July’s sweltering heat has citizens yearning for a frosty stay-cay in the scenic locales of northern Pakistan. With global warming on the rise, the metropolises has seen a significant increase in its otherwise cool summer temperature. With the scale reaching up to 45◦ C, the vexed cityites are in desperate need of escape for which July serves up as the perfect roster for their getaway.

With summer vacations in full swing, whether it is a family plan or a girls’ time out, Pakistan’s northern areas could be touted as the getaway you are so desperately seeking. So, in case you still need to figure out how to plan your days and jot down that much-needed itinerary, here’s an easy guide on what to do when planning a trip with your girlfriends.
Bag it and Tag it

Suppose you are one of those lucky ones whose plans have come out of the WhatsApp groups and are well on their way to the airport; congratulations! While packing for travel, one must keep specific unspoken rules in mind - lightweight, modest clothing that could suit the climate at your destination well. 

“A chaadar has been the most helpful,” Aniqa Yaqoob, who went to
Hunza and Skardu with her university friends last year, told me.
“It’s lightweight, easy to wear, and helps give me a sense of safety.
The right footwear, however, is just as essential to choose as the
clothes. When we were planning on what to bring along, we decided
that comfortable joggers or boots are easy to walk in. A pair of those
and a pair of slides were all that we needed” Apart from apparel,
personal hygiene and medications also came up on the list.
“Tampons, sanitary pads, sunscreen, and sunglasses were essential,”
Aniqa added.

Haunting the Mountains

“The route to Fairy Meadows was scary, if I am honest,”
she told me. “We were huddled in a four-wheel drive on a
rocky road. But the gorgeous locales were a welcomed
distraction, but once we reached there, the ordeal was well
worth it.” she said. 
She mentioned that they later went to Hunza Valley.
“The view was breathtaking, we stayed at Lexus Hunza for 
hree days and loved it! The locals were so helpful and the
cuisine delectable.”

Saniya Ahmed took her mother and sister for a much-needed time away. Albeit the tour was a week-long, Saniya made sure her stay-cay with her best girls was nothing short of perfection. She decided to spend it in the Hunza Valley and Fairy Meadows. 
To The Cities of Yore

Narrowing down four tips for travellers coming to Pakistan, Sarah said,

But hey, if you are travelling to Pakistan for the first time, we can’t stress enough how gorgeous the cities are. Karachi has an ample amount of beaches one can visit and have a serene day. Gwadar is known for the same, and the construction of the port is in the final stages, giving visitors a chance to experience what could be expected.
Lahore is rich in history, and it shows. Some imperative visiting places include the magnanimous Badshahi Mosque and Sheesh Mahal. The food, is another story altogether. Lahore’s desi nashta is world-famous, and you know you are in for a treat when devouring its delicious nihari and finger-licking chikkar cholay.
Things to Remember

We know that travelling alone or with your girlfriends can be daunting. So, if you are here to understand what to be cautious of before embarking on your journey, we’ve got you. Here’s a list of things that you must be aware of before planning your trip.
•    It’s imperative to understand the traditions of the locals of the area you plan on travelling to. It’s basic etiquette. Every region comes with its set of centuries-long cultural sensitivities, and to follow them would be to honour the said locale. Pakistan is known for its impeccable hospitality. If visitors pay heed to the customs, they will be welcomed with open arms.
•    The easier way to commute would always be in groups. So keep looking for travel agents, groups renowned for providing services that have been deemed well by someone close to your circle. Another essential pointer could be to gain ample knowledge about your preferred holiday destination. Be aware of any security concerns or areas to avoid. Oh, and it can always be helpful to seek guidance from local authorities or trusted guides when exploring remote areas.

The Tales of a Nomad

Sarah*, an Australian national, had moved to Pakistan for work a few years ago. However, her time in Pakistan was propelled into an experience that was not just limited to journalistic endeavours.
“I was coming to Pakistan for a job opportunity,” she tells me from her home country over the phone. “I met a lot of Pakistanis when I was in a student university exchange program at one of Malaysia’s University. I never had any intention to ever go to Pakistan, mind you. I was a nomad in a way that I was the first person in my family to head to a university and that, too, away from home. Thus, naturally, I was always curious and wanted to learn about different cultures.”
But one thing was clear for Sarah: she wouldn’t sit idle. “I always wanted to wait for something to keep me busy. So, the opportunity arose for me to work at a current affairs magazine. When I first came to Pakistan, I thought, “This is great. Everyone’s like me here.”
When asked how the travelling chapter happened during her time in the country, Sarah revealed it happened accidentally. “A friend of mine invited me to Makli in the interior of Sindh - one of the world’s largest UNESCO heritage sites. I am very much into going to barren areas and finding beauty there. The group of Pakistani friends that I went there with were amazing. I was ecstatic about it and my journey kick started from there! I wanted to get into the story of discovering Pakistan. I guess my journalistic curiosity propelled me to learn more about the country’s hidden gems.”
Not one for solo adventures, Sarah tried finding like-minded people to tag along on her journey. “I tried to find new places to travel for myself. I travelled to Pakistan with different groups of friends. I have just gone to many places with many people - I wouldn’t say I travelled alone. I just felt safe that way.” 
After becoming interested in exploring Pakistan and its scenic locales, Sarah went on to travel to Hunza, Swat, KPK, Chitral—it’s beautiful, Quetta, Ziarat, Imara Beach, and Kalash Valley. “Oh, Chitral is stunning” she gushed. “I was not prepared to be so struck by how breathtaking it really was” She further sang praises of Kalash Valley. “It was probably my favourite place to visit. It was just a heightened experience,” she said.
Narrowing down four tips for travellers coming to Pakistan, Sarah said,

When asked if there are any plans in the pipeline to revisit Pakistan, Sarah revealed two places that she would love to visit. “I recently had this discussion and would love to visit Kashmir and Neelam Valley. I’d love to see those before I move onto another locale.”
Sarah furthered how people have a misguided conception about the people in Pakistan and the country as well. “Don’t generalise people,” she said. “Do not paint everyone with the same brush. Don’t generalise the whole country because of a few incidents here and there.”

With over seven years of experince in writing, Rida Lodhi writes the liftstyles for Express Tribune.
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