Pakistan amongst Forbes 10 coolest places to visit in 2019

Travelers today are more aware of what different countries in the world offer, thanks to high-end travel companies and Google! No matter how thrilling it is to find infinite possibilities, it is daunting as well. Forbes’ travel contributor Ann Abel – who has been a travel writer and editor for 15 years – has compiled a list of travel destinations to visit next year and Pakistan is part of this recommended list.

Ann Abel spoke to expert travel agents and based on what’s new and (still) safe, or what we must see before it changes forever, Pakistan is one of the perennial favourites.

“Explore the valleys of Hunza, Shigar and Khaplu via the renowned Karakoram Highway,” Ann quoted Sara Barbieri, a specialist with GeoEx, as saying. “This little-visited region in the far northeast of the country offers the kind of startlingly striking scenery that compels you to gaze from the window of your 4WD without blinking, for fear of missing a moment of the majesty of the landscape—or one of the astounding suspension bridges that cross the surging rivers filled with snow melt.”

 

Khaplu Valley

 

“Add to this the warm welcome of the people, the glacial blue of Attabad lake, the centuries of history, the juxtaposition of granite to greenery, the chance to walk through an age old-apricot orchard along water channels cut by hand, and the blazing snow-covered glory of Rakaposhi, and you must acknowledge there is a grand adventure to be had.”

 

Attabad Lake

 

Other regions which are on Forbes’ radar include the Azores in Portugal, Eastern Bhutan, Cabo/Los Cabos in Mexico, Colombia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mongolia, Rwanda and the Turkish Riviera.