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Piha Beach

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 Piha Beach Piha Beach is most popular among surfers, landscape photographers, and holidaying Aucklanders not wanting to stray too far from the city. Black sand and a rugged appearance make this a natural idyll, while Lion Rock – a volcanic monolith with a war memorial and Māori carvings – is a ‘grammable manmade marvel. Go to the following link

MARGALA HILLS

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   MARGALA HILLS Islamabad might be a glitzy ‘new’ city, but did you know it also has a vast array of hills perfect for climbing? The Margala Hills are spread out over over 12,000 hectares and contain multiple hiking and running trails. Ascending to the various peaks of the range show off Islamabad in ways you might not have known were possible. There are few places in Pakistan that remain so close to the city yet so deeply connected to nature.

KHUNJERAB PASS

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   KHUNJERAB PASS This high-mountain pass isn’t for the faint of heart. At nearly 4,600 metres (15,397 feet), this popular tourist attraction connects Pakistan with China to form the highest paved border crossing in the world. Many people venture to the border to take photos at the official gate, which is surrounded by insanely tall peaks and grassy fields. As for transport, it’s best to travel here with your own vehicle as bus tickets can get pricey. For adventurous travellers, hitchhiking is also an option, as it is on much of the Karakoram Highway.

DEOSAI PLAINS NATIONAL PARK

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   DEOSAI PLAINS NATIONAL PARK Deosai is often referred to as the roof of the world. And it kinda is. At 4,117 metres (13,497 feet), the massive plateau is the second-highest on the planet, and is only really accessible during summer. Sprawling emerald-green meadows, snow-capped peaks and glistening blue lakes greet visitors who make the journey to this beautiful spot. The Himalayan Brown Bear calls Deosai its home and has been spotted by many a visitor – watch out for them if you’re camping! The park charges an entrance fee of 1,000 rupees for foreigners and 40 rupees for Pakistanis.

KALASH VALLEYS

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  KALASH VALLEYS The Kalash Valleys, comprised of Bumboret, Rumbur, and Birir, are home to the Kalash people, a religious and ethnic minority in Pakistan with their own beliefs, culture and language. The valleys they live in are certainly some of the most beautiful places in Pakistan – not just for their natural splendour, but also for the beauty of the Kalash themselves. The valley of Rumbur is particularly stunning. Here, kilometres of dusty road and mountains rumble alongside the Kalash River. The Kalash people live in wooden homes that cling to the high hills, and the women are particularly famous for their brightly-coloured traditional dress and headwear that differs from anything else one can find in Pakistan. Being only 2.5 hours from Chitral City, it’s very easy to make it out to one of the valleys these days. If you do decide to head to Rumbur, take a day to trek all the way into the valley. The last settlement of Rumbur, Sheikhandeh, is a former Nuristani village whose inhabi

HINGOL NATIONAL PARK

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  HINGOL NATIONAL PARK Hingol National Park is technically in Pakistan, but it looks more like a Martian planet! The park is over 6,000-square-kilometres and contains incredibly unique rock formations, vast canyons, numerous animal species, and even a mud volcano. What’s more, part of the National Park hugs the coast, adding the ocean to all its other assets. Though totally out-of-this-world in its looks, Hingol is only 3.5 hours from Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city. Pakistanis shouldn’t have any problem entering the park, but foreigners have had mixed experiences. Some who were accompanied by locals have been able to spend a night/ weekend in the park, while others were only given day permission. There is no public transport to the park, so having access to your own transportation is a must.