again in the near future.

 Karolina Wiercigroch Mr Bao £ £ £ £ Taiwanese  in  Peckham ££££ 293 Rye Ln 8.1 /10

There’s one problem with Mr. Bao’s menu, and that problem is that it’s extremely unlikely you can fit it all into one stomach (but lord knows have we tried). Everything available to order at this Taiwanese spot in Peckham is the kind of thing you turn back to later that night, or first thing the next day, with no second thoughts. Shiitake mushroom bao for breakfast? Absolutely. With a side of fried chicken for elevenses? Fuck yes.

Lahore Karahi ££££ 1 Tooting High St

The menu at Lahore is so extensive that Tolstoy might nod off before he gets to the aloo gobi. We’d advice against that though, as you’ll want to order lamb chops, pakoras, tandoori prawns, biriyani, curries, daal, and more from its Tooting location.

Kaosarn £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Brixton ££££ Brixton Village 7.5 /10

Kaosarn is a yes, yes, yes restaurant. Yes to spring rolls, yes to tod mon pla (spicy fish cakes), yes to larb, yes to papaya salad, yes to curries, yes to... look, you get the picture. Basically, there’s little that you won’t want to order from this homely Thai restaurant in Brixton Village. But equally, there’s little you won’t want to stuff yourself with. So try and save some for later, yeah?

 Theo's Pizzeria £ £ £ £ Pizza  in  Camberwell ££££ 2 Grove Lane 8.3 /10

If you know your way around a kitchen, then you’ll know that pizza is like rice. In that if you’re planning to make (or in this case order some), then you always want to go over the top for today, tomorrow, and the next day. And no, that doesn’t mean we think you should egg fry your margherita or nduja pizza from Theo’s in Camberwell, it means we think you should be eating both, cold, the next day, along with leftover aubergine parmigiana and tiramisu too.

Coal Rooms £ £ £ £ Modern European  in  Peckham ££££ 11a Station Way Not

Rated

Yet

Though Coal Rooms has shut its doors for the time being, the Peckham Rye spot has reinvented itself as the endearingly named Fat Boy BBQ. Open from Thursday to Sunday, there is quite literally nothing on this menu that we don’t want to eat. And if you’re questioning whether short rib, hot wings, or mac and cheese keep well the next day. Well, all we can say is come back to us at around midday on Saturday.

EAST  Lucky And Joy £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Clapton ,  Hackney ££££ 95 Lower Clapton Road 8.0 /10

Lucky & Joy is one of those restaurants that leaves its menus on the table along with a pen, and says “go on, we dare you not to over order”. Happily, we never haven’t. And nor have we ever regretted it. That’s because this Chinese spot in Clapton is damn good. So good that we think about the sesame noodles day and night, and the turnip cake, or the sweet potato wontons, aren’t far behind. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, you can check their menu and ordering details via Instagram.

Singburi £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Leytonstone ££££ 593 High Rd Leytonstone Not

Rated

Yet

If you live in or around Leytonstone, then you’re sorted. You’re fine. You have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to leftovers. Because you have Singburi. This homely restaurant in E11 is arguably London’s finest spot for Thai food, and its changing specials board (found here) is like the 10 to 12 commandments of what you should be eating this weekend.

 Yard Sale Pizza £ £ £ £ Pizza  in  Clapton ,  Hackney ££££ 105 Lower Clapton Rd 8.0 /10

As always, Yard Sale are delivering serious sustenance in the form of huge margheritas and big-deal toppings like wild broccoli marinated in chilli oil, fennel sausage, and truffle oil. Heads up, there are a whole bunch of vegan options too.

Krapow £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Clapton ,  Hackney ££££ 62 Chatsworth Rd Not

Rated

Yet

Whenever we’ve been to Krapow, we’ve always liked to instigate The Invisible Friend Rule. And no, that doesn’t mean we sit trying to feed an empty chair crispy chicken wings, it means we always order like there’s one extra person with us. Because why wouldn’t you want to order krapow moo, and spicy aubergine, alongside a curry, some larb, and a cucumber salad too?

House Of MoMo ££££ 52 Boleyn Rd

A momo is a Nepalese dumpling that’s either steamed or fried, and filled with meat, veg, cheese, or a mixture of all three, and served plain or with a curry, or chilli sauce. Now if that doesn’t make you want your house to be known as house of momo, momo, momo, and also those momos over there, then we don’t know what will. Not only is this Dalston spot tasty, but it’s excellent value too (10 momos are just over £10), and you can order from here

Saravana Bhavan £ £ £ £ Indian ,  Vegetarian  in  East Ham ££££ 300 High Street North 7.6 /10

Saravana Bhavan is the biggest South Indian chain in the world, and their entirely vegetarian menu is pretty hefty too. Available to order from their East Ham branch, the menu here could legitimately fill your fridge for weeks, let alone a night or two. There’s an extensive choice of dosas, parottas, rotis, naans, curries, and more, as well as a handy kid’s menu too.

01 Adana £ £ £ £ Turkish  in  Stoke Newington ££££ 25-27 Green Lanes Not

Rated

Yet

Few things make us happier than opening the fridge to find a few takeaway boxes filled with hummus, cacik, imam bayildi (stuffed aubergines), cold beyti kebab, some salads, and flatbread ready to warmed in the oven for good measure. That’s often the situation when we order from Adana 01 in Newington Green.

west Melabes £ £ £ £ Mediterranean  in  Kensington ££££ 221 Kensington High Street Not

Rated

Yet

Who needs a social life and human contact when you have hummus? Not us. Well, that’s what we’re telling ourselves anyway. Fill the isolation void with Melabes’ classic Middle Eastern and mediterranean dishes like the falafel, chargrilled aubergines, baba ganoush, and their hefty gyros feast. Go on, get a couple pale ales too.

Saporitalia £ £ £ £ Pizza ,  Italian  in  Notting Hill ££££ 222 Portobello Rd 7.9 /10

We love seeing our friends. And when we say friends, we mean the anonymous delivery driver that knocks at our door and runs away. We also love eating big pizzas with a side of rigatoni alla norma, with some garlic focaccia thrown in for good measure. Saporitalia are delivering all of the above from Notting Hill, and yes there is tiramisu too.

New Culture Revolution, SW3 £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Chelsea ££££ 305 Kings Road, Not

Rated

Yet

Some prawn chao mian today. A little sweet and sour pork tomorrow. A big portion of sauteed duck rice noodles now, some yeung chow fried rice and kung po chicken later. Basically, the game plan is entirely up to you, but New Culture Revolution has a huge menu full of great Chinese classics. This cheap and cheerful spot is delivering in and around Chelsea and we’d recommend getting a round of their dumplings too.

 La Mia Mamma £ £ £ £ Italian  in  Chelsea ££££ 257 King’s Road 8.1 /10

When we found out that homely Italian spot La Mia Mamma are delivering their survival kits across London from Chelsea, we had a reaction that can only be described as One Direction fan meets Harry Styles circa 2012. For £65 you get 1/2kg of pasta dough, dried dough, 2 handmade sauces, flour, aubergine parmigiana, pizza dough, charcuterie, meatballs, mini arancini, croquettes, cannoli, ricotta, handmade stracciatella di burrata, and a bottle of wine. Even we’d struggle to consume all that in one sitting, and there’s an even bigger, bumper kit if you’re looking to feed the whole family for a week.

Tokyo Pizza £ £ £ £ Pizza  in  Maida Vale ££££ 47 Maida Vale Not

Rated

Yet

Japanese and Italian hybrid? Don’t mind if we do. Maida Vale’s Tokyo Pizza is serving up just that with its wagyu beef-topped pizzas, yuzu and enoki mushroom-dressed salads, and mochi garlic bread with ponzu dip. The more you read, the more you want to try, and that should guide your approach to ordering.

