Pakistan is home to some of the world's most breathtaking and majestic mountain ranges, making it a paradise for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. Among these, the Karakoram Range and the Hindu Kush Range are particularly outstanding for …
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Backpacking Pakistan in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Pakistan with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Pakistan
Welcome to Pakistan, a backpacker's gem blending breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Pros? Immerse in the diverse landscapes from Himalayan peaks to vibrant cities, all on a budget-friendly scale. The local warmth is unparalleled. However, travel advisories due to security concerns exist, demanding careful planning. For the adventurous spirit, Pakistan offers a unique, unfiltered experience, where the road less traveled leads to authentic encounters, making it a distinctive and rewarding destination for backpackers seeking the extraordinary.Best known for:Known for: mountains | people | uniqueness
Best time to visit: March-May, September-November
Why to go?
Why backpacking in Pakistan
Mountains
People
Pakistanis are renowned for their warm and welcoming nature. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in their culture and is extended to both locals and foreigners alike. Pakistanis take great pride in making guests feel comfortable and valued. They go …
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Uniqueness
Exploring Pakistan is a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and welcoming locals. The country is home to ancient civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization, and is dotted with …
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Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in Pakistan can vary depending on the traveler’s preferences and travel style. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around $20-30 per day, which includes accommodation in budget guesthouses or hostels, …
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Scenery
Pakistan offers a diverse range of stunning sceneries to explore, from the majestic peaks of the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges to the lush valleys of Swat and Hunza. The northern areas of Pakistan are particularly renowned for their …
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Wildlife
Pakistan is great for seeing wildlife because of its diverse and unique range of ecosystems. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the vast deserts of Sindh, Pakistan offers a variety of habitats that support a wide array of wildlife. The …
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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Pakistan
- Explore the stunning landscapes of the Karakoram Highway: This iconic road trip takes you through some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, including the majestic Karakoram Range and the Hunza Valley.
- Visit the ancient city of Taxila: Delve into Pakistan’s rich history by exploring the ruins of Taxila, an important archaeological site that dates back to the Gandhara civilization.
- Experience the cultural hub of Lahore: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Lahore, where you can visit historic landmarks such as the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque, and indulge in mouthwatering street food.
- Marvel at the beauty of the Shandur Polo Festival: Witness the world’s highest polo ground come alive during this annual event, which showcases the thrilling sport of polo against the backdrop of the stunning Shandur Pass.
- Embark on a trek to Fairy Meadows: Hike through the enchanting Fairy Meadows, located at the base of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth highest mountain. Enjoy stunning views, camp under the stars, and experience the tranquility of nature.
But Pakistan offers more...
× Pakistan
The most hospitable people in the world
Pakistan | Pakistan surpasses all expectations. Only a good week into my journey, Pakistan and its people have done every effort to make it one of the best (if not the best) places on the globe I ever visited.Without doing any people I have met before a disservice and realising I haven’t met all Pakistanis yet, I do come to the conclusion that Pakistanis ...
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Off the beaten track
Pakistan | Walking at 3.500m high in a desolated valley high up north in the mountains of Pakistan, 5km away from the Afghanistan border, surrounded by immense 6K high peaks, disowned from any network signal, yes, this must be the most remote place I have ever been.It took a 14 hour bus ride from the capital, followed by another 2 hours in a minibus, 6 hour...
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Invited to a traditional Pakistani wedding
Pakistan | I had no clue what to expect but changed my travel plans to be able to accept the invitation and just see what happens. Clearly from the start it was already different as in my country we would never invite a person who just happened to be in town that day. Also it wasn’t just one day but three, but I was up for the final day.I was told that th...
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Flat tyre at 5.000m high
Pakistan | After the wedding, back in the main valley, I asked if somebody could drive me up to the Chinese border, the highest border crossing of the world at almost 5.000m. Exactly the place where you don’t want a flat tyre, for sure not when the border is closed to Covid. The last km we walked up in the hope somebody at the border had gears to fix the fl...
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Culture shock in Lahore
Pakistan | After two weeks of mountain villages and snowy basecamps, there couldn’t be a larger contrast than Lahore. A 14 million people metropole, an alarmingly high smog level (you could smell it and even though there were zero clouds the sun could hardly come through) and with one of the most chaotic traffic situations I had ever experienced.That’s ...
Read more Traveled route: Islamabad, Gilgit, Hunza Valley, Aliabad, Karimabad, Gulmit, Borith lake, Patundas glacier, Husseini bridge, Passu Cones, Sost, Chapursan Valley, Zuhdkhun, BabaGhundi shrine, Khunjerab Pass, Attabad Lake, Gulkin, Minapin, Rakaposhi Basecamp, Railkor bridge, Fairy Meadows, Nanga Parbat basecamp, Lahore, Walled City, Sunehri mosque, Wazir Khan mosque, Data Darbar, Lahore fort, Haveli restaurant, Badshahi mosque, Shalimar gardens, Wagah border
🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Pakistan
The best time to visit Pakistan for backpacking is during the spring season, which is from March to May, or in the autumn season, which is from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the diverse landscapes of Pakistan. Additionally, the spring season offers beautiful blooming flowers and lush greenery, while the autumn season provides vibrant colors of changing leaves.
Risk level: medium (67%)
Safety advice for Pakistan
- Frequent and large-scale demonstrations and protests can occur. Protests can turn violent quickly. Avoid large groups of people, demonstrations and protests. The security situation is evolving and remains unpredictable. Monitor media for information on the latest developments and follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Terrorist groups hostile to foreign interests operate in Pakistan. The threat of attack remains very high. Do not travel to Balochistan or Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (except the Chitral, Abbottabad and Haripur districts). The risk of attack is highest in these locations. If you travel to other parts of Pakistan, be cautious, including in major cities. Avoid crowded places and possible targets. Always have an exit plan.
- Reports continue to identify the potential for attacks in Islamabad. In response, heightened security arrangements are in place, including increased security forces, additional checkpoints and temporary road closures. Terrorists may also target places frequented by foreigners, transport infrastructure, including trains and airports, and places of worship. Australian officials in Islamabad have been advised to maintain vigilance. You should exercise heightened vigilance, review your personal security plans and monitor the media for the latest updates.
- Violent crime, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking and kidnapping, occurs across Pakistan. The risk of kidnapping is very high in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. If you travel to these areas, get professional security advice. If you must go to the Chitral district or Gilgit Baltistan, travel by commercial aircraft and not by road.
- Political protest action has increased in recent months. This can impact travel and can turn violent. Religious protests are common. Political, sectarian and gang violence often occurs in Karachi. Avoid large public gatherings. If you're caught in a rally, find a safe place and stay indoors.
- The Afghanistan border area is volatile. The Government of Pakistan does not allow foreigners to travel within 50km of the Afghanistan border in Gilgit Baltistan or within 15km of the Kashmir Line of Control or the entire border with India except at official crossings. If you're in an area close to the border, consider leaving.
- Firing guns into the air in celebration is illegal but common. People have died as a result. Be careful of celebratory gunfire, especially around major holidays, weddings, celebrations and after sporting victories.
- Earthquakes are common. Flooding, landslides and tsunamis can occur. Some areas of Pakistan experience extreme heat, with temperatures recorded above 50 degrees Celsius. The risk of disease can increase during the monsoon season (July to September). Follow the advice of local authorities.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
Pakistan
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Pakistan sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Pakistan. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Pakistan may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Pakistan. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Pakistan may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Pakistan, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Pakistan, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 24 September 2024