Travel Dairy

This episode brings you into a part of northern Pakistan most travelers only pass through: Gilgit City itself. Instead of treating it as just a fuel and hotel stop, I’ll share one unhurried evening that changed how I see every “transit town.” We’ll leave our modest hotel just before Maghrib, cross a simple street into the cool air along the Gilgit River, and feel the mood shift as office workers,...

This episode takes you onto an underrated stretch of northern Pakistan: the Skardu–Kharmang road, where the Indus slowly narrows, stone houses cling to the slopes, and the crowds thin out. Instead of chasing a big-name lake or viewpoint, I’ll share the story of how we turned a simple drive toward Kharmang into a soft, one-hour roadside picnic beside clear green water. You’ll feel the mood in the c...

In this episode, I take you into a tiny, easily missed side valley near Hunza—close to the main Karakoram Highway, but far in feeling from the busy viewpoints. Instead of chasing another big-name spot, we’ll follow one small roadside sign, park the car, and walk slowly along an irrigation channel between stone houses, apricot trees, and potato fields. I’ll share how we decided to stop here during...

This episode takes you along one of the most approachable “first snow” journeys in northern Pakistan: a winter evening drive from Mingora up to Malam Jabba. Instead of only talking about ski lifts and resorts, I share the real feeling of leaving Mingora as daylight fades—wet roads turning icy, roadside chai hotels glowing in the cold, and that quiet moment when the first proper snow appears on the...

This episode takes you along the familiar Naran–Babusar Top road, but zooms in on a single, deceptively simple moment: stepping out of the car at the top and realizing the mountain has its own quiet rules. I’ll bring you into the crunch of gravel under your shoes, the slap of cold wind on your cheeks, and the bright flags snapping against a huge, open sky. You’ll hear how excitement turned into a...

This episode takes you along a less-hyped but unforgettable corner of northern Pakistan: a soft, late-afternoon stop at Phandar Lake on the Gilgit–Shandur road. Instead of chasing only the big names like Hunza or Skardu, we’ll slip into a valley where the river suddenly slows, turns glassy green, and the noise of the highway almost disappears. I’ll walk you through how we decided to break our long...

This episode takes you into one of the gentler, less-hyped corners of northern Pakistan: the soft, river-fed valleys between Minimarg (Astore side) and Taobat (Neelum side). Instead of focusing on tension or politics, I’ll keep you close to the road, the river, and the villages—showing how a place often labeled as “border area” can feel surprisingly calm, friendly, and family-ready if you plan it...

This episode takes you on a crisp, windy day trip from Sost up to Khunjerab Pass—the famous Pakistan–China border at the top of the Karakoram Highway. Instead of just saying “it’s high and cold,” I walk you through the real feeling of the journey: the changing colors of the mountains, sudden patches of snow even in summer, and that first moment you see the big white border gate in the distance. I’...

Most travelers race straight to big-name Hunza viewpoints—but the real heart of the valley often lives a few minutes below the highway. In this episode, I take you on one short, beginner-friendly autumn walk in a lower Hunza village, where orchards fade from green to gold and dusty shortcuts turn into memory-making lanes. We’ll leave the main road after lunch, follow a narrow path between stone wa...

Most travelers treat Swat as a quick stop on the way to Malam Jabba or Kalam—but the river towns themselves hold calm, beginner-friendly mornings that many never notice. In this episode, I share one simple, story-led walk that starts from a modest roadside hotel near the Swat River and turns a free few hours into a real connection with the valley. You’ll hear the crunch of pebbles under your shoes...

Most travelers rush through Skardu on their way to big-name lakes and deserts—but the town itself holds a gentle, beginner-friendly morning that many never see. In this episode, I share one soft walk that starts from a modest hotel lane and slowly winds through quiet streets, small courtyards, and a riverside edge where locals actually live, study, and work. You’ll hear the hiss of flatbread on a...

This episode drops you into one calm, chilly night by the Kunhar River in Kaghan Valley—a classic beginner step before wilder camping up north. Instead of a big trek, it’s just us, a rented tent, a crackling campfire, and the constant rush of the river somewhere in the dark. I’ll walk you through how we picked a riverside campsite near the road, what we checked before saying yes to the camp owner,...

In this episode, I take you into a single, unplanned evening at Attabad Lake—the kind of quick roadside stop that can quietly become your favorite memory from Hunza. We’ll arrive tired on the Karakoram Highway, planning to “just take a photo and move on,” and then slowly get pulled in by the impossible blue water turning golden as the sun drops behind the mountains. I’ll share how we decided betwe...

This episode takes you into one of the most atmospheric entries to the northern areas: a night-time jeep ride into Kumrat Forest. Instead of a polished brochure, you’ll hear the real feeling of arriving late—headlights cutting through tall deodar trees, the cold air sneaking through the jeep’s windows, and the constant rumble of the Panjkora River somewhere in the dark. I’ll share why we chose to...

This episode follows one realistic, low-pressure day trip from Kel (in Neelum Valley) up to Shounter Lake—perfect if you want dramatic views without committing to a full trek. I’ll start with the feeling of waking in Kel, looking at cloud on the ridges, and quietly deciding whether a jeep ride to Shounter is worth the time, budget, and bumps. You’ll hear how we chose a driver, what we packed in a...

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...