A Trekker passing through Chillinji glacier in Wakhan Corridor Trek, Pakistan

Dreams? Should dreams be left as dreams or should you be doing something to make it real?

My dream was to travel & Explore. I am living it. I am finding out ways how can i live it more? But does that mean i am putting my family, studies, work and all at stake? The answer is No. It’s all about balance in your life. I am not traveling 24/7 and 365 days a year. But i never leave any opportunity to travel. Be it for work, a workshop, conference, talk, family visit or even for the sake of pleasure. The objective is to move. It’s all about balance.

The photograph above was captured in September 2011 while i was crossing Chillinji glacier on Wakhan Corridor Trek. It was my dream to go to that place, explore glaciers and live in wilderness. I did that. But not in a luxury way. I had to save, take time out, get out of my comfort zone and take the first step to move.

What’s your dream? Are you living it?

 Its strange but yes i have always loved meals during the travel. For two specific reasons. First it becomes part of my travel memories and secondly of course if you are traveling and hungry, anything will taste good.

This hotel, not so fancy but happened to serve us the best oil filled parathas, fried eggs and garam chai during our stop over while going to start Wakhan Corridor Trek. The best part of the place was its location, Behal Hotel and restaurant, located in Kaghan valley right after you drive down from Babusar pass towards Chilas. That is the only hotel available in that area hence you are bound to have your meal either thier or take your own food along.

What about you? Do you always look forward to stop over any restaurant while traveling to add that to your memory?

Inflight meal in PIA - Islamabad to Chitral

Be it the small airport destination like Dera Ghazi Khan or international ones like Karachi, in the middle of a desert like Bahawalpur or in the mountains like Quetta, Gilgit or Skardu, I have always enjoyed my journeys. There is an another charm in enjoying your journey other then the destination. Be it on road, on train or in the air. I would always wait for the train to stop at  railway stations so that i can have my food. I would always wait for the bus to stop at the hotel so that i can enjoy my meal. Similarly, I was always excited with in flight meal and would always wait for it. No matter if i already have had my meal at home or in the hotel or whereever, i would still wait for the inflight meal.

There is a different charm in having your cup of tea or coffee while flying. If its a day flight you’ll get to have your meal with spectacular views.

I have also found our PIA’s inflight meal to be better and tastier in every flight. With every different destination, i would get a different meal and then a different happiness to enjoy it.

How about you? Can you share how do you enjoy your journeys?

My Fellow trekkers returning back from unfinished Wakhan Corridor Trek

It is difficult to return from the trek of your dreams. I along with my other fellow trekkers did  return after covering nearly more then half of our journey in Wakhan Corridor, Northern Pakistan.

You come back with mixed feelings. When i say mixed, it means that when you go back, you are happy to be back to civilization, getting a good warm water shower, have eggs in the breakfast, meeting your family and friends. In simple words, back to normal life. But at the same time you are sad too. Sad because you are leaving the wild, the adventure and the closest to the nature. You are sad because you had an objective to accomplish but you couldn’t because of unfavorable weather (snow and rain). You are sad. More then you are happy. You had put a lot of efforts to get there.

But then there is lots of hopes you are bringing back with. Hopes to go back and accomplish whatever you couldn’t.

I call my travels Mixed feelings. Its not sad always, but not always happy too. But its always with full of hopes.

That keeps me alive. What keeps you alive?

Wakhan Corridor Trek

Life is unexpected. I always find inspiration in my traveling. But there are times when I don’t travel at all and then there comes a time I don’t get to see home for a long period of time, always traveling. I count it as a blessing. Its been almost 3 months i have been traveling. Inside Pakistan and outside. Exploring breathtaking places and living my moments.

Sometimes i really get confused what to share and what not to. Pakistan is more then beautiful. Beyond our imaginations. Sometimes i feel life is to short to explore this motherland.

My recent trek was Wakhan Corridor. I remember my friend Marco from Germany once told me if things don’t go in your favor while traveling, it gives you a good reason come back, explore more, experience more and live more. I realized that on my trek as it went unsuccessful. I am not going to call it a failure, but I can call it a new learning experience, have explored some new places, met new people and now i have a reason to go back there, once again. I feel lucky.

The trek was not completed because of unfavorable and unexpected weather conditions. unexpected rain and snowfall. We had to come back, keeping it unfinished, bringing lots of hopes back home to go next year. Its difficult to fight with the nature and its easy to go in a flow with the nature.

While I was stuck and lost in the mountains, I was more close to the nature that gave me the opportunity to go deeper inside and live some moments.

I am still traveling and that is why i have not yet been able to jot down all my experiences and share with you. But i am sure i’ll be sharing them all soon

Have you ever been to a place where you completely fall in love with? And you would want to come back some day again? Or again and again? Every traveler at some point in time feels the same for some place. Being a nature lover, I actually fall in love with everyplace that offers me nature in its real form. Chitral was one of it and going back there felt like I will be reading best stories of my life visually with new additions.

