I found the prospect of going to Pakistan exciting, but like many others, I had concerns about safety, especially since I was a single woman traveling alone from the U.S. After much research, I decided to book a private ten-day tour with Sultan Uddin, the owner of Crossroads Adventure, and it turned out to be a great decision. While I was in the planning stages, Sultan kept in close contact with me, answering all of my questions and concerns. He also provided me with the necessary documentation for my visa, so the application process went very smoothly. When I arrived, I immediately felt at ease. Sultan and his driver Zubair met me at the airport, and I felt confident that I was in good hands. Sultan planned a very diverse itinerary and made adjustments based on my interests. After a one-night stay in Islamabad, we made our way north and spent the majority of the trip in the mountains, and the landscape was breathtaking. I especially loved the hike up to Fairy Meadows and our overnight stay in the grasslands surrounded by alpine forest. It was lovely sitting in front of Reflection Lake with a spectacular view of Nanga Parbat Mountain. The jeep ride to and from the start of the trail was also quite an adventure. The culture in Pakistan is fascinating. I greatly enjoyed my visit to two forts. Fort Altit had a Buddhist influence as did Fort Baltit, which is known as Little Tibet. It reminded me of my visit to Polata Palace in Lhasa. We also viewed some of the remains of the Silk Road that cut through the mountains. Driving along the Karakoram Highway, the major trade route between Pakistan and China, was so lovely. We stopped at the meeting of three mountain ranges—the Himalaya, Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush. They were breathtaking, and the Indus and Gilgit rivers running below them were sometimes peaceful but more often were raging with lovely bridges over them. I’m afraid of heights, but with Sultan’s encouragement, I found the courage to walk on the Hussaini suspension bridge, which was an experience not for the faint of heart. I also found the many lakes we visited a highlight of the trip. I took lovely strolls around Borith and Phandar lakes and took a boat ride on Attabad Lake. On my last day, I had breakfast at a restaurant in from of Lake Lulusar. We also stopped to admire glaciers like Passu. What I loved most about the trip were the many friendly Pakistanis I met. I felt welcome in the the larger towns and in the small villages. I even had the opportunity to attend a village wedding and dance with the locals, which was a rare opportunity. During my ten-day journey, I saw some extraordinary scenery, took part in some great adventures, learned about the culture, and most importantly, met many new friends. I never feared for my safety. My many conversations with the Pakistanis affirmed my belief that we all aspire to be safe, healthy, happy, and feel loved. I’m very grateful for the kindness that the locals showed me. If you are considering a trip to Pakistan, I would highly recommend booking with CrossRoads Adventure. Sultan is not only a very professional and knowledgeable guide, but he is also a very nice person. His driver Zubair was also very responsible, and his driving skills were impeccable. There are so many other areas to see in Pakistan, and I hope to take another trip sometime soon with Crossroads Adventure.
