One's destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things.

Balakot is one of the famous mountain cities in Mansehra District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a stopover while on way to the northern areas in Pakistan. However I stayed here overnight and explored a bit. This is one of the places I have been to in my childhood multiple times and having many memories. A beautiful city alongside river kunhar, a bit simple yet a lot of restaurants available at roadside along river kunhar. We choose to stay at a resort I will share the pictures in this post. Very easily accessible and located on main balakot kaghan road and that is Cordillera  resort.  Access :  Balakot is easily accessible via main mansehra kaghan road as well via hazara motorway. In fact it's located on the main road. For watching a full video click on my You Tube link  Balakot Historical places:  It is famous for Mazar of Syed ahmad shaheed, the battle of balakot fought in 1831 between the forces of Mahraja Ranjit Singh and Syed ahmad barelvi. In main local baz...

It was such a wonderful experience of visiting a tea garden in Mansehra, Pakistan.  National tea and high value crops research institute (NTHRI),  is located in Shinkiari Mansehra and it's the first and the largest project of tea in Pakistan.  Basically it's a research center with a beautiful tea garden, however visitors are allowed. I must suggest that this beautiful, scenic garden must be visited by every tourist or at least by those who have some interest in plantation. This tea garden reminds me a visit to a  Tea garden in Cameron highland in Malaysia .  I missed one thing at Mansehra tea garden, is that they didn't made any effort for the provision of daily visits to tea factory and providing fresh tea to the visitors to taste. I asked the guard on the gate and he had a few packets of green tea that I brought. Though I wanted black tea and wanted to taste it on the spot but there was no such arrangement for visitors. So I will suggest them to introduce it a...

I always get fascinated with the vibrant mustard fields in winters. It seems so alluring while seeing the clear blue skies with bright yellow mustard flowers. I love such winter's morning with clear blue skies. Beautiful mustard flowers in sunlight is a treat for eyes. Finally got an opportunity to spend some time time with yellow mustard flowers on a bright sunny day.  In rural areas, you will see mustard flowers in full bloom during winter season. The farmers use the traditional methods to cultivate the corps and make a regular supply of the crops in bundle to local market. In fact mustard leaves are one of the favorite green food during winters here. People love cooking mustard leaves and eat with bread. So come along and enjoy the natural beauty of Punjab in these mustard fields with me. 

Khanpur lake and dam is located in Khanpur town, somewhere between Taxila and Haripur and can be easily sighted along the roadside. One of my favorite spot since ages. Since childhood I used to come here at weekends and enjoyed the serenity and vastness of the lake. In 90's it was not commercialized but now the whole belt along the lake was taken by different resorts and providing some of the best water sports facilities to adrenaline junkie. There are multiple resorts but I visited Mabali.  Mabali has very easy access especially if you coming from KPK or Islamabad. We used Hazara Expressway this time and exit from Haripur toll plaza, took right towards Khanpur. Last time I visited here from Taxila side. The link is here  MABALI RESORT                                 Here are some really interesting things to do in Khanpur and Taxila.                  ...

Staying at hidden heaven cottage has been my best experience in nathiya gali, located at just 10 to 15 minutes drive from pipeline track, it becomes one of my favorite place. easily accessible both from Murree and Abbottabad.  Check my Youtube shorts here . Reasons to choose @hidden heaven cottage nathiya gali. 1   Its  Perfect holiday cottage if you are travelling with family/ group of friends especially If you are looking for peace, privacy and wonderful views then you must come here. 2  You can easily move to explore the surroundings and come back like a home. I did Ayubia Pipeline track and Motto Tunnel.  3  It can be economical here as compared to hotel room/ suite stay. Because if you are bringing a group of 6 friends/family members you can split the cost. 4   Another benefit of staying here is being able to cook yourself as well. You can buy groceries and cook by yourself. ( One of my favorite thing to do during travelling that's n...