I’m a solo female traveler who has traveled all over Pakistan since I opened my eyes. At first, I used to travel with family, but as I grew older, everyone got busier, and traveling faded from our lives. But the adventure lover inside me didn’t rest, and society didn’t stop me from following my passion. Today, I’m writing about my experience traveling to Lahore in December 2021.
How I started my journey:
I started my journey from Islamabad at around 10 in the morning. I loaded my car with all my bags and needed stuff and set off.
I always take the GT road instead of the motorway because I like seeing the different places and experiencing other foods on the way, for example, the special kulfi from Gujranwala, etc.
How was the journey from GT road for traveling to Lahore
The journey from GT Road is always slow but beautiful! Due to heavy traffic and not following the traffic rules, it is hard and, according to some, very tiring.
But for someone like me who loves seeing different colors of life and enjoys everything, I like this road better than the motorway. It is very comfortable and much faster, but it could be marinating.
I made several halts for tea and to use the restroom. I always have tea at Kharian to freshen myself up. I had a few refreshments with tea and filled up my snack stock for the rest of the journey.
Then I had the famous Kulfi near Gujranwala, which is always a delight!
Reaching Lahore, finding and booking a hotel:
I reached Lahore at around 3 pm. Shadra was as rushy as it’s always been. Now I did have a few hotel options in mind, as I’ve been to Lahore quite a few times, but I wanted to experience something new. I prefer it if my hotel is near liberty market in Gulberg because that is a great place to shop.
I wanted to experience a diverse cuisine, so I booked the Oban Hotel in liberty market. Their bed n breakfast is just great!
After hotel booking and checking in, I decided to freshen up, explore the Lahori fashion, and, of course, have the famous fruit chat from liberty market.
Exploring Androon Lahore and historical places:
Before the expansion, the actual Lahore was inside the walled city, aka “Androgen Lahore,” so how would my trip be over without paying a visit there?
It is a boisterous place full of traffic and people on foot.
I wanted to try the famous Lahori kulfi, a traditional type of ice cream, then the kheer, rabri pere wala doodh, etc. Everything was up to the hype.
I also took a rickshaw ride and experienced everything local style. I went to the qila and Badshahi masjid, and I was overwhelmed with emotions thinking this is where they (the emperors) used to live, this is the place we read about in history, this is where it all happened, and then eventually went down. The feeling was just so surreal.
It was an out-of-the-world experience; I couldn’t believe I was there at that moment, experiencing it all firsthand.
Breakfast buffet at Oban Hotels:
The following day, I went up to the rooftop for my bed n breakfast buffet, which had, give or take, 45 items. I also got to try camel meat in camel Nihari, which was flavorful. However, their tiny cinnamon rolls took the cake! The food was delicious; I also tried Shakshuka there, which was terrific.
Shopping, bidding farewell traveling to Lahore, and the trip back:
Whenever I go to Lahore, I buy as much of the liberty market as possible in my car. So after breakfast, I got changed and went out to shop for myself and get gifts for my family, which is what I do on my every trip. The clothes you find there are nowhere else in Pakistan. Their work and designs are so good and modern that you can never have enough of these things.
After stocking up on clothes, I came back to my hotel room, packed my bags, took a shower, and then called the front desk, telling them I was about to check out so they sent a person up to my floor who helped me with my luggage, I paid my bills and left at around noon. I stopped at Shezan to get their lemon bread and other bakery items, then at khalifa for their famous Naan Khatai for my family.
The trip back was less exciting than going to Lahore, but I enjoyed it. I stopped at local stands selling guavas and oranges and ate them while driving. I loved the spice mixture that they put on the fruits.
As usual, I stopped for tea and refreshments, where I tried the Nan Khatai; it was delicious.
I reached home safely at around 5; my family was happy to see me. I gave them all their gifts and started telling them about my experience, which made me realize how much I enjoyed it. So, my experience traveling to Lahore was awesome.