Pakistan Travel Guide – Is Pakistan Safe for Tourists?
What are your first thoughts on “Pakistan Travel”?
I’ve traveled to Pakistan and I can tell you the visit changed any preconceived notions I had. The Pakistan I visited was not the Pakistan I saw on TV or read of in the news.
There is so much to this country and seeing it for myself was amazing.
It’s a longer video, but in the recommendations below there are time stamps to check out for specific references 😉
Concerned about what you know of Pakistan?
Pakistan has received a lot of coverage in media over the past many years, very little of it positive. What most haven’t seen, is the government is making efforts to improve security and bring back tourists to Pakistan.
Before planning your trip, be aware that some western governments discourage unnecessary travel to Pakistan and have issued travel advisory warnings. You can find the UK warnings here and USA warnings here.
Side note: I was aware of these warnings before leaving but found them to be over-cautious. In fact, one of the cities mentioned in the UK advisory, Chitral, was a place I visited and learned there had been 0 incidents of crime in the city over the past two years.
How can you get to Pakistan?
First off, get a visa!
The Pakistan government is keen on promoting tourism. They have recently introduced policies that grant visas on arrival to nationals of 25 countries, and e-visa facilities for another 175 countries.
The catch? You must be part of a tour group that is organized by IATA registered local tour operators. Visa fees for different countries can be found here. You can see requirements for visa application here.
The main Pakistan airports (Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore) are on the international air routes and you won’t have a problem getting there.
Best option? Find yourself a tour operator
The Ministry of Interior in Pakistan has published a list of designated tour operators on its website. You can also find other reliable ones through a simple Google search. Some of the highly rated ones are Falcon Club, Zeb Travels, Askari Travels, Adventure Travels, Paramount Adventure Club, Alpha Adventure Club and Royal’s Adventure Club.
These tour operators will handle everything for you: visas, ticketing, room and travel… So you can just focus on enjoying the trip!
Side note: Though titled adventure clubs, these tour operators are happy to arrange tours specific to your travel style and preferred activities for your Pakistan trip!
Where to stay
All tour operators will arrange accommodation and appropriate transport.
There is a wide range of options available: high-end hotels, clean and comfortable motels, no-frills hostels and even tents in the middle of no-where. The general rule of the thumb is the further north you go, the more basic your room gets.
The mode of transport depends on latitude too! Start off with a fancy SUV or van on metalled roads, then switch to souped up Jeeps on rugged terrain. You may even end up on the back of a horse or a yak to cross glaciers.
However, if you’re venturing out on your own, do research. Some towns have proper hotels while others have rougher accommodation.
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation owns and runs motels throughout Pakistan which are clean and safe. In case the PTDC does not own property in a certain area, it’ll be happy to guide tourists to the best accommodation and facilitate reservations and transport.
You can always find something on AirBnB and Booking.com too.
Getting around:
You can use apps like Uber and Careem in the cities and bigger towns. For the remote areas, it’s advisable to hire a vehicle with a local driver.
Know that certain areas may be no-go areas to foreigners. These are military cantonments or sensitive in some other way. Locals are always a good source of information in such cases and will be happy to help tourists.
English is widely understood and spoken in Pakistan, so communication will not be a problem.
Best time to visit
Travelling to Pakistan will pose a conundrum.
Do you go there in the summer, when you can travel to the mountains, but the plains will be quite hot? Or visit in the winter when the flatlands are cool, but the mountainous regions are cut off from road and air travel?
Maybe try for the spring or autumn. The north will be cold but accessible, and the south will be cool enough to enjoy the visit rather than feel like you’ve been put in the tandoor (that’s a local clay oven) every time you step out of a building!
Head north for mountains and adventure
For mountain lovers, the northern areas of Pakistan are the perfect destination. Three of the mightiest mountain ranges, the Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayas, run through the region.
Side note: A tiny, non-descript village called Jaglot is the meeting point of the ranges. It has 40 of the 50 highest mountain peaks in the world!!
