With the current political climate and "war on terror" going on at the moment, most people wouldn't dream of travelling to Pakistan. A Pakistani friend of mine, living here in London recently told me he wouldn't go back there now as he thinks its too dangerous.

I spent just over 3 weeks there on my way to India last autumn and I will always have fond memories of it.

I was backpacking independently and only once did I feel insecure when in the tribal town of Quetta. There I didn't encount any other westerners and was get some hard stares from some of the locals, but I suppose you should expect considering I lot of Taliban used to be based there.

From Quetta I took the train to Lahore right near the Indian border.
Lahore was I vibrant, hectic city full of life and colour, with plenty to see and do, from colonial forts to bustling markets. After a few days fast pace of the city, as well as the pollution, got to me so I headed up north, travelling the Karakourum highway into the western Himalayas. Even being half Swiss and well used to mountains, the sheer magnitude of the landscape was breath taking. Things were a lot more laid back in the valleys, and I spent many days taking in the view of the 7000 metre (21,000ft) high peaks. Missed out on some trekking as the winter was closing in but definitely something to go back for.

One of my most memorable experiences was while taking the 24-hour train from Quetta to Lahore, where i was befriended by a 52-year-old mechanic named Bilal who proved to be an excellent companion. He proved an invaluable source of local knowledge and wanted to make sure I enjoyed his country as much as possible. When the food arrived he refused to let me pay for it and insisted that as i was his "guest", it was his duty to pay. It was a matter of pride for him so I let it go and for the rest of the journey he paid for the rest of my food, to my slight embarrassment. I couldn't imagine the same happening back in London.