Esarn Kheaw £ £ £ £ Thai  in  Shepherds Bush ££££ 314 Uxbridge Rd. 7.6 /10

We’re definitely not above eating spring rolls at 10am whilst dressed in a towel. And trust us, you shouldn’t be either. Esarn Kheaw are delivering some of the best Thai food in London, including their khanom jeep, tom yum soup, signature laab, and big stir fry and curry portions too. Be warned that this Shepherd’s Bush spot is pretty spicy, but there’s also some milder classics like pad thai on the menu.

CENTRAL  Giulia Verdinelli Murger Hanhan £ £ £ £ Chinese  in  Mayfair ££££ Sackville St 7.8 /10

If you asked us whether we miss our social lives or Murger Hanhan’s biang biang noodles more, we know which one we’d pick and it would be the one with all the chilli sauce. The good news is that you can get everything from the tofu skewers and huge soups, to their classic pork murger delivered to your door if you live in or around Mayfair. If you’re also after something sweet, there’s mixed mochi ice cream too.

 Karolina Wiercigroch Homeslice ££££

There’s something quite majestic about pizzas being measured in length. You don’t see a 50cm lasagne on a menu, or a 17-metre kebab, but you do see a 20-inch pizza on Homeslice’s menu, and it’s even more exciting at 10am the following morning. If you’re within two miles of their Marylebone branch, then you order these giant beauties, including the wagyu beef special, from here.

Nonna Tonda ££££ 191 Victoria St

When we hear ‘serves four’, our stomach hears ‘tasty, tasty leftovers’. Nonna Tonda, a handmade pasta spot in Victoria, are delivering everything you need to make excellent pasta dishes at home. Their batched sauces, garnishes, parmesan, and fresh pasta come in servings for two, four, or six people so go ahead and double up your order to keep you covered for a couple days.

 Yauatcha £ £ £ £ Chinese ,  Dim Sum  in  Soho ££££ 15-17 Broadwick St 7.7 /10

If you told us last year that we’d someday eat Yauatcha’s high-end dim sum while wearing our Pokémon slippers, we would have either laughed in your face or backed away very slowly. But that’s exactly what you can do now that this glam Chinese spot in Soho are delivering. Their ‘Taste Of Yauatcha’ menu will keep you going for a whole day, if not two.

L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele ££££ 199 Baker St

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele is a legendary Neapolitan pizza place that’s delivering from their Baker Street restaurant. Super-thin and sloppy pizzas aside, the menu has plenty of lovely beige bits - arancini, frittatina, babas, tiramisu, and more - to fill you well and allow a few slices to be saved for tomorrow.

via The Infatuation Feed https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/london-restaurant-delivery-leftovers Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://trello.com/userhuongsen

Created April 27, 2020 at 09:20PM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

[topfygad]

Pakistan travel guide – The ultimate backpacking itinerary

This is the most comprehensive and detailed Pakistan travel itinerary available on the internet

From south to north, I spent two whole months traveling in Pakistan. I arrived in Karachi by plane and left the country overland through China.

It was a wild, adventurous journey and probably one of my best traveling experiences ever.

From extremely overwhelming hospitality to the most striking landscapes ever and just wilderness everywhere;  Pakistan is bloody awesome and, unless you have actually been there, it’s very difficult to explain and convey the deeply personal experience you get.

With all my honesty, if you like real adventure, traveling to off the beaten track destinations and just getting immersed in the local culture, I strongly believe that Pakistan should be at the very, very top of your bucket list.

However, I am also aware that Pakistan is not the easiest place to travel in the world, as traveling information is scarce and you can’t really get the comforts which you may find in other countries.

For this reason, based on my personal journey, I have compiled some useful information and created this Pakistan travel guide and ultimate backpacking itinerary which, hopefully, will help you plan your journey through one of the most fascinating countries I’ve ever been to.

This Pakistan travel guide aims to help you plan your itinerary but it doesn’t really talk about other traveling information such as visas, safety, budget, etc. For this, you should read: 70 Things you should know before traveling to Pakistan

    Here’s all the content:

Travel insurance for Pakistan Tours for Pakistan Backpacking in Pakistan: a 2-week travel itinerary Backpacking in Pakistan: a 1-month travel itinerary Extending your Pakistan travel itinerary – Additional places Other resources for traveling to Pakistan

Pakistan is a pretty big country.

By this, I mean that Pakistan is a destination which can’t be visited in a week or, at least, not properly.

Most of the country’s beauty lies in the northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan), which are not easily accessible. Once you have reached these northern areas, moving from one place to another takes ages, sometimes several hours just for less than a hundred kilometers.

In addition, this is also the capital of unexpected events. Believe me when I say that, during my 2-month journey, I experienced more than ten bus breakdowns, no kidding, perhaps even more. Traveling in Pakistan is extremely slow.

Therefore, if you’re planning to visit Pakistan for a week, I would recommend going when you have more time to spend there. However, if your job will never allow you to do that, no problem, I am sure you can work something out and visit a couple of southern cities.

Total transparency! If you like my website and found this post useful, remember to buy your insurance through my link, as I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks

  Travel Insurance for Pakistan

If you are planning to do some trekking and go a bit wild, I recommend you buy World Nomads because:

The basic plan already covers trekking up to 6,000 meters (note that, in Gilgit-Baltistan, it is very easy to reach 4,000-meter base camps. 

They provide with unlimited medical expenses (and Pakistan can be wild)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS

If you want to know more options, read how to get the right travel insurance for Pakistan.

  Tours for Pakistan

I know this post is about backpacking in Pakistan on your own, but if you are thinking about hiring a guide, I recommend you go with the guys from Find my Adventure, a local Pakistani company with many years of experience and good reputation. 

(In any case, if you are planning to do some serious trekking, then you will require a guide)

They can arrange any customized tour for you and the good news is that the readers of this blog can get an exclusive 10% discount on the final quote by using my promo code ATC-PAK.

Just email them through their contact page, mentioning my blog and promo code. 

  Backpacking in Pakistan: a 2-week travel itinerary

If you are backpacking in Pakistan for two weeks, you can get a nice feeling of the northern areas, as well as a few cities. However, just to let you know: you will have to rush a lot.

Note: This 2-week Pakistan travel itinerary is for anyone, whether you are traveling by public transportation, hitchhiking or in your own car. However, as I said before, from landslides to bus breakdowns, Pakistan is the country of unexpected events.

Note 2: If you really want to save time, you can fly from Islamabad to Gilgit (northern areas), as the bus journey that goes through the Karakoram Highway takes a whole day. However, just keep in mind that flights fill up very quickly, so book in advance. Get the lowest prices on Skyscanner for the Islamabad-Gilgit flight. 

  Places to visit in Pakistan – 2-week map itinerary

The 2-week itinerary follows the Karakoram Highway, almost until the Chinese border. There are loads of other places to discover along this road, so remember to read my Ultimate guide to travel the Karakoram Highway.



  Day 1,2 – Arrival in Lahore

Lahore is the cultural capital and where the real things are going on. From Sufi dancing to underground ladyboy parties, good food and one of the most stunning mosques I’ve ever seen; Lahore is like nowhere else and that’s why your journey should start here.

If you fly to Pakistan, there’s the option of flying to Islamabad which, apparently, would be more convenient, as it’s literally closer to the north. However, I seriously think that you can’t miss Lahore.

In Lahore, go to Badshahi Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques I’ve ever seen and one of the largest in the world. Its courtyard can fit up to 100,000 worshippers. Can you believe it? More than the Camp Nou Football Stadium in Barcelona!

After visiting the mosque, you can’t miss strolling the alleys of the Old City, where you can get lost among spice bazaars, colors and loads of street food. In the Old City, there’s another very cute mosque called Wazir Khan, dating from the 17th century, which once was one of the most important centers for training Islamic calligraphers.

At night, I recommend you go to one of the many rooftop restaurants in the fancy Food Street and order a delicious lamb karahi (a local curry).

If you have time, you should also go to see the Wagah Indian-Pakistani border ceremony. As you may know, Pakistan and India are not the best friends ever, so, every day, they do a weird ceremony which basically, is a hostile show of power. There are hundreds of people attending and both Indians and Pakistanis show a freaking crazy fanaticism.

