text:
ISimangaliso Wetland Park

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, previously known as Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, is one of the most diverse regions in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and very popular with tourists. In includes Mapelane Nature Reserve.

Landscape
The park extends over highly varied terrain and areas, with several smaller provincial and private game reserves and farms included within its boundaries.

Mapelane Nature Reserve's location on the Mapelane Peninsula, jutting out into the Indian Ocean, provides the reserve with a unique coastal ecosystem, including mangrove forests, sandy beaches, and rocky shores.

Flora and fauna
iSimangaliso is well known for its extensive wetlands, sand dunes and beaches, with large herds of game, visiting whales in the winter months (May to October), rafts of hippopotami and sun-basking crocodiles.

Mammals and reptiles that are regularly seen include Lion, African Wild Dog, Elephant, Green-backed Turtle, Leather-backed Turtle, Hippopotamus, African Rock Python, Mocambican spitting Cobra, Gaboon Viper, Forest Cobra, Water Monitor, Nile Crocodile, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Samango monkey, White or Square-lipped Rhinoceros, Black or Hooked-lipped Rhinoceros, Cheetah, African (Cape) Buffalo, Waterbuck, Kudu, Nyala, Bushbuck, Grey duiker, Steenbuck, Red Duiker, Suni Antelope, Four-toed Elephant Shrew, Common Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Burchells (Plains) Zebra, Giraffe, Water Mongoose.

Over 526 bird species have been seen. For bird-watching tourists some of the special birds include Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Rufous-bellied Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Lesser Flamingo and Greater Flamingo, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Southern Banded Snake-Eagle, Crested Guineafowl, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Lesser Jacana, Caspian Tern, Livingstone's Turaco, Green Malkoha, Swamp Nightjar, Mangrove Kingfisher, African Broadbill, Eastern Nicator, White-throated Robin-Chat, Brown Scrub-Robin, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Rudd's Apalis, Woodwards' Batis, Short-tailed Pipit, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Neergaard's Sunbird, Green Twinspot, Pink-throated Twinspot, and Grey Waxbill.

Mapelane Nature Reserve is home to a wide range of animal species, including several species of antelope, such as the bushbuck and the duiker, as well as the elusive leopard. The waters around the reserve are also home to a variety of marine life, including dolphins, whales, and a variety of fish species.

Get in
Follow the N2 from Durban northwards. You will have to turn right after around 250 km, 50 km before the town of Hluhluwe. The town of St Lucia is more or less the entrance to the park.

Do
Most importantly for tourists, iSimangaliso Wetland Park provides opportunities for self-managed activities and guided activities by local service providers, lodges and guides. For budget or cost conscious travellers, most terrestrial activities can be done without assistance, including driving and walking safari's in the various parks and reserves within the boundaries of the Greater Park region. This includes day walking trails, swimming at the various beaches and overnight or multi-day hiking trails.

Areas with dangerous game (the Big-5 plus hippopotamus and crocodile) are sign-posted and walking activities may be restricted. Remember to check with the relevant park authority.

 * Go on a boat cruise to see hippos and the wetlands.
 * Crocodile Park
 * Bird-watching
 * Cape Vidal
 * Whale-watching
 * Snorkeling
 * Horse Safaris
 * Game drives and vehicle-based safaris
 * Hiking

Eat

 * The town of St Lucia offers a number of restaurants.

Sleep
Plenty of camping nearby at Cape Vidal and in the town of St Lucia.

Go next

 * Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park - famous for its rhino density. About 60 km north.
 * Durban

title: ISimangaliso Wetland Park


text:
Isiolo

Isiolo is a city in Kenya.

Isiolo is the "last stop" before travelling off the paved road to the towns of Marsabit and Moyale in northern Kenya. Isiolo is a safe place, and there are buses that take you to Moyale since the road was tarmacked.

Get in
There are buses & minivans from
 * Nanyuki (1 hour).
 * Meru (1 hour).
 * Nairobi (5½ hours)
 * Minivans to Nanyuki and Isiolo can be boarded in the River Road area of Nairobi. See the Nairobi section on Wikivoyage for more information.

See
Isiolo is prime for game conservation country. Safari operators guide visitors on tours of these lands to see the great cats; African ungulate species like giraffe, elephant, oryx; and even crocodiles.

Do
There is little to do in Isiolo proper outside of the reserves. The social life in the town revolves around drinking and chewing Miraa (qhat). There is a nightclub in town that plays mostly early 1990s techno-pop.

These are based in Nairobi, but offer safari tours of Samburu and possibly the other reserves:

Buy
Isiolo is a center for copper, brass, and aluminum jewelry-making and has a large market.

Eat
The |Saala Hotel has a full-service restaurant, offering options like goat soup, chicken kyiv, pan fish, and chicken tikka.

Sleep

 * Mocharo Lodge, near the main square.

Go next
The lorries to Moyale leave usually in the small hours of the night. If you tell the touts the night before, they will wake you as soon as the lorries arrive. A ride on top of a goods lorry to Moyale will cost around Ksh 1500, if you want to ride in the cabin (recommended) then you pay Ksh 2000-3000, although negotiations will start much higher. There are still certain dangers of being robbed on the road to Moyale, so be aware and keep your eyes open. The shifta (tribal robbers) on the other hand rarely attack foreigners, they are more into cattle theft. It makes sense not to flash expensive cameras and electronics while you are on the route.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Isiolo


text:
Iskenderun

İskenderun, also known as Alexandretta, is a city in Hatay, Mediterranean Turkey. It's a major port on the Mediterranean Sea.

Understand
Many cities founded by Alexander the Great (Büyük İskender in Turkish) were named for him. Only a few still carry his name, İskenderun included: other examples are Alexandria in Egypt, Kandahar in Afghanistan, and Iskandariya in Iraq. This one was originally Alexandria ad Issum, "Alexandria by Issos"; Issos is the nearby site where the Macedonian had a decisive victory over Darius III of Persia in 333 BCE. The name later morphed to Alexandretta, "Little Alexandria", to distinguish from its greater Egyptian sibling.

As with the rest of Hatay, İskenderun was under French rule for about two decades following the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

İskenderun has a population of about 250,000 people as of the early 2020s and is a major centre of heavy industry — the petrochemical plants and steelworks on the approach from the north look unpromising. However, its centre is nevertheless enjoyable with a lovely palm-lined esplanade, and you won't regret driving into it.

By plane
The nearest airport for international flights is in Adana to the north. For domestic flights, Hatay Airport located in the outskirts of Antakya to the south (45 min driving) is another option.

By train
The national operator TCDD runs regional trains from Mersin via Adana twice daily, one morning and one late afternoon departure.

By car
The city is connected to the rest of Turkey by motorway O-53 (toll-road). Paralleling state highway D817 is very congested with truck traffic and several traffic lights. Past İskenderun O-53 joins D817 and then D825 southwards to Antakya and Syria. This is a good divided highway but twists and turns across the Belen Pass (ancient Syrian Gates) through the Amanos Mountains in-between.

By boat
İskenderun is a major Mediterranean harbour, but it surprisingly has little connections geared towards travellers.

The twice-weekly passenger ferry line from Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus run by HADO, affiliated with Hatay Metropolitan Municipality, has been suspended after the earthquake and as of Jul 2023, it is unknown when the sailings may resume. The ferries used to arrive at the jetty in, about 22 km southwest on the road to Arsuz.

The ferries from Israel and Egypt are for trucks bypassing the conflicts in the Middle East and do not accept foot passengers — not even the drivers of the trucks, who have to arrange transfer by air.

Get around
There are no dolmuşes in Iskenderun, and though there may be city buses, their routes are not easy to figure out with no Turkish language skills. The town centre is walkable; however to get from the centre to the bus station, you're best off taking a taxi, which should cost about 10-15 TL.

Parking a car along the waterfront (Atatürk Blv) costs 9 TL an hour (Oct 2022).

See

 * The waterfront is a pleasant area with much subtropical foilage. There is a big globe surrounded by flags of Turkic countries past and present, and a park with a number of interesting structures. Near the eastern end, there is an Atatürk monument commemorating the joining of Hatay (for a couple of decades ruled by France) to Turkey.

 * Inland are numerous traditional buildings with a more Mediterranean style.
 * Inland are numerous traditional buildings with a more Mediterranean style.

Do

 * Take a walk in Iskenderun coast, which offers great views.

Buy

 * is a shopping mall on the coast with cafes and food chains.

Eat

 * Künefe — one of the most famous regional desserts; best enjoyed hot when the cheese within is melted. No doubt delicious.
 * Döner — a type of kebab, made of seasoned meat stacked in the shape of an inverted cone and cooked slowly on a vertical rotisserie. It's then thinly sliced and wrapped in a flat bread. In parts of Europe, it is known as an after-party food.

Drink
You can find cafes with sea views on the waterfront.

Nearby

 * or Issus, 54 km north near Erzin, was an ancient settlement. This was where Alexander the Great had his first victory over the main army of the Persians, and had the gates of Asia wide open to him. The actual ruins, however, are scant; there is a stretch of aqueduct, and a small excavated area of building foundations.
 * is a picnic area with dense pine forests 17 km south, near Müftüler.
 * is a mountain town on the pass of the same name (the ancient Syrian Gates) through the Amanos Mountains on the highway south, 15 km from İskenderun. This is where the major bird migration routes over the Balkans and the Caucasus converge on the way to and from the south, so it's a good spot for birdwatching.
 * (ancient Rhossus or Rhopolis) is a local resort 35 km southwest. The area is predominantly small farms in the rural and mountainous inland and a strip of small groups of summer homes on the coast. The old village (eski köy içi) has a vague Aegean feel, with cobbled alleys, small churches, and the purple flush of bougainvilleas hanging from the white and blue walls of traditional buildings. A winding mountain road through a pine forest heads south, to become a very scenic and well paved coastal road hemmed in by craggy mountains and isolated pebble beaches. This road is accompanied by the longest uninterrupted bike lane in Turkey. It leads to Çevlik near Samandağ where it diverts inland towards Antakya.
 * (ancient Rhossus or Rhopolis) is a local resort 35 km southwest. The area is predominantly small farms in the rural and mountainous inland and a strip of small groups of summer homes on the coast. The old village (eski köy içi) has a vague Aegean feel, with cobbled alleys, small churches, and the purple flush of bougainvilleas hanging from the white and blue walls of traditional buildings. A winding mountain road through a pine forest heads south, to become a very scenic and well paved coastal road hemmed in by craggy mountains and isolated pebble beaches. This road is accompanied by the longest uninterrupted bike lane in Turkey. It leads to Çevlik near Samandağ where it diverts inland towards Antakya.

