From Houston, TX, to Swat Valley, Pakistan

Quick recap: In this section, we’re aiming to crowdsource details about epic trips – then provide the whole playbook for the experience to y’all.

• Have you ever gone on an epic, once-in-a-lifetime trip? Tell us about it here.

🚶‍♂️ Who: Samia A. from Houston, TX

☀️ Length of trip: 5 days

💬 Quick recap: I sighed as I stepped outside the car under the glistening, luminous moonlight amidst the serene, mountainous site. The lengthy and exhausting road trip was certainly worth the wait; I caught the breathtaking sight of Swat Valley, Pakistan 🇵🇰– otherwise known as “Eastern Switzerland”. The vivid aura came as a surprise to me. I pondered why such a lush, mountainous region in Pakistan was never talked about much as I heard the distant, synchronized chirping of birds coming from the thick, verdant forest. If given a chance, I will certainly return to explore much more of the local culture infused with simplicity and purity or to sightsee clear lakes, dense forests, and overall explore as much as the exquisite Swat Valley has to offer.

🤔 Anything you wish you would’ve known?... My travel experience would have been perfect if I packed more appropriate clothing, like sweaters and jackets, that are suitable for the breezy Spring weather!

😍 MUST dos: I highly recommend sightseeing the mountains, going on a boat ride, and fishing on the glistening lakes to get the full experience!!

🙅‍♀️ Must don’ts: Definitely do not underestimate the locals with respect to their survival skills - they know more in practical than we know in theory!

EXPENSES

✈️🚗🚆 Transportation: The route we took on a road trip from Islamabad (ISB) to Swat would require about $50 of gas. However, taking a bus from the capital city (ISB) would take around $10 converted to Pakistani rupees. Depending on the season of travel, a plane ticket from the U.S. would take $1,000-$2,000 per individual.

🏨⛺🏠 Lodging: Generally speaking, a hotel would cost around $50 per day, depending on the rating. The hotel I stayed in was zoned to a tourist attraction, and hence cost $100 per night.

🏰⛷️🎫 Activities: Activities such as zip-lining cost about $4, boat rides would cost $5, cable-car riding would be $4, and skiing would lean towards the expensive side at approximately $15.

🍔🍕🥗 Food: Depending where one eats, the highly rated restaurants would cost $8 per person, while food stalls would be $2 per person (all converted to Pakistani rupees).

P.S. Have your own epic trip you’d like to share? Just reply to this email or fill out this form for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday’s newsletter.