pakistan travel guide

14 things you need to know before traveling to Pakistan

Sep 2, 2023 • 9 min read

Pakistan offers amazing adventures but it pays to read up on the challenges © Dave Primov / Shutterstock

Pakistan is one of the world’s great surprises, with an incredible diversity of scenery – from the world’s biggest mountain glaciers to the sparkling waters of the Indus River – alongside some of the most beautiful forts, mosques and archaeological sites in the Subcontinent. It is the cultural bridge between India and Central Asia and home to some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet.

It would, however, be fair to say that Pakistan has a mixed reputation beyond its borders. The country is beset with economic, political and security problems, but much has changed security-wise in recent years. An incredible welcome is guaranteed here, but this is also a destination that requires a bit of research in order to travel with confidence. Start your planning with the following essential travel tips.

1. Choose the right season for the areas you are visiting

Travel in Pakistan is strongly affected by the seasons . The summer months of July and August are the best time to visit the high mountains of the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges in the north, but this is also the busiest time for domestic tourism and it’s incredibly hot elsewhere in the country. If you want to explore the center, south and west of the country, consider a visit in spring (April and May) or autumn (October and November), especially if you don’t plan on going trekking. October brings fabulous fall colors to places like the Hunza Valley, whereas winter (November to February) is the best time to explore central and southern Pakistan.

Festivals worth planning your trip around include the Shandur Polo Festival in the second weekend of July, held atop the mountain pass between Hunza and Chitral, and the Chilam Joshi spring festival in the Kalash Valley in mid-May.

2. You’ll probably need a visa and letter of invitation to visit Pakistan

Most foreigners need a visa to enter Pakistan but you can apply online through the immigration department’s slightly glitchy e-visa system . You will also need a letter of invitation from a local hotel, your Pakistani host or a Pakistani travel agent to secure a visa, so give yourself enough time to get this document in place. Even if you don't plan on taking a tour, travel agencies can provide a letter of invitation for a fee. Contact your local Pakistani embassy or high commission for the latest information. 

3. Be prepared for some challenges if you travel during Ramadan

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan brings a specific set of challenges for travelers. Most Pakistani Muslims avoid eating or drinking between dawn and dusk during this holy month, and most restaurants close during the day, with offices often working reduced hours. You’ll need to be fairly self-sufficient when it comes to food during daylight hours and you should avoid eating in public during the fasting period. This said, evenings are especially lively during Ramadan, as the devout break their daily fast with blowouts in local restaurants.

The dates for Ramadan shift annually according to the Islamic lunar calendar and sightings of the moon, and the festival moves forward by 11 days each year, relative to the Gregorian calendar; in 2024, the festival should start around 10 March.

4. Get a Pakistani SIM card to use the local taxi apps

Public Wi-Fi is not all that common outside of larger cities in Pakistan, so it’s useful to bring an unlocked smartphone for mobile browsing. Buy a local SIM card from the main customer service center for your chosen operator, in whichever town you happen to be in. Travelers recommend Zong , Telenor or Jazz for central Pakistan, or the government-owned SCOM for the mountainous northern area of Gilgit-Baltistan .

With a local SIM and phone number, you should be able to use local taxi apps such as Uber and its local equivalent Careem , which will save you both time and money, compared to flagging down local taxis in big cities such as Islamabad and Lahore .

5. Bring plenty of photocopies of your passport

There are lots of checkpoints in Pakistan where you'll need to show your identity documents, so bring lots of photocopies of your passport’s information pages and Pakistan visa, and always travel with the original passport on your person. You’ll find yourself handing over these copies regularly on long-distance road trips, including when traveling on the Karakoram Highway . 

6. Enjoy the local hospitality (but don’t abuse it)

Culture and customs can vary widely as you move from region to region in Pakistan but in general, you’ll find most Pakistanis to be extremely friendly and hospitable. Conversations, cups of chai and even dinner invitations flow easily, and you can expect to participate in hundreds of selfies.

Hospitality is so integral to Pakistani culture that many locals feel obliged to offer to pay for a foreigner’s meal or bus tickets, even if money is short. You may have to turn down these invitations multiple times to avoid burdening anyone unnecessarily. If you do share a meal in Pakistan be sure to pass and accept food with your right hand only; the left hand should not be used for eating or shaking hands. 

7. Women travelers might face some challenges in Pakistan

For the most part, Pakistan is a conservative, male-dominated society, and this can pose some challenges for female travelers. Women and men don’t mix much in public, and women generally sit in segregated areas on public buses and trains and, often, in restaurants. Attitudes towards foreign women can be protective and curious but women traveling alone may face some suspicion, and sexual harassment can sometimes be a risk in crowds. Special rules for women also apply at some religious sites.

For solo women travelers traveling through Pakistan, it helps to already have some experience of travel in other Islamic countries. Women traveling with a male companion generally face fewer obstacles. On the plus side, women travelers can gain insights into family dynamics and the lives of Pakistani women, which are completely off-limits to male travelers. And in some situations, foreign women may have unique access to both the male and female worlds.

8. Invest in a shalwar kameez to travel like a local

Pakistan’s national dress is the shalwar kameez , a garnet resembling a long shirt worn over wide, baggy trousers, popular with both men and women. It's worth investing in a set if you are going to be traveling for any length of time in Pakistan. The shalwar kameez is supremely practical and comfortable in this climate – you’ll also blend in nicely with the crowd, and locals will respect you for sharing in their culture. Women should also add a dupatta scarf to cover their hair when visiting mosques and other religious sites.

9. Dial down public displays of affection

Many Pakistanis are socially conservative, and public displays of affection between men and women – including kissing, touching and even holding hands in public – are frowned on. Attitudes towards LGBTIQ+ people can also be quite negative, and same-sex relationships are illegal, so Pakistan is not a good place for openly  LGBTIQ+ people to travel . It is not unusual for Pakistani men to hold hands or drape arms around each other, but this is generally platonic. 

10. Treat bargaining as a lighthearted sport

Haggling is acceptable, commonplace and often necessary in Pakistan, but it is best approached as a lighthearted social exchange rather than a life-or-death struggle, as some travelers treat it when traveling in Asia. The goal is for both purchaser and seller to walk away happy. 

When bargaining, respond to the first price quoted with a lower offer, then work back and forth until you reach a price you can both agree on. If you can afford it, avoid haggling over small sums – local people are often poorly paid and financially insecure, and overpaying by a few rupees won’t make a big dent in your wallet.  

11. Be aware of the no-go areas

The security situation can vary widely as you travel around Pakistan. Potentially dicey areas include parts of rural Sindh, some neighborhoods in Karachi , the area of Indus Kohistan close to Abbottabad (where Osama Bin Laden lived in hiding until 2011), parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan , and all of Baluchistan and Azad Kashmir provinces.

In general, you are unlikely to stumble into a danger zone because foreigners require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to visit such places, and you won’t be given one of these without excellent local contacts. The safest parts of the country are central Punjab Province and the area north of Gilgit, extending as far as the Chinese border along the Karakoram Highway . Check out the latest travel advisory information from your home government before you travel. 

While the risk is small, terrorist attacks and kidnappings do take place in Pakistan, and street crime can be an issue in parts of Karachi. Stay alert, exercise caution, and heed local advice on problem areas. Be aware that Sufi and Shia shrines are sometimes targeted by extremists, so visiting these locations can bring a slightly elevated risk.

12. Don’t panic if you get an armed escort

The Pakistani government is keen to protect the nation’s tourism industry, and officials sometimes insist that tourists take an armed guard to visit certain locations. You don’t have to pay for these guards, but the use of their services is mandatory. 

Some travelers find the guards somewhat constraining but their presence is usually just a precaution. You may be given a police escort in places such as Swat, the Kalash Valley and the scenic Fairy Meadows hiking area (on the northern flanks of Nanga Parbat peak).

13. Get travel insurance (and read the small print)

Good travel insurance is important for travel to Pakistan, but be aware that most policies won’t cover you for areas where your home government advises "against all travel." For example, in 2023, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office was advising against all travel to Swat and Peshawar, amongst other destinations. Check the latest government travel advisories for up-to-date information and plan your itinerary accordingly.  

14. Give some thought to potential problems before you come

Beyond security issues, natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes are unfortunately common at times in Pakistan, while power cuts are a smaller but more frequent occurrence. Monitor the local and international media for news on problem areas, and if you get caught in a natural disaster, follow the guidance of the authorities.

In terms of personal health, intestinal problems are the most common complaints among foreign tourists; the two golden rules are don’t drink the tap water and be wary of pre-cooked food. Eating from busy stalls and restaurants where food is freshly cooked is the way to go. 

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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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Home » Asia » Pakistan » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Pakistan Travel Guide 2024

Backpacking Pakistan is a one-of-a-kind adventure that will change you forever.

This is a country that will raise many an eyebrow and steal many a heart… the only real danger with travel in Pakistan is not wanting to leave .

I’ve now traveled to Pakistan six times – most recently in April, 2021. Pakistan is my favorite country for real adventures. There’s nowhere else quite like it on this Earth!

It has the most spectacular mountain ranges, timeless cities, and most notably, the friendliest people you could ever meet.

Nope, I’m not exaggerating! In all my years on the road, I’ve never encountered complete strangers as helpful and self-less as the Pakistani people.

Yet thanks to Western media, Pakistan’s image is still misrepresented, and it still has a long way to go before it even sees the number of foreign tourist India does.

Needless to say, travel to Pakistan isn’t quite as straightforward as travel in nearby Southeast Asia, and quality information isn’t that easy to come by.

And so, amigo, that’s why I’ve put together the most epic and thorough Pakistan travel guide on the internet to help you explore the greatest country on Earth.

Pack your bags, open your mind, and prepare yourself for the adventure of lifetime.

We’re going backpacking in Pakistan!

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Why Go Backpacking in Pakistan?

Before I went backpacking in Pakistan for the first time in February 2016, I was unsure what to expect. Pakistan travel advice from my government was basically one gigantic red X . The media has painted the country in an unfortunate light, a fact most Pakistanis are painfully aware of.

And yet, wherever I went, I was greeted by friendly faces and incredibly helpful people! Pakistanis will always help you out if you get stuck or break down on the side of the road! It also helps that many Pakistanis speak some English.

Combine that with relatively cheap travel costs, stunning trekking, the thriving Couchsurfing scene, artisanal hashish, epic off-road motorbiking trails, and BOOM! You have the greatest backpacking country of all time. For real adventurers wanting to do something epic: Pakistan is the holy grail .

As well as being one of the best places to travel in the world , the Pakistani people are very generous and you will be plied with ridiculous amounts of free food and chai. The friends I made in Pakistan remain some of the best I have made on my travels; Pakistanis have a great sense of humour and many of them are real adventure travel enthusiasts.

Plus, there is no country where it’s easier to meet locals than it is in Pakistan, especially if you’re travelling independently.

Best Itineraries For Backpacking Pakistan

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Pakistan is BIG and it would truly take years to see and experience everything this fantastic place has to offer. So as you might imagine, planning a trip to Pakistan can be overwhelming especially if you don’t know much about the country.

But fear not, travel in Pakistan is a LOT easier than you might think. To get you started, I’ve put together two epic itineraries that are sure to jumpstart your Pakistan backpacking adventure.

Keep in mind that these are just general routes, never be afraid to travel off the beaten path and be sure to accept as many local invitations as you can. Spontaneous adventures in Pakistan are often the best ones!

Backpacking Pakistan 2-3 Week Itinerary – The Ultimate Karakoram Adventure

Starting in the green and clean capital of Islamabad , spend a few days relaxing before heading on the most stunning bus ride you could imagine along the magical Karakoram Highway.

After arriving in the mountains, you’ll get to see the best of Hunza Valley, which is arguably the most beautiful place you’ll see in all of Pakistan yet.

The first stop is the mountain town of Karimabad where you can stop for air, admire the cherry blossoms and/or fall colours, and check out the 700+-year-old Baltit Fort and be sure to catch a one-of-a-kind sunset from Eagle’s Nest .

As you head north, your next stop should be Attabad Lake, which was created by a landslide in 2010. Beauty was born out of tragedy, and today the turquoise beauty is one of those famous places that is absolutely worth the hype. Next up is the village of Ghulkin, a place that has been a second home for me. There, you can have the opportunity to trek to Patundas, a truly remarkable meadow with a trail that involves crossing a pristine white glacier.

From Ghulkin, head to Khunjerab Pass . This is the Pakistan/China border and highest land border in the world – be warned: it gets cold!

After that, make a stop in Gilgit for a night before you experience the journey to the Fairy Meadows for the most hair-raising jeep ride known to man! But the views you get of Nanga Parbat (the “Killer Mountain”) make it all worth it.

Next up, make the very long journey down to Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore . This was the city of Mughals and it’s a must to admire their unbelievable creations. The Lahore Fort , Wazir Khan Mosque , and the Badshahi Mosque should absolutely be on your list.

Backpacking Pakistan 1- 2 Month Itinerary – Gilgit Baltistan & KPK

As with the first Pakistan itinerary, you’re going to want to land in Islamabad where you can check out the Margalla Hills and the Faisal Mosque. the oldest metro in South Asia. Next, pop over to Peshawar , South Asia’s oldest metro.

Peshawar is home to some of the most hospitable people in all of Pakistan and has the best meat maybe ever. Stroll through the old city and visit the Mohabbat Khan Masjid and the famous Sethi House for some living history. You can’t leave the city without having the best karahi of your life at Charsi Tikka.

After Peshawar, make your way to Kalam in Swat Valley . What might seem like a tourist mess at first will quickly become one of the most beautiful places you’ll see in Pakistan. Next, take a shared public jeep from Utror over the magnificent Badogai Pass to the town of Thal.

Scenic vibes continue in the Kalash Valleys and throughout Chitral. You’ll see that best displayed in Booni, a beautiful town famous for its Qaqlasht Meadows.

Region switch incoming: Cross into Gilgit Baltistan by way of the Shandur Pass, a beautiful grassland that sits at over 12,000 feet.

Your first stop in GB should be Phander , a village in the Ghizer District famous for its surreal blue rivers and lakes that put Attabad to shame. Now make your way to Gilgit City, a place that’s really for nothing else but resting, before heading towards Skardu and the marvellous Baltistan region.

From the main city of Skardu , you can explore the Katpana Desert and if you have some good hiking boots , perhaps one of the many, many treks.

Now that you’ve fully explored Skardu it’s time to for the engineering marvel that is the Karakoram Highway. Follow itinerary #1 from Hunza to Fairy Meadows to really get a heavy dose of mountain magic before making your way back to Islamabad.

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 .

Travelling in Pakistan is like travelling to multiple different countries at once. Every few hundred kilometres, languages and traditions change. It’s a delicious blend of old-meets-new and is a land that is teeming with diversity. Each region has something unique to offer and something new to explore. From cities to meadows to everything in between, here are spots you just can’t miss while backpacking in Pakistan.

Backpacking Lahore

Lahore is the Paris (of sorts) of Pakistan and the starting point for many a Pakistan backpacking adventure. It’s also one of my favourite cities in the world. The colours, the sounds, the smells, the vibrant-in-your-face-ness of it all is unlike any other city in the world.

Be sure to visit the Badshahi Mosque, which is one of the most impressive sites in Lahore and the seventh largest mosque in the world.

The courtyard can accommodate 100,000 worshippers and the attached museum contains many holy relics belonging to the Prophet Mohammed.

Another must-see is the Wazir Khan Mosque , which is located in Lahore’s Old Walled City .

The best dinner view in town is from the impressive Haveli Restaurant where you can watch the sun sink behind Badshahi Mosque and feast on traditional Mughal cuisine. This city is a true foodie paradise so don’t miss out on the MANY incredible restaurants in Lahore .

For a truly unique night out, be sure to track down a Sufi dhamal – there is one every Thursday at the shrine of Baba Shah Jamal and the shrine of Madho lal Hussain , too. Lahore has everything, even underground raves, and its very own Eiffel tower…

When it comes to finding accommodation in Lahore; It’s easy to find a Couchsurfing host, which is the best way to experience the city. Butttt, you can always check out a wicked hostel or Airbnb too.

Backpacking Islamabad

The capital of Pakistan is a wonderfully clean and beautiful city and has a few sites worth visiting!

Centaurus Shopping Mall represents your last chance to stock up on anything you may need in the mountains. If you fly into Islamabad, a taxi from the airport to the main city is now set at 2200 PKR ($12.50 USD), though you can try to get it down to 1800 PKR ($10).

Other must-dos in Pakistan’s cleanest city include hiking in the lush Margalla Hills, visiting the incredible Faisal Mosque (one of the largest in Pakistan) and checking out the historic Saidpur Village, which has an old Hindu temple.