Go next

 * Antakya south is the provincial capital and is a city of great history and cuisine.
 * Northwards, the highways fork west to Adana, for the rest of Mediterranean Turkey or Cappadocia inland, and east to Osmaniye, for Southeastern Anatolia.

title: Iskenderun


text:
Isla Amantani

Isla Amantáni is an island on the Peruvian side Lake Titicaca. It's a very peaceful place where times seems to have taken a halt a century ago.

Get in
Every morning around 08:30 a boat leaves from Puno. It takes about 4 hours and sometimes there is 10 minute break at the floating island to pick up people.

In the morning there are direct boats from the island back to Puno, but you can also opt for the boat to Isla Taquile, with a few hours break to explore that island as well.

A S/2 (soles) fee is usually charged somewhere during your stay.

Get around
Electricity is not yet integrated in the village, so a torch is handy to get around after dark.

Do
Hike up pachatata or the slightly higher pachamama. Both offer superb views and ancient ruins. On pachatata there is a small museum as well as a temple (closed for public), which is still used for ritual offering. On pachamama there is small ancient tower, climb up for a 360° panorama, and another temple.

Plan on hiking to the pachamama in time to see the sunset; it is a spectacular setting, but as soon as the sun disappears, it can get awfully cool ( even by Canadian standards) so take a jacket. Your hosts will often have typical Peruvian toques to lend you or otherwise you can buy one- they are very cheap.

Another popular activity for tourists is to play a soccer match against the locals. However, due to the altitude the match can be very challenging tourists unless already acclimated.

Eat
There is no restaurant in town, but food is included in the accommodation. There is a small shop selling snacks, candies and the like.

Drink
Every night there is a party, specially organized for the tourist. Locals will lend you their colorful clothes and try to teach you their local dance.

You can buy beer here for S/5-10.

Sleep
About 50 families have accommodation for tourists. To give everyone a fair share of tourist dollars, tourists are assigned to a family on a rotational system. So one does not have much choice where to stay. The accommodations are very basic, but include tasty lunch, dinner and a breakfast. The price is around S/20 per person including food.

title: Isla Amantani


text:
Isla de la Juventud

Isla de la Juventud is an island in Western Cuba.

Understand
You will see the name Isla de Pinos (Isle of Pines) on old maps; this was the island's name until 1978.

Flora and fauna
The large American crocodile and the smaller, endangered Cuban crocodile inhabit the island.

By plane
Cubana de Aviación, from Havana. Reservations are imperative, with at least 5 days in advance. Most Internet sources are outdated, Aerotaxi doesn't fly to Isla de la Juventud anymore.

By boat
Bus from Ciudad de La Habana (Estación Central de Ómnibus) to Batabanó (Habana province, south of the capital): CUP5 for everybody (Astro bus). Go to the small ticket office of the NCC company (hard to find, better ask where it is) in the Estación Central de Ómnibus. You get a reservation for Batabanó (if you pay in CUC, you'll have reserved places so you this reservation is a guarantee to leave) plus a ticket for a right to go on the bus (you pay inside). I'm not sure about the bus leaving hours, but they seem to be in the morning (09:00-12:00?).

The boat ("Kometa" catamaran): No reservations needed to go to the island. Best to buy a ticket with one day in advance for the return (or you'll have to wake up at 05:00 to leave at 12:00). 1 to 2 boats daily, except on Sundays. The trip isn't an experience per se (modern, long, highly cooled air, can't go on deck....)
 * CUC50 for foreigners
 * CUP50 for locals.

No bicycle can be brought on the island. Knives and the such must be checked in (free, secure and minimal loss of time).

Get around
An old Lada with a driver will cost you CUC35-40 a day. There are only 2 official car taxis on the island, the rest are bici-taxis. You can also rent a bicycle by the hour or the day.

Do

 * Beaches, e.g. Playa Paraíso, a nice beach near Nueva Gerona. Poorly managed as of 2006-12 (rotting algae on the beach) but nice sea. There's a key about 1 km away from the beach (Cayo de los Monos) that can be accessed through vigorous swimming. It's also a nice place for sportive diving.
 * Diving
 * Speleology
 * Hiking – Nice 20 min hike to the hills that oversee Nueva Gerona. Physical but nice. Ask for directions to get to the base of a hill (near "la Cueva del Agua") then just go up following trails when you find them. The base of the hill is filled with rubbish heaps but the top and the middle are nearly pristine.

Stay safe
No security problems whatsoever on the island as long as you avoid the military zones.

Important warning on sex:
 * Sex with the underaged is one of the worst offenses a foreigner can commit in Cuba. Ask for I.D. when in doubt.
 * Isla de la Juventud is said to have the highest HIV contamination levels in Cuba. Use condoms (CUP1 in every generalist shop in Nueva Gerona).

Go next
In Nueva Gerona:
 * "Los Rumbos" night-club (CUC1)
 * open dancing area near the Pinero prison boat and the quay (every day of the week after 21:00 or 22:00)
 * the main plaza during week-ends.
 * The movie theater on the plaza (600 places, almost always nearly empty, CUP2).

title: Isla de la Juventud


text:
Isla de la Luna

Isla de la Luna is a tiny, uninhabited island in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. Known for its mythological significance to the Incas.

Get in

 * On a one day boat tour from Copacabana.
 * By renting a boat in Yumani, on the nearby Isla del Sol.

Fees and permits
There is a fee of Bs. 10 for entering the village and seeing the Temple of Fertility. However, strolling along the beach is for free.

Get around
Walking is the only form of transport.

See

 * The ruins of the Temple of the Virgins of a Sun, resembling an amphitheater.

Eat

 * There is a small snack bar and women selling various things at the pier.

Sleep
Camping should be possible.

title: Isla de la Luna


text:
Isla del Sol

Isla del Sol ("Island of the Sun") is the largest island on Lake Titicaca, and part of Bolivian territory. An ancient holy site of the Inca, it's easily reachable from Copacabana.

Cities

 * - A village near the north end of Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. It has a quite basic tourist infrastructure.
 * - Has the best infrastructure on the island, and is where mostly people choose to stay overnight.

Understand
Inca legend says that Viracocha, the bearded god who created the universe, emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca and created the sun at this location.

The son and daughter of Inti were sent out of one of the caves on the island with a golden staff. Manco Cápac took this staff across the water and found Cusco between the mountains. He decided to start his Inca empire there. This of course is according to legend. In reality, Cápac probably lived in the region of Cusco instead.

North-Central dispute
Between 2019-2022, the central and northern portions of the island remain closed to tourists due to an ongoing dispute between the communities of Cha'llapampa, located at the north end of the island, and Cha’lla, located in the center. No tourist boats are permitted to come ashore in Cha'llapampa and overland visitors are turned back at the. As a result, many of the interesting sites such as the Gold Museum, Rock of the Puma, Inca Table, and Footsteps of the Sun are inaccessible.

The dispute originated in early 2017 when tourism huts were built near an archaeological site on the north end of the island. After concerns their proximity jeopardized the preservation of the site were ignored, inhabitants of Cha'llapampa destroyed the buildings. Cha’lla responded by blockading access to Cha'llapampa by both land and water.

The dispute has been, at times, violent, resulting in injuries among local residents and burned boats. In 2018, foreign tourists attempting to dock in Cha'llapampa were attacked and detained until the Navy intervened and returned them to Copacabana.

Get in
There are several service boats running from Copacabana to the Isla del Sol. Boats stop in the southern part near Yumani and then continue to the northern part in Challapampa.

Another boat schedule, probably due to the conflict, is a stop at the Isla de la Luna for 1 hr and a consequent stop at the Isla del Sol near Yumani for 2 hr. The boat ride all together is 7 hr.

There are also numerous tour companies organizing full and half-day excursions, you can make a reservations in one of the numerous agencies in Copacabana. It is recommend to leave your large backpack in a hostel in Copacabana as getting up the Inca steps in Yumani is hard work at a high altitude. The half-day tour is not worth it due to the time you spend on the boat. Also, since only 3 hr of the full-day tour are on solid ground and 4 hr are on the boat, you might instead opt for staying at least one day on the island.

You can get the best rates for the day tour with the boat company (Bs. 20) right before they leave at 08:30. However, it is complicated to find out which boat goes and where is the company. Even guys selling ticket near the pier are just travel agent seeking a commission selling the day tours for Bs. 25-35, like all the booking offices in town. It is probably best to consult the guy that checks the ticket when the people enter the boats—he belongs to the boat company and will give you the best price. Do not let yourself be stress, there is always space on the boat and they will fit as many people as possible onto the boat. Mind the "Andes Amazonia" boat, which seems to be the slowest one around, meaning less time on the island for you. Alternatively, try the "Inti Kala" boat.

You can also charter a boat between Yumani and Yampupata. Bs. 100, non-negotiable (the boatmen are watching each other) at the pier, for up to 7 persons. Lower prices can be had in the village: ask at your hostal. A short stop at Pilko Kaina can be arranged.

Fees and permits
Each passenger entering the island has to pay Bs. 10 when leaving the boat.

Get around
There are no motor vehicles on Isla del Sol. It might be possible to rent a donkey.

See
Unless you're spending the night on the island, your itinerary will be basically determined by the boat tour you arrived on. Frankly, the half-day tour is barely worthwhile as it consists only of a brief stop at the southern end and most of your time will be spent on the boat.

A full-day tour will take two hours to get from Copacabana to Cha'llapampa, two and a half hours to see the museum and make a round trip hike to the Rock of the Puma, three hours to take the boat to Isla de la Luna and back to the Inca Steps at the town of Yumani, and two hours for the ride back to Copacabana. You can also choose to hike from the Rock of the Puma back to Yumani (three hours) and catch the boat from there. (Decide on this when buying tickets, as the boat fare to Isla de la Luna adds just a bit to the cost.)

