Hingol National Park

Hingol National Park or Hungol National Park
(Urdu: ہنگول نیشنل پارک‬‎)

covers an area of 6,100 square kilometres (2,400 sq mi). It was established in 1988.

Hingol National Park is along the Makran coast in southwestern Balochistan Province, southwestern Pakistan. It lies within sections of Lasbela District, Gwadar District, and Awaran District. The Gulf of
Oman of the Arabian Sea are to the south.

The provincial capital of Quetta is approximatel
y 717 km. The provincial capital of Sindh is 190 km to the southeast on the coast.

Hingol National Park also includes famous Kund Malir Beach and Princess of Hope. In the past due to the political situation, people didn't prefer to go there.

But now things have changed and many people go to Kund Malir on weekends from Karachi and other areas of Sindh to explore the beach.

Hingol National Park contains a variety of
topographical features and habitats, varying from arid subtropical forest in the north to arid montane in the west.

Large areas of the park are covered with drift sand and can be classified as coastal semi desert. The park includes the estuary of the Hungol River which supports a significant diversity of bird and fish species.

Some 250 plant species were recorded in the initial surveys including 7 yet undescribed species. Many more species are yet to be collected.

Hingol National Park is known to support at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 185 species of birds.

The park forms an excellent habitat to wild Sindh ibex, Baluchistan urial, and chinkara gazelle. Ibex is found in all steep mountain ranges and are numerous in the Hinglaj and Rodani Kacho Mountain areas. The population is estimated over 3000.


This is one of the largest national parks in Pakistan. It rests on the Makran Coast in Balochistan. The topographical features vary from barren forests in north to cooler regions in the west that have regular rainfall.

They are home to different plants and animals. Hingol National Park is known to support at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of amphibians and reptiles and 185 species of birds.

Qila Rohtas (Fort Rohtas)

Rohtas Fort
(Punjabi, Urdu: قلعہ روہتاس‬‎; Qila Rohtas)

is a 16th-century fortress located near the city of Jhelum in the Pakistani province of Punjab.The fortress was built during the reign of the Pashtun king Sher Shah Suri between 1541 and 1548 in order to help subdue the rebellious tribes of the Potohar region of northern Punjab that were loyal to the Mughal crown. The fort is one of the largest and most formidable in the subcontinent. Rohtas Fort was never stormed by force, and has survived remarkably intact.

The fort is known for its large defensive walls, and several monumental gateways. Rohtas Fort was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 for being an "exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of Central and South Asia.

The fort lies eight kilometers south of the Grand Trunk Road. It is approximately 16 km NW of Shahrah-e-Azam road once passed adjacent to the outer northern wall of the fort.

Jhelum, and is near the city of Dina. The historic
Rohtas Fort was built on a hill overlooking a gorge where the Kahan river meets a seasonal stream called Parnal Khas within the Tilla Jogian Range. The fort is about 300 feet (91 m) above its surroundings. It is 2,660 feet (810 m) above sea level and covers an area of 12.63 acres (51,100 m²).

The Fort was commissioned by Sher Shah Suri, founder of the Sur Empire. The fort was designed to block the advances of Mughal emperor Humayun, who had been exiled to Persia following his defeat at the Battle of Kannauj. The fort occupies a strategic position between the mountainous region of Afghanistan and the plains of Punjab, and was intended to prevent the Mughal emperor from returning to India.

The fort was also designed to suppress the local Gakhar tribes of the Potohar region. The Gakhar tribes were allies of the Mughal Empire, and refused to recognize the suzerainty of Sher Shah Suri.

The dual-carriage Grand Trunk Road takes you past Gujar Khan and Sohawa, to the small town of Dina 130 km away. Just past Dina you will drive over a railway overpass, stay to the right of the road and take the first U-turn to drive back towards Dina.

After about 100 meters to your left you will find a signpost, which indicates the way towards the road leading to Rohtas Fort which is 8 km away, past the
small holy village of Muftian home to the Mufti Tribe. Drive on the road to enter into the fort and keep driving till you reach the parking area.
 
