Activities in Pakistan
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TDCP Tours
Operating two daily city tours (per person around Rs450, 3½ hours) The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab conducts tours of Lahore. The fee does not include applicable admission fees to the sites. An air-con minibus picks up passengers at the TDCP office on Lawrence Rd, as well as at the Holiday Inn, Ambassador, Pearl Continental and Avari hotels.
The morning tour leaves the TDCP at 08:30 and takes in Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Jehangir's Tomb and the Lahore Museum. The afternoon tour leaves the TDCP at 14:30 (15:30 summer) and covers Shalimar Gardens, Old City, the Mosque of Wazir Khan, Sunehri Masjid and the Royal Baths. The TDCP can also arrange tours beyond…
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Turtle Spotting
In the evening between September and November, you can spot giant Olive Ridley and green turtles along parts of the Karachi shoreline. The best way see them is to go with a local naturalist or hire a boat from Keamari with a knowledgeable captain for the specific purpose of watching them. Hawkes Bay and Sandspit are the prime places to spot turtles. A handy local contact is the green turtle project officer at the Sindh Wildlife Management Board, who is responsible for their protection.
The PTDC office can also advise on hiring boats and arrange tours with enough notice.
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Boating
At Keamari Harbour you can hire a boat to take you to Manora Island. Aside from the ferry, boats can be hired for around Rs300 per hour according to size, up to around Rs2000 for the whole day. Some captains can offer sea fishing, or even just crabbing within the harbour, both outside the monsoon season. The PTDC office can advise on more nautical options.
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Film Studio Tour
The owner of the Regale Internet Inn sometimes takes guests (nonguests welcome) to see the live shooting of a Pakistani film. With plenty of conniving villains, damsels in distress, moustached heroes and guns galore, this is Lahore's (Lollywood's) answer to Bollywood. There is generously no charge for this tour - all you pay for is your conveyance.
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Tours
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, or PTDC, can organise day tours of Taxila as well as other destinations - note that tours may only run with minimum numbers, making it advisable to book at least a few days in advance. Prices are available on application. Many travel agencies also offer (tailor-made) tours.
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Lahore Garrison Golf Country Club
Located near the airport, the greens here are in tip-top condition. It also has two tennis courts and several air-con squash courts. Not as centrally located as the Avari and Pearl Continental hotels, but a lot cheaper. The swimming pool here is one of the best-value places to take a cool dip.
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Khurpa Care
Trekkers and climbers should avail themselves of the organisation dedicated to the welfare of the Balti porters, known as khurpas (Balti for carrier). Pick up tips on how to hire khurpas responsibly, or ensure your trekking company does likewise, as well as donate equipment or money.
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Cable Cars
Across the Nandihar River, about 12km north of the bazaar on the KKH, watch for the Cable Cars (some of them just rickety seats suspended from a single cable) that connect villages on the west side of the river to the KKH. For a cheap (make an offer) thrill, try one yourself.
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Model Town Club Swimming Pool
Open only from March to September, it's not as swanky as other pools but it's still in good condition and long enough to do decent laps. There are separate sex timings (men from 06:00 to 20:00; women from 20:00 to 22:30). An autorickshaw from The Mall costs about Rs100.
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Zone Bowls
Zone Bowls is a 10-lane, fully electronic bowling alley in a rather lifeless little shopping centre. To get to Zone Bowls, enter the park via the west entrance off 10th Ave. A taxi from the Blue Area costs around Rs60.
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Adventure Travel
Organises numerous treks, including fixed departures (check the website), and has a relaxing 'base camp' at Kachura Lake. The office is on the main road near the entrance to Mashabrum Hotel.
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Hunza Valley Experience
At the time of research Hunza Valley Experience was setting up an office opposite the Glacier Breeze Restaurant to provide trekking and cultural tours with guides and jeeps for hire.
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Pamir Trails
As the operator of Pamir Trails, Alam Jan Dario runs cultural and adventurous treks on foot or horseback into the valleys and over the passes of his spectacular homeland.
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Quetta Club
If you can get someone to sign you into this members-only club (off limits to the public), you can use the golf course, squash club and eat at the restaurant.
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Avari Towers Swimming Pool
Sea swimming on Clifton beach is advised against because of pollution and strong currents. Instead, cool off in the pools of the top-end hotels.
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Marriott Hotel Swimming Pool
Sea swimming on Clifton beach is advised against because of pollution and strong currents. Instead, cool off in the pools of the top-end hotels.
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Fishing Gear Hire
Fishing gear is cheap to hire, but the cost of a fishing licence (which can be arranged by hotel management) is US$10 for foreigners.
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Chairlift
From Pindi Point, about 2km southwest of town, you can look out towards Punjab and ride a Chairlift 3km down to Brewery Rd and back.
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Walk & Ride Pakistan Horse Treks
Organises horse treks from Phander to the Shandur Pass for the polo tournament, as well as through the Chapursan Valley in Gojal.
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Holiday Inn Swimming Pool
If you're all shrined out and desperate for a cool dip, Holiday Inn allows nonguests to use its pool for a small cost per day.
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Ali Haider Sadpara
A small operation for budget travellers with gear available for hire. Make inquiries at the Baltistan Tourist Cottage.
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Travel Walji's
Virtually a branch of the Gilgit office, this is a good place to inquire about jeep safaris across the Deosai Plains.
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KDA Officers Club Swimming Pool
This Olympic-sized public pool is considerably cheaper than swimming at hotels, but is effectively men-only.
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Fisheries Office
Fishing licences are available at the Fisheries Office, and tackle can be hired from shops in the bazaar.
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Travel Walji's
Tours and jeep hire with good drivers. There is another branch at the Tourist Park Hotel on Bazaar Rd.
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