Author: Summer
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Practical tips for foreign travelers in Pakistan
Traveling in Pakistan is a great experience but is not without its challenges, be it adapting to the conservative culture or the varied climate. However Lahore, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan are easy enough to travel independently. People in Pakistan are generally warm, friendly and respectful towards foreigners, but there are some things that are worth keeping… Read more
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Transport in Gilgit-Baltistan – how to get there and how to get around
The province of Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the most visited in Pakistan, popular with both foreign and domestic tourists. However, transport to and from the region from the rest of Pakistan can sometimes be a little tricky, as can transport within the region itself once you arrive. Check out this quick guide to public transport… Read more
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How to cross the Wagah border from India to Pakistan
Disclaimer: we crossed the Wagah border from India into Pakistan in April 2025. I wrote this guide at the time. A few weeks later, the border was closed after a rise in political tensions between India and Pakistan. The diplomatic situation between the two countries is always fraught and can change quickly. I recommend checking… Read more
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Thursday dhamaal in Lahore – Sufis at Shah Jamal
Every Thursday night, adherents of the Sufi order of Islam in Lahore gather to participate in dhamaal, which is essentially a type of ritual ecstatic dance. There are several places to witness this – one of the best-known is the Shrine of Shah Jamal, located in the area known as Fazlia Colony near to the… Read more
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How to visit the Maldives on a backpacker budget
The Maldives on a budget? Is that even possible you might ask? Yes is the resounding answer to that! The Maldives is just like stepping into the pages of a holiday brochure – aquiline tranquil waters, brilliant white beaches, sun pretty much guaranteed. It’s everything you expect and more! Most international flights land at the… Read more
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Astana self-guided walking tour
Ultra-modern Astana is a planned city. While it is spread across a relatively big area, most of its monumental buildings are located along an east-west axis and the main sites can be covered on foot in a day; there is plenty of walking involved but it’s doable – trust me, we did it! Check out… Read more
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Samarkand self-guided walking tour
Samarkand is a city full of emblematic and historical sites. As the third largest city in Uzbekistan, one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities in the world and best known as the capital of the Timurid Empire, there is plenty to see and do. Although they are geographically spread out, it is possible to cover all… Read more
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Public transport in Central Asia – a complete guide
Some of the best experiences we had in Central Asia were on public transport. It brings you into direct contact with locals who are often as curious about you and your life as you are of them. From in-depth conversations with the Turkistan football team on the train between Turkistan and Shymkent at 4am, to… Read more
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A guide to train travel in Central Asia
Trains are by far the easiest way to get around in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where there is an extensive inter-city rail network. As well as being relatively comfortable, the trains can be a great way to see the vast landscapes and interact with curious locals. The trains are soviet-style, running very long distances with multiple… Read more
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An introduction to travel in Central Asia
Central Asia is a vast region nestled between Afghanistan and the powerhouse nations of Russia, China and Iran. The region consists of five countries, the ‘five stans’; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Formerly part of the Russian Empire, all of the Central Asian countries became independent in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet… Read more