Karachi Travel Information

Karachi Travel Information

The coastal city of Karachi, the financial capital of Pakistan and one of the world’s largest cities offers visitors a wide range of cultural and historical attractions, as well as beautiful beaches, museums, golf courses, excellent restaurants, and great chances for inexpensive shopping. While neither a major holiday destination nor the safest place for Western tourists, Karachi still offers plenty to explore for adventurous visitors.

Empress Market in Karachi, Pakistan

The large Karachi is the capital of Sindh Province in Southern Pakistan along the coast of Arabian Sea. It is the biggest city of Pakistan that also used to be the capital before Islamabad was constructed. Known locally as the City of Lights, Karachi has a diverse population of inhabitants that have come here from all over Pakistan or as refugees from India or Afghanistan. The culture of the city is a mixture of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, South Asian and Western influences.

Sights and activities in Karachi: beaches, shopping, museums & historical attractions

Karachi offers a great deal of attractions and activities, from beaches to museums and from golf clubs to excellent shopping and historical sites. Shopping in Karachi is inexpensive in the many shopping malls and old bazaars throughout the city. Karachi is home to many beautiful beaches, including the ones in Beach Park and Bin Qasim Park, as well as Sandspit Beach and French Beach. Churna Island offshore from Karachi hosts the only coral reefs in Pakistan, where snorkeling is available. For a city view over Karachi, visit the Hill Park or try the Revolving Restaurant in the city center.

Three Swords monument in Clifton, Karachi

Museums & entertainment. There are many amusement parks in Karachi, located on the waterfront, at Gulshan-e-Iqbal or near the Super Highway. Karachi Zoo hosts also a natural history museum. Other numerous museums in Karachi include Quaid Mausoleum and Museum, Mohatta Palace and History Museum, a maritime museum, a planetarium, and Karachi Expo Centre near the main university. Karachi also hosts the National Museum of Pakistan as well as several art galleries and many historical buildings. Cricket fields and golf courses in Karachi offer sports entertainment also for visitors, and there are many yacht clubs with possibilities for sailing and other water sports. The old art center and World Heritage Site of Thatta is also located near Karachi.

Kemari boat harbour in Karachi

Karachi travel tips and practical information

Karachi enjoys a dry tropical climate that is mostly hot but still milder than in inland areas of Pakistan.

The Weather in Karachi in summer is usually very hot, while the winters are warm and more pleasant. Most of the rainfall occurs during the monsoon season from July to August.

How to get there. Most visitors travel to Karachi by air, as the city is home to the busiest international airport in Pakistan with flights to Karachi from all over Asia and Middle East, as well as from many European cities. You can also travel to Karachi by bus or train from most cities in Pakistan.

City view of Karachi, Pakistan

Once in Karachi, you can get around by buses or taxis. The ubiquitous buses in Karachi are not very comfortable and have pickpockets in them. Taxis come in three forms: Yellow, black and metro. Unlike the yellow and black ones, the metro taxis usually have meters on them. Always agree on the price before getting into a taxi. Car rental in Karachi is also available.

Hotels & services. There is a wide range of hotels in Karachi from luxury hotels and beach resorts to many cheap guesthouses and hostels. There is also a great number of restaurants in Karachi, offering a wide variety of cuisines. Unlike in most parts of Pakistan, there are also many options for nightlife in Karachi. Most Pakistanis speak some English and many educated people in Karachi are very fluent in it.

Sunset by the beach in Karachi, Pakistan

Safety. Many parts of Karachi are not safe for visitors because of crime, political unrest or terrorism. As in any other mega city in the world, crime is not uncommon in Karachi. Car theft, robberies, bomb attacks and pick-pocketing do happen, so it is best to use common sense, avoid going out alone, and be vigilant at all times to avoid any dangerous situations. Follow the news for possible political unrest and ask local advice about current security situation before traveling to unknown areas.

