Travel Dairy

In this episode, I bring you into one simple, rainy evening in Naran—no drone shots, no rush, just the real feeling of a mountain town when the weather suddenly changes your plans. I’ll start from the moment the first raindrops hit the windshield as we enter Naran bazaar, to finally sitting on a balcony with hot tea, listening to the Kunhar River roar below. Along the way, I’ll share how we quickl...

In this episode, I take you to Skardu for one calm, blue-tinted evening that quietly decides the rest of the trip. Instead of racing through every viewpoint, we land in town after a long flight and bumpy drive, drop our bags in a basic hotel, and step out toward the Indus River just before sunset. I’ll share how it actually feels to arrive in Skardu for the first time—the dry, high-altitude air, t...

In this episode, I take you to one of the most magical places in northern Pakistan: Fairy Meadows at night. Instead of a generic review, I walk you through the real experience of arriving at the meadows, settling into a wooden hut, and watching Nanga Parbat slowly appear as the sky darkens. I’ll share how the temperature drops after sunset, what kind of clothing and sleeping gear actually kept us...

This episode isn’t a long checklist for Shogran, Siri and Paye—it’s the story of five tiny moments that quietly decide whether your trip feels magical or miserable. I’ll take you through a single misty morning above the clouds, where each choice matters more than you expect: which jeep you say yes to when the drivers crowd around, whether you trust the fog and keep going or turn back, and how one...

Instead of racing through every famous spot in Hunza, this episode zooms into one peaceful morning in Karimabad and shows how small, calm decisions can create a perfect day. I’ll start from the moment I unzip the tent and see Rakaposhi glowing in the distance, to choosing between watching sunrise from the hotel rooftop, Duikar (Eagle’s Nest), or just a quiet roadside corner. Along the way, I’ll sh...

This episode takes you to Shandur Top, the broad, wind-brushed plateau that links Gilgit–Ghizer to Chitral. Instead of focusing on the famous polo festival, I zoom into one simple, off-season hour we spent there on an ordinary transit day. You’ll feel the road slowly leave trees behind, the air turn cooler, and that first wide view where grass, ponds, and distant snow peaks all sit at the same eye...

This episode takes you to Kutton (Kutton/Kutton Jagran side) in Neelum Valley for a single, calm morning that fits easily into a short Muzaffarabad trip. Instead of chasing only far-off spots like Arang Kel, we’ll stay close and simple: waking up to river noise, walking toward a small bridge, and feeling the cool shade of walnut and poplar trees above us. I’ll share how we chose Kutton as a soft f...

In this episode, I take you with me step-by-step on my first trek to the stunning Katora Lake in Kumrat Valley, northern Pakistan. Instead of just saying “it’s beautiful,” I break down the real journey: how we reached Kumrat from the plains, where we stayed, how we arranged a guide and ponies, and what the trail actually feels like under your feet. I share the small moments that tourists always as...

Rain can feel like it ruins mountain plans—but in Naran, one wet evening can quietly become the highlight of your trip. In this episode, I take you into a single, story-filled walk through Naran Bazaar just after the rain starts: shop lights reflecting in puddles, umbrellas brushing past, and steam rising from samosas and fresh chapati at roadside hotels. We’ll leave the hotel when most people are...

This episode zooms into a tiny, easily missed moment just outside Naran: a short pull-over by a side stream that quietly turned a rushed day into a soft memory. Instead of another hotel lobby break or noisy roadside café, I’ll take you through how we noticed a safe gravel opening off the main Naran road, checked traffic, and walked a few steps down to a shallow, stone-filled stream. You’ll feel th...

Most travelers see glaciers in northern Pakistan only from far viewpoints on long road days—but there’s a softer way to meet one. In this episode, I take you to Hopper Valley near Nagar for a single, calm evening where the glacier feels close, yet the walking stays gentle. We’ll arrive at a simple guesthouse above Hopper Glacier, drop our bags, and head out on a short “balcony walk”: along flat vi...

Most people blast straight through Naran with only big stops in mind—lake trips, viewpoints, hotels. In this episode, I zoom into something smaller: one quiet hour beside a clear side stream just off the main Kaghan road. I’ll take you from that restless feeling in the car—kids fidgeting, neck stiff, everyone half-hungry—to the moment we finally spot a narrow track dipping toward water and a patch...