While Islamabad can seem quite sterile, its “sister” city Rawalpindi is a lively, old Pakistani city full of character, history and delicious food.

I highly recommend taking a day trip there as it’s no more than an hour’s drive from Islamabad. The Raja Bazaar and the beautiful blue and white Jamia Masjid are great places to start.

Due to the city’s location, you can easily take a long day trip (or two-day trip) to the mammoth Rohtas Fortress. It’s between Islamabad and Lahore and it is possible to hitch there in just a couple of hours.

While I was staying in Pakistan, I found a Couchsurfing host with no problems. For cheap backpacker accommodation, I definitely recommend staying at Islamabad Backpackers aka Backpacker Hostel.

Backpacking Gilgit

Gilgit will likely be your first stop while travelling on Pakistan’s glorious Karakoram Highway . While the small city has some nice mountain scenery, there’s nothing much to do here besides get supplies and a SIM card.

As far as accommodation goes, your best bet in Gilgit City is Madina Hotel 2, which is located in a quiet section of the city with a nice garden and friendly owners. Madina Hotel 1 is another budget backpacker option in Gilgit’s main bazaar.

If you have a larger budget (or high-quality backpacking gear ), The Karakoram Bikers also have a comfortable homestay in the peaceful Danyore section of Gilgit called Five Giants.

From Gilgit, there are several nearby places to visit before heading deeper into the mountains. Naltar Valley is a slice of heaven less than 30 km from the city.

Turn off the KKH here and then either drive by motorbike or take a shared 4×4 jeep along the challenging gravel mountain road to Naltar itself – this will take a couple of hours.

Naltar is blessed with beautiful lakes and atmospheric weather conditions that include snow in winter. It’s especially magical to visit after a recent storm.

Backpacking Fairy Meadows in Gilgit

What is perhaps Gilgit Baltistan’s most famous tourist attraction can also be found near Gilgit, and despite the popularity, it’s absolutely worth the hype.

To being the iconic trek to Fairy Meadows , catch a two and a half hour minibus from Gilgit to Raikot Bridge (going towards Chilas City) for 200-300 rupees .

You will then need to arrange a jeep to take you to the trailhead, which costs an eye-watering 8000 rupees .

From the trailhead, it’s a two to three-hour hike to The Fairy Meadows. The Fairy Meadows is one of the most stunning places in all of Pakistan and you can camp here relatively cheaply if you have a good backpacking tent .

Rooms are available here but are expensive – starting at nearly 4000 rupees a night and rising all the way to 10,000 rupees or more. Definitely not backpacker-friendly.

Despite the expenses required, it is well worth it to view Nanga Parbat; the 9th highest mountain in the world. You can trek to Nanga Parbat’s base camp and do plenty of other awesome treks in the area.

I strongly recommend making the effort to trek to (and maybe even stay at) Beyal camp – fewer people and more awesome views. If possible, bring a portable camping stove, a tent, and supplies. You could easily spend a few days up there.

I managed to camp at Nanga Parbat Base Camp one night in September. It snowed a tiny bit and was cold but also, freaking awesome.

Backpacking Hunza

The highlight of Pakistan travel and the jumping-off point for many fantastic treks, exploring Hunza Valley is an absolute must.

Two of the most famous places to visit in Hunza are the 800-year-old Baltit Fort in Karimabad and the Altit Fort in Altit, which is a few km from Karimabad. You could easily spend a few days wandering around the cobblestone streets and going on day hikes.

If you have a motorbike, I highly recommend an EPIC day trip to the Hopar Glacier in Nagar Valley. The roads are gravel and bumpy but the payoff is huge – stunning views and epic off-road riding! You could also arrange a 4×4 jeep to do this but it’s a lot of fun on a motorbike.

Aliabad is the main bazaar town in central Hunza. While there’s nothing much to do here, there are some delicious cheap restaurants that you definitely won’t find in Karimabad.

Must-tries are the locally owned and operated Hunza Food Pavillion , Highland Cuisine , and Goudo Soup , which has been a local staple for decades. The overpriced food in Karimabad just can’t compare.

You can also visit Ganish Village, which is very near to the deviation that goes towards Karimabad. It’s the oldest and first settlement of the ancient Silk Road.

For some of the most stunning views in all of Hunza, get a taxi to drive you up to what’s known as the Eagles Nest in the village of Duikar for sunrise or sunset.

Backpacking Gojal (Upper Hunza)

After spending a few days in Central Hunza, get ready for even more jaw-dropping mountains and bucolic scenes.

First stop: Attabad Lake, a turquoise blue masterpiece that came about after a 2010 landslide disaster that blocked the flow of the Hunza River.

Continuing along epic KKH, now it’s time to spend some time in Gulmit. Here you can sample great local food at backpacker-friendly prices at the Bozlanj Cafe and enjoy the Gulmit Carpet Center , which is a great place to meet with women from the area.

Your next stop should undoubtedly be my favourite village in Pakistan: Ghulkin. Ghulkin is right next to Gulmit, but is seated high up and far away from the road. It’s a perfect place to wander through, especially with an amazing travel drone .

Keep heading north on the KKH (hitchhiking is best for this as there’s no official transport) so you can visit the famous Hussaini Suspension Bridge.

After admiring the majestic Passu Cones, make your way to the Khunjerab Pass, the highest border crossing in the world and an incredible feat of human engineering.

It’s expensive to rent a car for the return trip – 8000 PKR ( $45 USD) – and there is no public transport that I could find, which is yet another reason to get a motorbike 😉

Foreigners will also have to pay an entrance fee of 3000 PKR ($17 USD) as the border sits within a national park.

If you’re feeling adventurous, I highly recommend you get off the beaten path by visiting one (or more) of Upper Hunza’s side valleys.

Chapursan Valley and Shimshal Valley are both great choices and can be reached within 5 hours of turning off the KKH. Public transport is available for both which you should be able to arrange at your guesthouse.

Accommodation Tip: While unsuspecting travellers might just grab a hostel bed on the busy Karakoram Highway NEAR Ghulkin, savvy backpackers will make arrangements to stay at a truly beautiful homestay nestled deep in the bucolic village, far away from the sounds of the highway.

And the best part is? It’s run by a bad-ass woman/mom who you’ll be able to talk the night away with!

Said badass woman is a local friend of ours named Sitara. She’s teacher by profession, speaks excellent English, and is an overall lovely person who will make you feel at home.

She also has three lovely kids you’ll be able to meet in the comfort of a traditional-style Wakhi home.

It’s a great place to get a real taste of Pakistani village life, and Sitara also happens to be a truly godly chef.

You can contact her on Whatsapp at +92 355 5328697 .

Backpacking Skardu

The town of Skardu is a popular backpacking hub and many travellers in Pakistan will find themselves here.

As of December, a brand new highway is set to be finished that will make the drive from Gilgit to Skardu just 4 hours. Beforehand, it could take more than 12! You can easily reach Skardu from Gilgit via shared public transport for around 500 PKR ($3 USD).

In all honesty, I recommend spending less time in Skardu itself as it’s a dusty place devoid of many attractions. There are a few points of interest in Skardu like Skardu Fort, the Mathal Buddha Rock, the Katpana Desert, and the Masur Rock but you only need a few hours or minutes even to visit these.

Other notable spots in the Skardu region include the Khaplu Fort, Blind Lake in Shigar and Upper Kachura Lake where you can swim in the lake and dine in a local restaurant on fresh-caught trout. You can also dive into the truly endless trekking opportunities. The trek to Barah Broq is 2-3 days and is secluded and stunning.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path in Pakistan, don’t miss Hushe. This small village is the last place on the tourist trail that offers any sort of attraction. The potential adventures found in the Hushe Valley though are among the most thrilling in the country.

Hushe is an alternative starting point for many of Pakistan’s greatest treks including Gondogoro La , Concordia, and the Charakusa Valley . Taking part in any of these will surely prove to be among the finest moments in your life.

Much of the areas north of Hushe – including the ones mentioned previously – lie in the restricted zone of the Karakoram so you’ll need to organize a permit, a liaison officer, and the proper guide to begin any of these treks.

Note that you cannot receive a permit or authorization to visit the restricted zones in Hushe itself – you’ll need to organize such things beforehand.

To reach Hushe, you can hire an expensive private car or catch the local bus, which runs every other day from Khaplu. Be sure to inquire with the locals or with your hotel manager about bus departures.

Backpacking Deosai National Park and Astore

The best time to visit Deosai is between July and Mid-August when the entire plain is covered in a blanket of stunning wildflowers. This is one of the best spots in the world to view the stars and I highly recommend camping for a night.

Be careful where you pitch your tent – I was awakened by four bears a mere three meters from my camp.

It now costs 3100Rs to enter Deosai (300Rs for Pakistani citizens) and unless you have your own transport, you will need to hire a jeep.

Jeeps are very expensive but, if you haggle, it is possible to get an OK rate…but don’t be surprised if you’re initially quoted 20,000-22,000 PKR ($113-$124 USD.) I managed to negotiate a jeep and driver for two nights and three days, with camping and fishing equipment thrown in for 18,000 PKR ($102 USD).

We drove from Skardu to Deosai (three hours), camped a night, and then drove to Rama Lake (four hours) where we camped again.

After Deosai is the Astore Valley, the self-proclaimed “Switzerland of Pakistan.” This cliche aside, Astore is certainly a beautiful place, even by Pakistani standards. You could also connect from Astore directly to Gilgit, which will be your only option once Deosai closes for the season, usually from November-May.

There are many fantastic hikes to be had here and I highly recommend visiting Rama Lake where you can view Nanga Parbat, one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. You can also do the “other” Nanga Parbat Basecamp trek, which begins from the small village of Tarashing.

Backpacking Chitral and The Kalash Valleys

Chitral is one of the most interesting and beautiful regions in Pakistan, yet only the Kalash Valleys receive any significant tourism. This means that the rest of the large district is pretty off the beaten path as far as backpacking in Pakistan is concerned…

After reaching the town of Chitral, spend a day or two checking out the nearby Chitral Gol National Park, local street food, and perhaps a polo game at the centrally located polo ground. Next, take a mini-van to the Kalash Valley of your choice.

Bumburet is the largest and most developed valley while Rumbur is historically popular with backpackers. The third valley, Birir , is the least visited and are apparently not that open to outsiders.

In 2019, the government imposed a tax of 600 PKR ($3.50 USD) on foreigners visiting the valleys. You will come across a police outpost where you will be required to pay this before continuing on.

The Kalash people are Pakistan’s smallest religious community and, every year, they hold a series of incredibly colourful festivals. These three festivals occur in May, August and December each year and involve lots of dancing and homemade wine.

Backpacking Upper Chitral

While most people simply leave Chitral at this point, continuing onwards to Upper Chitral will not leave you disappointed.

Make your way to the lovely town of Booni where you can check out the extraterrestrial vibes of the Qaqlasht Meadows , a massive meadow that overlooks the town and actually has a well-paved road leading to the top.

In Booni, stay at the very backpacker-friendly Mountain View Guest House , which is run by a young guy and his family and has plenty of space for tents.

Though Booni does have an HBL ATM (HBL is usually reliable), it didn’t work for my foreign card on two separate occasions. Make sure to stock up on cash in Chitral as there are no ATMs that accept foreign cards north of Booni.

After Booni, take a 2-3 local van to the sleepy town of Mastuj. Mastuj is the largest town before the Shandur Pass and is the jumping-off point for further exploration.

The Tourist Garden Inn is a fan-fucking-tastic family-run homestay that’s been operating for decades. Complete with a stunning garden, this is one of the best places to stay in Pakistan for backpackers.

Pakistanis can also continue onwards to one of the most special places in the world and the most remote in Pakistan, the Broghil Valley.

Unfortunately, as recently as September 2021, foreigners are not allowed to visit this majestic place (even with a NOC) per top-level officials due to the current situation in Afghanistan. However, it is possible to visit the rustic Yarkhun Valley.

Note that the entirety of Chitral IS safe and open for foreigners up until Yarkhun Lasht. While it does border Afghanistan, the border is very mountainous, and the Afghan regions they border (Nuristan, Badakhshan, and the Wakhan Corridor) are very quiet and sparsely populated.

After exploring the most offbeat corners of Chitral, cross the Shandur Pass (12,200 ft) that connects Chitral with GB and make sure you stop to admire the Shandur Lake and the many yaks that live up there.

A jeep from Mastuj-Gilgit through the pass will take about 12-13 hours. You will also have to check out of the region at the Chitral Scouts check post.

Backpacking Ghizer

One of the largest and most beautiful districts in Gilgit Baltistan is Ghizer. This region truly looks like something out of a fairytale and shouldn’t be missed while backpacking in Pakistan!

Overflowing with turquoise rivers and lakes and bright green poplar trees (that turn golden come autumn), the natural beauty of Ghizer is astounding.

Must-sees in this stunning region in Pakistan include the incredibly peaceful Phander Valley , home to the famous Phander Lake and a copious amount of trout fish. You can stay at the Lake Inn for 1500 rupees a night for a room or set up a tent lakeside.

About two hours or so from Phander is another impressive body of water, the Khalti Lake. There are numerous campsites around if you want to do more than just stop by.

Mere minutes from Khalti Lake is a large yellow bridge that will take you to a MASSIVE side valley that quickly became a favourite: Yasin Valley.

Yasin is actually massive and it can take two hours to drive from the first village to Darkot, the last. Taus is the main town while Darkot is arguably the most beautiful and is the starting point for the Darkot Pass Trek which requires a trekking permit.

After Yasin, you have yet another large side valley to explore before reaching Gilgit. Ishkoman Valley is quite near to Ghizer’s largest market town of Gahkuch. Ishkoman is quite offbeat and there aren’t as many guesthouse options as other areas, so being prepared to camp is definitely a good idea.

Ishkoman has several beautiful lakes you can trek to including Attar Lake (2 days) and Monghy and Shukarga Lakes which can be visited together in just 3 days.

Immit is the last village before the army checkpoint as, like Broghil and Chapursan Valleys, Upper Ishkoman also borders the Wakhan Corridor.

Backpacking Swat Valley

One of the most conservative places in Pakistan and a must-visit for keen hikers, Swat is a very interesting place indeed. Many of the women here are in fully clad burqas and many of the men are not used to seeing a women’s face.

I highly recommend backpackers wear conservative clothing while travelling in Swat to be respectful of the culture and to avoid unwanted attention.

The main towns are Mingora and Saidu Sharif but the real beauty of Swat is to be found in the forests and villages.

Swat Valley was once the cradle of Buddhism and is still littered with important Buddhist monuments and relics. The most impressive of the Buddhist monuments is the towering Jahanabad Buddha , try to catch it for sunset.

Whilst around Mingora, be sure to visit Udegram, an ancient Mosque, as well as Malam Jabba; the best place in all of Pakistan to catch some powder and strap on your skis.

Next up head to the beautiful valley of Kalam. While it might seem touristy at first, it’s very easy to get off the beaten track. Take a day trek to Desan Meadows and admire the beautiful deodar-filled Ushu Forest .

Serious trekkers can opt for the multi-day hike to the remote Kooh/Anakar Lake which takes about 3-4 days from the Anakar Valley near Kalam town.

Closer to the lush village of Utror, you have tons of aquatic trek options like the Spinkhor Lake or the Kandol Lake which has sadly been kinda ruined by a recently built jeep track.

I spent an incredible, yet arduous, couple of days trekking around Bashigram Lake near the village of Madyan where I stayed for free with local shepherds.

Backpacking Karachi

Pakistan’s city by the sea is home to more than 20 million people and is a melting pot of cultures and foods. Though chaotic and crazy by all means, you have to go to Karachi in order to say that you’ve seen all of Pakistan.

Head to the crazy ad iconic Clifton Beach around sunset for a beach experience you won’t soon forget. Let’s just say Clifton isn’t for swimming…

If you are into swimming, you can head to one of the more secluded beaches farther away from the city like Turtle Beach or Hawke’s Bay.

As far as places to visit in Karachi go, check out the historical Mohatta Palace and the Quaid Mazar. What really makes Karachi sand out is its culinary scene.

Check out Burns Road for some delectable street food experiences, though any street in Karachi is bound to give you those.

What’s really interesting about Karachi’s location is its proximity (around 4 hours) to Balochistan, Pakistan’s majestic coastline that absolutely puts any place in Oman to shame.

Though foreigners technically need a NOC to visit Balochistan, many have been able to camp in places like Hingol National Park and Ormara Beach with the help of local contacts.

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Pakistan

As Pakistan is just starting to see an uptick in tourism, it’s very easy to get off the beaten path. Foreign and domestic tourists typically tend to follow a specific route, so as far as you deviate from that, you good!

To avoid chaotic scenes of mass tourism, I recommend you skip Murree, Naran, and Mahodand Lake. All three of these have much cooler places nearby. For example, instead of the trashed Mahondand Lake, go on a real trek to Kooh Lake which is also in Swat Valley.