Aerial view of Rawal Lake, Islamabad

It was an early morning flight from Islamabad to Chitral.  I already knew it would be a small flight but after listening to the announcement of the pilot, 45 minutes sounded too less since nowhere in Pakistan you fly for less than an hour at least.

Weather in Islamabad was cloudy, and flying in PIA ATR meant It was going to be a bumpy ride.

Just like my other journeys, I had my camera all ready to shoot. The uncle sitting next to me was wondering what I was so excited about. I told him this could be a routine for him but I am coming here for the second time to enjoy this picturesque view, to fly over Hindukush Mountains. I took this flight with an objective to have new photographic ideas and I wanted to live in the moment to the fullest. I hope he understood my feelings.

The start of Hindukush Mountain range

It was one of its kinds and different flight for me, I flew over the green Margalla hills initially which took me an aerial view ride of the Rawal Lake covered with dark clouds with a new perspective. The Margalla hills felt like a magical place covered in clouds. All of a sudden I saw a far away mountain having snow shine on its top. Looked Like a huge vanilla flavored ice cream cone from a distance. Uncle on my right said: here starts your Hindukush. Snow means Hindukush.

Hindukush range from the window of PIA ATR

This made me forget the meal and tea I was having and I started taking pictures. The snow caped peak came nearer and nearer and the green mountains of Margalla vanished into dry Rocky Mountains of Hindukush with snow spreaded all over. The window on my left had the view of only white snowy dry mountains with green patches far and wide. This continued till the pilot announced we are about to land in Chitral. We came down the snow capped mountains and now all I could see was the green fields of Chitral all over. A valley covered between giant mountains.

Aerial view of Chitral Valley and the shadow of the plane before landing

This was not the only journey that I enjoyed, but I enjoy each and every journey with the same excitement. Be it a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit, a road trip to Quetta from Karachi, a train trip in Southern Punjab or a jeep ride to Naran Valley, because this is all Pakistan and each and every place of this country is worth appreciating. Not just the landscapes but the culture and hospitable people.

(This story was origionally published the August 2011 edition of Blah-Magazine for youth, Pakistan)

Hindukush Mountains in Kuragh near Chitral, Pakistan

I made it my habit everyday during my stay around Hindukush Mountains to observe the Sun setting behind and experiencing last beam of light hitting the closest mountain. The feeling of belonging and closeness to the nature is beyond explaining.

Have you ever done anything like that in your life? Please Share

Traveling and taking photos all across Pakistan, its really difficult to conclude which places are my favorite or which place actually took my breath away. However, I have selected few photographs out of my archive that i can say actually are overwhelming not because of the popularity of the place or the tourism it receives yearly, but because of the moment that made me feel astonished. Here is the list of 10 breathtaking spots around Pakistan.

1. Sheikh Badin Hill Station – Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

Sheikh Badin Hill Station-Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, Pakistan

Nothing can beat the feeling of being at an entirely isolated place, on top of a mountain having a bird eye view of magnificent mountain range and surrounded by cool breezes sitting at this Charpai. For me such a place offer a sense of tranquility, an opportunity to indulge yourself in a deep thought and think about this mighty creation. It is more than 100 year old long forgotten hill station made during the British era in mid 19^th century.

2. Islamabad Cityscape from Daman-e-Koh View Point.

Islamabad Cityscape from Daman-e-Koh View Point, Pakistan

For me viewing the Islamabad cityscape from Daman-e-Koh was not really striking unless you wait for the perfect light, wait for the sun to set and observe how magically the clouds get mix with the orange and bluish tone of sky. Sunsets and twilights are one of the most appealing light conditions that sparks me to take photos.

3. Twilight at Clifton Beach Karachi – Sindh

Twilight at Clifton Beach Karachi - Sindh, Pakistan

Clifton beach is one of the most favorite places of mine in Karachi, especially for shooting the sunset. You get to have every kind of human subjects from every walk of life at the beach. Being a nature enthusiast, I always look for how nature can change the landscape and make it delightful for us. Have you ever experienced twilight at Clifton beach? It’s rare but I am fortunate enough to experience this sundown at the beach quite often. The world around you totally changes from a real world to a Magical fantasy of blues, oranges and silhouetted living creatures.

4. Lion’s Face, Hanna Urak – Wali Tangi Valley – Balochistan

Loins Face, Hanna Urak - Wali Tangi Valley – Balochistan, Pakistan

I have spent my childhood in the middle of dry mountains of Quetta city.Hanna Urak & Wali Tangi Valley used to be the only nearby picnic. However I started trekking in Balochistan quite late and discovered this Loin’s face naturally encarved on a huge mountain in Wali Tangi. I wonder how no one talked about it, never mentioned it anywhere or at least no one has yet marked the place. A part from that,  you can observe an enormous mountain far behind in the background that actually reminds me of old Malbaro TV ads that made me fanaticized climbing that mountain. I still wish to do so.

