pakistan travel experience

Matador Original Series

The best places to visit in pakistan for every type of traveler.

D espite being blessed with jaw-dropping scenery and well-preserved historical sites, Pakistan has long been written off as a travel destination by all but the most hard-core adventurers. But as the country’s security situation has stabilized in recent years, its domestic tourism industry has come back stronger than ever, and statistics show that foreign tourism is following suit.

Here, snow-capped peaks tower above remnants of some of the world’s first civilizations. Pakistan is home to a unique brand of hospitality that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. And unlike its highly-trafficked neighbors to the east and north, you can spend weeks in the country without encountering another traveler. Combine this with locals who are genuinely happy to see and welcome travelers, and you’ll come to understand why this South Asian nation is truly one of the final frontiers of immersive adventure travel.

In a few months, you can definitely see a very good chunk of Pakistan, and experience a whole lot, too. But for those limited on time, or who really want to come across a specific aspect of Pakistani culture, you’re going to want to make sure your itinerary is focused on just the right spots. These are the best places to visit in Pakistan for every type of traveler, along with a bit of Pakistan travel advice to take with you.

How to get a visa to visit Pakistan

Photo: Punnawit Suwattananun /Shutterstock

Pakistan’s e-Visa system , which was introduced in 2019, makes getting a visa to Pakistan a quick and relatively easy process. Americans and many other nationalities have the option of either getting a traditional tourist visa, or what’s called a “Visa in your inbox.”

The latter requires you to submit a request for travel 24 to 72 hours before your flight, where you’ll also need to include your hotel booking or a Letter of Invitation from a tour company or a personal friend. Approval can take anywhere from moments to a full day, but once it does you’re free to head out, and you’ll be granted a 30-day stay once you arrive in Pakistan.

For longer trips, it’s best to apply for a regular tourist visa. Currently, the best visa one can obtain is a one-year, multiple-entry visa good for 90-day maximum stays, for $90. This visa allows you to leave and enter Pakistan an unlimited amount of times within a one-year period. The duration means that you can stay in the country for 90 days each time before needing to either apply for an extension or leave.

Though it is said to be officially substituted by a confirmed hotel booking, most travelers to Pakistan report the best visa results using a Letter of Invitation written by a registered tour company. This is especially true if you’re requesting a multi-entry visa. Keep in mind that you do not need to actually be on a tour to receive a letter.

Pakistan visa extensions

Unbeknownst to most, Pakistan is an underrated long-term travel/digital nomad destination, as it allows travelers to extend their visas many times. Like your initial visa, extensions are also done online and cost $20 regardless of your nationality or desired duration. This allows you to request a specific duration of extension of up to six months or, in some cases, longer.

While you might be able to get away without including one, it’s best to attach an Extension-specific letter, which can be acquired from a registered tour operator . Keep in mind that the online visa system is not without its difficulties. Travelers often report not getting the duration they asked for, even with all supporting documents. This is frustrating, but on the bright side, extensions are quite cheap.

I recommend Adventure Planners Pakistan . I have used them numerous times for Extension-specific letters. They’re established, and provide client-specific LOIs in less than 24 hours of payment.

Travel to Pakistan from the USA

Photo: Ahminem /Shutterstock

If you’re wondering whether or not Americans can travel to Pakistan, the answer is an emphatic “yes.” Unlike Iran, which requires US citizens to be on a fully-guided tour, American travelers can freely and independently enjoy all that Pakistan has to offer.

Despite what you may have heard from the media, Pakistanis DO NOT hate Americans. Certain people may dislike the American government, but that’s not directed at citizens, and it’s highly unlikely you’ll encounter any animosity at all. I have lived in Pakistan for several years now and have witnessed American travelers of all ages experience the same hospitality and kindness that nationals of any other country receive.

Moreover, it’s important to note that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis and people of Pakistani descent live in America, and the two countries are official allies, thus making it very easy to travel to Pakistan from the US. The best airlines to fly from the US to Pakistan include Emirates , Etihad Airways , and Turkish Airlines .

American citizens who possess a valid Indian or Chinese visa can also – in non-Covid times – enter Pakistan by land via the Wagah and Khunjerab borders, respectively. Whether you choose to enter Pakistan on foot or by air, the entry process is extremely easy and no different than entering any other country.

The best place in Pakistan for families: Islamabad

Photo: Umer Arif /Shutterstock

As Pakistan’s capital and cleanest city, Islamabad is the perfect place to visit in Pakistan for families. The green capital, which was established in 1967, is the most modern city in Pakistan and makes for an easy start to any trip.

While typically considered sterile by adventure travelers, for families (especially those with kids) Islamabad is ideal. It’s surrounded by the towering Margalla Hills and sits in the moorland of the famous Himalayas. Margalla has numerous hiking trails for all ability levels, and the city itself is graced with numerous parks perfect for play or relaxation. Uber and the local transport apps, such as Careem and InDriver, are also available on-demand, making getting around the city hassle-free.

Islamabad is home to its fair share of must-visit sites, including the Faisal Mosque, which is famous for its unique design and impressive size. Families can also enjoy the Daman e Koh viewpoint which offers sweeping views of the capital as well as entertainment and food.

For families with older kids looking to delve a bit deeper into Pakistan’s culture and history, a day trip to “sister city” Rawalpindi, which is only a 40-minute drive, will surely satisfy those cravings.

We hope you love the Pakistan accommodations we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Recommended accommodations in Islamabad

Budget option: Jasmine Inn (from $34 per night) Mid-range option: Serai Boutique Hotel (from $71 per night) Luxury option: Islamabad Serena Hotel (from $235 per night)

The best place in Pakistan for solo female travelers: Phander Valley

Photo: Jrs Jahangeer /Shutterstock

Solo female travel in Pakistan might sound daunting at first, but a stay in the dreamscape that is Phander Valley will make it seem easy. The peaceful village in the north of the country is one of the safest places in Pakistan, and the locals are just as fantastic as the views.

Unlike other regions of Gilgit Baltistan, Phander has yet to fall prey to mass tourism, which means you’ll likely have turquoise-blue lakes, fields of fluffy cows, and many a viewpoint practically all to yourself.

Locals in Phander are both welcoming and extremely tolerant. While you should still employ typical solo-female-safety tips , it’s a place in Pakistan where people return wallets filled with cash and go well out of their way to help travelers.

You can either camp at the stunning lake of the same name, or opt for one of the many budget-friendly guesthouses along the road. The slow pace of Phander is what makes it so appealing, and while the place remains largely unheard of in western circles, it’s not uncommon to meet other adventurous travelers who are also looking to see what the “Land of Lakes” – a common term for the region that encapsulates Phander – is all about.

Phander is remote and simple and does not yet have a presence on any booking sites, but I highly recommend travelers stay at Lake Inn , which costs about $12 per night and is clean, comfortable, and has a helpful owner.

For information on how to move about Pakistan and reach villages and destinations beyond the major cities, see Matador’s guide on what to know before visiting Pakistan .

The best place in Pakistan for foodies and history buffs: Lahore

Photo: Homo Cosmicos /Shutterstock

“Lahore Lahore Hai” translates to “Lahore is Lahore” in Urdu, and essentially means that there is no place quite like the bonafide cultural capital of Pakistan. In regards to this South Asian country, truer words have never been spoken from a foodie or history perspective. You can’t quite find a gastronomic culture quite as vibrant, cheap, and accessible as Lahore’s. And encountering historical sites as well preserved as Lahore’s might prove even more of a challenge.

The artsy city was a stronghold of the Mughal Empire from 1524 to 1752, and what remains is in exceptional condition. Lahore’s Wazir Khan Mosque, Jahangir’s Tomb, and the Sheesh Mahal inside of the Lahore Fort all stand out as top historical places not just in Lahore, but in the entire country. The Wazir Khan mosque, in particular, features exquisite frescoes originally painted in the 1600s.

From shrines to forts, Lahore has all you can want from a historical perspective. But its food scene isn’t far behind. From adventurous eats like paya (hoof stew – trust that it tastes a whole lot better than it sounds) to Pakistani favorites like chicken karahi and halwa puri, you can find anything in Lahore at virtually any time. The best places to try these dishes are at street corner stalls – keep an eye out for busy stalls that are bustling with locals.

The city is also one for variety and cheap prices. It’s a place where you’ll discover street food haunts that have been out and about since the 60s interwoven with upscale Western-style restaurants. While other cities can certainly hold their own in regards to Pakistani cuisine and history – looking at you here Karachi and Peshawar – what can be found in Lahore is a combination that is unique to the city’s history of multiple conquests and liberations.

Recommended accommodations in Lahore

Budget option: Rose Palace Hotel , Gulberg (from $28 per night) Mid Range: Luxus Grand (from $56 per night) Luxury: Pearl Continental (from $120 per night)

The best place in Pakistan for hikers: Skardu

Photo: Daniela Collins /Shutterstock

Pakistan’s innumerable peaks and glaciers are the best-kept secrets of the alpine world, and they comprise enough trails and summits to keep even the most diehard trekkers busy for years. The country is home to not one but three of the world’s greatest mountain ranges: the Karakorams, Himalayas, and the lesser-known Hindu Kush.

While there are intensely beautiful and nearly empty trails to be found all over regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, for the absolute best hikes in Pakistan, head to Skardu. The mountain city is the perfect place to arrange and embark on a wide variety of seriously epic adventures.

For a tough but worthwhile day hike, aim for Masur Rock, a viewpoint that gives exceptional views of Skardu City and beyond. For mid-level hikers, a two-to-three-day expedition to the flawless Laila Peak Basecamp should be at the top of your list. Companies including Chogori Adventure offer guided treks that start at $1,100 per person. This includes lodging before and after the trek, airport transfer, and most meals.

These two can easily be arranged on your own, but the real heavy-hitters are the treks that lie in the awe-inspiring Central Karakoram National Park, a restricted area for foreigners. To visit, you’re going to need some permits, and most likely a registered guide, too. Fees include a “peak fee,” which varies depending on the trek, a trekking permit that costs $50 per person, and an expedition permit that costs $200 per expedition. These fees do not include any charges set forth by the guide. Apply for the permits, identify and research guides, and pay fees via the park’s website .

Famous treks that require such pre-planning include K2 Basecamp, which allows you to get up close and personal with the world’s second tallest mountain, and Snow Lake, a trek that will give you the opportunity to cross the massive Biafo Glacier and camp atop a glacial basin underneath millions of stars. You’ll also want to hit Trango Towers, a collection of giant rock monoliths in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Recommended accommodations in Skardu

Budget: Hotel Dewanekhas (from $21 per night Mid-range: Mountain Lodge Skardu (from $49 per night) Luxury: Serena Shigar Fort (from $150 per night)

The best place in Pakistan for beach lovers: Karachi

You might have heard that Pakistan has some pretty cool mountains, but what about beaches? The country also has hundreds of miles of coastline, which is best enjoyed in and around Karachi.

As Pakistan’s largest city and financial capital, Karachi is lively, to say the least. But what makes it the perfect place in Pakistan for a day in the sand is the fact that it’s teeming with stunning swaths of coastline. Most well-known is Clifton Beach, which most closely resembles a carnival scene complete with scores of camels, go-karts, and shiny horses, all available for riding.

While Clifton isn’t the cleanest place in the world to swim, fear not, as lots of swimming-friendly seashores exist within two hours of the city center. French Beach is a particularly posh locale filled with trendy huts to relax in and “be seen,” and some of the cleanest seawater in Karachi. This beach is particularly progressive, and even bikinis are acceptable – a rarity in the country.

A few minutes from French Beach, you can catch some other clean and swimmable beaches like Hawkesbay, Turtle, and Sandspit beaches.

The real highlight of Karachi’s beach scene takes a bit more effort to reach, but comes with a huge reward. Deep in the dry, rural countryside two hours from the city is a completely uncommercialized fishing village, and the acclaimed Mubarek. Here, soft golden sand and bright blue water are sandwiched in between arid hills that will make you feel like you’re across the Arabian Sea in Oman.

Unfortunately, public transit doesn’t exist here, which though frustrating, also protects the area from over-tourism. Recently, apps like EzHire have joined the market for moderate daily rates, meaning that you can enjoy this must-see Karachi beach at your own convenience. If you make it there, be sure you hike up to the viewpoint all the way on the left, where you can also visit a local mazar (shrine.)

Recommended accommodations in Karachi

Budget: KTown Rooms (from $20 per night) Mid-range: Hotel Cozy Beach Vista (from $36 per night) Luxury: Pearl Continental (from $110 per night)

The best place in Pakistan for general travel: Hunza Valley

Photo: naihei /Shutterstock

Hunza Valley is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan and also one of the easiest places to travel in, too. Whether you’re a young family, a retiree, or a mountaineer looking to bag a peak, Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan absolutely has something for you.

The culture of the valley is unlike anywhere else in Pakistan, and the people of the central part of the valley even speak a language so isolated that’s been unable to be tied to any others. Situated along the wondrous Karakoram Highway , a visit to Hunza means getting to know a unique culture, savoring organic fruits, getting up close with jaw-dropping scenery, and so much more depending upon your interests.

Aside from its natural beauty, the region also has the highest literacy rate in the entire country and is known for its welcoming and tolerant local people. Even alcohol is widely brewed and consumed by locals. And while you’ll still want to avoid shorts, the general dress code is much more relaxed in Hunza.

Unless you travel by plane, reaching this Pakistani paradise does take a bit of dedication. But for as little as $12 and about 24 hours, you’ll leave the chaos of the cities behind and find yourself in a stadium of the country’s most beautiful mountains. From Skardu or Gilgit, you can take a taxi (see Rome2Rio ). If coming from one of the major cities in Pakistan, you will likely need to fly into either Skardu or Gilgit.

Recommended accommodations in Hunza Valley

Budget: Old Hunza Inn (from $25 per night) Mid Range: Mountain Story (from $68 per night) Luxury: Luxus Hunza (from $206 per night)

What to do in Pakistan

Photo: thsulemani /Shutterstock

For the typical traveler who wants to experience the very best of the country on the quick, here are some of the coolest things to do in Pakistan:

• Spend time in a local home: Pakistanis are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever encounter, and it won’t be long before you’re receiving invitations for chai, accommodation, and more. While it might seem strange to hang out with a random stranger, know that these are the experiences that make Pakistan so much more than just a place with epic mountains. Welcoming guests is deeply ingrained in local culture, so know these invitations are genuine and the best way to get to know real Pakistanis.
• Hike to Fairy Meadows in Gilgit-Baltistan: The most popular hike in the country has truly earned its top spot. The lush meadow, which can only be reached by a combination of a perilous jeep ride followed by a two-to-three-hour trek, gives unparalleled views of Nanga Parbat, which is the world’s ninth highest peak, and dubbed the “Killer Mountain.” If you’re into trekking, you can even keep going to the mountain’s basecamp with a tour operator such as Apricot Tours .
• Try dumba karahi: If you’re looking for a culinary experience that you’ll remember forever, look no further than what just might be Pakistan’s most delicious dish, dumba karahi. Dumba is a specialty of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and consists of the extremely tender – and very delicious – tail meat of a dumba sheep, a species known for their large behinds. Unlike many dishes in Pakistan, which tend to be too spicy for foreign tastebuds, dumba is traditionally made in a style of cooking that forgoes chilies. The most authentic dumba karahi can be found in and around Peshawar, though all major cities have restaurants that serve it.

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The Perfect One Month Pakistan Itinerary! (Insider Tips)

Planning to visit Pakistan?

Congratulations, you’ve just made the absolute best travel decision of your life! Pakistan is one of the most incredible – and underrated – destinations on the planet. 

But with tourism in the country just getting re-started, planning a trip to Pakistan can seem a bit overwhelming. And trust me when I say a solid Pakistan itinerary goes a long way – especially if you don’t have much time.

Because the reality is, that you do NOT need to be on a tour to travel to Pakistan. I first came to the country (sans tour) in 2019, and loved it so much that 3 years later – I actually live here!

Now having visited every single province and territory (including Balochistan and Azad Kashmir), I can confidently say that THIS Pakistan itinerary is most likely to make you fall hard for this incredible country, too.

So let’s do this – the ultimate one month Pakistan itinerary (with add-ons for slow travelers of course) compiled from more than one year of living and traveling in the country! 

After more than 2.5 years living in Hunza, I now run women’s tours to the valley that are committed to supporting local communities.

Click here to skip ahead to the itinerary!

Why Visit Pakistan?

Pakistan, Pakistan, Pakistan. Long written off as a viable travel destination, tourism in the country is back and better than ever.

More and more foreign tourists are discovering the magic of Gilgit Baltistan – a mountainous territory – and the rich cultural heritage sights that can be found all over the country.

Backpacking Pakistan is an adventure like no other, and while it’s becoming slightly more popular, you’ll likely go weeks without seeing other travelers.

With some of the best scenery in the world, and the MOST hospitable people, there are millions of reasons to visit Pakistan.

Delicious food, thousands of glaciers, unique traditions, thousands of epic historical sites , and some of the highest mountains on the planet are just a few reasons why you shouldn’t skip out on Pakistan. 

Understandably, this infrequently visited South Asian nation can seem intimidating at first. But in reality, Pakistan is extremely affordable for foreigners and does NOT require a tour. 

Folks are always willing to help tourists, and public transportation truly goes just about everywhere if you have enough time.

Armed with this Pakistan itinerary, you should be able to go about your entire trip independently , which is the absolute cheapest way to travel. 

Pakistan Travel Vlog

Is Pakistan Safe?

If you’re wondering if Pakistan is safe , the answer is yes! Especially the places on this itinerary, which are all tourist (including foreign tourist) friendly.

While Pakistan had some difficult times a decade ago, today the country is significantly different and IS once again safe for travel.

Foreign tourists are restricted from certain areas for extra safety, which mostly include border areas.

The only places in Pakistan that remain actively unsafe are portions of the former FATA region (also known as the tribal areas) of KPK, and portions of interior Balochistan particularly along the Afghan border.

The LOC of Azad Kashmir with India is also prohibited for foreigners, though the region (which includes Neelum Valley ) is relatively safe and popular with upper-class Pakistani families.

Pakistan really goes above and beyond to protect foreigners and has LESS crime than many countries in South America that are more popular with tourists.

Pakistanis themselves are also extremely hospitable by nature and will help you if you were in need.

It’s happened to me in so many different settings! 

Best Time to Visit Pakistan

The best time to travel to Pakistan isn’t just one answer. When you should come to PK largely depends on where you want to go, and what you want to see while you’re here. 

If you want to camp and really enjoy hikes, you’re going to want to visit Pakistan in from May-September. September is particularly beautiful and sees less domestic tourism which is high during the summer months.

There is a downside though. May – September is the WORST time to visit any of Pakistan’s cities. They boil to un-godly levels that are worsening each year. As much as I love Lahore, I only came to feel that way once I visited a second time in November.

As opposed to my first experience in the first week of August, it was like an entirely different city. 

For iconic fall colors that light up the mountains, October 15- November 15 should be your planned window.

If flowers are more your thing, all of Gilgit Baltistan, Ghizer and Upper Chitral become FILLED with blossoms from March 15th – April 15th .

The following table breaks down temperatures in all of the major provinces and territories: 

How Long Should I Spend in Pakistan?

Pakistan is HUGE and these days flights are pricey. Not to mention the country’s propensity for unexpected events – plans rarely go as planned when traveling in Pakistan.

This is why this isn’t a country you want to rush through – I’ve spent well over a year in Pakistan and STILL have more to see.

One month in Pakistan is the shortest amount of time to really make the visa, flights, and other features of travel here worth your while.

You certainly could see some major highlights in two weeks (just cut off the forthcoming itinerary after Hunza), but that’s really pushing it. 

And if you want to see North AND South Pakistan , you’re going to need at least two months.

Personally, I feel that 3 months (90 days) is the absolute perfect amount of time in the country. This will allow you to see everything that’s of interest to tourists, and you’ll get to travel slowly too. 

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for promoting a product or service. I took and own all photos unless credited otherwise. You can read my full disclaimer here.

One Month Pakistan Itinerary

As previously mentioned, anything less than one month in Pakistan will feel rushed, to say the least.

You would hardly get to savor your experiences, and one landslide could even throw off your entire return flight. Pakistan is worth your time–so spend some on it!

The following is a 4 week Pakistan itinerary that will highlight some of the absolute best nature in the country. As far as transport is concerned you can get around in a number of ways: hitchhiking, public transport, hired drivers, or the most adventurous option, two wheels!

Opting for a motorcycle rental in Pakistan is by far the best way to see the country in my opinion. And thanks to fellow travel blogger Alex Reynolds’ epic idea, you can now opt for options painted in a brightly-colored truck art design that you won’t see anywhere else.

Keep in mind that even one month isn’t much in a country this large and topographically diverse, so if you want to truly get a feel for all Pakistan has to offer, 2-3 months is the ideal timeframe for a trip.

Pakistan Itinerary Map

Day 1-2: Islamabad & Rawalpindi

The first few days of your itinerary while in Pakistan are all about getting a feel for the country, which Rawalpindi will likely help with more than Islamabad. 

Islamabad is the absolute easiest place to begin any Pakistan trip. The clean, green capital is incredibly modern, organized, and … boring! Adventure travelers just flying in might be surprised – is this Pakistan?

Indeed it is! Start off by visiting one of the most famous places in Pakistan: the stunning Faisal Mosque.

Next up, check out the Pakistan Monument and the historical Saidpur Village before setting off for some sprawling sunset views at the Daman e Koh viewpoint. 

Spend your second day in Pakistan experiencing the sensory overload that is Rawalpindi. Walk through the Raja Bazaar, admire the stunning Jamia Masjid , and savor some Pakistani food at the famous food street. 

Where to Stay in Islamabad

Budget : Backpackers Hostel Islamabad

Mid-Range : Jasmine Inn

Luxury : Islamabad Serena Hotel

Day 3: Islamabad to Raikot (approximately 12 hours by road)

Day 3 is all about beginning this Pakistan road trip! Whether you’re taking a bus or a car, you’ll be able to stop at Raikot , which is the gateway to one of the most beautiful

Natural places in Pakistan: the Fairy Meadows .

The ride should take about 12 hours, though if you start early it will pass quickly in a cascade of stunning scenery. 

If you opt to fly to Gilgit, you’ll have to backtrack a bit. Raikot is about 3 hours south of Gilgit, and if you’re wondering why it’s one of the top attractions in Pakistan, just take a gander at Nanga Parbat , the “Killer Mountain” and the world’s 9th highest. 

Spend the night in Raikot before setting off on one of the most dangerous roads in the world. 

Where to Stay in Raikot

Best Option: Raikot Gazebo

Day 4-7: Fairy Meadows

Aside from its fairytale views, the Fairy Meadows is famous for its death-defying jeep ride. Reaching the meadows is no easy feat! 

The jeep ride is officially designated as one of the most dangerous trails on the planet, but walking is not an option! 

A private jeep can cost more than 8000 PKR , which is why you’re going to want to link up with other travelers also in need of a seat. 

After the harrowing route, it’s about a 3-hour trek to reach Fairy Meadows. Once you reach, stay for the night unless you feel like pushing further to Beyal Camp, which is a few hours beyond the main meadow.

Note that a security escort is mandatory for all foreigners looking to continue onwards, and there’s no way around this. Be friendly and respectful, they’re just doing their jobs! 

Beyond Fairy Meadows is Beyal Camp , where you should also spend a night. A good few hours further and you’ll finally be at the Nanga Parbat Base Camp itself, though keep in mind you’re going to want some proper hiking gear to spend the night there!

Where to Stay in Fairy Meadows

Best Option : Greenland Hotel

Day 8: Gilgit

After experiencing one of the best treks in Pakistan , it’s time for another travel day, this time to Gilgit. 

It should take about 3-4 hours to reach the small city, where you can enjoy some creature comforts and grab anything you might want for upcoming northerly travels. 

There’s not much to do in Gilgit, though from here on out, plenty of viewpoints tend to be everywhere.

Gilgit is also where you can get your hands on a SCOM SIM card from the company franchise. I always go for the 650 PKR 10 GB package .

Where to Stay in Gilgit 

Budget : Madina Hotel 2

Backpacker Pick : Five Giants Guesthouse

Luxury : Gilgit Serena

Day 9-10: Karimabad

Now for one of the most incredible places in Pakistan: the Hunza Valley ! Not only is Hunza blessed with unspeakable beauty- it was termed Shangri La – but the people themselves are simply fantastic.

Hunzakutz in and around Karimabad speak a rare language isolate, Burushaski , and have traditions and local cuisine that’s unlike anything else you’ll see in Pakistan.

In fact, Hunza was a princely state until 1973 and will feel like another country from the rest of PK. 

Start early with a stunning ride from Gilgit, and you’ll be in the former capital of Hunza within 2.5 hours. Karimabad is a lovely little town with some fantastic cafes, views and history.

Spend night one catching the sunset at Eagle’s Nest (about 7 km from Karimabad up a windy road), before trying some local Hunza cuisine at the Hunza Food Pavilion in Karimabad.

The hoilo garma is like a spinach pasta, and the chapshoro is like a stuffed meat pie. Both are delish. 

Day two in and around Karimabad will consist of some historical site seeing: namely, the centuries-old Baltit Fort (in Karimabad itself) and the Altit Fort in the neighboring village Altit. 

Make sure you stop by Cafe de Hunza for their famous walnut cake, and if you’re feeling another height, the Queen’s Monument is a solid trek that provides insane views of the entire valley. 

Where to Stay in Karimabad

Budget: Old Hunza Inn

Mid-Range: Mountain Inn

Luxury: OffTo Resort Hunza

Day 11-12: Upper Hunza

More days traveling in Hunza Valley ? Yup!

While Karimabad is located in Central Hunza, there’s a lot more where that came from.

Most of the valley’s attractions are actually located in Upper Hunza , which is known as Gojal .

You’ll know you’ve arrived once you see the bright blue Attabad Lake on your left, it was created via a landslide disaster in 2010. 

While Gojal shares many similarities with Central Hunza, including cuisine, the language spoken is completely different: Wakhi . 

Passu is the ideal place to stay in the region – incredible views, the BEST food, and it’s a good place to set off for the Khunjerab Pass in the morning.

As it’s such a big region with a LOT to do, here’s what you should consider including in your Upper Hunza Pakistan itinerary in geographical order:

• Visit Attabad Lake
• Check out the carpet museum and the Bozlanj Cafe in Gulmit
• Climb the stairs to Ondara Poygah in Gulmit
• Explore Ghulkin Village
• Trek from Passu to Hussaini Bridge
• Have the best burger ever at the Yak Grill
• Try some apricot cake at Glacier Breeze Cafe
• See the Passu Cones 
• Take a detour to Shimshal or Chapursan Valley
• Drive through the Khunjerab Pass to the China border 

Where to Stay in Upper Hunza

Budget : Cathedral View Guest House (Passu, for backpackers/ budget travelers)

Mid-Range : Moksha Resort (Gulmit)

Day 13: Gilgit

Driving back from anywhere in Gojal to Gilgit will make for a long day, so once you reach, get some relaxation time in as yet another long drive awaits! 

Day 14-15: Phander

Welcome to Ghizer Valley, one of my absolute FAVORITE places in all of Pakistan.

The lush green valley is known for its bright blue rivers and lakes, and today you’ll get to see one in Phander.

Phander is about 6 hours from Gilgit, and the journey is almost as good as the destination.

Try to get a seat in the front or the right side for the best views of what’s known as the Gilgit-Shandur Road ! Spoiler alert: It will eventually connect you to Chitral. 

Once you reach Phander, do check out the stunning lake that sits at just under 10,000 feet. I always stay at the Lake Inn (or camp) for the easiest access to it.

Phander also has a few viewpoint hikes, including an interesting one to a “cola” spring. There’s also a scenic wooden bridge that you’ll pass by as you head further along the road past the lake. 

