When somebody says, "I'm going backpacking," and you reply, "Where are you going?" Pakistan is not what you expect to hear.
Let's face it: The country has had its fair share of bad press, and negative stereotypes have developed over the years.
Yet, 29-year-old adventurer Will Hatton, contributor at The Broke Backpacker, is trying to dispel the myths about Pakistan.
Will truly believes that if you're intrigued by adventure, you need to go to Pakistan.
Will, a 26-year-old, first visited Pakistan in 2015, following an epic seven-year journey through some of the world's most wicked and wonderful places. All of this was done on an impossibly tiny budget, often no more than $10 a day.
Despite seeing the orange sunsets on Thai beaches or the ancient Latin ruins built into Machu Picchu, Will considers Pakistan "simply the greatest country in the world" for adventurers. But why? We asked Will.
Table of Contents
Surprises in Pakistan
1. The Diverse Cultures of Pakistan
Pakistan is home to dozens of languages, with its official language, Urdu, only the fourth most commonly spoken.
Hundreds of culturally unique communities across Pakistan follow various faiths, participate in different social practices, and speak many different languages.
Pakistan is perhaps one of the most multiethnic countries on the planet, and the average person can speak three or more languages.
English-speaking visitors should not be afraid, as many in Pakistan speak excellent English - a mark left by the compulsory introduction of English in schools during the rule of the British Raj.
2. The Gargantuan Mountains and Enormous Glaciers
Pakistan is home to an astonishing variety of climates. Its diverse landscapes range from sweeping arid desert plains to vast, towering ranges of ice-covered peaks to temperate forest valleys brimming with wildflowers.
Few countries on Earth can match Pakistan's varied beauty and mystique. In the country's furthest northern reaches, the Karakoram Mountains dominate the skyline.
These daunting peaks are often mistakenly included among the neighboring Himalayas, a testament to their grand scale. Four of the world's most massive glaciers, some dozens of miles long, are among these peaks.
Having participated in and led expeditions across these glaciers, Will Hatton describes them as "like worlds unto themselves," reflecting on the surreal experience of being surrounded by miles of ice at the top of the world.
Though Will has also spent many months exploring the Himalayas through several countries, he still regards the Karakoram mountains as the most stunning he has ever seen-and a natural paradise for trekkers. All this is found in a place many would never expect it to be.
Related: India-Pakistan Border Ceremony
3. The Wealth of History in Pakistan
Some of the world's most ancient civilizations were born in the region now considered Pakistan.
Over 5,000 years ago, the Indus River, which flows centrally through Pakistan, gave sustenance to tens of thousands of people by allowing them to farm in an otherwise arid climate.
These people invented some of the earliest systems of writing and mathematics and built prosperous trading cities of stone and brick - some of the first in the world.
They held religions older than any found today, leaving only cryptic glimpses of their faith. After several thousand years, a quickly changing climate caused generations of crops to fail, ensuring a famine that doomed these civilizations to ruin.
However, to this day, their ruins remain and can be seen on travels along the path of the Indus River (so Will tells us). Later, Pakistan was the heartland of the Mughal Empire, and many of their elaborate forts remain.
Pakistan is also home to some of the world's most significant Buddhist monuments and relics, primarily found in the northern provinces.
The northern regions were an essential segment of the historic Silk Road, a long-standing trading network that linked the Eastern and Western worlds in ancient times and through which vast wealth was passed for over a thousand years.
Pakistan's rich and ancient heritage is apparent to this day, for any adventurer curious enough to seek it. Will has some advice when it comes to discussing Pakistan's history.
"Despite the Pakistanis' love of discussing their local history, I would suggest keeping anything controversial to a minimum, just because it's a little bit disrespectful to go somewhere with any cultural baggage and not give them the time of day to give their own opinions."
Related: Places To Visit in Skardu
4. The Safety for Foreign Travelers
In the minds of many in the West, Pakistan is a country associated firmly with conflict and strife. In decades past, the country has seen perhaps more than its fair share of violence.
The Taliban's occupation of some northern regions ended only a decade ago, and more recently, contentions over the province of Kashmir have provoked a flare-up of violence along the southern border.
Wait. Breathe. Despite all the taboos, it is crucial to recognize that any conflict within Pakistan is now highly concentrated in only a few particular regions, and the majority of the country is now considered safe for travel.
The people of Pakistan have a reputation among backpacking circles for being almost overwhelmingly hospitable, and Will tells us it has never been easier to acquire a travel visa.
As holds true for any destination, though certainly some more than others, it is always important to do your research.
The broke backpacker has created a fantastic guide exploring some of the trickier planning considerations, at https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/pakistan-travel-ultimate-backpacker-guide
5. Attitudes Towards Women Traveling Alone
Like many foreign countries, Pakistan adheres to a different set of cultural norms and values than those we may be familiar with.
Foremost among these are attitudes towards women, particularly in more conservative areas.
Aware of the questions surrounding this topic, Hatton reached out to several women he met during his travels with first-hand experience.
They unanimously explained that traveling as a woman can perhaps be daunting, but with certain precautions, it is entirely plausible.
A recurring theme was modesty in clothing: "Dressing appropriately is hugely important when traveling in Pakistan," said Emma.
"The more conservative you dress, the more comfortable you'll make yourself and others! It also shows respect, and so no misunderstanding occurs."
Another frequent mention was the importance of a male companion when traveling in some areas.
Will explains that some regions offer a police escort as a gesture of hospitality, not because of danger. As in all things, Pakistan seems to be an incredibly varied country.
Another famed Pakistani adventure lover, Alex Reynolds, said, "Northern Pakistan is the most welcoming to female travelers in Pakistan-the people there are very level-headed and much more used to women walking around and doing things on their own."
If you plan correctly, make reliable local contacts, and remain mindful, backpacking Pakistan as a woman seems manageable. Pakistan is a spectacular country and more open to all than expected!
