"Pakistan is perhaps the ultimate adventure travel destination."
Forbes Magazine has listed Pakistan among its 10 best ‘Under-the-Radar’ trips for 2020.
This makes the country an enticing travel destination for tourists, which many may not think of. More specifically, the country’s northern areas are the most popular areas to travel to for their stunning natural scenery.
The American-based magazine looked into locations that are “off the beaten path,” providing travellers with a “proper escape from the everyday in an increasingly homogenised world.”
It was noted that 2020 is a great year to visit the countries on the list, as closed countries are opening up.
Travelling to such countries will help scratch holidaymakers’ increasing urge to visit more obscure countries.
For Pakistan, efforts have been made to highlight the country’s tourism potential and it has become an increasingly attractive destination.
This was highlighted by the 2019 visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, during which they visited the country’s northern areas as well as its cultural capital Lahore.
Jonny Bealby, founder of award-winning travel company Wild Frontiers, told Forbes:
“Pakistan is perhaps the ultimate adventure travel destination.
“It offers ancient Indus civilisations stretching back 4,000 years, and exciting cities like Lahore with its forts, mosques and palaces.
“But most of all, it offers incredible scenery, particularly in the north where the three greatest mountain ranges collide.”
Bealby went on to say that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government have had a desire to boost adventure tourism.He said:
“Pakistan is great for trekking, mountain biking, rafting or just cultural tourism.”
“The infrastructure has also improved, with resurfaced roads and new tunnels cutting down travel time, new luxury hotels are opening up in the region.”
Pakistan was one of 10 countries, which made it onto the list of best destinations, which are far off the tourist map.
Armenia was named for its rich, ancient culture as well as authentic traditions.
Chad has an expansive size, but it is extremely safe. It has a natural beauty, which mostly remains untouched by tourists.
China has a growing market of nature tourism, especially with the opening of a new national park system.
Eritrea was listed as there is the potential to explore a country, which is opening up for tourism and contains a “rich diversity of wildlife and breathtaking highlands.”
Guatemala has unrestricted environments that have just opened up for overnight stays.
Mongolia has ancient rock art, scenery that is constantly changing and the Altai Kazakh Eagle Festival.
Saudia Arabia has just introduced tourist visas that offer visits to “diverse attractions, from ancient archaeological sites to modern cities, mud-brick forts to verdant forests to red sand dunes.”
Algeria has unique architecture and markets, which will appeal to tourists.
Uzbekistan has a rich history as part of the Silk Road.