Where to Stay in Phander

Best Option : Lake Inn

Day 16: Over the Shandur Pass 

After at least one full day soaking in the bucolic vibes of Phander, it’s time for another fine road trip: an 8-hour journey over the Shandur Pass to Upper Chitral . 

If you have a bit more time, you can opt to stop in Mastuj first, which is the first “large” town you’ll encounter on your way towards Chitral Town.

If you do, be sure to stay at the Tourist Garden Inn , a family-run homestay with an incredible garden. 

If you happen to be in town around the first week of July, check to see if your plans will line up with the legendary Shandur Polo Festival. Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan battle it out on the highest polo ground in the world! 

Day 17: Booni

Today is all about Booni. Booni is one of my favorite places in Chitral, especially because of its iconic Qaqlasht Meadows . The meadows are accessible via a road that MOST cars and motorbikes can drive on. 

If you’re more into trekking, make your way to the Shipishun Meadows . Epic views of the valley await.

Though a small town, Booni is also blessed with a can’t-miss restaurant. The Nan Cafe is delicious, trendy, and will give you a chance to sample traditional Chitrali food. 

Where to Stay in Booni

Best Option : Mountain View Guest House

Day 18: Chitral

Chitral is only about 2-3 hours from Booni on a paved road! This will definitely come as a delight if you’re traveling by motorbike.

Wander around the Chitral Bazaar , visit the Jamia Masjid and the bright orange Chitral Fort .

With some extra time, (and at least a 125 cc bike ), you can have a stunning afternoon in nature in the Chitral Gol National Park . 

If you’re visiting in the right season, you can even catch a polo match back in the town center before sunset!

Where to Stay in Chitral

Budget/Backpacker : Al Farooq Guesthouse

Luxury : Roomy Hindu Kush Serai

Day 19-21: Kalash Valleys

After several days of Chitral and Upper Chitral culture, the Kalash Valleys are about to be something else entirely. 

The Kalash are an indigenous group who live about 3-4 hours from Chitral town.

They speak their own language, have their own traditional dress, and historically, are not Muslim but practice their own religion.

The Kalash region is made up of three valleys: Bumburet , Rumbur and Birir If you take one thing from this Pakistan itinerary, let it be this: do NOT visit Bumburet. It’s hella’ commercialized these days and is primarily for rich family tourism. 

For an authentic experience, make you’re way to Grum Village in Rumbur.

A van goes daily from Chitral’s upper bus stand to Rumbur. If you miss that, you can also take a public van to Ayun, which is the gateway to the valleys. 

Get to know the locals, and try your hand at several treks in the region.

For peak cultural scenes, visit during one of the 3 annual celebrations, which are some of the most interesting festivals in Pakistan .

Where to Stay in the Kalash Valleys

Best Option : Kalash Indigenous Guesthouse (Right side of the road, no online presence)

Day 22: Chitral

Public transport from the Kalash Valleys often leaves early AF, so today’s all about resting in Chitral.

Grab some food at the New Shinwari Restaurant and check out the Chitral River if you haven’t already. 

Day 23: Drive to Peshawar

While you can also drive to Peshawar overnight (or find some transport that can take you), I recommend visiting during the day to really appreciate the stunning landscape. 

The way it changes from reddish-purple rocks to lush greenery is a unique joy of Pakistan travel. 

The ride will take about 8 hours, and you’ll have to cross the Lowari Pass , which now includes state-of-the-art tunnels that make the route a LOT easier. 

Day 24-25: Peshawar

Peshawar’s historical places are everywhere – as the oldest city in South Asia, ALL of Peshawar can feel like something to see. The city is living history after all.

Start off by visiting some of the classics: namely, the Mohabbat Khan Masjid and the Sethi Haveli . Both are located in the Old City. Next, stroll around the Qissa Khwani Bazaar , which literally means storyteller’s bazaar.

You can then pass through Yadgar Chowk and wander around the old parts of the city. The Chitrali Bazaar is known for its pakol (a type of hat) stores.

While Peshawar IS a conservative place, the people are absolutely amazing. I’ve never been anywhere in Pakistan friendlier than Peshawar and that’s saying a LOT. 

Before your time in Pakistan’s oldest city is up, you HAVE to try the incredible dumba karahi at Charsi Tikka .

It’s famous, and the best of the best is located in Namak Mandi , another well-known bazaar. 

To really feel those cross border vibes, grab a taxi to Hayatabad and see the Bab e Khyber (gateway to the Khyber Pass that leads to Afghanistan) AND the Kharkhano Market , formerly known as the Smugglers’ Market.

For food that rivals Charsi Tikka in a real local setting, eat a meal at Shinwari Karahi Tikka in Hayatabad .

This no-frills spot has some of the most delicious mutton on earth – the bbq is where it’s at. 

Where to Stay in Peshawar

Budget : Al Ibadat Hotel

Mid-Range : Amin Hotel

Luxury : Roomy Crossroads

Day 26-28: Lahore

Your last few days in Pakistan will be spent visiting all the incredible places in Lahore ! A Pakistani saying goes that if you haven’t seen Lahore you haven’t lived, and I do believe you haven’t really seen Pakistan until you get into the thick of this city.

Another must-have on your Lahore itinerary: Food! This is a foodie city through and through, and there are so many delicious (albeit spicy) meals to be found.

Lahore’s restaurants are almost uncountable, though some iconic dishes include paya , tawa chicken , mutton channay , halwa puri and more! You can also find the BEST lassis in this city.

Major Lahore attractions include: the Lahore Fort , the Badshahi Mosque , the Wazir Khan Mosque , Shalimar Gardens and the Lahore Museum .

My personal favorite place in Lahore is a bit far out, but will be worth adding to your Pakistan itinerary: Jahangir’s Tomb !

The massive, lush tomb complex will take you far away from the chaos of the city and don’t even get me started on the INSANE interior tile design. It’s undoubtedly one of my favorite Asian landmarks .

If you happen to be in town on a Thursday night, make your way to the Shrine of Madho Lal Hussain .

Around 7 PM, the shrine becomes the sight of dhamal, an incredibly unique “only in Pakistan experience” Sufi meditative trance dance. 

Where to Stay in Lahore

Budget / Mid-Range : Rose Palace Hotel Gulberg

Luxury : Pearl Continental

Do NOT take Lahore’s heat lightly. The city is a fiery oven from April-September . I’m not saying don’t visit, but be prepared to pay for an AC hotel.

Day 29-30: Islamabad, or wherever you’re leaving from!

You did it – you’ve now spent ONE MONTH traveling in Pakistan!

Pakistan travel ain’t always easy, so definitely be proud of yourself: you’ve truly seen a LOT. 

These last two days are meant to be buffer days – you never quite know what will happen in Pakistan! Islamabad is the ideal place to end your trip in and get a bit of rest before continuing home or onwards. 

Alternatively, if you’re planning to head to India next (something I did after my first trip to Pakistan), stay in Lahore so you can easily cross the border. 

If you want to get one last day trip in, consider the following places in Pakistan, that all happen to be relatively close to Islamabad:

• Katas Raj Temples 
• Rohtas Fort 
• Taxila 
• Khanpur Dam

2 Weeks in Pakistan: What to Do?

If you only have two weeks in Pakistan, never fear! You can still have a fantastic time-and nearly all of it should be spent in the mountains!

The best 2 week Pakistan itinerary will just take the first 14 days of the one-month plan above. Instead of following the itinerary on to Phander, you’ll just head back towards Islamabad.

If you’re looking for a 10 day Pakistan itinerary, then cut out Fairy Meadows and make your way to Gilgit and then onwards to Hunza.

For a little bit of “Pakistan” after two weeks in GB, try to fit in a day for Peshawar .

It can be reached in just over 2 hours from Islamabad, and is one of the most historically and culturally intriguing cities in the world!

…Makes sense since it wears the title of the OLDEST city in all of South Asia. 

Are You Spending MORE Than One Month in Pakistan?

You’ve got more than one month to travel Pakistan? Buckle up – you’re in for a wild ride, and some of the best travel experiences on the planet.

In theory, you can spend three months in JUST GB alone. There’s just that much to enjoy!

But I do recommend you mix it up, as more than one month in Pakistan will give you a chance to really feel the country’s diversity.

Here are some other iconic places to add to this Pakistan itinerary:

Rakaposhi Basecamp (2-3 Days)

The trek to Rakaposhi Basecamp is one of the best-value treks in the North.

Beginning in the village of Minapin which is about 40 minutes from Central Hunza, the trek can either be done in 1, 2, or 3 days.

I highly recommend spending a night at the basecamp for the best experience!

Swat Valley (3-5 Days)

Swat Valley is a lush, mountainous region of KPK that’s best added on to this itinerary in between Chitral and Peshawar. 

These days, Swat is safe for travel and while it is very conservative, the hospitality is unmatched.

Check out the Buddhist ruins around Mingora before heading on to Kalam.

I highly recommend avoiding the over-touristed and trashed Mahodand Lake (sadly the previously pristine Kandol Lake is also headed in this direction) and doing the moderate day hike to Spinkhowar Lake instead. 

Adventurous travelers can also catch some altitude on a day trip to Desan Meadows .

When coming from Chitral, the best and most scenic way to reach Swat Valley is via the town of Thall in Dir and then onwards over the Badogai Pass . 

Baltistan (7-10 Days)

The massive section of Gilgit Baltistan most commonly referred to as Skardu is actually a massive region quite far and different from Hunza and Ghizer. 

Distances here are vast, and even the main city of Skardu is massive compared to its counterpart Gilgit.

You’re going to want to spend at least a week in the region to truly get a feel for things, though, with its recently finished road, it’s a lot easier to get here than it used to be. 

Here are the best places to visit in Skardu/Baltistan for your Pakistani itinerary:

• Skardu City
• Marsur Rock
• Katpana + Sarafanga Deserts
• Kachura Lakes
• Shigar Fort

Astore Valley (5 Days)

Astore is a region of Gilgit Baltistan that you should definitely add to your Northern Pakistan itinerary if you have time!

This lower portion of Gilgit Baltistan is as green as can be, and offers multiple epic hikes and alpine lakes.

Astore detour, trek to the Nanga Parbat Base Camp (Rupal Face), visit Rama Lake from the beautiful village of Tarashing , and spend a night camping at one of the most beautiful plateaus on Earth, Deosai National Park .

South Pakistan (14+ Days)

Though it will be boiling if you’re following this itinerary in summer, South Pakistan (South Punjab, Sindh) is definitely worth checking out if you have extra travel time.

Due to vast, vast distances between the Northern Areas and mainland Pakistan, you’re going to want to spend at least two weeks to comfortable explore.

Moving south from Lahore, you can check out the following locales:

• Kartarpur Corridor (Punjab) – This historical Sikh temple is a newly opened border crossing of sorts that allows Indians looking to visit the temple to technically enter Pakistan, something that is almost impossible otherwise. 
• Multan (Punjab) – The City of Sufis as it’s called is filled with jaw-droppingly beautiful Sufi shrines and tasty local food.
• Bahawalpur (Punjab) – Located near the Cholistan Desert, top attractions NEAR Bahawalpur include the Derawar Fort and the Tomb of Bibi Nawaz . 
• Sukkur (Sindh) – The first real city of Sindh, Sukkur should be on your Pakistan itinerary for its 7 Sisters Tomb , Landsdowne Bridge , and the island of Sadhu Belo .
• Larkana (Sindh) – The main reason to go to Larkana is undoubtedly for the incredible archeological site only 30 minutes away: Mohenjo Daro . The remnants of an ancient Indus Valley civilization, it’s one of the absolute best historical places in Pakistan. 
• Sehwan Sharif (Sindh) – This dusty town seems to sit in between sandy mountains and one of the largest lakes in the country. Sehwan was my favorite place in Sindh, particularly because of the fascinating dhamal that takes place at the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar . Qalandar was a saint who lived in the 1200’s.
• Bhit Shah (Sindh) – While a small town, Bhit Shah is a must visit to see the Shrine of Latif Bhittai . The shrine’s design and qawwali performances are both fantastic.
• Hyderabad (Sindh) – Hyderabad is a small city that’s filled with incredible historical architecture and places. The city has way more of a walkable vibe than Karachi–the Talpur Tombs are a can’t miss.  
• Thatta (Sindh) – An easy day trip from Karachi, Thatta is the former capital of Sindh and has two of the most incredible historical places in Pakistan. The Makli Necropolis is one of the largest graveyards on the planet, and the Shah Jahan Masjid displays the best tile work in all of South Asia.  
• Karachi (Sindh) – No South Pakistan is complete without the experience of Karachi. Take in the madness at Seaview , sample Karachi eats at Burns Food Street , and visit Quaid e Azam , the resting place of Pakistan’s founder.

Getting Around Pakistan

Executing this Pakistan itinerary won’t be difficult as far as transportation is concerned. You might encounter delays, but there are plenty of ways to get around Pakistan.

Local transport

Local transport is one of the cheapest ways to travel Pakistan. Local transport options exist on a spectrum – there’s everything from elderly vans stuffed to the brim with passengers to modern sleeper buses.

Faisal Movers and Daewoo are two of the most popular large buses for intercity transit, though you can find small vans and jeeps that go the same route for cheaper. 

As for other local options, Pakistan’s train network isn’t the best, but routes do exist between all major cities in Punjab, Sindh and KPK. 

While traveling by motorbike is HECTIC in cities, it’s truly the BEST way to see Pakistan’s scenic areas. I’ve traveled all over on motorbike, and the freedom it brings is simply unmatched.

Considering you can buy a used bike for $600 or less and then sell it later on – it’s also one of the most economical ways to go about this Pakistan itinerary. Don’t forget a good helmet though!

Quality helmets can be found in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi and should cost between $70-$100 USD. 

Hitchhiking

Thanks to Pakistani hospitality, hitchhiking around the country is pretty easy. I’ve even had people go out of their way to bring me to my destination.

Keep in mind that hitching as a foreigner may attract police attention in certain areas. If you’ve never tried before and you’d like to start, Hunza Valley is an easy place to give hitchhiking in Pakistan a go. 

Private Car

By far the most expensive way to go backpacking in Pakistan is by private car. While many travelers (including myself) rely on one at one point or another, I highly recommend you do NOT book one for your entire Pakistan trip.

This will be extremely expensive – only utilize private cars to visit destinations that do NOT have regular public transit. 

Uber/Careem

Ride share services are only available in Pakistan’s major cities – you won’t find anything of the sort up north or in places like Swat or Chitral.

These days, Careem and InDriver are far, far more popular than Uber, though it also exists.

Prices are very low compared to the West, and considering metro rails and trams don’t really exist in Pakistan outside of Lahore’s Orange Line, they’re the best way to get around the cities. 

Visas for Pakistan

As of 2021, Pakistan’s visa process for foreigners has moved completely online. The vast majority of nationalities can apply for an e-visa , which can be anywhere from 30-90 days.

Many nationalities are now also eligible for a multiple-entry visa that’s usually valid for a year.

Keep in mind that even though it’s a bit unclear, a LOI (letter of invitation) IS usually required by embassies. Some travelers have managed to get a visa with just an itinerary or a hotel booking, but this is rare.

An LOI does NOT mean you need to be on a tour though- it’s just a formality that ultimately makes registered tour companies money. 

If you find yourself loving travel in Pakistan so much you want to extend, you can do so on the same website for $20 .

I highly recommend that you do NOT select a duration of more than 90 days, as you may end up having to wait more than 2 months for your visa like I did.

Extensions ALSO (usually) require an LOI , though many Pakistan travelers have had success using their original one to satisfy this. 

What to Pack for Pakistan

Here are a few things you should definitely bring to Pakistan. If you plan on doing any serious treks:

FAQs About This Pakistan Itinerary

For people coming from Western countries, yes, Pakistan is absolutely cheap to travel in. That is if you stick to budget hotels and restaurants.

Pakistan can also be relatively expensive if you opt for luxury, especially up North.

Major international carriers that fly to Pakistan include: Qatar, Ethiad, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines among others. You will most liekly have a layover.

Pakistan can also be entered via land borders. Both the Wagah Border (India) and the Taftan Border (Iran) are open for traffic. Pre 2020, it was also possible to enter Pakistan from China at the Khunjerab Pass before China closed indefinitely.

Yes, Pakistan is mostly safe for tourists. The security issues that were prominent a decade ago have settled down and (domestic) tourism is at a peak in Pakistan.

All areas that tourists actually go to, including the places on this itinerary, are generally safe for travel. Gilgit Baltistan in particular is probably safe than almost anywhere in the US.

Peshawar is an incredible city with a difficult past. These days, violent attacks in the city are rare. Peshawaris are incredible hospitable, though do be sure to dress conservatively.

To be extra cautious, avoid visiting minority religious events or sites in Peshawar. Luckily, that shouldn’t affect your travel itinerary.

Pakistan is a conservative country, and you should definitely be respectful in your outfit choices. For ladies, a shalwar khameez (flowy pants and a long shirt) is the best way to go. You can swap out the pants for leggings as long as your butt is covered.

A hijab is not mandatory but keeping a scarf with you is always a good idea as they are required in mosques. Mens’ clothing is a bit more casual, though shorts are very unusual in most places.

Final Advice Before Traveling to Pakistan

And we’ve now come to the end of your Pakistan itinerary !

I hope you feel a lot more prepared about what to do in Pakistan, as well as how to get there. I truly believe that Pakistan is the most incredible adventure destination on Earth, and I don’t think it will take long for you to see that too.

Just know that unless you have unlimited time, it will be impossible to see everything in Pakistan. It’s absolutely HUGE. I’m more than a year in and my list of bucket list places in Pakistan keeps getting longer.

Focus on what you love, whether that be trekking in the Karakoram or diving deep into local culture somewhere in Sindh. If you’re a long term traveler with no location constraints, do take your time with Pakistan, and extend this Pakistan itinerary.

6-8 months is an ideal amount of time to truly get a solid taste for everything that is Pakistan.

But even with a 10 day travel itinerary, I hope you realize why I and so many others have fallen in love with this crazy place.

Did you like this Pakistan travel itinerary? Have a question? Let me know in the comments!

Samantha is the founder of Intentional Detours. Originally from the USA, she’s been backpacking the world since 2017, and is passionate about slow, adventure travel that puts local communities first. She has visited 19 countries and has been living in the Karakoram Mountains of Asia’s Hunza Valley since 2021. She’s super passionate about helping people get off the beaten path anywhere (on a budget of course), and her travel writing has been published in the likes of BBC Travel, CNBC, Business Insider, and more.

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45 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Pakistan

No doubt: Pakistan is one of the best travel destinations in the world right now. It is also one of the quirkier countries I have spent loads of time in. I have compiled this list in my mind for years and it is something I wish I had in my back pocket before I went backpacking in Pakistan for the first time. After 10 trips to this amazing country, I feel like it is time to unleash what I learned along the way.

Pakistan ain’t all huge mountains, samosas, and beautiful mosques (though it has all three in great abundance).

Let’s dive right into my ultimate list of my top 45 Pakistan travel tips and things to know.

DID YOU KNOW THAT I RUN TOURS IN PAKISTAN?

Every year I lead unique trips to Pakistan including the K2 Base Camp Trek and to the Hunza Valley?

Getting a Visa is MUCH Easier Than it Used to Be

As recently as mid-2019, in order to get your Pakistani tourist visa, one needed to apply through your country of residence. At that time I was an American living in France which meant I had to apply in France since I was a legal resident. The process took a month and cost me about €300 every time I applied as I used a visa service to help me, etc.

Enter the majesty that it is the e-visa system

Nowadays, getting a visa is super easy. I have a friend (American) who got issued an e-visa within 7 hours of applying! The fee depends on your nationality but on average a 30-day tourist visa will cost you about $60 USD.

You still need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) to apply for your visa, but there are many tour companies in Pakistan who will see you one.

Contact my friend Haris Ali Shah if you wish to buy an LOI ($75 USD) and tell him Off the Atlas sent you for a small discount.

Pakistan is An Islamic Republic

Pakistan might be very conservative (and traditionally tribal in some places) in some places, but the country is technically not governed under Sharia law. Pakistan is a democracy and you 100% do not have to be Muslim to travel here (or even visit ancient mosques).

If you are a woman traveling in Pakistan be sure to travel with a simple headscarf which you will need to enter religious sites.

In general, most Pakistani’s are very welcoming to foreigners and tolerant of other cultures and religions.

Getting Around in Pakistan is… Interesting

Plane, trains, buses, and motorcycles – these are just a few of the many transport options in Pakistan. You also have psychedelic trucks decked out with decorations straight out of an acid-tripper’s dream, chicken wagons, and taxi cabs that look like the wheels might fall off at any moment.

Point being – you have options. If you are short on time and want to visit the northern areas, flying to Gilgit, Chitral, or Skardu is definitely the way to go. Public transport is available almost everywhere in some form, though they move at the speed of molasses sometimes – especially when the road is in poor condition.

If you are into driving your own motorcycle in Pakistan , there are some of the most epic roads in the world here.

Pakistan is Home to the Karakoram Highway

One of the engineering wonders of the world, Pakistan’s legendary Karakoram Highway stretches 1,300 miles from the green foothills of KPK all the way to the high-altitude China border.

When you start getting into Gilgit Baltistan, simply look out the window of the vehicle you are traveling in to have your mind completely blown. I have driven the Karakoram highway from Punjab to Gilgit Baltistan at least 15 times at this point and I can truly say that the landscapes never get old.

English is Widely Spoken

Though the official language in Pakistan is Urdu – countless other languages are spoken by million of the population. As a foreigner speaking none or very little of these languages, never fear! It is not too difficult to get by with English.

Especially with the younger generation, many Pakistani people are quite fluent in English. In the mountains, people you are likely to encounter will probably at least semi-conversational.

That said, take the time to learn a few words of Urdu if you plan on spending some time in Pakistan!

ATM Machines Almost Never Work

Coming from the USA, the EU, UK, or Australia? Your magic plastic cards that put money in your pocket in every other country you visit probably won’t work in Pakistan. If you try 10 different ATM’s in Islamabad, maybe one will work.

Bring cash with you and use money changers to get rupees instead of embarking on a great struggle to find a functional ATM. In the northern areas, you can pretty much forget about using an ATM to get money. Euros, Dollars, and British Pounds are all easily changed to rupees.

The Roads in The Mountains Can Be Rough

Some parts of the KKH are in great shape. Other sections are plagued by constant landslides, rock falls, and general mayhem bestowed upon it upon them by mother nature. Be prepared for big delays if you are on taking public transit or a private vehicle. Always pack plenty of water, toilet paper, and SNACKS.

Whatever Google Maps tells you is the estimated time to your destination, double it at least.

Major highways connecting big cities are in great condition.

What’s Up With the Internet Situation?

A few years ago when I went to northern Pakistan, wifi and cell signal in most places was non-existent. Now that is slowly changing and there is much better internet access.

Getting a SIM card is a good option for people who want internet access on the road. I recommend Zong for Punjab/Sindh and SCOM for the north (the only one that works up there).

Pakistan Has a Plastic Problem

Everywhere you go you see plastic bags and plastic bottles being used with reckless abandon. Before you come to Pakistan get a water purifier bottle from Grayl. I have been using these for years in Pakistan and I’d say if there is one piece of gear you NEED for Pakistan – both for health reasons and to cut out single plastic bottle use – it is the Grayl Geopress.

Internal Flights Get Cancelled

There you are, at the airport, bags ready… and what happens? An announcement comes over the PA system that the “next flight to Skardu has been canceled”. Pakistan is still getting its internal airline program dialed in – and sometimes bad weather in the mountains is the true cause of flight cancellations.

When you book an internal flight, be prepared for flight cancellations and have a backup plan in case this happens to you.

Pakistan is a Tea-Addicted Nation

Chai: the favorite beverage of every Pakistani I have ever met. On-street corners, barbershops, train stations, and shepherd huts – chai is a drink you will encounter literally everywhere in Pakistan.

If you are a coffee drinker like I am, I suggest bringing your own coffee to Pakistan from your home country. I bring roughly 2 kilos with me every time I come! If you like sweet, milky tea, you have found your people.

Pack a Good Sleeping Bag and Down Jacket

If you plan on going to the mountains at all – do not underestimate how useful it is to have a good down jacket and sleeping bag. I have met COUNTLESS travelers – Pakistani and foreign who are grossly unequipped for the cold, unpredictable weather you might encounter whilst doing any form of outdoor activity in the north.

Having a sleeping bag and down jacket also opens up doors of adventure opportunities that would be off-limits completely if you did not have them.

The World’s Second Biggest Mountain is in Pakistan

We have all heard of Everest. The world’s biggest mountain attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year. Pakistan is home to #2 – K2 aka The Savage Mountain.

A journey to K2 Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list journey if hiking and big adventures are your thing.

Treks in Restricted Areas Require Permits in Advance

Even though 5 of the world’s highest mountains are in Pakistan, 4 of them are located in a restricted area (in Central Karakoram National Park). Pretty much this is because technically these are border areas with India and China and there is a year-round army presence scattered around these areas.

This means to embark on any of the amazing multi-day treks in the area you either have to:

• Apply for a NOC permit 4-6 weeks before your trip
• Apply for the new Trekking and Mountaineering Visa – which takes a minimum 4 weeks to get.

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The Trucks in Pakistan Are Psychedelic

Everywhere you go in Pakistan one sight is pretty much guaranteed: you will see awesome trucks, tractors, and buses decked out will all sorts of colorful ornaments and woodworking. It seems to be a contest: who can make their truck the most fabulous.

Where Are All the Women?

In cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi you will see women out in the streets everywhere. It is not uncommon to see women without head coverings as well in those cities. Outside of the urban centers though, it is difficult to see women out and about in many places.

I refer to Pakistan as the “country of dudes” since in many parts of KPK, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan, and elsewhere you simply do not see many women in public.

Traveling in Pakistan as a foreign woman is very safe generally speaking though as Pakistan has some pretty backward gender dynamics – traveling as a solo woman is definitely not the same as traveling as a man.

Police Check Points For Foreginers

Pretty much once you enter KPK or Gilgit Baltistan you will need to deal with police checkpoints every few hours. Now the rules seem to change often – but basically, you will need to check in with the police on the roadside checkpoints. This is a way for them to track where you are in the north. That might sound odd or invasive – but it is part of their commitment to keeping foreigners safe. Most of the time you are in and out of these checkpoints within a few minutes.

Drone Use and Pakistan

Contrary to popular belief, drones are not forbidden to bring into Pakistan. That said, you need to be smart about how and where you fly. Avoid flying it in cities unless you are very sneaky. NEVER fly it over military or police checkpoints or near any border areas.

If you are out in the mountains or near a small village flying a drone is usually fine. I advise asking the local people you are with (whether you are Pakistani or a foreign tourist).

It is also possible to get a permit for flying a drone in Gilgit Baltistan, but in my opinion, it is better to use common sense, be selective about where you fly, and don’t take any dumb risks that might get you in trouble with the police or army.

Pakistan is a very photogenic country from the air and I 100% recommend flying your little helicopter when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Check out my favorite drone photos of Pakistan .

The Food is Amazing

Generally speaking, Pakistan has amazing food. Bbq tikka, daal, sabzi, chapati, sweets of every shade, mutton karahi. .. all deliver a huge yum.

Because Pakistan is such a diverse country ethnically, the food varies a lot from region to region. That said, at times the food can feel repetitive. Be prepared to eat lots of fried bread, chicken, and rice.

Being a vegetarian or vegan traveler in Pakistan is not as easy as in India – but options are available pretty much everywhere. Food in Punjab and Karachi can be very spicy – so bland European pallets beware!

The main downside to Pakistani cuisine is the amount of cooking oil they put in everything. Be prepared for consuming a large amount of oil on a daily basis!

