Postcard from Pakistan - Margalla Hills

Australian Photographer in Pakistan

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The winding road up to the top of the Margalla Hills, Faisal Mosque in the distance.

On the weekend we enjoyed a drive up into the Margalla Hills.  It was lovely to be outside Islamabad and enjoying the cooler temperatures.  In Islamabad at the moment it is around 35-40 degrees each day.  At the top of the Margallas it was 25 degrees with a constant breeze. 

You can hike in the Hills and there are many different trails.  Due to the virus there have been less people using the trials and there has been a corresponding increase in the sightings of leopards and jackals.   We didn’t see any (shame) but did see many different birds and monkeys.  We were also warned about the many snakes on the trails. One story has it that the name Margalla comes from the Persian for snakes ‘mar’ and galla ‘herd’.

The Margallas are part of the Himalayan foothills and reach an elevation of 1604m.  It was wonderful to see the hills rising into the distance.  Hopefully one day, when we can travel again, we can follow the hills up into the north of Pakistan. 

Great spot for a house, Islamabad in the distance

Near the top, Islamabad under a blanket of haze

The Hills are covered in pine trees, the pine needles a blanket of red.

From red pine needles to bright, lime green, new growth.

A local woman, returning home from the mosque, graciously stops to have her photo taken.

Looking north-west, the other side of the Margallas.

A final photograph before we head home.