Monal – Paradise in Islamabad

Sitting on top of the Pothar , nestled against the pristine Margallas, & looking over the plains of  Peshawar & Lahore , the brick &mortar of Islamabad may be modern, but its culture & traditions are embedded in the centuries of our history that have unfolded between ranges of Khyber & bolan & the Valley of Mehran.

And in many ways, The Monal – named after a pheasant of rare & exquisite beauty dwelling a little further north- personifies this mixture of the modern & the ancient. The resort is a touch of modernity set in the golden ages. Situated at the height of about 1173 meters above sea level, completed in 2006, it is equipped with the latest facilities, but offers an ambience cultivated by heritage.

Thanks to the CDA, the long and winding road leading to The Monal is perfectly carpeted and steel belted, well-lit at night and the strategically placed boards give you directions along the way making it a very safe and scenic journey.

The road to Monal twists & turns in the mountains of margalla that are embedded in emeralds. It opens to both tourist & locals a panorama of ALLAH’s Glory. As you reach the top, Islamabad & the Rich white of the Faisal Mosque melt away in the background, leaving you to admire the beauty that promises the experience of a lifetime.

Sunset at the Monal offers some of nature's most glorious moments. Crimson skies over the rapid shadows of a hilly dusk; the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze; soft calls of birds as they climb to roost; and if the day has been warm, an occasional chirpings of crickets. Finally, twilight settles in the valleys against the backdrop of Islamabad's golden radiance.

As you enter Monal, with its spiral & woods The Monal is an Architectural splendor that blends effortlessly into the natural beauty that surrounds it. Yet the building is designed to provide the utmost luxury & comfort of a sophisticated environment. With parking space of 250 cars & separate space for people with disabilities, once you enter from any of the two entrance you are warmly welcomed by the staff with hospitality & courtesy that’s an old-tradtion of the region.

When you come to The Monal, there are a number of options you have in seating, making the visit better at every bite.

 The conference hall, designed to suit professionalism along with the taste of beauty. In addition to it all, the Monal also has a 3-storey tree house, built to extend the dinning, this house offers, Italian, French & Mediterranean cuisines.

In addition to all this, Monal has 5 live kitchens. Here the culinary skills of the well trained chefs are exhibited, along with their total care for hygiene. Watching the chefs preparing the meals is entertaining as well as mouth watering.

At Monal you are offered authentic Pakistani cuisine that is rich & diverse as Islamabad’s legacy. It’s produced by the

fusion of indigenous flavors & aromas with culinary bequests from Arabia, Persia & central Asia, as the many tribes, people & culture blended over the centuries across the valleys & plains of the Indus.

In addition to the culinary delights Monal also offers food for soul, with occasional “Gazal Nights”. At The Monal you will also have an opportunity to shop for souvenirs and traditional jewelry and handicrafts. An array of traditional shopping carts lines the main entrance, offering trinkets and treasure straight out of Ali Baba's magical cave. With the burners ablaze, the air dense with the aroma of scrumptious foods, the breeze brings wisps of cheers, laughter & talks, the mood all set for delectable meals & divine beauty, the magic is felt to twinkle of the nights at Monal. The visit is a memorable one, a place that one would dream to live in, & an experience of a lifetime, one has to be there to believe it. Because seeing is believing & Monal is a place to indulge.

Annam Lodhi