Where to go
Six places that show how different one country can be.
Hunza Valley
Gilgit-BaltistanTerraced villages under Karakoram peaks, Baltit Fort in Karimabad, and apricot orchards that bloom in April and turn gold in autumn.
Skardu and Deosai
Gilgit-BaltistanGateway to K2 treks, high alpine lakes, and the Deosai plains, among the highest plateaus in the world.
Fairy Meadows
Near Nanga ParbatA short trek from the road to green meadows with close views of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain on earth.
Lahore
PunjabBadshahi Mosque, the Walled City, Mughal gardens, and food streets that stay busy long after dark.
Swat Valley
Khyber PakhtunkhwaRivers, pine forests, and Buddhist heritage sites, within reach of Islamabad for a long weekend.
Karachi and the coast
SindhBeaches, seafood, and the country's busiest port city, best enjoyed in the cooler months.
When to go
Pakistan's seasons pull in opposite directions: the mountains open in summer, the plains are best in winter. Pick a month.