Entry Requirements
Visas &
Entry
Available to citizens of 50+ countries including USA, UK, EU nations, Canada, Australia, and most Asian countries. Apply online at NADRA's portal — approved within 24–72 hours. Cost: USD 30–75 depending on nationality.
Most TravellersAvailable at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports for eligible nationalities. Bring a hotel confirmation letter and sufficient funds. Processing takes 15–30 minutes. USD 75 fee payable in cash.
Airport OnlyFor nationalities not covered by e-visa. Apply at your nearest Pakistan Embassy. Single-entry tourist visas are typically valid for 30–90 days. Processing time: 5–15 business days. Invite letter from a Pakistani contact helps.
Embassy ApplicationGilgit-Baltistan requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for some areas near borders. Tribal Districts in KPK may require additional permits. We arrange all permits for booked tours.
Mountain RegionsWhat to Bring at Entry
- Valid passport — at least 6 months remaining
- Visa approval letter or e-visa print-out
- Hotel booking confirmation for first night
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds (USD 50–100/day)
- Travel insurance documentation (strongly recommended)
Customs & Imports
Pakistan customs are straightforward for tourists. Key points to note:
- Camera equipment: declare expensive gear to avoid export questions
- Medicines: carry prescriptions for any controlled medication
- Alcohol: importing alcohol is prohibited
- Drones: require advance registration with Civil Aviation Authority
- Satellite phones: require special permit
Travel Safety
Safety in
Pakistan
Punjab (Lahore, Taxila, Rawalpindi)
Very safe for tourists. Lahore in particular is one of South Asia's great tourist cities — welcoming, cosmopolitan, and with excellent infrastructure. Taxila and Rawalpindi are routine tourist destinations. Normal urban awareness applies.
Sindh (Karachi, Mohenjo-daro)
Karachi has improved dramatically since 2013. The tourist circuit — Clifton, heritage buildings, Mohenjo-daro, Makli — is safe with normal precautions. Avoid travelling alone at night in unfamiliar neighbourhoods.
KPK (Peshawar, Swat, Chitral)
Major tourist areas — Swat, Peshawar, Takht-i-Bahi, Chitral — are generally safe and see significant tourist traffic. Check current UK/US/your-government travel advisories. Our guides know current conditions in real time.
Balochistan (Quetta, Gwadar)
Some parts of Balochistan require caution. Tourist routes — Mehrgarh, Ziarat, Quetta — are generally accessible. The Makran Coastal Highway is routinely driven by travellers. We always advise on current conditions before tours in this province.
Gilgit-Baltistan (Hunza, Skardu)
One of the safest and most welcoming regions in Pakistan. Hunza Valley is a well-established tourist destination with infrastructure to match. Mountain safety (altitude, weather) is the primary consideration, not security.
AJK (Murree, Neelum Valley)
Azad Kashmir's tourist hill stations are very safe and see enormous domestic and international tourism. Murree, Neelum Valley, and Rawalkot are standard tourist destinations with good infrastructure.
Getting Around
Transport in
Pakistan
PIA, AirSial, and SereneAir connect Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Skardu, and Gilgit. Skardu flights are spectacular. Book well ahead in summer. Fares: USD 40–120 one way.
Pakistan Railways connects Karachi to Peshawar via Lahore and Rawalpindi. AC Business Class is comfortable and scenic. The Lahore–Rawalpindi route passes Taxila. Book 48 hours ahead. Fares: USD 5–25.
Daewoo and Faisal Movers run premium AC coaches between major cities. Very comfortable, punctual, and affordable. Islamabad–Lahore (4 hrs, USD 10) is a reliable daily service.
The best option for heritage touring. A driver + Toyota Corolla costs USD 60–100/day including fuel. For mountain roads (Hunza, Swat), 4WD is essential. We arrange trusted drivers for all booked tours.
What to Expect to Spend
Budget
Guide
| Category | Budget Traveller | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | USD 8–20 (guesthouse) | USD 35–70 (business hotel) | USD 100–200 (heritage hotel) |
| Food (3 meals) | USD 5–10 (dhabas/local) | USD 15–30 (mid-range restaurants) | USD 40–80 (quality restaurants) |
| Local Transport | USD 3–8 (rickshaws/buses) | USD 15–25 (taxis/Careem) | USD 60–100 (private car/driver) |
| Site Entry Fees | USD 3–8 /day | USD 3–8 /day | USD 3–8 /day (same for all) |
| Guide Service | — | USD 30–60 /day | USD 80–150 /day (expert historian) |
| Daily Total | USD 20–50 | USD 70–140 | USD 200–400+ |
Money & Payments
Pakistan is predominantly cash-based. USD and GBP exchange at all major city airports and exchange bureaus at good rates. ATMs work for Visa and Mastercard in cities.