 * Cha'llapampa, the town on the northern end of the island, is where the boat lets you off. The Gold Museum (Museo de Oro) displays Inca treasures which were discovered underwater off the island in the last decade. The Bs. 5 admission also lets you see the Rock of the Puma. Other than that, the town has a small beach and some dirt roads.
 * The sights on the northern tip are ancient Inca sacred sites. The Rock of the Puma, or Titi Kharka, after which the lake is named, is a large formation that will probably look nothing like a puma until the guide points it out. Your reaction will likely either be "Ah, there it is!" or "That's it?!" A short distance from the rock is the Inca Table, a low platform fashioned of stone. You may just be imagining a red tint on it, but it was supposedly used for human sacrifices. The Footsteps of the Sun nearby are a set of natural (or supernatural?) impressions in rock.
 * From Yumani on the southern part of the island, the Inca Steps descend down to the water. At the bottom is the Fountain of Youth. (Oh, those gullible conquistadors!) The channel of water flowing down the hill should convince you that drinking from it is much more likely to shorten your life than extend it.
 * The Temple of Pilcocaina is a little further south, and is an optional stop for the boat tour. Bs. 5 admission.

Eat
Again, Yumani has the best offerings. Challapampa could be good for lunch if you are coming with the morning boat and staying overnight on the island. Many places in Copacabana will sell you a lunch box, convinient for daytrippers. The few shops around have limited stocks -fruits are mostly bananas and apples. Many eateries charge about Bs. 30 for a dinner.

Yumani is growing fast and already has a lot of tourist facilities. There are some basic alojamientos in Challapampa and Challa. Challapampa in the northern part is much easier to get to, the village is on the beach and the to accommodation are cheaper. The cheapest hospedajes start at about US$2 per night. At those prices expect basic conditions, everything is pretty clean and decent though. Camping should be possible in Challapampa.

Sleep
Most basic lodgings now charge Bs. 25-30 pp with shared bath and breakfast extra.
 * Hostal Templo del Sol. (Yumani) It's in an uninviting building at the top of the town, but it has excellent views of the lake and the Cordillera Real. Rooms are basic. The shared bathroom has an electrical heated shower. The price is Bs. 15 per person.

Cope
Isla del Sol might be a nice destination, if you have never seen an island in a lake, like in Greece. However, considering the number of tourists shoved in here every day, the locals demanding Bs. 10 from each and watching the tourist arrive, as well as the numerous pizzerias on the island leave doubts about the authenticity of this place. Yes, it is quiet and nice. But is it really worth the trip? Maybe Copacabana, its hills and its trails are already sufficient enough to get a feeling for the area and lay back.

Go next

 * Isla de la Luna is easiest visited from Yumani, by renting a boat. However, regular tours and boats also go to the island.

title: Isla del Sol


text:
Isla de Ometepe

Isla de Ometepe's name is derived from the Nahuatl words ome (two) and tepetl (mountain), meaning two mountains. An island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua, Ometepe is one of the country's must-see places. This island composed of twin volcanoes provides a remote escape in the middle of Lago de Nicaragua - a tourist slogan often found on T-shirts for the island is "oasis of peace". There are two towns (Moyogalpa and Altagracia) along with a few smaller settlements on the island, along with a number of small coffee plantations.

Cities

 * San Ramón. Sleepy little town on the water with a couple hospedajes/comedores. Nice view of the lake and starting place for hiking to the waterfall.
 * San Ramón. Sleepy little town on the water with a couple hospedajes/comedores. Nice view of the lake and starting place for hiking to the waterfall.
 * San Ramón. Sleepy little town on the water with a couple hospedajes/comedores. Nice view of the lake and starting place for hiking to the waterfall.
 * San Ramón. Sleepy little town on the water with a couple hospedajes/comedores. Nice view of the lake and starting place for hiking to the waterfall.
 * San Ramón. Sleepy little town on the water with a couple hospedajes/comedores. Nice view of the lake and starting place for hiking to the waterfall.

Other destinations

 * Reserva Charco Verde, a nature reserve with abundant wildlife on the southern part of the island, where you can swim, hike and kayak.
 * Santo Domingo Beach, the only sand beach easily accessible on the eastern side of the island. During the rainy season, the lake rises and the beach can disappear for several months.
 * San Ramon Waterfall, natural fresh waterfall inland that is easily accessible by trail via a 3-hour hike. Best viewed during the rainy season; ask before you go if there is water.
 * El Ceibo museum, a privately owned collection of pre-Columbian artifacts discovered on an old tobacco plantation on the island. The museum includes the country's largest currency collection as of 2012.
 * Punta Jesus Maria a beach on the Concepcion side of the island best accessed by bike. In the dry season, a long sandy headland stretches out into the lake. During the rainy season, it is mostly covered with water. Popular with locals as well
 * Ojo de Agua

Understand
One of its volcanoes active (Concepcion) one of them dormant (Maderas) Ometepe is a sight to behold already when coming in by ferry. Inhabitants like to call the island "oasis of peace" as it has been left largely unscathed by the violent conflicts of Nicaragua's younger history and lying at one of the black volcanic beaches or listening to howler monkeys during the strenuous ascent up one of the two volcanoes you might very well feel peaceful and forget whatever may exist outside this oasis. While it is definitely not a party destination there is hardly anything else you can't do on the island and even though it is not the well kept secret it once was the tourists quickly spread out over the island once you leave the ferry leaving the island mostly to you and your plans.

By boat
You can get to the islands main port (Moyogalpa; ), or a smaller new port at San Jose del Sur by boat or ferry from San Jorge near Rivas for about US$2-3. There are two ferries - one that carries cars, costs C$70 (Feb 2014), is quite comfortable and leaves on a set schedule, and another ferry that is smaller, cheaper, and appears to leave when full. There is also a tourist tax of C$36/USD$1 to pay on departure from mainland. (Mar 2023) There are plenty of hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the ferry. Buses pick you up and drop you off at terminal. Taxis are also present.

(**As of 3/2021 the ferry from Granada to Altagrecia is not running**) On Monday and Thursday, a ferry leaves Granada around 2 pm and arrives to the port of Altagracia  (4 hours) for C$104 (first class) second class (Nicaraguan nationals only): C$46. On Tuesday and Friday there is a ferry coming from San Carlos stopping in San Miguelito and Morrito to the Island (12 hr ride) for C$161(first class) second class (Nicaraguan nationals only): C$63. For more see the national port administration's website. Your bags will be searched and you have to present your passport to buy a ticket, so be at the port well before departure. If you arrive from San Carlos it will be after sundown and the port is about 2 km out of town. Take a taxi or arrange transport with your hotel.

The crossing is not always smooth: the ferry can get thrown around quite a lot. If you sit indoors on the boat, be aware that water splashes in through the windows, even when they are closed so you may get a little wet if sitting by the window

By plane
A small airport has been opened in 2014 just outside of Moyogalpa, with flights to/from Managua, San Juan del Norte and San Carlos twice a week. For more details check with the domestic airline's website.

Road network
Whichever mode of transportation you plan to use, it is helpful to understand the island's road configuration. As the island has the shape of a figure 8, so does its road network; it consists of the following main parts:
 * A loop around Volcán Concepción, connecting the island's main towns (Moyogalpa, San José del Sur, El Quinto, Altagracia, La Flor. It is known officially as National Highway 64; as of 2016, about 3/4 of it is paved, the unpaved section being in the north (Altagracia to La Flor)
 * A loop around Volcán Maderas, connecting Santa Cruz, Balgue, Tichana, San Ramon, and Merida. The only paved section is about 3 km long, in the loop's NW part, from Santa Cruz to Balgue; the rest is a dirt road, much of it in very rough condition, with big stones here and there. This is known as provincial road N226.
 * The connector between the two loop, from El Quinto (on the Concepción loop, south of Altagracia), along Santo Domingo Beach, to Santa Cruz (on the Maderas loop). It is paved, and is officially part of N226.
 * Short connector roads, usually unpaved, from the  Concepción loop to various lakeside villages and beaches.

The above means that by now most of the island's hotels and hostels are near a paved road, with the exception of those on the Maderas' west side (in Mérida and San Ramon). (The south-eastern half of Maderas, between Balgues and San Ramon, has no tourist accommodations, perhaps exactly due to the difficult road access).

The unpaved roads may have very short (20-50 m) paved sections at the steepest grades.

As of early 2016, the map at the Hacienda Merida's site is still up-to-date as to the location of paved roads.

By bus
Very slow local buses run to most villages on the island. Service is relatively frequent between Moyogalpa and Altagracia (roughly every hour), less so to Balgue and Merida (three or four per day).

You can easily flag down a passing bus for a ride; however, the infrequent schedule might make this impractical.

By taxi
Taxis meet all the ferries (in fact, the drivers want you to use their services almost immediately once you step of the boat) but apart from that, it is hard to find one. They also tend to be more expensive than on the mainland.

By motorcycle
For travelers with a more liberal budget, renting a motorcycle can be a fun and liberating way to explore the island on your own. There are a few rental outfits in Moyagalpa, and one small operation along the road through Santo Domingo. The best motorbikes and service on the island likely come from an operation run by a guy named Robinson ( robinson170884@gmail.com) He speaks perfect English and is very easy to work with. US$25 for a motorbike rented out of Moyagalpa and returned to their shop by 18:00 that day. US$40 for 24 hours. Also, Robinson will deliver a motorbike as far away as Little Morgan's, outside of Santa Cruz, then come and pick the bike up by 18:00 the same evening. US$40 for a bike delivered to your hostel. Or, you can ask him to bring bungee cords with the bike, then tie your bags down at the end of the day and drive yourself back to Moyagalpa for the ferry the next morning. A superb way to get around on a transportationally challenged island.

Word of caution when dealing with Robinson, he has been known to refuse to give back your full deposit or charge you an exorbitant cost to fix a seemingly minute repair ($5 for a scrape on a bicycle sticker, $65 for perforated tire). There are now dozens of other motorcycle rental locations in Moyogalpa who are far more reasonable business owners.

By bicycle
There are plenty of bicycle rental shops on the island that rent by the hour (C$20), day (US$5-7, as of 2016) or week. It is a good way to get to many of the beaches and places like Ojo de Agua, which are too far to walk to and impractical to reach (and get back from) by bus.

See the "Road Network" section above for the conditions of the roads. Most of the road around Volcan Maderas is in very rough shape. It's not recommended to try to cycle around it, although you could ride a motorcycle reasonably easily.

