All of us make plans to travel to the cooler areas during hot scorching summers. If you are one of the people who is planning to travel to northern Pakistan then here are few tips to help you plan a smooth vacation.
1. Make a Checklist
Before you begin let’s start with a checklist. Do not forget anything that you need on your trip and is not packed in your stuff. Keep your list on you phone so it is on you all the time to make sure you got everything. Divide the list in things to buy, things to pack, list of stuff to do before leaving the house (such as booking tickets and reservations)
2. Budget Your Trip Wisely:
Depending on your budget make sure to get costs for hotels, guesthouses, car rents, fuel costs, food before embarking on the journey. The biggest chunk of the budget will be spent on accommodation and flight tickets. But the small everyday cost can add up, so make a budget for everyday limits so that you don’t go over it. The best way to save up on trips is to carry your own water, pack lunch and snacks from your hotel/guest houses, and to leave shopping for the last day of your trip.
3. Packing the Right Clothes
Pack clothing according to the region you are visiting. Cities and town weather in the North are generally warm in summers but as you move towards the remote and high altitude areas the weather gets cold. Depending on your plan pack warm clothing but keep some light summer shirts. You will need one when you travel back anyway. Keep sweaters., coats, shawl, and socks. Pack sneakers and joggers if you plan to hike or walk. Keep a compact suitcase that can be easily carried from one location to another. Especially if traveling with family and friends make sure your baggage fits in your vehicles.
4. Carry Cash
City and town in Pakistan have ATMs but as you go into remote regions everyone deals in cash. Hoteliers, stop shops, fuel stations, will only accept cash. Make sure that you have some cash with you. Especially if you want to make stops to eat on these small dhabas and food vendors you will need cash. Setting a budget will help you to know how much you need before the next big town. Stick to your plan in order to avoid any inconvenience.
5. Food Stops
Wherever you see a roadside Dhaba on the route to the mountains, be sure to stop over and peek inside. These vendors sell food items from light snacks like tea, pakoras, etc to lunch and dinner menu. These stops and breaks help you to get a taste of the area. Use this excuse to take pictures and ask about what to expect and look for next. Avoid making too many stops as they will cause delays in your trip.
6. What to Wear on the Trip Day
Wear something comfortable and light for your first day. Since you will be travel from a hot region it only makes sense to wears a summer airy outfit. But keep cardigans, sweaters, and shawls on you. The trick is to layer up! As you move from hot to warm to cooler region keep adding layers. This way you don’t need to change the whole outfit at each stop. Keep this in mind when you pack. As days are generally warm compared to nights.
If you are expecting roadblocks and the possibility of walk on the route then wear sneakers or any athletic shoes for your road trip.
7. Call Your Hotels Before Your Reach
Reservations are canceled if people don’t show up on time and sometimes the people expected to evacuate the room decide not to. This can lead to a major inconvenience. Hotels in their policy mention that they will only keep rooms available if they are pre-booked. Reservation is not equal to books. Thus make sure to call before you are about to reach the hotel/guesthouse. This will also alert the hotel staff and they will make the necessary arrangement before your arrival. It will save you time and stress.
8. Research the Areas for Eateries:
When traveling make sure to research places to get food and famous food spot to stop at. You might not like the food at your hotel/guesthouse, thus research food spots around the area you stop. Hotel Management will also be helpful in guiding yours to the nearby locations. But keep in mind that in the mountains there are limited choices and sometime you will have to do with the best available option.
9. Recharge Your Cameras and Phones
Make sure all your camera equipment is charged and ready because once you are there you will want to take millions of pictures and not want to delete them. Keep data bank and power bank on you. Electricity and wifi are not the best and can’t be relied on. Stopping every five minutes of pictures will lead to a delay in your trip schedule. So choose a few best spots to stop and take pictures.
10. Pack Healthy Snack for the Road
For the road pack healthy snacks and stay hydrated. if you are driving for a longer period make sure to chew gum and listen to songs. Dry fruits are good and healthy snack options. Pack up your favorites. If you expect roadblocks and delays on-road then make sure you have biscuits and plenty of water.
11. Do Not Forget Sunscreen
Here is a must-pack item! Northern Areas of Pakistan are cold and mostly cloudy but due to high altitude, the sun is harsh. Pack and regularly use your Sunscreen. Make sure the use one with SPF higher than 50. If you are planning trekking or hiking use sunscreen on your neck and arms along with face and hands.
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