Rohtas Fort covers an area of 70 hectares,enclosed by 4 kilometres of walls that were bolstered by 68 bastion towers, and 12 gates. The fort roughly forms an irregularly shaped triangle, and follows the contours of the hill it was constructed on. The northwest corner of the fort is walled off from the rest of the fort by a 533 metre long wall.

The enclosed section served as a citadel for elites and was more heavily guarded. The enclosed section is site of much of the fort's most notable remains. The fort's Langar Khani gate opens into the citadel, but is actually a trap that is in the direct line of fire from the fort's bastions.

The large fort could hold a force of up to 30,000 men.The northwest corner of the fort is walled off from the rest of the fort by a 533 metre long wall.
The enclosed section served as a citadel for elites. Due to its location, massive walls, trap gates and 3 baolis (stepped wells), it could withstand a major siege - although it was never actually besieged. There are no palaces in the Fort except for the Raja Man Singh Haveli, which is built on the highest point of the citadel.

The historical garrison fort is located near Jehlum, Punjab. It was built on the orders of Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri (1539-45 AD) to serve as a huge fortified base for military operations. Rohtas Fort has the following 12 gates, all of them are built in ashlar stone. The fort is an example of masculine
architecture. Qila Rohtas was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997. This spot is heaven for history lovers.

Badshahi Masjid (mosque)

The Badshahi Mosque
(Punjabi and Urdu: بادشاہی مسجد‬‎,
or "Imperial Mosque")

is a Mughal era mosque in Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab. The mosque is located west of Lahore Fort along the outskirts of the Walled City of Lahore, and is widely considered to be one of Lahore's most iconic landmarks.

Badshahi Mosque was commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671, with construction of the mosque lasting for two years until 1673. The mosque is an important example of Mughal architecture, with an exterior that is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay.

It remains the largest and most recent of the grand imperial mosques of the Mughal-era, and is the second-largest mosque in Pakistan. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, the mosque was used as a garrison by the Sikh Empire and the British Empire, but is now one of Pakistan's most iconic sights.


The mosque is located adjacent to the Walled City of Lahore, Pakistan. The entrance to the mosque lies on the western side of the rectangular Hazuri Bagh, and faces towards the famous Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort, which is located on the eastern side of the Hazuri Bagh.

The mosque is also located next to the Roshnai Gate, one of the original thirteen gates of Lahore, which is located on the southern side of the Hazuri Bagh.

Near the entrance of the mosque lies the Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, a poet widely revered in Pakistan as the founder of the Pakistan Movement which led to the creation of Pakistan as a homeland for the Muslims of British India. Also located near the mosque's entrance is the tomb of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, who is credited for playing a major role in preservation and restoration of the mosque.

The mosque's was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671, with construction overseen by the Emperor's foster brother, and Governor of Lahore, Muzaffar Hussein - also known
by the name Fidai Khan Koka. Aurangzeb had the mosque built in order to commemorate his military campaigns against the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji. After only two years of construction, the mosque was opened in 1673.

Lahore is home to some of the most beautiful architectural and historical sights. This mosque dates
back to the Mughal era. Built in Emperor Aurangzeb’s rule between 1672-74, it is one of the biggest mosques in the world. It is entirely made of marble and red sandstone. The walls and roofs of prayer halls are decorated with Islamic calligraphy.

Gorakh Hill Station

Gorakh (Sindhi: گورک‎), (Urdu: گورکھ‎)

 is a Hill Station of Sindh, Pakistan. It is situated at an elevation of 5,689 ft (1,734 m) in the Kirthar Mountains, 94 kilometres (58 mi) northwest of Dadu city.

Did you know that the province of Sindh has its own hill station? All you have to do is travel to Dadu to see it. It is Sindh’s highest point and lies on the border of Sindh and Balochistan.

Although the roads to this place are in poor condition, when one reaches
Gorakh Hill Station, the journey becomes worth it.