Where to stay in Lahore

Backpacker Hostel – Lahore Backpackers – This is the meeting point for all the independent travelers in Pakistan and the only real backpacker hostel. The manager is a super helpful guy who can arrange anything for you, like attending the Thursday night Sufi dancing or just get into a crazy party anywhere.

Click here to see the latest prices

  A bit nicer – Rose Palace Hotel – If you are looking for a nicer option, this hotel was recommended by a female traveler, who said it has gorgeous furnishing and tolerable overall quality.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 3, 4 – Islamabad

Islamabad was built in 1960 with the sole objective of becoming the capital of Pakistan. Composed of wide and extremely clean streets and greenery, Islamabad might differ a bit from the image you have of Pakistan. Here is where the Pakistani elite lives and where you find the best restaurants in the country. Huge mansions and the most expensive cars are just the normal everyday stuff in Islamabad.

By the way, wild marihuana grows everywhere in this city

Here you must visit the Faisal Mosque, the largest one in the country. If you stay for the night, go for dinner and see the sunset at Monal, located at the highest point of a hill from where you get magnificent views of the city.

Moving around town is a bit tricky, as distances are freaking long. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you’ll have to mainly rely on taxis. Get Uber, as it’s way cheaper than the regular taxis.

Islamabad is just OK. I stayed here for a few nights because I had plenty of time and I spent my days eating at some very good restaurants and hanging out with local friends at very expensive Western-style cafés. This should be the least interesting place to visit in your Pakistan travel itinerary. If you want to skip it, that’s fine. However, if you travel by public transportation, you must stop here on your way to the north (Gilgit-Baltistan). Buses leave after 6pm though, which means that, if you leave Lahore early in the morning, you may have time to catch one on the same day.

Read: The ultimate guide to the Karakoram Highway

Marihuana Islamabad

How to get from Lahore to Islamabad

These two big cities are connected by a pretty good and wide 380-kilometer road and the fastest way to get there is by bus. They leave every day at all times. Just ask at the hostel for the exact location. Alternatively, you could also go by train but it’s much slower, plus it gets delayed pretty often so, if you only have two weeks, you may want to go by bus. Timing: 4 hours.

Where to stay in Islamabad

Budget Guest House – Nexus Grace – Islamabad doesn’t really have budget options and Nexus Grace is one of the very few. Recently listed online, this guest house has very comfy and tidy rooms, run by some very helpful staff.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Budget Hotel – Royal Galaxy Guest House Islamabad – This guest house is very highly rated by most travelers and offers pretty good rates as per Islamabad standards. People claim that it has very comfortable and clean rooms, so you can get some good sleep before heading to the mountains.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 5, 6 – Fairy Meadows

Coming from Islamabad through the KKH, when you arrive at Raikot Bridge, you will see a detour that takes you to Fairy Meadows, a stunning, green meadow, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. From here, you get stunning views of Nanga Parbat, a striking peak 8,125 meters high, which belongs to the Himalaya range. 

For further information, I wrote a very comprehensive guide: Fairy Meadows trek and Nanga Parbat base camp

How to get to Fairy Meadows from Islamabad

There are 4 or 5 daily buses (from 6pm to 9pm, approximately) that depart from Islamabad to Gilgit. NATCO is the best company out there and the one that the Pakistani middle class uses. The VIP bus, which is the only one with AC, costs 2,000PKR ($20). Theoretically, the journey takes 15 hours but, due to the constant landslides and the endless breakdowns, mine took more than 21 hours. By the way, I recommend buying your ticket at the bus station on the morning of the day of departure. Try to book a first-row seat. Location of the station: 33.638026, 73.025308. You will need to get off at Raikot Bridge, which is around two hours before Gilgit.

For more details, remember to check my Fairy Meadows Guide.

  Day 7 – Gilgit

Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, a city with a Shia majority and the perfect base for exploring the surrounding valleys. It has a wide range of hotels and restaurants, as well as bazaars and a few touristic sites. Given its strategic location which, for years, linked China with the Indian sub-continent, Gilgit became a proper city.

The town has a river with some pretty bridges where you can take nice photos. I also recommend you visit the Kargah Buddha, a Buddha statue carved in a cliff during the 7th century.

Gilgit may be a nice town but, if you only have two weeks, don’t stay here for long as the beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan is in the surrounding valleys. Actually, if you have your own vehicle, I would recommend going straight to Minapin.

How to get from Fairy Meadows to Gilgit 

There’s no actual public transportation but, at Raikot Bridge, the police will stop the first car or bus that passes to take you to Gilgit, for free. Welcome to Pakistan!

Where to stay in Gilgit

Budget Hotel – Madina Hotel II – Most backpacker will come to this place, if there is any in town, of course! It’s a simple but very great place, with awesome staff!

Click here to check prices

  A bit nicer – Cozy Lodge Gilgit – This hotel is quite budget but it is better than the previous one, with very accommodating staff and tasty breakfast included. If you are not a backpacker, you may prefer to stay here.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Top-end – Serena Hotel – If you want some semi-luxury and comfort (I do very occasionally, just to re-charge energy) Serena Hotels is a pretty popular hotel chain in Pakistan.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 8, 9 – Minapin and Rakaposhi base camp

Following the Karakoram Highway, around 75 kilometers from Gilgit, you find a detour that leads to Minapin, a small, lovely village with awesome views of the mountains and from where you can organize a trek to the Rakaposhi base camp, one of the best treks I’ve ever done.

Spend the first night in Minapin and, early on the next day, go to the base camp. If you are reasonably fit, you can reach it in just one day and come back the day after. I am sure you won’t regret it.

For more information, read: A guide to the Rakaposhi base camp

How to get from Gilgit to Minapin 

If you don’t have your own car, hitchhiking is the easiest way, much quicker than going by public transportation. Actually, I didn’t take a single minibus when traveling in the north of Pakistan.

Where to stay in Minapin

Budget Hotel – Osho Trang – Minapin also has what is the best guest house in Gilgit-Baltistan, run by Israr, a very kind man who has been dealing with foreigners for many years.

  Day 10, 11, 12 – Karimabad

Karimabad is the main city in the region of Hunza, the most northern area in Pakistan, a place whose inhabitants are Ismailis, the most liberal branch of Islam. For the first time in your journey, here you will most likely talk to women and, perhaps you may be invited to drink some local wine, who knows.

Ladies, it’s time to uncover your head and get some relaxation!

Karimabad is surrounded by striking mountains over 7,000 meters high, as well as being home to two UNESCO World Heritage forts. Given its laid-back atmosphere, it’s really easy to spend 4 or 5 days wandering around Karimabad and its narrow alleys which, by the way, are made of stone and, at some point, they have a close similarity to some old cities in Europe.

Here, you must visit Baltit and Altit forts and Eagle’s Nest, a 360º viewpoint, from where you get clear views of Rakaposhi, Diran, and Lady Finger.

If you like hiking, Karimabad is also a great place for day hikes.

Karimabad, one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan

How to get from Minapin to Karimabad 

Like I said, hitchhiking the Karakoram Highway is the easiest way to move around.

Where to stay in Karimabad 

Backpacker hostel – Old Hunza Inn is the most budget, backpacking option.

Nicer – Hunza Lounge – A more mid-range option, this hotel has pretty decent prices and good reviews. Click here to see the latest prices

Top-end – Hunza Serena Inn – If you are looking for the best hotel in Karimabad, Hunza Serena Inn is an awesome hotel. I used to go there to have tea, enjoy the views and connect to the internet  Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 13, 14 – Back to Lahore or Islamabad

If you are planning to go back by public transportation, you really need to plan ahead for your journey back to the city, as buses leave Gilgit very early in the morning and the journey may take up to 21 hours. Therefore, perhaps, you should leave Karimabad on the 12th day.

Alternatively, like I said before, if you want to save an entire day, you could also fly from Gilgit to Islamabad. Find the cheapest prices on Skyscanner.