Pakistani Selfie Culture is a Thing

If you are a foreigner, and especially if you are a woman, Pakistani (mostly men, but sometimes women) will randomly ask you for a selfie. Where do all of these selfies end up?! I have pondered this for years.

Everyone has a different level of personal boundaries, so whatever feels right to you when it comes to posing for a selfie is how you should handle that situation. If you do not feel comfortable taking a photo with a random stranger, you must absolutely say so.

There are Dudes with Guns Everywhere

If you are coming from the west, you will not be accustomed to the sight of seeing guns all the time. Security guards, police, army, special forces teams – they are abundant everywhere as are their guns.

Personally, I have never felt threatened or intimidated by anyone ever in Pakistan. Just to say, guns will be around and it is kind of something you just need to get used to. On a few occasions, police officers have handed me their AK-47 machine guns to pose for a photo with. I don’t condone the use of these death machines, but I admit I have taken a photo with a gun or two in my time.

Carry Copies of Your Passport + Visa!

Related to the point above, you will often need to hand over copies of your passport and visa to the police at checkpoints. Before you leave the cities for the north, head to a print shop and get at least a dozen (more like 15-20) copies made of each. You can put your visa and passport image on the same paper to avoid carrying a mountain of paper with you.

Alcohol is Illegal… But…

For Muslims, it is illegal to consume alcohol in Pakistan. That said, MANY Pakistanis like to enjoy a discreet drink or two and it is not hard to find alcohol in a few Pakistani cities if you know where to look. There is a brewery in Rawalpindi called Muree Brewery – they make beer, vodka, whiskey, gin, etc. It is not the best booze and is sure to give you a raging hangover if you overindulge.

Hunza Water: Traditional Booze of the North

Ask any Pakistani who has traveled to Hunza and a wry smile will come over their face the moment Hunza Water is mentioned. Hunza Water is a distilled local spirit usually made from fruits like mulberries or apricots. I must say though that despite the hype, Hunza Water is pretty underwhelming and will also produce a bad hangover if you drink too much. My advice? Try it once and move on with your life.

Can Non-Married Couples Get Hotel Rooms Together?

Short answer: yes! Unlike in Iran, you do not have to be married to your partner to stay in the same hotel room as them. On one occasion I have been asked this by a hotel receptionist and I just said “yes”. No proof was required. When in doubt, you can just tell the white lie that you are married if asked – but 99% of the time, foreign or Pakistani couples should not have a hard time getting a room together.

Can I Visit the Place Where Osama Bin Laden Was Killed?

No you can not. The Pakistani government destroyed the entire compound months after Bin Laden was killed by US Navy Seals back in 2011 to avoid it turning into a dark tourism site or shrine. In any case, if you are coming to Pakistan to see something like that, you should probably reevaluate your sightseeing priorities.

Traveling During Ramadan is Hard

I have now spent 3 full Ramadan ( Ramzan ) cycles in Pakistan and I must say: travel in Pakistan is challenging in the best of times – during Ramadan it is that much harder.

Finding food can be tricky as very few places are open during the day. People understandably move slower and are working reduced hours. The entire pace of life slows down during the day. At night though the entire country seems to come to life and there are people out and about at all hours of the night.

Especially if you are en route from a city to the north, nothing will be open during the day for a proper meal. Pack accordingly and be respectful when eating in public (don’t do it) if you are not observing the Ramadan fast.

Uber and Food Deliver Apps Work in Pakistan

In big cities, the easiest way to get around is either by moto rickshaw or by using a ride app like Uber. While Uber does work, the ride app Carem is the local version of Uber and it works better and is cheaper.

For food delivery, use Food Panda! Food Panda also offers a grocery delivery service. Note that Food Panda only works in big cities. You can not use either Uber or Food Panda in the North. Out there you are on your own when it comes to finding rides and getting meals.

Pakistanis are Crazy for Cricket

Professional cricket players in Pakistan are like rock stars. From huge stadiums to vacant city lots to dirt fields in small villages – you can see Pakistani people playing cricket anywhere they can find the ground.

If Covid ever finishes, try to catch a professional game at one of the stadiums if you have an interest in sports.

Some Places Are Straight Up Off Limits

Despite my best efforts, I am yet to make it into a few places that are off-limits to foreign tourists almost without exception. There are a few places in Pakistan (and the whole province of Kashmir) that are off-limits due to security concerns. Even if you get your hands on a NOC (No Objection Certificate) permit – the army has the final say on whether you get in or not – and that final say is usually “no”.

If you are considering going somewhere like Kashmir – be sure to ask a local tour operator or traveler what the current situation is before attempting to go anywhere that might have the reputation for being out of bounds for foreigners. You lucky Pakistani travelers, enjoy Kashmir for me!

Sufi Shrines and Dance Parties

Sufis are traditionally wandering mystics. They often have dreadlocks, huge beards, and a fondness for smoking large quantities of hash, and a penchant for rhythmic music. There are a number of famous Sufi shrines scattered across Pakistan. On some nights of the week, people gather at the shrines for Kavali music and dancing. One of my favorite cultural experiences in Pakistan has been attending a Sufi dance party. Highly recommend it!

Prices are Different For Foreigners (Sometimes)

At restaurants and hotels – usually, the prices are the same across the board (though hotels can usually be negotiated depending on the situation).

Other things like national park entrance fees, fees to enter historical sites, and trekking permits are much more expensive for foreigners vs locals. This can be quite annoying. I just tell myself that the money is going into the national park or the preservation of a historic mosque (but I seriously doubt that as well).

Officially – Dating is Not Really a Thing

Being a conservative Islamic society, there are two life status options: single or married. Casual dating is widespread among the middle-upper class of the modern generation, but not openly. Romantic relationships are kept closed behind doors unless the couple is officially married.

If you are a foreign woman traveling alone, the first two questions you might get asked are “how many kids do you have?” and “where is your husband?”.

It is Difficult to Find Good Gear in Pakistan

There are a handful of outdoor equipment shops scattered across Pakistan. The ones I have visited are in Karimabad, Skardu, Lahore, and Islamabad. What you find in those places is pretty hit or miss. While you might be able to find what you need in a pinch. Pakistan is not Nepal in terms of easily being able to rock up to the country and find western-quality trekking and camping gear.

Buy what you need BEFORE coming to Pakistan and don’t count on local shops having that Patagonia Down Hoodie you have been swooning over.

It is also worth noting that if you have big feet, it is almost guaranteed that the trekking shops won’t have your size boot.

Changing Money

Most major currencies are accepted at money changers but here is a fat tip: don’t change your money at the airport and don’t change your money at banks. To be honest, the best way to get a favorable exchange rate is to find a small money changer to does not your ID and blah blah blah to change the money. The best exchange rates I have gotten have been through money exchange places where you just walk in, give them the cash you want to change, and you are on your way in 5 minutes. No paperwork. No BS.

Note that the bills you bring into Pakistan from abroad should be in excellent condition.

Trash and Tourism

Let’s be real here: Pakistan does not have the same funding as western countries to be able to deal with the trash produced in the country. That is a fact. That said, as tourism grows in the northern areas, so do the piles of trash tourists leave behind. There is kind of a culture of just chucking garbage out the window anywhere in the country and not thinking twice (not everyone of course, but generally speaking).

Do your part to always pack out your trash and if you see someone littering or blatantly abusing the environment (foreigner or local) call them out on that shit. If Pakistan wants to be a serious contender in the tourism sector – the government needs to invest in a big way in sanitation management and education – like in a big way.

Youtubers and Famous Instagram Stars Only Show the Bright Side of Pakistan (most of the time)

Pakistan has a lot of bright spots. This country is home to truly jaw-dropping landscapes and some of the friendliest, most hospitable people I have ever met in a decade of traveling. That said, Pakistan is human too. What does this mean? It ain’t perfect.

Often I see videos or photos from famous western influencer types who only show the beauty and don’t really talk about the inherent dark sides any country has.

Take it from me: Pakistan is amazing and my favorite country on earth. That said, there are a ton of issues that need to be addressed: the millions in severe poverty, gross government mismanagement in some sectors, poor education, unequal rights for women and the LGTB community, freedom of expression is not really a thing, etc, etc. Expect to come to Pakistan to experience its beauty, kind people, and its flaws all at once.

The Wagah Border Ceremony

Before Covid times, every day around the same time, the two nuclear-armed rivals of India and Pakistan never missed a date: both sides performed their duty at the very strange, but very entertaining Wagah Border ceremony. If you are in Lahore (or coming from India) this exhibition of the ultra-nationalist, absurd, and macho is one that can’t be missed (watching it once is more than enough).

Pakistan and India (Governments) Hate Each Other

If you are not familiar with the India – Pakistan dynamic – I’ll break it down real quick: these two countries share an equal amount of disdain and mistrust for each other at the best of times.

That said, the average Pakistani you might talk to doesn’t really wish ill will against the average Indian citizen. Pakistanis and Indians actually have a ton in common – if only the governments could learn to work better together.

The Taliban Is No Longer Powerful in Pakistan

Despite what your mother may hear on the western news, Pakistan is not rife with terrorists and Taliban fighters. For sure Pakistan is home to small pockets of ultra-extremist violent elements in remote corners of the country – but the Taliban does not weld much power or influence these days.

The Pakistani government and army have severely weakened or eliminated altogether the former strongholds of Taliban or like-minded groups throughout the country. Pakistan is a safe place where you don’t need to fear that terrorists are lurking around every corner.

In fact, I have felt a lot less safe in places in South America than I ever have in Pakistan.

Hotel Rooms Are Always Negotiable

Accommodation prices vary wildly in Pakistan. It is possible to find a cheap, mildly clean room for nearly nothing, while it is also possible to find luxury accommodation for a few hundred bucks a night.

Prices for hotels are generally higher in the high season – this is especially true in the mountain areas. Strike a balance between not getting ripped off and not paying so little that it is clearly not fair. Ask a local person what the price should be and base your haggling strategy on that.

People On The Street Don’t Hassle You to Buy Stuff

If you have ever been to a touristy part of India, you might agree that the hassle one receives on the street as a foreigner (or even a local person) is utterly exhausting.

Pakistan is not like that. You will almost never get people trying aggressively to usher you into their restaurant or buy some tourist souvenir.

Especially if you are out of a city in Pakistan, everyone kind of just minds their own business and they don’t see you as a walking cash box that needs to be taped.

I fully understand the people working in economies that depend on tourism need to hustle. That hustle does not take the same form in Pakistan as it does elsewhere, and I am very thankful for that fact.

That said, taxi drivers at the airport will all hassle you.

Balochistan Has Awesome Beaches

The least visited part of Pakistan is Balochistan. This immense southern province has nearly 770 of coastline! Pakistan ain’t all mountains and crazy cities – there are some truly hidden desert/coastal gems to be explored in Balochistan.

Time to Get Packing

Good on ya, you made it through my entire list. You are now way more equipped for the ins and outs of traveling in Pakistan than I ever was when I first stepped foot in the country.

Check out my full Pakistan packing list to get in the know about what sort of gear you need before traveling here.

Have a bit of Pakistan travel knowledge to share with the Off The Atlas community? Post a comment below and maybe I will add it to the list!

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33 Things to Know before traveling Pakistan | Pakistan Travel tips

Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

Despite ancient history, breathtaking natural landscapes, popular mountain trekking, delicious food and warm hospitality, Pakistan is often overlooked by tourists. However, the country has been gradually opening up to tourism in recent years. Before you plan your trip to Pakistan, there are things to know before traveling Pakistan to make your trip hassle-free, safe and enjoyable This guide shares essential Pakistan travel tips to keep in mind before traveling to Pakistan.

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33 Things to Know before traveling Pakistan | Pakistan travel tips

Table of Contents: 33 Things to Know before traveling Pakistan | Pakistan Travel tips

• 1.0.1 1. Pakistan’s Natural Beauty is Heaven on Earth
• 1.0.2 2. Rich Cultural Heritage
• 1.0.3 3.  Islam is the main religion
• 1.0.4 4.  Outdoor Adventure
• 1.0.5 5. Pakistani Food
• 1.0.6 6. Pakistan food can be spicy and oily
• 1.0.7 7. Hire a food tour or hire a guide to appreciate Pakistani food
• 1.0.8 8. Food Safety & Health in Pakistan
• 1.0.9 9. Vegetarian dishes do exist in Pakistan
• 1.0.10 10. How to get a Letter of Invitation for your Pakistan tourist visa
• 1.0.11 11. How to Get a Pakistan tourist e-visa
• 1.0.12 12. Currency in Pakistan
• 1.0.13 13. Foreign exchange shops
• 1.0.14 14. Withdraw enough cash
• 1.0.15 15.  Not all hotels accept foreigners
• 1.0.16 16. Prices in Pakistan
• 1.0.17 17. Urdu
• 1.1.1 18. Know the areas in Pakistan to AVOID
• 1.1.2 19. Crime in Pakistan
• 1.1.3 20. Armed Security Guards & Military Checkpoints
• 1.1.4 Pakistan roadtrip checkpoints
• 1.1.5 Armed Security Guards for Travelers
• 1.1.6 21. Get perspectives from locals and travelers of Pakistan
• 1.1.7 22. Genuine and Warm Hospitality
• 1.1.8 23. Dress modestly in Pakistan
• 1.1.9 24. Dress is more casual in Northern Pakistan
• 1.1.10 25. Respect local customs
• 1.1.11 26. Strict propriety between sexes
• 1.1.12 27. Female solo travel can feel uncomfortable your first time
• 1.1.13 28. Sexual harassment
• 1.1.14 29. Segregation
• 1.1.15 30. Transportation
• 1.1.16 31. Altitude sickness (AMS)
• 1.1.17 32. Be prepared for emergencies
• 1.1.18 33. Be open-minded
• 1.1.19  What are your Pakistan Travel tips? What would you add to Things to Know before traveling Pakistan?

1. Pakistan’s Natural Beauty is Heaven on Earth

Did you know Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes? From the towering Northern peaks of the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges to the stunningly, lush green valleys of Hunza and Swat, it is not known as the Switzerland of Central Asia for nothing!

Home to some of the world’s highest peaks, it attracts as many hardcore trekkers as Nepal . The country also boasts stunning lakes, such as Attabad Lake and Lake Saif-ul-Malook , and magnificent waterfalls, like the majestic Neelum Valley Waterfall. And the list goes on…

2. Rich Cultural Heritage

If you’re a cultural enthusiast, Pakistan is home to a diverse mix of cultures and traditions, with a rich history that spans over 5,000 years. It has a Sufi heritage which gives way to the ideology of Islam.

Visitors can explore ancient archaeological sites like the ruins of Taxila, an ancient city that was once a center of Buddhist learning.

Archeologically, there are forts, shrines, mosques, tombs, stupas, monuments and petroglyph carvings to visit.

3.  Islam is the main religion

Pakistan is 97% Islam , with Hindus, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, and Buddhists sharing the rest of the breakdown. As an Islamic character, you see mosques, palaces, tombs, and fortresses

4.  Outdoor Adventure

Pakistan is an outdoor adventure lover’s paradise, offering a wide range of activities like trekking, mountaineering, and white water rafting. Home to some of the highest and most scenic mountain peaks in the world, many visit Pakistan for trekking. The country’s rugged terrain provides an ideal setting for numerous trekking routes that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. I’ve heard the beauty even surpasses Nepal (gasp!)

 K-2 is the second highest mountain in the world.  Nanga Parbat , also known as Killer Mountain , is Pakistan’s second highest mountain with a nickname that has solidified its reputation as a challenging trek. But there are  easier bucket list hikes that will garner epic views, like Fairy Meadows – known for its seemingly magical beauty- and Passu hike to Borith Lake where you’ll pass glaciers and Lake Attabad.

And this is just the tip of the glacier!

5. Pakistani Food

Pakistan food has Indian roots but its mixed with Irani, Afghani, Persian, Western and Mughal influences (check out this introduction to Pakistani food ). It has a wide range of dishes, from spicy and aromatic curries to succulent kebabs and biryanis. Must-try dishes include chicken tikka, nihari, and biryani .

Do you have broader Pakistani eating goals to aspire to? Check out Migrationology’s list of Pakistan Must Try foods.

6. Pakistan food can be spicy and oily

Pakistani food is super flavorful, delicious and filling, but it can also be very oily and very spicy.  By spicy here, I mean heated flavor. The level of spice can be similar to Korean and Thai dishes, but not to the point of scalding the taste buds. Even my morning scrambled eggs had a heated edge, which actually added to its addicting flavor.

Pakistan food tip: Request a yogurt side dish like raita. It will soothe the heat into a palatable bite.

If you are allergic to or have a low tolerance to spicy foods,  hire a guide or take a food tour to be more informed about foods you can tolerate and to have assistance when you order. A guide will be able to find non-spicy foods for you or translate your dietary needs to the cooks. Also know, that might not always be effective. Although we had a local tour leader to request dishes without spice, many Pakistanis do not understand that concept of foods without spic and orders still came with mild spice.

7. Hire a food tour or hire a guide to appreciate Pakistani food

I love taking guided food tours to help me better appreciate and understand the foods of a country. However, Pakistan does not have a many of these yet.  So you’re better off hiring a local guide through the recommendation of your hotel.

8. Food Safety & Health in Pakistan

Travelers should take precautions when it comes to food and drink. It’s advisable to avoid tap water and instead opt for bottled water, which is widely available.

Additionally, be cautious where you try street food, as it may not be hygienic. It’s best to have a food guide to introduce you to reputable spots but also be prepared in case you get sick.

Pakistan Travel Tip: Bring your western antidiarrheal just in case. You can also visit the local pharmacy for any medication if you get sick in Pakistan.

Follow my guide on how to avoid getting sick whilst traveling

9. Vegetarian dishes do exist in Pakistan

Pakistan is a very meat loving country. Although there are aspects of Pakistani food which are similar to Indian foods,  veganism is not a concept in Pakistan.  Luckily, there are dishes that just happen to be vegan/  vegetarian such as dal (lentil) dishes, lobhia kah salan (dish with black-eyed peas), pakora (fried vegetable fritters) and aloo paratha. 

There are bean and vegetable dish variations prepared with various spices and curries: Shahi daal (moong dal),  bhindi masala (okra), maashki dal , aloo chana (potato with chickpeas), lotus root curry, baingan ki borani (eggplant dish), chana dal samosa (see food photos here ).

Whether those dishes share the same oil as meat dishes, I don’t know. If you are a strict vegan, you will want to think twice about Pakistan.

If you’re vegetarian traveler, read my  Vegetarian Travel Tips

10. how to get a letter of invitation for your pakistan tourist visa.

For a while, the only way to get your Letter of Invitation to apply for your Pakistan tourist visa was by being invited by a Pakaistani local, book a spot on a tour with a Pakistan tour operator or buy a Letter of Invitation from a local tour operator. These are the reliable, fuss-free and lawful ways.

Another option for travelers that I’ve heard of -particularly for those who are willing to take risks- is to apply for your Pakistan tourist visa with your hotel booking details. This places responsibility on your hotel to vouch for you. But it also exposes you to encounters with officials, who may be having a bad day or who want to make it difficult for you in order to get baksheesh (aka side payment or bribe ).

I’ve heard stories about baksheesh in Pakistan and I’ve seen officials give travelers a bad time by picking on something small to pull them out of line. A passenger in front of me – a family man with wife and child- was pulled aside and taken to a sizeable queue that led to the official “back room”.  When the immigration official returned to continue his job, he laughed sneeringly to his buddies. They can make it difficult for you out of mere entertainment.

Get your letter of invitation from a tour operator.

11. How to Get a Pakistan tourist e-visa

Pakistan requires a Pakistan tourist e-visa for entry. You will not be able to board your plane without your visa.

You can apply for a Pakistani visa through the country’s embassy or consulate in your home country but the easiest way is to get a Pakistan tourist e-visa online via the Pakistan government website (if your country is eligible). Always use NADRA, the government site. You’ll be required to have a passport, passport photo and a Letter of Invitation and hotel/itinerary details . It’s not too different from getting an India tourist visa .

You can get a 30-day, single-entry or multiple entry tourist e-visa. The single entry visa itself is good for 3 months. Pakistan visa fees range (you can calculate your cost here ).

The process of obtaining a visa can be as quick as a few days or it may take weeks. It is advised to apply at least three months in advance of your trip, so you don’t stress about it.

Tip: It’s always a good idea to make copies of your passport and other important documents. I like to make both, printed and mobile photo copies. The latter gives me quick access and is great when your passport is at the bottom of your bag or back at the hotel.

12. Currency in Pakistan

Pakistan is a cash-based society and the official currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani rupee.

Foreign credit cards are not widely accepted, although you can use them at large western hotels and higher-end shops in large cities. Please bear in mind, the vendors pay credit card fees to credit card companies and thus, lose money from that sale. Use cash for small purchases; the country is undergoing a severe economic depression, so please be a responsible traveler ( read my travel tips) , before your trip!

ATMs can be found in large cities, but the tricky part i s that not all ATMs take foreign cards and some ATMs can accidentally eat them. Thus, it’s always best to go to a bank ATM during operating hours.  The max withdrawal you can take out of a Pakistani bank ATM is 60,000 Rs or $65. Fortunately, you can withdraw cash as many times as you need in your visit to the ATM. Just be aware of ATM fees.

Here’s 20 ATM tips you MUST know before traveling

Order Pakistan ruppee from your home bank: Consider ordering Pakistan rupees from your home bank, to reduce your stress and have money when you arrive into Pakistan.  Bear in mind, as Pakistan does not see a lot of foreign travelers, airports may not have a strong infrastructure to deal with their needs properly. It will cost a little more, but finding a foreign currency exchange or bank ATM that accepts foreign credit cards is one of the trickier things about traveling Pakistan. 

When I arrived into Islamabad airport, there was one non-descript foreign exchange desk and no ATMs that took foreign cards. The arrivals area for tourists did not have foreign travelers in mind so there was not a strong infrastructure for dealing with their needs. At the currency exchange desk I was able to exchange $100 USD; that was all I was allowed.

13. Foreign exchange shops

Foreign exchange shops take USD, Euro & popular currencies. Exchange money at local banks to avoid scams .  However, many banks in Pakistan don’t exchange money, you must go to a money exchange office or Western Union. The country is sensitive to money laundering, so you will need your passport and visa. It is helpful to have a local person with you as a sort of guarantor that you are who you say you are and your business in Pakistan is for tourism.  Tip: Bring clean unmarked and newish looking bills. 

14. Withdraw enough cash

Before traveling up north or to more remote villages, withdraw enough cash as ATMs are limited, challenging to find and its dispenser may run out of cash. On the tour, it is advised to take out enough money before leaving the urban cities.

15.  Not all hotels accept foreigners

Pakistan is a wonderful country to travel but it can be tricky.  Just as not all ATMs accept foreign debit cards, not all hotels accept foreigners.

16. Prices in Pakistan

Prices in Pakistan are inexpensive for a western traveler.  It’s in the ballpark of India prices, with quality being higher .

Budget and guesthouse lodgings: $5-$30 USD A Coke  30 cents USD My Kurta tops: $6-8 USD Salon hair cut & style: $24 USD Room service sandwich: $5 USD A restaurant meal: $2-4 USD Meal at Mc Donalds or Subway sandwich : $4 USD

Responsible Pakistan Travel Tip: Some travelers love a great deal to the point of cruelty. I wouldn’t haggle a vendor down from a decent wage, especially given Pakistan’s economic depression. I’ve spoken to workers and it’s gotten so low that some are considering moving away.  Prices are quite low — getting a vendor to give you something for practically free is not cool; it’s cruel. Know your prices and be mindful that vendors need to feed a family in their country, while you are taking a vacation .

Average Monthly Net Salary in Pakistan: $168 USD/month Average cost of apartment rental in Pakistan city: $100/month USD

The official language of Pakistan is Urdu. Although many people in Pakistan speak English, it’s still a good idea to learn some basic Urdu phrases, such as hello ( salam ), thank you ( shukriya ), and please ( meherbani ).

On another note, you will find a predominance of signs in English when traveling Pakistan. Fret not when looking at food menus or transportation instructions.

Safety and Security

18. know the areas in pakistan to avoid.

It is always advisable to check the latest travel advisories from your country’s government before planning your trip to Pakistan. But it is also important to get a fuller picture from the travelers and locals that are actually traveling and living in Pakistan in real time. Check travel blogs to research what travel bloggers have experienced and search online travel forums.

Pakistan has its share of security challenges with the bordering countries it has and the nation dipping into economic depression. Researching online media you’ll negative and scary stories about Pakistan; although, I’ve typically found that about many countries I’ve wanted to travel:  India , Turkey , Greece , South Korea , Thailand , Myanmar , Mexico . Read my thoughts on why Solo Travel is safe for women .  Although there is a level of truth to western media, danger exists in every country. After traveling (and living in some of) those countries I mentioned, I consider the U.S. as being more dangerous, so amidst the media noise, a solo traveler must reach for a more grounded perspective from locals and travelers in the field.

While a majority of Pakistan is safe for tourism, there are areas that are considered “high risk areas” and are off-limits to foreigners. High risk areas to avoid in Pakistan are the border regions with Afghanistan and India (the Wagah border is safe and it is also open for crossing). Parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces are also best avoided. These are places you would not generally stop to visit if you were a tourist and if you did, you might pass through it but any extended stays, the government would send security escorts.

Main cities and Northern Pakistan are generally considered safe for tourism.

19. Crime in Pakistan

To think crime does not exist in any country is naive. Every city and country has crime and poverty. Be street smart and proactive anywhere you go.

Pakistan is going through a bad economic depression. Many locals have talked about with me. They feel it. For the most part, Pakistani nature is hospitable, generous and friendly. But there will be urban pockets where locals may advise you to not flaunt your valuables or mobile phones.

Pakistan Travel Tip: Ask locals and your hotel if there are any areas to avoid. They will kindly tell you what to look out for and which neighborhoods are best avoided. 

20. Armed Security Guards & Military Checkpoints

Armed security guards and military police checkpoints are a norm in Pakistan. The wealthy employ them as staff outside their mansion. You’ll find them everywhere.

Pakistan roadtrip checkpoints

If you’re doing an independent road trip in Pakistan, prepare to get pulled over multiple times.  On my Pakistan group adventure , our operator created several copies of our group information (with the names and passport numbers of each traveler) to give to our driver to distribute, along with his driving information. thus, if you’re doing a Pakistan roadtrip independently, be prepared to get pulled over and show your driving and passport details.

Tip: If doing an independent road trip in Pakistan, have multiple copies of your passport handy. 

Armed Security Guards for Travelers

The Pakistan government and tourism department keeps a hawk-eye on travelers entering their country. They know about everyone who is entering Pakistan and who they need to watch for. The Pakistani government and tourism department work hand-in-hand to take responsibility for safe travel in their country.  They want to know that you’re there to be a tourist and not falling into high risk areas, where there is controversy, conflict or potential terrorism, like Balochistan states or tribal areas. The moment a traveler hops the curb into a security sensitive place, the tourism board deploys armed security guards to “escort” them to safety.  This is wonderful if you’re a very security loving traveler. But a complaint of independent travelers is that they find it restrictive of their freedom. I personally, like the security mindedness, although I can see the cons towards independent travelers.

After arriving in Naran and wanting to do a bit of wandering and snack shop exploration of the town,  our hotel sent an armed security guard to escort our group. They mentioned that the day or week prior- there was a local protest and unrest, so they wanted to provide this extra measure of safety. As hotel guests, the hotel felt responsible for our safety. Thus, our guard’s  function was to take us to get our snacks and then bring us back immediately. No wandering or town exploration as I had hoped. In the morning I attempted this again and the morning guard dissuaded me from leaving the hotel grounds.

Pakistan Travel Tip: If you feel you want an escort, you can hire a security guard escort through a local operator or the tourism department. They can be inexpensive because they are a common service. If you don’t want to splurge, then wandering into a risky area could get you one for free!

