Most travellers will arrive through Pakistan’s modern capital before striking out further afield. It would be easy to write off the city as a gateway to better and bigger things, but linger longer in Islamabad and it makes a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area. Islamabad is often ranked as the second most beautiful capital city in the world, surrounded as it is by forests, hills and the leopard-hosting Margalla Hills National Park.

Journey outside Islamabad to Taxila, the UNESCO World Heritage listed ruins displaying the evolution of Persian, Greek and Buddhist influences in the region. With history dating back to 1000 BC, it has seen the rise, fall and destruction of more empires to count, and can easily take up a day of your trip exploring the expansive complex. Take a guidebook, because as impressive as the ruins are, information on site is hard to come by for tourists.

Another short drive from Islamabad allows visitors to explore ancient villages just outside the city displaying evidence of the Hindu religion, more prominent in the area before the partition of India, a defining moment in the history of South Asia. If time allows a visit to Faisal Mosque will impress visitors with the sheer size of the construction. This was the largest mosque in the world when built in 1986, and with a capacity for 10,000 worshippers, remains the largest in South Asia, dominating Islamabad’s landscape with its imposing position in the Margalla Hills.

After this fantastic introduction to Pakistan and its incredibly friendly people, board a short flight to Hunza in the north, and a different world entirely.

Gilgit is your gateway to Hunza, and the ensuing drive north to Gulmit will thread through some of the most enchanting scenery of mountains and glaciers you will ever witness. This magical setting in Northern Pakistan is where the legendary Himalaya, Karakorum and Hindu Kush mountain ranges meet; a juncture also historically strategically important to protect the passes through the mountains. Sitting alongside the famous Karakorum Highway, a five hour drive north would find you crossing the Chinese border at the highest paved border crossing in the world. A hike to Ondra Fort will not only demonstrate this strategic setting but also reward you with panoramic views of the peaks and valleys the area is famous for.

The main draw of the area is a photo stop at Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world and notorious as the “killer mountain”. Despite numerous attempts, the mountain has never been summited in winter. For moderate hikers, there are numerous trekking routes in the area exploring high passes, quaint villages, glaciers and the infamous Hussaini Hanging Bridge, labelled the most dangerous bridge in the world. There will also be time to enjoy local tea and apricot cake, and explore local markets.

If you are curious as to how long this region has been hosting tourism, you only have to consider the isolated outpost of Shimshal. The precipitous white-knuckle road to this remote town took 18 years to build and opened in only 2003. Those that can travel this far afield by 4WD will be rewarded by a destination few can say they have visited.

Spend a day soaking up the culture of the local mountain people and acclimatising to the significant altitude. These are hardy and hard-working people, as friendly as any in Pakistan. They often draw comparisons with Nepal’s Sherpas, and with a rich mountaineering heritage, there are many options for multi-day hikes in the area. However, with no cars, few motorbikes, even less tourists, crisp mountain air and the deafening silence of the mountains, this is a perfect place to kick back and relax with a tea and a book.

An interesting detour on the way to the Hunza capital of Karimibad, Lake Attabad was surprisingly only formed in 2010 when a landslide blocked the Hunza River, flooding five villages (including Shimshal and Gulmit). This forced a $275 million realignment of 12 miles of the Karakorum Highway, and displaced 6,000 people from the region. Despite the devastation, the resultant shimmering blue lake is now home to boating, jet-skiing and fishing, and the incredible mountainous backdrop makes this photogenic lake one of the best stops in the region. If you have a little more time to spare, a trip to the ancient Silk Road settlement of Ganish is rewarding, as is a side trip to the massive Hopar Valley and Glacier.

Arriving in the capital of the region, Karimaban and its surrounding towns controlled the crucial trade routes of Asia for hundreds of years. Mountains still tower over you with world-class views in what is one of the premier tourist destinations in Pakistan. Climbing to the 700-year-old Baltit Fort demonstrates its powerful position and rewards the traveller with breath-taking views across the passes and peaks around Karimibad. This is truly one of the most photogenic spots in the whole country, being labelled by some as Pakistan’s very own Shangri-La. Nearby Altit Fort is even older at 1100 years, both having been painfully restored, Altit only opening to visitors in 2007.

Once the history is satisfied, Karimabad is home to a laidback vibe and an array of local cafes, and it is well worth a walk around the village streets and markets. If you have been craving a western-style coffee, Café-de-Hunza will give you an indulgent fix, and for those who have not had enough hiking quite yet, a day hike to Ultar Base Camp will give you great views of the Ultar peaks and glacier. Give yourself the chance to soak up the last of the mountain scenery before travelling back to Gilgit for your flight back to Islamabad.

The road is long from Islamabad to Lahore. This route is the Grand Trunk road, one of Asia’s most ancient routes; over 2,500 years old and stretching 2,700 miles from Bangladesh, through Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. You will experience a relatively small section, thankfully peppered with stops along the way, most notably Rhotas Fort, one of the largest and most imposing forts in all Central and South Asia and a superb example of Muslim military architecture.

Lahore has existed for at least 1,000 years - probably longer. As such travellers are treated to an exceptionally rich experience of museums, tombs, gardens, palaces, forts and shrines to rival the cities of the golden triangle across the nearby frontier in Northern India. An afternoon witnessing the Wagah border closing ceremony also allows a look at the modern position between these two belligerent neighbours, as border guards face off with elaborate pomp and ceremony during the flag lowering.

Lahore will overwhelm a visitor with places to see, weaving intricate layers of history through its ever-changing rule of empires; Shahis, Sultanates Ghurids, Ghaznavids, Mughals and recently the British have all ruled the city in its millennium of existence. Top of the list is a visit to the Walled City, of which the convoluted and picturesque medieval streets largely remain intact and host a diverse array of mosques, Hindu shrines and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Lahore Fort, all testament to the cities past. If the walking and history works up a big enough hunger, Food Street on Fort Road specialises in mouth-watering Lahori cuisine and great views, surrounded by music establishments and hundreds of years of culture. For those out for some shopping, the markets of the Walled City can offer a stroll through grain, cloth and spice markets, some of which are the largest in Asia.

A trip is not complete without a visit to Shalimar Gardens, a complex of ponds, waterfalls and pavilions built in the 17th century. If time allows, the Tomb of Jahangir, the Lahore Museum and Lawrence Gardens will give you the full picture of this magical, fascinating and up-and-coming city, bringing your first trip to Pakistan to an end.