If you have your own bicycle, it is possible to bring it over on a ferry for a nominal fee (as of 2016, around C$10 paid to enter the dock at San Jorge, plus C$20 fee paid on the ferry). Since bicycles are commonly used as a means of transportation by the islanders (despite the awful quality of the roads in the Maderas half of the island!), small bicycle repair shops exist in several towns. Bicycle spare parts (tires, inner tubes, etc.) are available in some general store in several towns as well.

On foot
While it may seem like a great idea when looking at a map and the towns on the island are definitely walkable, outside of the towns almost everything is too far to walk for all but the most dedicated. That being said, if you can cope with the heat and the distances (bring plenty of water) you can walk some places.

See
Views of the volcanoes as well as sunsets are worth taking a picture or three dozen.
 * There's an island museum in Altagracia with texts mostly in Spanish; good option to kill time waiting for the ferry if nothing else

Do

Options on the island include:

 * Hike to the top of Volcan Concepcion (~ 8 hours return, strenuous, guide mandatory)
 * Hike to the 1000m look-out point of Volcan Concepcion (~ 6 hours return, moderate, guide mandatory)
 * Hike to the top of Volcan Maderas to a crater lake (~ 6 hours return, less strenuous)
 * Hike to 80-m San Ramon waterfall on the south side of Maderas (several hours return from Merida)
 * See petroglyphs at the village of Finca El Porvenir
 * Go horseback riding
 * Rent a bicycle and explore the island on your own (actually one of the fastest and most comfortable ways around the island as most things out of cities are not walkable for anybody but Marathon runners, and buses and taxis are slow and seldom to be found)
 * Rent a motorbike and explore the island on your own
 * Go fishing
 * Hike the trails from the park entrance center on the road from Altagracia (just before you enter Santa Cruz)
 * Hire a kayak and explore the lake and one or two of the rivers. Be aware of the strong western wind (trade wind) and concomitant waves, which are likely to be encountered everywhere outside of the sheltered areas (such as the western side of Maderas, around Mérida, sheltered by the volcano's cone).
 * Go swimming in the fresh water
 * Trails are generally unmarked and the terrain is rough. Local guides are inexpensive, good.
 * If off hiking on your own be aware that many trails are actually being used by locals as a means to work their bean fields,The same beans that are served in the local staple of beans and rice, These beans are of a low growing variety and are barely visibly so please stay on trails so as not to damage their crops.
 * The island is very large and to go by bicycle around one volcano in one day is very challenging but possible, getting around both volcanoes by motorbike in one day is a little easier but still difficult.

Groceries
Outside of Moyogalpa and Altagracia, most of the island's villages only have tiny grocery stores (more like kiosks), often selling fairly strange assortments of things (e.g. shoes and bananas). While the locals grow all kinds of produce for their own needs, only a small fraction of it is offered for sale at shops and kiosks, as most families have their own produce and don't need to buy it for cash.

Two local products that you can enjoy with your picnic lunch are plantains (platanos; bigger and tastier than regular bananas; ripe when yellow) and passion fruit (which are more commonly known in Nicaragua as calala, rather than maracuya; great by themselves, or with ice cream). Platanos are also eaten deep fried while still green. In that case their taste is similar to fries. Some other fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and oranges, are also commonly available. Tasty mangoes are grown in the island too (e.g., Mérida's main street is lined with majestic mango trees; you can see residents obtaining some fruit by hurling stones at them), but are rarely sold; the same is the case with the star fruit (carambola). Small tasty lemons and tamarind fruits can often be found scattered under the trees on your hotel or campground property.

Grocery stores usually have fairly fresh bread of several kinds (apparently shipped by truck on a ferry from the mainland daily), cookies, as well as cheese (queso or cuajada), which resembles rather oversalted feta cheese. (While there is often a fridge in the store, most shoppers would not have a fridge at home, and salt serves as a preservative). Cheese that is more akin to North American or European variants is known as "queso amarillo" (yellow cheese) and surprisingly hard to get on the island.

Sleep
Note: For hotels within the urban areas of Moyogalpa and Altagracia, see the respective articles.

 * Hostal Ibesa Owned and operated by a friendly and helpful local family, shared room US$3 per person, your own private room US$4, there is also a dorm room which may be even cheaper, very clean and comfortable (prices in 2008), laundry service.
 * Puesta del sol. The community association invites you to come share the rural lifestyle of 16 families in the community of la Paloma, 1.5 km away from Moyogalpa. You will be able to practice Spanish and if you want to, protect environment and help them in their projects.
 * Hotel Bahia, Primary a restaurant, it also has two rooms in the back after the open fire kitchen. Private with a bathroom with a shower, no sink and a toilet with cushioned seat for US$7.
 * Puesta del sol. The community association invites you to come share the rural lifestyle of 16 families in the community of la Paloma, 1.5 km away from Moyogalpa. You will be able to practice Spanish and if you want to, protect environment and help them in their projects.
 * Hotel Bahia, Primary a restaurant, it also has two rooms in the back after the open fire kitchen. Private with a bathroom with a shower, no sink and a toilet with cushioned seat for US$7.
 * Puesta del sol. The community association invites you to come share the rural lifestyle of 16 families in the community of la Paloma, 1.5 km away from Moyogalpa. You will be able to practice Spanish and if you want to, protect environment and help them in their projects.
 * Hotel Bahia, Primary a restaurant, it also has two rooms in the back after the open fire kitchen. Private with a bathroom with a shower, no sink and a toilet with cushioned seat for US$7.
 * Hotel Bahia, Primary a restaurant, it also has two rooms in the back after the open fire kitchen. Private with a bathroom with a shower, no sink and a toilet with cushioned seat for US$7.

Stay safe

 * The trails are not marked so if you don't know the island, it is best to hire a guide. They are usually cheap and can give you so much help. Many people have gotten lost climbing the volcanoes and the trails are small. There are no services and help is hard to come by when climbing one of the mountains, so bring what you need before hand.
 * Thanks to the fact that it's an island which is kind of easy to check traffic of persons it is, in comparison to the rest of Nicaragua, pretty safe.
 * Minor annoyance such as kids begging for money may happen, but in a day, many locals will greet you and are happy to help you.
 * As in much of rural Central America, semi-feral dogs (or, if you wish, "free-range dogs") hang out around most tourist establishments. The property owners would neither kill them nor take charge of them in the European sense of the word (as in, keeping them indoors, in a fenced area, or on a chain). They rarely attack adult guests, and don't even bark much during the day; but if you eat outdoors, the dogs will congregate around you and watch you eat. Hotel owners advise guests not to feed these dogs; if you are camping, make sure to put your food supplies at a location not accessible to dogs (e.g., in a bag hanging from a tree).
 * Some locals report that there is some danger when climbing the top of Concepcion because of the activity that exist in the top. It is important to take a guide and make sure that if you notice anything suspicious, get away.
 * Climbing Concepcion without a guide is illegal. Make sure to bring plenty of water (more than 2 liters) if you climb it. Good shoes go without saying.

Go next

 * San Jorge, Rivas and southwestern Nicaragua.
 * San Carlos with the twice weekly ferry from Altagracia; from there you can go on exploring the Rio San Juan.
 * San Juan del Sur, a surfing paradise, easily accessible by bus
 * Granada, a colonial city on the lake. Take the ferry to San Jorge, get on a Managua express bus (C$70) and ask to be left at the "Empalme para Granada" (intersection of road to Granada) to catch the Granada bus (C$20).

Costa Rica

 * San José (Costa_Rica) - the capital is a bus ride away from Rivas. During the border crossing, it is common for a bus driver to collect all passengers passports and handle immigration for you. This can be a little alarming to those unfamiliar with the border crossing.

title: Isla de Ometepe


text:
Isla Gorgona

Isla Gorgona is a Pacific Ocean island of Colombia, 35 km from the mainland.

Understand
Parque Nacional Natural Isla Gorgona is a small island 35 km off the Colombian Pacific Coast. There are 2 main islands (Gorgona and Gorgonilla) and 2 tiny rocky keys. The main island of Gorgona is around 26 km2 in area. There are no permanent residents on the island.

History

Spanish conquerors visited the island for periods of time from the 15th to the 18th century. Simon Bolivar, liberator of Colombia, gave the island as to an English army man who helped with the local war of independence against Spain. The island was retained by his descendants until the mid-20th century when the country claimed back the territory (by law, all islands belong to the central government).

It was a prison island from 1960 until 1984 when the prison was closed and the island became a national park. The ancient houses of the personnel working at the prison were remodeled and reconverted into a research centre, comfortable accommodation and a restaurant. Since 1985 exuberant rainforest populated again the island. A section of the old prison can be still visited. In the 21st century a concession was given to a tourist company to run a private and secluded hotel.

Flora and fauna
The island is covered with tropical forest, which includes 46 species of reptile, 18 of these snakes, bats, sloths, monkeys, tortoises, and the abundant marine life in its waters which can be seen snorkeling from the beach or diving.

The ocean is roamed by sea turtles, whales, whalesharks, whitetip sharks and a lot of other fish species.

From mid-June till November is whale season. Male humpback whales can be seen breaching while the females and their offspring come close to the island at the surface to breath.

Climate
Warm and wet.

Get in
The only way to get there is by boats, which leave from three places on the mainland.

From Buenaventura
There are several ways to get to the island by boat from Buenaventura: cargo ships, dive boats, and launches.

The cargo ships typically leave from the Muelle el Piñal in the afternoon (4PM-6PM) and are headed south towards Satinga.
 * Bodega Lizcano (Muelle el Piñal), +57 2 244-6106, has overcrowded cargoboats shipping food and wood to the southern part of the country. If there are enough passengers it makes the de-tour to the island. The one-way fair is COP$80,000. It leaves at 4PM (but is usually late) and takes 10 hours. Reserve early.
 * M/N Discovery, +57 2 244-6021, +57 2 243-9540, tight cabins, and cargo destined for (bocas de) Satinga. COP$90,000 per person, but you !ay be able to negotiate COP$150,000 for two.

There are other cargo ships at the Muelle el Piñal- tell the locals there you want to go to Gorgona and they will take you to whichever ship happens to be leaving that day (if any).

