Planning Your First Trip to Pakistan

How our trips are structured

Nearly every programme starts and ends at Islamabad International Airport. The first day is an arrival with a city tour or rest; the next day or two move you north, either on a domestic flight to Skardu or Gilgit when the weather allows, or by road along the Karakoram Highway.

The mountain part of the trip follows, and the last days bring you back to Islamabad with time in hand in case flights or roads are delayed. The exceptions are the Indus civilisation tour, which starts in Karachi, and the camel safari, which starts in Bahawalpur.

Decide three things first

• Region: Baltistan (Skardu, K2, Hushe, Deosai), Hunza and Nagar, the Nanga Parbat side, or Chitral and the Kalash valleys.
• Style: a tour with hotel nights, a trek with nights in tents, an expedition, a safari, a bike tour or a heritage tour.
• Season: most mountain trips run between May and October; desert and heritage trips suit the cooler months.

Every published programme at a glance

Things to check before you commit

• Entry requirements and the online visa process on the official Pakistan Online Visa System.
• Your own government's current travel advice for Pakistan and the regions on your route.
• Travel insurance that covers the activities and altitudes you plan; rescue fees are excluded from our programmes.