Important link for Tourist information in Pakistan:
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation
http://www.tourism.gov.pk
Trekking in Pakistan
Pakistan is a mountaineers and trekkers paradise. Most of the trekking routes lie in the Northern mountains of the Hindukush, the Karakorams and the Himalayas. For most of the treks, trekking season is from May to October. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, has defined trekking as walking below 6000 m. It has designated three zones for trekking: open, restricted and closed. Foreigners may trek anywhere in open zone without a permit or services of a licensed mountain guide.
What to buy
Pakistan is a treasure house of exquisite handicrafts, made by people who grew up weaving, creating pottery, working with metals, wood and stone, decorating and building things small and great. Pottery here is a living history, a traditional craft that became an art, with its origins going back to 3,000 years B.C. Today, each region of Pakistan claims its own special jars and jugs, from sturdy terracotta to paper-thin ceramics. In vivid colors of mustard yellow, deep green, brick red and sky blue. For those keen on shopping, the prices are still quite reasonable. You will find yourself returning home with hand-woven carpets, copper and brass items, woodwork, embroidered “Kurtas” (shirts) and “Khussas”(shoes) and countless objects of art.
Festivals in Pakistan:
Shab-e-Barat:
Religious festival celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month. Prayers, fire works, exchange of sweet dishes and visits.
Eid-ul-Fitr:
Religious festival celebrating end of fasting month on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar. Special prayer after sun-rise, exchange of sweet dishes, visits.
Sibi Festival: (Last week of February)
At Sibi (Balochistan). Traditional sports, handicrafts exhibition, folk music and dances.
Sindh Horse & Cattle Show: (Last week of February)
At Jacobabad (Sindh). Similar activities as in Sibi Festival.
Jashan-e-Larkana: (Last week of February) At Larkana (Sindh). Traditional sports, exhibition of handicrafts, folk music and dances.
Bassant
This is the spring festival. With the advent of spring, Basant Festival is celebrated with pomp and show in mid February every year in Lahore.
Nauroze: (21-23 March)
Celebrated only in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral. Polo, foot-ball, volley-ball and hockey matches, folk dances and music.
Pakistan Day *: (23 March)
Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed on March 23, 1940. Military parade at provincial capitals and Islamabad.
Mela Chiraghan (Festival of lamps):
(Last week of March)
Held for 01 week outside Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.
Horse & Cattle Show:
(End of March till 1st week of April).
At Dera Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattle races and exhibition of local handicrafts.
Jashan-e-Shikarpur: (In April for 01 week)
At Shikarpur, Sindh. Cultural activities, local sports and handicrafts exhibition.
Eid-ul-Azha :
Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Abraham. Celebrated on 10 Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar. Collective prayers after sun set, sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or camels and distribution of meat among relatives, friends and poor.
Joshi or Chilimjusht: (14-15 May)
Kalash festival of welcoming spring, held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Folk dances, music and exchange of dishes.
Shandur Polo Festival
Traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit is being held on the highest polo ground of the world - The Shandur Pass (Chitral district). Allied activities include folk music, folk dances and other competitions. A tent village along Shandur Lake will be set up in cooperation with the local administration.
Utchal: (15-16 July)
A harvest festival, celebrated by Kalash people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi:
Birth Anniversary of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H). on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal - the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar.
Independence Day: (14 August)
Meetings, processions, rallies, decorations and illustrations all over the country.
Phool: (20 - 25 September)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Reaping grapes and walnuts, dancing and singing.
Lok Mela: (1st week of October, for one week)
Folk Festival held at Islamabad. Folk music, songs, music contests, folk dances, craftsmen at work, exhibition and sale of handicrafts. The festival presents a unique opportunity to watch the culture and craft of the whole country at one place.
Chowmas: (18-21 October)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Welcoming of winter with first snow-fall. Activities restrict to indoor.
Karakoram Car Rally:
Schedule needs to be checked every year.
National Industrial Exhibition Islamabad/Lahore: (3rd week of November for 15 days)
Exhibition and sale of Pakistan’s industrial products and handicraft items
Christmas and Birth Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam: (25 December)
Birth Day of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Father of Nation.
Tourist Information Centers:
ABBOTTABAD Club Annexe, Jinnah Road. Tel: 0992-334399
BAHAWALPUR PTDC Motel, Club Road, Near DC Office. Tel: 0621-82835 Fax: 0621-85362
GILGIT PTDC Motel Chinaar Inn, .Tel: 0572-4262
ISLAMABAD Agha Khan Road, Markaz F-6 (Super Market). Tel: 051-9202766, 9212760 Fax: 051-920402
ISLAMABAD AIRPORT Opposite International Arrival Lounge, Islamabad International Airport. Tel: 051-9280563
KARACHI Shafi Chambers, Club Road, Saddar. Tel: 021-9202971 Fax: 021-9206376
KARACHI AIRPORT International Arrival Lounge, Quaid-e-Azam International Airport.
LAHORE Room No.3, Faletti's Hotel, Egerton Road. Tel: 042-6363946 Ext.TIC, 6306528 Fax: 042-6364819
LAHORE AIRPORT Opposite International Arrival Lounge, Lahore International Airport. Tel: 042-92200231
MOENJODARO PTDC Motel. Tel: 0741-459266 Fax: 07443-493
MULTAN Hotel Sindbad, Nishtar Chowk, Bahawalpur Road. Tel: 061-512640
PESHAWAR Benevolent Fund Building, Saddar Road. Tel & Fax: 091-286829
QUETTA Muslim Hotel, Jinnah Road. Tel: (081) 825826
RAWALPINDI Room No.7, Flashman's Hotel, The Mall. Tel: 051-514672, 581480 Ext.7
SAIDU SHARIF PTDC Motel, Opposite Serena Hotel. Tel: 0936-711205 Fax: 0936-713776
SKARDU K-2 Motel. Tel: 0575-2946 Fax: 0575-3322
SOST (1st May to 15th November)PTDC Motel, Pak-China Border.
TAFTAN PTDC Motel/Reception Unit, Pak-Iran Border. Tel: 0886-510302, 510248
THATTA PTDC Hospitality Complex.
TAXILA PTDC Motel, Opposite Taxila Museum, Museum Road. Tel: 0596-2344, 534890
WAGHA PTDC Motel/Reception Unit, Indo-Pak Border. 042- 6581644, 6581505.