The Top Six Tourist Attractions Close to Islamabad

 

Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, is the gateway to the country's famed northern areas, where both locals and visitors like to unwind on weekends.

Islamabad has a slower pace of life than the faster-paced cities of Lahore and Karachi. It is younger than its centuries-old counterparts, has a smaller land area, and a smaller population. The monotony of daily life can sneak up on you at times. Fortunately, when this happens, you can be in a completely different setting in just a few hours, enjoying stunning views while sipping a hot cup of chai.

 

1. Nathia Gali

Nathia Gali, a green mountain resort located approximately 2,410 metres above sea level, is a popular choice for a short vacation. There is a lot of plant life, so there are lots of meadows and pine, cedar, walnut, oak, and maple trees. Those looking for a more challenging excursion can climb the Mukshpuri (also Mukeshpuri) and Miranjani hills, which reach heights of 2,800 and 2,992 metres, respectively.

 

Here's how to get there:

Islamabad is about a 2.5-hour drive from Nathia Gali. You can hire private transportation or take a Daewoo Express bus from Rawalpindi (Islamabad's twin city) to Murree every few hours. Once in Murree, there are numerous public transportation options that will take you to Nathia Gali.

 

Places to stay:

Hotel Amore or Hotel Elites are popular choices for frequent visitors. These hotels' rooms, meals, and other amenities are generally rated higher than many other nearby options.

 

2. Murree

Murree, a sanatorium for British troops in the mid-1800s and early 1900s, has been the go-to hill station for people from all over the country for many years. Cooler summer temperatures and snowfall in the winter draw visitors all year. While the novelty of the location has worn off significantly as a result of increased commercialization, Murree is still popular with tourists as a transit station for longer journeys or a short stay during the quieter months of the year.

Here's how to get there:

Murree, like Nathia Gali, can be reached by car or bus (preferably Daewoo Express). You have four options, the quickest of which is the Murree Expressway, which will get you to your destination in under 1.5 hours.

Places to stay:

Arcadian Blue Pines Resort, located just outside Murree, is a good option for those who want to avoid the town's busy roads and noise. Hotel One is a more luxurious option, and PC Bhurban (near Murree) is the place to stay if you want to experience the Pearl Continental experience.

 

 

3. Thandiani

Thandiani is a top choice for those looking to spend their weekend in a tranquil retreat that provides relief from the sweltering heat. The hill station, located in the Himalayan foothills at about 2,750 metres above sea level, is ideal for those who prefer a calm environment and stunning surroundings over luxurious accommodations.

Here's how to get there:

Visitors usually prefer to drive themselves or hire a private vehicle from Islamabad for the 3.5-hour journey along the Hazara Expressway. The typical itinerary includes a lunch break in Abbottabad before arriving in Thandiani.

 

Places to stay:

You can reserve a room at the Forest Rest House Thandiani, which is managed by the Galiyat Development Authority under the auspices of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

 

4. Siri Paye Meadows

The Siri Paye Meadows are lush green meadows at an elevation of 3,000 metres, flanked by snow-capped mountain peaks, dotted with cattle under the watchful gaze of herdsmen, and adorned with a brilliant blue lake. This picturesque spot is relatively untouched due to the lack of a proper road leading up to it. Summer camping enthusiasts agree that the meadows provide an excellent camping experience.

Here's how to get there:

Travelers from Islamabad must endure a five-hour drive via the Hazara Expressway or the N-35 to Shogran, where jeeps can be rented to complete the remaining six-kilometer journey up a rough track.

 

Places to stay:

If camping isn't your thing, head down to Shogran and spend the night in a more conventional hotel. For a comfortable stay, visitors recommend Pine Park Shogran and the Arcadian Sprucewoods Resort.

 

5. Naran

Despite gradually becoming overrun with tourists and traffic (much like Murree), Naran remains a popular weekend getaway destination, owing to the magnificent Lake Saif-ul-Malook, River Kunhar's delicious trout, rafting opportunities, riverside camping, and hiking or trekking up various tracks. The town is located in the Kaghan Valley, approximately 2,400 metres above sea level.

Here's how to get there:

The same road that leads from Islamabad to Shogran continues on to Naran. Although public transportation is available, it is preferable to travel by private car so that you do not have to keep rushing from one public vehicle to another in order to reach Naran.

 

Places to stay:

In Naran, Maisonette Hotels & Resorts provides high-end accommodations, while Hotel Demanchi is more affordable. The PTDC Motel Naran is a government-owned establishment that offers both standard rooms and private huts.

 

6. Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir

Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir is located in northern Pakistan, approximately 250 kilometres from Islamabad. The valley has gained a reputation in recent years as another major option for a long-weekend vacation in the mountains, with the added attraction of the fast-flowing River Neelum. Because there is little to no cellular network coverage, the destination is especially appealing to those who truly want to disconnect from the world. To visit Neelum Valley, foreigners must obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistani government.

 

Here's how to get there:

The first stop on the way to Neelum Valley from Murree is Muzaffarabad, which can be reached via the Murree-Kohala road. It's a 3.5-hour drive to the valley from there, so private transportation is highly recommended.

 

Places to stay:

Depending on your time constraints and personal preferences, there are numerous villages and towns to visit in Neelum Valley. Keran Guest House is the best place to stay in Keran if you want to be near the river. The Kutton Jagran Resort, on the other hand, has French cottages that were originally built for Europeans who worked on the Jagran Hydropower Project around two decades ago.