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TRAVEL GUIDE
Islamabad
Islamabad is the Capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The
city was built between 1960 - 1970 to replace the
Capital from Karachi to Islamabad. Before this it was just a small
village, a part of which still exists; with its mud houses and typical
village life. Islamabad is a city of modern architecture there are some
great examples of modern buildings in Islamabad. The roads are wide and
lined with grass& roses. The city is divided into several residential
& commercial areas. Blue area , Jinnah Super Market , Aabpara are the
main commercial Areas. Among the buildings, the new Prime ministers
secretariat , Assembly building , The Awami Markaz , Some ambushes on
Diplomatic Enclave, and The great Faisal Mosque are worth seeing.
Rawalpindi though twin city to Islamabad, is the main city with a
population of around 2 Millions; is a bustling city with a lot of
activity. Rawalpindi was the garrison town in the English times and even
now it is the head quarter of Pakistan Army. The bazaars of Rawalpindi are
no less then any oriental bazaar like the Sunday market in China or
Afrasiab Samarkand. Only Raja Bazaar can take atleast two days to stroll
around.
HOTELS
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Pearl Continental Hotel (RWP) 5*
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Holiday Inn Islamabad 5*
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Marriott Islamabad 5*
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Bestwestern Hotel Islamabad 5*
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Serena Islamabad (Under construction )
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Shalimar Hotel (RWP) 4*
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Dream Land Hotel Islamabad 3*
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Akber International (RWP) 3*
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Paradise Hotel (RWP)
Many other small & big hotels in
Rawalpindi & Islamabad.
Transfers
Islamabad - Peshawar
170 KMs 3 - 4 Hours
usually combined with the tour of Taxila. Drive on the Grand Trunk road
stop at the confluence of Indus & Kabul rivers. later continue to
Peshawar.
Islamabad- Besham
275 Kilometers usually takes
8 - 9 Hours with stops at Abbottabad & Taxila road is pretty good
Specially after Abbottabad there are great views of rice fields on the
terraced lands. Mountains start growing higher after Thakot where you meet
the river Indus. Besham is a small town located at the bank of River
Indus. It is the first main town on Karakorum Highway.
Islamabad - Murree:
60 KMs drive to the green Murree hills once
the hill station for the English officers now enjoy largest No. of
visitors from within Pakistan. There is an interesting Bazaar and a wide
street (Jinnah Road ) where one can see some nice eating places. Just 9
KMsfrom Murree is the beautiful Pearl continental hotel Bhurban, emerged
as modern 5* Hill resort in Pakistan. The road has great views of the foot
hills and some villages on the way.
Tours
Half day Rawalpindi Islamabad
Visit the
Shakarparian view point , Faisal Mosque (2nd largest mosque in the world)
, Museum of folk heritage, drive through some of the best buildings of
Islamabad and later have a walk in Raja bazaar.
Evening dinner outside
Can be done either in
Islamabad at the folk heritage museum (if there is some activity going on
) or at atypical BBQ restaurant in Rawalpindi.
Full Day Excursion to Murree hills
Drive to
Murree visit the Bazaar there and later drive to Bhurban for a Lunch and
short hike in the green hills Late Afternoon return to
Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
Full Day Taxila
Drive to Taxila40 KMs visit the
site museum and Sirkap , Julian and Dharma Rajika Stupa later return to
Islamabad.
Full Day Rohtas fort & Salt range.
Drive to
the Salt range visit the Salt Mosque built entirely of salt in the mines
later continue to Rohtas. On arrival transfer to the Horse carriage to go
to the fort visit the fort and have a picnic. Afternoon return to
Islamabad.
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