The practical side of a trip to Pakistan, from visas to what to pack. For quick answers, see the FAQ.
Always check official sources for current visa and entry rules before you travel.
Most visitors need a visa to enter Pakistan. Rules change from time to time, so always check the official sources before you book flights.
Pakistan offers an online e-visa for many nationalities. Check the official government visa portal for current eligibility, requirements and processing times before you travel.
Some visa categories ask for a tour itinerary or a letter from a tour operator. We can provide an itinerary and supporting documents for your booked tour on request.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Carry printed copies of your passport and visa; police checkpoints are common on the roads in the north.
Some border and mountain areas need special permits, including several trekking regions. Where a permit is part of your tour, we arrange it for you.
Islamabad is the usual starting point for northern tours; Lahore and Karachi are the gateways for Punjab and Sindh.
Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi all have international airports with connections through the Gulf, Turkey and other hubs.
Flights to Skardu and Gilgit save a long drive but depend on the weather. Summer flights are more reliable, and our air itineraries have a backup road plan.
Most roads are paved but can be narrow or under repair, and mountain routes may close after heavy rain or snow. We use 4x4 jeeps where conditions require them.
Pakistan stretches from the Arabian Sea to the Karakoram, so the best season depends on where you are going.
May to October is the main season for Gilgit-Baltistan and the Kaghan, Swat and Chitral valleys. June to September is best for high treks, and September–October brings autumn colours and clear skies.
October to March is the most comfortable time for city and heritage tours. Summers in the plains are very hot, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from around July.
Festival dates such as the Kalash Chilam Joshi in spring are confirmed each year. Ask us for this year’s dates before you book.
Pakistani rupees (PKR) are the currency you will use day to day.
ATMs are available in cities and larger towns such as Skardu, Mingora and Kalam, but are limited or absent in remote valleys, so carry enough cash for the trip.
Cards are accepted at larger hotels, restaurants and shops in the cities, but rarely in smaller towns and markets.
Tips for guides, drivers and trekking staff are not included in tour prices. They are appreciated, and your guide can advise on what is customary.
Mobile coverage is good in the cities and patchy in the mountains.
A local SIM card is the easiest way to stay connected; a passport is needed to register one. In Gilgit-Baltistan, SCOM generally has the best coverage.
Major towns have 4G, but places such as Deosai, the Kalash Valleys and the trekking routes may have weak or no signal. On treks, the team carries a satellite phone or VHF radio for emergencies.
Most hotels have Wi-Fi, but it can be slow in the mountains.
A few sensible precautions go a long way.
Speak with your doctor about vaccinations and, if you are concerned, altitude medication. Bring personal medication and a small first-aid kit. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, and is essential for treks.
Drink bottled or boiled water and eat freshly cooked food. Malaria and dengue present a low risk; insect repellent is a good idea.
Several routes go above 3,000 m. Itineraries build in gradual ascent, but tell your guide straight away if you have a headache, nausea or breathlessness.
Gilgit-Baltistan is regarded as one of the most secure areas of Pakistan, and Islamabad is also secure. Follow your guide’s advice, and check your own government’s current travel advice before booking.
Pack for a wide range of temperatures, especially on mountain tours.
Layers are essential: a warm fleece or down jacket for the mountains even in summer, a waterproof shell, and loose, modest clothing for cities and villages. Women may want a scarf for visiting mosques and shrines.
Comfortable walking shoes for city tours; broken-in hiking boots for treks and meadow walks.
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, a reusable water bottle, a power bank and a universal plug adapter. Trekkers should bring their own sleeping bag and personal gear unless told otherwise.
Pakistanis are famously hospitable. Respecting local customs makes the welcome even warmer.
Dress modestly, especially in villages and at religious sites: shoulders and knees covered for everyone. Remove your shoes before entering mosques, shrines and gurdwaras.
Always ask before photographing people, especially women. Avoid photographing military sites, checkpoints and airports.
Some rituals are sacred. Avoid touching ritual objects or entering sacred spaces without your guide, and follow your guide’s instructions at festivals such as those in the Kalash Valleys.
During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Opening times of some sites and restaurants may change.