Another region that I love dearly is Upper Chitral, namely, the Yarkhun. There’s not much to do here but sit back and enjoy nature and villages that remain completely unspoiled. Aka the best type of places if you ask me.

Travelling by motorcycle is another way to see Pakistan from a new perspective. You can stop anywhere, and sleep anywhere provided you have a quality motorcycle camping tent .

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!

Pakistan is filled with epic things for backpackers to do, and many are free or close to free. From multi-day treks on iconic glaciers to wild religious Pakistan festivals and underground raves, everything is possible in Pakistan.

1. Trek to K2 Base Camp

The journey to K2 involves a 2-week trek (doable in 11 days if you are super fit) leading to the base camp of the second-highest mountain in the world.

Perhaps one of the most demanding treks in Pakistan, the expedition will take you to a peak elevation of 5000 m and will allow you to get up close and personal with some of the world’s wildest mountains.

2. Stay with a Local Family

Pakistani locals are some of the most hospitable people in the entire world. Spending time with a family in a small mountain village will give you insights into their daily life as well as a chance for you to connect with them on a deeper level.

Travelling in remote or rural areas in Pakistan almost guarantees you’ll receive some sort of an invitation into a home. Accept it! Meeting locals and experiencing real life in Pakistan is better than any possible tourist attraction.

3. Visit the Old Mosques in Lahore

Lahore is home to some truly incredible historical mosques, including many from the Mughal era.

Stepping foot into these historical holy places feels like stepping back in time. In fact, one of the oldest mosques in Lahore dates back to 1604.

Can’t miss stops in this lively city include the Badshahi Mosque , the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Begum Shahi Mosques.

4. Hike as Much as Possible

Trekking in Pakistan is a paradise for adventurers as the country literally has every variety of hikes you can imagine.

From multi-week expedition-style hikes like the journey to K2 Basecamp to epic day trips – Pakistan has a trek for everyone. One of my favourites includes the trek up to Patundas Meadows near Passu in Hunza Valley.

5. Drink Wine in the Kalash Valleys

The Kalash Valley is probably the most unique cultural enclave in all of Pakistan. The Kalasha people have a centuries-old culture based on an ancient form of animism.

They hold epic festivals, speak a unique language – and yes they even make their own delicious wine (most Kalash are non-muslims.)

6. Go on a Tour

As epic as solo travel in Pakistan is, sometimes it makes more sense to book a Pakistan adventure tour.

This is especially true if you want to trek in Central Karakoram National Park. Since the area is restricted, you need to be sponsored by a tour company anyways. This includes the iconic trek to K2, the 2nd highest mountain on Earth.

A tour can also be useful for those short on time or who aren’t quite ready to embark on solo travel in Pakistan.

7. Explore Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar

Peshawar is one of the most captivating cities you can imagine, and it also happens to be the oldest in South Asia. The Qissa Khwani Bazaar in the Old City has some of the best street food around and tons of opportunities for epic travel photography .

Peshawaris are some of the friendliest people in Pakistan, and you’ll certainly receive tons of invitations for kahwa, the local green tea. Accept them, but be warned, ingesting 12 cups of kahwa in a few hours can be very dangerous…

8. Eat Your Heart Out

The food in Pakistan is great . If you are a fan of BBQ, rice dishes, curries, sweets, and greasy flatbreads, you are going to love the food here.

Even though Pakistani cuisine tends to be meat-heavy, there are also plenty of options for vegetarians. Vegans may have a difficult time as almost all dishes that don’t contain meat contain dairy.

9. Attend a Sufi Dance Party

Sufi music has deep roots all across South Asia, and Sufism in Pakistan is thriving. If you want to truly have a crazy night in Pakistan, make sure you’re in Lahore on a Thursday night.

Around 7 PM, Sufi devotees perform dhamal , a form of meditative dance usually accompanied by copious amounts of hashish. The Madho lal Hussain shrine is one of the best places to catch Sufi dhamal in Lahore.

10. Drive the Karakoram Highway by Motorbike

The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is an engineering marvel – stretching hundreds of kilometres from the lowlands to the China border at 4,700 meters. The section that begins from Gilgit City one of the most scenic roadways in the world and is the best place to drive in Pakistan .

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

While a lot of accommodation in Pakistan that will actually accept backpackers is pricey, there are many exceptions, and overall accommodation in Pakistan is still cheap.

The best price you can typically get for a private room is currently around 2000 PKR ($12 USD), though this will be harder to find in cities. Even so, there are places where you can bargain to around 1000 PKR ($6 USD).

I highly recommend that you use Couchsurfing in Pakistan wherever possible, you’ll meet some amazing people, I personally have and know many other travellers who say the same.

A hidden secret to keeping accommodation costs low while backpacking Pakistan is by having a quality tent and a thick sleeping mat fit for adventures. Because a trip to Pakistan absolutely guarantees those.

In Pakistan, it’s extremely normal to receive invitations to stay in locals’ homes. While this is especially common in more remote areas, I’ve even had it happen in Lahore. Accept as many of these as you can. It’s an unparalleled way to experience daily life in Pakistan and will make you some real friendships.

Solo female travellers –accepting invitations from only families or other women is a good boundary to have to stay safe while also immersing yourself in some of the best experiences you can have while in Pakistan.

 The Best Places to Stay in Pakistan

Below is a list of cheap backpacker-style accommodation options in Pakistan…

Pakistan is CHEAP and one of the best countries in the world for real budget travel. But still, things can add up. Here’s how much travelling in Pakistan really costs:

Accommodation in Pakistan is the most expensive part of backpacking, and hostels are very rare.

Couchsurfing is very popular throughout the country and is a good way to make local friends on a budget.

In Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, there are also many wild camping areas or legit camp sites that allow you to camp on the cheap!

The best food in Pakistan is undoubtedly from local restaurants and the streets.

Don’t stray from those places and you can easily spend a few dollars a day on food.

Keep in mind that Western food prices can add up quickly, even if the prices are cheaper than they would be abroad.

Local transport is cheap in Pakistan, and paying for a seat in a local transport vehicle is very broke backpacker-friendly.

Long distance buses will cost more, but private buses like Daewoo and Faisal Movers are of very high quality in Pakistan.

Private drivers are expensive, but might be your best option for exploring or stopping by more low-key areas.

In cities, Uber and Careem are widely available at cheap rates.

Certain attractions like the Lahore Fort charge entrance fees. You will also have to pay a fee to enter major Pakistan national parks like Deosai or Khunjerab.

Trekking can be free, as can many other fun activities in Pakistan like attending a local festival.

While nightlife isn’t really a thing, underground raves certainly are.

Data is cheap in Pakistan. You can purchase anywhere from 10-30 GB for a few dollars a month depending on which provider you’re using.

As of October 2021, SCOM is the only provider that offers 4G in Gilgit Baltistan whereas Zong, Jazz and Telenor work pretty much everywhere else.

A Daily Budget in Pakistan

So, how much does it cost to travel to Pakistan? Pakistan is for the most part extremely cheap for backpackers.

Meals at local restaurants rarely cost more than 300 PKR ($1.68 USD) and entry fees to places of interest are usually under 1500 PKR ($8). Street food in cities is as cheap as 175 PKR ($1 USD) for a filling meal.

Entrance to Pakistan’s most breathtaking sites: the mountains, is free for the most part – unless you are entering Central Karakoram National Park – in which case there is a steep fee (like to go to K2 Base Camp as an example). If you want to visit attractions in the cities, you’ll also have to pay a price.

For some treks, you may need to hire a trekking guide and some porters. Most villages in the north are part of a greater porter union so the price is fixed at 2000 PKR/day ($11.31 USD).

Accommodation quality and costs in Pakistan can vary widely. For a basic, comfortable room in a small hotel or guesthouse – the price will be between 1500-4000 PKR ($8-$22 USD) but it’s usually possible to not spend more than 3000 PKR (~$17 USD).

Money in Pakistan

The official currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani rupee. As of November 2022, 1 USD will get you about 220 rupees.

Pakistan is a VERY cash-based economy – almost everything needs to be paid for with rupees.

In the cities, like Lahore and Islamabad, credit cards are more widely accepted at shops and restaurants but still, you consider it a rare exception. Especially if you’re backpacking on a budget, expect to pay for virtually everything in cash.

Outside of the cities, the chances of a credit card being accepted are much lower, National Bank of Pakistan ATMs (which are often the only option in rural regions) notoriously do not accept foreign cards.

ATMs, although commonplace in Pakistan, are very unreliable. Many ATMs will not accept Western bank cards; MasterCards in particular are very hard to use.

Only a select few Pakistani banks seem to work well with Western cards. MCB usually works when I need cash. Allied Bank has also proved reliable for a Visa debit card in both 2019 and 2021.

It is HIGHLY recommended that you bring cash with you before visiting Pakistan, because trust me, you will run out in a place without an accessible ATM. Foreign cash is good to have because once you’re in the country you can exchange it.

Don’t go to the banks either (you’ll get a shit deal). Instead, go to one of the many private currency changers. There’s a great changer inside Lahore’s Liberty Market that I regularly use. His shop is a bit hidden so you’ll need to search a bit, around the northeastern wing. Aside from little to no paperwork needed, he has great rates.

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends Wise – formerly known as Transferwise!

Our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods, Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks.

Travel Tips – Pakistan on a Budget

To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst travelling in Pakistan I recommend sticking to these basic rules of budget adventuring….

• Camp: With plenty of gorgeous natural, untouched places to camp, Pakistan is an excellent place to take a tent and a good sleeping bag .
• Cook your own food: I took a small gas cooker with me to Pakistan and cooked a lot of my own meals and made my own coffee whilst hitching and camping, I saved a fortune – check out this post for info on the best backpacking stoves .
• Haggle: Learn how to haggle – and then do it as much as you can. You can always get a better price for things especially while in local markets.
• Tipping : is not expected but if you encounter amazing service or want to tip a guide then go for it – just keep the amount reasonable so other backpackers are not hit by guides expecting heavy tips. Five to ten percent is plenty.
• Use Couchsurfing: Not only does Couchsurfing mean free accommodation, but more importantly it allows you to connect with Pakistanis you may not encountered otherwise. Just be prepared for some pretty wild experiences! In the best way possible, that is.

Why You Should Travel to Pakistan with a Water Bottle

Microplastics accumulate even on the most remote mountain peaks of glorious Pakistan. Make sure you do your part to ensure you aren’t adding to the problem.

No, you won’t save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem! When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. I know I cringed when I saw a crumpled plastic bottle at the base of the K2 summit. And I hope when you do see this, that you will become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC!

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Pakistan is a country that has all four seasons, and there is definitely a best time to travel to different parts of it. You definitely don’t want to be arriving in Lahore when it’s bordering on 100 degrees with 80% humidity.

Pakistan’s “winter” runs from roughly m id November until mid March  depending on where you are.

This is undoubtedly the best time to visit the Punjab and Sindh provinces as well as Peshawar. It’s a whole new experience to backpack in these cities without feeling like you’re going to melt.

You can expect temperatures between 17-25 C depending on the month and location.

Winter is the worst time of the year to visit Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan as the thin air becomes freezing and heating systems are minimal. All treks and passes will be closed during this time as temperatures remain between -12-5 C. 

Mid March until April is Pakistan’s spring and is the best time to visit the beautiful Makran Coast in Balochistan as temperatures are usually around 26-28 C. Karachi also has similar temperatures during this time.

These are also the last two months where visiting Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad will be pleasant before insane heat moves in for months.

You can expect temperatures around 24- 32 C depending on how late in this time frame you go.

While temperatures will barely be above 0 C in Gilgit Baltistan at this time, the first two weeks of April are the best time to see the amazing cherry blossoms that explode all over the region.

May through September is Pakistan’s summer, and you should avoid visiting the cities during this time if you actually want to enjoy them.

Trust me when I say visiting during this time will cause you to spend more time in front of your hotel AC than exploring.

Think temperatures NEAR 40 C  and a level of humidity you might not have thought was possible.

However, this is the absolutely perfect time to enjoy the valleys of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral.

With days hot enough for swimming and plenty of sunshine, it’s paradise. Especially the month of September, which is my absolute favourite time to travel in Pakistan.

October until Mid November is considered fall in Pakistan and is a decent time to visit the cities as temperatures generally won’t be higher than 28 C. 

And while it might be a bit chilly, this is the ULTIMATE time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan, and Hunza Valley in particular as the entire landscape becomes a kaleidoscope of fall colors.

Temperatures will be cold, usually around 5 C or less, but with a quality winter jacket, it’s totally worth it.

What to Pack for Pakistan

On every adventure, there are just some must-have travel essentials you should never leave home without.

Osprey Aether 70L Backpack

Ya can’t go backpacking anywhere without a blasted backpack! Words cannot describe what a friend the Osprey Aether has been to The Broke Backpacker on the road. It’s had a long and illustrious career; Ospreys don’t go down easily.

Feathered Friends Swift 20 YF

My philosophy is that with an EPIC sleeping bag, you can sleep anywhere. A tent is a nice bonus, but a real sleek sleeping bag means you can roll out anywhere in a and stay warm in a pinch. And the Feathered Friends Swift bag is about as premium as it gets.

Grayl Geopress Filtered Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

Every traveller should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. When you’re camping, hiking, or even if the power just went out, a top-quality headlamp is a MUST. The Petzl Actik Core is an awesome piece of kit because it’s USB chargeable—batteries begone!

First Aid Kit

Never go off the beaten track (or even on it) without your first aid kit! Cuts, bruises, scrapes, third-degree sunburn: a first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations.

For more inspiration, check out my ultimate backpacking packing list !

Is Pakistan safe? A question I’m asked often and am happy to set the record straight on.

Pakistan is one of the safest countries I have ever visited and is packed with friendly and inquisitive individuals who are always happy to meet somebody backpacking in Pakistan.

Of course, you should stick to the general backpacking safety tips , but Pakistan is really quite welcoming to backpackers.

Luckily as of 2021, the army/police are much more relaxed and will only really only question you or offer (non-mandatory) protection in Chitral.

With the exception of the Afghanistan border regions, most of the country is perfectly safe to visit. It is not however possible to visit some parts of the country such as Balochistan or Kashmir unless you have special permits.

These days, you’ll only encounter MANDATORY security escorts when hiking to Nanga Parbat Basecamp and in places like Multan (Punjab), Bahawalpur (Punjab), and Sukkur (Sindh). Rules change quickly and randomly in Pakistan so this is NOT an extensive list.

Unfortunately as of Fall 2021, security check-ins in the completely peaceful Upper Chitral region have returned. Security is not mandatory though and you can sign a short letter saying you don’t want it. It is also not unsafe – in fact, there is virtually zero crime in region.

Personally, I don’t feel security is necessary for ANY of the places tourists will be backpacking in Pakistan. They simply create more attention and hanging out with dudes with guns is not a vibe…

Is Pakistan safe for women?

A Word From Our Very Own Samantha

The Broke Backpacker Team is full of some pretty special humans. Samantha is a veteran adventurer of the South Asian region. She loves a good hike through the backcountry of a foreign country and washing it down with some choice street food.

Her extensive knowledge and love for Pakistan may even (although maybe not quite ) edge out my love and knowledge of Pakistan.

Basically, she’s a badass traveller and travel writer! She has travelled in Pakistan on her own as well as with her partner. I’m gonna pass the mic to her to give a full breakdown on travelling solo in Pakistan as a woman.

Female travel in Pakistan is becoming more and more popular these days, and it’s no surprise why. Pakistan is an absolutely amazing country. And while it gets a bad rap, it’s really not that hard to travel here as a woman, especially if you have a bit of backpacking experience in the region.

Foreign women are not expected to stay in the home like many local women (generally) are, and it’s completely okay to take part in “male” activities such as drinking and enjoying cheeky smokes.

There are significant regional differences in how your experience with local men will be. In cities like Lahore, expect loads of staring, possible catcalls, and requests for selfies, which you can (and should) absolutely deny. Selfie culture is dumb, anyway.

It is important to note that bad things have happened, though they are luckily not the norm. In 2022, a foreign traveler was a victim of gang rape in the Punjab province – by two friends she knew and had spent a lot of time with.

I’m not sharing this to scare all women off of Pakistan travel, but rather to remind women that unfortunately we have to be extremely careful with who we spend time with.

I do believe Pakistan can still be safe for solo female travel, as long as you do your research and take safety precautions. The precautions might involve ONLY staying with families or women if not in a hotel, or refraining from going anywhere alone with a man or multiple local men who you do not know.

Hunza is like another world altogether. The region is very accustomed to foreigners – solo female travellers or otherwise – and thus you can find almost no public harassment of any kind. This doesn’t mean that creepy men don’t exist in Hunza, but overall, they seem to be fewer in number.

