Photos credit to Syed Mehdi Bukhari from Pakistan

The sprawling country of Pakistan covers more than 880,000 square kilometers with a climate that fluctuates between temperate to tropical. The country has four distinct seasons: winter, which takes place from November through March; summer, which runs from April to July; monsoon season, which is from July to September; the retreating monsoon period, which takes place during October and November. Rainfall varies drastically from year to year, and alternating cycles of drought and flooding are common.

If you will be visiting the southern region of Pakistan, plan to visit between November and March, where the weather is cool and clear. If you are planning a trekking trip, schedule your visit between April and October; outside of the summer season, most of Pakistan’s beautiful mountain terrain is snow-covered and difficult to navigate. Avoid traveling during monsoon season, as the weather can be unpredictable and potentially devastating.

While the tourism industry is growing, there are important considerations and security precautions to take before planning your visit to this vibrant country.

Do Your Research

Pakistan is a Muslim country with a culture and customs that may be vastly different from your own, and it’s important to study up on local dress and etiquette. For example, Pakistanis dress formally and in accordance with Islamic guidelines. Women wear loose, conservative clothing, ensuring that their arms and legs are fully covered, and men are required to cover everything between their navel and their knees. Additionally, first names are not commonly used except among close friends, so it’s important to ask a person how they wish to be addressed, and you should eat only with your right hand.

Also, with unfortunate terrorism related events across the world, always look for up-to-date information on the security situation and the latest travel advisories by your government to its citizens when traveling to another country.

Excursion With Local Guide

No matter how experienced a traveler you may be, a trip to Pakistan should be planned with the help of tourism experts well-acquainted with Pakistan’s roadways, points of interest, and local security situation. Join a tour group to ensure that you’re getting the most from your visit while protecting your own safety.

Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

Any tourist destination will have its share of pickpockets, and Pakistan is no different. As you’re enjoying the country’s unique shops, rich culture, and surreal beauty, keep an eye on personal belongings such as your wallet, jewelry, camera, mobile device, and handbag.
Pakistan offers endless breathtaking locations, culturally and historically significant sites, and a warm, rich culture. By taking the time to plan your trip wisely, you can ensure that you are able to experience the best of this beautiful country.

Ski Competition

The Saint Sophia’s Cathedral (eleventh century) is one of the most important Christian cathedrals in Eastern Europe and the oldest of the few surviving buildings of Kievan Rus, included on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. It has 13 cupolas and includes an ensemble of supporting structures such as a bell tower (open for visitors in warm times of the year) and the House of Metropolitan.

Close to the Cathedral, on Sophiivska square, you will find the dramatic Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, dedicated to the Cossack leader who fought for the independence of Ukraine in the mid-17th century.

After the political events of 2013-2014, the cultural center of Kiev moved from Maidan to Sophiivska Square. Currently, it serves as a platform for almost all public festivals, shows and concerts of the city. The administration lights the main Christmas Tree of Ukraine in the square in December, and everyone can enjoy the Christmas fair, amusement park, competition games (quests) and artistic groups’ performances.

Ukrainian cyclist in Pakistan

Ruslan Verin, a resident of Odessa, traveled to Pakistan as a cyclist crossing through Turkey and Iran, entering Pakistan in December 2016. He appreciated the Pakistani people’s hospitality, delicious food, and rich traditional values. He shared his travel experience in Pakistan with Kiev Check-in Magazine:

“My acquaintance with Pakistan began with the Pakistan Embassy located in Kiev, where I was impressed with a warm welcome, picked up tourist brochures as well as general information about Pakistan with great support from them during my further travels in Pakistan. While there I also met several Pakistanis waiting to meet with Consul who informed me that Pakistan is a safe place to visit, told me about exchange rates, weather, and other useful tips.

The special attention should be paid to Pakistani food I miss so much, it’s really exotic for us!!! It seems that food here is either spicy (fiery !!!! extremely hot !!) or sweet (so much that sugar seems not sweet by comparison! I have no idea how they make it).
But somehow it is very delicious! And it’s hard to stop eating it!
Overall, I am just really happy and satisfied with my trip to Pakistan. So many stories and truly unforgettable adventures, I definitely wish to come again!”

Dr. Olena Bordilovska’s Visit

Dr. Olena Bordilovska, a professor in the Department of International Relations at Kyiv Taras Shevchenko National University, visited Pakistan on a lecture tour in May 2017.
Among other things, Dr. Bordilovska contributed to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad and Taras Shevchenko National University, Kiev. The visit was made possible by tremendous support from the Ukrainian Embassy in Pakistan, Ambassador H.E. V. Lakomov, and huge support given by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Ukraine, in particular H.E. Athar Abbas, Ambassador of Pakistan.

“Before my trip, I guessed Ukrainians had many wrong assumptions about Pakistan, especially an ignorance about its recent achievements and distinctive local colors. I knew this country’s image suffers from stereotypes, accusals of terrorism, and human rights violations. This makes our two countries quite similar as Ukraine also suffers from many of the same issues. I hoped to see the “real” Pakistan as it is. Thankfully, my hopes were not just realized – the country I had been dreaming to visit for some time turned out to be amazingly hospitable with sincere, welcoming people. My talks with colleagues and students were very intense and professional. So, you should not be afraid and biased. I did not see any fundamentalists and terrorists (maybe I didn’t get chance to). Although according to local customs, a woman doesn’t walk the streets alone, it is also more comfortable to be in a company of men. I also realized how beautiful Pakistani women are! I was amazed by their authentic fashion that is traditional but with regular modifications, bright colors, and different ornaments presented everywhere as well as perfumes, jewelry, accessories! The accomplishments of such beauties are very reasonable!”

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

“The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban”

Malala Yousafzai born on July 12, 1997, is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. She is known for human rights advocacy, especially the right to education of women in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban banned girls from attending school at times. Since then her advocacy has grown into an international movement.
On October 9, 2012, in the afternoon, Yousafzai was injured after a Taliban gunman had attempted to murder her. Yousafzai remained unconscious, in a critical state at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, but later her physical condition improved enough to sent her to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, the UK.
Since recovering, Yousafzai has become a prominent education activist and co-founder of the Malala Fund with her father Ziauddin and in 2013 co-author of I am Malala, an international bestseller. In 2015, Yousafzai was a subject of the Oscar-shortlisted documentary He Named Me Malala. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 issues of Time magazine featured her as one of the most Influential people all over the world. In 2012, she was the recipient of Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize and in the 2013 of Sakharov Prize. In 2014, she was announced as the co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, together with Kailash Satyarthi, for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right to education of all children.