Lonely Planet - Pakistan and the karakoram highway

I remember how i first started collecting maps, guide books and every relevant content to travel back in my childhood. I really wanted to travel. Had never traveled that much back then. It was always my first priority. Every single book shop that i visited, i’ll spend whole time of mine at the travel and photography section, to find out more. By the time i started traveling, i already had a set of Pakistan guide books. Lonely Planet : Pakistan and the Karakoram Highway was one of it.

I remember how i started with that guide book, knowing nothing except the maps in my mind and some relevant information about the place. But i realized that the real experience is in exploring things on your own. The guide book can just tell you what’s there. There are countless other things that you will never find in the guide book.

I still carry that book with me as a good reference. I still get every single guide book from the book store.I now truly believe that good luck comes to those who really plan for it. And i have never stopped traveling.

Keep traveling!

Being one of the nominations, like every other nominee in the auditorium, all i was waiting for them to announce my set of awards. It was like a numb feeling of whats happening around me. I could not feel it. I could not wait for the moment they announce the winner.  It’s not like that i wanted to win, but i wanted this suspense to end. Be it a winner or not. It should end. The numb feelings and butterflies in stomach.

Annual Pakistan Blog Award held on December 23, 2011 in Regent Plaza Hotel, Karachi Pakistan.

Nearly half way through the ceremony, Rabia Garib announced : ” Best travel blog of the year“. I didn’t realize how many seconds it took for her to say “iExplorePakistan”, but it felt like time has stopped for me. Heart beats increased. My ears could not hear anything else except for her to say iExplorePakistan.

I received the award. While on my way back from the stage and the trophy in my hand, the unconscious questions from back of my head started coming to my conscious.  It said ” Best Travel Blog”. Best?  Have i really done anything remarkable to deserve such an award? Because right before going to the ceremony my mind was juggling with thoughts of traveling more since i have seen less of Pakistan, as yet. Publish more. Share more. Nearly more then half of my photos and stories are not yet published neither are online. Still putting up this content online made me deserve this award? Win it?

I don’t have another word to put it but “nice” feeling it was. Because iExplorePakistan was something i created with a lot of research and study work, a lot of traveling and most important, with a lot of dreams to see Pakistan. And right after its inception a year and half back, i held my self responsible for working more for the nation. I feel the sense of responsibility in me. And awards like Nishan-e-Azm or Best travel blog makes me more responsible to the nation.

I feel happy. Though i am not a soldier who can fight for the nation on borders, neither a politician to develop productive strategies for the country, but what i do have is a small number of skills and that i can surely devote it for for the country, as a Pakistani, for Pakistan.

Pakistan Through my Lens. November 24, 2011. I was invited at National University of Science and Technology Pakistan as a guest speaker to share my experience at their event TEDxNUST. The whole idea of my talk was to share my personal journey of Pakistan that i  have experienced so far. A normal citizen of Islamic republic of Pakistan wandering in search of photographs, moments that should mean something to him. The journey made me realize how misinformed we are about our country and identity. And i tried to show my point of view of what Pakistan is that i have experienced and yet to experience.

What is your profession and what exactly is Pakistan for you from the bottom of your heart? Please Share

Youtube link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr6sxijBcwY

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?

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)

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)

Sometimes i really feel out of words while describing a place, specially if i have photographed a moment in that photo. It gets difficult for me to describe the feeling of being  to that place. The trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp Started from Minapin, a place quite close to Hunza in Nagar division of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Nature changes it forms and gives different picturesque moments and challenges to man to enjoy. The place looks totally different on a sunny day with bright blue sky and for me it was a totally different landscape with clouds covering the peaks all over and acting as a shade to the valley which actually gave me a pleasant day to trek while taking photos on the way.

Trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp from Minapin, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

The best part of trekking is that you always look behind after intervals in order to see what the view has to offer. It was just the start of the trek when i looked back for an aerial view of the valley while i stumbled upon two fellow trekers far away making their way towards the destination and gave me an opportunity to capture this mighty landscape with far away human element to get the feeling of mightiness of this natural world.

I am writing my travelogue on this Rakaposhi base camp trek and i hope i get done with it soon so that i can get it published here for you all to read Its a journey of a photographer, a normal person living in metropolitan and making his way to the adventurous world and the pretty common hurdles he face.

Have a good day!

From the Balcony of my Hotel Room in Hindukush Heights, Chitral, Pakistan

I am still traveling these days. From Sindh to Balochistan to Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir and now going to Gilgit-Baltistan. The above picture was taken during my 3 day stay in Hotel Hindukush Heights Chitral. I spent my time reading travelogues and having lots and lots of tea while enjoying the spectacular view.

I would strongly recommend you to stay in Hotel Hindukush heights if you prefer isolation, expect a spectacular view and a luxury stay. I will be writing a complete review of the places i have stayed in while i am back home.

Have you also stayed in any hotel of such type that offers some magnificent view in Pakistan? please do share. I would love to experience it.

Trich Mir from Ayun Valley

“Fairies live there and they protect this valley from evil and never allow anyone to climb up to Trich Mir and meet them, if someone does, he never returns.”
Thats what my guide told me pointing at that mountain and thats where i got to know about its name “Trich Mir“. Later i got to know that its highest peak in Hindukush range and 33rd in world.

For a minute he really made me imagine fairies flying and living in the snow, the white bright fairies. But obviously, that was too far away from reality.

I have experienced such myths about certain mountains while traveling all across Pakistan. For example mountains of Lake Saifulmalook in Naran or Zarghoon Mountain range in Quetta are one of them.

I am pretty much fascinated by such things and seriously these things then tends me to explore more, to actually find out the hidden beauty.

Do you have any such story regarding any place? Any myth? Please do share in the comment below.