Moreover, to save an extra half day, it would be wise to book your return flight from Islamabad, not Lahore.

  Pakistan Travel Guide: a 1-month itinerary

If you are backpacking in Pakistan for a whole month, you can do all the above and, in addition, visit the northwest of the country which, basically, includes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This means that you don’t have to make the long journey from Islamabad to Gilgit through the Karakoram Highway. Instead, go to Peshawar and, from there, go north through Swat, Chitral and the Shandur Pass, on your way to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Before taking this route, you should know that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most conservative area in Pakistan, inhabited by the Pashtuns, an ethnic group with very extreme, fundamentalist ideas about Islam. Here, most women wear the Afghan burqa, so if you are a woman, dress very modestly. For men, you should definitely dress like them, in a local salwar kameez.

On the other hand, the Pashtuns are the most hospitable and inviting people in the country. You’ll have a lot of fun.

A Pashtun man, somewhere in the Swat Valley

  Places to visit in Pakistan – 1-month map itinerary

Instead of following the KKH from Islamabad to Gilgit, you ascend from the western part of the country.



  Day 1, 2, 3, 4 – Lahore and Islamabad

Check the 2-week backpacking itinerary for all details. 

  Day 5, 6 – Peshawar

Peshawar is history: it’s the oldest city in Pakistan, one of the oldest cities in Asia and used to be the capital of the Kushan empire. Located right at the border with Afghanistan at Khyber Pass, Peshawar had also been a really important and remarkable Silk Road point, linking north and south, east and west Asia.

Today, Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and home to the finest bazaars in the country. Due to its proximity to the Tribal Areas, a region filled with loads of Taliban-friendly people, you should be careful, always dress like a local in a salwar kameez and, if possible, try to walk around with local friends. I met local people through Couchsurfing, so I never encountered any problem.

The best thing you can do in Peshawar is to stroll down its bazaars, buy a real Pashtun hat, go to a restaurant to eat the best lamb in the country and, basically, get ready for one hundred chai invitations.

However, to be honest, not many people invited me because, apparently, I really look like a Pashtun, so they thought I was a local, especially wearing my salwar kameez 

I would have liked to visit the historical Khyber Pass but it requires a permit which takes several days to proceed, as well as some well-connected friends. Alternatively, just at the gate of Khyber Pass, there is a market selling smuggled stuff from Afghanistan, such as daggers or even USA military suits.

How to get from Islamabad to Peshawar 

NATCO buses run daily for just a few USD. You can also come by train. Ask any local friend where the bus station is.

  Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 – Swat Valley

Important: Swat Valley is subject to some instability and, occasionally, for no apparent reason, they don’t allow foreigners to enter. For several months in 2017, nobody had any trouble getting in but, in December 2017, some American tourists were not allowed to enter the region. I recommend you try to get an NOC (a special permit for sensitive areas), just in case. More information below. 

The local Pashtuns call it the Switzerland of Pakistan but, in my opinion, Swat is way better.

If you like hiking through fairy forests, along some of the most off the beaten track mountains in Pakistan, you can’t miss the Swat Valley.

Some years ago, in 2009, the region was controlled by the Taliban but, after a six-month bloody war, they were finally expelled. Do you know Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who won the Nobel Peace Prize? She’s from the Swat Valley and got the prize after she was shot for refusing to obey the Taliban during this invasion.

Remember that this is a super conservative area, inhabited by people with very deep fundamentalist ideas. Most men living here have never seen a woman’s face apart from their close female relatives. Actually, girls wear the hijab since they are really, really young and, when they grow up, they switch to the Afghan burqa. Just be careful with what you say and respect their local beliefs. If you do, you’ll have the best experience ever, trust me.

But despite all this, as I said, the Swat Valley is home to an extreme beauty. I recommend you visit Malam Jabba, a ski resort which turns into a lush, green meadow in summer. Also, you should visit some pretty big Buddha carvings which are worth a look.

If you like trekking, there are a lot of hiking opportunities around. I recommend you first go to Mingora, the main town in the Swat Valley, and organize your treks from there.

Furthermore, you really can’t miss Kalam, a small district a couple of hours from Mingora, consisting of a village in the middle of a stunning, beautiful valley. Kalam is a real off the beaten track place, so be prepared to be excessively overwhelmed by the local hospitality. I stayed there a couple of nights and it was, by far, my favorite place in the Swat Valley.

To know what is it like when traveling in the Swat Valley, read this post from Offbeat Traveling: Visiting the Swat Valley in Pakistan

For trekking tips, read: Trekking in Kalam, Swat Valley

By the way, in Swat, you must contact my good friend Ihsan Khan from Swat Backpackers, a local Pashtun who will be happy to show you around and organize treks for you at a very friendly price, staying at his place as well. Ishan can also help you get the bloody NOC, which they may require if you try to enter the Swat Valley.

Where to stay in Mingora 

Rose Palace – I stayed at this mid-range hotel for a couple of nights. Double rooms with private bathroom.

Where to stay in Malam Jabba 

Samsons Inn Mala Jabba – One of the few good options in Malam Jabba. This mid-range hotel could be a good option, especially if you are two people. Click here to check prices

Where to stay in Kalam 

I stayed in a very budget hotel called Mehboob Hotel, which was not very nice. Alternatively, you can stay at the PTDC Hotel, which is within the mid-range option.

Malam Jabbad – Best places to visit in Pakistan

  Day 12 – The journey to Chitral

The journey to Chitral is a pretty tough one and it takes the entire day. I left early morning and arrived in Chitral around 11pm. We got delayed two hours because the bus driver ran out of gas. Yeah, this should not surprise you in Pakistan.

If you are in Mingora, you should first get a minibus to Timargara. At Timargara, you must take a second minibus towards Chitral. It’s a pretty awesome and scenic journey.

Alternatively, if you are in Kalam, you can also go to Chitral through Kumrat Valley and Dir. For more information, read: How to get from Kalam to Chitral.

Apparently, only in September 2017, they finished a tunnel which had been built for ages, so you may save a good couple of hours.

  Day 13 – Chitral

Chitral is a relatively big town and a transit point for going to the Kalash Valleys or Gilgit Baltistan.

I didn’t do much here besides checking out one mosque and registering at the police station. If you don’t register, they won’t allow you to enter the Kalash Valleys. By the way, if you visit the Kalash, the police in Chitral will also give you a private guard armed with an AK-47, which is compulsory for any foreigner visiting the area since. in 2009/10, the Taliban crossed the border, attacking and killing several people nearby.

Getting a guard seems to be pretty cool but it actually sucks, as you don’t have the freedom to move around.

However, I was really lucky and didn’t get one as I went there during the Kalash Joshy Festival and, since there were a lot of foreigners, they ran out of policemen

Where to stay in Chitral  

Al Farooq Hotel – Good Wi-Fi and friendly owner.

Chitral Mosque – Places to visit in Pakistan

  Day 14, 15, 16 – Rumbur and the Kalash Valleys

More than 2,000 years ago, on his journey through the Hindu Kush range, Alexander the Great and his troops left their footprints and descendants in what is today called the Kalash Valley, home to an ethnic community in Pakistan who have fair skin, are blue-eyed and believe and practice a religion which for centuries, has been classified as pagan.

Unlike more conservative Pakistan, the Kalash people drink alcohol and women have a completely different role, represented in more freedom, a greater independence and some very colorful dresses.

From an anthropological point of view, the Kalash Valleys are such a unique and fascinating place.

There is much to say about Kalash people and that’s why a very detailed article is on its way.

In this valley, we also managed to enter a forbidden village inhabited by people who are originally from Nuristan, an Afghan province which is today a Taliban-controlled area. It was such a great and funny story. Read: Sneaking into an Afghan village in Afghanistan.

There are several Kalash villages, all of them spread across three different valleys, named Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir. Bumburet is the biggest village, hence the most commercialized one; whereas Birir is, perhaps, too small and there is not much going on. I suggest you go to Rumbur, which is very authentic and big enough to keep you busy for a couple of days.

