Travel to Pakistan

Pakistan in numbers

Why visit Pakistan

The Karakoram, green valleys, Mughal mosques and warm hospitality

Highlights

Hunza, Skardu, Nanga Parbat, Lahore and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A trip to Pakistan usually has two parts: the northern valleys (Hunza, Passu, Skardu) in the warmer months, then the Punjab cities such as Lahore and Islamabad, pleasanter from autumn to spring. Here are the stops that make people dream.

Hunza and Passu, the Karakoram on display

The Hunza Valley unfolds orchards and the forts of Baltit and Altit beneath the snows of Rakaposhi; in late October and November the poplars and apricot trees turn gold and red. Farther north, the Passu Cones raise their rock spires above the Karakoram Highway, facing a glacier.

Skardu, turquoise lakes and trek base

Skardu sits in a broad valley of Gilgit-Baltistan, between turquoise lakes, cold sand dunes and peaks. It is also the base for expeditions to K2 and the great glaciers; outside the trekking season, people come for mirror-like reflections and gentle spring weather.

Nanga Parbat, a giant at sunrise

Nanga Parbat stands above 8,000 m and is best admired from the meadows of Fairy Meadows, reached on foot after a mountain road. At sunrise its ice faces glow pink and orange.

Lahore, the cultural capital

Lahore is the city of the Mughals: the Badshahi Mosque, the fort, Wazir Khan Mosque, an old city with historic gates and food streets where tables fill late. It is also home to Pakistani cinema and an Orange Line metro opened in 2020. Allow two or three days.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lakes and valleys

In the northwest, valleys such as Swat, alpine lakes and the bazaars of Peshawar show a greener, less visited side of the country. Roads can be long, so keep the schedule flexible.

Before you go

April to October for the north, October to March for the cities

Area	Climate	Best time
Hunza, Passu and Skardu	Cool high valleys, snow in winter, apricot blossom in spring.	April to October; autumn for colour
Lahore and Islamabad	Very hot summers, mild sunny winters.	October to March
Karachi and the coast	Warm all year, tempered by the sea.	November to February
Peshawar and Swat	Green valleys in summer, cool winters.	April to October

Road and flight conditions in the north depend on the weather, so build in spare days. Entry rules vary by nationality; check your own government's official travel information before fixing your dates. Watch fares so you can match the trip to the good season.

Getting around

Motorways, the Karakoram Highway, trains and domestic flights

A motorway links Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, and ride-hailing apps make city trips easy. Northward, the Karakoram Highway leads to the Gilgit and Hunza valleys; a local driver knows the passes and the timings that matter.

Pakistan Railways covers much of the country, and domestic flights serve Gilgit and Skardu when the weather allows. Keep your calendar flexible: distances are long and mountain roads slow.

Food and culture

Biryani, nihari, milk tea and painted trucks

Pakistani cooking is generous: fragrant biryani, slow-cooked nihari, karahi, seekh kebabs, naan fresh from the oven and cold lassi. At breakfast halwa puri comes with spiced milk tea; for dessert, frozen kulfi.

Culture shows in painted truck art, qawwali music and cricket, the most followed sport. Modest dress is expected in places of worship and outside big cities.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Pakistan