Launches are faster boats that take 4 hours. Boats can be arranged through Aviatur, or you can arrange it yourself.
 * Embarcaciones de Turismo "Asturias", +57 2 242-4620, +57 2 241-5370. Reservations can be made on +57 2 242-4521 or +57 2 241-2738. Boats leave from Muelle Turistico' and the price is about COP$200,000 two ways.
 * Pacifico Express, it has a speedboat for groups of at least 10 persons. it takes 4~5 hours and the cost is about COP$80,000 per person. For info and reservations contact the office in Cali (Centro commercial passeo de la 5a of. 225, +57 2 554-8142) or in Buenaventura +57 2 241-6507.

You can also arrange for a live-aboard dive boat to take you to the islands. There are at least three different boats that visit the islands (depending on the season). They are typically weekend trips leaving from Buenaventura at 6PM Fridays, and returning 6AM Monday morning, with approximately 6-7 dives around the island, visits to the islands sights, and are all inclusive of meals and park entry fees. These trips are about COP$890,000, and can be arranged through the various dive shops in Cali and Buenaventura.

From Guapi
This is the shorter boat trip, about 2 hours. Guapi is only accessible by air. Aerolíneas Satena has flights from Cali. Contact them in Cali +57 2 885-7709 or in Guapi +57 2 840-0547, +57 2 840-0313

Several companies have boats with a maximum capacity of 10 people. The price is between COP$350,000 and COP$500,000 for the 2-hour trip. Here is a list of contacts.

 * Ruber Aguiño: +57 2 840-0329, +57 2 840-0208, +57 2 840-0004
 * Santiago Aguiño: +57 2 840-0974, +57 2 840-0313
 * Adolfo Aguiño: +57 2 840-0501, +57 2 840-0499
 * Plutarco Grueso - Rafael Grueso: +57 2 840-0208, +57 2 840-0137, +57 2 840-0150
 * Rubén Antonio Montaño: +57 2 840-0502
 * Juan Antonio Estupiñan: +57 2 840-0196, cell +57 314 747-9604
 * Pacífico Express: Guapi +57 2 840-0960, Buenaventura +57 2 241-6507, Cali +57 2 554-8142

From El Charco
Taxi de Carga +57 2 666-3042 has flights from Cali.

Contact Dagobert Paredes (in El Charco +57 2 747-0177, +57 2 747-0091, or in Cali +57 2 315-5605 ) for boats to the island. The capacity is 15 to 20 persons and cost COP$500,000 one-way.

If your boat out of the island doesn't show up, you get a free night on the island.

It is not allowed to bring alcohol to the island. Bags are sometimes checked on entrance. Confiscated goods will be returned at your departure. On departure bags are sometimes checked for corals or endangered animal species.

Fees
The entrance to the park is COP$31,000 and has to be paid in advanced together with the cost of accommodation. Aviatur has the concession for Isla Gorgona. You can get your entry fee at any Aviatur location (there is one in Buenaventura, as well as locations in Cali, +57 2 664 5050

Get around
Access to the park is restricted. You're only allowed without a guide on the area, called El Poblado between the accommodations and the dive shop. With a (free) guide it is possible to visit the former prison area and the one trail leading to the other side of the island.

See

Tour around part of the old prison located on the island. Until 1984, the island had been a maximum security prison designed for 1,500 but holding up to 2,000 prisoners. Conditions were appalling, with rooms for torture including one, the " bottle" where the victim was forced to stand for days in the impossibly tiny cell not more than 60 cm (2 feet) wide, with a central hole as a toilet & meager rations dropped in from above.

Do

 * Diving is the main reason people visit this island. There is one dive shop. The prices are low and the equipment is what you expect for that price. The dive sites are amazing and it is likely you see seaturtles, moreens and whitefin sharks. If you are really lucky you might see a whale or a whaleshark. It's possible to do a PADI open water or a PADI advance courses.
 * Watch humpback whales: around 1,200 humpback whales are expected to arrive every June - July in the Pacific ocean waters of Isla Gorgona, Utria and Sanquianga National Parks. A small number of lucky tourists get to see this spectacle every year. The whales spend the summer months feeding in polar waters and head to tropical waters in winter for mating and calving, traveling more than 15,000 km. They are black, grey and white, can grow up to 18 m long and weigh up to 40 tons.
 * Liveaboard diving is another way to explore this very unknown diving destinations. Colombia Dive Adventures offers 4 nights trips from Buenaventura.

Buy
There is a small souvenir shop. However, take everything you need with you.

Eat
There is only one restaurant. The meals are good, but prepare for lots of seafood and rice. Three meals included in the accommodation cost (see budget section).

Drink
As a national park, alcohol is not permitted in the island.

Sleep

There is only one hotel in the island. Accommodations are comfortable for a secluded and tropical island, prices are fair for what you get.

Cope
Vaccination against yellow fever, tetanus and hepatitus B is recommended.

There are several species of poisonous snakes on the island. Walking to playa Blanca and further is only allowed with guide and rubber boots (you can rent them at restaurant for COP$7,000). After 5PM, it's advisable to wear rubber boots and use torches. The hotel is well designed to avoid snakes and every tour guide will teach you simple rules to be safe at all times. No snake bites have been reported since the hotel opened 5 years ago.

title: Isla Gorgona


text:
Islamabad

A modern planned city that is well-maintained and well-organised,  Islamabad (Urdu: اسلام آباد) is Pakistan's clean, calm, and green capital. Founded in the 1960s, it attracts people from all over Pakistan, and hosts a large number of diplomats, politicians and government employees, making it one of the nation's most cosmopolitan and urbanized cities. Although it is only the country's ninth largest city, its metropolitan area (encompassing the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi) is the country's third largest conurbation, with a population of over 4.5 million. Lying on the Pothohar Plateau in the north-east, within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), it is regarded as the most developed city in Pakistan.

Understand
Although the majority of the population in Islamabad traditionally have been employees of the Federal Government, the wealth of the Musharraf years fuelled a boom in Islamabad and it has become an important financial and business centre. In the last decade there have been vast changes in the city's traditional reputation. From it being a typical 9-to-5 city, Islamabad has become more lively with many new restaurants and hotels springing up to service this new wealth. A lot of international food chains have opened, and generally a great improvement in night life with increasing shopping areas opening till late. However, during winter season streets are considerably quiet after dark.

Even now, Islamabad remains a city where people come from all over the country to enjoy its peaceful, noise-free atmosphere with a lot of greenery and nice surrounding scenery. It also serves as a base camp for people from the south and coastal areas like Karachi, visiting relatively lush valleys such as Swat and Kaghan together with northern areas like Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral in the Himalayas mountains.

Zones and sectors
ICT covers an area of 1,165.5 km2 (450 mi2), and 906 km2 (349.8 mi2) of that is Islamabad proper, which is divided into five zones:
 * Zone I – Consists mainly of all the developed residential sectors.
 * Zone II – Consists of the under-developed residential sectors.
 * Zone III – Consists primarily of the Margalla Hills and Margalla Hills National Park. Rawal Lake is also in this zone.
 * Zone IV – The largest in area. Contains a portion of the Islamabad park, along with some rural areas.
 * Zone V – Consists of the other portion of the Islamabad park, and also some rural areas.

Travellers will soon notice that Zones 1 and 2 are laid out on a grid system comprising sectors. Each sector is identified by a letter of the alphabet and a number, and covers an area of approximately 2 × 2 km (unless it is crosscut by another zone's boundary). Each sector is subdivided into four numbered sub-sectors (e.g. E-7/1, E-7/2, E-7/3, and E-7/4). The sectors are lettered alphabetically A–I and numbered 5–17. There are no sectors numbered 1–4, as the area to the northeast that would otherwise have contained such sectors is not subject to the sector scheme (it also encompasses northeastern "halves" of G-5 and F-5, i.e. what would have been G-5/3, G-5/4, F-5/3, and F-5/4). The following are some of the best-known sectors:
 * E-7, F-5, F-6, F-7, G-5, G-6, and G-7 are the oldest sectors. F6 and F7 are where most of the action happens, and may be the most desirable option for accommodation, as they are generally posh areas with all the necessary facilities close by. However, the number of government institutions, embassies, and powerful Pakistanis' dwellings in and around these areas also mean a lot of security, concrete barriers, and boom gates, that are fortunately largely absent elsewhere.
 * E-8 and E-9 are occupied by military housing complexes and are effectively out-of-bounds to travellers.
 * F-8, F-10, F-11, G-10, G-11, and I-8 are where the 'new money' has been invested.
 * G-7, G-8, and G-9 are poorer areas where the city planners wanted the cleaners and office clerks to live. But these areas tend to be the only cultured areas in the city – here you would find a common Pakistani rather than a common Islamabadi.

History
The city of Islamabad is on the Pothohar Plateau which is one of the earliest known sites of human settlement in Asia. Some of the earliest Stone Age artifacts in the world have been found on the plateau, dating from 500,000 to one million years ago. The crude stones recovered from the terraces of the Soan River testify to the endeavours of early man in the inter-glacial period. Items of pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory have been found in several areas.

Limited excavations have confirmed evidence of prehistoric cultures. Relics and human skulls have been found dating back to 5000 BCE that show this region was home to Neolithic man, who roamed the banks of the Soan River. During the Neolithic, people developed small communities in the region around 3000 BCE. At one end of the Indus Valley Civilization, the area was an early habitation of the Aryan community in Central Asia. Their civilization flourished here between the 23rd and 18th centuries BCE. Many great armies - such as those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Timur and Ahmad Shah Durrani - used the corridor through the region on their way to invade the Indian Subcontinent. A Buddhist town once existed in the region and remains of a stupa have been identified in the G-12 sector. Modern Islamabad also incorporates the old settlement of Saidpur. The British took control of the region from the Sikhs in 1849 and built Asia's largest cantonment in the region in Rawalpindi.

When Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Karachi becomes its first capital. In 1960, Islamabad was constructed as a forward capital for several reasons. Traditionally, development in Pakistan was focused on the colonial centre of Karachi, and President Ayub Khan wanted it equally distributed. Moreover, Karachi having tropical weather conditions, was at one end of the country, making it vulnerable to attacks from the Arabian Sea. Pakistan need a capital that was easily accessible from all parts of the country was needed. Karachi, a business centre, was also considered unsuitable partly because of intervention of business interests in government affairs. The newly selected location of Islamabad was closer to the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the disputed territory of Kashmir in the north.