One of my top tips to feel more comfortable as a solo female traveller in Pakistan is to learn some Urdu, the national language.

I began taking Urdu classes with Naveed Rehman in 2020, and I can now call myself proficient in Urdu. This has completely changed my Pakistan travel experience and has made me feel significantly more confident in all situations.

Keep in mind that Pakistan is a patriarchal country and you WILL spend days on end with only men.

If you can’t handle that or feel like you can’t negotiate your own values, Pakistan may not be right for you. Travel is about experiencing cultures completely different from your own, not about trying to change another country. If I wanted to chill on a beach in a bikini, I’d just stay home.

Meeting local women is difficult outside of upper-class city circles. However, as a woman by yourself, you’ll receive tons of invitations. I’ve met tons of women in rural areas by accepting invitations into homes.

Pro tip: NEVER give out your phone number or WhatsApp number to men you don’t know and don’t have any connections to. Whether it’s a restaurant interaction or a bus ride, this can lead to serious stalker behaviour. Only give out your number to trusted acquaintances and like-minded individuals.

Sex, Drugs & Rock n’ Roll in Pakistan

Pakistan is typically a dry country, however, you’re permitted to purchase alcohol if you’re a non-Muslim tourist with a permit.

Local alcohol is available if you have connections, and foreigners can buy the imported stuff from 5-star hotels. It’s also possible to find decent ecstasy or LSD if you are at raves in Lahore or Karachi but, you’ll need local connections.

In the north of Pakistan, marijuana plants grow wild, so it’s super easy to find something to smoke, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Most Pakistanis have never smoked weed, but hash is plentiful, to say the least. The best of it comes from around Peshawar and Upper Chitral, though you can find decent stuff pretty much anywhere. Hash is a very chill scene in most of Pakistan and many police officers smoke it daily.

Things aren’t quite as relaxed in major cities though, but you’ll have nothing to worry about as long as you stay discrete and only pick up from people you trust. This should undoubtedly be with the help of a local friend if you want to get a fair price.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Pakistan

A wise man once said that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t really afford to travel – so do consider backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure! Travelling without insurance would be risky. I highly recommend World Nomads.

I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, offer the widest coverage, and are affordable. What else do you need?

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.

What’s the best way to enter Pakistan without spending money ? The answer, my dudes, is by land borders.

Pakistan has four land borders; India, Iran, China and Afghanistan.

Crossing between Iran and Pakistan  at the Taftan Border is relatively easy but a lengthy (and hot!) experience once you make it to the Pakistani side. They will require you to have armed police escort vehicles (free of charge) until you reach Karachi since the route goes through Balochistan which they deem unsafe.

Border crossings between India and Pakistan  are the easiest by far. I used the Wagah Border crossing that essentially connects Amritsar with Lahore. That crossing is usually open until around 3:30-4 PM each day.

Border crossings between China and Pakistan  are simple as long as you have your Chinese visa pre-sorted. I do not know how easy it is to arrange a Chinese visa within Pakistan but the two countries have good relations so I imagine it should be doable.

Border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan  are not advised and are currently not allowed for foreigners.

During different times you could travel to Afghanistan from Tajikistan. Unfortunately, in the current climate, you can’t enter Afghanistan at all.

You can also easily fly into one of Pakistan’s international airports. Major ones include Allama Iqbal in Lahore, Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad , and Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Prices are always best from Karachi, though Islamabad is by far the best airport to fly into.

Entry Requirements for Pakistan

Reading this? You’re lucky my friend… You missed out on the days of complicated visas to Pakistan! The situation is now much better, you can get a Pakistani eVisa online no matter where you are in the world.

Visas are now cheaper than they used to be thanks to the implementation of the new E-visa scheme. Before you can apply for the visa you need to get a letter of invitation (LOI) from a Pakistani tour company stating that, basically, they will accept responsibility for you.

Technically, the website says you can just submit a hotel booking but in practice, travellers of multiple nationalities have reported being forced to submit the LOI from a registered tour company. We recommend Adventure Planners , a registered company that provides these sponsor letters by Whatsapp in mere hours.

These days, most nationalities can receive anywhere from a 30-90 day e-Visa for $20-$60 USD depending on where you’re from. There’s also a Visa in Your Inbox these days. You’ll then get an ETA (electronic travel authorization) sent to your email usually within a few minutes or hours. Both of these options can be used to enter at any airport or open land border crossing.

Visa Extensions in Pakistan

I’ll be honest: visa extensions in Pakistan are a pain in the ass. While the process was technically made easier by it moving 100% online, in practice, it’s a mess that you should be prepared for.

Extensions cost $20, and technically you can request an extension of a year or more. In reality, I’ve never been given more than 90 days, and many people get much less. Besides exact requests not being granted (even with a supporting LOI), the process can take a month even though it says it will take 7-10 days.

In major cities, it’s not a problem to travel around while waiting for your extension. However, as of November 2021, foreign tourists have been forced to leave the beautiful region of Gilgit Baltistan until their extensions are approved.

Obviously, this is complete BS because it’s not our fault, but unfortunately, this is how things stand. To avoid this major hassle, apply for your extension 1 MONTH before your current visa is set to expire.

Note that even if you have a 1-year multi-entry visa, you will still need to apply for an extension after your set “duration,” which can be anywhere from 30-90 days. Unless you want to leave and re-enter, that is.

Dealing with Security in Pakistan

To be honest, the hardest part of backpacking in Pakistan is not the roads or the lack of information, but the security agencies.

Due to foreign tourism still being so new in the country, security agencies aren’t quite sure how to deal with us yet and often are overprotective, even in completely peaceful regions.

Your interactions with these guys might be as simple as your hotel owner getting a phone call to confirm you’re staying there, to in-person visits or escorts. Always remember to remain calm in these interactions but know about current laws and happenings.

As of Spring 2019, security is not supposed to be forced anywhere in Gilgit Baltistan or Chitral except for the Fairy Meadows Trek and the Diamer District of GB, which is essentially banned for foreigners anyway. Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Swat, and Karachi are also in the clear.

That means if you’re asked about security in these places, you can sign a quick document stating you feel safe and don’t want security. I recommend this if this happens to you in these regions, as nothing really kills a peaceful mountain vibe like dudes with guns…

Even so, the situation has improved a LOT since 2019. Beforehand foreigners couldn’t even visit the Kalash Valleys without escorts! Even so, some places are still not easy to travel in as a foreigner.

The Yarkhun Valley region of Upper Chitral is technically outside of the restricted area yet it is a major (albeit beautiful) headache . Kashmir is also very difficult to explore outside of Muzaffarabad, and parts of Sindh (Sukkur, Thatta, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad) may force you to have police escorts. Balochistan is technically off-limits, though it is possible to get an NOC or even sneak into the otherworldly Makran Coastal region if you’re lucky!

But don’t let any of this scare you. There are many backpackers who never encounter any security officers whatsoever.

If you do, it’s best to be prepared and know that it doesn’t mean that that place is unsafe, but just not used to tourism.

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Booking.com is quickly becoming our go-to for accommodation. From cheap hostels to stylish homestays and nice hotels, they’ve got it all!

Getting around Pakistan isn’t always easy, but the truly epic roads make the journey an adventure of its own! From trains, motorbikes, and comfy private buses to everything in between, you can rest assured that there will always be some method of transport available while travelling in Pakistan!

Travelling by local and private buses is the cheapest and most backpacker friendly way to explore Pakistan without your own vehicle.

Buses are cheap, you can usually find one on the spot, and some even have TVs and snacks for less than $10. Overall, it’s a backpacker vibe for sure.

While trains don’t really go to KPK or Gilgit Baltistan, they’re a valid form of transportation in Punjab and Sindh.

Your Pakistan train experience will differ wildly if you choose business class rather than 2nd class, but 2nd class prices are definitely more suited to backpackers.

Overall, train travel in Pakistan is longer and more difficult than bus travel, but it gives you a chance to see scenery in a totally new way.

Unless your short on time, there’s no real reason to take domestic flights in Pakistan. They’re expensive ($40-$100 USD) and the ones to the mountains often get cancelled. However, as tourism develops in the country, cheap airlines are expected to come in.

Unfortunately, Pakistan isn’t the easiest country to hitchhike in. Security officials on major roads are quite skeptical of it, and it can cause problems for your hosts.

HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try hitchhiking in Pakistan. Hunza Valley in particular is extremely easy to do so, and is hitchhiker friendly! The entirely of Gilgit Baltistan should also be on your radar.

Keep in mind that it certainly is possible to hitchhike in the rest of the country, but you might need to be more cautious and aware of authorities.

Travelling by Motorbike in Pakistan

If you really want to get to know Pakistan, the best way to do so is by way of two wheels. I’ve ridden my trusty Honda 150 through some of the country’s most epic roads. Travelling by motorbike is just something that never gets old.

It gives you the freedom to get into some real adventure travel because absolutely nothing beats having the ability to stop literally anywhere . Plus if you’re a travel photographer, it will undoubtedly get you shots that you’d never be able to take if you were on a stuffed into a public bus.

While renting a motorbike is expensive by Pakistan budget standards– 3000 PKR ($18 USD/day)–buying one is CHEAP. Especially if you plan to be in PK for a while as you should! You can get a good quality used Honda 125 bike (the standard in Pakistan) for around 70,000-90,000 PKR ($400-$500 USD). The more powerful Honda 150 will set you back a few hundred more.

Having a trusted Pakistani friend is essential in the business of buying a motorbike. You can also check the Backpacking Pakistan Facebook group to connect with other foreigners who might be looking to get rid of their bikes.

Travel Tip: The route through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Gilgit involves crossing the Shandur Pass , a high-altitude mountain pass that’s only open from Mid-May – November each year.

Contrary to what some may think, it’s possible to travel to Gilgit by way of the KKH year round. From May-October, a stunning route known as the Babusar Pass is also available, which cuts the usual 18-hour-road journey down to 12.

You can also buy a seat to in a private car for around $40 USD from Rawalpindi to Gilgit. Private cars are much better than the bus and still cheaper (and better for the environment) than a plane.

Onwards Travel From Pakistan

In non-Covid times, travelling between Pakistan and India is very easy if you have your visa in advance. I’ve crossed the Wagah Border multiple times and it was hassle-free.

Pre-covid, it was even possible to do visa runs here if you had a multiple entry visa for both countries. Overland travel between Pakistan and Iran is also possible, as is onwards travel to China (though be prepared for a serious search at the Khunjerab border.)

Flights out of Pakistan are the cheapest from Karachi, where you can get relatively affordable flights to Turkey, Sri Lanka, or even Muscat, which is the best place to start an Oman backpacking trip .

• Backpacking India
• Backpacking Iran
• Backpacking Sri Lanka
• Backpacking China

Honestly, Pakistan is a great place to unplug: there is very little wifi (outside of cities) and frequent power cuts in many of the mountain towns.

Your best bet for staying connected is to buy a Pakistani SIM card – I recommend Zong or Jazz for Punjab and Sindh and Telenor for KPK – and load it with as much data as possible.

You will need to go to one of the main outlets to buy your SIM but can recharge it anywhere. The easiest option is to ask a Pakistani friend to get one for you.

Data is super cheap: a SIM and 10 GB of data should cost you around 650 PKR ($4 USD). These days, there is 4G LTE that actually works quite well, especially in less populated areas. Many places in Hunza Valley now have fibre cable WiFi that I’ve done a ton of work on.

Note that as of 2020, the official line from the government is that you must register your foreign phone if purchased outside of Pakistan. The rule seems to be that you need to register your phone and pay a mandatory tax within 60 days – otherwise, the SIM card you have will stop working.

I’ve never registered my phone AND did not register my phone – nor did my SIM card(s) stop working. Just be aware that this is a thing and the Pakistani authorities might actually get their shit together enough to enforce this at some point. However, I do know someone who did have this happen to them after 60 days, and the same phone still didn’t work in the country over a year later.

Note that this does NOT apply to SCOM SIMs, which you can use freely without registration or taxes. You can get these in Gilgit Baltistan, and they automatically connect to the Ufone network in cities

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in Pakistan

Choosing to volunteer abroad is a great way to experience a culture whilst doing some good in the world.

Pakistan is a developing country and there are lots of worthy projects to support with your time and energy.

However, there isn’t much of a culture of backpacker volunteers which is in part because the authorities view it with suspicion. Volunteering could be a breach of your tourist visa but just be clear with the officials that you are volunteering and not working.

Our go-to platform for finding volunteering gigs is Worldpackers who connect travellers with host projects. Have a look at the Worldpackers site and see if they have any exciting opportunities in Pakistan before signing up.

Alternatively, Workaway is another excellent common platform used by travellers searching for volunteering opportunities. You can read our review of Workaway for more info on using this terrific platform.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Pakistanis are a lovely bunch and are usually falling over each other to make sure you have enough chai, food, and hash to keep you happy. Make an effort to get to know the locals; some of my best friends now are Pakistani.

I quickly learnt that everything is possible in Pakistan: even totally insane underground raves .

Generally speaking, Pakistan is a conservative, male-dominated society. Men often hang out only with other men socially and vice-versa for women.

In the cities, this is changing – but outside of urban centres, it is pretty rare to see women out in social situations. The sexes don’t really mix apart from teenagers walking back from school.

Pakistan as a whole is less conservative than it used to be – but I think Pakistan is still decades away from genuine progressive change – especially when it comes to gender roles.

You will find that when it comes to foreigners – male or female – most Pakistani people are super welcoming, genuine, and curious about who you are and what you are doing in Pakistan.

That is part of what makes Pakistan so awesome; people genuinely care to get to know you and they are not just out for your money – cough cough, India.

Useful Travel Phrases for Pakistan

Pakistan is an enormously diverse country with dozens of ethnicities and each one has its own language.

Urdu is the official language of the country although only a startingly 7% of Pakistanis consider it their mother tongue. Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, and Burushaski are all examples of local languages.

That being said Urdu is still the language of business in Pakistan, which means just about everyone understands it. Urdu is basically a Persionized version of Hindi. Urdu does use a unique alphabet that looks very similar to Farsi and Arabic as well.

English is also extremely common in Pakistan! You can “thank” the British Raj for introducing it to Pakistan. English is still taught in school and most of the youth are totally fluent.

You can have full conversations in English with most Pakistanis, and even in the most remote areas, you’ll find someone who speaks English.

To help boost your credibility and impress some locals, it would pay to learn an Urdu phrase or two. Here are some good starters:

• Hello – Asalam ‘alaykum
• Yes – Gee
• No – Nahee 
• How are you? Aap kaisay hai?
• I’m good – Meh theek hoo. 
• Thanks – Skukriya. 
• God willing – In-shaAllah. 
• What it is your name? – Ap ka nam kya hai?
• Where are you from? – Ap kahan se hai?
• Let’s go – Chalo
• Perfect – Bohot Acha / Behthreen. 
• No worries – Koi bat nahi
• Great/Amazing – Zabardast!
• Where is the bus station? – Bus station kidher hai?

What to Eat in Pakistan

Food is a very important aspect when it comes to travelling. Pakistani food is much like the people who make up the country – diverse and vastly different depending on where you go. Makes sense right?

Now, let me tell you that Pakistani food is absolutely fantastic . The meat is to die for, especially the dumba mutton karahi that can be found in and around Peshawar.

But no matter where you go in Pakistan, be prepared for an assortment of spices and flavours to hit your tastebuds. From hearty breakfasts of chickpeas, parathas, and eggs to delicious karahis (a meaty, tomato dish), Pakistan is foodie heaven.

And the best part is? Food is undoubtedly the cheapest part of travel in Pakistan. You can easily fill up for less than the equivalent of $1 per person if you give Pakistan’s epic street food some love.

Must-Try Dishes in Pakistan

• Paratha  and paratha rolls: Paratha is a fried bread, typically eaten with breakfast (and chai). Paratha rolls are an excellent, cheap snack (or meal) – kind of like a Pakistani version of a quesadilla. Chicken tikka paratha rolls are my favorite.
• Bindi : Spicy Okra aka “lady fingers” cooked in a fragrant tomato-based sauce. a Punjabi classic – best from Lahore.
• Samosas : A staple snack food. Available everywhere they have a jug of oil and a deep fryer. These can be spicy in Punjab.
• Daal : The classic South Asian lentil dish. It comes in a variety of forms and the taste differs by region. Typically is cooked using too much oil. You get use to it.
• Biryani : A classic staple rice dish speciality from Karachi. You can find biryani pretty much everywhere, but it is the Karachi version that will set your taste buds literally on fire (it is spicy as F).
• BBQ : In many regions in Pakistan, it is all about the meats. BBQ mutton, beef, or chicken with an endless amount of different flavor options can be found in any major city.
• Karahi : Best in Peshawar with dumba meat. AN oily, fragrant, aromatic sauce of sorts usually made with mutton or chicken. When you get the mutton karahi cooked in butter – it is next level. Order this one to share.
• Sabzi : The generic name for all vegetable dishes. Can vary in flavor and spice level from region to region.

