Pakistan

Pakistan holds five of the world's fourteen highest peaks, including K2, along with the Karakoram Highway, Mughal cities and a famously warm welcome. The north is a landscape of glaciers, apricot orchards and tall mountains. Lahore adds food, mosques and old bazaars.

Why it is on my list

The Hunza Valley and some of the biggest mountains on the planet. Travelers who have been tend to talk about the hospitality as much as the scenery, which makes it more compelling.

Best time to go

• May to September: the main season in the north, with open passes and green valleys.

• Late April: apricot blossom in Hunza.

• October: autumn color in Hunza and cooler air in the south.

• November to March: the best time for Lahore, Islamabad and the south. The mountains are snowbound.

Where to stay

• Karimabad (Hunza): the main base with views of Rakaposhi and Baltit Fort.

• Skardu: the gateway to K2 treks, Deosai and Shangrila.

• Islamabad: calm and green, with the best hotels and services.

• Lahore: old city guesthouses and heritage hotels near the Walled City.

• Serena Hotels: a well known Pakistani chain with properties in Hunza, Lahore and other cities.

Getting there and around

• Airports: Islamabad (ISB), Lahore (LHE) and Karachi (KHI).

• From the US: usually one stop via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or London.

• Internal: domestic flights to Gilgit and Skardu are weather dependent. Many travelers drive the Karakoram Highway.

• Permits: some areas need permits or a registered operator. Check current rules.

• Visa: e-visas are available for many nationalities. Check current rules.

What to eat

• Nihari: slow cooked beef stew, eaten at breakfast.

• Biryani: fragrant spiced rice with meat.

• Chapli kebab: spiced patties from Peshawar.

• Chapshuro: a Hunza meat pie.

• Hunza walnut cake: local, dense and not too sweet.

What to drink

• Chai: sweet, milky tea served throughout the day.

• Noon chai: pink salted tea from Kashmir.

• Lassi: thick yogurt drink, sweet or salty.

• Apricot juice: made from Hunza's famous apricots.

• Note: alcohol is restricted. Plan on a dry trip.

Don't miss

• Karakoram Highway: one of the highest paved roads in the world.

• Hunza Valley: Baltit and Altit forts and the Passu Cones.

• Attabad Lake: turquoise water formed by a landslide.

• Fairy Meadows: a classic view of Nanga Parbat.

• Deosai National Park: the high plateau known as the Land of Giants.

• Lahore Walled City: Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort.

• Wagah border ceremony: a daily military ritual at the India border.

Day trips and side trips

• Khunjerab Pass: the border with China, seasonal.

• Skardu: Shangrila Lake and Shigar Fort.

• Taxila: Gandhara ruins near Islamabad.

• Naltar Valley: colored lakes near Gilgit.

Festivals and events

• Shandur Polo Festival: polo on the highest ground in the world, usually in July.

• Chilam Joshi: the spring festival of the Kalash, usually in May.

• Basant: the Lahore kite festival, with restrictions. Check whether it is allowed.

Music and dance

• Qawwali: Sufi devotional music, best heard at shrines.

• Coke Studio Pakistan: a modern showcase of folk and fusion.

• Hunza folk music: drums and flutes at local celebrations.

Nightlife

Nightlife is not a bar scene. Evenings revolve around tea houses, late dinners and food streets.

• When people go out: dinner after 9, tea and dessert after midnight in cities.

• Where the action is: Food Street in Lahore and Fort Road, and Islamabad's Monal restaurant on the hill.

• Good to know: alcohol is limited, and public behavior is conservative. Dress modestly.

Photography spots

• Passu Cones: sunrise over jagged peaks.

• Baltit Fort: the rooftop view of the valley.

• Fairy Meadows: Nanga Parbat in the morning.

• Badshahi Mosque: red sandstone at golden hour.

• Drones: permits are required, and restrictions apply near sensitive areas. Check before packing one.

Cost of living

• Overall: $ versus New York.

• Coffee: $1 to $3.

• Local lunch: $2 to $5.

• Dinner for two: $10 to $25.

• Beer: not widely available.

• Mid range hotel: $40 to $100 per night.

• Daily budget: $40 to $90, more with a guide and private vehicle.

It is one of the cheapest places to travel. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

• Wi-Fi: fine in cities, spotty in the mountains.

• Coworking: spaces in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

• Time zone: 9 hours ahead of US Eastern in summer, 10 in winter.

• Longer stays: visa extensions are possible but complex. Check current rules.

• Nomad rating: 2/5.

Good to know

• Language: Urdu and English. English is common in cities and in tourism.

• Currency: Pakistani rupee. Cash is preferred outside big cities.

• Plugs: types C, D and G, 230V.

• Entry for US citizens: a visa is required, available online. Check current rules.

• Getting around apps: Careem, Uber and inDrive in major cities.

• Tipping: 10 percent in restaurants. Tip guides and drivers.

• Water: drink bottled.

• SIM/eSIM: tourist SIMs are available at the airport. Registration is needed.

Useful phrases

• Assalam o alaikum: hello.

• Shukriya: thank you.

• Meherbani: please, or kindly.

• Khuda hafiz: goodbye.

Meeting people

• Social scene: very hospitable. Strangers often invite you for tea.

• Apps: travel groups and Couchsurfing communities help more than dating apps.

• Etiquette: dress modestly, and use your right hand for eating and giving. Women should carry a scarf.

• Stay smart: ask before photographing women and be polite about religion and politics.

Staying safe

• Advisory: the US State Department lists Pakistan at a high advisory level, with higher levels for some regions. Read the current advisory and register with the embassy program.

• Regions: areas along the Afghan border and parts of Balochistan are off limits for most travelers. The northern tourist routes see far fewer incidents, but conditions change.

• Operators: use reputable local operators for the north and trekking.

• Roads: mountain roads are risky in monsoon season. Allow buffer days.