5. Rain at Astore Valley – Gilgit Baltistan

Rain at Astore Valley – Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Rain has always been a part of my inspirations. To read, to write, to travel and to photograph. It makes me feel to the fullest of my creativity, especially when it rains in tranquil morning. I love the fragrance when a tiny droplet falls on the soil making it semi-muddy, the freshness all around.  One breath taking moment that made me awestruck was when a flock passed by my jeep, I felt the rain drops on my car’s wind screen and the rushed shepherd was a cherry on top in that whole scene, especially when you experience it in the middle of green mountains with snow top in summers.

6. Hunza Valley from Baltit Fort – Gilgit-Baltistan

Hunza Valley from Baltit Fort – Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Hunza, one can only enjoy the spectacular view of the valley once you climb up to the top of the valley where lies Baltit Fort. Being a photographer, I was looking for a view to actually capture a photo that can show the valley as well as a glimpse of the fort in one picture. Framing the valley in these arches from inside the fort helped me to communicate what I wanted.

7. Shingrilla – Skardu – Gilgit Baltistan

Shingrilla – Skardu – Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

How comforting it is when you actually experience and see the place that you’ve always been seeing printed on calendars, watching it on TV or going through a post card in a book shop. Shangrila it was for me. I even didn’t remember the name when I first showed a post card picture to my taxi driver and asked him to take me there. Being a student, I didn’t have or can say I never wanted to spend that much money to actually stay there. However I enjoyed its view from a hotel on the other side of the lake.

8. Ziarat Valley – Balochistan

Ziarat Valley – Balochistan, Pakistan

The famous view point of Ziarat has an astonishing view of the 2^nd largest juniper forest in the world that is more than 4500 years old. Have you ever imagined a Juniper forest and a Hill station in Balochistan? I never thought about it unless I discovered while doing excursion photo trips in Balochistan. One could only feel the smell of these juniper trees all around if you are there.

9. Chitral Valley from my hotel room of Hindukush Heights – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Chitral Valley from my hotel room of Hindukush Heights – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Yes, it’s real. In reality there are hotels and resorts having rooms with such a magnificent view. Even I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first entered this room at Hotel Hindukush Heights located in north of Chitral Valley. I have spent almost 3 full days in this room with that spectacular view. All I did was reading travelogues and having lots & lots of teas. The best thing about this view was that it gave different feelings and moods at different time of the day. I loved it at sunrise and sunset every day.

10. Multan Clock Tower – Punjab

Multan Clock Tower – Punjab, Pakistan

While wandering in the city of heat and shrines and searching for historical places, I came through this wonderfully built clock tower built during the British Empire. The tower itself will not give you an awestruck moment unless you wait for the perfect light right after the sunset and let the heavy traffic of Multan move around the tower. The contrast between an old British architect and the current hustle bustle of the city is a must watch.

(The article was originally published in the June 2011 edition of Xpoze Monthly Magazine Pakistan)

The Kalasha Girls, Rumbor Valley of Kalash, Pakistan

My second trip to The Kalash Valleys, with same excitement and enthusiasm as of the first time. This time was not as peaceful as before since all i did was covering the festival in a rush and no peace and tranquality spent with the locals at all.

However got some shots that i can include in a small list of my best shots. Few of the work will be published in The Sunday Gaurdian London while a story about Kalash has been published in Himal South Asian Magazine Nepal.  To read:  http://www.himalmag.com/component/gallery/album/4500-joshi-in-kalash.html

Traveling all across Pakistan, i still feel how less i have traveled this country. Is this life enough to cover all places of Pakistan? Have been missing lots of historical sights of Sindh, the beautiful Swat, lots of treks in Baltistan, hidden mountains of Balochistan, Kashmir beyond just Muzafarabad, hundreds of lakes and a lot more. However, i still feel good that atleast i keep on going. Life goes on and lets see how much will i explore more of Pakistan in future.

Just sharing a single photograph from each province of Pakistan that i feel is truly breathtaking for me.  Its not the photograph that i am sharing, but a feeling that i had while taking these photograph.

I just have one question for you? Have you traveled to all provinces of Pakistan? if yes, how? and if not, then tell me which one are you missing? Post in your answers in the comments below.

Arabian Sea, Karachi, Sindh - Pakistan

Shahi Masjid, Chitral - Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Dhulli, Azad Kashmir - Pakistan

Rakaposhi Peak, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Road to Ziarat, Balochistan - Pakistan

Clock Tower, Multan, Punjab - Pakistan