A Brief History of Pakistan

The modern nation of Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947 as part of the British partition of India, but people have been living in Pakistan for thousands of years.

Its most famous historical era is undoubtedly the reign of the Mughals, gaudy royals who filled Pakistan with stunning landmarks that are well preserved today. The Mughals ruled from the 16th-17th century, but long before them, numerous ancient civilizations called Pakistan home.

The Post-Mughal period saw both the Durrani and Sikh Empires, before the takeover by the British Raj that would change the Subcontinent forever.

The 1940 Resolution brought forth by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was signed in Lahore on March 23rd, 1940 and paved the way for what would be Pakistan. After gaining independence from the British on August 14, 1947, with India following a day later, the largest migration in human history took place, and Jinnah became the founder and first governor-general of Pakistan.

Muslims living in what was now Indian Punjab fleed to Pakistan, and Hindus now living in a Muslim Pakistan to India. More than 10 million people crossed the borders, and there are estimates that nearly 2 million died in the riots that shook the two new nations.

Pakistan’s modern history since then has had some ups and downs. The nation suffered greatly following the general global fallout from 9/11, and experienced a period of instability up until around 2015. Riddled with corruption, government scandals were far too common.

After a successful anti-terrorism campaign carried out in the early 2010s, Pakistan is currently undergoing a period of stability, celebrity Imran Khan is the current Prime Minister. Khan massively revived the travel industry with pro-tourism policies that have made travel in Pakistan the easiest it’s been since the ’90s.

First-time travellers to Pakistan will have some burning questions that they’re just dying to know! Luckily we’ve got you covered…

Is Pakistan safe for backpacking?

These days, Pakistan IS safe for backpacking. All places tourists actually can visit are secure, and the road conditions and altitude sickness are generally bigger dangers. Authorities are also very (over) protective of foreigners which adds another layer of safety.

What are the best places to go backpacking in Pakistan?

All of Pakistan’s tourist spots are worth visiting, but the best places to head include the entirely of Gilgit-Baltistan (mountains for days!) along with the scenic regions of Chitral and Swat Valley. Major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar also offer stunning historical sights and shrines.

Is travelling to Pakistan expensive?

While tours to Pakistan can be pricey, independently backpacking is very cheap. If you stick to typical backpacking standards, you can easily spend $15 USD a day or less.

What shouldn’t I do in Pakistan?

Pakistan is a conservative country and it’s extremely important to respect local customs. This means wearing modest, loose clothing and limiting your discussions about politics or religion with people you don’t know well.

What’s the highlight of backpacking Pakistan?

The highlight of a trip to Pakistan is undoubtedly Pakistanis themselves. This country is truly the world’s most hospitable land, and the interactions you’ll have with locals will distinguish Pakistan from anywhere else.

Backpacking Pakistan is truly an adventure of a lifetime that is unlike any other .

There is no country whose natural beauty matches the beauty of its people to such a degree. And as amazing as Pakistan’s many mountains are, what really makes this country so special are Pakistanis themselves.

Regardless of where in the country you find yourself, you’ll undoubtedly come across a friendly face and a helping hand.

Head to Pakistan with an open mind and an open heart.

Get yourself a shalwar kameez , eat hella’ street food, accept as many invitations as you can, and try to live as close to the local standards as possible.

While there is no official dress code, always dress modestly, and don’t enter a mosque or a shrine without a headscarf if you’re a lady.

Last but not least, stay away from McDonald’s and expensive hotels and restaurants. Because the real Pakistan that I fell in love with can only be seen and felt with a backpack in tow. I hope to see you out here someday.

Updated November 2022 by Samantha at Intentional Detours .

Will Hatton

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78 Comments

Hello, This is a great article, it’s very informative and got me really excited to travel Pakistan. I am planning a trip there around mid 2024, probably for 1-2 months. I was wondering how much planning and booking I should do in advance. I will be travelling solo and I’m a keen hiker. What’s the cheap way for getting around the North while travelling solo? Do you think renting a motorbike would be a good option?

Depending on where you want to travel and when you should do some careful planning and booking, especially if you will be travelling in cold weather. You don’t want to get somewhere and find that all accommodation is booked out by tour groups or that there is no traveller accommodation at all. Distances can be vast and some areas sparsely populated. If you can ride motorbike is a great option, there are loads of solo travellers on both cycle and motorbike, so I would suggest checking out some forums on those topics.

I really appreciate your thoughts about Pakistan. I think it would be great if more foreigners could visit Pakistan each year and experience the beauty and friendliness of the Pakistani people. Thank you for visiting Pakistan, Will Hatton.

Bonjour! Super article! Wow! J’aimerais beaucoup faire la rando jusqu’au camp de base du K2. J’ai fait plusieurs rando en Inde et au Népal. Mon rêve serait de découvrir la culture et les montagnes du Pakistan. Cela dit, je ne souhaite pas me joindre à une compagnie Européenne ultra couteuse avec un groupe de 20-25 randonneurs. J’aimerais mieux faire affaire avec une compagnie locale et faire le trek en solo avec mon guide ou en petit groupe. Auriez-vous des références? Pour le Népal, j’avais eu une référence d’un guide local et nous étions que les deux. C’était super! Je suis ouverte aux groupes, mais j’aimerais que ça reste assez modeste. Vous me direz si vous avez des références. Merci!!

Om Will: Great job ??? I’m going to Pakistan and want to know about the chance and convenience of renting a car without driver (NOT motorbike) and drive myself with google maps/maps.me on my phone from islamabad to Kalasha Valleys, Baltistan (Hunza Valley, Karimabad, Naltar, Khubjerab Pass, etc). Is it possible, safe to do it??? THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your time & attention ??

While it’s possible to rent a car yourself, it would likely be wiser to hire a car with a driver, local drivers have experience with the the road conditions and authorities.

Hello everyone, and thank you for all the contributions to this really interesting website. I’m hoping to come to come to Pakistan in early 2023 and am really drawn to the idea of the cities, particularly Karachi, and particularly the less planned parts of the city. I appreciate that your focus is more on the North, but is anyone here able to direct me to resources like this for planning trips in Sindh and Punjab? All suggestions gratefully received :0)

Hello I am from Pakistan Hunza. Pakistan is safe for anyone, don‘t trust the media, media that wants deep pockets. Solo man, women can travel to Pakistan. You can ask me anything you want to.

Pakistan is a country with multi-culture, multi-season, astonishing hill stations, fascinating mountain ranges, stunning deserts, scenic lakes, and breathtaking historical places in Pakistan. The northern areas of Pakistan are the most magnificent and attractive region of the country.

Congrats on this piece and the blog. I’m planning to go there next October, Ive tried to reach official tourism site, but no response. Do you know,or have a way to know,how are things now there?I mean,restrictions,curfews etc? Are tourist going there yet? Thanks For all this hard work!

Hi Marcos, Although restrictions are always changing, Pakistan is fairly open at the moment. We recently ran a tour there in May and none of our guests had trouble entering or leaving Pakistan.

Tourists are returning!

Peshawar is the capital of the KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) province of Pakistan. It has almost a population of 1.97 million. Peshawar is famous because of its 16 gates known as Reti, Kachehri, Asamai, Sard Chah, Sirki, Kohati, Rampura Gate, Yakka Tooth, Ganj, Bajouri, Dabgari, Ramdas, Hashtnagri, Beriskian & Kabuli Lahori. Peshawar is rich in its culture, Crowded areas, Lovely Bazar’s to shopping in Peshawar & Food Streets. For the past few years, due to the fast development of Peshawar, it’s becoming the most visited place in Pakistan.

Very informative post thanks for sharing i ve seen ur videos on youtube 😉

Hi there, thanks for reaching out. Glad you are enjoying our videos. More will be coming when we can start traveling again! cheers

Natural beauty is unmatched. Pakistan has some of the worlds most beautiful places to visit, specially at its best in northern areas of Pakistan and Kashmir region.I am from Pakistan and I have love to live it now.

Our Government taking steps for improving Accomodations in Nothren Areas. In few years Pakistan will have International Standard Accomodations in Nothren Areas.

Pakistan is one of the amazing countries and the adventure tour to Pakistan is like a beautiful dream with thrill. You must visit here at least once.

Can you tell us something about how safe it is to travel within the local rural area and also in the Northern part? Do you have any good tips what we should and should not do? We will travel as a couple.

Hello Maria, Gilgit-Baltistan is among one of the safest places in Pakistan (and anywhere I have traveled really). The people are very welcoming and there has been stability in the region for decades. For more information please check out this article: https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/is-pakistan-safe/ . Cheers!

Wow amazing guide. Very interesting post.

Dear Sir, Nice to go through your website, its is a true picture painted by you for hesitant travelers to Pakistan. Pakistan is as safe to travel as any other country of the world, especially northern areas. I am quite familiar with northern areas of Pakistan, its places, culture, boarding lodging, climate and terrain. I wish to join your next trip as a guide and transport provider. I worked with Europeans, Americans and Australians in the past, well versed with the language and can make your next trip a real zing with lowest rates. I have my own transport 4×4 off road and standards cars. I enjoy travelling, seeing places myself. Hope to hear from you soon, Best Regards, Abbasi. 0092-321-8544500 ( whatsapp/ Cell).

Hi, very amazing article thanks for sharing…

some best places to visit in Pakistan are 1. Nathia Gali 2. Naran 3. Gilgit 4. Hunza 5. Skardu 6. Chitral 7. Kailash Valley

thanks for you report and insights into traveling this country. Regarding the visa section. You stated there is no way to get a visa granted if not from your country is residency. According to the webside of the ministry of interior of the pakistani government there is a visa on arrival for a fairly long list of contries of origins.

So I am a bit confused by your statement above. Is it maybe possible for you to clearify this and give me sone help on this issue?

Thanks a lot in advance it will be highly appreciated.

Best regards, Daniela

Hello Dani, If you are applying for the visa the original way through a Pakistani consulate, yes, you must do so in your home country or in the country where you hold residence status. If you apply using the new Evisa scheme, you don’t actually need to send off your passport, so in theory, you could apply from outside your home country as the visa is issued online. In some cases, applicants are called in for an interview, so if you were not present in your home country, it would be difficult for you to attend the interview. This does not happen that often, however, it is something to bear in mind when you are applying for the Evisa outside of your home country.

Although this article is quite lengthy but very interesting, author has cover almost every thing, hotels, important places, things to do and culture, that is a great effort and there one gem that is yet hidden and everyone needs to visit there, Hingol national park https://www.blizinhotels.com/articles/hingol-national-park

Thank you for your love and time, Will. Both the time you spent in Pakistan and also the time you spent writing this amazing piece.

I hope to return to these beautiful places soon. It has been such a long time since I witnessed the beauty of my homeland. Hope our paths cross and we meet some day soon on one of our travels.

All the best, buddy!

Fantastic and helpful article. Thanks very much. Question: there’s some recent news out about Pakistan launching a wide ranging visa-on-arrival program. Can you comment on it please?

Pakistan’s visa policy is undergoing a lot of change at the moment, so much in fact that we sometimes can’t keep up with it. For example, we’ve heard of people getting electronic visas but nothing about on-arrivals. You just gotta keep your eye on the official websites and see what happens 🙂

Yes they have launched visa on arrival for many countries.

Amazing stuff Will, wonderfully experienced and shared in great breadth and details. And thanks for shattering the traditional stereotypes which the Western media like to paint Pakistan with!

The country is really beautiful and the people are definitely warm. Though of course, some places are out of bounds (e.g. like the Afghanistan border you mention). If we may share, do also watch out for fake faith healers as well as spray painted fruits (they actually do this out in the open at Afzalpur!).

Wishing everyone a great time in Pakistan 🙂

Excellent itinerary Will. I did a similar itinerary to the north in October but without Swat and Chitral as I only have 3 weeks and I was traveling independently and didn’t know where I might get stuck in. I was surprise you didn’t mention Rakaposhi in Minapin. 🙂 That’s probably one of the most beautiful and psychedelic glacier I’ve seen. 🙂 Things to note is accommodations along the hiking trails like Rakaposhi and Fair Meadows might not be available during the shoulder season. I didn’t see anyone when I did Rakaposhi base camp in one day. 🙂

I really have to go back and do Chitral and Swat. Looks like they have a really great culture there. 🙂 Thanks for the tips!

I read your blog as well, it was also wonderful. We’ll happy to see you again in Pakistan.

You have a great way with words as shown in your article. You’re even good with informational content like you have here. I like your views and your writing technique. Keep up the good work!

Just read your article. A very comprehensive guide on visiting Northern areas of Pakistan. I am going to Pakistan in Dec-2018 but not sure if it’s a good idea for visiting the northern areas due to the weather and road conditions. Would love to get any views on that !

All-in-All love post. Keep it up.

Hey Will! I am planning to travel to Pakistan soon. I should get there around the end of November and spend the month of December. I would love to explore the North and to do some of those incredible treks you suggested. I guess that North of Hunza would be a bit difficult to travel and trek around. Until where do you think would be possible to go at that time of the year? I am going to go pretty much with the flow and see how far North I can reach… If you have any experience of Pakistan in winter would be great to hear your advices!!! Cheers!

I have been to Pakistan in the winter… it’s cold! You should still go to Karimabad and Ghulkin but Fairy Meadows and China border will most likely be inaccesible. The Winter is beautiful though, and zero crowds 🙂

Awesome post

No doubt Pakistan has very beautiful cities and in cities there were so beautiful places and recently i hear about “Bhit Khori Beach” in Karachi. The place is very nice and i recommend to all to go to “Bhit Khori Beach”.

Thank you so much for your guidance

Thanks for sharing this. I am glad to find this and it is very interesting.

Hey bro, i just want to say, you have an awesome site, very helpful and informative in my travels. I have one question tho, I really wanted to go to Pakistan this end of September, one obstacle that I’m stuck right now is the visa application process, specifically the LOI, is there any way to acquire this without booking a tour from a travel company.

Read the LOI post on my site dude – I cover the various options in detail. You CAN aquire one without using a company but it can be more complicated – better off just coughing up and paying the 100 bucks for one in my opinion.

Thanks WILL HATTON for writing about Pakistan.

great sharing of photography, I love this kind of photography.. Beautiful people beautiful Pakistan. The culture of Pakistan are best.

Backpacking Pakistan seems like an awesome and exceptional idea, Will! This is definitely the most comprehensive guide I’ve read in a while for Pakistan. How many days would be enough to explore it?

7-10 days will be okay. Are you planning to come to Pakistan? If so do let me know. I would happy to help you

I really appreciate you have written about Pakistan. Becuase of media people often ignores Pakistan for tourism. Thank you so much for highlighting real face of Pakistan.

Thanks very much Will!

Pakistan is not the easiest of places to travel to, so really appreciate this extremely competent piece.

From reading the details in some of your trip reports, one needs plenty of time in which to navigate from place to place. How long would you say you needed if you weren’t travelling long-term?

These are the sites that needs to be promoted to the outside world and international tourism has already acknowledged this too. Among these most beautiful places in Pakistan these are the Rubies that one simply has to see. More places to go: take a look here http://www.fashiontrends.pk/living-lifestyle/paradise-on-earth-7-places-to-visit-in-pakistan-in-2017/

Natural beauty is unmatched. Pakistan have world most beautiful places for visit, specially at its best in northern areas of Pakistan and Kashmir region.I am from Pakistan and I have love to live it now.

How much did the entire trip cost you? I really want to travel around like you did but I am a 2nd generation Hong Konger lols, never been to Pakistan and really want to go and experience it.

I am kind of introverted so I guess I am fucked either way?

You can do Pakistan for about $400 – $500 a month, cheaper if you’re careful.

Visa Extensions Update – Gilgit: Now only possible 2 days before expiry of current visa, maximum extension 10 days from date of application. Took one day, though a little more insistence might have sped it up. We were promised even 2 days after expiry would be fine to apply for the extension, but did not try our luck. Rules above could not be changed despite local contacts and a lot of insistence.

This made us take a side trip into Ghizer Valley (up to Shandoor Pass) and cycle back down. Very beautiful and highly recommended, though best explored if you have your own transport! To get to the top, only one NATCO bus leaving Gilgit to Chitral at 6am is available, though until Phander transport is more plentiful.

I truly value your perspectives about Pakistan, I would love assuming an ever increasing number of nonnatives ought to visit Pakistan every year and see the excellence and cordiality of Pakistani People. Much thanks to you for going to Pakistan Will Hatton,

Well loved it reading about your experience here in #Pakistan . Thanks indeed for visiting us. For more Pakistani photos you can follow me on flickr. And do tell me your flickr Id so that I can see your all photos of tour of Pakistan.