- Bring USD or GBP cash as backup
- Exchange at banks or official bureaus only
- ATMs unreliable in remote areas — carry enough cash
- Credit cards accepted only at top hotels
Tipping Guide
Tipping is appreciated but not expected everywhere. General norms:
- Tour guides: PKR 500–2000 per day (USD 2–8)
- Drivers: PKR 200–500 per day
- Restaurants: 10% if service was good
- Hotel porters: PKR 100–200 per bag
What to Pack
The Pakistan
Packing List
Clothing Essentials
- Loose, lightweight trousers (not shorts in public)
- Long-sleeved shirts / tops for site visits
- Dupatta / headscarf (women — essential for shrines)
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sandals for indoor spaces and shrine visits
- Fleece or light jacket (evenings cool, north is cold)
- Sun hat or cap for outdoor sites
- Sunglasses (strong UV, especially in GB)
Health & Hygiene
- Prescription medications with documentation
- Imodium / diarrhoea relief (essential)
- Oral rehydration sachets
- High-factor sunscreen (SPF50+)
- Insect repellent (DEET-based)
- Hand sanitiser — carry at all times
- Water purification tablets as backup
- Altitude sickness tablets (for GB — acetazolamide)
Documents & Tech
- Passport + 2 photocopies stored separately
- Visa documents — print and digital copies
- Travel insurance details and 24hr helpline
- Unlocked phone — buy a local SIM at airport
- Power bank — sites don't have charging points
- Multi-plug adapter (Type C/D/G used in Pakistan)
- Camera + extra batteries (no power on-site)
- Offline maps downloaded (Maps.me works in remote areas)
Sample Itineraries
Ready-Made
Itineraries
- Day 1–2: Lahore — Fort, Wazir Khan Mosque, Walled City
- Day 3: Lahore — Shalamar Gardens, Badshahi Mosque
- Day 4: Rohtas Fort day trip from Lahore
- Day 5: Drive to Rawalpindi via GT Road
- Day 6–7: Taxila — Jaulian, Sirkap, Dharmarajika
- Day 1–3: Taxila — full landscape survey
- Day 4: Rawalpindi → Peshawar via GT Road
- Day 5–6: Peshawar Museum, Bala Hisar Fort
- Day 7: Takht-i-Bahi UNESCO site
- Day 8–10: Swat Valley Buddhist sites
- Day 11–12: Chitral — Kalash Valleys
- Day 1–4: Lahore (Fort + Wazir Khan + Shalamar)
- Day 5–7: Taxila UNESCO sites
- Day 8: Rohtas Fort
- Day 9–10: Takht-i-Bahi via Peshawar
- Day 11–13: Fly to Karachi → Mohenjo-daro
- Day 14–15: Makli Necropolis + Thatta
- Day 16–21: Hunza, Baltit Fort, KKH
Health Preparation
Staying Healthy
in Pakistan
Consult your doctor 6–8 weeks before travel. Routine vaccines should be current. Recommended additions: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies (if going to rural areas), Japanese Encephalitis (if going into rural KPK in season).
Never drink tap water in Pakistan. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere (PKR 30–60 per litre). In mountain areas and villages, filtered water from reputable sources is acceptable. Carry rehydration sachets.
Gilgit-Baltistan reaches 3,000–5,000m altitude. Acclimatise properly — don't fly to Skardu (2,200m) and immediately start hiking. Diamox (acetazolamide) prescribed before travel significantly reduces risk.
Islamabad and Lahore have good private hospitals. Karachi has excellent facilities. Agha Khan University Hospital in Karachi is internationally accredited. In rural areas and mountains, facilities are very limited — carry comprehensive medical kit.
Pakistani summers are extreme — Punjab and Sindh reach 45°C+ in June–August. Outdoor site visits should be 06:00–10:00 and 16:00–18:00 only. Wear loose white clothing, drink 3+ litres daily, and carry electrolytes.
Malaria risk exists in rural Balochistan, parts of Sindh, and KPK especially in monsoon season. Dengue fever is present in urban areas in summer. Use DEET-based repellent consistently, sleep under nets in rural areas.
Ready to Go?
We'll Do the Rest.
Tell us your dates, interests, and budget. Our team will build a fully planned Pakistan itinerary — with expert guides, permits, accommodation, and daily logistics all arranged.