21. Get perspectives from locals and travelers of Pakistan

Locals know where the dangerous zones are and whether warnings are well-warranted.

If you ask travelers traveling Pakistan and Pakistani locals, if Pakistan is safe, you’ll find many replying with a resounding YES! They’ll tell you the hospitality of Pakistani people is overly welcoming and people will open their homes to you. What you’ll experience in Pakistan is always going to be greater and what you see on western media is a small piece of the greater pie.

When the U.S.A travel advisory marked Khunjerab national border (by China) as dangerous, a local tourism government official corrected me and said that the border is safe and open for crossing.  I’ve read online that the India-Pakistan borders are unsafe, but researching border crossing via the Wagah border, I’ve found the border is open and thus, one of the travelers of my group successfully crossed Into India from Lahore!

Read my Pakistan- India border crossing instructions

22. Genuine and Warm Hospitality

Pakistani people are renowned for their kindness, generosity, and hospitality, and visitors often find themselves making new friends and connections, welcomed with open arms by the locals. Nevertheless, solo female travelers should show a little restraint as solo interaction does not always mean the same thing.

Read my  31 Solo female travel safety tips

23. dress modestly in pakistan.

Being Muslim, Pakistan is a conservative country, so it’s important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.

Both, men and women are recommended to cover their shoulders, arms, and legs in public.

For men, T-shirts and jeans/trousers or okay anywhere in Pakistan.

Women should wear loose-fitting clothes that cover their arms and legs, and a headscarf is recommended when visiting mosques.

The Shalwar kameez is a light-weight, loose-fitting shirt/blouse top and pants combination. If you’ve ever bought a kurta in India or Nepal, then you can likely use that.  The shalwar kameez is the common local denominator of comfortable clothes, for both men and women (read tips on how to buy/wear one ). It is an ideal outfit to navigate both, weather fluctuation and cultural etiquette.

24. Dress is more casual in Northern Pakistan

In the mountains of north Pakistan in the Gilgit-Balistan and Hunza Valley regions dress etiquette is more more flexible, as locals are used to seeing tourists trekking in all kinds of clothes. For women, long sleeves are still recommended, but t-shirt wearing is okay only when trekking or engaged in physical exertion. No shorts, short skirts for men or women however. Bikinis are out if you’re planning to jump into a river or lake.

25. Respect local customs

Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage, and it’s important to respect local customs and traditions. For example, it’s considered impolite to eat or drink in public during the month of Ramadan, and you should always remove your shoes before entering a mosque or someone’s home.

26. Strict propriety between sexes

Pakistan is a strong patriarchal culture. Families are very protective about their daughters and wives and so you won’t see many of them outdoors in public, unescorted. Women you’ll see travel in groups of women or with a husband. Thus, you will notice a shocking population of men walking the streets and employed in visible labor positions.

Pakistan has strict unspoken cultural rules about propriety between sexes and there is little public interaction between them, unless they are work colleagues.

Advice from local Pakistani women and female travelers, who have traveled Pakistan will warn you that even a smile can be taken the wrong way. Flirtation with men won’t be taken casually and should be avoided. Being from Hawaii, it’s easy for me to start chatting, asking questions and joking casually; it was too challenging for me to not be this way, so I bounced between smiling and being super don’t-f***-with-me serious .

In Islamabad, some young men saw me vlogging and wanted to know my YouTube channel. They were acting in a curious but rowdy and imposing way. I knew this curious interaction – likely very innocent- was culturally not supposed to happen and I did not want to make any mistakes, so I kept walking.  My driver who was accompanying shoo’d them away, scolding them that they should know better.

27. Female solo travel can feel uncomfortable your first time

Be prepared to encounter stares and more stares if you’re a foreign-looking, female solo traveler. I felt this discomfort traveling India over a decade ago and with Pakistan. It can feel dissettling. The way locals treat women are different from men, whom they might be curious enough to approach for a selfie.

Everywhere I went alone, men, women and children stared as if they never saw a person who looked like me. Locals don’t see foreign tourists often and most assumed I was Chinese .

I made the mistake of going out during a public holiday and the streets in Lahore, were filled with men, who stared at me from all around. Younger men attempted to get closer, to look at or approach me and I ultimately decided not to vlog my experience because being stared at felt so uncomfortable.

Aside from intense and uncomfortable curiosity, I still felt local Pakistanis were kind. Some men helped me hail a taxi in spots that were hard to get to or find. Others were just really hospitable in a respectful way.

There’s a bit more complexity to this matter of gender interaction. I’ll have to do a separate post on it.

Tip: Due to the fact many Pakistan are genuinely hospitable, it’s important to ride that fine like between trust and caution, especially in regards to gender interaction. I would never recommend a female solo traveler to place her guard 100% down or entrust it to a man she barely knows.

28. Sexual harassment

Similar to India, sexual harassment can exist in a male hierarchical society like Pakistan. Female travelers who are naive and do not understand cultural improprieties, may be in for a rude awakening. This is why it is always important to research cultural etiquette before traveling Pakistan and dressing modestly to blend in is advised.

If you’re a woman, avoid sharing your personal marital or hotel details, phone number or email with Pakistani men. The advice feels similar to India in that it opens the door to potentially accepting sexual advances. I’ve read about women being stared at, being groped in passing or exchanging their phone number only to get a barrage of sexually explicit texts and inappropriate invitations. This did not happen to me when I visited Pakistan, but I left a very little opportunity for it.

It is essential to understand that sexual harassment is not acceptable behavior in conservative culture that Pakistan is. Men should not misbehave towards women.

Tip: Bringing it to public attention in a loud way, the community will bear down on the man and come to the woman’s rescue. If no one comes to assist, then be even louder and shaming so that people know he is a scoundrel.

Check out my India travel survival tips – they can be applied here.

29. segregation.

Due to the strict code between the sexes and the possibilities of sexual harassment that Pakistani women face, there is a strict code of segregation to protect women from unpleasant situations. Look for the female and male sections. If you are the only woman who is surrounded by men in a train car, you’re in the male section .  Leave and look for signs for the female section. there are female cars and male cars.

30. Transportation

Pakistan has a well-developed transportation system and city-to-city highways feel like western freeways, even down to the caution signs. There are many similarities between European and U.S. driving. Roads are much nicer and surprisingly higher in standards compared to neighboring countries like India and Nepal, where remote villages might be gotten to via rocky dirt roads.

Road safety standards in Pakistan may not always be up to par with western safety regulations, especially when traveling into the northern regions. The iconic Karakoram Highway (the 8th Wonder of the World) is the longest road but parts of it can narrow to a dangerous one-vehicle road. Pakistani drivers are surpring expert at navigating this type of one-vehicle road face-off as well as the paper slim pass by’s– our driver Aadil was so professional!  Accidents are not uncommon and weather can affect road safety.  There are landslides and glacial streams running through and over the roadways, and certain seasons this road will be closed.

Buses can be crowded. It’s recommended to use a reputable taxi service or hire a private car with a driver. Some travelers like to bike or drive a motorcycle to get around. Just know road standards may change with the weather. Keep plans flexible.

When using public transportation, avoid traveling at night. If you’re renting a car, be cautious and avoid driving in remote areas or at night.

Pakistan still does not have a metro. They have flyover buses- like in Rawalpindi, a bus that has a separate flyover lane above street traffic, dropping you off at station stops similar to if you were to ride a metro.

Tip: Pack light so you can fit on crowded public transportation. Check out 6 Best Convertible Carryons for Solo Travelers

Road trip tip: If doing an independent road trip in Pakistan, consider hiring a driver! They are experts at navigating the Karakoram HIghway and you may come across several situations where you’ll be glad to have one!

31. Altitude sickness (AMS)

When visiting Northern Pakistan, you’ll be traveling higher altitudes and thus, may experience symptoms of Altitude sickness or AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness) . This occurs when there is a lack of oxygen in your body and it needs to acclimatize. Symptoms can range from nausea, vomitting, dizziness, headaches, physical fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, insomnia (read this Pakistan blog and Nepal trekking blog ) .It’s best to avoid physical exertion and acclimatize before going higher.  It’s best to consult your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical concerns.

The first day I arrived in Ladakh – which runs parallel to areas of Northern Pakistan- it felt exhausting simple to walk from my hotel into town and my heart raced at night as I was going to bed. I had to take things slow for the first couple of days.

Pakistan Guide Tip: Some of my travelers used altitude sickness patches that they claimed worked!

32. Be prepared for emergencies

Make sure you have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and repatriation. I always carry a small first-aid kit of bandaids and antibacterial ointment.  Know the location of the nearest hospital or medical facility. I like to always be aware of the local pharmacies; when i’m sick, I make a visit there.

33. Be open-minded

In conclusion, Pakistan is a hidden gem that offers visitors an array of natural beauty, cultural heritage, warm hospitality, adventure sports, and delicious cuisine. Despite some negative portrayals in the media, the country is generally safe for tourists who exercise common sense and take necessary precautions.  By following these guidelines, you can explore the country’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty without any hiccups.If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, Pakistan should definitely be on your travel radar.

Ready to travel Pakistan with me? Join me on a fall Northern Pakistan adventure

  what are your pakistan travel tips what would you add to things to know before traveling pakistan.

Quick India Packing Essentials :

• International Multi plug Travel Adapter/Converter
•   Convertible Wheeled Backpack Carry-on – stay light and mobile
• Female Urinary Device – for squat toilet beginners
• Anti-theft Wrist Wallet – when shopping at local marketplaces
• Biodegradable Baby Wipes – clean up in the heat/public restrooms
• Probiotic Gummies – travel with a healthy gut
• Silk Liner – protection against bed bugs
• Large Pashmina Scarf – multipurpose
• Convertible Hiking/Adventure Pants – multipurpose
• Sun Bum Facial Sunscreen Stick Vegan & Reef-Safe – sun protection for face
• Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian SPF 50 Natural Zinc Sunscreen
• Female Safety Devices List
• Visit my Amazon Survival Essentials for more recommendations

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• Internet Abroad : eSim to stay connected abroad. Activate it before your trip & have it upon arrival! Skyroam Solis 5G is Global wifi hotspot (take 10% off with referral code GRRRLTRAVELER )
• Trip Insurance Finder Tool f or insurance within your budget. I just get World Nomads trip insurance (they cover travel theft & is accepted by yoga schools)
• Deals : Expedia for great weekend trip package deals
• Book hotels   without a cancellation fee . Use this Hotel Comparison Tool to find low prices! India has chic hostels on Hostelworld (always read reviews!!!!)
• Book trains and buses : 12goAsia
• India Tour: Join or customize a GRRRLTRAVELER Adventure
• Yoga in India:   Experience an Indian Ashram,  a yoga retreat or training certification ( read my experience ) in India.
• How to Get your India Visa for U.S. Travelers

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10 Days in Northern Pakistan

If you’re considering your first visit to Pakistan and want an itinerary to rival all others, I’ve got you covered. I recently spent 10 days in Northern Pakistan and I had the adventure of a lifetime. If you are planning a visit to Pakistan for the first time, these are the highlights you cannot miss.

Why you should visit Pakistan

Pakistan is one of the most underrated travel destinations for a variety of reasons. Not without its’ problems, Pakistan is known for having a complex and complicated history since it was established in 1947. For that reason I would personally recommend a guided tour for your first visit, though have no reason not to encourage a solo journey given my own experience.

For the sake of clarity, travelling solo (and in particular as a female) in the likes of Bali or Bangkok is very different to travelling solo in Pakistan. If you are new to solo travel I would suggest gaining experience in countries more populated by tourists and indeed, with a more developed approach toward tourism and foreign visitors.

Because I didn’t travel through Pakistan as a solo female, I would suggest reading this post by The Broke Backpacker for further information and clarity given her thorough documentation on the topic (and brilliant coverage of Pakistan!)

This itinerary follows my 10-day adventure throughout Pakistan, starting in Islamabad. The tour was put together by our guide Atta (you can email him here) who works full time as a guide in Northern Pakistan (more on Atta later). 

Islamabad (or Isloo to the locals) is the capital city of Pakistan but not even close to the biggest city. There are a whopping 213 million people in Pakistan and just 1 million in Islamabad. That makes the city great for a stopover and introduction to the country. I’d recommend at least one full day to explore Islamabad, though it wouldn’t hurt to allow for two and take advantage of shaking jet lag at the same time.

Start the day right with one of the best coffees in Islamabad , found at Mocca Cafe in Kohsar Market. While you are there be sure to wander around and begin to experience the local shopping. I would suggest taking advantage of the opportunity to buy a scarf or two, as you will need to wear a scarf when entering mosques and as a general rule, it is a good idea to have on one hand for certain situations that call for covering up as a sign of respect to the local culture.

For a beautiful pashmina (which are in fact from Nepal), head over to Maharaja Handicrafts at F6 markez, school road. For Afghan Handicrafts and antiques head over to the few shops around the corner from Maharaja on Aga Khan Road near the flower shops.

Check in to the Serena Hotel if you want an unforgettable introduction to Pakistani culture, architecture, and opulent interiors inside what is considered the most beautiful hotel in Islamabad. The hotel has all the perks you could ever need, including an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and huge restaurant to enjoy a buffet breakfast.

An important note on this itinerary: it relies entirely on this first flight from Islamabad to Skardu, which is unfortunately subject to many cancellations given the weather path entering the mountain ranges in Skardu. Should your flight be cancelled and you are travelling as part of a tour, alternative arrangements will be made for you. If you are travelling on your own accord, I would recommend having a few days of flexibility in case of cancellation, as there is only one flight a day and it is entirely weather dependent.

Unfortunately our trip began in just that fashion: a cancelled flight to Skardu, resulting in a 12 hour drive toward that direction and a prompt in us reversing our itinerary. With a dose of optimism I am hoping the same does not happen to you, so will proceed to share the itinerary as it was originally planned as we still visited all of these places – just in reverse and with much more time in a bus!

On the way to Skardu be sure to request a seat on the left hand side of the plane for the best photo opportunities – you won’t regret it as you enter the mountain ranges in the North!

Once you arrive be sure to stock up on dried apricots, walnuts and almonds for the long journey by road over the coming days. There were days where we would not eat for 12 hours at a time given the remote locations of these towns, so it is better to be prepared! 

Shigar Fort

A couple of hours drive from Skardu and you will arrive at Shigar Fort, one of Northern Pakistan’s most beautiful hotels occupying an old fort. The experience is real and raw – almost so real that it feels as if you have stepped in to a movie set because it is so picturesque. The town itself is also great to walk around during the day amidst the hustle and bustle or you can take a bicycle for a more relaxed afternoon to stretch the legs after your long plane and bus journey. 

If you can time your luck, there may be a local polo match taking place nearby. Ask your guide or one of the locals for updated information – this is a popular sport in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and known popular as “Game of the Kings”.

Khaplu Palace

It is a further three hours drive to reach Khaplu Palace, but this is hands down one of the most beautiful properties to stay in all of Pakistan and indeed, the highlight of my trip. If you have time to spend more than one night, this property is best enjoyed at a slower pace. Be sure to make use of the guided palace tour as there is much to learn about the history of the palace and its surrounds. 

The Royal High Tea is an experience not to be forgotten and is served on a terrace overlooking the palace grounds and has sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. If you ask politely the hotel staff may also let you explore the rooftop of the palace, which has 360 degree views over Khaplu. 

If you are feeling more active and adventurous, there is a great panoramic view to be had at Thoqsikhar , a two hour hike from the palace. Ask the hotel to pack a picnic lunch or start your journey early in the morning with the sun and return to the palace for a relaxed lunch in the gardens.

If you have time the day you are checking out, consider stopping at Bara , a small town just 20 minutes from Khaplu and en route to your next destination: Gilgit. Here you will find a wool spinning and weave centre that trains and supports local women. This is also a great place to purchase a local Baltistani topi.

It is a lengthy drive from Khaplu to Gilgit, so be sure to leave in good time if you wish to see Gilgit before dark and perhaps even take a hike to the water channel above the city that offers views of the valley below and also features the victory monument of Taj Mughul as well as the 7th century Kargah Buddha rock carving . Whilst in Gilgit we stayed at the Serena Hotel and I was starting to realise how much I appreciated these beautiful hotels being all across Pakistan! They were extremely welcoming and felt like coming home. Buffet breakfasts were a highlight as were the interiors, always dedicated to the local area and paying tribute to influences in Central Asia.

Karimabad, Hunza

If you are going to spend a few days in any one place, I would highly recommend basing yourself for a few days in the Hunza Valley. Renowned for its charm, cleanliness and 995 literacy rate, Hunza is commonly regarded as one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the North of Pakistan.

If you’re feeling peckish, start your day at Cafe de Hunza for a slice of famous walnut cake with an iced latte (which is actually a frappe for ye Westerners) and so refreshing after days and days of instant coffee! 

There are many towns to explore in Hunza, but with limited time we made our way to Gulmit, one of the highlights in the Hunza Valley. Here there are a number of women’s initiatives and it was one of the few cities where we saw women in the streets. To support local communities, some great items to purchase as souvenirs or gifts to take home are apricot creams and oils, gem stones, woollen shawls and woodcraft. You will find many artisans and shop keepers on the streets who are more than willing to help (many of which speak perfect English) and not once was I hassled to buy anything throughout my time in Pakistan.

Not too far from Hunza, I would highly recommend a visit to Attabad lake . This lake appeared  after a landslide that killed 20 people known as the Attabad disaster. The lake collects glacial silt from the surrounding mountains, resulting in its turquoise blue colour in Spring and Summer. Further down the road edging closer to the border with China is the rickety bridge known as “The Indiana Jones Bridge” for its likeness, though it never appeared in the films. It is totally worth a visit but not for the faint hearted!

Karakoram Highway

Considered to be one of the greatest engineering accomplishments of the 20th century, the Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan and China and is one of the highlights of Northeastern Pakistan. The entire journey is 805 miles long but you don’t need to drive the entire way to experience some of the epic scenery that takes you through hair-raising turns, endless mountain ranges and many small villages where locals will wave as you pass by.

Fairy Meadows

If adventure travel is more your style and you’re ready for one wild ride, do not miss the chance to jump on the jeeps and make your way to fairy Meadows along a steep cliff edge. After a one hour drive to the end of the road, it is just a 1.5-2 hour hike to the Fairy Meadows camp, which is a popular stop en route to the Base Camp for Nanga Parbat.

If time is on your side you might consider embarking on the trek to base camp the following morning – according to my guide this was a further 10-12 hour hike with basic lodging at base camp. The Swiss-style cabins at Fairy Meadows are lovely and lush, complete with hot water and electricity! This was a beautiful part of the world to wake up and enjoy the crisp mountain air so if time is on your side, you may even want to stay an extra night.

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

Find me on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Do you know any trusted tour organizers that I could contact? I will be travelling solo and would prefer to have someone with me all the time or join a group.

The places you mentioned are some of the breathtaking places on earth.

Such a beautiful country Pakistan is

Are these places open nowadays?

Let’s visit hunza together

Totally agree with the writer about 10 days itinerary in Northern Pakistan Tour. If any one wish to hikes more then just Islamabad Tour, 10 days itinerary is even not enough. We visited Karakorum hike spending 2 weeks time staying in a beautiful lodge trek just for seeing some sights. K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II are the highest peaks of Karakoram Mountain Ranges that are clearly visible if you hikes.

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These meals will make you want to travel, just to eat!

Prepare yourself to drool over these 41 meals, each featuring mouthwatering photos, details, and where you can eat it.

I've also included some of my personal travel eating tips and answered some of your top questions... like "Mark, how do you make money to travel?".

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Pakistan Travel Guide – Best Food and Top Destinations on My 16 Day Trip

In this Pakistan travel guide I’m going to share with you the top highlights of my 16 day trip in Pakistan.

Get ready to meet some of the most hospitable people, see some of the most spectacular natural scenery, and eat some of the most incredibly delicious (and meaty) food.

Ok, let’s move right in to the highlights of traveling in Pakistan!

Note : We’ll be writing many more articles and guides that get more specific about a location or food in Pakistan, but these are just my initial thoughts and some highlights.

Intro video

Here’s a quick intro video to get you started. Full videos coming soon!

Also, huge thank you to Mr. Ali Naqi Hamdani , CEO of Pakistan Travel Mart and Landmark Communications for hosting me in Pakistan.

Lahore, Punjab

Lahore is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, and it’s where my trip to Pakistan began.

Step outside and you’ll immediately realize it’s a vibrant, energetic, late-night, history packed city, where tasty Pakistani food is everywhere you look. If there’s one city to choose in this Pakistan travel guide, Lahore to me, had the most well rounded of everything – food, culture, history, and significance.

Hotel in Lahore – My family and I stayed at  Hospitality Inn , which was safe and clean, and in a great central location in the city.

Street food snacks

A few of the best areas in Lahore to find street food are Gawalmandi, Lakshmi Chowk, Shah Alami, and everywhere in the Walled City.

Chana chaat is a chickpea mixture snack, and as we drove past on a rickshaw, I knew it was a place we need to stop. In moments, he whipped up chickpeas and potatoes, masala powder, and about 4 different chutneys and yogurts. It was incredibly refreshing, the spices blending with the sourness of the yogurt  and creaminess of the chickpeas.

Chana Chaat Address : Located outside Thai Centre in Shah Alami, he’s been selling there for 40 years. Open hours : daytime Price : 120 PKR ($0.90) per plate

Butt Karahi

Butt Karahi Tikka is an institution of a restaurant in Lahore, known as it states in their name, for their karahi’s. Karahi is the name for the rounded metal pan, which is used to cook meat and curry spices, smothered in desi ghee , and brewed into a succulent curry.

Chicken was fresh and delicious, but everyone I was eating with (including myself) thought the mutton karahi was the best.

Address : 17 Temple Road, Safanwala Chowk, Mazang, Lahore, Punjab 54000، Mazang, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 11 am – 3 am daily Prices : We paid 5,600 PKR ($41.86) for 2 large karahis and drinks for about 6 of us

Siddique Fish Corner

Specializing in only fish, Siddique Fish Corner gives each fillet a nice rub in spices, including plenty of coriander seed and turmeric, and then deep fries it in pure mustard oil. The freshwater fish is fragrant, greasy, and delightful.

Address : Allama Iqbal Rd, Garhi Shahu, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 12 noon – 2 am daily Prices : 400 PKR ($2.99) for a portion

Until reading about haleem , I didn’t known it was a food with so much history and regional variation. I have to mention it quickly in this Pakistan travel guide though, because it was a dish that I totally didn’t expect to be so good – it ended up surprising me.

Pakistani-style haleem includes a mixture of lentils and shredded chicken. When you order, usually some desi ghee is added, and then you season with ginger, chilies, coriander, masala, and variety of other herbs and spices. It may sound simple, but it’s incredibly tasty.

Address : Walled City Lahore right in the courtyard of Wazir Khan Well ( google map ) Open hours : daytime

Walled City of Lahore

Without a doubt one of the top things to do in Lahore is to explore the Walled City . I spent an entire day walking around, eating street food, visiting sights, riding around in rickshaws, and just being amazed.

It’s one of those places where everywhere you look you see something fascinating, and it’s just mind-boggling to understand how everything functions together. From narrow unknown alleys to bustling main lanes and never ending markets, the Walled City of Lahore is exciting and enticing at the same time. I loved it!

Badshahi Mosque

Dating back to the 1600’s during the Mughal era, Badshahi Mosque is a huge mosque located right outside the walled city of Lahore.

It’s a sight that’s so prominent and so important in how it represents Lahore, that today it has become an icon. I especially enjoyed just walking around the massive courtyard, surrounded by red walls and minarets, with the old city of Lahore in the background.

Gujranwala, Punjab

Just over 100 km from Lahore is Gujranwala. We drove from Lahore, taking the historic, and always busy Grand Trunk Road.

Gujranwala is actually a very large and bustling city as well, and locals happen to be very well known throughout Pakistan for their love for food – especially meat – I think that’s why we decided to go there.

Meat Dinner

Again, if you love meat, Gujranwala is a worthy stop when you’re in Pakistan. Now I had an almost un-countable amount of deliciously meat heavy meals in Pakistan, but this restaurant was one of the top.

They really took great care in the quality of their meat, the marinade and rub, and I loved the really smoky grill taste of everything. The goat chops were the highlight, but also the gola kebabs (like meatballs) were superb.

Khizar Tikka Shop Address : Gondlan Wala Rd, Noumania Chowk, Muhammad Pura Model Town, Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 12:15 – 11:30 pm daily

While in Gujranwala, Ali’s friend Saim, through his family contacts, arranged for us to observe Pakistani wrestling practice.

Wrestling has been a part of Pakistani culture, especially Punjabi culture, for a long time, and in-between meals it was a cool part of the culture to have a chance to see.

Village eating in Kot Yousef

From Gujranwala, we continued to  Kot Yousef, a small village of about 700 people.

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In the morning the entire Bagdi family (who hosted us), and some of the community from the village gathered to cook us an amazing local Punjab breakfast .

Breakfast included three types of parathas, chana curry (chickpea), halwa, and saag (similar to spinach).

Everything was cooked using pure desi ghee (local clarified butter) right from the buffaloes nearby, and it was all churned by hand, moments before we ate it.

Tent pegging

I never knew that tent pegging , the art of riding a horse while carrying a spear and trying to stab a wooden stake as you race past, is a popular sport (and even form of art) in Pakistan.

Islamabad, Capital Territory

From Gujranwala and Kot Yousef village, we drove to Islamabad (about a 4 hour drive away, and the capital city of Pakistan).

As soon as you arrive, you’ll notice Islamabad is more spacious, the traffic isn’t as chaotic, and things are just organized – it feels like a totally different place.

That’s because the modern part of Islamabad is a new city, planned and built accordingly. It’s quite a lovely city, wide spaces, greenery, and mountains.

Hotel in Islamabad  – We were hosted by Islamabad Serena Hotel , and had an amazing stay. The rooms were excellent, very secure, huge compound, and great service. Thank you Serena.

Majeed Huts

The most ultimate restaurant that we tried in Islamabad has to be Majeed Huts (thank’s to Roads and Kingdoms for this recommendation), a local canteen at The Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

It’s one of the greatest restaurants in this Pakistan travel guide, it has a relaxed, backyard feel while you eat, and they serve up big portions of incredible curries and stir fries.

Their signature dish is the “crisis,” a dish that we’ll cover way more in a full post . But my personal favorite dish was the kebab fry, grilled kebabs, re-fried in tomato sauce.

Address : Shabeer Huts، University Road، Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : Not fully sure, but bustling from lunch and into the afternoon Prices : 1,900 PKR ($14.20) for a huge meal for 4

Afghani Kabab House

For dinner, I was excited to check out Afghani Kebab House – pretty self explanatory what they serve!

You can see the smoke rising to the sky from well before you arrive, and their little slider kebabs are superbly tasty. I especially enjoyed it with their Kabuli pulao, slightly similar to Uzbek plov , fragrant rice pilau cooked with sweet carrots.

Address : Street 30, G-9/1 G 9/1 G-9, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 6 pm – 11 pm daily

Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Still smiling from Majeed Huts, we drove from Islamabad to Mardan, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Mardan is the second largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and we came to mostly eat kebabs – and I’m talking about the King of all Pakistani kebabs .

Chapli kebabs

Now of all the food within this Pakistan travel guide and during my entire 16 day trip, probably the single food that made my jaw drop, and made me cry tears of meat-overjoy, was the chapli kebab.

Set aside all health concerns, close your eyes and imagine minced buffalo with a high ratio of fat, mixed with onions, tomatoes, chilies, ginger, citrus juice, slices of bone marrow, all mixed and formed into a patty and fried in its own liquid fat.

Pakistani chapli kebabs are one of the greatest forms of meat I’ve ever had.

