Pakistan
2025
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Summary
Pakistan is a culturally rich, predominantly Muslim nation with a complex history, currently navigating extremely challenging economic and political headwinds, but somehow manages to break the scale on what hospitality can be
We visited the 4 major cities to discover an alarming amount of diversity from the Punjabs to the Pashtuns with endless languages in-between
This country is not for new travellers but if you're seeking one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences, you'll probably never find a better option
Scores
Beauty
Affordability
Food
Hospitality
Safety
Accessibility
Video
Final Score
7 / 10
Advice
Trip Duration
2 - 6 weeks
Currencies Used
Pakistani Rupee Rs
Best Months
May - October
Daily Budget
$10 USD
Challenges
Due to security concerns it's common local police forces will try to 'escort' you around. In reality they will nag you to just go back to your hotel so they can play on their phones. It's free but a highly annoying 'service' that you can't opt out of once they start following you
Getting cash is hard, the only bank that reliably worked for me was Standard Charter
Islamabad airport has no SIM services and a virtually non existent ATM, so bring cash if arriving here
Do
Accept people offering you food and services, if you engage them long enough you'll usually find a way to repay them, it's okay to say yes
Make sure to visit in the warmer months, Skardu and Gilget close in the winter and they're arguably the best places to be as a tourist
Don't
Cross into Afghanistan at the Torkham border. it frequently closes without notice and is hell to navigate, taking hours