Kindly do visit us again. And heartiest welcome to all tourists planning to visit Pakistan. Thanking you again.

Have a superb weekend. Warm Regards, UMK

Thanks for posting such a nice and informative post to promote the beauty of Pakistan. well come to Pakistan Regards Shipton Treks & Tours

This post is rad, brother. Trying to do a trip to Pakistan in the next few months! I’m actually about to apply for my visa. I was wondering what you did for your LOI. Also, did you have to get a ticket to travel to Pakistan before applying for the visa? I saw it looks like I need a proof of departure, but I was hoping to travel through Lebanon as well as Turkey prior to traveling Pakistan and going further East. Any advice on that?

Hey amigo! Pakistan is damn awesome, you will love it there. For the LOI, the easiest way is to pay a tour operator to issue you one – I’ve teamed up with a dude, simply search Pakistan LOI on my site and it will come up – it’s the cheapest way to get one that I know of. If you have friends in country you can sometimes get one through them but it can be problematic; one girl I was chatting to had her visa rejected because she was visitng a Pakistani boyfriend and therefore it ‘didn’t count’ as a Tourist visa… the good news is that once you HAVE the visa it’s relatively straightforward and you can extend it easily. The bad news is the visa is, currently, a bitch. You, or your passport at least, will have to return to your passport country of origin for the visa application and, honestly, I recommend just getting a visa agency to sort it out for you.. It may depend on a country by country basis but in the UK it was a bitch to sort by myself. I crossed into Pakistan with no proof of departure and left overland to India 🙂

You can actually get around the proof of onwards departure thing – just fully explain your travel plans to travel overland and make it as ‘simple’ looking as possible, maybe even throwing in some fake hotel bookings in another country (bordering) for the date you leave.

Really impressive blog. I really wanted to get up to K2 base camp for my 50th (2016) but my family dissuaded me. After reading your blog I will plan for my 51st !

Do it Henry! Pakistan is damn awesome…

Thank you Will Hatton, I really appreciate your views about Pakistan, I would love if more and more foreigners should visit Pakistan each year and see the beauty & hospitality of Pakistani People. Thank you for visiting Pakistan Will Hatton, I would like you to know about two pictures that you have mentioned above:

1. Abbotabad Lake; the bluest lake in the world.

This is not Abbottabad lake, My home town is Abbottabad but i currently live in Islamabad. The name of this lake is ” Attabad Lake ” . This lake is in Central Hunza Valley of Pakistan.

2. Street scenes in Islamabad.

This picture about Street scenes in Islamabad is not Islamabad, This picture is of Rawalpindi, Because Rickshaws are allowed in Rawalpindi not in Islamabad. This picture shows lots of Rickshaws, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are neighbor cities, We mostly call them Twin Cities, Most of the outsiders don’t know if they are in Rawalpindi or Islamabad while travelling. So for correction, It is Street scenes in Rawalpindi.

Spelling has not always been my strong point! 🙂 I’ll make the changes, cheers dude.

Nice to see you have shared your honest experience about Pakistan. I’d love to take care of you in your next Journey. I’m myself travel blogger from PAKISTAN. Shot me an email when you are coming back to Pakistan. I’ll take care of you to Naran Kaghan which is my home town.

For sure, let’s hang out next time 🙂

I have seen you are planing to come back in 2020. Can I take you to naran kagahn vally?

Please get me back through email I also need to discuess some business staff with you.

Loved this blog post. Will be sharing with friends!

Sabaa jeddah-blog.com

Hi I’m from karim abad Hunza living in Spain Tenerife i really like ur coments abbout our contry if u need any help from me please let me know once again thank you very much take care. Ali [email protected]

As a pakistani i feel proud and happy that there is still who is willing to show positive image of pakistanis! thankyou so much Will hatton, i really appreciate

You should visit Quetta too!!!! ?

You’re my inspiration, I’ve never been to the northern areas of Pakistan in 29 years of my life and I live in Rawalpindi, but now I definitely will.

Hi, I really appreciate your Honesty while writing your article. I hope you will enjoy more in Pakistan. I am from Lahore but live in Manchester. Keep up the good work. I am jealous as you visited those places and explored where I never visited because of being lazy.

Hi, I’m planning to backpack coming March with a male buddy. Again is it safe for women and how many weeks did you spend and how much money should we carry at any one time?Fyi..its my 1st time and 2nd for my buddy.

Pakistan is very safe for women, especially if you have a male buddy. I have spent nearly three months in Pakistan… It can be hard to get cash out in the mountains, I recommend changing your money in Islamabad or Lahore and carrying it all with you.

Thank you Will for your reply and apologies for taking so long to reply you. We would like to visit the northern region. Starting from Lahore-Islamabad-Gilgit-Murree-Islamabad-Peshawar-Lahore. What would your advice be and we are also wondering how much of cash is enough? Planning to couchsurf and find cheapest accommodation.

Last year, Sophee Southall – an Australian travel blogger, visited Pakistan along with her husband. She then shared her experiences in her blog ‘Pakistan Unveiled’.

Hope this helps. Welcome To Pakistan. Cheers.

http://sopheesmiles.com/2015/08/22/pakistan-unveiled/

Hello, is it safe enough for a woman to travel alone in Pakistan? And how much money did you spend to travel to all destinations that you’ve written above? Thank you!

It’s quite hard for solo women to get a visa to enter Pakistan but it is possible… I’ll be writing an article on women travelling in the country soon 🙂 $120 – $150 a week is a doable budget for Pakistan.

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The Perfect Pakistan Itinerary for 2 or 4 Weeks

I’ve been to Pakistan more times than I count by now and intend and going back more in the future. 

You see: there’s just so much to experience in Pakistan that, no matter how many times I go, I am always finding something new and exciting. 

First-time visitors to Pakistan will have a lot to bite off for this reason. Where does one start and where does one venture in this vast and magnificent country?

That is precisely why I have gone ahead and crafted the most complete Pakistani travel itineraries possible in this post. Here, I share not only two potential routes for you to use – a 2-week and 4-week version – but have also laid out what you need to know and prepare beforehand.

Trust me everyone: I make itineraries and take people to Pakistan for a living. I have undertaken these exact itineraries myself multiple times and would   will do them over again with pleasure.

Let’s go there now, shall we?

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?

Why Visit Pakistan?

Pakistan is one of the last frontiers of adventure travel. Here you will find all of the hallmarks that make more established destinations, like Nepal, India, or Peru, so alluring: soaring mountains, welcoming locals, fascinating cultures, all this, and more. The fact that only a small fraction of tourists that would normally visit these places actually make it to Pakistan is an added bonus.

Relatively few people venture here for fear of being swept up by some terrorist insurgency or political coup, when, in reality, these events occur rarely in Pakistan. It’s safe to visit Pakistan, even for solo female travelers . 

The “real” roadblocks are usually jumping through the bureaucratic hoops to get a visa. But if you’ve already visited the site, you know I cover these things in firey detail. (Refer to the Preparing for Your Trip section later for more on this.)

Everybody should consider traveling to Pakistan once in their lives. This is a truly spectacular country that has the power to change how you look at and choose to travel. It’s had a powerful effect on me and I think it will have a similar one on you.

So what’s an itinerary in Pakistan actually look like and what do you need to prepare? Well for one thing, no matter how long your itinerary might be, there will be lots of mountains for sure! That and tasty karahi . 

Let’s talk shop and get into the details now. Below are some details to consider before heading out followed by a sample 2-week and 4-week itinerary in Pakistan.

When to Visit Pakistan

The “best time to visit” really depends on where you want to go and what to do in Pakistan. It’s a big country and has a lot of different climates, so it might be the case that you won’t be able to see and do everything in a single span of thirty days. 

That being said, there are some months that are definitely better than others. Choose the right ones depending on what you want to accomplish with your travel itinerary for Pakistan.

• April-May (Spring): The north is erupting with cherry blossoms whilst the south is still comfortably warm. This is a great time to visit any part of the country. Trails and treks that cross over 4000 meters will most likely be impossible still as there will be a lot of snow remaining.
• June-August (Summer): The best and really only time to trek in Gilgit-Baltistan. That means K2, the Karakoram, glaciers, high passes, the works. The valleys will be quite hot though and the southern provinces will be in the midst of the hot, wet monsoon season. You’d be crazy to go to Balochistan or Sindh around this time. 
• September-October (Autumn): Another colorful time for the north as the trees, particularly the poplars, turn a brilliant gold. Some trails may still even be open in Kashmir, KPK, and Gilgit-Baltistan (depending on the year). The south is starting to dry out but remains hot as hell. 
• November-March (Winter): The northern areas are usually buried in snow and experience sub-zero temperatures. The south, on the other hand, is kicking into full swing. This is festival season in Lahore and beach season in Karachi. The Balochi coast and Makran Highway are very pleasant at this time.

I’d recommend visiting Pakistan on the edge of the shoulder months, particularly June or September . You can do a lot during these months and the prices should still be good.

Preparing for Your Trip

Consider the following before traveling to Pakistan:

• Visas – Pakistan’s strange and mercurial visa system can seem intimidating at times, but, in fact, it’s really not that bad. All you need to do is receive an LOI (letter of invitation) and then apply for an evisa on the NADRA website . You can acquire an LOI either through a local Pakistani tour company or by contacting Haris Ali Shah at +92 301 858 5054.
• Budget – The costs of your trip will vary WIDELY depending on what you want to do, how long you want to be there, and how you want to travel. To giv you an idea, a more shoestring 2-week itinerary in Pakistan will probably cost around $25-$30/day. That’s for a guesthouse, basic meals, and bus tickets. Prices go up from there. 
• Packing – When visiting Pakistan, you’ll want to pack for every possible season. You’ll need warm clothing for when you’re in the higher, mountainous areas (even in summer) and light clothing for those hot days down in the valleys. A nice pair of rugged sandals in addition to your trekking boots also goes a long way. Try to wear long sleeves and pants as is customary in Muslim countries. For a complete packing list, refer to this article here.
• Safety and insurance – Despite a history of terrorism and rising tensions amongst its neighbors, Pakistan is a relatively safe country for tourists. Hospitality is second-to-none in Pakistan and the locals will go out of their way to make sure you’re ok. Still having a bit of insurance for the odd mishap still pays. I suggest investing in the best insurance for extreme adventure activities that I have ever found: Global Rescue .

For more information on what to prepare before starting your trip, be sure to read our backpacking Pakistan travel guide.

Getting Around Pakistan

Though Pakistan might appear to lack a transportation infrastructure at times, it’s still there – it just functions differently than what most travelers might be used to. 

Here are your options:

It’s unreliable in Pakistan, to say the least. It runs, but schedules and arrival times can be comically misleading at times. Public transport should only be used if you have lots of time on your hands. Most major cities have a large terminal or two. Daewoo is the most popular bus company and arguably the most reliable. NATCO is for traveling in the north.

A much better and only slightly more expensive alternative to public transport. For a little extra cash, you get a much more comfortable seat and the ride is usually much shorter. You can organize shared taxis either through your hotel, at the bus station, or by using the Kareem app.

Renting a car doesn’t mean you’re actually driving. Rather, you’re given a driver and he shuttles you around the country. Trust me, you want this to be the case. Driving in Pakistan can be hectic and you’re not given any sort of renters insurance. Just let the driver do his job and relinquish any liability on your part.

A very popular mode of transport in Pakistan and a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you’re ready. Bike rentals are cheap and there are plenty of outfitters. Karakoram Bikers in Gilgit are the best in the north. As always, wear a helmet though!

If you have a little extra cash, this is hands-down the most convenient way to get around Pakistan. Just be aware that flights heading to and from the north are canceled very often due to poor weather.

It is possible to take a train between most of Pakistan’s major cities. A train line going through Hunza is currently in the works but, at the moment, is nowhere near viable.

2-week Pakistan Itinerary  

With two weeks, you can see some of the best that Pakistan has to offer , including Hunza, Fairy Meadows, and Passu. You won’t have a ton of time to kill (you should ALWAYS be using your time wisely in Pakistan) but you shouldn’t be too rushed either.

Remember, Pakistan has a habit of throwing curveballs at you . Whilst this itinerary was planned with a little extra padding in case of delays, you never really know how bad those delays are going to be. 

Come with an open mind and feel free to adjust the itinerary as needed.

For this particular itinerary, I recommend taking shared taxis as much as possible or having your own car. Do so, and the odds are better that you will get to see and do everything you want.

Refer below for a map of the 2-week Pakistan itinerary: 

Day 1: Islamabad and Rawalpindi 

Islamabad is the most convenient place to start your Pakistan itinerary as it is the closest major city to the mountainous north and is well connected with the rest of the country. 

Islamabad is a planned city and totally different than any other metropolitan area in the country. It is orderly, well-planned, developed, and relatively clean. It can also be boring at times as it lacks the dynamism that other Pakistan cities, like Lahore and Peshawar, have in abundance.

There are some interesting things to do in Islamabad still. The Faisal Mosque and Pakistan Monument are nice to see – just be prepared for lots of selfies with the locals.

I suggest spending your first day shopping for your trip up north and sampling some local cuisine. The food scene in Islamabad is pretty solid and probably the most eclectic in the country. Despite its diversity though, the local Patan joints, like Kabul Restaurant , are the real winners. 

Islamabad also has a lot of modern malls that could put American ones to shame, but the real place to shop is in Rawalpindi. The Raja Bazaar is one of the finest and most crazy and diverse markets in all of Pakistan. 

Make sure you have Uber or Careem installed on your phone. These apps are the best way to arrange taxis in Islamabad and other major Pakistani cities.

The best place to stay: Grand Islamabad Hotel

See more places to stay in Islamabad here .

Day 2: Babusar Top

For this leg of the itinerary, I HIGHLY recommend taking a shared taxi or some other form of private transport. This is already going to be a very long day and it would be a shame if you wasted precious time by taking the much longer and uncomfortable bus. 

Going private crucially means that you can travel via the Kaghan Valley and Babusar Top . This route is much more scenic in my opinion and resembles the foothills of Nepal in a lot of ways. The terraces cut into the valley walls are really impressive.

Total travel time to Raikot Bridge is 14-16 hours. Don’t bother stopping in Naran unless it’s for a quick tea or bathroom break. If it’s getting late and you still haven’t crossed Babusar, consider sleeping in or near Jalkhand if the driver allows it. Wake up early the next morning and drive the remaining 4 hours to Raikot Bridge.

Note though that Babusar Top is only viable from May-October when the pass is clear of snow. If the pass is not open, you will need to travel via the KKH and Chilas, which is also the route the NATCO bus takes. This option is closer to 16-18 hours long and there is no guarantee that you will make it to Raikot Bridge in time to get a good night’s sleep.

Best place to stay: Raikot Gazebo (Raikot Bridge) or Andaz Hotel (Jalkhand)

Day 3-4: Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat

Plan to be at Raikot Bridge between 11:00-12:00 on the third day of your 2-week Pakistan itinerary. 

Once you arrive, immediately arrange for a jeep up to Fairy Meadows. Jeeps hold 4-5 passengers and cost 8000 rupees in total. These jeeps are expensive but, unfortunately, there is no other way to arrive at Fairy Meadows.

Refer to the Complete Fairy Meadows Guide for more advice on arranging jeeps and what to expect.

Consider grabbing some biryani to-go before leaving on the jeep. Fair warning: you may want to wait until after you finish the jeep ride to eat…

Once you’ve finished the jeep ride, walk an additional 2-3 hours, gaining 600 meters of altitude before reaching Fairy Meadows itself. Welcome to one of the most spectacular places in Pakistan! Looming above is the mighty 8,100 meter-high Nanga Parbat in all its glory. 

Spend day 3 chilling and the next hiking up to Nanga Parbat Base Camp on the following. The hike takes 6-8 hours.

Top off your stay with a roaring bonfire and dance parties with Punjabis at the guesthouse.

Best place to stay : Greenland Guesthouse (Fairy Meadows)

Day 5-6: Karimibad and Aliabad

You’ll have to wake up early on day 5 and walk back down to jeeps to catch a ride. Aim to be back at Raikot Bridge before lunchtime. 

Once you’ve arrived at Raikot Bridge, you’ll need to arrange transport to Gilgit . You’re better off taking a taxi since who knows when the next bus passes by. The price to Gilgit should be around 1000 rupee.

It should be noted too that at this point, you will be driving on the Karakoram Highway proper.

Once you arrive in Gilgit, you don’t need to stick around. Just arrange for another transport to take you directly to Hunza . Head in the direction of Karimibad – it takes 3-4 hours to arrive from Gilgit depending on your mode of transport.

