Travel to Pakistan — everything you need to know
When to go to Pakistan?
- Apr–Jun — Ideal spring : Before the monsoons: perfect weather for the north (Hunza, Gilgit), open passes on the Karakoram Highway, pleasant temperatures in Lahore.
- Sep–Nov — Golden autumn : After the monsoon, the north reveals spectacular autumn colours on the poplars of the Hunza Valley — a magical time for photography.
- Jul–Aug — Monsoon : Heavy rain in the north-east, dangerous mountain roads. Lahore and Karachi very hot and humid. Best avoided except for the desert south (Balochistan).
Weather in Pakistan
Check the weather city by city, starting with Islamabad.
- Islamabad: daytime highs from 17 to 36 °C depending on the season, 105 mm of rain per month on average.
- Lahore: daytime highs from 18 to 39 °C depending on the season, 56 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Pakistan?
Pakistan is one of the great secrets of world tourism, unfairly shunned by travellers due to a poor security reputation. Yet it is home to five of the fourteen peaks over 8,000 metres, including K2, some of the world's oldest archaeological sites (Mohenjo-daro, Harappa), and Lahore, one of the most magnificent Mughal cities in Asia. The Karakoram Highway, dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world', crosses mountain landscapes of surreal beauty all the way to the Chinese border.
Hunza Valley
The Hunza Valley is often described as one of the most beautiful in the world: a green ribbon suspended between peaks over 7,000 metres, dominated by the majestic Rakaposhi. The villages of Altit and Baltit, with their forts perched on rocky spurs, bear witness to a thousand-year history linked to the Silk Road. In spring, the blossoming apricot orchards offer a stunning sight against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
Highlights : Baltit Fort — residence of the Mirs of Hunza for 900 years, Altit Fort — oldest fort in Gilgit-Baltistan (11th century), Attabad Lake — turquoise lake formed by a landslide in 2010, Eagle's Nest — viewpoint over Rakaposhi and the valley.
Lahore
Lahore is the cultural and historical soul of Pakistan, a metropolis of 13 million people that was once the second capital of the Mughal empire. The old town, a potential World Heritage candidate, is packed with mosques, mausoleums and gardens of incomparable splendour. The Badshahi Mosque, one of the largest in the world, and Lahore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, form one of the most impressive monumental ensembles in South Asia.
Highlights : Badshahi Mosque — one of the largest mosques in the world (17th century), Lahore Fort — Mughal palace, UNESCO World Heritage site, Shalimar Gardens — UNESCO-listed Mughal gardens, Old Town Bazaar — a maze of alleys with colourful markets.
Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, a remnant of the Indus Valley civilisation that flourished over 4,000 years ago. This city, planned with astonishing precision — orthogonal streets, a sophisticated sewer system, public baths — testifies to remarkable social and technical organisation for its time. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains one of the great enigmas of world archaeology, as its script has yet to be deciphered.
Highlights : Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro — a 4,500-year-old public pool, Mohenjo-daro Citadel — the city's administrative acropolis, Site museum — artefacts and pottery of the Indus civilisation.
Karakoram Highway
The Karakoram Highway (KKH), dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world', links Islamabad to Kashgar in China over more than 1,300 kilometres through the most grandiose landscapes of Central Asia. Built between 1959 and 1978 by Pakistani and Chinese engineers at the cost of over 900 lives, it crosses the meeting point of the world's three largest mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush.
Highlights : Khunjerab Pass — border pass at 4,693 m, the highest point of the KKH, Nanga Parbat gorges — view of the ninth-highest mountain in the world, Passu village — the surreal shapes of the Passu Cones, Hussaini Suspension Bridge — one of the most dangerous bridges in the world.
Travel budget for Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the cheapest destinations in Asia for travellers. The Pakistani rupee has lost considerable value in recent years, making travel very affordable. The mountainous north (Hunza, Gilgit) is slightly more expensive due to its remoteness.
- Backpacker : 20–35 €/j — Local guesthouses, street food, public buses. Pakistan is very accessible for small budgets.
- Comfort : 50–90 €/j — Decent hotels, private jeeps in the north, quality restaurants. Include security if needed.
Practical tips for travelling to Pakistan
- Flight from Paris : 8–10h via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways). PIA also occasionally offers direct flights.
- Visa : Mandatory online e-Visa (~75 USD, 5–7 business days). Apply via the official Pakistan.gov.pk portal.
- Currency : Pakistani rupee (PKR). ATMs available in major cities. Visa/Mastercard work in tourist hotels and restaurants.
- Language : Urdu is the national language. English is widely spoken in cities, hotels and by tour guides (former British colony).
- Electricity : Type C/D/G, 230V — adapter recommended (British type G sockets in older hotels).
- Health : Recommended vaccines: hepatitis A/B, typhoid, rabies. Malaria in some areas (southern Sindh, FATA). Avoid tap water. Well-stocked pharmacies in Islamabad and Lahore.
- Safety : Tourist regions (Lahore, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Hunza) are generally safe. Avoid border areas (Afghanistan, parts of Balochistan). Check official government travel advisories before departure.
- Dress code : Modest dress required for both sexes. Women should cover arms, legs and head (especially in rural areas and mosques). Men should avoid short shorts.
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