In 1958, a commission was constituted to select a suitable site for the national capital with particular emphasis on location, climate, logistics, and defence requirements along with other attributes. After extensive study, research, and a thorough review of potential sites, the commission recommended the area northeast of Rawalpindi in 1959. A Greek firm of architects, Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis, designed the master plan of the city, based on a grid plan and triangular shape with its apex towards the Margalla Hills. The capital was not moved directly from Karachi to Islamabad; it was first shifted temporarily to Rawalpindi in the early 1960s and then to Islamabad when the essential development work was completed in 1966.

Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it one of the most cosmopolitan and urbanised areas of Pakistan. As the capital city it has hosted a number of important meetings, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit. In October 2005, the city suffered some damage due to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake having a magnitude of 7.6. Islamabad has experienced a series of terrorist incidents including the July 2007 Siege of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), the June 2008 Danish embassy bombing, and the September 2008 Marriott bombing. In 2011, four terrorism incidents occurred in the city, killing four people, including the murder of the then Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. Tragic air crashes also took place here: on 28 July 2010, Airblue Flight 202 crashed in the Margalla Hills killing all 152 flight crew and passengers on board and Bhoja Air Flight 213 carrying 121 passengers crashed while making the final approach for landing, killing all on board on 20 April 2012.

Today, Islamabad is considered by some as one of the most extensively and successfully planned cities in South Asia. The city is home to many migrants from other regions of Pakistan and has a modern culture that is not so dissimilar to other internationalised cities.

Climate
The climate of Islamabad has a typical version of humid subtropical climate, with five seasons: Winter (November–February), Spring (March and April), Summer (May and June), Rainy Monsoon (July and August) and Autumn (September and October). The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed 38°C (100.4°F). Wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls and evening thunderstorms with the possibility of cloudburst and flooding. Coolest Month is January. Islamabad's micro-climate is regulated by three artificial reservoirs: Rawal, Simli, and Khanpur Dam. Winters generally feature dense fog in the mornings and sunny afternoons. In the city, temperatures stay mild, with snowfall over the higher elevations points on nearby hill stations, notably Murree and Nathia Gali. The temperatures range from 13°C (55°F) in January to 38°C (100 °F) in June. The highest recorded temperature was 46.6°C (115.9°F) on 23 June 2005 while the lowest temperature was −6°C (21.2°F) on 17 January 1967. The city has recorded snowfall.

By bus

 * Niazi Express, Skyways and Daewoo Sammi are some of the nicer long-haul operators. Skyways offer some direct services to/from Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. Daewoo has its own terminal on the road from Islamabad just outside Rawalpindi. The majority of buses arrive and depart from Rawalpindi, a few kilometers and a 45-minute taxi ride from Islamabad. It's best to book Daewoo by phone in advance if possible. They serve Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Murree, Sialkot, Abottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Multan.

By train
Despite Islamabad have its railway station in sector I-9, majority travel through the railway station in the neighbouring city Rawalpindi, which is a major railway station and has good railway connections with various major cities including Karachi, Lahore & Peshawar.

Pakistan Railways premium Green Line service between Islamabad and Karachi offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast, newspaper among other basic facilities to its passengers. The train is air-conditioned and has few stops along the route such as Hyderabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Tickets on this route are more expensive compared to other trains.

By taxi
Taxis in Islamabad are abundant, popular and generally safe. Cost is around Rs 50-60 per sector travelled, depending on your bargaining skills. Prices will be higher at night, especially departing from places like Jinnah Super (F-7). It is always advisable to agree the fare before travelling.

However, most of the people prefer using Careem or InDrive, as ride-sharing is one of the cheaper means of transportation. The cheapest way to travel is through calling Careem Bike.

By car
Car hire is also a good way of getting around. Although road signs and directions are only available on main roads, the city's grid and numbering system make it relatively easy to find your way around. There are various car hire companies in Blue Area F-6 and also in G-8 Markaz where cars can be hired with drivers. Most major hotels have their own car hire services and are relatively cheap. A tip to the driver at the end of the booking period is always appreciated but not mandatory.

By bus
The city has implemented two bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.

Other

Travellers may also be interested in the Federal Government offices, Parliament House, the official residences of the President and Prime Minister; together with the Diplomatic Enclave – an area next to the Parliament House dedicated to foreign embassies and missions appointed to Pakistan.

Do
The Margalla Hills are effectively foothills of the Himalayas – and are very easily accessible from Islamabad. However these are quite big, steep hills, and shouldn't be underestimated – if you are planning on a walk up to the top of the first ridge (i.e. where the shuttered Monal restaurant is) then sturdy footwear, a large water bottle, and a change of t-shirt are necessary (good chance you'll be drenched in sweat by the time you get to the top). Between March and November it is best to start walking in the early morning (before 7:30AM, or 6:30AM in the height of summer) as it is uncomfortably hot during the day.

Go karting - F1 Traxx - Lake View Park (Rawal Lake) - there is another track in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi

Climbing - there is a climbing wall in Rawal Lake's Lake View Park

Para Gliding – at Margalla Hills. The Pakistan Adventure Foundation is the place to call, reservations are recommended.

Cycling – Mountain biking is fast becoming a much-loved activity because of the weather and the terrain. If you're in the mood for some adventurous cycling down one of Islamabad's beautifully scenic bike trails, get your bike ready. Information can again be had from the ASG's hiking publication. Cheap bikes can be purchased for Rs 6,000-10,000 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Alternatively you can hire decent quality bikes from K2Riders - based in F8/2.

Buy
Each sector having its own central shopping area (or markaz) where all local amenities are found. Some of the more popular markazes are the F6 Markaz (aka Supermarket) F7 Markaz (aka Jinnah Market), G6 Markaz (aka Melody Park), G9 Markaz (aka Karachi Company) and so on. There isn't much going on in the markets of F8, G7 an G8 that would interest the tourist. Each markaz has its own peculiarities and each one is worth visiting individually. However most things are catered for in each markaz, i.e. clothing, shoes, fast food etc. There's always a real buzz in the evenings when all the shoppers come out, particularly in the run up to Eid.

 * 7th Avenue, at Jinnah Super Market (F7 Markaz), has large selection of western food products.
 * Super Market (F6 Markaz)
 * Handicrafts: the Capital Development Authority has established a handicrafts village near super market, where small stalls with handicrafts from around the country are available. You should be able to walk from there to Mahraja (next to united Bakery) and find plenty of other stores much larger and with a much better collection of handicrafts and traditional items. This is a must-visit for all first time visitors and a useful stop for quick gift items for people back home. A good present for the ladies is Pashmina shawls or wraps, which can cost between US$15 and $700. Remember to bargain, you will be charged Gora price.
 * Art See above. Some of the places to visit are The National Art Gallery and Nomad Art Gallery.
 * Haroons, a place to shop for gifts and women accessories. In Super Market.
 * Saeed Book Bank is the largest book store in the city, in the F-7 Markaz. A wide variety, from old books of local interest ("The Story of the Malakand Field Force" by Churchill, for instance) to modern best-sellers. Plenty about geopolitics and war in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well.
 * Furniture: There are places selling antique or new furniture made from antique wood pieces, such as Wood Heritage, Pak Turk, and another small but packed one in E-7.
 * Furniture: There are places selling antique or new furniture made from antique wood pieces, such as Wood Heritage, Pak Turk, and another small but packed one in E-7.

Shopping malls

 * Centaurus Mega Mall: Multiplex to food court.
 * World Trade Centre/Giga Mall: A big shopping centre with many handicraft stores build by WTO.
 * AL-Taqwa Mall: Good shopping mall with food court and playland.
 * Gold Crest Grand Mall and Residency
 * Safa Gold Mall.

Foreign currency exchange is easily available from F-6 Blue Area where there are hundreds of offices. Check with a few of them before going ahead with it.

Eat
At first glance the visitor may feel that Islamabad offers little to excite the taste-buds, however beneath the surface there is a thriving restaurant scene. There are many typical dhabbas (small restaurants) which offer traditional food. Many of the better restaurants are away from the main markets of F6 and F7. Most do not serve alcohol, but some allow you to bring your own. Call ahead to ask.

For ease of use restaurants are organised by sector:

F-7

 * Hot Spot, One of the few places that Islamabad can claim as theirs first. F-7/3 (Gol Market) also offers a great ice-cream place. Though the menu has expanded from just ice-cream to milkshakes, pies, sandwiches and plenty more, the place still has the feel of an ice-cream joint. With a unique, rather artistic decor, Hot Spot is a must visit for any first time traveller to Islamabad.
 * Hot Spot, One of the few places that Islamabad can claim as theirs first. F-7/3 (Gol Market) also offers a great ice-cream place. Though the menu has expanded from just ice-cream to milkshakes, pies, sandwiches and plenty more, the place still has the feel of an ice-cream joint. With a unique, rather artistic decor, Hot Spot is a must visit for any first time traveller to Islamabad.
 * Hot Spot, One of the few places that Islamabad can claim as theirs first. F-7/3 (Gol Market) also offers a great ice-cream place. Though the menu has expanded from just ice-cream to milkshakes, pies, sandwiches and plenty more, the place still has the feel of an ice-cream joint. With a unique, rather artistic decor, Hot Spot is a must visit for any first time traveller to Islamabad.
 * Hot Spot, One of the few places that Islamabad can claim as theirs first. F-7/3 (Gol Market) also offers a great ice-cream place. Though the menu has expanded from just ice-cream to milkshakes, pies, sandwiches and plenty more, the place still has the feel of an ice-cream joint. With a unique, rather artistic decor, Hot Spot is a must visit for any first time traveller to Islamabad.

F-9

 * McDonald's is in the south-west corner of the F-9 Park. It also has a drive through service. Very popular with families.

F-10

"Inkantray" (Incantare) a not-so-nice place for hangout with friends. Mostly for shisha. In basement of Pizza Hut.

G-6

 * Melody Food Park In Melody G-6 Markaz is a food area with variety of food to choose from with some nationally famous restaurant names having outlets there. Plenty of BBQ and traditional Pakistani food with a variety of fresh fruit juices to choose from.
 * Rakaposhi, pastry shop at the Serena, has some of the best coffee and pastries in Pakistan. Worth a visit if you just want to relax or get some work done. The Serena also offers wireless internet, so, it is an ideal place to sit and get some work done if you like.
 * Kamran Restaurant In Aabpara, G-6/1 is also a famous place for traditional Pakistani cuisine.

