If you look into it, you will see that the southern and western parts of Pakistan, which are bordering Iran or Afghanistan, are unsafe; while the northern part, along the Karakoram Highway and especially the Hunza Valley, is completely safe. This place is even known as a paradise on earth because of its natural beauty and hospitable, friendly and enthusiastic people.
Paradise Land
“Paradise lies in the north of Pakistan”, that is what travel enthusiasts often say about Hunza Valley. This land belongs to Gilgit-Baltistan under the control of the Pakistani government, is the convergence of three world-famous high mountain ranges: Karakolam, Hindu Kush and Himalaya. Hunza Valley is a fertile land fertilized by the Hunza River and is divided into 3 parts: Lower Hunza, Central Hunza and Upper Hunza. Karimabad town (formerly known as Baltit) is the capital as well as the most famous tourist destination of Hunza because of its beauty, the people of Hunza here are also famous for their friendliness and hospitality.
I arrived in Hunza in late autumn, early winter when the rows of polar trees were shining brightly under the golden sunlight. However, the next morning when I woke up, I lifted the curtains and looked out the window, the snow had fallen all over the yard, the snowflakes were stuck on the branches of the trees, clear and fluffy. The whole scene changed from red and yellow to a beautiful picture with two main colors: pure white and black. Wearing warm clothes, hats and gloves, we rushed out to play in the snow, make snowmen, laugh and talk loudly, shaking the snow tree hard to make the snowflakes fall. We enjoyed this unexpected fairytale-like scene to the fullest. I thought I was celebrating Christmas early in this South Asian country.
From Karimabad I traveled another 100 km along the Karakoram Highway, past Attabad Lake, through the Passu Range, through many Sost and Khyber villages up to the Khunjerab Pass bordering China.
Attabad Lake appeared in 2010 after a terrible landslide occurred in Attabad village. The landslide killed 20 people and blocked the flow of Hunza River for 5 months. More than 19 km of Karakoram Highway was flooded, creating Attabad Lake which is 21 km long and more than 100 m deep. Until now, you can still see the poplar trees of Attabad village looming over the lake. Attabad Lake water has a magical emerald green color, I have never seen water like that anywhere. Because it is early winter, the lake has not frozen yet, around December or January when winter really comes, Attabad Lake will freeze completely and you can ski, ride motorbike right on the lake surface.
The next stop on our journey to celebrate Christmas early in Pakistan is Khunjerab Pass. With an altitude of about 4700 m, Khunjerab Pass is the highest national border with a road running through it. The road up the pass is a pure white, vast white snow and cold at about -15 degrees. The majestic snowy mountains, the vast white landscape, the clear blue sky are a beautiful and unforgettable scene. The scenery is so beautiful that even a roadside grocery store or a table used for drinking coffee or tea when the snow falls becomes poetic and soulful.
And the hospitable people
Hunza is beautiful! Hunza is majestic! But for me the most wonderful thing here is that I met the hospitable people. The people of Hunza are incredibly beautiful with deep brown eyes, healthy skin, charming smiles. The children are as pretty as angels with rosy cheeks and charming smiles.
They are willing to invite you into their homes, make you hot cups of tea, they are willing to let me go into the garden to pick ripe red apples, when I leave they even give me a big bag. Anyone you meet on the road has a friendly and bright smile, they are willing to talk or tell you things you ask. My hotel owner always asks how my trip was today, if the food is to my taste or not and enthusiastically tells me about the customs and practices of this place. The guide who accompanied me during my days in Hunza is always worried about my eating habits and sleeping habits. Until the day we parted, he still told me all kinds of things, always telling me to update my situation in the following days. This warm heart and kindness made my trip more meaningful and emotional than many other trips.
On the last day in Hussaini village, looking at the towering snow-capped mountains, the snowflakes fluttering, I stood silently watching people herding sheep into the pen, the rows of clothes drying between the rows of bright yellow trees, the pretty little houses lying quietly next to the ancient apricot trees quietly under the snow. Looking at the Passu Cones mountain range still standing tall and proud, the silence only had the sounds of people calling each other in the village. I think this land will haunt me for a long time.
MORE INFORMATION
Visa:Tourist visas issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Hanoi are valid for 30 days and cost USD 30. Multiple entry tourist visas are also available.
Trip:There are no direct flights from Vietnam to Pakistan, you will have to transit in a third country such as Malaysia, Thailand, China... The route with the shortest transit time and the most convenient is from Hanoi or Saigon by Thai Airways to the capital Islamabad of Pakistan, with a 6-hour transit in Bangkok. Ticket prices range from 500 - 800 USD/round trip, depending on the time.
Transportation:Public buses, taxis, and rickshaws are quite popular in big cities like Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. However, most of them do not have meters, so you will have to negotiate with the driver depending on the distance of the trip. To travel between provinces, there are long-distance buses, planes, etc. If you travel in a group, the best way is to rent a 12-24 seater car with a private tour guide to ensure health and safety.
Currency and prices:
- The currency in Pakistan is Pakistan Rupees (PKR), with an exchange rate of about 1 USD = 100 KR so it is quite easy to remember. For convenience, you should bring USD and exchange it in Pakistan.
- You can easily travel in Pakistan for under $20/day, sleeping in a private room and eating 3 meals out. However, in Pakistan there are not many places where you can withdraw money from a credit card so it is best to carry cash.
Cuisine:Pakistani cuisine has many similarities with India and other South Asian countries, using a lot of spices, curry and a lot of oil. Most dishes are made from lamb, beef and chicken. You will find many places selling Chai - a familiar milk tea like Vietnamese iced tea/hot tea. In particular, Pakistan is a paradise of delicious fruits such as apricots, apples, persimmons, pomegranates... at very cheap prices.
Some other notes:
- There will be many checkpoints along the way, you will have to stop to register so when traveling to Pakistan, always carry your passport, a few copies of your passport and visa with you.
- Pakistani people are very hospitable and friendly, however in some areas women and children do not want to be photographed. So before taking a photo, ask the person you intend to photograph first.
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