K2 and Nanga Parbat are mountaineers’ delights. There is a thriving scene at the base camp of the K2 where climbers of different nationalities pit their skills against nature. Fairy Meadows serves as the base camp for one of Nanga Parbat’s mountain faces.
Fun fact: Literally translated, Nanga Parbat means “Naked Spirit”
Travel to Hunza and Gilgit in spring to see the cherry and apricot trees in bloom. Spend a week in summer hiking through the towns and hamlets around Naran and Kaghan
You may need to learn how to use a squat toilet when going off-grid – check this hilarious DIY toilet seat…
Visit Shandur, the highest polo ground in the world
At 3,700m you can watch teams from Chitral and Gilgit play the freestyle mountain version of Polo. With the only rule being there are no rules, this version is definitely not for the fainthearted! Not being close to any village or town, a camping village is set up for the two-day match. See the ground firsthand in my video at timestamp 9:50.
Attend festivals in Kalash Valley
These Pakistan festivals celebrate Spring and the harvest in Summer with the local tribes. Since the Kalash people practice their traditional religion, the ceremonies and dances are unique to the region. These festivals attract a large number of local and international tourists every year.
You can always double the adventure by camping on the shore of beautiful lakes or on Deosai Plains, the second highest plains in the world.
Drive along the spectacular Karakoram Highway
The highest paved road in the world! It also has the distinction of crossing the Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalayas. The road ends at the Khunjerab Pass on the border between China and Pakistan.
Side note: Bikepacking groups are a common sight on mountainous roads, making light of the thin air and rugged terrain!
Soak in some history
For history buffs, Pakistan holds plenty of charm.
As the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, Pakistan is home to some of the oldest ruins in the world. Moenjodaro in Sindh, and Harappa in Punjab date back to 2500 BC and touring them is fascinating.
Makli and Chaukandi in Sindh are necropolises from the 14th – 18th centuries. A short drive out of Karachi, they make for a perfect half-day trip.
There are many buildings dating back to the Mughal Empire dotted around Sindh and Punjab, but a visit to Lahore should cover the major attractions. A stroll around the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque and Shalimar Gardens are testimonials to the grandeur of the Mughal empire and its style of architecture.
Some of the historical sites like Taxila, Nankana Saheb and the Katas Raj Temples among others are important for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs and religious tourism is big when it comes to Pakistan travel.
Go wildlife watching
Pakistan has diverse fauna. Wildlife enthusiasts book tours to the mountains to catch sight of the elusive snow leopard, Markhor and Ibex in their natural habitats. The last filming of the rare wooly flying squirrel was around the Nanga Parbat!
In cooler weather, the lakes in Sindh are home to migratory birds that fly south from Siberia and are a treat for bird watchers from around the world.
Reel in a catch
Fishing in the Arabian Sea is becoming popular among foreign tourists.
For those inclined towards the deep sea, excursions are arranged off the coat of Karachi where anglers are known to catch tuna, marlin and other large fish.
To the north, fishing for trout as large as 25 kg is possible in certain rivers and lakes and there are special tours arranged for trout fishers!
Side note: During the summer monsoon season, deep sea fishing is not allowed, so you could always opt for an overnight mangrove fishing expedition and camp on one of the off-shore islands.
Spend a day at the beach
Pakistan’s coastline is beautiful and un-spoilt away from the urban areas. If you have a day to spare, spend some time by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea and maybe even camp for the night on the beach! The weather along the coast is perfect for a barbecue lunch and dinner around a bonfire.
Food, food and more food
Pakistani cuisine is as varied as the landscape.
To the south, you’ll find curries hot enough to set your mouth on fire and traditional desserts sweet enough to make your teeth hurt. Food served in the mountains comprises of mildly spiced meat, homemade cheese, fresh fruit and nuts.
If you’re in the urban cities of Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad you’ll find a variety of food to satisfy the foodie in you!