G-9

 * Sufi Restaurant
 * Afghani Tikka House
 * Tehzeeb Bakery
 * Afghani Tikka House
 * Tehzeeb Bakery

Blue Area

 * Red Onion Chain of Restaurants Blue Area, opposite the Saudi Pak Tower building stands one of the oldest restaurants in Islamabad. Established in 1991 with buy one, get one free pizza. Wide range of cuisines i.e. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Pakistani & Continental. Prices are moderate, ambiance is modern & service is friendly
 * Tehzeeb Bakers, F-6 Blue Area, Driving along the main road in blue area, with pizzas, bakery products, rich creamy milk ice creams etc. are available. A big range to choose from. Although it is a fairly big store, there are no eat-in arrangements. Right next to Tehzeeb Bakers is a place called Safilo, which offers a wide range of ice-creams, milkshakes and juices. They pride themselves in their cleanliness.
 * Subway is a franchise of the international Subway and has two branches, one in Blue Area, and the other one in F11-Markaz. It offers subs and salad.
 * Usmania Restaurant In Blue Area is also a famous place for traditional Pakistani cuisine.
 * Bolan Saltish Sajji Afghani and Pakistani restaurant, known for its Khadda Sajji.
 * Usmania Restaurant In Blue Area is also a famous place for traditional Pakistani cuisine.
 * Bolan Saltish Sajji Afghani and Pakistani restaurant, known for its Khadda Sajji.
 * Bolan Saltish Sajji Afghani and Pakistani restaurant, known for its Khadda Sajji.

Rawal Lake

 * Lake View Park Restaurant is the only place to eat on the northern part of the lake. Which is a shame as the place is over 1 km from the waters edge and the food is overpriced for what you get.

Drink
Drinking alcohol in public is nominally banned although most of the top end hotels have their own bars, as do some of the larger embassies if you befriend a diplomat. The windowless basement sports bar in the Marriott is probably the most frequented of the hotel bars.

Most Pakistanis though would find it extremely rude and offensive if you show or drink alcohol in public. Night Life is exists, but it's not easy to find. There are no open 'night clubs' in the city - however periodic special events are organised in various venues about once every two months - spread by word-of-mouth. Less excitingly some of the embassy clubs in the diplomatic enclave have 'dance parties' and the like but these tend to be exclusively expatriate and rather low brow.

Non-Muslim visitors can obtain from the local police a so-called 'non-Muslim declaration'. This permit gives you the right to legally buy a limited amount of alcoholic drinks like bottles of wine or beer. For instance, Pakistan's small Christian minority is by law allowed to consume alcohol.

Try local brands like Murree Brewery, in addition to that there are other brands such as Budweiser and Bavaria with non-alcoholic beer. There is a small off-license around the side of the Marriot hotel (next to the dry cleaners) - you'll need a 'non-Muslim declaration' (or maybe just a foreign passport if you turn on the charm) to be able to buy anything.

In soft drinks, all the usual western brands are available but better to try local limca cola which makes "pop" sound when opened. you can also try Pakola; Pakistan's premier soft drink brand which is available in different flavours like Ice cream soda, Lychee, Orange, Raspberry, Apple sidra, Vino, Double cola, Bubble up etc. A 'fresh lime 7-up' is a better alternative for people who don't like standard soft drinks.

In other drinks try strawberry milk shakes and dhamaka soda (dhamaka means bang - the bang that happens when one opens the bottle) from Jinnah super market.

Budget
Budget accommodation in Islamabad is fairly lacklustre and of questionable cleanliness. There are many guesthouses around the city that make a nice alternative to a hotel.

 * Hotel Blue Sky, Sitara Market, G-7 Markaz. Double rooms from Rs 300, with cable TV from Rs 400. +92 333 5584264
 * Hotel Ambassador Inn, Plot 1-C Khayaban-e-Suhrwardy, Aabpara G 6/1 G-6. Business hotel with restaurant.
 * Caravan Park Near Fatima Jinnah Hostel near the Shakarparian Hills. This place is open and accessible only for foreigners, making it exclusive and safe. Adequate facilities are provided to make visitors to the area comfortable and at home. Rs 50 per person, Rs 100 per vehicle (bicycles free). Popular with overlanders.
 * Caravan Park Near Fatima Jinnah Hostel near the Shakarparian Hills. This place is open and accessible only for foreigners, making it exclusive and safe. Adequate facilities are provided to make visitors to the area comfortable and at home. Rs 50 per person, Rs 100 per vehicle (bicycles free). Popular with overlanders.
 * Caravan Park Near Fatima Jinnah Hostel near the Shakarparian Hills. This place is open and accessible only for foreigners, making it exclusive and safe. Adequate facilities are provided to make visitors to the area comfortable and at home. Rs 50 per person, Rs 100 per vehicle (bicycles free). Popular with overlanders.

Stay safe
The police have set up numerous checkpoints on roads to sensitive buildings and on the roads entering the city. These are usually harmless and they'll wave you through, but to access Constitution Avenue (including the Serena hotel) the police will want to look in the boot of your car.

While travelling in city, you should keep your national identity card, passport, or driving licence with you to prove your identity.

Crime-wise Islamabad is safe. Men can walk pretty much anywhere in the city day or night with little to fear. Lone women will attract male attention, particularly in areas of the city not often frequented by westerners. The Red Mosque in G6 and immediate surrounds aren't recommended given the history attached to this area.

Emergencies
The Police emergency number is 15. There are various Police stations in the city with staff available 24/7.

112 from any GSM mobile handset should theoretically forward to the local emergency number, too.

Stay healthy
Bottled water is a good idea. Although water in Islamabad is generally clean, it is mainly sourced from mountain water and tube wells and may contain minerals your system is not used to. It may also not be stored and carried in the cleanest of ways.

Most locals do not drink tap water but instead draw water from government-installed filtration plants. Tap water is normally boiled and it is strongly suggested that you carry bottled water and request it at all food places. If you are unsure about the hygiene of a particular place, try to avoid ice in all your drinks.

There are 3 major hospitals in Islamabad: the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (also known as PIMS) next to G-8 Markaz, Shifa International Hospital in H-8/1 and the Poly Clinic in sector G-6.

Also, there are various private hospitals in every sector in Islamabad providing extensive health care with different price ranges. Ali Medical Centre in F-8 Markaz is one of them.

The Blue Area and Super Market (F-6) have the two most trustworthy pharmacies: Shaheen Chemists and D. Watson. Both these stores are reliable and will be able to offer sound advice for minor ailments. They also carry a wide variety of European and American foods, albeit at a high price. They may even have a doctor at the facility, should a quick suggestion be required.

Respect
Although Islamabad may look relatively modern, superficially hinting at a Western lifestyle, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind given the cultural values of Pakistan's society:

 * People are very friendly and indeed very good hosts. Many of Islamabad's citizens are well-educated and speak English very well, working for the government and in the private sector. Be gracious in accepting invitations to people's houses for lunch, tea or dinner: it will reflect well on you if you verbally ensure that you are causing them no inconvenience.
 * Generally, women do not shake hands with men, though this varies greatly by social class, social setting, age and personal upbringing. A good rule of thumb for both men and women: do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex unless they extend their hands first (in which case it would be rude of you not to shake hands). The best way to greet someone is to nod and say "Assalam-u-alaikum": smiling always helps!
 * Alcohol consumption is banned in Pakistan
 * It's a good idea to avoid taking photographs of military establishments, police stations and anyone in uniform (army officers wear khaki, naval officers wear white, and the Islamabad police wear navy blue trousers with a light blue shirt). If in doubt, permission can be requested from the officers concerned.
 * Islamabad is relatively safe, compared to other Pakistani cities, or indeed most other capital cities: violent crime is very rare, but use precautions as you would in any other city.

Connect
for tourism information and places to go in the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) The area code for Islamabad is 51. To dial from within Pakistan, dial 051-nnn-nnnn

Embassies

 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇮🇷 Iran
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Newspapers
The Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune, The Nation and The Daily Times are national newspapers in English supplemented with local news sections.

Business Recorder is the only newspaper providing national and international business news. However, newspapers like the International Herald Tribune, Financial Times, Khaleej Times, Gulf News, and London's Sunday Times, are also available. These international newspapers usually arrive in Islamabad a day after publishing.

All newspapers (international, national and local) are available at book stores in leading hotels like Serena & Marriott. They can also be purchased from leading book stores such as London Book House (Kohsar Market in sector F-6/3), Saeed Book Bank (Jinnah Super Market in sector F-7), and Mr. Books (Super Market in sector F-6).

Go next
Islamabad is well situated for day trips and weekend trips to nearby cities and attractions.

Day trips

 * Rawalpindi
 * Taxila, an ancient Buddhist and Hindu site with strong Greek influence from Alexander the Great's time. Worth a visit and a picnic. Should you be interested further in the subject, guided tours can be arranged for sites around the museum.
 * Murree & the Galis, One hour scenic journey through beautiful mountains to the hill resort of Murree which is a nice place to visit especially during the summer. A small place has a weather entirely different to that of Islamabad and much similar to most cities of Northern Europe. However the town is suffering under the sheer number of visitors and the small number of colonial buildings have been swamped by a plethora of cheap hotels - and consequently many visitors feel the town does not live up to its guidebook hype. Chairlifts of Murree and Patriata, Kashmir point are attractions for tourists. A 2-km "Mall" is the center of gravity of Murree where all the shops and hotels are located. If you want to escape the crowds head further north towards Nathia Gali where there are several small towns with easy access to the mountains.  The roads to Murree are very winding and busy - and not fun to drive in the dark.  Driving through Murree is also not much fun.
 * Simly Dam It is about 30 km east of Islamabad (look for the route on Google maps). A very picturesque lake spread over an area of 28,750 acres. There is not much there, some walking trails to the side of the lake (not possible to do a full circuit) and there is a guesthouse / lodge / cafe place on the dam itself. This isn't a place many Islamabad dwellers visit, and can be eerily quiet - best not to visit alone.
 * Rawat Fort and the Mankiala Stupa to the south of Rawalpindi can fill an afternoon
 * Khan Pur Lake a 1-hour drive north-west of the city.
 * Kallar Kahar lake is 2 hours down the motorway - can go boating on the lake and visit some pleasant nearby shrines.
 * Ketas Temples and the Khewra Salt mines makes for a pleasant day trip - the Salt Mines are good to visit in the summer as a place to escape the punishing heat of the salt range. The road between Ketas and Khewra is also spectacular.
 * Malot temple in the Salt Range makes for an off-the-beaten-track destination about a 2-hour drive from Islamabad down the motorway. Coordinates are 32.684537° N  72.799391° E.  You need to drive through the Lafarge cement factory to get there - the vista is as spectacular as the temple - and a nice spot for a picnic.
 * Chiniot is an oft-overlooked gem just off the motorway near Faisalabad (about a 3-hour drive). Interesting old town and a centre for wooden furniture manufacture (hence a great place to go if you are furnishing a house).  The Umar Hayat Palace is quite amazing also.
 * Rohtas Fort 2-hour drive south of Islamabad off the GT road - enormous old fort that makes for a great day trip from Islamabad. Leave the old water well until last.
 * Peshawar can be visited in a long day trip - about 2½ hours on the motorway - visit the museum, have lunch, then go for a guided wander around the old town before heading back to Islamabad. May not be safe for Westerners.

