Have you ever wished about leaving the monotonous humdrum of your everyday life and sit under the vast sky and gaze at the stars, just for a day?
It seems too good to be true but the fact is that you can do exactly as you wish if you know the right places!
Here we share a few of the best locations in Pakistan for stargazing that are surely going to leave you star-struck.
Deosai National Park
Although Pakistan is rich in natural beauty, we normally don’t associate stargazing with Pakistan. Surprise, surprise! Pakistan has an abundance of amazing spots for stargazing and Deosai national park tops the list.
Located in Gilgit Baltistan region, Deosai is also known as the ‘Land of giants’. Besides boasting a wide array of fauna and flora, Deosai is also a popular spot amongst professional and amateur stargazers.
The clear blue sky provides a perfect canvas for stargazing. The beauty and the tranquility of gazing at the star-studded sky adds to the experience and you will leave Deosai with a heavy heart, wanting for more! Keep in mind that the weather in Deosai is unpredictable so plan your trip accordingly!
Ziarat
Ziarat is located in Balochistan and is famous for its lush green forests, mighty mountains and picturesque sceneries.
Tourists flock to this scenic area in the summers as the weather is perfect. The juniper trees provide a beautiful backdrop for the perfectly star-lit night sky. If you love to photograph, you will be in awe of the sparkly and stunningly clear sky. Ziarat is also fondly known as the ‘The city of stars’.
Lake Saif-ul-Muluk
One of the prerequisites for stargazing is clear sky which is an impossible feat if you are living in a cosmopolitan city.
Lake SaifulMuluk is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan and is 3224 meters above the sea level, making your experience of stargazing an unforgettable event. The lake itself is awe-inspiring and coupled with the star-lit sky, it will make you feel as if you are part of a Van Gogh painting.
Shandur Pass
‘Reach for the sky’ is what Woody teaches his friends in the animated movie, ‘Toy story’ and this is what you can literally do if you make Shandur pass your next stop for stargazing.
Located between Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan, Shandur pass is known as the ‘Roof of the world’. The road to Shandur pass is very rocky and dangerous so expect an adventurous journey. That said, once you reach the flat top and set up camp, you will be thrilled to see the vast ocean with billions and billions of stars dotting the dark sky.
Kirthar Mountain
“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” ― Carl Sagan
The enormity of universe is something we can’t comprehend. Just gazing at the stars is enough to boggle your mind and question your existence! Kirthar mountains are located between Sindh and Balochistan.
These mountains provide the dual adventure of stargazing and off-roading, while the open skies provide an incredible canvas for the stars and the milky way. So pack your gear and get set go!
Hanna Lake
Hanna lake is one of the most popular lakes in Pakistan and provides a contrasting beauty of sandy brown hills surrounding a turquoise lake. The pollution-free dark sky is sprinkled with stars, constellations and the milky way.
If you are an avid photographer and know your way around a good camera, then you are in for a treat!