Rambail Chapli Kabab House (not pictured, but this was my favorite restaurant ) Address : Peshawar-Rawalpindi Rd, Tarnab, Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 10:30 am – 9 pm daily

Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Mardan is just about a 30 minute or so drive from Peshawar, which is the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and quite close to the border of Afghanistan.

A city of immense history, unique culture, and some of the most meaty delicious food you’ll find in Pakistan, Peshawar was a real highlight for me.

Hotel in Peshawar – During our stay in Peshawar we stayed at Shelton’s Green . It’s quite basic, could use a renovation, but staff were nice, and it was safe and functional.

Mahabat Khan Mosque

The white marble Mahabat Khan Mosque was built in the 17th century during the Mughal empire. It’s one of the most picturesque landmarks and sights of Peshawar, and it was very cool to visit.

Peshawari paye

On a full street food tour of Peshawar, we began the day with paye (or paya), a stew of trotters (this time cow feet), served along with actual meat, the stew, and a good spoon of red infused oil (or desi ghee)?

Cooked in a clay pot, and turned on its side to serve, this was one of the most oily meaty and delicious dishes of my trip to Pakistan. You actually need thick bread to eat it, so you can absorb as much greasy oil as possible.

Brains masala in Peshawar was also a highlight.

Tea, and not the milky sweet tea you typically associate with the Indian subcontinent, but rather green tea, is a common drink on the streets of Peshawar. And in-fact, dating back to the ancient silk road, when traders would pass through Peshawar, they would drink tea to chat and discuss and trade.

You can’t miss green tea, brewed with cardamom, when you’re in Peshawar.

Pomegranate juice

Another beverage that blew me away was pomegranate juice, squeezed right before my eyes, with nothing added. One of the best single cups of fresh juice I’ve ever had, perfectly sour, sweet, and fresh.

I really enjoyed Peshawar for the food, off the beaten path streets, history, and the friendly people.

Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan

After a whirlwind and extremely rewarding trip through Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we continued our Pakistan travels to Gilgit-Baltistan. From Peshawar, we actually had to drive back to Islamabad, then we caught a flight to Skardu.

Skardu is located in a spectacular valley surrounded by the rugged rocky Karakoram Mountain range . I was immediately blown away by the jaw-dropping scenery.

Hotel in Shigar – Thank you to  Serena Shigar Fort Hotel  for sponsoring out stay.

Baltistan food

Within the city of Skardu many of the restaurants serve more Punjabi style food or kebabs, rather than local traditional Baltistan food . But traveling for food, I wanted to really explore the regional local cuisine, and the best place to find that is at someone’s home.

We were invited to a local Balti family home for dinner where they prepared no less than 14 different dishes. Completely different from the spices and desi ghee of Punjabi food, Balti food is heavy on whole grains, plainly boiled meats, and dishes prepared and flavored with apricot oil.

A yogurt and apricot oil stew, was one of my favorite Balti dishes.

Shigar is a district north of Skardu, and it took about 30 minutes or so to drive out from Skardu. Again, a majestic valley, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and almost strangely lush green trees at the bottom.

The highlight was where we stayed, Serena Shigar Fort Hotel , a 400 year old restored fort, which is now both a hotel and museum. We had an incredible stay in a piece of history. Thank you to Serena for sponsoring our stay.

Deosai National Park

Not everything in this Pakistan travel guide turned out exactly as planned.

After getting a good night sleep in Shigar, we woke up, and packed everything into 4 WD Toyota’s. The plan was to drive to  Deosai National Park , a high altitude plain, and drive all the way through the plain to the other side, and continue driving on towards Gilgit city.

Unfortunately, on the high winding road, it began to snow harder and harder. Our drivers decided it wouldn’t be safe to continue, due to snow blocks and ice on steep roads, so we had to turn around and drive a different route, missing the park.

That being said, it was still gorgeous, and I can’t wait to go back – maybe next time in the summer.

Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan

Quite long and scary at times, the drive to Gilgit, the capital city of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), but again, the area is stunningly beautiful, as is this city, surrounded by massive peaks.

Gilgit is a strategic city, located along the Karakoram highway, the road that connects China with Pakistan.

Hotel in Gilgit – Thank you to Gilgit Serena Hotel for sponsoring our stay. Very nice, almost mountain lodge style accommodation, with great breakfast, and nice garden.

Friendly street food

One of the best things to do in Gilgit city is walk around and explore the markets. I found Gilgit to be one of the most friendly cities of all. We could barely walk a few feet in the market without someone wanting to shake hands or invite us to eat.

Couldn’t resist some street food snacks while exploring – kebabs, pulao, and of course of GB style chapli kebabs.

Family meal

Just outside of Gilgit is the village valley of Jutal, and Nizam, who is employed by Ali, is from Jutal and invited us over for a meal. Again, the natural scenery was mind blowing.

We first went to the garden along the rivers edge to pick fresh vegetables for the meal. And again, the friendliness and genuine hospitality of the people was heartwarming.

Nizam’s family prepared for us an incredibly delicious (one of the best during the entire trip to Pakistan) meals of home-cooked mutton curry and local vegetables, with rice and roti.

Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan

I’m going to tell you straight up, Hunza Valley is one of the most, if not the most, spectacular natural destination I’ve ever been.

Driving there you see incredibly scenery and you actually don’t think your eyes could possibly see anything more spectacular… and then you arrive to Hunza Valley .

Jagged snowy mountains, green and yellow lush valley’s, and contrast of landscapes are truly heavenly.

Hotel in Hunza Valley – Thank you to Hunza Serena Inn for sponsoring our stay. The views from the mountain lodge were spectacular, and cozy clean rooms.

In Hunza Valley, and along the highway to get there, you’ll start to find chapshurro, which is a specialty of the region. It’s kind of basic, rounds of dough flattened out and stuffed with a minced meat spiced mixture, and either fried dry or with apricot and walnut oil.

You’ll find a variety of meat as well, and I tried yak, chicken, and beef.

Long-life Hunza Valley food

In Hunza Valley, especially traditionally, people are known to have a high life expectancy – could be the mountain fresh air, a less stressful life, and definitely partly because of the food.

We were invited to a 400 year old heritage family home where we were served a traditional Hunza Valley meal that consisted of dishes seasoned with walnut and apricot oil, dumplings, and pancakes. Food was plainer in taste, but fresh, wholesome, and very natural tasting. Again, the vibrantly flavorful apricot oil stood out in nearly every dish.

Khunjerab Pass

Final day in Gilgit-Baltistan, we packed up the Toyota’s and set off on a journey along the scenic Karakoram highway all the way to the border of China at Khunjerab Pass.

Again, be prepared for scenery that will make your jaw drop.

The road gains some serious elevation, and with every turn I could start to feel my head start to get lighter and lighter – a slight dizziness.

We arrived to the pass at 16,010 feet. It was about -10 C, so didn’t want to stay out for too long, and literally a few steps and I was breathing heavy.

It literally felt like we were at the end of the world. It was an amazing experience, and more about the journey to get there.

Karachi, Sindh

From 16,010 feet in elevation, down to sea level (with 2 flight in-between – Gilgit – Islamabad – Karachi), we arrived to Karachi, a massive city in Pakistan.

With never ending traffic, loud, and action packed, Karachi is about as opposite from Hunza Valley as you can get  – but it has its own charms. And of course, I came especially to explore Pakistani food, and it would have been detrimental to miss Karachi!

Karachi was our final destination, and the conclusion to this Pakistan travel guide.

Hotel in Karachi – We stayed at Ramada Karachi Creek . Hotel was alright, but it was aging, not the greatest smells, and needed some updates, but overall alright.

Javed Nihari

Nihari is a beloved dish in Pakistan, and it’s one of the thickest, richest, meatiest dishes you might ever eat… I don’t if I can think of anything I’ve eaten that richer or meatier.

I had nihari a couple of times in Pakistan, but Javed Nihari in Karachi was my favorite. Their balance of taste, a little less desi ghee than other versions, and fragrant unique bread, all contributed to its deliciousness. Just a light breakfast to get this food tour started in Karachi!

Address : Federal B Area Block 15 Gulberg Town, Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 8 am – 5 pm, and 6:30 pm – 12 midnight daily Prices : 1,150 PKR ($8.60) for three plates

Nalli biryani

There’s a type of biryani which is not actually too traditional, but I guess nothing about it is not traditional, it’s just a new style and many more massive bones added to the recipe.

Nalli means bone marrow, and biryani is the fragrant rice we all love. Combine the two, and you have the most melt-in-your-mouth fragrant rice, both fluffy yet oily rich, all at the same time.

It was one of the most memorable and fun to eat dishes I’ve had in a long time.

Quick note : Ghousia Food Center is the most famous spot, but right across the street is Qadri Nalli Biryani, which is the one we tried. Turned out to be incredible.

Qadri Nalli Biryani Address : Back side of Madni Masjid, 2nd St, Block 6 Liaquatabad Town, Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : lunch

One of the quintessential Pakistani street foods of Karachi is the bun kebab , a small patty of minced meat and lentils, fried in egg white, placed in a bun, and served with chutney.

You have to taste it to believe it, and once you do, you’ll be in awe. It really is a perfect little combo handheld delicious treat.

Hanif Super Biryani & Bun Kabab Address : New Chali, Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 10 am – 10 pm from Monday – Saturday

Dua Restaurant

At the end of a full Pakistani food tour of Karachi, we sat down to relax and eat another feast at Dua Restaurant.

The open air seating, the energy and amount of food, and mainly the prawns karahi, is why I needed to include this restaurant within this Pakistan travel guide. The prawns were simmered in spices and desi ghee, and seasoned with fresh ginger, chilies, and coriander. The hints of cinnamon and coriander seed were amazing.

Address : Marine Promenade, Block 2 Clifton, Karachi, ضلع, Sindh, Pakistan ( google map ) Open hours : 5 pm – 2 am daily Prices : 4,840 PKR ($36.18) for big meat feast for 4

Liyari is a densely population part of Karachi, known as Little Balochistan because many people living there are from Balochistan province.

Just a few years ago, this was one of the most dangerous areas of Karachi . But now, things are very much improved, and that’s why Ali and I wanted to visit.

With a colorful bright painted street in a neighborhood, people are beginning to turn around their lives, and take pride in their neighborhood, and this needs to be recognized.

We had a wonderful street-side breakfast and met so many friendly people as we just hung out.

Dal, goat trotter stew with some extra marrow, and chickpeas with hard boiled egg made a delicious breakfast and just a taste of the positive side of Liyari.

Seafood grand finale

On our final day of this trip to Pakistan, Sharoz invited us to his home on the beach just outside of Karachi, to partake in a full Pakistani seafood feast.

It was one of the top meals, a perfect ending to an incredible trip. Thank you!

Finally, a massive thank you to Mr. Ali Naqi Hamdani , CEO of Pakistan Travel Mart and Landmark Communications.

Ali had been inviting me to Pakistan for a couple of years already, and he’s the one who hosted us. From helping with our visas to arranging all logistics in Pakistan and just hanging out and eating with us, my entire trip to Pakistan wouldn’t have been possible without him. Thank you Ali!

I hope this Pakistan travel guide has shown you a different side of Pakistan that isn’t always portrayed, and given you ideas about the possibilities of where to go, things to do, and delicious Pakistani food. I can tell you with certainty, Pakistan is one of the most naturally beautiful, hospitable, and delicious countries I’ve ever traveled to.

Chicken Rice Balls at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah (Jonker Street, Melaka)

Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan – A Guide to the Khunjerab Pass

Lahore – Your Complete Street Food Guide

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Home » Asia » Pakistan » The 4 BEST Adventure Tours to Pakistan: Roam Wild in 2024

The 4 BEST Adventure Tours to Pakistan: Roam Wild in 2024

Ahhh Pakistan, you will forever hold a special place in my heart…

I first visited Pakistan in 2015 and in 2016 I solo-founded a tour company leading expeditions into this amazing country. I led the first expedition to Pakistan in 2017 and I have been to Pakistan six times over the last few years. I take great pride in my part of opening up Pakistan to the world, promoting this very misunderstood country at a time where that promotion was not often positively received.

I am no longer leading expeditions to Pakistan, read on to the end of the post to find out why, but I am still just as passionate about promoting this wonderful land and so, I am delighted to share with you… My four hand-picked choices for incredible leaders to take you around my favourite country in the world 🙂

I know Pakistan and, as far as I know, I was the first blogger to bring group tours to the country. I am proud of my part in opening up Pakistan to the world and I am stoked to see worthy and passionate adventurers continuing the good work…

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Quick Answer: These Are the 4 Best Pakistan Adventure Tours

• Intentional Detours : Best Northern Pakistan Tour
• Against the Compass : Best Co-Ed Pakistan Tour
• Lost With Purpose : Best Pakistan Women’s Tours
• Karakoram Bikers : Best Pakistan Bike Tours

Hunza Valley + Chitral Women’s Tour by Intentional Detours

• Price > $2200
• Trip length > 16 days
• Start/End > Islamabad/Islamabad
• Accommodation > Hotels/Homestays/Guesthouses
• Highlights > Offbeat Hunza Valley, Upper Chitral, Ghizer Valley

Northern Pakistan Tour by Against The Compass

• Price > $3072
• Trip length > 14 days
• Accommodation > Hotels
• Highlights > Hunza Valley, Nanga Parbat Base Camp, Astore Valley

Women’s Tours by Lost With Purpose

• Price > $2750
• Trip length > 20 days
• Start/End > Islamabad/Lahore
• Accommodation > Hotels/Camping/Homes
• Highlights > Yasin Valley, Nanga Parbat Rupal Face, Hunza Valley, Lahore

Biking Tours by Lost With Purpose

• Price > $2350
• Highlights > Ishkoman Valley, Hunza Valley, Chitral

Pure Pakistan by Karakoram Bikers

• Price > $3282
• Trip length > 19 days
• Highlights > Hunza Valley, Skardu, Deosai Plains

Why THESE Pakistan Adventure Tours?

In the past few years since I ran my first tour to magical Pakistan, foreign tourism to Pakistan has absolutely exploded, with many people choosing to travel with a tour group .

While this is great in some aspects, it’s also, to be frank, cheapened Pakistan travel as the tour space is now VERY full and, frankly, some people who are operating tours to Pakistan should not be.

I know of a few instances where influencers who have NEVER stepped foot in the country are bringing groups with them on their first time-visit, which in my view is undeniably irresponsible and is not going to lead to the kind of depth of experience that one can have by traveling with somebody who really knows the country well.

While Pakistan is safe even for independent travel, If I WAS opting to go on a guided tour, I would want to feel confident that my tour guide knows their shit. I’d want a guide that could really improve my experience and make it better because of unique knowledge, experience and connections within the country.

Diving in, here are just a few things that set the four operators I am recommending apart from the rest…

Prior Pakistan Travel Experience

Every single one of our epic tour leaders has spent a SIGNIFICANT amount of time exploring Pakistan independently. We’re talking real budget backpacking , hitchhiking and motorbiking to some of the least visited spots in the country, AND a whole host of mountain adventures under their belt.

More importantly though, what sets the folks I am recommending apart from some other folks who really don’t care about Pakistan all that much is that have collectively spent years travelling through these lands on their own, for the pure love of Pakistan travel. Some of them (Samantha and Alex) speak Urdu, and all have extensive local contacts you can only garner from some serious time spent in the country.

Immersive Itineraries

Most Pakistan tour itineraries rarely careen off the beaten path. To be fair, it’s a fucking great path which I helped beat myself but Pakistan has more to offer than the classic; Fairy Meadows , the parts of Hunza that lie along the Karakoram Highway, Lahore.

Such tours these days can feel a bit less authentic as these areas have now been seeing tourists in significant numbers for a few years. With a bit more effort, or the help of an expert tour guide, one can still pretty easily get off the beaten path to explore parts of the country that are still relatively untouched.

By going with one of my buddies though you’ll see a totally different side to the country and explore snazzy locales, hidden hideaways, and genuine experiences that will make you feel more like you’re backpacking Pakistan with a group of buddies, rather than being led around on a bus-tour.

You’ll hike, camp, and even spend some of your nights in cozy traditional homes sharing laughs and making memories around an old-school fireplace. These are tours by adventurers, for adventurers through and through and I’ve been careful about who I do and don’t recommend for your tour guides; choosing folks I know and trust to put your experience above making money.

Connections

Pakistan is a country that lives and breathes on connections, and as we all know, real connections cannot be built in a day. These four tour leaders have extensive on-the-ground experience which has allowed them to build enduring local relationships. You’ll see this in the itineraries, and in how they handle things on the fly.

As mentioned, both Samantha, Alex and the Karakoram Biker founders also speak Urdu – though this isn’t necessary for you as a tourist, it can make a big difference in daily logistics from an operator’s perspective.

Alex, Joan and Lizzy were all travelling in Pakistan by early 2016. Samantha has more than made up for it with spending the last two years in the country, plus a cheeky 4-month stint back in 2019. You want somebody who really has traveled extensively BECAUSE they actually love the country, rather than because they are trying to extract money or Instagram followers out of it.

484 pages with cities, towns, parks, and ALL the out-of-the-way places you will WANT to know. If you truly want to discover Pakistan , download this PDF .

Pakistan Adventure Tours Breakdown

Thinking about a journey to the most underrated country in the world but aren’t sure where to begin? Let’s have a look into the most epic Pakistan adventure tours on the market:

#1 Hunza Valley + Yasin Women’s Tour by Intentional Detours

• Price : $2100
• Trip length : 16 days
• Start/End : Islamabad/Islamabad
• Accommodation : Hotels/Homestays/Guesthouses
• Highlights : Offbeat Hunza Valley, Ghizer Valley

Why choose THIS Pakistan adventure tour?

Samantha literally lives in Pakistan. I met her two years ago at the guesthouse I had helped fund, we hiked together, we smoked together, we hung out… I went back to Bali, she stayed in Pakistan and spent the next two years exploring and learning the lingo.

Absolutely no backpacker (except locals themselves) knows more about the Hunza Valley than she does, as it’s specifically a village of Central Hunza that she now calls home. As such, you can expect a seriously local and certifiably unique adventure that will bring you a mountain experience like no other.

But that’s not all- Intentional Detour’s Pakistan’s women tour also coasts through Yasin Valley, a fantastical hamlet of the Hindu Kush that 9/10 foreigners ignore. It’s a truly special place to get off the beaten path .

Samantha’s tour begins and ends in Islamabad, and will take you along on some of the most stunning road trips in Pakistan. Your first main stop after coming up the 3000+ meter Babusar Pass will be Hunza in Gilgit Baltistan, where you’ll really get a heavy dose of local life thanks to her unparalleled connections in the region. The tour includes time spent in two side valleys of Hunza that other companies simply aren’t visiting.

You’ll then move along over the exquisite Gilgit-Shandur Road to Yasin, which also surpasses 3000 meters. Samantha has visited every single destination herself, including all chosen hotels and local homestays .

As Hunza and all of Gilgit Baltistan are indigenous lands, this tour also makes a pointed and conscious effort to ONLY support 100% locally owned businesses in the region.

So you can rest assured that your money is being well-placed whereas sadly many tour operators to Pakistan pretty much book everything through travel agents in Lahore and not enough of the money makes its way into local hands.

DISCOUNT : Also, to further entice you, TBB readers can get a 5% discount on the tour by entering the code “ TBB ” on the sign up form.

Who is Intentional Detours?

Samantha is my buddy, through and through, she’s an impressive fucking lady and she has the coveted Will seal of approval. I vouch for her, she knows her stuff and, more importantly, she is a good and kind human.

An intrepid traveller who set out to backpack full-time in 2019, Samantha has visited virtually every corner of Pakistan. This includes the Neelum and Broghil Valleys, the former of which only a small handful of foreigners have ever seen as it involves complicated permits and permissions which, thanks to her Urdu and connections, Samantha managed to arrange.

Samantha has now collectively spent 36+ months living and journeying about the country, and even speaks Urdu, which is Pakistan’s national language. Most other foreign tour guides don’t speak fluent Urdu.

You can find her on her blog , Youtube and Instagram which all feature an array of fantastic content about her life in Pakistan.

#2 Northern Pakistan Tour by Against The Compass

• Price : $3072
• Trip length : 14 days
• Accommodation : Hotels
• Highlights : Hunza Valley, Nanga Parbat Base Camp, Astore Valley

With Against the Compass, you’ll be taken care of by true professionals who know how to run an expedition. Joan runs and organizes more tours to more far-flung lands than anyone else on this list, and his experience will shine through as he starts off his Pakistan group expeditions in 2023. Joan has traveled extensively in Pakistan and first rocked up in 2016 (I think).

In just two weeks, you’ll get to visit the highlights of the Hunza Valley and also get to know Astore, one of Joan’s favourite places in Pakistan and a place he has some unique contacts. The journey will both start and end in Islamabad, with the final hurrah of the trip being an epic trek to Nanga Parbat Basecamp, Rupal Face that’s more off-beaten path than the more famous face on the Fairy Meadows side.

You’ll stay in tried and tested hotels throughout, and overall a high standard of comfort while still getting off the typical tourist trail as you learn about Pakistan through experience.

DISCOUNT: TBB readers are also in for a cheeky discount, just enter the code TBB when checking out with Joan.

Who is Against The Compass? 

Joan Torres quit a corporate career and started travelling the world full time in 2016. From the beginning, he always sought out some truly epic and unvisited destinations – from Mali to Yemen, he’s been to every country your government warns you about.

His travel blog, Against the Compass , quickly rose to success as he published more and more content on the world’s less-visited locales. I have a lot of respect for Joan and his blogging style. A few years ago, Joan registered his own tour company, Against the Compass Expeditions, and has since gained unparalleled experience in bringing travellers to difficult destinations. I’m a big fan of Joan, we’ve been in touch many years and more recently got drunk together in Barcelona. He knows his shit and his passion shines through.

#3 Women’s and Biking Tours by Lost With Purpose

Women’s Tour

Biking Off The Beaten Path

• Price : $2750
• Trip length : 20 days
• Start/End : Islamabad/Lahore
• Accommodation : Hotels/Camping/Homes
• Highlights : Yasin Valley, Nanga Parbat Rupal Face, Hunza Valley, Lahore
• Price : $2350
• Highlights : Ishkoman Valley, Hunza Valley, Chitral

Lost With Purpose runs two different tours to Pakistan – one for bikers (open to all) and the other specifically for female travelers . Her Pakistan women’s tour will ensure you get a fantastic taste of everything North Pakistan has to offer. From the less-visited Yasin Valley to the “other” Nanga Parbat Basecamp, the tour highlights places that most tourists don’t go and features a mix of hotel and homestay experiences.

Alex’s tour partner, Aneeqa, is a female Pakistani traveller who runs her own licensed company as well. In a country as patriarchal as Pakistan, it’s bloody awesome to see two bad-ass, independent women partnered like this. You’ll even get to do a few epic treks , like Rakaposhi Basecamp and Nanga Parbat – Rupal Face, too.

As far as motorbiking in Pakistan goes, Alex also runs several tours that wind through a mind-blowing loop of the Karakoram Highway and onward to the stunning Gilgit-Shandur Road that connects to Chitral. This tour is an ideal introduction to the mountains of Pakistan, as you’ll get to see a ton of major mountain sites fairly quickly.

Who is Lost With Purpose?

A fierce solo female adventurer and riveting storyteller, Alex Reynolds has been on the road full-time since 2016 and honestly, Alex is fucking awesome. She’s spent years dirt-bagging around South Asia, and like myself, quickly found herself enthralled by Pakistan.

Her travel blog Lost With Purpose features some of the best writing in the industry – you’d be hard-pressed to find travel guides as honest and thorough as hers. I’ve shared many a hilarious WhatsApp message with Alex and, again, I vouch for her, she is an awesome person who truly cares about the personal development opportunities afforded by raw and rugged travel.

Alex not only travels solo – she does so on her motorbike, which led to her adding motorbike tours to her yearly lineup. In addition to getting lost all over Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, Alex has also gotten well off the beaten path in the likes of Tajikistan, Iran, and Iraq. I have an adventure crush on her.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

#4 Best Motorbike Tour in Pakistan – Pure Pakistan by Karakoram Bikers

• Price : $3282
• Trip length : 19 days
• Highlights : Hunza Valley, Skardu, Deosai Plains

Why should you choose this Northern Pakistan tour package? 

This is the ultimate motorbike tour of Pakistan! It combines two of Karakoram Bikers’ top itineraries – Hunza and Skardu – into one epic trip across nearly every paved surface in Gilgit-Baltistan. If you want to experience one of the best road trips in the world , then this Northern Pakistan tour package is for you.

The tour starts in Islamabad and proceeds to head north to Hunza via Naran. You’ll get to experience the best of the Karakoram Highway. You’ll visit Karimabad, see the majestic Attabad Lake and the Passu Cathedral. Your group will finish the KKH off at the Chinese border at the Khunjerab Pass.

But there’s more! 

You’ll then head back toward the KKH to coast through the pastoral Astore Valley, Rama Lake, and the famous plains of Deosai.

By the time you reach Skardu and the “Cold Desert” of Shigar, you will have ridden through an enormous variety of landscapes. 

In terms of logistics, Karakoram Bikers will organize everything for you. This includes the bikes themselves, fuel, maintenance, tasty local food , and accommodation. They also utilize an assistance vehicle, which is full of water and first aid supplies. Sounds pretty comprehensive if you ask me. 

Who are the Karakoram Bikers? 

Karakoram Bikers is the motorcycling wing of the famous Karakoram Club – a home-grown Pakistani initiative of explorers and hikers who have made huge efforts to open up Pakistan to tourism.

Shah and Lizzy are the heads of the club and have lead numerous tours around the mountains of Gilgit Baltistan and beyond. I know Shah personally and we’ve hiked, biked and smoked together many times. He’s the fucking man.

DISCOUNT: TBB readers also get a $130 discount with Karakoram Bikers! Once you’ve selected your Pakistan adventure, just use the code “Backpacker” when checking out.

Final Thoughts on These Pakistan Adventure Tours

My own history with Pakistan tours is… complicated. I first visited the country in 2015, and in 2016 I solo-founded a tour company, Epic Backpacker Tours, leading tours to Pakistan and Iran (leaning on my wife’s contacts and my own extensive time in the country). I led the first tour to Pakistan in 2017.

After three years of running the company, I bought in outside help and gave them 50% of the company as I wanted them to feel ownership; a concept I was passionate about at the time but which was ultimately rooted in misunderstood communism.

I continued to solo-fund the tour company during challenging times (looking at you, Covid) to support my Pakistani friends on the ground. All the while, the ‘help’ I had brought on kept asking me for more money in different ways and trying to get a larger percentage of the company off of me, despite the fact I was funding an unprofitable business.

After a mental breakdown on account of a challenging divorce and other personal reasons – very difficult times friends – I made a snap-decision to move away from this toxic relationship and I relinquished my share of the company, to be rid of a relationship that was causing me daily stress. The one condition was that my legacy contributing to the Pakistan tourism scene would be respected.

But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. My history in the company hasn’t been preserved, and information on the internet has been manipulated to remove my contributions, and credit my former partner for all the work I had done. My former partner claims he first visited Pakistan in 2015, and that he founded the company.

I learnt some big lessons here, I had major heeby-jeebys about the guy I bought in to help me with the project from the start but I needed the help and he was available, so I ignored my intuition. Interestingly, this guy was the only person my dog ever tried to attack… I should have listened to my wise adventure doggo because my ‘partner’ turned out to be manipulative and, simply put, a liar. Today, the tour company Epic Backpacker Tours is still in operation but the guy I brought in has written me out of the story, inserting himself into my copy and attempting to dilute my legacy; He claims he visited Pakistan in 2015 (This is when I first visited, the first time he visited Pakistan was 2018, as an employee) and that he founded the tour company himself (a bald-faced lie).