Rather than staying in Karimibad, which is a bit touristy, I recommend staying outside the town. There’s a fantastic guesthouse in neighboring Aliabad called Mountain Story and it is arguably one of the best in Pakistan.

Spend Day 6 exploring Karimibad. Altit Fort and Baltit Fort are the two most popular attractions. Be on the lookout for the man with the most epic beard in Pakistan at the former! 

Finish your day by watching the sunset at Eagle’s Nest . This famous viewpoint features panoramic views of the Hunza Valley and the surrounding peaks, including Spantik, Rakaposhi, Ultar, and the infamous Ladyfinger Peak. Arrange for a taxi to take you up there and have it stick around until you’re done. You’ll only need an hour or so there.

Best place to stay: Mountain Story (Aliabad)

Day 7-11: Upper Hunza

Depart from Aliabad/Karimibad heading north on the KKH. Be on the lookout for the ancient petroglyphs on the side of the road just outside of town.

On the way to Passu , you’ll be passing by the stunning yet tragic Attabad Lake . This is a good place to stop for a quick break or jet ski (yes, there are jet skis here). Skip the boat ride as it’s pretty touristy and overrated. 

Beyond Attabad Lake, you will enter Upper Hunza, which is composed of several small communities. Each should have a handful of tourist hotels and guesthouses. Pick one that seems suitable to you and base yourself there for the next 4-5 days. Don’t bother looking for anything north of Sost.

There is a host of things to do around Upper Hunza (see next section). I’d recommend spending 1-2 days chilling with only a few activities planned and then dedicating the other 3 days to real adventuring. In particular, Patundas, Shimshal, and the Passu Cones shouldn’t be missed.

Best place to stay: Roomy Yurts, Gulmit – +92 311 1444100

Things to Do in Upper Hunza

Try to knock as many of these as possible whilst staying in Upper Hunza:

• Passu Suspension Bridge (1-2 hours) – Often labeled as the world’s scariest bridge. It’s made out mostly out of wood and is rickety as hell. Cross at your own risk!
• Passu Cones (1-2 hours) – Some of the most surreal mountains you’ll ever see. These look like a Hudson River School painting on acid. You can wtiness the cones from many places though the stretch of road between the Welcome to Passu sign and Batura Glacier viewpoint offers the best IMO.
• Borith Lake (2-3 hours) – A saline lake located near the terminus of the Ghulkin Glacier. Beautiful green colors and a great place to have a picnic.
• Ghulkin Village (half-day) – Just walk around and observe village life. The locals, who belong to the Ismaili faith, are very welcoming.
• Khunjerab Pass (full-day) – This is a long but doable day trip from Passu. Drive up to the Pak-China border, which is also the world’s highest crossing at 4,800 meters. Keep an eye out for ibex on the way up whilst driving in the Khunjerab National Park.
• Shimshal Valley (full-day) – A very rugged and at times desolate valley adjacent to Hunza. Features some of the most accessible 6000+ meter peaks in Pakistan. The road up the valley is rough but epic. Consider overnighting in Shimshal village.
• Patundas (3 days/2 nights) – This is one of the best short, multi-day hikes in Pakistan and features epic views of the Passu Cones, the Batura Glacier, and Shishpar. Enjoy the outdoor toilet and shitscape up there!

Day 12: Return to Gilgit

Since you’ll be catching an early flight the next day, you’ll want to return to Gilgit and spend the night there. 

Depart from Upper Hunza at your leisure. It should be a 5-6 hour drive back to Gilgit.

Once you arrive, check into your hotel and take a load off. 

There isn’t a ton to do in Gilgit but if you have some time to kill, go on a mission to find the Old British Graveyard. Several explorers for the era popularly known as “The Great Game” are buried here including the legendary George W. Hayward. To enter, you’ll need to find and ask the caretaker to let you in. Last I checked, he lives across from the cemetery. 

Best place to stay: Hotel Grand Continental

Day 13: Return to Islamabad

If all goes well and the flights between Gilgit-Islamabad run on time, you should be back in the capital by early afternoon. 

Make sure you bring a camera on the plane and try to request a window seat on the lefthand side of the plane. You’ll be treated to a face-to-face encounter with Nanga Parbat. 

Settle into your hotel and reflect upon the epic two weeks you just spent in Pakistan. Order some room service, take a long nap, and then consider making the journey up to Monal in the Margalla Hills for dinner with a view. Dining up here is the best way to end any itinerary in Pakistan.

4-week Pakistan Itinerary

Day 1-12: Gilgit-Baltistan

The first half of our 4-week Pakistan itinerary should look exactly like the first twelve days of the 2-week version. Refer to the earlier outline and review what these days look like.

See more places to stay in Gilgit here

Day 13-16: Ghizar and Phander

Ghizar, Phander, and the surrounding valleys are best known for their stunning views, lakes, and general off-the-beaten-path appeal. There is not a ton of bucket-listy things to do in Ghizar.

There are some cool hikes to enjoy in the area. I recommend asking around in town or at your hotel for a guide who can show you some of the shepherd tracks the area has to offer.

Best place to stay:  Lake Inn Phander: Contact: 03555203015, 03555203532, [email protected]

Day 17-18: Shandur Pass

If you are coming from the Gilgit side, the best way to access Chitral and this side of KPK is via the legendary Shandur Pass. Although this route is not accessible for parts of the year due to heavy snowpack, the route in the summer is one of the most beautiful roads you can drive in Pakistan .

Shadur is also home to one of the world’s highest polo grounds. If you time your visit right, visiting the Shandur Polo Festival is an absolute must.

Best place to stay:  I don’t really recommend staying at Shandur Pass since there are not really hotels in this area. Camping is an option if it is not too cold.

Day 19-21: Chitral

Chitral town is the biggest city in the area and a good launching point for upper Chitral and the Broghil Valley as well as for the Kalash Valleys. There are numerous hotels along the river which offer a relaxing atmosphere in stark contrast to the bustling and dirty bazaar.

The Chitral Fort is not the most impressive fort in Pakistan by any means, but still warrants a visit for an hour or so. As does the mosque shown below!

Chitral town is the place to stock up on supplies or just rest in between long drives or treks. Also, it is one of the few places in the area where wifi works so take advantage of it while you are here.

Best place to stay:  Pamir Riverside Inn Hotel – +92 345 4384541

Day 22-23: Kalash Valley

Frankly, if you have time I recommend spending more like 4-7 days exploring Kalash. There is nowhere else in Pakistan like it.

The Kalashi people are unique to this one corner of the world; they have awesome traditional dress, speak a language unrelated to all other languages, AND they make their own wine.

There are even a handful of hikes to do in the hills around the valleys in the summer. I spent the most time in Rumboor, but there are two other areas to explore, Bumbaret and Birir.

It is hard to get the timing right but if you are in Pakistan for one of the Kalash winter or spring festivals, I highly recommend going!

Best place to stay: Engineer Khan Kalash Home Guest House – +92 345 5819188 (The Engineer’s son’s Whatsapp #)

Day 24-25: Kalam Valley

Located at the far end of Swat Valley – Kalam is a slice of paradise tucked away in a conservative corner of Pakistan.

Kalam Valley is forested, green, and more accessible these days thanks to a freshly sealed road leading into the valley.

I visited Kalam in April but still found I was able to do a great hike to one of the lakes in the area (Kandol). There are many single and multiday treks to do in the area if you have more time including more epic alpine lake treks.

For a trekking guide in the area with fair prices, contact Aslam at +92 313 9473399 (Whatsapp).

Best place to stay:  If you have the extra budget, stay at Walnut Heights – +92 310 4702222

Day 26-27: Swat

Swat has endured a pretty crazy history over the last 15 years. Up until 2009, the Taliban controlled parts of Swat. It took several engagements from the Pakistani Army to finally get them out. Nowadays though, Swat is peaceful and free from Taliban rule. It is 100% safe to visit and there are many cool cultural spots (like old Buddhist sites) to check out along with the stunning natural landscapes.

Most people (myself included) base from Mingora and do day trips in the surrounding area before heading further up the valley to Kalam.

Best place to stay:  Swat Valley Backpackers . Pameer Hotel in Mingora is a good option if you are looking for a hotel.

Day 28-29: Peshawar

The perfect Pakistani city to visit for just two days in Peshawar. Being one of the oldest cities in all of South Asia – Peshawar is rich in history, culture, food, and architecture.

Spending an afternoon roaming around the tea and kebab stalls of the old city while you take in the small details of old Haveli’s, gorgeous mosques, and bustling markets gets you a well-rounded view of the vibe of Peshawar.

The local people I’ve encountered have been super friendly as well and keen to help show foreign visitors around.

Best place to stay:  Pearl Continental Hotel, Peshawar – +92 91 111 505 505

Day 30: Return to Islamabad

Depart from Peshawar towards Islamabad. Journey time is 2-3 hours on very comfortable tarmac.

Once you’ve arrived in Islamabad, follow the outline for day 13 of the 2-week Pakistan itinerary. 

Alternative idea! 

Spend the entire month trekking in one of the most amazing places on earth: Concordia , home to the magnificent K2 . A typical itinerary for the trek up to K2 Base Camp lasts around 21 days. If you intend on visiting Pakistan for 30 days, you can complete the trek and have plenty of time to see some other places. Lahore, Peshawar, the Swat Valley, and Fairy Meadows would all be excellent additions to K2. 

Have even MORE time in Pakistan?

I don’t blame you for wanting to stick around! Here are a couple of ideas for how to extend your time in Pakistan beyond two or four weeks:

Lahore (2-3 days)

Whilst it hurts me a bit that Lahore is not featured in any of the above Pakistani itineraries, there is just too much to see and do in the north. And Lahore shouldn’t be rushed through for that matter either. 

Lahore is considered the cultural capital of Pakistan and hosts some of its most hallowed landmarks, such as Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, and the Shalimar Gardens . It is a sprawling, chaotic city, full of life and bereft of dull moments. Anyone who has traveled around India already will feel right at home in Lahore.

Also worth checking out is the infamous Wagah Border ceremony. Every day before sunset, the guards from the Pakistani and Indian sides come together in a friendly competition to see who has the best choreography. Get ready for a lot of high kicks, heel clicks, and shouts from flag-waving attendees as they cheer on their respective sides.

End your stay by having dinner at Haveli overlooking the Badshahi Mosque. Be there before sunset so you can hear one of the most incredible, goosebump-inducing calls to prayer of your entire life. 

Best place to stay: Tourist Inn Hotel

See more places to stay in Lahore here .

Astore District (4-6 days)

The Astore Valley is more than just a landbridge between the KKH and Skardu – it also features some of the best high alpine scenery in the country. 

From the Karakoram Highway, the journey starts by driving up the bleak and perilous mountain road leading to the heart of the district. Arriving in the oasis-like town of Astore , the landscape becomes quite green. In the hills above the town are carved, lush cultivated terraces filled with apricot, cherry, and other fruit trees. 

From Astore, there are many options. Above the village is Rama Lake , a very picturesque alpine lake that is among the most visited places in Gilgit-Baltistan. You can also embark on a 4-day trek to the real Nanga Parbat Base Camp , Herligkoffer BC , via the Rupal Valley.

But Astore’s real highlight is the soaring Deosai Plains . At 4200-meters high, they are the second-highest alpine plateau in the world – after the Tibetan – and visiting should be a must on any itinerary in Pakistan. In the summer, they are blanketed with wildflowers of almost every shade. Most people visit via Jeep but it is possible to take a minibus from Astore to Skardu across the plains. 

Skardu (6-8 days)

Skardu serves as the base for many of the most famous hikes in Pakistan, including Snow Lake and the K2 Base Camp Trek . These are multi-week expeditions that will most likely fill up your entire itinerary, but that being said, there is still PLENTY more to do in the area. The

Skardu itself is the largest city in Baltistan and isn’t much else besides an old fort ( Kharpocho ) and a few dusty bazaars strung together. 

The area surrounding Skardu is much more impressive. The Katpana and Safaranga Deserts are some of the highest in the world. In the nearby mountains, the newly minted Marsur Rock hike provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Indus Valley. If you fancy a road trip, the scenery between Kachura and Basho Valley is excellent and very accessible. 

Hikers can also take part in a number of shorter treks near Skardu. The neighboring Ghanche District features the best of the bunch, including Barah Broq, Makalu La, Thally La , and the Nangma Valley . None of these require any sort of special permits either. 

So even if you don’t want to spend two weeks straight on glacier, there are good reasons to visit Skardu.

Best place to stay: The Garden Villa – Skardu +92 333 5915957

See more places to stay in Skardu here .

Wrap Up: The Ultimate Pakistan Itinerary

Pakistan is just one of those countries where you’ll never be able to do it all in one trip. This Pakistan itinerary just scratches the surface of what there is to do here. In a 30 day itinerary, I did not have the time to cover the south or parts of Balochistan either… save those ones for next time!

My biggest advice when planning out your own Pakistan itinerary is to focus on what you like to do and mix and match the above suggestions according to what you want to see and do. Like trekking? Head to the Skardu region. Want to dive deep into the culture? Go to a homestay and definitely visit the Kalash Valley! Cities your thing? Don’t miss Lahore – Peshawar – and Rawalpindi.

Love a place you visited in Pakistan? Mention it in the comments below so we can share the info with other travelers. Cheers guys!

10 Comments

Hi Chris. I’m currently planning my first trip to Pakistan and as a solo female I usually use travel books besides the net, but couldn’t find much out there. Thanks heaps for this in depth and informative blog on Pakistan. its been very helpful. Safe Travels

Awesome! I am glad you enjoyed the article!

Great blog. I am also planning my first trip to Pakistan. It will be only 2 weeks and will arrive and depart from Lahore. Caveat is that it will be during Ramadan. Hope it is as exciting as I hope it will be

Have a great trip!

HI! great article. is october still a good month for north pakistan? I mean specifically Gilgit – Baltistan, Skardu, Astore Valley? many thanks in advance.

For sure! October is arguably one of the best months of the year to visit Pakistan and the areas you mentioned!

Not Makalu La but Machulu la from Machulu valley.

Thanks for the correction!

Hello Chris,

Why do you suggest that the best month to visit Pakistan in autumn is September? What is the main difference between September and October there? Thanks for your very practical blog!

October tends to be a little bit colder – but actually I might say now with hindsight that October is better because then you get all of the fall colors – which is truly special!

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Matador Original Series

15 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Pakistan

F or much of the past two decades, Pakistan was hardly thought of as a tourist destination. Though the mountain-rich South Asian nation had once been an integral part of the Hippie Trail, international travel slowed to trickle in the early 2000s. But the tourism department has been completely overhauled under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government. The country saw a 70 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals between 2017-2018, according to Middle Eastern news outlet Gulf News . The country’s record-high peaks, lush valleys, and seemingly endless amount of ancient historical sites could make it a top destination for adventure travel in the coming years. Incredible as it is, information still remains scarce in the wake of the rise in tourism and visa changes that have occurred in the past few years. It’s important to have a basic understanding of how travel and local customs work within the Islamic republic, starting with how to get that visa. Here are 15 things Pakistan travel requirements and tips you need to know before visiting.

1. You can now easily obtain a Pakistan travel visa online

Prior to 2019, getting your hands on a Pakistani visa was no easy feat. The fee was $292 for a 30-day stay, and you could only acquire it by mailing your passport and documents to your nearest embassy. The introduction of the e-Visa system this past April changed all of that. Now Americans (and citizens of over 170 other countries) can apply for their Pakistan tourist visa online, often with only confirmation of a hotel booking and an itinerary instead of the previously mandated LOI (letter of invitation).

US citizens pay $60 for a single-entry visa that’s valid for less than one year, $90 for a visa valid one year, and $120 for a visa that is valid for up to five years. Note that there may be a $99 processing fee on top of visa costs. Travelers can also choose to apply for a “paper” visa by mailing in their passport and documents to their local Pakistani embassy — all fees are the same regardless of which path you choose. To apply for the e-Visa, visit Pakistan’s Official Visa Portal . Processing times are said to be between seven and 10 days on the web from three to four weeks for mail-in applications.

2. Independent travel is easier than it might seem

Photo: SAKhanPhotography /Shutterstock

Along with the major updates in the visa department, Pakistan has also made independent travel easier. Gone are the days when foreigners were prohibited from visiting many a valley, and good riddance to the forced security guards that used to be imposed.

Travelers to Pakistan can now travel freely throughout much of the country without the need for the infamous NOC (no-objection certificate.) Though operators are plentiful in number these days, being on a tour is not a requirement to travel to Pakistan — backpackers and other independent travelers are free to roam with only a few exceptions. Currently, restrictions remain within the province of Balochistan, the former FATA region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and various spots along the Pak-India Border, including Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir. Do keep in mind that such restrictions can change, so it’s best to check with government offices and/or with other tourists before heading out to such places. Both the US and UK governments post updated security warnings and notices of restrictions. Currently, Balochistan has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the US government due to an increased threat of terrorism.

