The British Backpacker Society recently identified Pakistan as its top travel destination, calling it “one of the friendliest countries on Earth, with mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.”
On a social media blog, the backpackers, who explored more than 101 countries, declared Pakistan the clear winner of the “British Backpacker Society’s top 20 adventure travel destinations 2018,” encouraging keen travelers to book a trip to Pakistan immediately.
Such descriptions of Pakistan as a tourist-friendly country may come as a surprise to many. Yet Pakistan, in addition to several ancient historical landmarks, is blessed with one of the most amazing landscapes, mountain ranges and valleys in the world.
Northern Pakistan is home to the world’s three famous mountain ranges — the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindukush.
The area, blessed with high mountains, landscapes, lakes, glaciers and valleys with breathtaking views, coupled with the warm hospitality of the local people, is a dream for any tourist.
With more than 20 peaks of over 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and four over 8,000 meters (out of 14 in the world), the area is a paradise for mountaineers, climbers, trekkers and hikers. The shapes, forms, sizes and colors of these peaks provide tremendous contrasts that defy description. Some of these peaks include: K-2 (8,611 meters, world’s second highest) — the undisputed monarch of the sky; Nanga Parbat (8126 meters) — once feared as the “killer mountain”; and Broad Peak (8,047 meters) — massive and ugly.
There are several other peaks over 7,000 meters in these mountain ranges that are still to be explored.
For many centuries caravans braved these treacherous mountains, treading precariously along paths providing shortcuts between Central Asia and the rich markets of South Asia.
In 1967, Pakistan and China joined hands to construct the 900-kilometer “Karakoram Highway” (also known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”) on the alignment of the ancient Silk Route.
For its sheer mountain grandeur and breathtaking panorama, few places on earth can match the superb landscape through which the Karakoram Highway snakes.
The northern areas of Pakistan also host some of the longest glaciers (outside the polar region), especially in the Karakorams. The Siachin glacier is 75 kilometers long. The Hispar, (52 kilometers) joins the Biafo at the Hispar La (5,154 meters) to form a 116-kilometer ice corridor. The Batura is 58 kilometers, but the most outstanding of all is the Baltoro (62 kilometers).
Several high-altitude lakes such as Sheosar (in the Deosai Plains), Naltar (in the Naltar Valley), Satpara Tso (in Skardu), Katzura Tso (in Skardu) and Tso (in the Shigar) give a grandeur to the whole area.
The most famous and magnificent of these is lake “Saif-ul-Malook,” which has rich eco-diversity and species of blue-green algae that give an eye-catching contrast to its crystal-clear water.
The presence of several high peaks, lakes and glaciers means that the whole area is home to a number of adventure sports — enjoyed by locals and foreign tourists alike.
Since 1954, when the Karakoram Range was opened to expeditions for climbing and trekking, the mountains and glaciers of the north have become an international playground.
There are hundreds of peaks lying unclimbed and posing a challenge to mountaineers and climbers from all over the world.
Similarly, those who dare to take up the challenge of the roaring mountain rivers in northern Pakistan know the excitement and thrill that such sports offer.
Tourists undertake white-water sports such as rafting, canoeing and kayaking in the rivers Indus, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Shigar, Shayok and Kunhar. Similarly, the rivers and lakes of northern Pakistan are filled with trout, which is very popular with anglers.
Ski facilities are also available at Malam Jabba (Swat Valley), Naltar (near Gilgit) and Kalabagh (Nathiagali). An annual ski tournament is organized by the Pakistan Ski Federation at Malam Jabba and Naltar in February.
The most popular sport in the area is polo, which originated here. The polo played in this area is a rugged and freestyle version of the more sedate variety known on the plains.
Passion for polo remains the greatest on the world’s highest polo ground. Every year, Shandur (3,700 meters above sea level) invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament between the Chitral and Gilgit teams.
The festival also includes folk music, folk dance, traditional sports and a camping village set up on the pass.
The magnificent northern areas of Pakistan have everything — from magnificent and sky-kissing peaks to mesmerizing lakes. This, together with the affordable cost and warm hospitality, makes Pakistan a top destination for tourists to explore.
Pakistan’s North: Mountains, lakes and breathtaking views to quench any tourist’s wanderlust
Pakistan’s North: Mountains, lakes and breathtaking views to quench any tourist’s wanderlust
Exploring Wynn in Las Vegas ahead of its UAE opening
- The hotel with a 300 meter tall tower boasting panoramic views across the Arabian Gulf will open 2027
- There will be 1,530 rooms, suites and villas at the resort
LAS VEGAS: They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … Not anymore.
From early 2027, the Wynn hotel group will be opening the Wynn Al Marjan Hotel in the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah.
While the hotel group has become best known for its casino in the US, the owners want it to be known that the vast proportion of the UAE hotel’s experience will be about family, luxury, immense comfort, and possibly cars.
