British Backpacker Society returning to Pakistan next week

LONDON: The British Backpacker Society has announced that its members will return to Pakistan next week to undertake a trailblazing expedition into the icy Karakoram and Himalayas.

Having toured the country in 2016, the British Backpacker Society had ranked Pakistan as the number one adventure travel destination for 2018.

The backpacker society members, Samuel Joynson, Adam Sloper and Michael Worrall, told Geo.tv that their last visit to the country made headlines around the world after they ranked Pakistan as the number one travel destination. The trio had ranked Pakistan as the top travel destination owing to its “incredible” hospitality and “mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s imagination”.

We were helpful in catapulting Pakistan into the consciousness of adventurer travelers around the world, they said.

On their upcoming trip, the trio plans to enter Pakistan from Wagah Border and then make their way to the mountains.

All three co-founders of the organisation will be touring Pakistan this time unlike in 2016 when Michael was unable to visit. Regarding his first trip to Pakistan, Michael said, “I just can’t wait. I have heard so many stories from Samuel and Adam about the natural beauty, friendliness and the food of Pakistan, and am really looking forward to experiencing it myself.”

The team have designed their latest route through Pakistan to feature regions of the country that they enjoyed on their last visit, in addition to those rarely visited regions that they believe hold real potential for international tourism.

Samuel, Adam and Michael will start their journey from the Wagah Border and then head north towards the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Adam said that he was “particularly excited to see the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in late autumn”, noting that he had heard from his Pakistani friends that “the scenery in the mountains is particularly dramatic at this time of year".

Michael added, “I have bought a new pair of gloves though – I understand that it could get a bit cold!”

Emphasising on the mutual benefits of adventure tourism to both travelers and governments, Samuel stated that the British Backpacker Society will continue to promote Pakistan and other developing tourism markets to travelers around the world.

“Earlier this year, we were delighted to see the government of Pakistan liberalising its tourist visa policy with the introduction of a visa-on-arrival programme and we believe that this is an important first step in realising the country’s huge tourism potential,” he added.