Orange Lake Resort Khanpur Pakistan

Getting to Khanpur

Islamabad International Airport is the nearest airport to Khanpur, about 32 km away in a straight line from the centre. Arrivals usually continue the last stretch by road, whether by taxi or a pre-arranged pickup from the stay.

The Margalla Hills lie within Islamabad, and the trailheads are reached by road. Rules on access can change, and some areas may be closed for conservation or security reasons, so it is worth confirming conditions before setting out. In winter, mornings can be cold and foggy, clearing by midday.

Around Khanpur

Khanpur is a plains town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The nearest named place, Saidpur, sits at an altitude of about 600 metres. Saidpur is an old village at the foot of the Margalla Hills, now a quiet stop for gardens, old lanes and short walks, and it also holds a restored village in a valley on the southern edge of the hills, with a small museum and gardens.

The Margalla Hills rise directly north of Islamabad, a wooded ridge of trails, viewpoints and wildlife on the city's edge. The hills form a long ridge along the northern edge of Islamabad, rising steeply from the city's sectors into a protected national park, and they run roughly east to west, with the highest point near the centre. The hills are covered in scrub forest and are home to leopards, monkeys and a wide range of birdlife. Several marked trails start within the city, making the hills accessible for short walks or full-day hikes. The lower slopes are dry scrub and acacia, giving way to denser forest in the folds and gullies, and birdlife is rich, with raptors and songbirds common in spring and autumn.

Islamabad, built from the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan's capital, lies within reach, and Rawalpindi, a dense, historic city in northern Punjab beside the capital and a gateway to the hill country, is also nearby.

Khanpur through the year

October to April is the best time for the Margalla Hills. October and November are the best months, January, February, March and December are good, and April, May and September are possible. June, July and August are the off season. The hills are a popular escape from the city heat, though summer afternoons remain hot and the trails are best walked early. In winter, mornings can be cold and foggy, clearing by midday.

Places to stay in Khanpur: what to expect

Khanpur has a small group of resort or lodge stays, mostly simple to mid-range. Car parking, breakfast, a 24-hour front desk and a shuttle service are listed by almost all of them, and most also list a restaurant. Free Wi-Fi, family rooms, heating, a kitchen, room service, a garden and air conditioning are listed by some. The mix suits families who want breakfast and parking on hand, and drivers who prefer a front desk that stays open around the clock.

Staying in Khanpur: questions