Karachi’s Burn’s Road
Famous for local food served in street-side shops. Among the city’s specialties is Zahid’s nihari, a thick, spicy stew eaten with naan fresh out of the tandoor oven.
Head to Zamzama Street and surrounding areas for upscale eateries serving French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine or try authentic Pakistani street food away from the crowded streets in cafes like Mirchi and Chatkharay. For a caffeine hit, head to any of the hip coffee shops dotting the city.
Lahore takes food seriously
And it shows with the many food streets in the city! MM Alam Road will have upscale restaurants that cater to international tastes while Fort Road Food Street is more local and a must-see. A pedestrian street in the former red-light district of the city, it has been recently renovated to reflect the Mughal heritage of Lahore. With food options like local barbecued meat, batter fried fish and lassi (a yogurt-based drink), the food and the atmosphere here are magical! A nighttime visit to Cuckoo’s Den, a roof-top restaurant overlooking the Badshahi Mosque is a must!
If you’re passing through Peshawer
Eat unforgettable meat dishes. Try the chapli kebabs there. Your tastebuds will be thanking you!
While in Pakistan, you must eat biryani, a meat and rice dish cooked to varying degrees of spiciness. Every city has its take on the dish so try it everywhere! You’ll also have standard fast food chain options like McDonald’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC and the like readily accessible for the days you’re feeling less adventurous.
What to take with you
It’s a good idea to keep plenty of photocopies of your passport with you. They’re needed for ID purposes at security checkpoints when travelling around Pakistan.
Pakistan is a country of varied climate so pack clothes according to where you’re travelling. For the mountainous areas, it’s a good idea to pack warm clothes and loose, light clothing for southern parts of the country.
As for anywhere, do a quick search on Google for average temperature of the places you’ll be travelling to before deciding what to pack.
Pakistan is fairly conservative…
…so beachwear may not be the best idea even if you’re planning to visit the coastal areas. Females, wrap up!
Side note: “Traveler’s tummy” is real for any traveller and you definitely want to be carrying some stomach medication in your luggage (as you would when
I’m female and I want to visit Pakistan…
If you are a western female traveller, be aware that many Pakistani men don’t see too many women like you, and many don’t communicate with many women at all. This is geared more towards the rural areas vs the big cities.
The lack of females outdoors is obvious. When passing through more rural and conservative areas, wrap up and don’t be chatty or give too much attention to local men. It can come across the wrong way leaving them to believe you want to be with them forever.
I shared this video on Facebook and quickly discovered that any of my female friends or fans commented on the post saying they liked the video, or the look of Pakistan, or said they wanted to go, etc… They’d instantly receive many friend requests (some hundreds of requests) from Pakistani men and multiple messages trying to meet up. After travelling through and seeing how segregated Males and Females are in some areas, this did not surprise me and I feel it needs to be mentioned here. Don’t be afraid, just cautious, and aware, as you should be where you visit.
If you are female wanting to travel Pakistan, take a look at Eva Zubek & Girl with the green Passport as they have many great resources for you.
Is Pakistan Safe For Tourists?
In my opinion, (note, just my opinion) YES.
I felt completely safe the entire time I was in Pakistan. I felt safer there than I have in other countries. But in saying that, we had at least security guard with an AK47 in hand at all times while on our tour.
Pakistan has had a rough past in recent times. It is still in conflict in certain areas which us foreigners cannot enter. So it is entirely up to you if you choose to go and visit.
I highly encourage friends, family, and my readers to go and visit. Though my suggestion is that if it’s your first time visiting, or if you are a solo female traveller, I would start by taking a guided tour. You will quickly learn the ropes and will feel a lot
Have you been to Pakistan? Want to go? Did I miss anything in the guide you would like me to put in?
Let me know in the comments below!
More Reading & Resources:
- Additional travel guides, locations, tips and tricks
- Travel ideas
- How I Earn A Living While Traveling Full-Time
- My camera and gear list
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