A Journey Through Wonderland; Pakistan

By Britta Schulze

Pakistan had remained on my planned destinations list but despite its natural splendor, the impression based on media information was always mixed. Finally I decided to visit the country, where surprisingly you are welcomed as a guest not charged as a tourist. On my journey around the globe visiting more than 80 countries I have never experienced such a hospitable nation. I was warmly welcomed in many family homes and served delicious Pakistani dishes. On a daily basis I had to insist to pay for purchases and services. Contrary to the mistaken perception created by the media I felt way safer than in most other countries, even as a solo female traveler. Pakistanis are very friendly, kind and helpful and don’t expect anything in return.

On my journey from Karachi to Bahawalpur, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar I visited several historical and religious sites. I was also invited to engagement parties and weddings along the way. Just about a month into the trip, I rented a motorcycle in Islamabad and headed up North. I loved exploring the different valleys and no amount of snow, rocks, mud, water or sand could stop me from getting to the various destinations. On my 2500 km I visited Ushu, Kumrat, Kalash, Shandur, Gilgit, Hunza, Chapursan, Misgar and Khunjerab and travelled back on the majestic and diverse Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. My week long trip to Swat and Chitral is another memorable adventure.I fell in love with the dense forests, the turquoise waters and the jagged mountain peaks. Riding the motorcycle and breathing in the fresh air made me feel free and close to nature. Wherever I stopped my motorcycle I was welcomed by happy, curious and lovely locals. Everyone would invite me for at least a cup of tea and wouldn’t say good bye until they made sure that I was fine and didn’t need anything else. Everyone was very caring and concerned about my well being. Having all these great experiences with different Pakistanis I wasn’t worried about the motorcycle breaking down or facing any other difficulties. I knew that I wasn’t alone, I knew that there would be always someone willing to help me. My overall experience was being a warmly welcomed guest every moment . While I would always cherish the sweet memories of times shared with local hospitable friends and families, I would thankfully like to acknowledge Fascinating Pakistan Team for full time care and support during my travels in northern areas.

Pakistan is just in its early foot steps to becoming one of the next big travel destinations. The country offers numerous opportunities which haven’t been fully explored and facilitated yet. Pakistan is not only rich in culture and history but also offers the possibility of various outdoor activities. At the moment everything is still on a very low scale. Ski resorts only offer one or two slopes, hiking routes only have a couple of established camps. There are missing home stays in traditional houses for example Wakhi homes offering cultural experiences. In general, there have to be more accommodations with better standards and services. Moreover, there has to be a transport system bringing the tourists not only to the main attractions but also the remote valleys. An integrated Tourism network , which can provide a seamless facility of air travel , ground transportation to remote destination and ecofriendly infrastructure on sites can greatly facilitate tourists both domestic as well as from abroad.

About the author

Britta Schulze is a clinical psychologist from Germany. She is a passionate traveler who has traveled more than 80 countries around the world. In her opinion travelling isn’t just about exploring new places and trying out new things, it is a progressive journey of self-discovery. During her pursuit to explore the world, she met unforgettable people and learnt that she was never alone. Travel made her more confident, open-minded and creative. She enjoys appreciating the small things in life.