Islamabad Travel Forum

I plan to take weekend break of full day of Friday and Saturday in Islamabad. This visit will be my first visit to that city.

Any idea which interesting historical places or shopping places I can explore in only two weeks? Do you think it is better to pay a travel agent to organize my trip?

I want to use my time as interesting as possible as for the moment I am based in Kabul, Afghanistan and the situation is difficult for women to move around freely.

A

You can visit Taxila (part of Buddhist heritage), a historical place, about 30-40 min drive from Islamabad. Shopping: depends what you want to shop for as there are market places all around Islamabad as well as in Rawalpindi.

In addition you can go to Bhurban/Muree/Nathiagali..a hill station near Isb. If you are not going to our northern area (Swat, Kaghan, Hunza/KKH) than pay a visit to the cultural capital of Pakistan - Lahore. Lots of historical sight to see in one location.

Some good reputable national travel agents: Gerry’s, Zeb, AMEX, Bokhari can be contacted – the hotel that you might stay will have there number. It depends on how much time you have, your interests, etc, as travel agent will ease in you planning your trip, and it will be there headache to organize. And its fast if you do not want to do it yourself or have the time.

Find yourself a guide book: either Footprint or Lonely planet guide book on Pakistan. You will be able to judge yourself as to what you would prefer to do in this two weeks time.

Good day,

The best places for shopping in Islamabad, Jinnah super market, super market, Blue area and Aabpara're the spots where you can do the shopping.

In addition,go to Khanpur lake, a peaceful and calm area to spend the time besides visiting the Archaelogiacl sites of Taxila, Sirkap the city, Sirsukh, Mohra Moradu the stupa and Julian( 2nd century's Buddhist monestary).

Once you're in Khanpur, the area's got best rocky cliffs and I remember when I used to go for rock climing, if you've got a nerve of adventure, that's the best place for the beginners and advanced climbers.

If you're coming across Torkham border, then old city of Peshawar with historical and Archaelogical sites like Takht Bahi (Buddhist Monestary) and Ashok gut (Asoka's Rocks).

Yeah, you're right about Kabul, especially the growing insurgency in the area but I love that city because it's the favorite city of my hero (Babur of Fraghana).


My favorite places in kabul, the tomb of Shah do Shamshera close to Deh Afghanan, Babur's tomb and gardens in Chehelsotoon, Koocha-e-Murgha (Chicken street) but shahrenow is okay.


Je vous souhaite une bonne voyage.


Imran Schah.
http://risingpakistan.blog.co.uk/

Check your comments, you will find info..

take care

Well Anastasia , women can move around freely in Islamabad , so at least you don't have to worry about that . :-)

Dear new guest
First of all l would like to welcome you to the city of peace and love. Dont worry you can freely visit anywhere u like. Dont feel any wory about your visit. As for as historical palces is concerend, if u are staying in islamabad, then u can easily visit to Taxila museum, and peshawar museum, Lok versa musem army museum it is just a 10 minutes drive from the airport to army musem sitated near pearl continental in cannt area. About paying to traval agent, u can also visit these palces with out paying to agents.
nawaz