For more information, read this post I wrote for the Broke backpacker: Exploring the Kalash Valleys

How to get to Rumbur 

Whichever valley you visit, you should first go to the village of Aini (30km away). From Chitral main bus station, there are mini-vans, as well as shared taxis, going there. In Aini, you can take one of those local pickups with 20 other locals hanging from the back of the car with their chickens and their goats. It’s quite a cool experience.

Where to stay in Rumbur 

Engineer’s Guest House –Engineer (this is his actual name) is a local, kind man who speaks very good English and will try to make your stay unforgettable.

In Aini, on our way to the Kalash Valley

  Day, 16, 17 – Back to Chitral and the journey to Gilgit through Shandur Pass

This was the best road trip I did while backpacking in Pakistan. It was really tough but awesome at the same time. The road ascends through freaking steep cliffs by finally going over Shandur Pass, a breathtaking 3,700 meters mountain pass.

It’s a 360-kilometer challenging, mountain road. We did it in a private Jeep and it took us more than 18 hours, leaving at 5am and arriving at 11pm. But damn, what a journey… The road is absolutely fascinating from the start until the end.

At the Shandur pass, you also find the highest polo pitch in the world. If you are traveling in Pakistan during the summer months, you may be lucky to see a polo match.

Moreover, as you can imagine, there are plenty of valleys and trekking opportunities around this area but, for this, you will need a hell of a lot of time. We wanted to camp somewhere near Shandur Pass but, when I was there in May, it was really cold.

If you want to go by private Jeep, ask the owner of Al Farooq Hotel, as he has loads of contacts. We got a pretty good deal, finding one guy who had to go Gilgit anyways, so we paid less than 15USD each.

If you go by public transportation, the journey takes two whole days. Yes, two days! You need first to go to Mastuj, stay there for a night and take a second minibus on the next day. I seriously think that, if you can share costs, going in a private Jeep is, definitely, much better.

Taking a break at Shandur Pass

  Day 18 to 30 – Gilgit, Fairy Meadows, Minapin, Rakaposhi basecamp, Karimabad and back to Islamabad

Check the 2-week backpacking itinerary for all details. 

  Extending your Pakistan travel itinerary – Additional places

I traveled in Pakistan for two months, which allowed me to visit a couple of additional places. If you have only one month but you have a car, it’s also possible to visit some of them.

Backpacking in Pakistan – 5 more additional places



  Astore Valley (5 days)

If I had to choose one place from Gilgit-Baltistan, I would choose the Astore Valley. Home to the most stunning scenery I have ever seen, the Astore Valley used to be a trading route that connected Gilgit-Baltistan with the Indian subcontinent. Coming here takes a lot of time, so plan your trip accordingly. The heart of the Valley is 7 to 8 hours from Gilgit, assuming that you are traveling by Jeep. 

For more information, I wrote this post: Astore Valley, a historical paradise in Pakistan

  Naltar Valley (3 days)

Another very pretty valley located 3 to 4 hours from Gilgit. Naltar is greener and at a lower altitude than Astore. It receives quite a lot of domestic tourists, who come for both trekking or just chilling. In Naltar, you can’t miss the Rainbow Lake, a very peculiar lake with loads of color tonalities. If you are not camping, I recommend staying with my friend Salman at The Dream Jungle Inn, located quite inside the valley. Call him at [phone].

Rainbow Lake – Tourism Pakistan

  Passu (3 days)

Located in Hunza, following the Karakoram Highway after Karimabad, the Passu Range is one of the most iconic ranges in Hunza, as the mountains are so sharp and thin that they look almost impossible to climb. Passu is a peaceful village from where to do awesome treks, as well as visiting Passu and Batura glaciers, the latter being one of the largest glaciers in the world, outside the polar regions (56km).

  Khunjerab Pass (1 day)

Located at 4,600 meters above sea level, the China-Pakistan border crossing, which goes over the Khunjerab Pass, is the highest and, consequently, one of the most beautiful borders in the world. It has become a real tourist attraction, which means that you can actually go there, even if you are not planning to cross.

For more information, read: China-Pakistan border crossing at Khunjerab Pass.

  South Pakistan (7 days)

What about the southern part of Pakistan?

Most travelers just explore the northern areas but, Sindh and Punjab provinces are where the real cultural heritage of Pakistan lies. I was actually planning to explore these two areas thoroughly but, when I came in April, it was really, really hot so I quit and headed north. In a week, I just managed to visit two cities: Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, and Multan, home to some Sufi shrines. If I ever come back to Pakistan, it will be in winter and I look forward to exploring the entire south and visiting places such as Thatta, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, and many others.

  Other resources for traveling to Pakistan

Tours and agencies

Private, tailored tours – I definitely recommend the guys from Find My Adventure, a local Pakistani company with many years of experience who can arrange absolutely anything you want. Moreover, the readers of this blog can get an exclusive 10% discount on any of their tours by using the promo code ATC-PAK. Just email them through their contact page, mentioning my blog and the code.

Swat Valley – As I said before, contact Ihsan Khan from Swat Backpackers for any trekking in the Swat Valley.

Thank you for reading until the end. I really hope you enjoyed my Pakistan travel guide. If you have any further concern or want to suggest a place, just mention it in the comments below. 

If you like my website and found this post useful, remember that, if you book any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks

  from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2Crf43f via https://ift.tt/2NIqXKN

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Pakistan travel guide – The ultimate backpacking itinerary

This is the most comprehensive and detailed Pakistan travel itinerary available on the internet

From south to north, I spent two whole months traveling in Pakistan. I arrived in Karachi by plane and left the country overland through China.

It was a wild, adventurous journey and probably one of my best traveling experiences ever.

From extremely overwhelming hospitality to the most striking landscapes ever and just wilderness everywhere;  Pakistan is bloody awesome and, unless you have actually been there, it’s very difficult to explain and convey the deeply personal experience you get.

With all my honesty, if you like real adventure, traveling to off the beaten track destinations and just getting immersed in the local culture, I strongly believe that Pakistan should be at the very, very top of your bucket list.

However, I am also aware that Pakistan is not the easiest place to travel in the world, as traveling information is scarce and you can’t really get the comforts which you may find in other countries.

For this reason, based on my personal journey, I have compiled some useful information and created this Pakistan travel guide and ultimate backpacking itinerary which, hopefully, will help you plan your journey through one of the most fascinating countries I’ve ever been to.

This Pakistan travel guide aims to help you plan your itinerary but it doesn’t really talk about other traveling information such as visas, safety, budget, etc. For this, you should read: 70 Things you should know before traveling to Pakistan

    Here’s all the content:

Travel insurance for Pakistan Tours for Pakistan Backpacking in Pakistan: a 2-week travel itinerary Backpacking in Pakistan: a 1-month travel itinerary Extending your Pakistan travel itinerary – Additional places Other resources for traveling to Pakistan

Pakistan is a pretty big country.

By this, I mean that Pakistan is a destination which can’t be visited in a week or, at least, not properly.

Most of the country’s beauty lies in the northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan), which are not easily accessible. Once you have reached these northern areas, moving from one place to another takes ages, sometimes several hours just for less than a hundred kilometers.

In addition, this is also the capital of unexpected events. Believe me when I say that, during my 2-month journey, I experienced more than ten bus breakdowns, no kidding, perhaps even more. Traveling in Pakistan is extremely slow.

Therefore, if you’re planning to visit Pakistan for a week, I would recommend going when you have more time to spend there. However, if your job will never allow you to do that, no problem, I am sure you can work something out and visit a couple of southern cities.

Total transparency! If you like my website and found this post useful, remember to buy your insurance through my link, as I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks

  Travel Insurance for Pakistan

If you are planning to do some trekking and go a bit wild, I recommend you buy World Nomads because:

The basic plan already covers trekking up to 6,000 meters (note that, in Gilgit-Baltistan, it is very easy to reach 4,000-meter base camps. 

They provide with unlimited medical expenses (and Pakistan can be wild)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS

If you want to know more options, read how to get the right travel insurance for Pakistan.

