Alpine Adventures

Traveling has a remarkable power to change one's perspective, and is, without a doubt, the most enriching form of education. Having spent the last 11 days in the mesmerizing Northern Pakistan, my wife and I can easily say that out of about 20 trips we have embarked on together over the past 3 1/2 years, this has unquestionably been the best one. This was our honeymoon trip. Pakistan's rich history, its exceptionally warm, friendly, and endearing people, its incredibly diverse society, where each ethnic group boasts its own unique language, culture, and history, make this South Asian nation a very special place. This country is unparalleled in its beauty, being adorned by some of the highest mountains on Earth, dazzling rock formations, glaciers, alpine lakes, and scenic drives. All this, along with the untouched rugged wildnerness, unspoiled by mass tourism, makes Pakistan the most scenic destination we have ever traveled to. Our profound gratitude goes to Sultan and his exceptional team at Crossroads Adventure—Johar, Nawaz, and Hassan—for creating an 11-day trip that exceeded all expectations. Our journey began two months prior to our arrival when Sultan displayed remarkable responsiveness to all our emails, sharing his WhatsApp number for any urgent queries. He patiently accommodated our countless (at least, 50!!!) emails, assisting us in securing visas, booking preferred hotels, and meticulously planning our itinerary, including visits to Skardu Valley, Hunza Valley, Fairy Meadows with the awe-inspiring Nanga Parbat as our backdrop, Khunjerab Pass, Attabad Lake, Sarfaranga Cold Desert. The domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu, arranged by Sultan, offered breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Karakoram, and K2—an experience we'll remember forever. Sultan joined us for much of our adventure, taking hundreds of breathtaking photos and videos on his work iPhone, which he generously shared with us. A highlight was our visit to his family home in Gulkin, where we enjoyed a heartwarming homemade meal—a true highlight of our trip. His family are some of the nicest and kindness people we had met in Pakistan. Johar, Hassan, and Nawaz, Sultan's team-mates were also so warm, kindly, friendly, and thoughtful with us, making us feel like part of their family throughout the entire trip. Their dedication and hospitality made our journey truly exceptional. Safety was a significant concern prior to our Pakistani adventure, as the country's political and economic situation remains volatile. However, throughout our journey, we never once felt unsafe or or uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, in fact – we encountered Pakistani people who were not only friendly and open-hearted but also remarkably genuine and next-level hospitable. Much of the preconceived knowledge about Pakistan was largely dispelled during this trip. Just like another traveler had mentioned after visiting Pakistan, this trip ended up being a journey of enlightenment for us. Ultimately, you can't properly judge a country relying solely on mainstream media or news. The best way to form opinion about a country is through visiting it, engaging with its locals, immersing oneself in its culture, maintaining an open mind, and not letting fears influence one's perspective. After all, a head full of fears has no space for dreams. This journey, with Pakistan's awe-inspiring landscapes and the candid warmth of its people, felt like one huge dream we were fortuante to experience. Thank you so much Sultan and friends. We miss you already and hope to return to your beautiful country in the future!