Islamabad - The Bird Watcher's Paradise!

A ten minute drive from Islamabad will take you to a mountainous region linked to one of the wetlands of Pakistan. The area is teeming with birds that range from rare breeds to exotic. Only keen ornithologists would know that Islamabad is a birdwatchers delight and the best place in Pakistan to observe rare bird species. The country's capital boasts over 400 bird species, and while some locals might still be amused with this sport, various ambassadors and tourist from foreign countries do make a stop in Islamabad to catch a glimpse of the winged wildlife.

Birdwatching expeditions are generally conducted on the Margalla Hills. These are located on the outskirts of Islamabad and offer a lush relaxed environment. Those of you who are interested in observing birds, do make a trip to these green hills and make sure you do it early in the morning, as that is the best time to catch a glimpse of the birds.

Pakistan lies on the Indus flyway. This is a major flight path for many birds that fly from Siberia to the delta of the Indus river on the Arabian Sea, making it easier to spot birds flying in from Russia and Central Asia.