As an adrenaline junkie, I’ve always been fascinated by the thrill of mountaineering sports. For a while, they make you feel like you are a liberated bird soaring through the skies. Pakistan offers many mountaineering sports that are well-known among tourists and locals.
Some of the mountaineering sports that I have had the privilege to experience in Pakistan are:
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Technical climbing
- Skiing
- Ski Mountaineering
- Paragliding
- Scuba Diving
- Canyoning
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Mountain biking
- Bungee jumping
- Cliff Diving
In this article, I have covered the popular places that I visited in Pakistan and had the best time experiencing the mountaineering sports. Here are brief recounts of my exhilarating journey:
Trekking:
Pakistan, the country of nature, is known for its majestic mountains. The country is a paradise for adventure seekers like me. From the mountains of Karakoram to the magical valleys of Hunza, I have had the most pleasurable experience trekking through the mighty trials.
Along with a good experience, I was able to witness the rich culture, which is one of the main reasons why I always go back to Pakistan.
Hiking:
Hiking from Fairy Meadows to the Nanga Parbat base camp is an experience that I will never forget. Pakistan has some of the most impressive hiking routes. The enchanting scenery, along with the peaceful hike, is an unmatched feeling.
I have always been inclined to hike because of how exhilarated and alive you feel while being surrounded by nature and feeling connected to it.
Technical climbing:
My first ever experience with technical climbing dates back to the summer of 2018, when I signed up for the sport on an online tourism site. My peak of choice was Broad Peak which is a part of Gasherbrum Massif in Baltistan. It was one of the most sophisticated activities in which I have participated due to the patience and equipment required.
You have to be very careful and vigilant with your ropes and footing to climb one of the majestic mountains of Pakistan successfully.
Skiing:
What I learned from my first skiing trip at the Malam Jabba Ski Resort in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is that you can never be fully ready for your first-ever skiing trip. It’s a meticulous sport that is a mix of danger, excitement, and exhilaration.
The key point is focusing on your balance and leaving the rest to your instincts. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life, a day well spent.
Ski Mountaineering:
l have been on a lot of sports trips in my life because of my athletic nature, but the most memorable trip was when I went skiing in 2016 with my close circle of friends. My friend, who had organized the whole trip, chose Laila Peak of Hushe Valley for our adventure.
It was unlike any other experience of my life, but thanks to our guide, we were able to get a grip on the
sport.
Paragliding:
Many people see paragliding as a dangerous sport, but my experience with paragliding in Kaghan Valley with my team was nothing but safe and well-organized. The tourism companies that were looking after us were very keen on safety measures so we could enjoy our time without worry.
With a well-experienced guide and sturdy parachutes, anyone can paraglide without much hassle.
Scuba Diving:
Though Pakistan is not necessarily known for a wide range of scuba diving spots due to its topography, I still managed to have a great time at Charna Island, near Karachi. Despite my fear of deep water, I was able to live the experience to the fullest with the support of my guide and peers.
Canyoning:
I have never had the privilege of canyoning, but it’s definitely on my bucket list. In my opinion, Neelum Valley would serve as an ideal spot for the sport due to its rugged terrain. The sport itself requires good physical health and is not recommended for children and the elderly, so it would not serve as a family activity. It combines all swimming, rock climbing, and hiking, and hence can be laborsome.
Still, it is one of the most thrilling activities Pakistan has to offer.
Skydiving:
Skydiving is not a widely recognized sport in Pakistan, but you can still find some areas that provide facilities, like Jamrud, Peshawar, and Karachi. It can be a bit risky, so it requires efficient skills and a bit of spontaneity in you. My friends and I spontaneously decided to go Skydiving when we were visiting Peshawar for the first time.
To this day, that memory is engraved in my mind because of how perfect my experience was.
Snowboarding:
Pakistan is home to the breathtaking mountains of the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges. It offers some of the best slopes for snowboarding. Snowboarding, much like skateboarding, is the sole reason for it being an integral part of my life.
As a snow lover and winter freak, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience snowboarding at Malam Jabba ski resort. Though the snow was a little difficult to maintain my balance on, it still made it worth experiencing. To find more spots for snowboarding in Pakistan, head on to our next blog Frozen Fantasy: Snowboarding and Skiing in Pakistan.
Mountain biking:
For all the adventure-loving travelers, mountain biking is, if not their favorite sport, then one of their favorites. Though I have never had the opportunity to partake in this particular activity, I have always wanted to. I was close to experiencing the sheer thrill of mountain biking while visiting the Kaghan Valley, but our plan changed as the weather had other plans. Other than the Kaghan Valley, the Swat Valley is also another popular spot known for mountain biking.
Bungee Jumping:
One of the few things on my bucket list was bungee jumping, which I experienced this year. I remember being too scared and concerned, yet so thrilled. The fear was obvious since it is quite a dangerous sport and takes nerves to try, but the way my guide constantly reassured me about the reliability of my elastic cord and how safe it would be boosted my confidence, and I went for it, and I must say, it was amazingly exciting.
Finally, cliff diving at the Pir Ghaib Waterfall in Balochistan was truly a dream come true. It was the highlight of my trip to the land of Baloch. The stunning wonder located in the Ziarat district of Balochistan is known for its breathtaking beauty and adrenaline-pumped adventure.
From the stunning cliffs of Gwadar to the entrancing dives in Hingol National Park, Pakistan has some of the best locations for cliff diving.
Conclusion
These are the mountaineering sports that I have experienced or would want to experience in Pakistan. By knowing the sport and the perfect spot for yourself, you can have an incredible trip, enjoying these sports while making the best memories of your life.