Weekend trips

 * Lahore makes a great weekend destination - although you'll need more than 2 days to see everything. Gets very hot in the summer however so this makes a good winter weekend break.
 * Combine a trip to Chiniot and Faisalabad spending a day in each. Staying in Kallar Kahar (a lake halfway to Chiniot) on the Friday night is also a possibility.
 * Perhaps a bit ambitious for a weekend but you can visit India through the Wagah border. Usually, visiting Delhi should take you half a day by car, however you will need a visa.  On the way, it is advisable to see the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and many other inspiring sights.
 * Trips to the northern mountains are possible if flying - PIA flies to Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu - flights can be unreliable with cancellations for poor weather or not enough passengers common. This makes a weekend trip a bit of a gamble in case your flight is cancelled and you get stuck up north. Also in a weekend there isn't enough time to get in much walking. An alternative is to drive to the Kaghan Valley which is a 6 -hour drive from Islamabad and can be done in a weekend (e.g. leaving Friday lunchtime and overnighting in Abbottabad) - but better to plan 3 or more nights if you can. Beware of landslides however if it has been raining - these can easily get you stranded for a week or more - best to save Kaghan for the dry season.
 * Angoori
 * Rawalakot
 * Multan

title: Islamabad


text:
Islamabad (disambiguation)

Bangladesh

 * Chittagong: This city can also be called Islamabad, but that name is now not much used.

Pakistan

 * Islamabad: The Federal nationalised capital city, located within the Islamabad Capital Territory.

India

 * Anantnag: The third largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir. Hindus refer it to as Anantnag.

title: Islamabad (disambiguation)


text:
Islamgarh

Islamgarh (Urdu:اسلام گڑھ) is a major town or settlement in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

Understand
It is close by to the village of Chak Haryam.

By plane
The nearest airport is the Islamabad International Airport, which is approx 80 Miles (130 km) by road from Mirpur city.

By bus
Buses to Mirpur are available from different parts of the country and also Islamabad Airport.

By car
You can get to Mirpur by car by travelling 5000 miles west up north.

By buses
Mirpur has the busiest bus network in Azad Kashmir, running from early hours of the morning to late night. Daily routes includes Bhimber District, Dina, Gujrat, Jhelum, Kharian & Kotli District.

The new coaches in Mirpur travel to larger cities of Pakistan including Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi & Sialkot.

By auto rickshaw
Auto Rickshaws are very popular mode of transport for routes within the city. Many of the new rickshaws in the city use Compressed natural gas (CNG).

By taxis
Also by car hire.

See

 * Mirpur town

title: Islamgarh


text:
Isla Mocha

Isla Mocha is in Southern Chile. It is a sparsely populated island about 40 km (25 miles) off the coast of Southern Chile.

Understand
Isla Mocha has rudimentary services. Supplies, except for the basics, are hard to come by so plan ahead (bring sun screen) The main industries are fishing and animal husbandry.

The island today is home to the Mocha Island National Reserve, a nature reserve that covers approximately 45% of the island's 48-km² surface. The island is noted as the location of numerous historic shipwrecks. The waters off the island are a popular place for recreational sea fishing.

History
The island used to be inhabited by the Mapuche peoples. The Mapuche believed that this island was the destination of the almas (souls) of the dead. It was frequented by pirates in the 18th and 19th centuries and it is believed that a sperm whale living near the island was the inspiration for Herman Melville's Moby Dick.

Landscape
The island has several coves, bays, docks and peninsulas around it. It is roughly ovular with large mountains jetting up in the center. A single road circumvents the island. The land is spotted with small farms and services such as stores, police, schools, and churches are found across the Eastern part of the island. The beaches are spectacular, with dunes and small seas formed with smaller islands.

Flora and fauna
There are many different types of livestock across the island as well as interesting birds. In the central mountains, there are small deer.

Get in
Getting to Isla Mocha can prove difficult so plan ahead. The best way is to take a bus to Carahue from Cañete. Ask around about flights to the island; there are none on Sunday. The trip by plane costs about US$30 and takes about 20 minutes. The people in Carahue and nearby Tirua are very kind so it may be possible to get there by private boat or to hitch a ride on the barge the goes out to the island semi-frequently.

Get around
On the island, the fastest way to get around besides walking is hitching a ride with a "carreton," which is a horse drawn buggy. Flag down a local and respectfully ask. They may or may not ask for money.

See
You will want to circumnavigate the island. It can be done in one day if you move somewhat quickly (8-10 hours). Along the way there are many scenic views, beautiful beaches, and other interesting sights, especially plants and animals. Also, if you have time, a hike up through the mountains will allow you to visit several beautiful lakes.

There was also quite a bit of damage done by the tsunami to the northeastern part of the island. The ruins are quite interesting.

Do
Hike. Beach. Interact with the kindly locals (but beware, the island accent is somewhat difficult to understand for non-native Spanish speakers).

Eat
There are no restaurants on the island so be sure to bring food. There are three or four small stores on the island that sell basic food and drink. If you're lucky, you may get invited to dinner by the locals. Be sure to sample the various kinds of seafood that the fishermen of the island have to offer, if you get the chance.

Sleep
Do not sleep on the beach. During a tsunami, three Chilean hikers were swept out to sea while sleeping on the beach. You can pitch tent pretty much anywhere on the island. Be sure to ask the proprietors if you intend to set up camp in someone's field.

Backcountry
The entire place is back country. Explore the mountains or the Western part of the island.

Stay safe
Do not sleep on the beach (see above). Be wary of the livestock: some of the larger animals are a bit aggressive.

Go next
Get out the way you got in. The easiest and most reliable way is to fly, but ask around and you may be able to find a ride by boat for significantly cheaper (but do not rely on this) Once back on the mainland, take the bus up to Concepción or Santiago. If you're still in the adventuring spirit, go east through Temuco to Pucón where you'll find hiking, hot springs, volcanoes and all sorts of out door water sports. If you feel like island hopping, head down to Chiloé Island.

title: Isla Mocha


text:
Islamorada

Islamorada is a group of islands in the Florida Keys strung along US Highway 1. The first group you reach driving out from the mainland is Key Largo, then second is Islamorada consisting of Plantation Key, Windley Key, and Upper then Lower Matecumbe Key. The highway then takes a long jump to the Marathon island group heading towards Key West.

Get in
Hop in a car and drive from Miami. It will take you about an hour and a half.

Fly into Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach/Miami and drive south for two hours.

Fly into Miami and drive south for one hour and forty-five minutes.

Short cut: If driving from FLL: make left onto Card Sound Road ($1 toll), it will bring you back to Key Largo on Route 1, a nice scenic road with a waterfront casual restaurant- Alabama Jack's very popular for bikers traveling to Key West offers great fresh food. (This route is a few miles longer than traveling the "18 mile stretch" on US1, but it's often possible to make better time due to less traffic.

Get around
A car is a must! If you are coming from any major airport you are able to directly rent a car.

See

 * The sunset! Many of the restaurants are catered especially to see the beautiful sunset. The Islamorada fish company has Tarpon/shark feeding every night at sunset. You can watch right from your seats or from the bar.

Do
Scuba or snorkel!

Islamorada, long recognized as the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World," is now an icon among sport divers for a similar reason: a massive population of tropical marine life. High profile coral heads and broad ledges shelter huge congregates of French grunt and goatfish, while regal queen angelfish casually graze amid the reef recesses. Friendly green moray eels swim freely along the spur-and-groove channels, and reclusive nurse sharks lurk beneath the overhangs. Islamorada offers a wide variety of shallow coral reefs, mini walls, shipwrecks, and even an underwater habitat for scientific research, the Aquarius. To learn more about Islamorada or any other manner of local lore, stop by the Chamber of Commerce at mile marker 82.5 or dial +1-800-322-5397.

 * The Eagle - This 287-foot ship was intentionally sunk in 110 feet of water as a dive attraction and rests on her starboard side cloaked in a colorful patina of encrusting sponge and coral, populated by huge schools of grunt, tarpon, and jack.
 * Davis Reef - This reef is revered for its incredible concentration of grunts and schoolmaster snapper, as well as several amiable resident green morays, long accustomed to benign interaction with the dive masters.
 * Alligator Reef - Now marked by a 136-foot-tall lighthouse, on this spot in 1822 the USS Alligator grounded and sank while protecting a convoy from pirates. Now all that remains of the wreck are the twin piles of ballast stones, but the coral reef - in just 25 feet of water - is vibrant and alive.
 * Conch Wall - Offering an exciting change of pace from the normal spur-and-groove profiles of most keys' reefs, Conch Wall presents a precipitous sloping wall and captivating concentrations of barrel sponge and gorgonia punctuating the seafloor.
 * Crocker Wall - An over 450-foot-long wall in 50 feet of water. The wall has a thirty-foot decline and features grunts, yellowtail and grouper with spur-and-groove coral and block coral on the wall.
 * Pickles Reef - For macro photo enthusiasts, Pickles provides a wonderful opportunity to encounter the reef's minutia, from flamingo tongue cowries to banded coral shrimp, all amid a dynamic coral reef in only 15 to 25 feet of water.

Go next
You've come all this way, you might as well continue to the end of Highway 1. That would be Fort Kent, Maine, about 2300 miles away north on the Canadian border.

title: Islamorada