It’s summer vacations in Pakistan, and most Pakistanis are waiting
for Eid to head towards the northern areas, where temperatures are
relatively cooler, and a lot of thrilling entertainments await them.
Among the various activities you can enjoy up north is a ride on one of
the most famous chairlifts in Pakistan. The views from these chairlifts
are spectacular, and the thrill of soaring above the ground is an
experience that should not be missed by any enthusiast.
5 Must-Visit Chairlifts in Pakistan
Here are five of the most popular chairlifts in Pakistan located in the country’s top tourist destinations:
Ayubia Chairlift (Ayubia)
Arang Kel Chairlift (Neelum Valley, AJK)
Malam Jabba Chairlift (Malam Jabba Ski Resort)
Pindi Point Chairlift (Murree)
Patriata Chairlift (New Murree)
Below, we’ll discuss each of these tourist destinations with regards
to their chairlifts and other amenities so you can shortlist the
chairlift you want to ride first.
Ayubia Chairlift
Ayubia Witnesses Snowfall Every Year, Transforming Into a Winter Wonderland. Credits: Facebook/Galiyat Development Authority, Abbottabad
Named after Muhammad Ayub Khan, who was the second President of
Pakistan, Ayubia was declared as a national park in 1984. Surrounded by
several small villages and at a fairly close distance to Nathia Gali,
the region is a hub of tourism. Nearly 100,000 tourists visit the park
every year, as it is well known for its picnic spots. The other feature
which makes the park a must-visit is the chairlift, which was the first
of its kind in Pakistan when it was constructed.
A ride in Ayubia’s chairlift takes you up to Mukeshpuri summit, a
hill that offers the best views of the forested area below. While you
can also hike up to the summit, riding the chairlift amidst the forest,
for a distance of 1.5 kilometres, has an unparalleled charm. The park is
maintained by the Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the
best time to visit it is during May and June. Once the monsoon season
comes in, the weather becomes colder and the park witnesses a lot of
snowfall in the later parts of the year.
Arang Kel Chairlift
Travel Up to the Summit in This Unique Mode of Transport! Credits: Facebook/Murree Hill Station
The beautiful village of Arang Kel is a hill station that is
accessible via a 3-hour trek from the town of Kel, which is one of the must-visit destinations in Azad Kashmir.
If the thought of a long and treacherous trek is making you change your
travel plans, you can always take a ride on the Arang Kel chairlift,
which is managed by the Pakistan Army and will take you from Kel to
Arang Kel with ease over a distance of one kilometre. From there, you
can reach the summit with a short hike of just 30 minutes.
Malam Jabba Chairlift
This Green View is Completely Covered by Snow in the Winter Months. Credits: Facebook/Swat Valley
Malam Jabba Ski Resort in Swat Valley is currently home to Pakistan’s
most popular chairlift. Malam Jabba is also Pakistan’s oldest and
largest ski resort. It sits at an elevation of around 9,000 feet above
sea level, making snowfall a given in the winter months. While the peak
skiing season here runs from January to March, you can visit the resort
during the summer season as well, as the resort offers scenic hiking and
trekking trails all around. The views that you will witness on the
chairlift ride will further endorse your decision of visiting this
popular destination.
The Malam Jabba chairlift can carry more than 200 people over a
distance of 640 metres, offering scenic views from more than 100 cable
carts. The ride in the chairlift will take you to the top of the ski
slopes, and you can choose to either trek, ride or ski downhill. It is
also the only ski resort in Pakistan owned by the Pakistan Tourism
Development Corporation (PTDC)
Pindi Point Chairlift
There’s a Small Zoo Awaiting You at the End of This Ride
Located close to Murree’s Mall Road, Pindi Point is a tourist spot in
the Murree Hills. Surrounded by lush green pine forests, the spot
offers a small coffee shop and a playground for kids. However, its main
attraction is the chairlift that can take you down 1.5 kilometres,
straight into the Bansra Gali’s wildlife park. The ride surrounds you
with pine trees all around and even gives you views of the zigzagging
trails below. Once you’ve reached the park, visitors can explore the
small zoo and get close to a range of animals and birds before heading
back up the hill.
Patriata Chairlift
Get Ready for 7 Kilometres of Breathtaking Views When You Ride the Patriata Chairlift. Credits: Facebook/Murree Hill Station
Also known as New Murree, Patriata is a hill station nestled amidst
the Murree Hills. It is located at the highest point of elevation in the
area, at 7,500 feet above sea level. Thus, reaching it can be quite a
task. You can always drive up from New Murree to Patriata, but what
would be the fun in that? A ride in Patriata chairlift is a much better
alternative, offering scenic views throughout the journey. In the
winter, the hills are covered in snow and are a delight to witness, but
the summer weather brings back greenery to the area and makes it even
more beautiful. The ride in its entirety is of about 7 kilometres,
taking you right to the top, where a fabulous view awaits you.
These are some of the most famous and most scenic chairlifts in
Pakistan. Make sure you do not miss your chance to take a ride on one of
these when you are visiting these top tourist destinations. In fact,
Murree Hills make the perfect destination for a weekend getaway from Islamabad if you are residing in the capital.