This false information is still up upon the internet, and whilst I have a dizzying amount of voice messages, invoices, emails and Whatsapp messages showing the true story of this person coming on as an employee, I have at this point decided to let it go and not engage unless engaged. If I am engaged in any way, I’ll pop it all up online. Obviously, I strongly recommend NOT traveling with somebody who lies about when they first stepped foot in the country.

Losing the tour company did however make me truly sad, as I poured my heart and soul into this project. Despite everything that happened afterwards and the friction caused by it, it was still my baby, and I was proud of being one of the first (or maybe the first) travel bloggers to bring a group to Pakistan. It was also an important moment in my journey as launching the tours is what enabled me to scrape funds together to grow The Broke Backpacker.

I could go on and on with more details, but I don’t think this’ll serve you, dear reader. I have, at this point, let go of my mistake. The mountains know, and they shall avenge me.

The thing is, Pakistan IS an absolutely amazing country, it is also somewhere that often DOES make sense to travel with a tour group, especially if you are shorter on time, as logistics can be challenging and quality contacts hard to make. There are now however SO MANY operators out there that it’s hard to find the best tour options for Pakistan and so I sat down and penned this out, to assist you dear reader in picking the best experience for your journey to Pakistan.

Pakistan truly is the trip of a lifetime and I’m delighted to be able to advise you on how to find an honest, experienced, guide who can show you this marvelous destination.

Now go, friends! Embark on an amazing adventure to Pakistan with someone who truly cares and has taken the time to develop new routes, connections, and language skills!

But first, let me give you a bit of extra juice before you move on with your grand adventure plans.

Pakistan Travel Tips

A few more cheeky Pakistan travel tips to get you excited for a tour of a lifetime…

You will need a visa to travel to Pakistan, which can these days be obtained online at their E-visa website . Each operator will provide you with a “letter of invitation” (or LOI) to ensure you get the visa, but you’ll have to cover the application costs yourself, which range from $10-$60 depending on your nationality.

Camping in Pakistan

Not every tour will involve camping, but for those that do, you might want to invest in a piece or two of a quality tent . Camping under the billion-starred skies of Pakistan have been some of my favourite nights on the road.

Food + Water

Pakistani food is spicy AF – though in the mountain regions you’ll find very different dishes that seem to more closely resemble European tastes. While it is a heavily meat-focused nation, vegans and vegetarians will find themselves satisfied – the hoilo garma in Hunza is a particularly epic meatless dish.

Tap water in Pakistan is NOT SAFE to drink ANYWHERE. I recommend grabbing yourself a Grayl before heading out on your adventure, not only will it save you money but it also does something for Pakistan’s trash problem. (Which isn’t as bad as India’s at least.)

What to Wear

Respect goes a long way in Pakistan – this is a conservative country, and you do want to show that you care about cultural norms. No, you don’t need to wear a hijab (except in mosques) BUT modest clothing like long, loose shirts are a must.

Many men wear Western clothes, which is fine, but shorts will make you stick out. It’s also important to mention that while places like Hunza are quite liberal, that doesn’t mean you should dress like you’re in Bali. 99% of women still wear the local outfit, the shalwar kameez, which also happens to be one of the comfiest outfits out there.

Alcohol and Beyond

As an Islamic Republic, Pakistan is nearly 97% Muslim, BUT alcohol isn’t fully illegal. While you certainly won’t find bars, liquor stores, or clubs, some “wine shops” and upscale hotels are legally allowed to sell to foreigners and non-Muslim Pakistanis.

I think you’ll be just as surprised as I was with how open Pakistan really is – the country also has some of the best hashish in the world (which is technically illegal but not policed). The Hunza Valley and parts of Upper Chitral are also known to brew their own moonshine from local fruit – though do be warned that it is STRONG.

Pakistan Travel Insurance

Travel insurance (that actually covers Pakistan) is a MUST, amigos. While basic medical care is super cheap, you want to be prepared for absolutely everything… these days more and more companies cover Pakistan, and some tours will even require you have it.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

FAQ About the Best Pakistan Tour Packages

Is pakistan safe.

Indeed it is! In fact, it’s the most hospitable place I’ve ever been. The mountain regions are particularly secure, which is where all these Pakistan adventure tours are focused on. Hunza Valley in particular is one of the safest places in the world.

What is the food like in Pakistan?

Food in Pakistan’s major cities is spicy as can be – but very meaty. Do try the chicken karahi. Hunza food (and that of other mountain areas) is very different and spice-free.

What level of fitness is required for these Pakistan adventure tours?

None of the tours involve any serious or technical hiking, but you’ll need to be moderately fit to keep up with the day hikes and active itineraries of each tour.

What is accommodation in Pakistan like?

You’ll encounter a variety of Western-style hotels, local guesthouses, and actual homes on any of these tours. While Western comforts may not always be available, clean and cozy spots will be.

What’s the weather like in Pakistan?

Pakistan’s major cities will likely be a minimum of 30 degrees during any of these Pakistan tours. The mountains, however, have a much nicer climate that can be compared to what you’d find in Northern Europe or the Northeastern United States. While a good jacket is absolutely needed, you will not freeze.

Buy Us a Coffee !

A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!

You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee . If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂

Will Hatton

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Everything You Need To Know Before Traveling To Pakistan.

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: August 11, 2020  - Last updated: October 2, 2021

Categories Destinations , Asia , Pakistan

Pakistan is an incredible location for tourists with its breathtaking scenery and hospitable people. The rich culture of Pakistan is barely shown in the media amidst all the other news.

Despite all that goes on about the security and other matters of Pakistan, is now Pakistan becoming more and more popular with foreign tourists because of its ancient sites and soaring mountain ranges.

In the last decade or so, extensive military efforts have stabilised the country, and now, much of Pakistan is a safe and super place to travel to. Now that we have the primary concerns aside, let us discuss what makes Pakistan a fantastic destination for travellers.

Looking for a trustworthy company for your trip to Pakistan, then the Netherland based Culture Road is highly recommended.

Fast Fact About Pakistan.

• The border in the north with China close 31st. November and open again normally 1st May again. During winter, the roads are blocked by snow.
• Daily Budget: Low 5/10 Usd. Middle 10/20Usd. High 25+Usd.

Important facts.

• Capital: Islamabad, but Karachi is the biggest city.
• Population: Approximately 200 Million.
• Language: Urdu and English, it was never a problem finding English-speaking locals even in rural areas.
• Currency: Pakistani rupee (RPS or Rs) 100RPS to 1USD and 110RPS to 1 Euro.

Travel Tips About Pakistan

• ATM in the big city´s, only ATM´s in Gilgit in the north, bring USD/Euro to exchange.
• If crossing the border to China, try to get some Chinese RMB before Sost, Sost often runs out of RMB.
• Bring photocopies of your passport and visa; there are checkpoints where you need it.
• Only drink bottled water!

When to Visit Pakistan

• In Central and southern Pakistan: November to April.
• Northern Mountains Areas: Can be visited all year but nights in December to February gets very cold.
• Far Northern areas shut down from 1.December to around 1.may when the border with China is closed.
• Do Not visit central Pakistan in August it´s unbearable warm and humid!

Food to Try in Pakistan

• Behari Kabab

Table Manners in Pakistan.

• When offered, always accept tea, even if you only put it to your lips or just take a few sips.
• Do not chew loud enough for others to hear.
• Chew with your mouth closed.
• Don´t put your elbows on the table.

Visa For Pakistan.

Getting a Pakistani visa was, for a long time, a real pain, where you could only apply in your home country and tons of papers were required. But lately, with the introduction of e-visa have things become easier but not perfect. Before you start your application, be sure you have a jpeg copy of your passport information page and a passport photo of yourself, you will also need a letter of invitation from a tour company or hotel booking confirmation.

The whole process takes around 1 hour due to a lot of questions with some seem unnecessary and odd. The visa fee is 35usd, and it takes 7+/- working days to get approved. Be sure to print the email you get with your visa.

Getting To Pakistan.

Getting to Pakistan is easiest done by flight to one of the nine international airports in the country, Karachi, Lahore , and Islamabad are the main gateways to by air. From Europe, do British Airways operate flights between London and Islamabad.

National Airline “Pakistan International Airlines” operate flights between Pakistan and various European destinations like Oslo, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Manchester, Milan, Paris, with more.

Major Middle Eastern Airlines like Ethiad, Emirates, Oman Airlines, Qatar Airlines and Turkish Airlines all have at least one daily flight to all major cities in Pakistan. Thai Airways has direct flights to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad from Bangkok.

Pakistan has land borders with India to the east, Afghanistan to the west,  Iran  to the southwest, and  China in the northeast. And a tinny border with Tajikistan in the northwest.

Overland travelling to Pakistan: From India: Only possible at the Wagah border close to Lahore and Amritsar in India.

From Iran: Zahedan to Quetta in southwest Pakistan. Afghanistan: No open border for foreigners, the legendary Khyber Pass is currently off-limit. China: Across the world highest border crossing at Khunjerab Pass at an elevation of 4.733m (15,528ft) above sea level. The Khunjerab Pass is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway . Tajikistan : No open border crossing. 

Getting Around Pakistan.

Getting around this huge country is easy, but it depends on your budget and the time you got to spare. The country got an extensive rail network, very comfortable buses, to dirt cheap minibuses, and budget flights s also getting more common between the larger cities here.

Budget Airline in Pakistan: AirBlue SerenaAir

National Airline in Pakistan: Pakistan International Airlines

Train Traveling In Pakistan. Pakistan has an extensive rail network covering most of the country from Karachi in the south to Peshwar in the north. If you want to travel with trains in Pakistan or wondering about train travelling in general, check out this amazing guide about train travelling in Pakistan from Lost with Purpose.

Bus travelling around Pakistan.  The two best bus companies here are Daewoo and NATCO in the northern part of the country. While both companies are reliable and secure, so are they often almost five times more expensive than the cheap minibuses and larger local buses. But you get what you pay for.

Travelling within cities. Uber and Careem is the best and safest way to travel around the bigger cities for foreigners. While a Rickshaw is cheaper for locals will they often overcharge foreigners.

Money In Pakistan.

Getting Money from an ATM or actually finding a working ATM can be a real pain in Pakistan; even in the larger cities, can this be a problem. There´s ATM in about every town in the country, but in smaller places, they often run out of money.

The most reliable banks in Pakistan for foreign bank cards are Allied Bank, Habib Bank, MCB Bank, Standard Charted. The banks charge a 500 (3usd) withdrawal fee. Primarily in Northern Pakistan does atm´s often run out and are only available in the larger town, so be sure to bring enough cash when you travel the Karakoram Highway .

Internet In Pakistan.

Wifi and 3/4G connection are technically available everywhere, but it can be very unstable and don´t expect it to be fast and reliable.

WIFI: About every hotel and guesthouse in the country, together with upscale coffee shops and restaurants, have WiFi These days, but don´t expect it to be fast outside of the main cities in Pakistan.

Getting a local sim card is your best bet if you require internet. There are currently 4 (5) different network companies in Pakistan, with Jazz is the largest, followed by Telenor and Zong (China Mobile). All three works fine in most of the country.

If you are planning to travel to the two northern regions Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, so are SCOM the network to get, SCOM only works in the two northern regions, the other networks also works in the north, but SCOM has much better coverage then the others.

Buying a sim card in Pakistan can be a bit of a pain as a foreigner. Foreigners/Tourists can´t be a sim card from any small shop; we will have to visit the bigger shops called customer service centres, where you will likely have to wait for a while in a line together with tens of other locals. You will have to fill out a registration form, and you will have to bring your passport.

For SCOM are the Customer service centres in Astore, Aliabad Gilgit, and Karimabad. For Azad Kashmir are the best Customer Service centres in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.

Language in Pakistan.

The vast country is home to  74 different languages spoken as first languages. With five of them have more than 10 million speakers each around the country – Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki and Urdu. But Urdu is the national language in Pakistan, which, along with English, is also the official language.

And from my personal experience, is it easier to find a good English speaking local in Pakistan compared to a good English speaking person in India, especially outside the main tourist trail.

Power Plugs in Pakistan. 

The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz, with the power plugs mostly being standard European power plugs.

Why Should You Travel To Pakistan?

What is it that makes Pakistan a great place to visit? There are all these beautiful places, but then what really sets the country apart is its people. The values, culture, and hospitality is definitely something that travellers should experience in their lifetime.

Based on my own experience of travelling around the country, here are some reasons you should visit.

Magnificent scenery:  Pakistan has a variety of beautiful mountains that includes some of the world’s highest mountain ranges, the Himalayas. Apart from the incredible trekking and hiking sites, the peaceful villages and valleys up north are what make Pakistan worth visiting.

Ancient sites:  Mughal era mansions, Silk Road relics, ancient Buddhist abbeys, and some destroyed civilisations are few of the many historical sites that you can visit in Pakistan.

Cuisine:  Thousands of delicious dishes and cuisines, including biryani, karahi, nihari, and haleem are like no other you have ever eaten.

Culture:  The rich culture of Pakistan is a very exciting prospect for travellers. From the Sindhi Ajrak to the Punjabi bhangra, you will get to learn a lot about the people in the subcontinent from Pakistan.

Hospitality:  If not for anything, the friendliness, generosity, and overall hospitality of Pakistan are what make it one of the best tourism sites in the world. Often, you will go entire trips without having to pay a dime! Such is the hospitality of the people of Pakistan.

What To Wear When Travelling In Pakistan?

While packing for Pakistan, dressing for the weather will be the hardest thing to do. But click here to read a good guide about what to wear in Pakistan.

Pants or trousers with any sort of shirt will be sufficient for men for daily wear. You can wear t-shirts, polos, and formal shirts with no one batting an eye. As for shorts, you can wear those too, but then the people will give you stares as they’re meant for the home only. Men wearing tank tops are very rare here, so it’s best to avoid those.

For women, the traditional combination of shirt and pants, known as shalwar kameez, is the most suitable dress for you in while travelling here. It is comfortable and easy to wear in the cities with 40°C+ temperatures. Moreover, you will earn a lot of local respect too if you decide to invest in shalwar kameez.

However, the mountains won’t allow you to wear this. They are cold even in the summers. Irrespective of whether you’re trekking or not, warm clothes that should pack your body with robust shoes are a necessity if you’re about to visit the northern side.

How to find the best accommodation in Pakistan?

Finding accommodation can be difficult in Pakistan. Online bookings and websites can be useful, but only if you are staying at high-end hotels. The rest of them prefer direct calls for the reservations of rooms, especially up north, where most of the mountain ranges and valleys are.

Booking.com and Airbnb are getting more familiar here. However, there are still mostly mid-range and luxury hotels.

The mid-range accommodation options broaden up at Facebook pages that are common and an easier way to contact and reserve a room. There are several travel groups that you can find with tour guides and information about the cheapest places to stay all over the country. Backpacking Pakistan is one such group.

For women, Female Pakistan Travelers is a popular group to get information on accommodation, clothing, and other aspects.

Finding a cheap place to sleep is a challenge for a newcomer. Guidebooks cannot be relied upon for prices. You’ll need to find a traveller to guide you for your tour as not all cheap hotels or guesthouses accept foreign tourists.

The People of Pakistan and Hospitality of the locals.

The people of Pakistan are the most hospitable, kind, and welcoming around the globe. From the bustling streets of Karachi to the beautiful valley of Hunza , every local that interacts with you would reward a grin, a free cup of chai and often an invitation to their house.

Pakistani people consider guests as a gift from God, and therefore it is an honour for them to treat these guests. They would invite you to stay in their house despite not knowing you at all. They would sleep on the floor just so you can sleep on the only bed in the house.

Even during the month of Ramadan, when they are fasting, they will not fail to offer you some of the best dishes they have to offer. They would become your tour guide and invest their time to show you the cities and villages with not expecting any favour in return. They would gift you anything just to make you happy and to show their hospitality.

The people of this country are its greatest asset. They are the people who are the easiest to interact with.

However, sometimes, it can be difficult to deal with a Pakistani. 97% of this country’s population is Muslim. This makes the country homogenous, and therefore, its people are mostly conservatives.

They are unable to handle criticism. Everything here has a way to do, and anyone opposing it may face the intolerant people. People do not really welcome a difference of opinions.

Pakistan is an Islamic republic that makes religion the most sensitive subject there. They are very open to accepting people having other faiths but admitting atheism there can cause a problem for you. Therefore, you should be careful when discussing religion in the country.

This should not pull you off visiting and its people, though; just to be cautious, as a rule of thumb, be respectful to their religion and their practices, and all should go well!

The Pakistan infrastructure and what to expect.

Considering it is a developing country, you should expect some things if you’re planning a visit to Pakistan. The toilets on roadside dhabas and village homes are not more than just holes. Road closures, strikes or car breakdowns would change a 6-hour drive into a 10-hour road journey.

You can face paved roads with potholes with dirt and nearly everything and anything in between this journey. The flights to Gilgit and Skardu may get cancelled due to weather conditions. At times, you will also have to put in a hassle with the airport staff because of the unspoken weight limits of your bags too.

There is not much anyone can do anything about this. This might demotivate you to plan a tour here, but it will still be worth visiting.

Drugs, drinks and beer in Pakistan.

You have to be careful with substances in Pakistan. The authorities will not be easy for you to deal with if they find you on drugs. Even though the general public is fine with substance use, there are still some issues regarding the legality and morality of substance use here.

Murree Brewery is the only legal beer brewery in Pakistan. They have a monopoly in this industry as It deals with every kind of alcohol. The religion there prohibits alcohol, so only foreigners/non-Muslims can purchase from permit shops or high-end hotels. You can find local illegal brands, especially in multicultural Sindh, but they can be a great risk for you by legal means.

Some people might arrange imported material for you without a permit and charge an extra fee for it, but it is best to avoid that.

Being A Responsible Tourist.

It is the responsibility of every tourist to leave a positive image to the country and its people.

A tourist to Pakistan can easily indulge in bad activities that are encouraged in Pakistan, but one should always remember its responsibility as a tourist. Here are some things that a tourist should keep in mind while visiting this beautiful country.

Do not capture someone’s photograph without asking them, especially women. The same goes for taking pictures of children without their parent’s consent. They can be very sensitive about this picture, and their male family members might abuse or even beat you.

Similar to neighbouring India, so are Pakistan not a very clean country in terms of garbage and trash. Keep the country clean and become an example for the local people too. Do not throw trash anywhere other than the dustbin. This will create an image of good to the people here that might take you as an example to keep their country clean.

Local guides and drivers would help you with your tour. You can find a Punjabi as they tend to control the tourism field, but these locals are only in Punjab.

Places You Should Visit In Pakistan

There are countless places that tourists can visit all over the country, but it is almost impossible to cover all of them on a single tour. If you are visiting Pakistan for the first time, I recommend including the following places to enjoy an experience of a lifetime:

The Mountain Ranges.

The Himalayas and the Karakoram mountain ranges are two of the highest in the world. You can find the peaks of these ranges in the northern part of the country.

When visiting the country, you should consider visiting K1 through K5 peaks (particularly K2, which is the second-highest in the world), the Siachen glacier, and Nanga Parbat. These are some of the most breathtaking sites that I have come across all my travels, and would recommend them to everyone visiting Pakistan.

Hunza Valley .

The Hunza Valley is the Shangri La of Pakistan – the mountainous valley is situated in Gilgit-Baltistan and is home to the most beautiful trekking sites, historic sites, rivers, and waterfalls in the country. There is nothing more fulfilling than overlooking the sunset over the Hunza Valley from the Eagle’s Nest.

Chapursan Valley .

One of the most peaceful sites to visit in the north of the country is the Chapursan valley. From the incredible hospitality of the locals to the superb trekking sites, if you enjoy some alone time and want to connect yourself with mother nature, then you should add Chapursan to your list of places to visit in here.

The Silk Road.

The Silk Road is a historic trade route that spans the Orient and links the treasures of the Roman Empire to the dynasties of China.

If you want to go back in history, then you should visit the Silk Road, which is right at the heart of the Karakoram ranges. If you are looking for a stunning view, an incredible motorbike/driving adventure, then you should visit the Silk Road on the seemingly endless Karakoram highway. Another historical part of Pakistan worth a visit is the stunning Swat Valley.

The Major Cities: Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar.

If you want to experience the culture and cuisine of Pakistan, then I recommend visiting the major cities that the country have to offer. Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, but not the largest city in the country, will most likely be your first destination and gives you a taste of what the country is all about.

For a better experience of the cuisines and culture, visit Karachi (the commercial hub of the country) in Sindh, Lahore in Punjab, and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Is Pakistan Safe? And which Places should you stay away from?

For various reasons, some places in Pakistan are still considered unsafe or inaccessible for foreign travellers. When you plan your trip here, it is best to leave out these places from your itinerary.

The Khyber Pass, Waziristan, and adjacent areas to the Afghan border.

Balochistan, including the major city of Quetta, most foreign travellers are not permitted to visit the province due to security concerns. It is best to listen to authority on this matter unless you have permission.

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Gail Fewson

Thursday 12th of December 2019

Damn, now I want to go back NOW. I was there in September this year via Tashkurgan. Northern Pakistan is the most beautiful place I have visited. Wasn't that excited by Islamabad and Lahore but lad I saw them. The immigration check point at Dust was a great experience. They were so friendly and happy. After China it was good to hear laughter. Definitely need to return. Highly recommend this wonderful country.

Wander-Lush

Pakistani Culture Guide: 7 Life-changing Experiences for Travellers

Embrace the diversity and vibrance of Pakistani culture. Here are 7 unforgettable cultural experiences for travellers to Pakistan , including food, festivals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Pakistani traditions, and much more.

About the author: Arabela, The Spicy Travel Girl , lives in Pakistan and is joining us to share her insights into Pakistani culture and traditions. For more Pakistan travel tips and photography, head over to her blog .

Few places are as culturally diverse and untouched as Pakistan.

From the rough mountainscapes and green valleys in the north to the sweltering deserts and the turquoise seas of the south, Pakistan’s diverse landscapes have given rise to a gargantuan variety of regional cultures and traditions , from the time of the Indus Valley civilisation until today.

The Pakistani people’s pride and perseverance to adhere to traditional ways of living over time has kept many of these cultures alive.

This incredible richness makes Pakistan one of the best destinations for culturally curious travellers who value deep learning experiences over hastily checking places off the list. It is perfect for slow travellers who are interested in exploring traditional ways of life instead of rushing through overly commercialised tourist destinations.

You may experience your greatest cultural shock in Pakistan – but you will not regret embarking on this eye-opening trip. And with great certainty, you will come back with much more than a suitcase full of colourful clothes and spices – you will come back with an entirely new worldview .

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

7 Pakistani culture experiences for a life-changing trip

Here are just a few of the cultural experiences that will make your visit to Pakistan a life-changing trip.

1. Adorn yourself with traditional Pakistani clothes

When walking down the streets of any town in Pakistan, you will notice the majority of people wearing long shalwar kameez and women covered in colourful dupattas . Unlike in the majority of places nowadays, people in Pakistan stay loyal to local customs by wearing primarily traditional clothes in everyday life.

The most appropriate dress code for travellers is to adapt and wear local clothing as well.

It is very easy to find traditional or traditionally inspired clothes anywhere in the country. Head to a shopping mall for high-quality textiles with fixed prices or to a local bazaar for more unique pieces at negotiable prices.

And if you want to take your fashion game to the next level, consider exploring the traditional regional dresses from across the country and adorn yourself with Sindhi ajraks or Hunza caps.

Wearing local clothing will not only help you blend in during your trip to Pakistan, but it will also allow you to form a deeper connection with locals who love seeing foreigners embrace their cultural dress.

2. Immerse yourself in a local bazaar

One of the unmissable cultural experiences that every traveller should have when visiting Pakistan is immersing oneself in a local bazaar. These bustling marketplaces sell everything from live animals to electronics. They are the heart of every Pakistani town and village, and can be found on almost every corner.

In bazaars, travellers get to experience an authentic aspect of local life by shopping for colourful textiles and jewellery, sampling delicious street food, or simply squeezing their way through the crowded alleys filled with the smell of sizzling kebabs and fresh biryani.

Besides kebab (various types of grilled meat specialties) and biryani (spiced rice, usually mixed with meat), other delicious street foods in Pakistan include chana chaat (cold spiced chickpeas often mixed with potato), samosas (fried dough wrappers filled with a spicy mixture of potatoes, lentils, and other ingredients), and sweet potatoes baked on charcoal.

As yummy as these specialties can be, they are quite infamous for causing food poisoning in travellers and locals. Therefore, caution is advised!

Like in most markets in Asia, haggling is a must in Pakistani bazaars to avoid being overcharged. This is especially true for foreigners. It is best to visit the bazaar together with a local who knows the prices and is used to bargaining. Otherwise, a good tip is to suggest half of the price the vendor quotes and find a compromise from there.

It is also important to note that crowded bazaars can be quite uncomfortable places for women at times. Therefore, it is advised to visit with a male companion.

3. Explore one Of Pakistan’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Thanks to its incredible cultural and historical richness, Pakistan has accumulated a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites over the years.

The most remarkable UNESCO Site in Pakistan is probably the ancient city of Taxila , an archeological site just outside the modern-day capital of Islamabad that showcases the history of human settlement like few other places do.

Its earliest remains date back to the Neolithic Period. It was then ruled by multiple empires, including the Greeks, the Scythians, and the Parthians. The archeological complex of Taxila consists of three archeological sites and a museum that tourists can visit in exchange for an entrance fee.

If you are interested in witnessing the architectural marvels of the Mughal period, Lahore is the ultimate place to visit. The city was the capital of the Mughal Empire for nearly two decades, leaving behind many cultural gems, some of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage as well, such as the Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens.

Explore the rich heritage of Lahore by taking a rickshaw ride through the Old City and discover some of the region’s most stunning architecture.

And if you have some more time during your visit to Pakistan, plan a trip through the southern province of Sindh to witness the incredible marvels of Thatta and Mohenjo-daro.

4. Learn about regional Pakistani culture at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum in Islamabad

As much as it might seem to you in the beginning, Pakistani culture is not a monolith. Across the country’s seven provinces and territories, you will find a huge variety of people who speak different mother tongues, follow different customs, and wear different clothes.

While all of these cultures are equally rich, only a few travellers have the luck to experience all of them during their trip.

This is where the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum in Islamabad comes in handy. This ethnographic museum is a must-visit place, even if you only have a day in Islamabad because it lets visitors experience almost all of Pakistan’s richness in one place.

During your visit, you will learn about different ethnic groups’ backgrounds, dresses, and traditional ways of living, and you’ll get the chance to shop for unique local crafts and clothing at the bazaar in front of the museum.

The museum frequently hosts special events where travellers get to explore Pakistan’s regional cultures even deeper by sampling different foods and meeting performers from across the country. Check the schedule here .

5. Enjoy traditional Pakistani music and dance performances

There is no doubt that some of the most important elements of Pakistan’s cultural heritage are passed on to generations in the form of music and dance.

Be it in the form of Sufi Islamic Qawwali, a type of religious devotional singing, or a traditional dance performance in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, music and dance performances are great immersive travel experiences that help travellers appreciate the local culture with all their senses.

It is quite easy to find traditional music and dance performances across Pakistan. Cafes and restaurants in the big cities frequently host Qawwali nights, where you can enjoy a hot cup of chai while listening to beautiful spiritual music. Popular restaurants that frequently showcase live performances in Lahore are Dera and Karakkhel.

It is also easy to stumble across folkloristic dance performances in popular tourist destinations such as Hunza Valley or Fairy Meadows. Ask your hotel owner or guide to invite a group of local performers and enjoy traditional dances around the bonfire.

However, this does not go without a warning for female travellers: Always decline if performers ever ask you to join their dance. Unfortunately, it is still rare for women to dance around men in Pakistan and it can lead to harassment.

6. Stay with a local family

Staying with a local family is often considered the most immersive travel experience of all, and this could not be more true in Pakistan. Pakistanis are some of the most hospitable people in the world who treat every guest like a precious gift.