Pokhara Travel Information

Pokhara Travel Information

The scenic lakeside city of Pokhara in Nepal is the starting point for the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Pokhara is a beautiful place frequented by visitors heading to the Himalayas for trekking or mountain climbing. The city, also called the Switzerland of Nepal, offers beautiful lakes, canyons and waterfalls, caves, historical sites and museums to visit, as well as temples, colorful festivals, and cheap shopping opportunities.

Village along Annapurna trail, Nepal

Scenic Himalayan town located in the corner of Pokhara Valley in Central Nepal some 200 km west of the capital Kathmandu, Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. Pokhara area has huge changes in elevation, from 1,000 m in the valley to over 7,500 meters in the Himalayan mountain peaks of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu ranges. The city lies on an old trading route between Tibet and India and used to be part of the Kingdom of Kaski during the 17th century. Many Tibetan refugees moved into the area in the 1950s. Pokhara was connected to the rest of Nepal by road in the 1960s and has since then become a popular tourism destination. Today, Pokhara is one of the major tourism hubs of Nepal.

Sights and activities in Pokhara: trekking, mountains, historic & natural attractions

Most people come to Nepal to see the Himalayas, and Pokhara is a great place to do this. The city is surrounded by magnificent peaks of the Annapurna and Machapuchare mountains reaching into heights of over 7,500 meters. Pokhara is well known as the starting and ending point for some of the most popular treks in Nepal. Especially the Annapurna Conservation Area is a popular place for trekking around Pokhara. This accessible mountain area offers impressive mountain views and versatile hiking routes. Pokhara Valley also offers nice opportunities for trekking. For starters, you can visit the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.

Boats on the lake shore in Pokhara, Nepal

Cultural & nature attractions. Pokhara city itself hosts few touristic attractions, but there is an old city centre in the north of the city with plenty of old buildings, several nice temples and shops. The scenic Phewa Lake next to the city is home to an island temple of Barahi, and offers good possibilities for boating. There are also other beautiful lakes around Pokhara, including Begnas and Dipang Tal Lakes, as well as several impressive waterfalls and caves to visit. The Sarangkot hill offers great views over the city and a Buddhist stupa. The world Peace Stupa overlooks the Phewa Lake, while the Seti River that flows through Pokhara includes several impressive canyons. The city also hosts both Hindu and Buddhist festivals.

Pokhara travel information and practical tips

Pokhara enjoys a subtropical climate that is a bit warmer than the one in Kathmandu. As elsewhere in Nepal, there is a hot dry season in Pokhara from March to May, a rainy monsoon season from June to September, and a cooler and drier winter from October to February with some frost and snow in the mountains.

It rains a lot in Pokhara, especially in the high areas due to the sharp rise in altitude. The early spring months and the early winter from October to November are a great time to visit Pokhara, whereas the monsoon season features daily rainfall.

Restaurant garden with scenic views in Pokhara, Nepal

Traveling to Pokhara can be done by air or by road. There is an airport with daily domestic flights to Pokharafrom Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal. Buses to Pokhara are available from many cities in Nepal, as well as from the Indian border. Night buses may not be safe for travelling because of the possible political violence. Tourist minibuses to Pokhara are available for example from Kathmandu.

Misty morning by the lake in Pokhara, Nepal

Public transport in Pokhara is available in form of small local buses, boats, and taxis. Car rental in Pokharacomes with a local driver. There are also many places to rent bicycles, motorbikes and scooters.

Plenty of accommodation and hotels in Pokhara can be found on the shores of the Lake Phewa. The tourist area along the north shore hosts many bars and restaurants in Pokhara, serving both local and international choices of food. Nightlife in Pokhara consists of several bars targeted for tourists. English is spoken in Pokhara by educated Nepalese and those who work in tourism industry.

Colourful boats by the shore of Phewa lake in Pokhara

Safety. Nepal has had a major violent conflict in the recent past, and Pokhara Valley and the mountain regions around it have witnessed lots of violence. Although the conflict between the government and the Maoist rebels is officially over, there are still many armed troops in the region that might ask for bribes or even rob tourists. Therefore, trekking in the area should be done only with a professional local guide.

