South Asia
Pakistan
K2 Basecamp and the Karakoram. Hunza Valley and the Karakoram Highway.
Plan it right
Before you book the flight
Quick checks that decide whether a Pakistan trip actually works on your dates.
Find it on the map
Open Pakistan in Google Maps and drop a pin on your base before you lose signal.
Open in Google MapsCheck the visa policy
Rules for Pakistan change with your nationality and current advisories. Confirm before booking anything.
Read entry rulesGet help with a visa
A reputable visa service can handle paperwork and invitation letters if you'd rather not deal with the consulate.
Compare services- 1 EUR ≈ 317.8 PKR
- 1 USD ≈ 278.2 PKR
- 1 GBP ≈ 373.0 PKR
Exchange Rates Updated Daily. Last updated on 11/Jul/2026.
Big Mac® benchmark: approx. 1080 PKR
Checked: January 2026. Prices vary by city and branch.
Approximate McDonald's Big Mac® price where available. Prices vary by city, branch, tax, delivery channel, and date checked. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's.
Source: The Economist Big Mac Index country-level data
Country-level Big Mac price from The Economist Big Mac Index
Prices Researched at May 2026
Where to stay
8+ rated stays near Pakistan
Booking.com opens filtered to an 8+ guest score so you can compare photos, prices and recent reviews before choosing a base.
When to go
Best: Mar-Apr; Oct-Nov. Shoulder seasons suit most lowland/cultural routes; mountain trekking differs and favours summer after snowmelt.
Avoid: Jun-Aug heat/monsoon in lowlands; Dec-Feb cold north
Why it is difficult
Status, May 2026: Politically tense, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces face TTP and Baloch separatist attacks; northern Gilgit-Baltistan (Hunza, Skardu, K2 region) is among the safest parts of the country; Punjab and Sindh urban areas (Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi) functional. Foreign tourist numbers have grown since 2017 but a separate NOC (no-objection certificate) is needed for parts of GB and Balochistan.
Why it is worth visiting
K2 Basecamp and the Karakoram. Hunza Valley and the Karakoram Highway. Lahore - the cultural capital, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Anarkali bazaar, Wagah border ceremony. Mohenjo-Daro. Mughal heritage. Some of the most genuinely hospitable people on the planet.
Practical travel notes
Currency: Pakistani rupee. ATMs work in cities for Visa/Mastercard, less reliable in GB. SIM: Jazz or Telenor - passport registration required (foreigners pay slightly more and must use the airport kiosk). NOCs: required for parts of GB (e.g. Shimshal, Ghizer) and most of Balochistan and former-FATA. Your tour operator handles. Photography: never at security checkpoints or military convoys.
Access and logistics
Islamabad (ISB): Emirates, Qatar, Turkish, Etihad, Saudia, PIA, Air Arabia. Etihad and Qatar from US/UK. Lahore (LHE) and Karachi (KHI): similar long-haul carriers. Overland: Wagah border with India (Amritsar-Lahore, working but politically sensitive). China (Khunjerab Pass via Karakoram Highway, see below). Iran (Mirjaveh-Taftan, security caveats in Balochistan). Karakoram Highway crossing China -> Pakistan (April 2026 archive) Kashgar -> Tashkurgan: free permit required in Kashgar at the Financial Service Center (10:30-13:30 and 16:00-18:00). Shared taxis CNY 120/person, ~5 hours, four checkpoints. Tashkurgan -> Sost (Pakistan): one bus per day, CNY 225, ~7-8 hours total. The bus arrives at Chinese customs around 13:30 after a 2.5-hour wait; expect police to visit your Tashkurgan hotel for a passport check the night before. Pakistan side: USD 30 or PKR 8,400 national park fee at Khunjerab. Bring cash. Tip from the archive: cross China -> Pakistan rather than the reverse - Pakistan side has the better views. North Hunza Valley - Karimabad, Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones. Multi-day base. Skardu and Shigar - gateway for K2, Concordia, Snow Lake. Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat base camp - 4-day trek. Punjab and Sindh Lahore - Badshahi, Wazir Khan, Lahore Fort, Anarkali, Wagah ceremony at sunset. Islamabad - Faisal Mosque, Margalla Hills, Daman-e-Koh. Karachi - Mohatta Palace, Empress Market, Mazar-e-Quaid. Mohenjo-Daro - fly to Larkana via Karachi.
Safety considerations
Treat security as the core planning constraint. Avoid improvising routes, keep a conservative schedule, and re-check local conditions immediately before travel.
Visa or permit notes
E-visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk - 30-day tourist visa, USD 60, for ~190 nationalities. Process: 7-10 days. Visa-on-arrival for selected nationalities including UK, US, Australia, Canada (50+ countries) at major airports. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow fever country. Trek operators (from the archive) Shahid Mehdi - recommended privately for K2 trek logistics. Adventure Tours Pakistan (Naveed Akhtar), Hunza Guides, and Karakoram Magic Tours all run scheduled K2 expeditions May-September.
On the ground
10 practical tips
The decisions that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.
Choose the strongest season
Use Mar-Apr; Oct-Nov as the first planning window for Pakistan, then check weather, access and local conditions again before booking.
Avoid the hardest months
Be cautious about Jun-Aug heat/monsoon in lowlands; Dec-Feb cold north, because the wrong season can make transport, outdoor access and backup plans much harder.
Confirm entry rules first
Verify current entry rules through official channels before booking; recent planning notes suggest E-visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk - 30-day tourist visa, USD 60, for ~190 nationalities, but this should not be treated as final.
Plan the access route
Build the itinerary around the real access route: Islamabad (ISB): Emirates, Qatar, Turkish, Etihad, Saudia, PIA, Air Arabia.
Re-check security conditions
Check provincial and border-area advice before booking Pakistan, because mountain regions, permits and security escorts can change the route.
Plan cash and payments
Carry a realistic payment backup for Pakistan, especially for drivers, small hotels, local fees and situations where cards or ATMs may not work reliably.
Secure scarce accommodation
Book the first night and trusted transfers before arrival in Pakistan, then avoid relying on last-minute local arrangements in sensitive areas.
Use local support selectively
Shortlist a reputable local operator for Pakistan before departure, then confirm route, permissions, security expectations, inclusions and cancellation terms in writing.
Build in buffer days
Treat 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints as a planning range for Pakistan, but add buffer time if the route depends on flights, boats, permits, road conditions or security checks.
Decide if the trade-off fits
Choose Pakistan for K2 Basecamp and the Karakoram. Hunza Valley and the Karakoram Highway, but only if you are comfortable with the main trade-offs: political instability, health or safety concerns, difficult permits.
Good to know
Pakistan FAQ
Honest answers, including the ones that might change your plans.
Can tourists visit Pakistan?
Tourism may be possible in parts of Pakistan, but conditions can change quickly. Check current government travel advisories, embassy guidance, local contacts, and recent traveller reports before booking.
What visa do you need for Pakistan?
Visa and permit rules vary by nationality and can change without much notice. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm current requirements with official government, embassy, or consulate sources.
What is the best time to visit Pakistan?
The usual planning window is Mar-Apr; Oct-Nov. Weather, access, holidays, security conditions, and transport schedules can still affect the final route.
How long do you need for Pakistan?
A realistic first plan is 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints. Add buffer days for permits, route changes, weather delays, and unreliable transport.