 The Gorakh Hill station is situated 423 km from Karachi and nearly 8 hours driving distance. The Hill station attracts thousands of tourists from the city.

The name Gorakh is derived from the Brahvi language in which, word "Gurgh" means Wolf and that Balochi language word "Gurkh" is later dialectic adaptation of Brahvi language word Gurgh, meaning
wolf.

Gorakh Hill Station is situated on one of the highest plateaus of Sindh, spread over 2,500 acres (10 km²) of land. It is very attractive to nature-lovers owing to its temperate weather and beautiful surroundings. 

Different opinions have been given about the history and origin of the hill station. It is said that the great
medieval Hindu saint, Sri Gorakhnath Ji, had extensively wandered in hills and the region.

According to Nandu, an authority on Sanskrit, Gorakh is a Sanskrit word which means "shepherding of sheep, cow and goat, etc.

Shandur Top

Shandur Pass (Urdu: شندور‬‎)

is located between Chitral District and Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan in North Pakistan as a common shared pass. It is often called the 'Roof of the World'.

The top is flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The grade is very gradual, and the area is crossed by plentiful small streams during summer. The boundary line between Chitral District and Ghizer District of Baltistan.

During the annual 'Shandur Polo Festival,' which is organized Chitral Districts and Ministry of tourism Gilgit-Baltistan, there is a polo match being played on Shandur Top, between the teams of Chitral District and districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Shandur Pass is one of the major mountain passes between of Chitral District and Ghizer
District of Baltistan, Pakistan.

The initiation of Polo in Shandur is credited to The balti raja of Skardu; Ali Sher Khan Anchan who built the polo ground of Shandur as well.Shandur invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament which since 1936 has been held annually in the first week of July between the local teams of Gilgit and Chitral. Organized and financed by the Tourism Corporation of NWFP,

The tournament is held on Shandur Top, the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700 meters (the pass itself is at 3,800 meters). The festival also includes Folk music, dancing and a camping village is set up. The polo tournament is featured in the first episode of Himalaya with Michael Palin

Historically, polo being the king of games was played between small kingdoms, villages and rival groups of Gilgit Agency. From 1936 onwards polo tournaments were held annually at Shandur at the patronage of the British.

The three-day Shandur Polo Festival has developed steadily in recent years into the massive celebration of mountain polo that it is today.

Located in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral area, Shandur Top is thought to be the highest polo ground in the world. Although snow keeps the place covered in snow in winter, Shandur Top turns into a lush green scenery in summer. Every July, Shandur Polo Festival is held here and is an attraction to tourists and natives. It is difficult to get here in winters considering the heavy snowfall and slippery tracks, but in summers visitors use jeeps to reach it.
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Kalash Valley

The Kalasha Valleys
(Kalasha-mondr: Kaĺaśa Desh; Urdu: وادی کالاش‬‎)
 are valleys in Chitral District in northern Pakistan. The valleys are surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range. The inhabitants of the valley are the Kalash people, who have a unique culture, language and follow a form of ancient Hinduism.As such, the Kalasha Valleys are a source of attraction for Pakistani as well as International tourists.

There are three main valleys. The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet (Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur and Acholgah are side valleys north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is s side valley of the Kunar Valley south of Bumburet.

Kalash people are the smallest religious as well as the ethnic minority of Pakistan. Their customs and traditions are contradictory to the Islamic and
Pakistani culture. The Kalash religion is polytheist faith and the people offer sacrifices for their gods. Their culture is interlinked with their religion and based upon several festivals and celebrations. The people generally do not intermarry or cohabit regions with local Muslims but neither are they hostile towards them. The people are under legal and constitutional protection of the State of Pakistan as a scheduled tribe.

Resting in the Chitral District, this heaven is home to the Kalasha tribe. They construct their homes with logs on the hill sides. The valley is not only famous for its beauty but also the colorful lifestyle, cult ure and festivals.