Staying with a local family will not only give you a deep insight into the local culture, but also impress you with the incredible kindness of the local people. 

Getting invited to stay with a local family is unbelievably easy in Pakistan. In case you have not already been extended hospitality by a Pakistani friend, Couchsurfing is a guaranteed way to experience the country’s hospitality for yourself.

When staying with a local family, it is extremely important to be aware of certain cultural values. Pakistani hosts will undoubtedly try to fulfil all your wishes and offer you luxuries they would never indulge in themselves. Therefore, it is crucial to know one’s limits and keep declining generous offers as many times as possible.

Overall respectful and modest behaviour is also a must when staying with a local family. Leaving a small gift is a great way to express gratitude for your host’s hospitality.

7. Attend A Pakistani Wedding

Lastly, how could anyone leave Pakistan without attending a local wedding?

Just kidding… You can – but why would you want to miss out on all the fun and splendour when it’s so easy to get invited!?

Weddings are a huge deal in Pakistan. Whoever you meet on the road likely knows someone who is getting married next week. Families save for their entire lifetimes so that their daughter can have a wedding just as extravagant as the neighbour’s. There are vast communities for parents to arrange a rishta (match) for their children and when the day is near, wedding halls are flooded with relatives, friends, neighbours, and whoever else comes along.

Pakistani weddings generally consist of three to seven functions that stretch over multiple days, the most important ones being Nikkah (signing the marriage contract), Mehndi (henna painting with lots of sweets and dancing), Barat (the groom taking the bride home in a festive caravan), and Walima (post-wedding reception). The dress code is different for every ritual.

The best way to get invited to a wedding as a tourist is through local friends who might even lend you one of their festive dresses for the occasion. If you do not know anyone who is getting married, consider asking around in Facebook groups. If you’re lucky, you might even get invited by someone you meet on the road!

Pakistani culture: Save it on Pinterest

More from the region.

• The most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan
• Culture guide to Kerala
• How to experience local culture in Sri Lanka
• Travelling the Ancient Silk Road

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Great read, when did you visit/Travel to Pakistan Emily, i dont remember seeing your Posts from Pakistan on your Instagram

Hi Jamil, thanks for your comment. This is a guest post by Samantha of Intentional Detours. You can find her bio at the top of the post and a link to her Instagram on her page – she has lots of wonderful photos from her time in Pakistan. Enjoy!

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Pakistan travel guide: everything to know before you go

Updated in 2024: After years of both independently traveling in Pakistan and later running tours there, it’s safe to say I know a lot about travel in Pakistan. Here’s my complete Pakistan travel guide with information on visas, transportation, costs, and everything else you need to know about travel in Pakistan.

Curious about traveling to Pakistan but nervous about going alone? Check out my tours: I run both women’s tours and biker tours in Pakistan.

Jaw-dropping nature, diverse cultures, and delicious food—these are but a few of the things you’ll experience when you visit Pakistan. Most importantly, it’s home to the most hospitable people I’ve met in my travels. It’s no wonder more and more people want to travel to Pakistan!

However, Pakistan ain’t as easy to travel in as some will have you believe . But no worries, I got you. This guide was created after more than six visits and almost a year of travel in Pakistan. I have visited Pakistan more than any other travel blogger and traveled to Pakistan both with friends and by myself. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about travel in Pakistan.

Pakistan travel guide: index

• Pakistan basics
• Languages of Pakistan
• Regions of Pakistan
• Culture in Pakistan
• Gender in Pakistan
• Drinking and drugs
• Religion and Pakistan
• Pakistani food
• Money in Pakistan
• Visas for Pakistan
• Entering and exiting Pakistan
• Accommodation in Pakistan
• Transportation in Pakistan
• Safety in Pakistan
• SIM cards and WiFi
• Responsible tourism in Pakistan
• Resources for Pakistan travel

Pakistan travel guide: the basics

Pakistan is officially called “The Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” A populous country in South Asia—no, it’s not in the Middle East—with more than 200 million people, it’s the 6th most populous country in the world. TL;DR: Lots and lots of people. Everywhere.

Pakistan was founded on the 14th of August 1947 after an event known as Partition : when British India created the modern states of India and Pakistan. The event was bloody, its ramifications still visible today. The country became an Islamic Republic in 1956. During partition, Pakistan was divided into West and East Pakistan. In 1971 East Pakistan became Bangladesh after another bloody war for independence .

Although Pakistan is a young country, its history is ancient. Ruins of one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the Indus Valley Civilization , lie in southern Pakistan. Multiple conquerors and civilizations took hold in parts of modern-day Pakistan, including Alexander the Great, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, and the British Raj.

The ruins of Moenjo Daro in Sindh province are from the Indus Valley civilization, the oldest known civilization

Pakistan’s recent history is marred with conflict, both internal and external, most notably with India. It’s struggled with military coups, terrorist attacks, war, and secessionist tensions. Its army has strengthened throughout the years as a result; it’s now a nuclear power and has the sixth-largest standing armed forces in the world.

I could go into it more, but you can only cover so much in one Pakistan travel guide! If you want to get more in-depth with Pakistan’s history, I highly recommend getting a copy of Pakistan Traveller – it’s the best Pakistan travel guide book on the market.

Pakistan travel guide: Language in Pakistan

Myriad languages are spoken in Pakistan. Most people speak two or three languages. At least!

Urdu is Pakistan’s national language, as well as the language of officialdom together with English. Most middle and upper-class Pakistanis will speak (some) English. It’s rare to find a place where absolutely no one speaks English. However, it’s always good to pick up a phrase or two in Urdu before you visit Pakistan. I highly recommend Pimsleur for learning language basics .

Besides the two official languages, there are many local languages: Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi, Potohari, Shina, Wakhi, Burushaski… the list goes on! Every province has its own regional language, such as the aforementioned Punjabi and Sindhi. In major cities people mostly speak Urdu, but in towns and villages local languages reign supreme.

Urdu basics

• Salaamu aleikum: Hello
• Walaykum asalaam:  Hello (in response)
• Shukriya:  Thank you
• Kya haal hai?:  How are you?
• Mai thik hoon:  I am fine.
• Aap ka naam kya hai?:  What is your name?
• Mera naam Alex hai: My name is Alex.
• … kaha hai?: Where is… ?
• Kitnay paisa?:  How much?
• Ji / haan:  Yes/yeah
• Jao:  Go away
• Nehi chahiye:  I don’t need it
• Angrezi ata/ati?: Do you know English?

Interested in learning more conversational Urdu? I’ve been taking virtual lessons with a teacher, Naveed Rehman, for several years now (on and off). He’s very patient, excellent at explaining grammar, and focuses on practical conversational Urdu rather than rote memorization. I highly recommend his online Urdu classes —they’re quite affordable by Western standards, so they’re well worth a try!

Pakistan travel guide: Regions of Pakistan

The country of Pakistan is divided into four provinces and three territories, each with its own distinct culture and flavor:

Sunset at Gorakh Hill in Sindh

Sindh (province)

Major cities/destinations: Karachi, Hyderabad, Sehwan Sharif

The southernmost province of Pakistan is home to its biggest city, Karachi. But venture out into the rural areas, known as “interior Sindh”, and you’ll find a mystic realm of moody deserts, Sufi shrines, and abandoned forts.  Don’t miss my guide to traveling in Sindh.

Shalimar Bagh (Shalimar Gardens) in Lahore, Punjab

Punjab (province)

Major cities/destinations: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan

Pakistan’s wealthiest province sits in the middle of the country. Though vast fields of wheat and other crops make stereotypical Punjabi landscapes, there are also plenty of massive Mughal relics and nature tinged with green to keep travelers busy. It’s also home to my absolute favorite city in Pakistan, Lahore .

Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (province)

Major cities/destinations: Peshawar, Chitral, Kalash Valleys

Far to the west of the country, and now including what was once known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), this province borders Afghanistan. Home primarily to the Pakhtun (Pashtun) people , many parts of this province are evocative of traveling Afghanistan . Some parts are off-limits—especially the south and regions along the Afghan border—but natural areas such as Swat Valley and the Kalash Valleys are popular… for good reason!

Lonely road in Balochistan province

Balochistan (province)

Major cities/destinations: Quetta, Gwadar, Hingol National Park, Makran Coastal Highway

Bordering Iran and Afghanistan, the country’s largest province is also one of the least traveled. Home to deserts, dusty mountains, and azure coastlines, this province is unfortunately off-limits to foreign travelers aside from those doing the Iran-Pakistan overland border crossing .

Islamabad, Pakistan from above

Islamabad capital territory

The country’s capital is also its own territory. Many tourists start their Pakistan travels in Islamabad, but I’ll be honest with you: I’m not the biggest fan. Though there are many things to do in Islamabad , the capital is far from representative of the rest of the country, and is on the verge of boring much of the time. Still, it’s a comfortable and relatively developed place to rest, relax, and pick up some necessities while traveling in Pakistan.

Autumn in Khyber village, Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan (territory)

Major cities/destinations: Gilgit, Central Hunza (Karimabad), Passu

When people come to Pakistan looking for mountains, this is where they end up. Also known as “Northern Pakistan”, the vast territory of Gilgit Baltistan is home to three major mountain ranges—Himalayas, Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush—as well as several of the world’s tallest mountains (K2, Nanga Parbat, and Rakaposhi). It’s by far the calmest and easiest to travel of all the country’s provinces, especially for female travelers . If you’re in search of nature, you’re probably heading north to Gilgit Baltistan.

Ramkot Fort in Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir (territory)

Major cities/destinations: Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley

This narrow territory to the east of Pakistan on the border with India has been disputed ever since Partition, the dividing of India and Pakistan in 1947. Tensions occasionally flare up between the Pakistani military and the Indian military, and so the territory was off-limits to foreign travelers for a long time. As of 2019, the territory has opened up slightly, though foreigners are still not allowed to go within 10 km of the border, known as the Line of Control (LOC). However, you can at least visit Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and their surrounding areas… though security forces might hassle you a bit.

People enjoying the night air at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Pakistan travel guide: Culture in Pakistan

Pakistan’s culture is varied and vibrant, albeit very conservative. Religion dictates and influences culture at almost every level. Keep that in mind and tread carefully when traveling to Pakistan. Keep this Pakistan travel guide handy to help you avoid any cultural faux pas situations.

Due to its diversity, it’s difficult to make generalizations about Pakistani culture… but try, I shall! This is a Pakistan travel guide, after all. Here are some cultural nuances travelers should be aware of:

Hospitality

Pakistan’s hospitality is renowned. In Pakistan, guests are a gift from God, and many people are honored to treat them as such. During my travels through Pakistan, people have…

• Invited me to stay in their homes despite not knowing me at all.
• Slept on the floor so I could sleep in their bed.
• Fed me a million and one times, even when they were fasting during Ramadan.
• Taken the time to show me around their cities, villages, regions.
• Gifted me everything from clothing to food to souvenirs.
• … and then some.

The hospitality is incredible and continues to amaze me even after repeat visits to the country.

However, in recent times—and due to some careless influencers —I feel some travelers are interpreting this hospitality the wrong way.

Pakistan is NOT a place to go because ~*everything is freeeee!!!*~. By all means, enjoy their hospitality—I sure do—but don’t take advantage of it. Give back where you can.

You can give people small tips (maybe 20 to 50 rupees) if they do something to help you out, or if they’re visibly poor but still feed you or give you things. More if they help you a lot over a period of time. Help out around the house, or buy gifts of fruits, sweets, or nuts (called “dried fruits” in Pakistan). Meat is also a good gift for poorer people in villages. Bring small gifts from your own country or home for people who host you (think postcards, sweets, trinkets, etc.).

Sometimes people will not accept, but it doesn’t hurt to offer. If it’s a matter of pride over money, you can always give a little financial gift to the kids, or leave money somewhere in their house where they’ll find it.

TL;DR: don’t be a mooch. Pakistani hospitality is something to appreciate and learn from, not take advantage of. Enjoy, then pay it forward!

The Pakistani mindset

Let me preface this by saying Pakistanis are the most hospitable people I’ve met in my travels (shout out to Iranians and Bangladeshis as runners ups).

Pakistanis make you feel wholly welcome and are the country’s greatest asset. Some of the best friends from my travels are Pakistani. I’m not sure there’s a country where it’s easier to meet and interact with locals than Pakistan.

The flip side: Pakistanis can be difficult people to deal with.

Because the country is conservative and religiously homogenous ( about 97% of the population is Muslim ), I’ve found people can be very intolerant. There is a way to do and think about things in Pakistan, and those who do or believe otherwise are often met with opposition. Though many people harbor “alternative” opinions, they are often hesitant to speak them unless in close company. People are not used to differing opinions.

Pakistanis also do not handle criticism well. I knew this, but had a nice reminder (translation: aggressive awakening) of this inability when I posted a critical video about Pakistan’s tourism scene this year. I had to field hate for weeks on end despite constructive intentions.

Don’t let me put you off Pakistan and its people; my point is that you should be very cautious when speaking about sensitive subjects and be careful to respect Pakistan’s culture. By all means discuss, but choose your battles wisely.

The rest of this guide is meant to help you get a grasp on what is and is not okay in Pakistan, and how to act once there. Read through, and you won’t need to worry about clashing with locals. As I said, Pakistan is a brilliant country for adventurous travelers… so long as you respect local culture.

Overlooking the streets of Karachi in standard wear – kurta, jeans, and a dupatta (scarf)

People who want to travel to Pakistan often ask me about the types of clothes they have to wear. Although dress codes are less strict than they used to be, it’s best to come prepared when you visit Pakistan.

There’s no official rule about what to wear ( unlike Iran ), so long as you’re somewhat modest.

If you want to wear “western” clothes such as t-shirts and jeans, go ahead; many people wear western clothes in cities, especially in wealthy areas such as malls and Defence neighborhoods. Gilgit Baltistan sees plenty of trekkers wandering about in western outdoor attire.

Women: Pakistan is a very conservative country; unless you’re in a liberal/wealthy part of a major city, I recommend dressing modestly. That means long pants and a loose shirt or dress that ideally covers your bum. Although headscarves aren’t mandatory, it pays to have one on you for entering mosques.

The local pant/shirt combination, salwar kameez , is immensely comfortable and colorful. You can pick them up in bazaars and malls throughout Pakistan—locals will appreciate it!

Men: Shorts are okay, but you won’t see many locals wearing them, and they’re not allowed in mosques. In general, it pays to dress modestly—no tank tops or shorts. Again, salwar kameez is recommended.

Buy some local clothes at one of the many bazaars, like this one in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

Women in Pakistan

Unfortunately, Pakistan is lagging when it comes to women’s rights. There are many places where you won’t see women on the street. Especially in rural areas, women are treated as second class citizens, domestic workers, and baby-making machines.

Foreign women are mostly be treated with respect. As an outside traveler, you straddle the line between men and women; you’re unusual enough to sit with men, but feminine enough to access women’s spaces, too.

Alas, harassment is still common, though it’s mostly restricted to unwanted touching and commentary. If a man does something to you, slap them or make a scene. Pakistanis are very protective of women and someone will likely come to your aid.

For more info, check out my guide to female travel in Pakistan .

Tipping in Pakistan

Tipping is not mandatory. Instances where you might tip someone include:

• Hiring a driver who did a good job – Several hundred PKR
• Take a private tour with a good tour guide – Several hundred PKR per day
• Dining at a fancier restaurant – Round the bill up to a more even number
• If someone goes well out of their way to help you or give you access to something – 50 to 100 PKR

If you do tip, don’t tip too much, else you’ll raise expectations for future travelers. Don’t feel pressured to tip someone if they ask you for a tip—they’re being cheeky because you’re foreign.

Pakistan travel guide: Gender divides, relationships, and sexuality in Pakistan

Pakistan’s gender divide is massive. Fly in, and you’ll see what I mean 30 seconds after stepping outside the airport.

Because of both Islam and regional culture, men and women are separated in society. Streets are a world of men, women rule in the home. Society tries to separate boys and girls until marriage… after which couples are expected to produce babies ASAP. Go figure.

That’s not to say there’s no intermingling, but it might not be what you’re used to at home. Public displays of affection—kissing, holding hands, touching in public—are taboo. Unmarried couples are subtle when they meet; you might notice them hiding in parks or behind tinted car windows. Openness about boyfriends or girlfriends is unusual. Elite Pakistanis are sometimes an exception… until their parents are involved.

My “husband” and I back in the days when I traveled as a couple/before my solo travel began

Couples travel in Pakistan

Unmarried foreign couples should just pretend to be married. Otherwise, hotels might cause problems, and people might be uncomfortable hosting you.

Tip: Make sure you have some kind of story worked out—people are probably going to ask you about your wedding!

If you’re married, no problem! You just have to deal with constant questions about children. If you already have children, you’re on a perfect life path in most Pakistani’s eyes. Well done, you.

Women to men  

Women should be on guard when interacting with men. That’s not to say all men are evil, nor should you fear speaking with men. Just know many men interpret friendliness as flirtation.

In my experience, even men I thought friends ended up hitting on me hours, days, or weeks later. To establish boundaries with men, you can call young men bhai or brother, and older men chacha or uncle.

To keep men at bay, you can say you’re married. Weirdly enough, people are more likely to believe you’re married but traveling alone than accept that you’re unmarried.

Do not say that you have a boyfriend. If you do, men will interpret that as you being sexually loose and thus willing to sleep with them. Respectable ladies do not admit they have boyfriends to men. Or so Pakistanis think.

Men to women

Boys, be cautious when interacting with women… if you can find them.

Many male travelers struggle to meet women in Pakistan. Unless hanging out with liberal/wealthy folks in cities, most women will keep their distance from you. Or stay out of sight completely.

If you do encounter women be respectful and distant with unmarried girls. Be careful if flirting. Pakistanis upset quickly; many male family members will not react well to foreign men flirting with their sister/daughter/cousin.

On the bright side, it’s more socially acceptable for men to have a girlfriend(s) than vice versa. Saying you have a girlfriend implies you’re a bit of a player, but the average man will probably respect you for it, not shame you. Mmmm toxic masculinity.

LGBTQ+ in Pakistan

As you might have guessed, Pakistan isn’t a good place to be queer.

Interestingly enough, gay couples can fly under the radar long as you don’t kiss in public or admit you’re gay. Men hold hands and put arms around men. Women hold hands and touch other women. People of the same gender share hotel rooms without issue. Basically, so long as men and women aren’t touching in public, all is well. Don’t tell anyone you’re gay and you’ll be okay.

Gay communities do exist. I’ve only met one lesbian couple in Pakistan, but I know several gay men who traveled the country and said there’s a thriving underground gay scene to be found in cities (try Grindr, Tinder, or Couchsurfing). Women, you unfortunately might have to look a bit harder.

The idea of transgenders is established in Pakistan, but not in a positive way.

Hijras are men dressed as women who traditionally beg on the streets and at weddings. Some also work as prostitutes or dancers. Aside from hijras , people aren’t familiar with transgenders or genderqueers. Brace yourself for a lot of questions and looks. If male passing, know identifying as male will save you a lot of hassle.

Hookups and relationships in Pakistan

Relationships/hooking up with Pakistanis is possible, mostly in the liberal cities of Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Tinder is very active in Pakistan, and a good place to start fishing.

Dating is manageable… but if you want to actually sleep with someone you might encounter problems. Unless someone has their own place—meaning they don’t live with their family—you’ll have to find either an Airbnb or an expensive hotel room.

Men, please be careful if trying to hook up with women: their reputation can really be damaged if word gets out that they sleep with [foreign] men. In Pakistan, reputation is everything. You can leave Pakistan—and a bad reputation—more easily than they.

For love? Or for visa?

Beware declarations of love, marriage proposals, etc in Pakistan. Pakistani men commonly try to seduce foreign women in the hopes of marrying and getting a visa to another country. It’s not impossible to have a legitimate relationship… just more likely that ulterior motives are involved.

Ex-cans of Murree, the only local beer in Pakistan

Pakistan travel guide: Drinks and drugs in Pakistan

The Quran forbids substances… but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist in the Islamic Republic!

Be sensible with substances in Pakistan; Pakistanis tend to go overboard and authorities will not play nicely if they find drugs on you.

Alcohol in Pakistan

Believe it or not, there’s one legal brewery in Pakistan: Murree Brewery. They have a monopoly on all alcohol in the country, and produce everything from beer (passable, try the light blue wheat beer) to all kinds of liquor (beware).

Foreigners/non-Muslims can legally purchase alcohol from shops and high-end hotels. Wine shops are relatively common in multicultural Sindh province , but further north, you’ll need to look to five-star hotels and “permit shops” attached to them where drinks are sold at market cost. The shopkeepers can often arrange imported drinks for you under the table for an extra fee.

“Bootleggers” are the go-to choice for Muslims. Pakistanis who drink likely have phone numbers of several bootleggers who can deliver alcohol discreetly. Bootleggers are easy in this regard, though their drinks are usually more expensive than the shops’.

Hash (cannabis) in Pakistan

Hashish is everywhere in Pakistan.

It comes from the region around the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Most Pakistani boys have tried hash at least once, and it’s easy for men to find someone to smoke with. Girls get raised eyebrows if they partake, though elite young women in cities do smoke. Ask around and you’re sure to find “stuff” everywhere in the country.

Read: Rolling with the stoners in Hunza

The best stuff is in/from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Look for hash that’s relatively dry and a dark greenish brown. Despite boastful city kids’ claims, the sticky tar-like substance they smoke there is adulterated.

Other drugs in Pakistan

Yes, you can find other drugs in Pakistan.

Some pharmacies are… flexible. Heroin is widespread in the country as it comes from Pakistan’s next-door neighbor, Afghanistan. Party drugs circulate in elite society; if you’re attending a big party in Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad, there’s a decent chance someone is on drugs. LSD, MDMA, cocaine, speed, meth, they’re all there.

Whether or not you partake is on you. I won’t judge drug usage *cough* but do be careful taking substances, especially from people you don’t know well. Just because someone says white powder is cocaine doesn’t mean it’s actually cocaine (remember, cocaine comes from South America, thousands and thousands of kilometers away ).

The drug scene in Pakistan is not so developed that you can expect the average drug user to know quality from fake. Besides, in a country where even simple things like milk are faked or cut with toxic ingredients , how can you expect illicit substances to be pure?

Be careful. And drink lots of water!

Pakistan travel guide: Religion in Pakistan

The vast majority of Pakistanis are Muslim, with scattered Christian and Hindu communities. Islam is the official state religion, the head of state has to be a Muslim, and people’s religion is stated on their identity cards.

Because Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, its laws are based on Sharia law. It has some of the most draconian blasphemy laws in the world. Foreigners won’t be held to the same standards as locals, but you should always be respectful of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, and religious culture.

Atheism, though not officially illegal, can be punishable by death under the blasphemy law . Even if you’re not religious, it’s best to say you have a religion when asked (And you will be asked about this. A lot ) .

Pakistan is one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to the treatment of religious minorities. There are specific laws persecuting the Ahmadi sect of Islam, although few Pakistanis will want to talk about this.

It’s best to steer clear of religious discussions unless you’re well acquainted with the person you’re talking to.

Sufism is a kind of Islam widely practiced in Pakistan, yet it can be a sensitive topic for very strict Muslims

Pakistan travel guide: Food in Pakistan

Pakistani food is delicious and diverse, but not particularly healthy. It involves lots of oil, meat, and bread—prepare to pack on the pounds. Outside of (village) homes, don’t expect any fresh salads when traveling in Pakistan aside from sliced onions, cucumbers, and maybe carrots or cabbage.

Food in Pakistan is full of flavors and spices, but rarely too spicy except for those with zero spice tolerance. However, hygiene standards are lacking. Most visitors to Pakistan will have some stomach trouble at one point or another.

Many cities have their own food culture and specialties. Lahore and Karachi compete for the title of the best foodie city in Pakistan. In major cities, more and more cafes and restaurants are attempting international flavors. Quality still varies widely; in general, it’s best to stick to local food. Don’t expect well-executed Western food unless you’re paying a premium.

Some famous Pakistani dishes include:

• Karahi : Meat stir-fried in a large pan
• Biryani : Spiced rice with meat
• Pulao : Rice cooked with animal fat or oil, usually containing carrots, raisins, and meat
• Dal : Lentils
• Channa : Chickpeas
• Roti : Thin round bread
• Naan : Thicker round bread
• Chapli kebab : The best kebab (in my humble opinion), somewhat like a burger patty… but 10x better. The best chapli kebab is found in K hyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

Karachi’s street food scene is on

Vegetarians and vegans in Pakistan

Traveling as a vegetarian in Pakistan can be difficult… but it is possible. Affluent Pakistanis understand (and sometimes scoff at) the concept. Except for the poorest of people, meat is a daily staple. Chicken and fish aren’t even considered “meat”—meat means mutton or beef.

If you’re a strict vegetarian, tell your host beforehand. Otherwise, it will lead to awkward situations when someone cooks up a meaty feast in your honor and you have to reject it.

Vegans will have a much harder time traveling in Pakistan. Many dishes include butter or yogurt, and explaining you can’t eat eggs will be interesting. Dal and channa are sometimes cooked in the same pot as meat, or with meat stock. Veganism hardly exists in Pakistan. Be firm, but know you’ll be restricted to dal , channa , and “mix  sabzi “(mixed vegetables). You’ll need to be very clear about no butter or  ghee  (clarified butter).

Pakistan travel guide: Money and the cost of travel in Pakistan

Pakistan uses the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 Rs. There are also coins, but these are virtually useless. Some shops will give change in small candy, rather than coins!

Getting money from ATMs can be a struggle, especially in the north. Not all banks accept foreign cards. Several banks (hi Standard Chartered) charge a 500 Rs fee per withdrawal. Islamic banks do not work with foreign cards . ATMs in the mountains often run out of cash.

In my experience, Bank Alfalah , Habib Bank , and MCB Bank ( not M I B Bank) are your best bet for withdrawing cash from ATMs in Pakistan.

Northern Pakistan is beautiful… but can be a nightmare when it comes to finding cash. Stock up before you head up!

Cost of travel in Pakistan

Pakistan is a relatively cheap country to travel, although it can be tricky to find budget accommodation outside of the popular tourist destinations or in high season (June – August). Below is a breakdown of the average cost of traveling in Pakistan on a backpacker budget.

At the time of writing, US$1 = 155 Rs.

Food & drinks

• Water or soda : 30 – 100 Rs
• Tea:  10 – 50 Rs
• Breakfast and lunch:  50 – 100 Rs each
• Dinner:  50 – 250 Rs (street food ahoy!)

Accommodation

• Budget hotels:  800 – 1,500 Rs
• Mid-range:  1,500  – 4,000 Rs

Cultural outings

• Museums:  200 – 500 Rs
• Historical sights:  500 – 1,000Rs
• National Parks:  800 Rs
• Mosques: Free

For more info, check out this backpacking in Pakistan budget report.

If you do travel to Pakistan during high season, try to book accommodation ahead of time. Popular places along the Karakoram Highway, such as Hunza, are really popular with Pakistani tourists, and places can be full. Pakistan Traveller is a fantastic Pakistan travel guide that has a multitude of hotel recommendations for everywhere and anywhere you might want to travel in Pakistan.

Famous sights like Baltit Fort in Hunza will cost around 1,000 Rs for a foreigner ticket

Pakistan travel guide: Visas for Pakistan

Almost everyone needs a visa for Pakistan. It used to be a real pain in the butt to get a visa for Pakistan, but the recent e-visa introduction made things much easier. The e-visa form is still way too long and full of irrelevant questions, but at least it’s a start in the right direction.

To find out if you’re eligible for a Pakistani e-visa, go to the e-visa portal of Pakistan . It also mentions a visa on arrival scheme, but many have reported problems with it. It’s better to apply for an e-visa .