The casino, while present, will not be anywhere in the hotel where guests have to walk to reach either their room or the many restaurants, shops, and facilities; in fact, the design of the hotel has taken all aspects of privacy and cultural sensitivity into consideration.
Boasting 22 restaurants, the names and cuisines of 22 of which have yet to be announced, an array of pools, and even a separate hotel experience at Enclave for more discerning guests, this hotel promises to offer guests the luxury of Dubai, but in the calm of the northern emirate.
The only two restaurants confirmed so far are a steakhouse by Alain Ducasse and a second outpost of Delilah, the latter a particular favourite supper club with guests at Wynn Las Vegas.
The Wynn group say they are pitching for short stay guests, coming for a long weekend — those planning for a break from the bustle of Dubai and families from further afield who may want to have access to Dubai and its palatial shopping, without being in the middle of the big metropolis.
So, location is everything in the thinking behind this lavish offering; the hotel will be a short, 50-minute journey from Dubai International Airport.
Enclave, which is being marketed as a “hotel within a hotel,” will offer discretion to guests who are expected to include members of royalty, A-list celebrities and business leaders.
Enclave guests will arrive via a private, guarded entry drive with its own separate lobby.
Guests at this elite hotel will be walked through luxurious surroundings to a private lift that will take them up the resort’s 300 meter tower to one of the 15 suites per floor.
The 313 accommodation units will include six distinct layouts, ranging from Enclave King Suites starting at 75 sqm to two lavish, two-story Royal Apartments measuring 1,500 square meters.
It won’t be long before this happens; construction of the Marjan Island resort is well underway, with the main tower already reaching high above the bustle of the work below.
The construction team is completing one floor per week, working toward a topping off in December 2025.
All this is being made possible by 9,100 construction team members and more than 100 concrete trucks in place on the site per day, according to the hotel’s management.
To get an idea of what people can look forward to, Arab News was given the opportunity to see what’s on offer at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Met by a driver at the airport, we were taken through the busy streets of this iconic city, past the vast Caesar’s Palace hotel, Treasure Island, and the Trump tower, to name just three.
After a short check-in process, guests are guided through the entrance, past high-end luxury shops and restaurants and into the lift lobby, where we took the elevator to the top floor and a short walk to the amply sized room.
As the door opened and the bellboy turned on the lights, the curtains automatically started to open, revealing an awe-inspiring view across the city with a backdrop of the vast mountains and Red Rock.
The Vegas hotel regularly plays host to high-level events, including the recent 2025 Concours d’Elegance, which featured a selection of supercars from Bugatti, McLaren, and Porsche.
There were also vehicles previously owned by celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Steve McQueen. Guests at the event included Apple CEO Tim Cook, “Fast and Furious” actor Sung Kang, and Koenigsegg CEO Christian von Koenigsegg.
And while there’s not yet any sign of the Concours show being held at Marjan Island, Koenigsegg did say he would certainly consider attending if one were to be held.
“The Middle East has always been a key market for us,” he told Arab News. “I’ve always loved coming to the Middle East, and there is a great car passion in the region.
“There’s only so many Concours events we can do per year … We can’t go to everything, but yeah, maybe Dubai’s an opportunity for us.”
If it’s something calmer you want, then the on-site spa offers an array of services, including massages and treatments for the body and mind, and for those who just want to relax, there is a selection of pools.
When the Marjan resort is complete, there really won’t be a reason to leave during your stay: As well as the 22 restaurants, there will also be a 15,000-sq.-meter shopping promenade filled with the world’s top luxury boutiques, a five-star spa, theater, and a salon, among the various attractions on offer.
Like any resort or hotel, Wynn employs an army of people to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible whatever the event.
The Marjan Island resort in the UAE will be equipped to host any event for every occasion, from intimate gatherings and opulent weddings to large-scale social and corporate events.
Situated at the heart of the resort, is the Coral Court - a concept in troduced at the Ras Al Khaimah following the emirate's growing popularity as a destination for weddings and other functions.
It will be home to a 2,633-square-meter column-free Grand Ballroom, dedicated bride and groom salons, private prayer rooms for men and women, six versatile meeting rooms, and a 1,390-square-meter event lawn overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
“When designing Coral Court, our first instinct was restraint,” Todd-Avery Lenahan, president and chief creative officer of Wynn Design and Development explained.
“We selected a neutral, sun-washed palette that acts as a blank canvas, allowing each celebration to set its own stage. Whether a wedding layered with color, a conference with strong brand identity, or a gala that transforms the room entirely, the design ensures the space never competes with the story our guests want to tell.”
Back at the Wynn Las Vegas we were shown tucked away in the labyrinth of corridors an in-house florist that will cater for any event — and they say they can, and will, get any flower the customer wants - the same will happen in the UAE hotel.
If you’re after chocolates, they have an actual in-house chocolate factory, and they will make models out of the tasty stuff, including cars, guitars and, well, let’s be honest, anything.
And if it is pastries or bread you’re after, then of course there’s a bakery on site as well.