Nepal Travel Information

Nepal Travel Information

Nepal has become a popular destination for those who want to experience the magnificent and versatile landscape of the Himalayas by trekking, climbing or mountain biking. A popular pilgrimage destination, Nepal is also home to many spectacular historical temples and palaces. Other attractions of this affordable South Asian country include its unique culture with friendly inhabitants and its interesting national parks.

Mountains, palaces and temples – attractions in Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia. Although relatively small in size, Nepal has a diverse landscape from humid plains in the south to the Himalayan Mountains in the north. Eight of the ten highest mountains in the world are located in Nepal, including the magnificent Mount Everest. Trekking and mountain climbing in the Himalayas is the main reason why many foreigners visit Nepal on their holidays. Pokhara is a popular starting point for trekking in Nepal. Popular trekking regions in Nepal include Annapurna, Langtang, Gosaikunda, and Helambu.

Swayambhunath temples in Nepal

Cities & wildlife safaris. Surrounded by magnificent mountains and located in a valley rich in historic and cultural sites, Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in Nepal, a mixture of old and new Nepal. Most visitors come to Kathmandu to admire the palaces and temples in Kathmandu Durbar Square or see the Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the most famous sacred sites for Buddhists.Chitwan National Park in the South of Nepal is a popular safari tour destination. The Park is home to numerous endangered species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger. You can also visit the historical city of Bhaktapur or some of the many Hindu or Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal.

Practical information for your trip to Nepal

Nepal has a monsoonal climate with four seasons. The weather in Nepal is cool from January to March, when temperature can fall to zero degrees in Kathmandu and even lower in the mountains. From April to June the weather is usually dry and warm. The rainy monsoon season is from June to September, when the rains are usually moderate in the mountainous areas compared to the plains areas. After the monsoonal period, the weather is clear and cool from October to December, which is the best season to visit the mountains.

Annapurna peak in The Himalayas of Nepal

Traveling to Nepal is easy by air. The main international airport in Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport is located just outside the capital Kathmandu. The country is also reachable by bus from India or Tibet in China, where there are four border crossings open for foreigners.

Getting around. Nepal lacks a railroad network and car rental is mainly available with a local driver. The local buses and microbuses for approximately 10 people are very popular and cheap. Some domestic flights within Nepal are also available. Taxis and rickshaws are also widely available for local transport. Be careful when choosing the transportation method: The roads in Nepal are often narrow and in poor condition, and driving is often unsafe.

Bodnath buddhist stupa in Nepal

Visitor services. Nepal has good facilities for tourists, and the biggest cities are home to lively nightlife and plenty of dining choices. Accommodation in Nepal is available in all forms from luxury hotels to cheap guesthouses. English is relatively commonly spoken in the cities and touristic areas of Nepal.

Security issues. What comes to the security in Nepal, you should remember that the country is still recovering from a recent civil war. Strikes and demonstrations are common, and visitors are advised to stay away from these confrontations. Some rural areas in Nepal are controlled by former rebels, and you might encounter people asking for money in the Nepali countryside. However, Nepalese cities are quite safe and even pick-pocketing is rare. You are still advised to keep an eye on your belongings.

Trekking in the Himalayas, Nepal

History and culture of Nepal

According to the archaeological findings, people have been living in the Himalayan region for at least 9,000 years. Nepal has had a long history ruled by many regional kingdoms until it became a unified kingdom in 1768. Unlike the neighboring India, Nepal was never colonized by Europeans. It became a relatively popular travel destination in the 1970s, but most tourists left the country due to the civil war in Nepal from 1996 to 2006. Nepal became a republic in May 2008 when the kingdom was officially abolished.

Monkeys in a Hindu temple in Nepal

The Nepalese Culture is a mixture of different ethnic traditions. It has many similarities with the neighboring India and Tibet, for example regarding clothing, languages, and food. The various ethnic groups in the country speak over 100 different languages. A community called Newar, the historic culture of Kathmandu, is especially famous for their music and dance. The Newars have also their own cuisine, clothing, architecture, language (Nepal Bhasa), traditions, and festivals.