Travel in Pakistan & Beyond with Sakuf Travel & Tours

I am a person who usually does not enjoy going to travel agents or being part of any organized tour or group. In Pakistan, I have found it much more difficult to book my airline tickets myself, so I gave in and decided to find a travel agent. Another expatriate living in Lahore recommended Sakuf Travel and Tours in G Block Commercial Area Defence, and both my husband and I have been pleasantly surprised by their service.

For residents of Defence or Cantt. Lahore, Sakuf Travel's G Block location is very convenient. They open at 9am, and until noontime you are sure to find ample parking. If you are traveling from Cantt via Defence Main Blvd, pass Masjid Chowk and take your first left. You will see a paint store on the left. Turn left again and Sakuf Travel will be on your right. It is next to two tailors' shops. The office is on the ground floor and is air-conditioned. Lunch break generally corresponds with afternoon prayers, which is between 2:00 and 3:30 during daylight savings time. The office closes at 5, but it is best to get there earlier, preferably before the lunch break, if you want to be able to search for airline tickets.

Within minutes, Mr. Shahbaz Ali had found me tickets from Lahore to Bangkok much cheaper than I had been able to find online. The service was very friendly and professional. Sakuf Travel can also book hotels, arrange car hire, rent apartments, or arrange sightseeing tours in 660 cities worldwide. They offer special Hajj and Umrah packages for Muslims including accommodation, air tickets, visa processing, and transportation. Although the receptionist does not speak English very well, the travel agents do.

If you want to visit Pakistan's Northern Areas, and you have more money than time, Sakuf Travel can also arrange tours for large or small groups. As a faithful Lonely Planet and Rough Guide traveler, I can not see myself taking one of these tours as I know that I could see the region for much less. I speak the local language, have a thing for crazy buses and budget hotels, and don't like anybody else to run the show when I'm traveling. If you like to be a bit more relaxed, and let somebody else do all the haggling and planning for you, I'm sure that Sakuf Travel's packages would be an excellent fit for you.

Sakuf Travel and Tours also offers a host of activities based at the family resort of Chalet City in Kalam, Swat. As I was leaving the office with my Bangkok tickets in hand, the travel agent was sure to give me a detailed color brochure about Chalet City. "It's not safe to go there now," he said, "but hopefully things will get better. Then you can come and see Swat Valley." I liked the fact that he put the traveler's safety above trying to make a sale.

If you need tickets to and from Pakistan, or if you need to arrange travel from Lahore, contact:

Sakuf Travel & Tours

G 34 Phase 1 Commercial Area

DHA, Lahore 54792

UAN: (+92-42) 111-64-34-64

Mobile: (+92 307) 444-3058

Email: shahbaz@sakuf-travels.com

URL: www.sakuf-travels.com