Life is nothing but a rat race. It is a fight for being the best, striving for success and breaking sweat to earn a few bucks. Tough routines of the 21st century call for a much needed break for pretty much all of us.
Learning is not only in the books, but also in visiting new places. However, travelling to different cities isn’t always the best options, sometimes we need to go AWAY from them. Travelling to far off places would help us discover ourselves, our soul, the nature and history.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “the purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
In our beloved Pakistan there are many places that are still unknown by most people.
Banjosa Lake
Up in the north there is the amazing artificial lake in Azad Kashmir, near city of Rawalakot. It is located at an altitude of 1,981 meters. Banjosa Lake is a breath of fresh for the smothered souls of cities. The beautiful lake is encircled by dense pine vegetation and humungous mountains.
Accommodation is taken care of by the government, there are comfortable rest houses and resorts in that area that are owned by AJK Tourism and Archeology Department, Pakistan Public Works Department and Pearl Development Authority are located here for tourists stay. A few hotels, guest houses and tuck shops are also found in the area around the lake where people can have tea and spend quality time with their loved ones.
Mehrgardh
For the history lovers, this place is heaven on earth. Amongst the sandy dunes of the majestic Baluchistan, lie the ruins of Mehrgardh. It’s located in the Kacchi Plain of Baluchistan.
It was a small farming village that has been dated to between 6500 BCE to 5500 BCE. The whole area covers a number of successive settlements. Archaeological material has been found in six mounds, and about 32,000 artifacts have been collected. People with insight and sagaciousness would love the civilization of Mehrgardh. It is a living example of the rise and fall of human civilizations.
“Discoveries at Mehrgarh changed the entire concept of the Indus civilization,” according to Ahmad Hasan Dani, professor emeritus of archaeology at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad, “There we have the whole sequence, right from the beginning of settled village life.” According to Catherine Jarrige of the Centre for Archaeological Research Indus Baluchistan at the Musée Guimet in Paris.
Princess of Hope and the Great Sphinx
These two perfectly carved entities lie in the South of Baluchistan, in the Makran coast facing the Arabian Sea. What really surprises the mind is the fact that these two statues are not carved by expert craftsmen. In fact, they were once heavy rocks, it was the hustle of wind that cut through the mountain, and left behind two beautiful figures for the human eye to witness.
Takht-i- Bahi
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is famous for its gorgeous mountains and thick alpines. However Takht-i- Bahi takes you for a trip to the past. Also the feeding the knowledge hungry souls, Takh-i- Bahi was first a Zoroastrian complex which, after the later arrival of Buddhism, was then converted into a Buddhist monastic complex. It is dated to the 1st century BCE. The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
This ruined city can definitely tell stories of a lot of battles and religious just by being there. It was associated by Khushan Dynasty and later by Hun rulers.
Astola Island
Pakistan’s largest island: This sea facing island dates back in Arian’s account, from the army of Alexander the Great. It says that there have been a lot stories about this island, and many soldiers were afraid to visit it. These stories included those of ghosts and lost souls. Astola Island is still uninhabited.
Also known as “Haft Talar” meaning seven rocks but the Island appears to form a single block with an estimated height of 200 ft at its summit.
Astola Island can be accessed by rented boats via Pasni after travelling by road from either Gwadar or Karachi via the Makran Coastal Highway. Motorized boats from Pasni, on average, take 5 hours to reach the island. Lobsters and oysters can be caught there.
The Island has a lot of wildlife. Lack of human habitat has allowed the wild life to thrive. Attractions which WWF is offering include:
- Boat rides
- Exploring
- Crocodile watching (seasonal)
- Bird watching (seasonal)
- Camping
- Fishing
- Sports
- Activities at the beach
Deosai Mountains
If you seek danger and dare, Deosai Mountains are your calling! Deosai Mountain spread across in the north of Pakistan in Kashmir. The range extends for 120 miles (190 km) from the Indus River bend at Bunji to the Karcha (Suru) River, which separates the range from the Zaskar Range.
The terrain of the Deosai Mountains is rugged and almost devoid of human population. Sparse vegetation sustains a few hardy alpine mammals such as the marmot. Surviving and travelling here is tough and not for the weak hearted. The area holds a lot of attraction for those who seek adventure and challenges.
See more at: http://www.htv.com.pk/lifestyle/hidden-tourist-destinations-in-pakistan