How to apply for a Pakistan e-visa

Ensure you have JPEG files of:

• Passport information page
• Passport photo with a white background
• Letter of invitation by a tour company or hotel booking confirmation. I work with a local company to offer cheap letters of invitation for Pakistan evisas . Don’t miss out!

Go to the Pakistan e-visa portal and register yourself. To do this, click the “Tourist Visa” button under “Visa Categories”. It will lead you to the info page about tourist visas. If you click “Apply now”, you’ll be prompted to create a new account or log in to an existing account.

Once registered you can start your application. Allow you have plenty of time, as it can easily take an hour or more to fill out all the questions. Many of them seem unnecessary (and probably are) but alas, you have to fill in the entire form.

Once you’ve finished your application, it’s time to pay. The visa costs US$35 for most nationalities. You can pay with Visa or MasterCard. I’ve heard reports of the payment not working all the time, so check you actually paid.

After you’ve paid, click “Submit your Application”. If you don’t do this, the application will remain pending.

The e-visa portal states it takes 5-7 working days for a visa to be approved, but turnaround can be much faster. If you haven’t heard anything after 7 working days, contact them directly via the e-visa portal. It’s possible they need additional documentation from you.

Pakistan travel guide: Entering and exiting Pakistan

Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran. It also has multiple international airports. There are no international ferry services to or from Pakistan.

To enter Pakistan you need a valid visa, and you need to fill out an arrival form at customs. The arrival card asks the usual questions such as your name, address, name of the hotel you’ll be staying in, etc.

Exiting Pakistan is straightforward, and no forms have to be filled out.

Land borders

• Afghanistan : This border is at the famous Khyber Pass. Technically, this border is closed to foreigners, but there have been reports of people successfully crossing this border. However, we don’t recommend using this border, as traveling overland in Afghanistan comes with considerable risk.
• China : The land border with China at the Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved border crossing in the world. This border should be open year-round, but heavy snowfall in the area sometimes leads to closures. Check ahead if crossing this border during winter months. For more info, check out my guide on crossing the border between Pakistan and China at the Khunjerab Pass .
• India : Many people believe that the Wagah border isn’t open to foreigners. This is not true. Provided you have a visa, this is actually a pretty easy border to cross. For more info, check out my detailed guide on crossing the famous Wagah border between India and Pakistan . The Wagah border is the only border between India and Pakistan that is open to tourists.
• Iran : There is only one border crossing open to tourists, and it’s not the most relaxing experience. The crossing is located in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan, an area that the government deems too unsafe for independent travel. You’ll get a security escort on the Pakistan side. For detailed info about this border crossing, check out my guide to crossing the border between Iran and Pakistan .

International airports

The main airports in Pakistan are in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Several major airlines fly into Pakistan, and more routes are being added regularly. These include routes to London, Dubai, Istanbul, and Kuala Lumpur.

Pakistan travel guide: Accommodation in Pakistan

Booking a place to sleep in Pakistan ahead of time can be challenging. Although websites and online booking are becomig more common in Pakistan, it’s still not as widespread as in surrounding countries. Pakistanis usually call ahead to reserve rooms.

Finding hotels to stay at in less-visited places—especially ones that accept foreign guests—can be quite the challenge. That’s where having a Pakistan travel guide in print can make a huge difference; all the information is already there. If you’re open to carrying a Pakistan travel guide book with you, I can’t recommend Pakistan Traveller by Urbanduniya enough.

Online booking in Pakistan

Booking.com and Airbnb are growing in Pakistan. The former is still mostly for mid-range to luxury hotels, and the latter works… sometimes. There are an unfortunate amount of creepy men on Airbnb offering rooms in their homes to female travelers only; beware and steer clear.

Facebook pages are increasingly common for mid-range accommodation options, and can be useful for contacting a property to ask questions or reserve a room.

How to find cheap guesthouses in Pakistan

Want to find a cheap place to rest your head? You’ll need to rely on the traveler grapevine. Guidebooks are not very reliable for prices— Pakistan Traveller by Tim Blight being the only exception—and not all cheap hotels and guesthouses accept foreign travelers.

Facebook groups like Backpacking Pakistan and Female Pakistan travelers are your best bet for information on cheap places to stay. Use the search function to find accommodation discussions.

It’s a bit of a hassle, but there’s a plus side: you can haggle over accommodation price upon arrival . Don’t feel bad about it, especially in touristic areas with inflated seasonal prices; Pakistanis expect it, and will take advantage of foreigners who do not haggle. If you can get 15-25% off of the quoted price—up to 50% if it’s particularly inflated—you’re doing well.

Some popular accommodation for backpackers in Pakistan you might want to be aware of include:

• Lahore Backpackers (US$6 for dorm bed)
• Five Giants (US$15-20 for a shared room in homestay)
• Adam’s House (US$10 for a private room)
• Islamabad: Backpackers’ Hostel & Guesthouse Islamabad (US$8 for dorm bed)
• Madina Hotel and Madina Hotel 2 (around US$10-20 for a double)
• Karimabad: Old Hunza Inn
• Peshawar: Hidayat Hotel

Lunch with my host at a homestay I found through Let’s Home

Homestays in Pakistan

Until recently, there weren’t many homestay options in Pakistan, but that is changing. Check out my article on homestays in Pakistan to get all the latest info.

A special shoutout goes to Seema, a motivated Hunzai woman, who recently started a booking platform called Let’s Home . She offers a variety of accommodation including homestays around Gilgit Baltistan. I used it to find a family in old Altit, and had a great experience.

Couchsurfing in Pakistan

The Couchsurfing community is highly active in Pakistan’s cities, and local CSers are eager to host foreigners. Most of the CS community is male, but there are few female members in major cities and many men are trustworthy. Always read the host’s references before agreeing to stay.

Since CS has become a paid service now, check out the Facebook group for CSers in Pakistan.

Being hosted in Pakistan

It’s remarkably easy to be hosted once on the road.

Unbelievable until you’re in Pakistan, but many people will simply offer you a place in their homes if you chat with them long enough. Their overwhelming hospitality is a privilege; make sure not to abuse their kindness. Don’t overstay your welcome, help around the house (they won’t accept at first), and bring small gifts from your country or tokens of appreciation like fruits or sweets.

Another bonus to being hosted: in Pakistan, family and friends are everywhere and it’s normal to stay with them when visiting places. Your host will probably offer to find a friend for you to stay with in your next destination. Make one friend, and their whole social network opens up!

Pakistan travel guide: Transportation in Pakistan

Pakistan has a myriad of transport options. Train, bus, and minibus are most common for long-distance travel. For shorter distances use either rickshaws (south of Islamabad), taxis (Islamabad) or Jeeps (north of Islamabad).

Pakistan has an extensive rail network. Trains are relatively comfortable, albeit a bit slow. Prices are reasonable unless you want AC class. It is advisable to book your ticket ahead of time, and with the help of a local.

Check the Pakistan Railway website for schedules and fares. The website is not the easiest to use, but it’ll do. If you have a local friend with a credit card and phone number, they can book you a ticket online. Don’t roget to read my guide on train travel in Pakistan before you do!

Buses and minibuses

Pakistan’s multitude of bus options are sometimes overwhelming. But that’s where this Pakistan travel guide can help you out!

From crappy minibus, to bedazzled local buses, to well-run Daewoo and Faisal Movers services, there are a lot of ways to get from A to B.

High-end bus services

When I’m in a rush and want to make sure I reach my destination on time, I prefer Faisal Movers, Daewoo, or for Gilgit-Baltistan, NATCO. These services are professional, leave on time and are very comfortable. Definitely worth the extra rupees.

• Schedules for Daewoo
• Schedules for NATCO

Ticket prices depend on the type of bus. I’ve had luxurious buses with reclining seats and AC… and passable contraptions with no AC. Different buses go at different times. To get an idea of prices, a Daewoo from Lahore to Islamabad (Rawalpindi) goes for 1,000 to 1,500 Rs for the four-hour journey .

You can usually book tickets on the same day at the bus station or through your hotel. Note that Daewoo has its own stations, so make sure you go here and not to the local bus station.

Local buses and minibuses

Prices for local buses are much cheaper, but you’ll be packed in like sardines in a can.

Minibuses are usually available for shorter hops between towns. Sometimes there’s a minibus yard, sometimes they leave from a specific point on the road, and sometimes… nobody knows where they leave from! Ask locals to figure out where you can find a bus to your next destination, or wait on a roadside and try flagging down passing minibuses—they can stop anywhere.

Minibus prices should be set, but ticket hawkers are likely to try making some extra money off of you. A minibus shouldn’t be much more than 200 Rs for a five-hour journey . Ask a fellow passenger what the price is, or watch to see what other people around you are paying.

Local bus and a Qingqi in Sehwan Sharif

To save yourself some hassle, download the taxi app Careem , which most Pakistanis use to get taxis. Uber (now the owner of Careem) also operates in major Pakistani cities.

Both offer a variety of vehicles ranging from motorbikes to rickshaws to air-conditioned cars, and they’re by far the easiest and most hassle-free way to get around cities.

Rickshaws and Qingqis

Rickshaws (with doors) and Qingqis (pronounced “ching-chee”, totally open) have a somewhat bad reputation, but in my experience, they’re the fastest way to get around in cities. There are no set prices, though, and sometimes you have to drive a hard bargain.

As a basic rule of thumb, for foreigners, the actual price is probably around 50-75% of what the rickshaw driver initially quotes you. Offer half of what he’s saying, then bargain up from there. Alternatively, check the price of a rickshaw to your destination using the rideshare apps Uber and Careem—yes, they offer rickshaw rides, too—and use that as a bargaining point.

Don’t be afraid to walk away if the price seems too high. There are thousands of rickshaws around; another rickshaw driver is sure to appear if you’re not satisfied with the price.

Pricing is a bit tricky, but a 10-minute drive should cost about 150 Rs.

Many places in the mountains, such as Fairy Meadows and Deosai, are only accessible by jeep. There are public transport jeeps for remote valleys like Chapursan and Shimshal , but in other areas you’ll have to hire a private jeep.

Prices to popular places such as Fairy Meadows are fixed and non-negotiable, while others are more… flexible. It pays to wait around and see if you can share a jeep with other people going your way. Alternatively, you can post in the Backpacking Pakistan Facebook group to find someone to share a ride with.

A jeep to Fairy Meadows is 7,500 Rs, and a jeep to Deosai is 8-10,000 Rs for a day trip. Overnight trips are more expensive. Hotels can arrange jeeps for you, at a higher cost. Your best bet is to ask friendly locals what a decent rate should be.

A private jeep hired during one of my unique women-only tours of Pakistan

Pakistan travel guide: Safety in Pakistan

One of the things people want to know before going: is Pakistan safe? A fair question!

For years, Pakistan was associated with violence. Terrorist groups were in power in many rural areas and terror attacks were common in cities.  Heck, even now many governments advise against travel to (parts of) Pakistan. There’s no denying the country is still perceived as dangerous.

Although terrorist attacks still happen—and not all places in Pakistan are safe for travel—the security situation has largely improved. The Pakistani military has stabilized the security situation. Places that foreigners are likely to visit, such as the cities of Lahore and Islamabad or the mountains of Gilgit Baltistan are generally safe to travel, given you take standard precautions. The fact that you’re reading through this Pakistan travel guide means you’re already more prepared than others.

Legitimately dangerous areas are off-limits to foreign visitors, so the chance of something serious happening to you is slim. The biggest dangers of traveling in Pakistan are traffic-related, pollution, and getting sick from poor hygiene standards. Oh, and hospitality 😉

To be fair, there’s a good chance you’ll still feel uncomfortable at times with the current security situation. Pakistan is still a police state. There’s a lot of heavily armed personnel on the streets, and many security checkpoints throughout the country. Sensitive sites such as shrines and religious minority gatherings will be filled with army/police/security. Don’t let it intimidate you—these people are there for safety purposes.

To learn more about safe travel in Pakistan, check out my article on whether it’s safe to travel in Pakistan .

That time I had a security escort with me during the urs of Lal Shahbaz in Sehwan Sharif

Dealing with security in Pakistan  

When people ask me about the security situation in Pakistan, I usually respond with “Pakistan doesn’t have a security problem, in Pakistan security is the problem.”

Security agencies are a sore spot for many foreign travelers in Pakistan, though don’t say so to any Pakistani.

To be fair, it’s in the agencies’ interests to keep foreign travelers out of trouble. If anything happens to a foreigner it will be all over the news and Pakistan’s international image will sink further.

Agencies are overbearing with foreigners because of this. In my years of travel in Pakistan, I’ve had intelligence agency stalkers, confrontational encounters with police, mandatory armed guards. Police and army stopped me from going places saying I needed permission or an NOC (non objection certificate) but didn’t say how to get one.

On the bright side, things have vastly improved in the last year. Gilgit Baltistan and the Chitral region almost entirely removed the need for NOCs and armed escorts in 2019 .

However, you’ll likely encounter issues if traveling to less-visited destinations, especially in southern Punjab and Sindh province . Common problematic places for travelers include:

• Multan – Foreigners are often required to leave immediately if discovered by police. Can only stay if unnoticed residing at luxury hotels.
• Bahawalpur – Foreigners are not allowed into army-occupied palaces, and can again only stay at expensive hotels.
• Sukkur – Multiple travelers reported questioning and harassment by security agencies when visiting Sukkur.

Hopefully security won’t be an issue for you, but if you must deal with security, be polite but firm. Ask them to show their identification first. Save phone numbers of Pakistanis you meet in the government or army; power and connections go a long way with security agencies. If what they’re asking of you doesn’t make sense, stand your ground.

Protip: Never insult the army. Most Pakistanis love the army. Despite their rather ominous not-so-secret control of the country, they did help stabilize it and don’t ask for bribes like police do. Pakistanis will not take kindly to army insults.

Pakistan travel guide: Connectivity in Pakistan

Connectivity in Pakistan is hit-and-miss. Wifi is often bad—if present at all—and mobile signals can go down at any time for no reason. Signals are often blocked during large events that may pose a security threat. Cities have decent 4G coverage, but especially in the rural north, there are many places with no coverage at all. If you want to have the widest range of coverage, you’ll need two or three different sim cards from several mobile operators.

Mobile SIM cards for calling and data in Pakistan

Overall, Zong and Telenor are your best bet in cities and rural areas. In northern Gilgit Baltistan, Zong and Telenor work in  some  areas, but it’s a better idea to buy a SCOM SIM card instead. You can buy them at customer service centers in hubs such as Gilgit, Aliabad, and Karimabad.

Getting a SIM card can be an annoying process. Foreigners cannot buy SIM cards at any outlet—you have to go to an official “customer service center” of the mobile provider to get one. You must fill out a registration form to buy a SIM, so bring copies of your passport.

It usually takes 4-12 hours for your card to activate (24 for SCOM). Your SIM card will expire when your visa expires.

WiFi in Pakistan

WiFi in Pakistan is spotty at best. Upscale cafes will have Wifi that may or may not work, as will high-end hotels. Besides that, you’re pretty much lost.

Rather than relying on WiFi networks, I usually buy a large mobile data pack (10GB, mmm blogger life) and use my mobile phone as a WiFi hotspot. If you’re going to do that, buy a power bank so you don’t have to worry about your phone running out of battery while you do so.

Pakistan travel guide: Being a responsible tourist in Pakistan

Pakistan encourages many bad habits; it’s easy to forget to be a responsible tourist in the face of it all.

Nevertheless, we visitors have a responsibility to Pakistan and its people to leave a positive impact on the country, especially as tourism develops. Here are some suggestions for visiting Pakistan responsibly:

• Always ask before taking someone’s picture, especially women . Many women (and their male family) are sensitive about having their photo taken.
• Don’t take photos of children unless you have permission from their parents . Share sparingly. Pakistani photographers abuse this all the time; that doesn’t make it right.
• Keep places clean . If you find a plastic bag or have one to spare, use it to collect trash while walking in nature. Dispose of trash somewhere where it might be disposed of properly.
• Hire local guides and drivers. Punjabis tend to dominate the tourism scene, but they are not locals outside of Punjab.
• Support female-run businesses . Pakistan is far from gender equality, but many women in the country are trying to change that. Some totally female-run examples are Let’s Home for accommodation, The Mad Hatters for organized tours, and A Piece Of Cake café in Lahore.

Useful? Pin it!

Other useful resources for planning Pakistan travel

Want more sweet Pakistan travel deliciousness? Below are several of my favorite posts to help you plan your trip to Pakistan. They’re full of all kinds of things to know before going to Pakistan.

Pakistan tours I run

• 3 weeks: Pakistan for women, by women
• 2 weeks: Pakistan adventure motorcycle tour

Best Pakistan travel guide book

Pakistan Traveller by Urbanduniya is hands down the best printed Pakistan travel guide on the market. I know; I helped him with the latest edition!

Pakistan travel guides on Lost With Purpose

• Is Pakistan safe to travel?
• Guide to traveling in Sindh province
• Is it safe for women to travel in Pakistan?
• Female traveler’s guide to Pakistan
• First timer’s guide to train travel in Pakistan
• Experiences to add to your Pakistan bucket list
• Traveling Pakistan during Ramadan

Region-specific Pakistan travel guides

• Things to do in Lahore
• Chapursan Valley travel guide
• Phander Valley travel guide
• Kalash Valley travel guide
• Guide to trekking in Swat Valley

Epic Pakistan experiences

• The longest border crossing in the world
• Desert trippin’ at the urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan Sharif
• Sufi nights in Lahore
• Learning to motorbike in Pakistan
• Rolling with the stoners in Hunza
• Bloodbaths in the Walled City: Eid al Adha in Lahore

Need even more tips about travel in Pakistan? Ask them in the comments or get in touch .

Alex Reynolds

33 thoughts on “ pakistan travel guide: everything to know before you go ”.

Very good and creative method for building backlinks to your site and also traffic. It’s very good! Thanks a lot for this post!

Outstanding read!

Very Informative and funny.

Thanks for sharing.

great article thanks for sharing. i always struggeld with finding an ATM, so then i foudn this travel app ” ATM Fee Saver” it shows ATMs close by and gives information about their fees and limit. super useful 🙂 maybe you wanna check it out.

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How to Plan Your First Trip to Pakistan

If you’ve dreamed of hiking the legendary hindu kush mountains, driving the record-breaking karakoram highway, or browsing the bazaars of historic lahore, you’ll need to do a little preparation..

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The staggering Karakoram range overlooks the Hunza Valley in Pakistan

Photo by littlewormy/Shutterstock

Six months ago, Pakistan wasn’t just under the radar for most travelers—it was off the radar. But the South Asian country has been in the news a lot this month thanks to a highly publicized visit by Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was the first royal visit to the country in 13 years, a lapse largely due to security and terrorism concerns. For two decades, alarming international headlines and travel advisories have warned globe-trotters against visiting—it currently has a Level 4, or “reconsider travel,” advisory issued by the U.S. State Department—but Pakistan is hardly the only complicated country to earn such warnings. And it still has much to offer—if you know how to do it right.

With interest in Pakistan growing, Wild Frontiers , a travel company that specializes in adventurous, off-the-tourist-track destinations, reported a 55 percent increase in bookings for trips to the country in 2017 compared to the previous year. And this past March, Pakistan opened a new e-visa application process, making it easier for travelers to enter the country. Now, with photos from the royal visit of Pakistan’s psychedelic auto rickshaws, Kalash ceremonies, and cricket games in Lahore splashed across newspapers and magazines, even more travelers have seen what they’ve been missing.

So AFAR sat down with Jonny Bealby, founder and managing director of Wild Frontiers, to get advice for curious travelers on how to plan their first trip. Bealby initially visited the country in 1996—a trip that would inspire him to start Wild Frontiers. “The world was a different place back then,” he says referring to the then-growing unrest, “[but] I fell in love with Pakistan. I found it immediately friendly.” Bealby has been back roughly 25 times since, and despite events such as a bombing in Lahore in 2018, he has helped introduce scores of people to country—and he hopes more will follow.

Why you should go

Bordered by Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran, and backed up against the Hindu Kush mountain range, Pakistan has fascinated travelers for thousands of years. As part of the Indus Valley—one of the cradles of civilization—history here dates to 3300 B.C.E., and for centuries, explorers and traders from all parts of Eurasia crossed the area while traveling the Silk Road. Like much of the region, Pakistan was once a collection of tribes and ancient empires that fell under Muslim and British empires; it is now home to six major ethnic groups—many of which it shares with its neighboring countries—and a number of smaller tribal groups.

Traveling here is like traveling through a series of smaller countries. You can sip chai with Punjabis or green tea with Pashtuns before browsing thrumming bazaars in historic cities. You can climb into the craggy northern headlands in the shadow of K2 (the world’s second highest mountain) to meet remote communities like the indigenous Kalash people, whose customs, pagan religion, and colorfully beaded dress are unique to the area.

Kalash men sacrifice chapattis to the gods during a festival.

Courtesy of Wild Frontiers

But no matter where you go, you’ll be greeted with Pakistan’s almost overwhelming brand of hospitality. It’s very common for strangers to offer to show you around their city or invite you in for tea or even for dinner. Bealby says that on two different trips along the Karakoram highway, he’s gone to pay for his lunch at a roadside café, only to find that an unidentified stranger paid already simply because that person recognized he was a traveler.

“If you treat Pakistan right,” he says,”and it’s very easy to, you will find one of the most surprising and friendly countries in the world.”

Where to go on your first trip

Don’t try to tackle the entire country in one visit. Pakistan may look small compared to India, but it’s actually a large country—and because of the undeveloped mountain roads, it can take a lot of time to get from one place to another.

Luckily, planning your introductory trip doesn’t need to be so daunting. “Some countries just have a very natural routing to them, which is very easy to follow and shows off the highlights in a very ordered way,” says Bealby. In Pakistan, that routing starts in Lahore and runs through the north, mostly along the Karakoram Highway, the highest paved international road in the world:

The second largest city in Pakistan and the traditional capital of Punjab, Lahore is known for its gardens, Mughal architecture, and bustling bazaars.

The capital of Pakistan is a clean, modern, and relatively young city with museums, monuments, and some of the best restaurants and hotels in the country.

In the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Skardu is a wonderland of waterfalls, lakes, and some of Pakistan’s most famous mountains, including K2.

Ancient travelers passed through this area along the Silk Road , and according to Bealby, “Hunza Valley is an experience in itself. The Karimabad village is at the heart of the valley, and from there you can see seven 7,000-meter [23,000-foot] peaks.”

Chitral sits near the Afghan border in a valley below the highest mountain in the Hindu Kush. The area is somewhat isolated, and the inimitable, Old-World culture of the locals—including the Kalash—diverges from that of the rest of the Islamic country.

(Yes, this route does skip cosmopolitan Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, which sits on the southern coast, but you can save that for another trip.)

Three things you absolutely have to do here

For Bealby, no one should leave Pakistan without experiencing the following three things:

“The cultural traveler will visit Lahore for Food Street, the Badshahi Mosque, and Lahore Fort, but you should also see the closing of the gate ceremony at the border. Every night at 4:30 p.m., the border officially closes between Pakistan and India. It’s a very theatrical performance, and while many tourists will view it from the India side, few get to see it from the Pakistan side.

“You must visit the Kalash people. They don’t like people going in half a day, taking photographs, and disappearing though. They’re an incredibly interested (as well as interesting) people, so they like it when you stay a few nights [and take time to connect and share with them]. Plan your trip around a Kalash festival, such as the Uchal harvest festival in August, if you can.

• “The Shandur Polo Festival is the highest polo festival in the world. Teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan come together once a year to play and there’s a whole festival around it.” The annual festival always takes place July 7 through July 9.

Pakistan’s ethnic diversity means that there are plenty of tasty treats to try, like these saffron honey caramels.

Photo by Joanna Yee/Wild Frontiers

What every first-timer should know:

In contrast to places like Paris or Tulum, where you can show up without much preparation and get along, you’ll need to prepare for your visit to Pakistan. “It’s the kind of country you need to get your head around,” says Bealby. “You need to think about it and read about it.” And that goes beyond the standard guidebook information. “There’s a whole cultural dimension to it that you want to engage in so that you get the most out of it.” (See the “Books and stories to inspire you” section below for where to start.)

It will take a long time to get from one highlight to the next in Pakistan, especially in the north where you’ll be traveling along mountain roads. Islamabad to Skardu, for example, can take 15 to 20 hours depending on the roads. Bealby notes that while there are sometimes flights, they are not always reliable. Most tour operators will plan stops at strategic locations along these routes to break up the drive.

Pakistan is a safe place to travel through, but there are areas you should avoid. According to Bealby, even Wild Frontiers looks with caution at Peshawar and the tribal areas to the west of Peshawar. But elsewhere, he says, “Travelers just need to be sensible. It’s the kind of place that needs to be handled with respect.”

• The world’s third-largest Muslim country is fundamentally very conservative. “Don’t just cross the border [from India] in shorts and T-shirts,” says Bealby. He recommends dressing in local garb or finding loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved shirts. And women should either wear a veil (head scarf) or at least have one on hand at all times. (Need inspiration, ladies? Kate Middleton’s wardrobe spotlighted local designers during the Duchess’s trip to the country.)

How long should your first trip be?

According to Bealby, two to three weeks is the ideal length of time for a first trip to Pakistan. While he strongly recommends taking the full three weeks to really dig in, he also acknowledges that not all travelers have that much free time and that you can still see the highlights if you only have two weeks to travel.

Plenty of intrepid travelers have successfully made their way through Pakistan alone, but Bealby recommends that most first-time travelers book through a tour operator: “I never want to say ‘don’t do it yourself’ because that’s what I’ve always done . . . [but] if you want a really good two-week vacation and see the best, then you’re better off doing it with a tour group like us because we’ve made the friendships.” For example, guests on a Wild Frontiers trip will stay at guesthouses run by friends of the company and share tea with people Bealby and his team have known for years. They may even visit Bealby’s mountain house, which sits on land given to him by the Kalash people.

Bealby also points out that a tour operator will take care of the logistical difficulties of traveling long distances through the world’s highest mountain range to remote places with minimal tourism infrastructure.

A bridge in the Hunza Valley of Pakistan

The best time of year to follow Bealby’s first-timer’s route (outlined above) is May through October.

When to book

If you’re traveling with a group, you’ll be safe booking four to six months out, depending on the company’s availability. If you’re tapping into your backpacking roots and going it alone, you should book accommodation and in-country tours at least a few weeks ahead of time, as long as you’re traveling outside the local holidays like Eid, during which things get very crowded.

Pakistan’s new online visa system is available to citizens of 175 countries , including Americans. Your visa should be processed in 7 to 10 work days, but there have been reports that the new online system is buggy, so you’ll want to apply for your visa at least a month in advance to be safe. (Visitors from some countries can apply for a visa on arrival, but U.S. citizens must apply in advance.)

To apply, you’ll need a photo, a passport, and a letter of invitation from a sponsor or tour operator, or hotel booking details. (This is another reason we recommend booking a tour for your first trip to Pakistan.) A standard tourist visa is valid for three months and costs $60.

Books and stories to inspire you

Take Bealby’s advice and start reading up on Pakistan long before you visit. And maybe stick a few of these in your carry-on too.

Pakistan: A Hard Country by Anatol Lieven This well-researched and honest book dives deep into the complex and misunderstood country’s history and reality, providing the first-time traveler with important context.

Buy now: $15, amazon.com

For a Pagan Song by Jonny Bealby Bealby’s own book is a chronicle of his travels through India, Pakistan, and war-torn Afghanistan and introduces readers to people they will meet in the northwest parts of the country.

Buy now: $18, amazon.com

The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad This series of linked short stories, by Pakistani novelist Jamil Ahmad, follows a young boy’s journey through the tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It highlights not just the locations but also the different cultures and traditions he passes through along the way.

Buy now: $14, amazon.com

>>Next: 7 Truly Epic Trips for Deeply Adventurous Travelers