  Tours for Pakistan

I know this post is about backpacking in Pakistan on your own, but if you are thinking about hiring a guide, I recommend you go with the guys from Find my Adventure, a local Pakistani company with many years of experience and good reputation. 

(In any case, if you are planning to do some serious trekking, then you will require a guide)

They can arrange any customized tour for you and the good news is that the readers of this blog can get an exclusive 10% discount on the final quote by using my promo code ATC-PAK.

Just email them through their contact page, mentioning my blog and promo code. 

  Backpacking in Pakistan: a 2-week travel itinerary

If you are backpacking in Pakistan for two weeks, you can get a nice feeling of the northern areas, as well as a few cities. However, just to let you know: you will have to rush a lot.

Note: This 2-week Pakistan travel itinerary is for anyone, whether you are traveling by public transportation, hitchhiking or in your own car. However, as I said before, from landslides to bus breakdowns, Pakistan is the country of unexpected events.

Note 2: If you really want to save time, you can fly from Islamabad to Gilgit (northern areas), as the bus journey that goes through the Karakoram Highway takes a whole day. However, just keep in mind that flights fill up very quickly, so book in advance. Get the lowest prices on Skyscanner for the Islamabad-Gilgit flight. 

  Places to visit in Pakistan – 2-week map itinerary

The 2-week itinerary follows the Karakoram Highway, almost until the Chinese border. There are loads of other places to discover along this road, so remember to read my Ultimate guide to travel the Karakoram Highway.



  Day 1,2 – Arrival in Lahore

Lahore is the cultural capital and where the real things are going on. From Sufi dancing to underground ladyboy parties, good food and one of the most stunning mosques I’ve ever seen; Lahore is like nowhere else and that’s why your journey should start here.

If you fly to Pakistan, there’s the option of flying to Islamabad which, apparently, would be more convenient, as it’s literally closer to the north. However, I seriously think that you can’t miss Lahore.

In Lahore, go to Badshahi Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques I’ve ever seen and one of the largest in the world. Its courtyard can fit up to 100,000 worshippers. Can you believe it? More than the Camp Nou Football Stadium in Barcelona!

After visiting the mosque, you can’t miss strolling the alleys of the Old City, where you can get lost among spice bazaars, colors and loads of street food. In the Old City, there’s another very cute mosque called Wazir Khan, dating from the 17th century, which once was one of the most important centers for training Islamic calligraphers.

At night, I recommend you go to one of the many rooftop restaurants in the fancy Food Street and order a delicious lamb karahi (a local curry).

If you have time, you should also go to see the Wagah Indian-Pakistani border ceremony. As you may know, Pakistan and India are not the best friends ever, so, every day, they do a weird ceremony which basically, is a hostile show of power. There are hundreds of people attending and both Indians and Pakistanis show a freaking crazy fanaticism.

Where to stay in Lahore

Backpacker Hostel – Lahore Backpackers – This is the meeting point for all the independent travelers in Pakistan and the only real backpacker hostel. The manager is a super helpful guy who can arrange anything for you, like attending the Thursday night Sufi dancing or just get into a crazy party anywhere.

Click here to see the latest prices

  A bit nicer – Rose Palace Hotel – If you are looking for a nicer option, this hotel was recommended by a female traveler, who said it has gorgeous furnishing and tolerable overall quality.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 3, 4 – Islamabad

Islamabad was built in 1960 with the sole objective of becoming the capital of Pakistan. Composed of wide and extremely clean streets and greenery, Islamabad might differ a bit from the image you have of Pakistan. Here is where the Pakistani elite lives and where you find the best restaurants in the country. Huge mansions and the most expensive cars are just the normal everyday stuff in Islamabad.

By the way, wild marihuana grows everywhere in this city

Here you must visit the Faisal Mosque, the largest one in the country. If you stay for the night, go for dinner and see the sunset at Monal, located at the highest point of a hill from where you get magnificent views of the city.

Moving around town is a bit tricky, as distances are freaking long. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you’ll have to mainly rely on taxis. Get Uber, as it’s way cheaper than the regular taxis.

Islamabad is just OK. I stayed here for a few nights because I had plenty of time and I spent my days eating at some very good restaurants and hanging out with local friends at very expensive Western-style cafés. This should be the least interesting place to visit in your Pakistan travel itinerary. If you want to skip it, that’s fine. However, if you travel by public transportation, you must stop here on your way to the north (Gilgit-Baltistan). Buses leave after 6pm though, which means that, if you leave Lahore early in the morning, you may have time to catch one on the same day.

Read: The ultimate guide to the Karakoram Highway

Marihuana Islamabad

How to get from Lahore to Islamabad

These two big cities are connected by a pretty good and wide 380-kilometer road and the fastest way to get there is by bus. They leave every day at all times. Just ask at the hostel for the exact location. Alternatively, you could also go by train but it’s much slower, plus it gets delayed pretty often so, if you only have two weeks, you may want to go by bus. Timing: 4 hours.

Where to stay in Islamabad

Budget Guest House – Nexus Grace – Islamabad doesn’t really have budget options and Nexus Grace is one of the very few. Recently listed online, this guest house has very comfy and tidy rooms, run by some very helpful staff.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Budget Hotel – Royal Galaxy Guest House Islamabad – This guest house is very highly rated by most travelers and offers pretty good rates as per Islamabad standards. People claim that it has very comfortable and clean rooms, so you can get some good sleep before heading to the mountains.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 5, 6 – Fairy Meadows

Coming from Islamabad through the KKH, when you arrive at Raikot Bridge, you will see a detour that takes you to Fairy Meadows, a stunning, green meadow, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. From here, you get stunning views of Nanga Parbat, a striking peak 8,125 meters high, which belongs to the Himalaya range. 

For further information, I wrote a very comprehensive guide: Fairy Meadows trek and Nanga Parbat base camp

How to get to Fairy Meadows from Islamabad

There are 4 or 5 daily buses (from 6pm to 9pm, approximately) that depart from Islamabad to Gilgit. NATCO is the best company out there and the one that the Pakistani middle class uses. The VIP bus, which is the only one with AC, costs 2,000PKR ($20). Theoretically, the journey takes 15 hours but, due to the constant landslides and the endless breakdowns, mine took more than 21 hours. By the way, I recommend buying your ticket at the bus station on the morning of the day of departure. Try to book a first-row seat. Location of the station: 33.638026, 73.025308. You will need to get off at Raikot Bridge, which is around two hours before Gilgit.

For more details, remember to check my Fairy Meadows Guide.

  Day 7 – Gilgit

Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, a city with a Shia majority and the perfect base for exploring the surrounding valleys. It has a wide range of hotels and restaurants, as well as bazaars and a few touristic sites. Given its strategic location which, for years, linked China with the Indian sub-continent, Gilgit became a proper city.

The town has a river with some pretty bridges where you can take nice photos. I also recommend you visit the Kargah Buddha, a Buddha statue carved in a cliff during the 7th century.

Gilgit may be a nice town but, if you only have two weeks, don’t stay here for long as the beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan is in the surrounding valleys. Actually, if you have your own vehicle, I would recommend going straight to Minapin.

How to get from Fairy Meadows to Gilgit 

There’s no actual public transportation but, at Raikot Bridge, the police will stop the first car or bus that passes to take you to Gilgit, for free. Welcome to Pakistan!

Where to stay in Gilgit

Budget Hotel – Madina Hotel II – Most backpacker will come to this place, if there is any in town, of course! It’s a simple but very great place, with awesome staff!

Click here to check prices

  A bit nicer – Cozy Lodge Gilgit – This hotel is quite budget but it is better than the previous one, with very accommodating staff and tasty breakfast included. If you are not a backpacker, you may prefer to stay here.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Top-end – Serena Hotel – If you want some semi-luxury and comfort (I do very occasionally, just to re-charge energy) Serena Hotels is a pretty popular hotel chain in Pakistan.

Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 8, 9 – Minapin and Rakaposhi base camp

Following the Karakoram Highway, around 75 kilometers from Gilgit, you find a detour that leads to Minapin, a small, lovely village with awesome views of the mountains and from where you can organize a trek to the Rakaposhi base camp, one of the best treks I’ve ever done.

Spend the first night in Minapin and, early on the next day, go to the base camp. If you are reasonably fit, you can reach it in just one day and come back the day after. I am sure you won’t regret it.

For more information, read: A guide to the Rakaposhi base camp

How to get from Gilgit to Minapin 

If you don’t have your own car, hitchhiking is the easiest way, much quicker than going by public transportation. Actually, I didn’t take a single minibus when traveling in the north of Pakistan.

Where to stay in Minapin

Budget Hotel – Osho Trang – Minapin also has what is the best guest house in Gilgit-Baltistan, run by Israr, a very kind man who has been dealing with foreigners for many years.

  Day 10, 11, 12 – Karimabad

Karimabad is the main city in the region of Hunza, the most northern area in Pakistan, a place whose inhabitants are Ismailis, the most liberal branch of Islam. For the first time in your journey, here you will most likely talk to women and, perhaps you may be invited to drink some local wine, who knows.

Ladies, it’s time to uncover your head and get some relaxation!

Karimabad is surrounded by striking mountains over 7,000 meters high, as well as being home to two UNESCO World Heritage forts. Given its laid-back atmosphere, it’s really easy to spend 4 or 5 days wandering around Karimabad and its narrow alleys which, by the way, are made of stone and, at some point, they have a close similarity to some old cities in Europe.

Here, you must visit Baltit and Altit forts and Eagle’s Nest, a 360º viewpoint, from where you get clear views of Rakaposhi, Diran, and Lady Finger.

If you like hiking, Karimabad is also a great place for day hikes.

Karimabad, one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan

How to get from Minapin to Karimabad 

Like I said, hitchhiking the Karakoram Highway is the easiest way to move around.

Where to stay in Karimabad 

Backpacker hostel – Old Hunza Inn is the most budget, backpacking option.

Nicer – Hunza Lounge – A more mid-range option, this hotel has pretty decent prices and good reviews. Click here to see the latest prices

Top-end – Hunza Serena Inn – If you are looking for the best hotel in Karimabad, Hunza Serena Inn is an awesome hotel. I used to go there to have tea, enjoy the views and connect to the internet  Click here to see the latest prices

  Day 13, 14 – Back to Lahore or Islamabad

If you are planning to go back by public transportation, you really need to plan ahead for your journey back to the city, as buses leave Gilgit very early in the morning and the journey may take up to 21 hours. Therefore, perhaps, you should leave Karimabad on the 12th day.

Alternatively, like I said before, if you want to save an entire day, you could also fly from Gilgit to Islamabad. Find the cheapest prices on Skyscanner.

Moreover, to save an extra half day, it would be wise to book your return flight from Islamabad, not Lahore.

  Pakistan Travel Guide: a 1-month itinerary

If you are backpacking in Pakistan for a whole month, you can do all the above and, in addition, visit the northwest of the country which, basically, includes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This means that you don’t have to make the long journey from Islamabad to Gilgit through the Karakoram Highway. Instead, go to Peshawar and, from there, go north through Swat, Chitral and the Shandur Pass, on your way to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Before taking this route, you should know that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most conservative area in Pakistan, inhabited by the Pashtuns, an ethnic group with very extreme, fundamentalist ideas about Islam. Here, most women wear the Afghan burqa, so if you are a woman, dress very modestly. For men, you should definitely dress like them, in a local salwar kameez.

On the other hand, the Pashtuns are the most hospitable and inviting people in the country. You’ll have a lot of fun.

A Pashtun man, somewhere in the Swat Valley

  Places to visit in Pakistan – 1-month map itinerary

Instead of following the KKH from Islamabad to Gilgit, you ascend from the western part of the country.



  Day 1, 2, 3, 4 – Lahore and Islamabad

Check the 2-week backpacking itinerary for all details. 

  Day 5, 6 – Peshawar

Peshawar is history: it’s the oldest city in Pakistan, one of the oldest cities in Asia and used to be the capital of the Kushan empire. Located right at the border with Afghanistan at Khyber Pass, Peshawar had also been a really important and remarkable Silk Road point, linking north and south, east and west Asia.

Today, Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and home to the finest bazaars in the country. Due to its proximity to the Tribal Areas, a region filled with loads of Taliban-friendly people, you should be careful, always dress like a local in a salwar kameez and, if possible, try to walk around with local friends. I met local people through Couchsurfing, so I never encountered any problem.

The best thing you can do in Peshawar is to stroll down its bazaars, buy a real Pashtun hat, go to a restaurant to eat the best lamb in the country and, basically, get ready for one hundred chai invitations.

However, to be honest, not many people invited me because, apparently, I really look like a Pashtun, so they thought I was a local, especially wearing my salwar kameez 

I would have liked to visit the historical Khyber Pass but it requires a permit which takes several days to proceed, as well as some well-connected friends. Alternatively, just at the gate of Khyber Pass, there is a market selling smuggled stuff from Afghanistan, such as daggers or even USA military suits.

How to get from Islamabad to Peshawar 

NATCO buses run daily for just a few USD. You can also come by train. Ask any local friend where the bus station is.

  Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 – Swat Valley

Important: Swat Valley is subject to some instability and, occasionally, for no apparent reason, they don’t allow foreigners to enter. For several months in 2017, nobody had any trouble getting in but, in December 2017, some American tourists were not allowed to enter the region. I recommend you try to get an NOC (a special permit for sensitive areas), just in case. More information below. 

The local Pashtuns call it the Switzerland of Pakistan but, in my opinion, Swat is way better.

If you like hiking through fairy forests, along some of the most off the beaten track mountains in Pakistan, you can’t miss the Swat Valley.

Some years ago, in 2009, the region was controlled by the Taliban but, after a six-month bloody war, they were finally expelled. Do you know Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who won the Nobel Peace Prize? She’s from the Swat Valley and got the prize after she was shot for refusing to obey the Taliban during this invasion.

Remember that this is a super conservative area, inhabited by people with very deep fundamentalist ideas. Most men living here have never seen a woman’s face apart from their close female relatives. Actually, girls wear the hijab since they are really, really young and, when they grow up, they switch to the Afghan burqa. Just be careful with what you say and respect their local beliefs. If you do, you’ll have the best experience ever, trust me.

But despite all this, as I said, the Swat Valley is home to an extreme beauty. I recommend you visit Malam Jabba, a ski resort which turns into a lush, green meadow in summer. Also, you should visit some pretty big Buddha carvings which are worth a look.

If you like trekking, there are a lot of hiking opportunities around. I recommend you first go to Mingora, the main town in the Swat Valley, and organize your treks from there.

Furthermore, you really can’t miss Kalam, a small district a couple of hours from Mingora, consisting of a village in the middle of a stunning, beautiful valley. Kalam is a real off the beaten track place, so be prepared to be excessively overwhelmed by the local hospitality. I stayed there a couple of nights and it was, by far, my favorite place in the Swat Valley.

To know what is it like when traveling in the Swat Valley, read this post from Offbeat Traveling: Visiting the Swat Valley in Pakistan

For trekking tips, read: Trekking in Kalam, Swat Valley

By the way, in Swat, you must contact my good friend Ihsan Khan from Swat Backpackers, a local Pashtun who will be happy to show you around and organize treks for you at a very friendly price, staying at his place as well. Ishan can also help you get the bloody NOC, which they may require if you try to enter the Swat Valley.

Where to stay in Mingora 

Rose Palace – I stayed at this mid-range hotel for a couple of nights. Double rooms with private bathroom.

Where to stay in Malam Jabba 

Samsons Inn Mala Jabba – One of the few good options in Malam Jabba. This mid-range hotel could be a good option, especially if you are two people. Click here to check prices

Where to stay in Kalam 

I stayed in a very budget hotel called Mehboob Hotel, which was not very nice. Alternatively, you can stay at the PTDC Hotel, which is within the mid-range option.

