As the summer heats unbearable, the desire to go to hill stations and summer resorts intensifies. And this is also the time to enjoy nature and beat the heat. People belonging to different walks of life desire to head towards the northern part of the country, comprising mountains with moderate climate.
When kids have summer breaks from schools, parents are often busy in jobs and it can become difficult to manage time. The lucky ones are taken for trips outside their city or towns, while others find interesting places to go to near their homes.
Deciding a place becomes hard when different options are put forth by different members of the family. Whatever the outcome, hill stations are indeed the most desired places to visit. The northern parts of the country are like the crown jewels of Pakistan. The natural beauty of these places is comparable to any mountainous locations abroad. Places such as Murree, Galayat, Kaghan, Naran, Deosai, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Kalam, etc. where the meandering road through the mountains and flowing stream have a spellbinding effect on all.
Such places also have their own culture, social setup, dense coniferous forest cover, amazing landscape and peculiar fauna. Sudden rains turn the weather cooler and everyone dons their woollies to warm up even in peak summer months. Nature lovers and photographers have a great time exploring and taking in all the many shades of this beautiful region.
Fruit-laden branches of trees and a treasure of herbal and medicinal plants make the forests in this region a treasure ground for us. There are many tracks through the hills and forests for those interested in tracking and hiking, and these tracks are ideal places to experience the call of birds as it echoes through the forest or watch butterflies fluttering here and there. On the ground the sluggish snail can be seen crawling on the forest floor and you can also spy a few monkeys jumping from one tree branch to another.
No doubt, such close encounters with nature have a very refreshing and recharging effect on people, especially on city dwellers who only know how to deal with street cats and dogs.
