Hi Guy’s, I need some help. I’ll be going to Pakistan (ISB) arriving on the 1st of April and leaving on the 15th. I really want to make the most of my time there and instead of staying in one place the whole time, me and O/H and a 5 year old want to travel (the 5 year old won’t have a choice) and see it all (you know what I mean). So its up to me to plan (as always)
Here is what I’ve got to so far:
a flight/coach:confused: to Lahore from Islamabad on the 2nd of April returning to ISB on the 5th. Problem is I need a fairly cheap but clean hotel (I’m talking no more than £30 for a night’s stay). In addition I’ve been searching for some domestics flights from ISB to Lahore and the only one I can come up with is Shaheen Air and the result is ‘no flights’ ? Also, any ideas from Guppies on where to go in Lahore would be soooo nice (Places of interest, kids stuff to do, restaurants, shopping). Oh and another thing, should we hire a driver for the day to take us around, or taxis, or book a car for the stay.
A flight to Karachi from Islamabad on the 7th of April returning on the 10th. Once again all of the above apply
From the 10th onwards I’ll just be visiting Islamabad, Rawalpindi, going to a wedding:) , shopping, visting relatives etc.. But I still need your help on places to see in and around Islamabad and Pindi, especially good places to shop and of course good places to eat and something for my 5 year old.
Sorry if I’m asking for too much:halo: , but just a few ideas woud be sooo appreciated, even if you think that I can spend my time more wisely i.e by suggesting another major city I could visit instead of those detailed above.
Hi Amelie, Thank you for the suggestion, I've just been searching on all topics and I think I have a better idea now. If anyone is interested:
Travel to Lahore:
1. Book a Daewoo from Rawalpindi to Lahore which takes around 4.5 hours(although still not sure if need to book it in advance) OR second option is a train from Rawalpindi to lahore which takes approx 4 hours (no idea about cost for first class and whether seats need to be booked in advance, so if someone can help me out)
Staying In Lahore:
2. Hotels in Lahore, probably Amer Hotel and visit Jehangir tomb, Shalimar Gardensthe Fort and Badhsahi Masjid. In the eevening get a taxi to take us to Anarkali Bazaar and if we can still do it, see Minaar-e-Pakistan in the evening. and End the day with dinner somewhere (tips on where to eat would be nice).
Next day stay at some other hotel Ambassador next to the Railway station, or Hotal Sunfort ?) and get something to eat from somewhere in Gulberg (tips once again would be nice)
Places to go (no idea where they are geographically in lahore yet, so in no particular order):
Wagah Border
Masjid Wazir Khan
Anarkali Tomb
Sozo Water Park (unsure, I've read a previous comment about infestation and therefore maynot take such a risk with a 5 year old)
Lahore Museum
Lahore Zoo
and shopping:
Panorama Shopping Centre
Liberty Market
Pace Shopping Plaza
Now turning to Karachi... I'm still researching...I'll be back
:D
Bushy keep in mind that you are planning to visit four cities in a period of 15 days (so that is approx. 4 days per city). If you will also be staying with relatives I guess it is a very little time to go around the cities since you will find a lot of things to check out (that's from my personal experience in Karachi, dunno about Lahore or Pindi but Lahore's oughta be similar).. and you also have to include the time you will spend travelling (around 12-24 hrs so that makes 13 days for 4 cities or 3 days/city).. also keep in mind that you will be bagging a 5-year-old kid with you.
I suggest that you reduce your number of cities to 2 or 3 at the most in order to fully enjoy what they have to offer.. or either increase your staying time to at least 20 days if you want to visit 4 cities (of course unless you only want to visit relatives)..
I'm not so sure about the hotels, travels etc. but I think I've brought up an important point
Hi Retroguy. Yes your point is actually quite a big point. Especially with my 5 year old. But the way i see it is we will really only be visiting 2 cities. Karachi and Lahore. We live (or all our relatives live) in Islamabad and Pindi (so 3 days in Karachi + 1 day travel and 3 days in Lahore +1 day travel in total), still gives us time to spend with relatives in both Pindi and Islamabad.
Truthfully though, you've raised something which I have had a few doubts about myself and I thank you for raising it too. I think we'll drop the Karachi trip and save it for another time, Karachi is much further away than Lahore and my little 5 year old may just find it too much.
well....less work for me.. I think I'll focus more on the Lahore trip (if it was just me and O/H we would just take off and go, but as we have the little one, we've got to plan in advance to make sure he's comfortable and happy at all times AND does'nt get ill!!!) and leave it to the relatives to take us out and around in Islamabad and Pindi.
I feel better now that that decision is made. Thanks for helping me Retroguy!
Regards
Bushy do you plan to do a lot of shopping or just a little (like shalwar kameez) etc. I will be going to lahore for two weeks probably will be leaving on march 30 and all I want to do is shop shop shop. I am kinda confused if that’s enough time fors shopping.
Places to go (no idea where they are geographically in lahore yet, so in no particular order):
Wagah Border = 17 kilometres from Lahore towards east.
Masjid Wazir Khan = Inside Dehli Gate
Anarkali Tomb = Near LDA office behind the "Zila Kechehri"
Sozo Water Park (unsure, I've read a previous comment about infestation and therefore maynot take such a risk with a 5 year old) = Around 15 Kilometres from Lahore near Jallo Park.
Lahore Museum = On The Mall Opposite to Punjab Univeristy (Old Campus)
Lahore Zoo = On The Mall Opposite to Wapda House / Avari Hotel.
When taking Taxi / Rickshaw - ask someone (not driver) how far is the place u are going, because Taxi driver may give u a ride of whole Lahore & bring u back where u started the journey & charge u Rs. 1000 for the ride while u may reach ur destination by foot for 5 minute walk.
I recommend you to visit this informative website for travelling in Pakistan, whose URL I do not remember, but you can google it by the key word like visitpakistanonline, or travelling in Pakistan.
? Also, any ideas from Guppies on where to go in Lahore would be soooo nice (Places of interest, kids stuff to do, restaurants, shopping). Oh and another thing, should we hire a driver for the day to take us around, or taxis, or book a car for the stay.