Travelling to Pakistan: what you need to know

Visa for Pakistan

Most nationalities need a visa and apply online through the Pakistan Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Choose the tourist visa, upload your passport scan, photo and travel plan, and pay the fee online. Fees and processing times depend on your nationality.

The free "Visa Prior to Arrival" scheme that many countries used in 2024 and 2025 is no longer offered, so plan for the standard e-visa. Processing can take from a few days to a few weeks: apply at least four weeks before you fly.

Once your tour is confirmed we send you a day-by-day itinerary and hotel confirmations for your application. Always check the official portal or your nearest Pakistani embassy for the latest rules for your passport.

• Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date
• Print your visa grant letter and carry it with your passport
• Keep several photocopies of your passport and visa for police checkpoints in the mountains

Flights and arriving in Islamabad

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) is the gateway to the north. Most visitors connect through Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul, which have several flights a day to Islamabad.

We meet every guest at ISB arrivals with a name sign and take you to your hotel. From Islamabad, short domestic flights reach Gilgit and Skardu in about an hour. These mountain flights only operate in clear weather, so every itinerary has a road plan ready if a flight is cancelled.

Money, ATMs and cards

The currency is the Pakistani rupee (PKR). Your tour is priced and paid in US dollars, so you only need cash for meals not included, shopping and tips.

ATMs that accept Visa and Mastercard work in Islamabad, Gilgit, Hunza (Aliabad and Karimabad) and Skardu, but they can be offline or empty, so do not rely on them alone. Bring some US dollars, euros or pounds in clean, recent notes and change them at a licensed exchange in Islamabad. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and a few shops only.

SIM cards and internet

You can buy a Pakistani SIM with your passport at an official operator shop in Islamabad; registration is biometric and takes a few minutes. We help you with this on arrival day.

SCOM has the widest coverage in Gilgit-Baltistan, while Zong, Jazz and Telenor work in the main towns. Mobile data is slower than you may be used to and there is no signal on most treks and on the Deosai plateau. Most hotels have Wi-Fi, but expect it to be patchy in remote valleys.

What to wear and pack

Pakistan is a conservative country, and loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful everywhere. Women do not need to cover their hair in Hunza or Skardu, but a light scarf is useful for mosques and villages. Men should avoid shorts outside the hotel.

Mountain weather changes quickly. Even in July, evenings in Hunza and Skardu are cool and the Khunjerab Pass and Deosai can be close to freezing.

• Warm layers: fleece and a down or insulated jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes, plus trekking boots for treks
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
• Power bank and plug adapter (230 V, type C and D sockets)
• Any personal medicines, with a copy of the prescription

Altitude and health

Karimabad in Hunza is at about 2,500 m and Skardu at about 2,230 m, which most people find comfortable. Higher points such as Deosai (about 4,100 m), the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) and K2 Base Camp (about 5,000 m) need more care.

Our itineraries climb gradually and visit the highest points as day trips where possible. Drink plenty of water, avoid hard exercise on your first day up high and tell your guide straight away about headaches, nausea or dizziness. The cure for altitude sickness is going down, and we always have a vehicle ready to do that.

Drink bottled or filtered water only. Ask your doctor about vaccinations before you travel; visitors staying longer than four weeks may be asked for proof of polio vaccination when leaving Pakistan. Travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation is required on all our tours.

Local customs

• Ask before photographing people, and do not photograph women without clear permission
• Greet people with a smile and "Assalam o Alaikum"; a handshake between men is normal, but wait for a woman to offer her hand
• Alcohol is not sold openly; please do not drink in public
• During Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking in public during daylight; restaurants in hotels stay open for guests
• Remove your shoes when entering homes and mosques

Time zone, electricity and practical details

• Pakistan time is UTC+5 all year, with no daylight saving
• Electricity is 230 V with type C and D sockets; short power cuts are common, and most hotels have backup power
• Tipping is appreciated: drivers and guides usually receive around USD 5–10 per day from the group
• Friday afternoon is the main prayer time and some shops close for an hour or two