Malam Jabbad – Best places to visit in Pakistan

  Day 12 – The journey to Chitral

The journey to Chitral is a pretty tough one and it takes the entire day. I left early morning and arrived in Chitral around 11pm. We got delayed two hours because the bus driver ran out of gas. Yeah, this should not surprise you in Pakistan.

If you are in Mingora, you should first get a minibus to Timargara. At Timargara, you must take a second minibus towards Chitral. It’s a pretty awesome and scenic journey.

Alternatively, if you are in Kalam, you can also go to Chitral through Kumrat Valley and Dir. For more information, read: How to get from Kalam to Chitral.

Apparently, only in September 2017, they finished a tunnel which had been built for ages, so you may save a good couple of hours.

  Day 13 – Chitral

Chitral is a relatively big town and a transit point for going to the Kalash Valleys or Gilgit Baltistan.

I didn’t do much here besides checking out one mosque and registering at the police station. If you don’t register, they won’t allow you to enter the Kalash Valleys. By the way, if you visit the Kalash, the police in Chitral will also give you a private guard armed with an AK-47, which is compulsory for any foreigner visiting the area since. in 2009/10, the Taliban crossed the border, attacking and killing several people nearby.

Getting a guard seems to be pretty cool but it actually sucks, as you don’t have the freedom to move around.

However, I was really lucky and didn’t get one as I went there during the Kalash Joshy Festival and, since there were a lot of foreigners, they ran out of policemen

Where to stay in Chitral  

Al Farooq Hotel – Good Wi-Fi and friendly owner.

Chitral Mosque – Places to visit in Pakistan

  Day 14, 15, 16 – Rumbur and the Kalash Valleys

More than 2,000 years ago, on his journey through the Hindu Kush range, Alexander the Great and his troops left their footprints and descendants in what is today called the Kalash Valley, home to an ethnic community in Pakistan who have fair skin, are blue-eyed and believe and practice a religion which for centuries, has been classified as pagan.

Unlike more conservative Pakistan, the Kalash people drink alcohol and women have a completely different role, represented in more freedom, a greater independence and some very colorful dresses.

From an anthropological point of view, the Kalash Valleys are such a unique and fascinating place.

There is much to say about Kalash people and that’s why a very detailed article is on its way.

In this valley, we also managed to enter a forbidden village inhabited by people who are originally from Nuristan, an Afghan province which is today a Taliban-controlled area. It was such a great and funny story. Read: Sneaking into an Afghan village in Afghanistan.

There are several Kalash villages, all of them spread across three different valleys, named Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir. Bumburet is the biggest village, hence the most commercialized one; whereas Birir is, perhaps, too small and there is not much going on. I suggest you go to Rumbur, which is very authentic and big enough to keep you busy for a couple of days.

For more information, read this post I wrote for the Broke backpacker: Exploring the Kalash Valleys

How to get to Rumbur 

Whichever valley you visit, you should first go to the village of Aini (30km away). From Chitral main bus station, there are mini-vans, as well as shared taxis, going there. In Aini, you can take one of those local pickups with 20 other locals hanging from the back of the car with their chickens and their goats. It’s quite a cool experience.

Where to stay in Rumbur 

Engineer’s Guest House –Engineer (this is his actual name) is a local, kind man who speaks very good English and will try to make your stay unforgettable.

In Aini, on our way to the Kalash Valley

  Day, 16, 17 – Back to Chitral and the journey to Gilgit through Shandur Pass

This was the best road trip I did while backpacking in Pakistan. It was really tough but awesome at the same time. The road ascends through freaking steep cliffs by finally going over Shandur Pass, a breathtaking 3,700 meters mountain pass.

It’s a 360-kilometer challenging, mountain road. We did it in a private Jeep and it took us more than 18 hours, leaving at 5am and arriving at 11pm. But damn, what a journey… The road is absolutely fascinating from the start until the end.

At the Shandur pass, you also find the highest polo pitch in the world. If you are traveling in Pakistan during the summer months, you may be lucky to see a polo match.

Moreover, as you can imagine, there are plenty of valleys and trekking opportunities around this area but, for this, you will need a hell of a lot of time. We wanted to camp somewhere near Shandur Pass but, when I was there in May, it was really cold.

If you want to go by private Jeep, ask the owner of Al Farooq Hotel, as he has loads of contacts. We got a pretty good deal, finding one guy who had to go Gilgit anyways, so we paid less than 15USD each.

If you go by public transportation, the journey takes two whole days. Yes, two days! You need first to go to Mastuj, stay there for a night and take a second minibus on the next day. I seriously think that, if you can share costs, going in a private Jeep is, definitely, much better.

Taking a break at Shandur Pass

  Day 18 to 30 – Gilgit, Fairy Meadows, Minapin, Rakaposhi basecamp, Karimabad and back to Islamabad

Check the 2-week backpacking itinerary for all details. 

  Extending your Pakistan travel itinerary – Additional places

I traveled in Pakistan for two months, which allowed me to visit a couple of additional places. If you have only one month but you have a car, it’s also possible to visit some of them.

Backpacking in Pakistan – 5 more additional places



  Astore Valley (5 days)

If I had to choose one place from Gilgit-Baltistan, I would choose the Astore Valley. Home to the most stunning scenery I have ever seen, the Astore Valley used to be a trading route that connected Gilgit-Baltistan with the Indian subcontinent. Coming here takes a lot of time, so plan your trip accordingly. The heart of the Valley is 7 to 8 hours from Gilgit, assuming that you are traveling by Jeep. 

For more information, I wrote this post: Astore Valley, a historical paradise in Pakistan

  Naltar Valley (3 days)

Another very pretty valley located 3 to 4 hours from Gilgit. Naltar is greener and at a lower altitude than Astore. It receives quite a lot of domestic tourists, who come for both trekking or just chilling. In Naltar, you can’t miss the Rainbow Lake, a very peculiar lake with loads of color tonalities. If you are not camping, I recommend staying with my friend Salman at The Dream Jungle Inn, located quite inside the valley. Call him at [phone].

Rainbow Lake – Tourism Pakistan

  Passu (3 days)

Located in Hunza, following the Karakoram Highway after Karimabad, the Passu Range is one of the most iconic ranges in Hunza, as the mountains are so sharp and thin that they look almost impossible to climb. Passu is a peaceful village from where to do awesome treks, as well as visiting Passu and Batura glaciers, the latter being one of the largest glaciers in the world, outside the polar regions (56km).

  Khunjerab Pass (1 day)

Located at 4,600 meters above sea level, the China-Pakistan border crossing, which goes over the Khunjerab Pass, is the highest and, consequently, one of the most beautiful borders in the world. It has become a real tourist attraction, which means that you can actually go there, even if you are not planning to cross.

For more information, read: China-Pakistan border crossing at Khunjerab Pass.

  South Pakistan (7 days)

What about the southern part of Pakistan?

Most travelers just explore the northern areas but, Sindh and Punjab provinces are where the real cultural heritage of Pakistan lies. I was actually planning to explore these two areas thoroughly but, when I came in April, it was really, really hot so I quit and headed north. In a week, I just managed to visit two cities: Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, and Multan, home to some Sufi shrines. If I ever come back to Pakistan, it will be in winter and I look forward to exploring the entire south and visiting places such as Thatta, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, and many others.

  Other resources for traveling to Pakistan

Tours and agencies

Private, tailored tours – I definitely recommend the guys from Find My Adventure, a local Pakistani company with many years of experience who can arrange absolutely anything you want. Moreover, the readers of this blog can get an exclusive 10% discount on any of their tours by using the promo code ATC-PAK. Just email them through their contact page, mentioning my blog and the code.

Swat Valley – As I said before, contact Ihsan Khan from Swat Backpackers for any trekking in the Swat Valley.

Thank you for reading until the end. I really hope you enjoyed my Pakistan travel guide. If you have any further concern or want to suggest a place, just mention it in the comments below. 

If you like my website and found this post useful, remember that, if you book any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks

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