If you wish to use a tour operator for planning, transportation, lodging, and activities, Intrepid Travel recently launched a Pakistan tour that dives into the country’s Karakoram Mountains, Islamabad and Lahore, and plenty of history and food.

3. Many parts of Pakistan are safe, friendly, and welcoming

Though political and economic turmoil is active in the country, the World Crime Index now ranks the Pakistani city of Lahore, in the Punjab province, as safer than Chicago, Paris, and Berlin. Security forces have worked to make cities and even remote areas safer for residents and visitors.

In particular, both Lahore and the country’s biggest city, Karachi, have seen safety improve, though keeping an eye on the news and state travel advisories is encouraged. The province of Balochistan sees occasional terrorist threats. Parts of Azad Kashmir along the LOC (line of control) with India and the former FATA region of KPK see skirmishes primarily between those two countries. Consequently, the government currently prohibits foreign travelers from traveling in those regions as a safety precaution.

In general, when visiting Pakistan, apply the same protocols you would in other countries regarding holding on to your belongings and not walking alone at night, especially if you’re solo. Keep your passport and other valuables on your body and protected at all times. Since Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Islamic country, gatherings of religious minorities such as Sufis and Shias have been targeted in the past, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid them at all costs. Doing your research about places and celebrations before attending, dressing in local fashion, and attending with a Pakistani friend are great ways to smartly and safely attend a variety of cultural events.

4. When traveling in Pakistan, ground transportation are far cheaper than planes

Photo: Aaftab Sheikh /Shutterstock

Pakistan is massive, and distances are vast. Traveling from the capital city of Islamabad to mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan takes over 16 hours by bus, and reaching the Southern port city of Karachi takes even longer. Nevertheless, wheels are your best bet for exploring the country. Not only are domestic flights pricier — often exceeding $100 each way — but many remote and scenic places in Pakistan are only accessible by Jeeps. For those with wider budgets, hiring a car and a driver is easy to do, but the cheapest way to get around Pakistan is by going local. Shared jeeps and minivans are the vehicles of choice for more remote regions, and large coach buses operate between major cities.

Some major car rental companies like Hertz offer chauffeur-driven vehicles. Bus operators Daewoo and Faisal Movers offer five-star bus travel comforts at very affordable prices all over the country. A ticket from Lahore to Pakistan will run you 4,500 Pakistani rupees, or about $63. To research or book bus travel, you can visit Bookaru . You can also inquire with your lodging for information and advice on local transportation. Joining in on shared transport involves simply showing up before it’s filled up, and a concierge can direct you towards pickup spots. while the comfy Western-style buses can be reserved with a phone call or booking on each respective website.

Inside major cities, Uber and the local app Careem will do. Fares are cheap compared to Uber prices in the West, though you can cut it even cheaper by hailing a rickshaw.

5. There’s no need to wear anything other than a shalwar khameez

The shalwar khameez might be the most comfortable outfit on the planet. Think loose, lightweight pants accompanied by a long dress-like shirt, along with a shawl known as a dupatta for ladies. The shalwar khameez is worn by almost all Pakistanis — even in the more liberal big cities, it’s still the most predominant outfit choice.

Though there is no official dress code for tourists , Pakistan is a conservative country, and it’s essential to respect cultural norms. There’s no better way to do so than by getting yourself a shalwar khameez. Upon arriving in Pakistan, you can easily acquire a shalwar khameez at a local market. Though ready-made options do exist, the best way to obtain one is to visit a local vendor. You’ll first pick out a fabric of your choosing (linen or cotton are best to combat the country’s extreme heat — summer temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and then have it sewn by a tailor. Ladies, keep in mind that you can request pockets to be sewn into yours.

A three-piece suit consisting of the shalwar (pants), khameez (long shirt), and dupatta (matching shawl) will go for about 1,200-2,000 rupees ($7-13) depending on the fabric you choose. Men’s’ two-piece suits (sans the dupatta) cost about the same price. Though covering one’s head as a female isn’t required in Pakistan, having a dupatta handy is always a good idea as they are mandatory for entering mosques. It’s also nice to have the option in more conservative areas of the country, such as Swat Valley in KPK, where all local women will be fully covered up.

6. For Pakistanis, hospitality is a way of life

Photo: khlongwangchao /Shutterstock

It’s common to hear about “friendly people” when listening to a description of a foreign country, but it must be noted that Pakistanis truly take hospitality to another level. It’s deeply ingrained in societal values that guests are a gift from Allah and must be treated as such. Don’t be surprised when, after a short conversation with someone you’ve just met, you’re invited into families’ homes for a full meal. Equally common is that these people you’ve just met will insist upon giving you a place to sleep. Travelers often report having a difficult time paying for things in Pakistan, as locals in Pakistani cities and at historical sites go above and beyond to make tourists feel welcome.

Even if payment is being staunchly refused, try to give something anyway, and trust that it will be appreciated. Though Pakistani hospitality is boundless no matter where you turn, venturing to the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) will be sure to take things to an entirely new level. KPK is home to the Pashtuns, an ethnic group that follows the code of Pashtunwali, an ancient self-governing code that dominates all aspects of life. One of the best-known tenets of the social code here is Melmastia — providing hospitality and asylum to all guests in need of it. As such, the Pashtuns might be the most hospitable people in all of Pakistan, though you’ll have to visit KPK to make that determination yourself.

7. English is almost everywhere, but an Urdu dictionary is worth packing

Due to Britain’s prior colonization of Pakistan during the rule of its Indian Empire, English is spoken almost everywhere. That doesn’t mean it should be expected, though. Pakistan gained Independence in 1947, and while English is taught in public schools and universities, it will become less common as you head out toward more remote areas. Carrying around an Urdu-English Phonetic dictionary could be useful, though communication is still very possible without a common vocabulary. Pakistan travel generally involves interacting with Urdu, even if you don’t speak or understand it, so a few basic phrases will help.

While Urdu is Pakistan’s national language, dozens of other regional tongues are spoken throughout the country, and in certain areas, many people don’t even speak Urdu. In the cities of Peshawar and Mingora, Pashto reigns supreme. In Kalam Valley, a section of the larger Swat Valley, Gowri is spoken. In total, nearly 75 languages can be heard throughout the country, though many of them are similar in some way to Urdu. Dictionaries also exist for some of these, so make sure to grab a phonetic one before you land.

8. There are multiple borders open for overland entry into Pakistan

Photo: Lukas Bischoff Photograph /Shutterstock

It is possible to fly into Pakistan through one of its major international airports in Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad, but all visas also permit overland entry. You can cross the border into Pakistan at a few different points. The Wagah Border that connects Pakistan’s Lahore with India’s Amritsar is a popular and easy border to cross over. Tensions might remain high between the two countries, but border officials on both sides of the aisle don’t pass that on to overlanders. To head into Lahore after being stamped into Pakistan, you can take a taxi for about $13. The Pakistan-China border at the Khunjerab Pass is also open to tourists.

9. Getting a local SIM card is a must

One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Pakistan is acquire a local SIM card. Pakistan is rife with providers, and these days coverage is vast — even many remote regions have access to 2G signal.

As a foreigner, SIM cards can only be obtained either at the airport — where they are sure to be overpriced — or at a franchise store. The major providers include ZONG, Telenor, Jazz, and SCOM. Coverage varies by region and provider, so your best practice is to buy a few as it’s not a problem to have multiple SIM cards. Pakistani nationals are allowed to have up to five activated at a time.

As a rule of thumb, ZONG 3G/4G will work best in Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Mingora, and Swat Valley. Meanwhile, Telenor works best in the Chitral District. Jazz works in many of the same places as the rest but happens to be the only functioning provider in the small town of Thall in Dir District. And then there’s SCOM — a government-operated company that functions exclusively in Gilgit-Baltistan.

SIM cards and data packages are significantly more expensive for foreigners than for locals, and ZONG especially has a large discrepancy. A three-month plan costs about $10 a month for 20 GB of data, but foreigners are currently only able to purchase a “postpaid plan.” If you stay in the country for longer than 30 days, keep in mind that you need to go into a Zong store and pay your bill again or risk your services being shut off. Pakistan also currently requires foreigners to register their devices when using a local SIM for more than 60 days. You’ll likely get a text message about this. Travelers have had their numbers blocked for failure to register, so don’t forget.

10. Weather is variable throughout the country, so when you should visit depends on where you want to go

Pakistan’s mountainous Northern Areas see heavy snow and freezing temperatures come winter. Many major roads and high-altitude passes also become blocked and inaccessible. To see the mountains at their best, your window of opportunity is roughly from April to early November. Cherry blossoms will be in bloom for much of April, and fall colors come out to play in mid- to late October.

The rest of the country, including the Punjab and Sindh provinces, is most pleasant during the opposite time frame, November to April, due to extreme heat in summer. January sees the coolest weather, with temperatures sitting in the 60s-70s Fahrenheit throughout the day and dipping into the 50s at night. Keep in mind that Sindh and Punjab are excessively hot in the summers, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees. It’s still possible to explore such regions then, but don’t count on it being comfortable.

11. Keep multiple copies of your passport with you when traveling from place to place

There are quite a few vehicle checkpoints along the highways in Pakistan, though not so many that it will be too bothersome. The 17-hour drive from Islamabad to Gilgit City will pass through 12 such checkpoints. On long drives such as this, it’s best to give a copy of your passport to the driver before you take off to avoid being woken up during the night. Passport copies are required in other places as well, such as when traveling through Swat Valley or when entering the Chitral district. Though you might not always be stopped — especially if you’re traveling in local transport — it’s always better to have them than not.

12. Be ready to eat delicious Pakistani food

Photo: Naveed Ashraf /Shutterstock

Pakistan is going to earn your praise at the dinner table, guaranteed. Delicious combinations of juicy, flavorful meats and slices of crispy naan (a fluffy, leavened bread) await throughout the country, including many unique specialties depending on the region. Pakistani food is rich and meaty, and distinctly different from that of its neighbor India. When visiting Lahore, paaye (a stew of goat hooves), halwa puri (fluffy bread paired with a sweet confectionary), and chapli kebab (spicy mutton patties) are must-eats. Freshly caught trout is a specialty in the Ghizer District, and Peshawar is known for its one-of-a-kind dumba karahi — a fatty, flavorful dish made with meat from the butt of a sheep.

As great as it may be, food in Pakistan can sometimes affect sensitive stomachs. Activated charcoal is known to be helpful for cases of traveler’s diarrhea, and if things persist past a day or so, antibiotics can be found in the local pharmacies, which are everywhere in the bigger cities.

13. Chai is a way of life — be prepared to get hooked

Perhaps you won’t drown, but you’ll certainly be filled to the brim with the stuff. Pakistanis drink chai — a masala milk tea — constantly throughout the day. Steaming cups are sipped on the street during lunch breaks, at any and all types of meetings, and of course, it is served as an offering to guests. When staying in someone’s home or hotel, it’s very likely chai will be poured before you even sit down. Definitely accept — it would be rude not to.

In certain parts of Northern Pakistan including Chitral and Ghizer, salt is added to tea instead of sugar. This makes for quite a unique pairing, one that locals swear helps them keep warm in cold temperatures.

Small cups of this liquid deliciousness often go for cents in street-side stalls, and it would truly be a rarity to get through a day in the country without drinking any. Even if you find yourself getting sick of it while you’re traveling, don’t be surprised when you find yourself missing Pakistan’s favorite beverage when you leave.

14. Pakistan has a tourist trail, but get off of it for the best experience

Photo: shahsoft /Shutterstock

Most Pakistan itineraries stick to Lahore, Islamabad, and Hunza Valley. Though all such places are beautiful and worth visiting, the country is big — and travel to Pakistan can go much deeper. KPK, which includes the idyllic, lush green forests and the transparent frosty rivers of Swat Valley, is generally safe these days and is regularly referred to as the “Switzerland of Asia.” Unexplored valleys and villages can be found in Upper Chitral, as much of it is now open to foreign tourists.

Moreover, the entirety of Sindh in South Pakistan is often overlooked in favor of the Northern Areas. If time (and boiling temperatures) aren’t an issue, you’ll be met with a myriad of cultures, exquisitely decorated shrines, and centuries-old remains all throughout the province. Pakistan’s Ghizer District is another easy and beautiful way to get “off the beaten track” — the peaceful valleys of Yasin and Phander are home to the bluest of lakes, a peaceful ambiance, and very few (if any) other tourists.

15. Respect the local culture no matter what

Pakistanis are deeply ingrained in tradition, and the country as a whole is a conservative place. While metros like Lahore and Islamabad continue to westernize, the majority of the nation sticks to its roots. As an Islamic Republic, over 97 percent of the country is Muslim. In conservative areas, many women cover up almost fully with long shawls or, in some cases, burqas. Arranged marriages are by far the most common, though this is changing a bit amongst liberal city-dwellers. In certain places, women may not be able to meet with unrelated males. If you’re a foreign guy, don’t take offense to this, it’s simply a cultural norm.

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Pakistan travel guide

Pakistan tourism | pakistan guide, you're going to love pakistan.

A country rich in history and culture waiting to be explored, this is the perfect destination for those looking for an off the beaten path experience.

What to do in Pakistan

1. visit the lahore fort.

A visit to Pakistan must include a visit to Lahore, the second largest city in the country. This is where you can visit the Lahore Fort, which was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. While you're here, check out Badshashi Mosque and the Shalimar Gardens.

2. Go Hiking in Kaghan Valley

Located in the northern part of Pakistan, this alpine valley is a popular attraction for those who want to go hiking, trekking, or are just looking to spend some time in nature.

3. Go Back in Time at Ganish Village

This village was the first settlement on the Silk Road that connected the East to the West. It has been restored and won a UNESCO award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

4. Go for a Tour in the Khewra Salt Mine

This salt mine is the second largest in the world. It is located in the Salt Range on the outside of the Himalaya Mountains, and is famous for the production of pink Himalayan salt.

5. Discover Local Fauna at Hingol National Park

Head to this national park to visit Kund Malir Beach or the Princess of Hope statue, marvel at the mud volcanoes and the canyons and see the tremendous wildlife in the area.

When to visit Pakistan

The best time to visit Pakistan is during the months of May to October when it is warm and dry.

How to Get to Pakistan

Entry requirements.

Citizens of around 10 countries are able to enter Pakistan without a visa. Everyone else will need to apply for a visa prior to arrival, which can be easily done online for 175 countries.

The three main international airports in Pakistan are in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, and the national airline is Pakistan International Airlines, which operates nonstop flights to over 50 destinations.

While travel by train is not the fastest way to get to Pakistan, a train link exists with India where the Shamjhauta Express connects Lahore and Delhi twice a week, and another with Iran where travelers can get to Quetta from Zahedan.

Foreigners wishing to drive to Pakistan can do so from India going through the famous old Silk Road from China by traveling on the Karakoram Highway, and from Afghanistan driving through the Kyber Pass.

Pakistan is connected by bus to India and it is possible to get to Lahore from Delhi either using a direct bus or a combination of local buses. Travel by bus is also available from Kashgar in China and from Zahedan in Iran.

Popular airports in Pakistan

Popular airlines serving pakistan, where to stay in pakistan.

Hotels are available for a variety of budgets throughout the country. Check the room before checking into budget hotels. Lone female travelers should look for mid-range and luxury hotels.

Where to stay in popular areas of Pakistan

Most booked hotels in pakistan, how to get around pakistan, public transportation.

The main channels of public transportation in Pakistan are buses and trains, both of which have a network that covers the country.

Trains in Pakistan offer travel in a variety of classes with different amenities. Keep in mind that timetables are not displayed in English, but sales agents can help you with information.

Travel by bus is a great budget option, and buses go everywhere in the country. Long-distance trips can sometimes take a few days. Between main cities, you can travel with the Daewoo Sammi bus company. For air-conditioned buses, book at least a day in advance.

A very common way of getting around is by rickshaw, which is available everywhere except for Islamabad. Yellow and blue rickshaws are the ones that usually take passengers, and if you plan on using one, you must negotiate a price prior to sitting down.

Domestic flights are available through Shaheen Air International, Airblue, and Pakistan International Airlines. The latter is the only airline that flies to some of the airports in the north, including Skardu, Chitral and Gilgit.

Best car rental deals in Pakistan

4 Adults, 2 Bags

The Cost of Living in Pakistan

Going out for a meal in Pakistan will cost around 250 PKR (1.60 USD) per person for an inexpensive meal, or around 750 PKR (4.80 USD) per person for a mid-range meal. A local bus ticket costs around 30 PKR (0.20 USD). While credit cards are accepted in major hotels and establishments, cash is the most common method of payment in the country.