Destinations in Pakistan
Pakistan is two countries in one. North of Islamabad, the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush stack valleys, glaciers and passes into a few hundred kilometres. South of it, the land flattens into the Indus plain, deserts and a coast road that runs all the way to Gwadar. This page is the index: every place we run, split into north and south, with the page or itinerary that covers it.
If you only have a week, choose one half and stay in it. The drive between the northern valleys and the coast is two long days of travel, and most first trips lose more than they gain from trying to link them. Our Explore Pakistan overview covers the twelve tour types we operate if you would rather start from the kind of trip than the place.
Northern Pakistan
The north is where most visitors begin. Hunza and Skardu are the two hubs, Gilgit is the junction that connects them, and everything else hangs off those three. Roads from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu are fully paved now, so a northern trip is a driving trip unless you fly. The season runs from late April, when the apricot blossom opens in Hunza, to late October, when the high passes start to close.
What the north is for
Glaciers, forts and high lakes. Best between May and October for the valleys, July and August for the passes and Deosai. Expect long driving days and short, bright evenings.
What the south is for
Indus cities, desert forts and the Arabian Sea. Best between November and February, when the plains cool down and the coast is walkable. Distances are longer and the history is older.
Twelve places in the north
HunzaBaltit and Altit forts, the Passu cones and the road to Khunjerab, the most complete northern valley.
SkarduCold desert, Shangrila lake and the gateway to Deosai and K2 treks.
GilgitThe junction town where the Karakoram Highway meets the road to Skardu and Chitral.
Fairy MeadowsThe meadow below Nanga Parbat, reached by jeep and a short walk.
Naran KaghanSaiful Muluk, Babusar and the easiest big-mountain drive from Islamabad.
Neelum ValleyThe river road through Athmuqam and Sharda in Azad Kashmir.
SwatBuddhist sites, Ushu forest, Kalam and the Madyan bazaar.
Kalash ValleyBumburet, Rumbur and Birir, home of the Kalash people in Chitral.
Arang KelThe hillside village above Kel, reached on foot or by chairlift.
Banjosa LakeA quiet pine-ringed lake near Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir.
Murree and GaliyatNathia Gali, Dunga Gali and the old hill-station circuit.
KumratThe forest valley in Upper Dir, quiet even in July.Each card opens that destination on our site, with the trips that include it. Kashmir destinations we cover are listed under Neelum Valley, Arang Kel and Banjosa Lake.
Southern Pakistan
The south is the part of the country most itineraries skip, and the part that surprises people most. Karachi alone is worth two days, the Makran coast road is one of the great drives in Asia, and Mohenjo-Daro is a UNESCO city older than the pyramids. Winter is the season here: December and January are dry, cool and clear, and the desert nights are cold enough to need a jacket.
KarachiClifton, the old town, Mohatta Palace and the food, the south’s biggest city.
Kund MalirThe Balochistan beach where the Hingol hills meet the Arabian Sea.
GwadarThe deep-water port, Hammerhead and the road east along the coast.
Makran Coastal HighwaySix hundred kilometres of coast road, the reason the south is now drivable.
Mohenjo-DaroThe Indus city in Sindh, one of the oldest planned settlements on earth.
Cholistan DesertDerawar Fort, jeep tracks and camel country south of Bahawalpur.
QuettaHanna Lake, the bazaar and the road to the Bolan Pass.Routes that join them
Two itineraries do the long version properly. The eight day Deosai, Hunza and Skardu road trip covers the northern loop from Islamabad. The 14 day Pakistan Group Tour 2027 is the only fixed departure that adds the Mughal cities either side of the mountains. For the south, the Makran highway guide lays out the coast leg day by day and we build it into a private trip on request.
Which half, which month
| If you want | Go to | Best months |
|---|---|---|
| Blossom and easy valleys | Hunza, Naran Kaghan, Swat | April to June |
| High passes and lakes | Skardu, Deosai, Fairy Meadows | July to September |
| Colour and forest | Neelum, Arang Kel, Kumrat | June to September |
| Desert and coast | Cholistan, Karachi, Makran | November to February |
| Indus history | Mohenjo-Daro, Sukkur, Thatta | November to February |
General guidance only. Passes and road conditions change by week, and weddings, festivals and school holidays fill hotels fast. Confirm dates with us before you book flights.
Destinations we are often asked for
Thar and its desert forts sit east of the Indus in Sindh, Thatta and Makli are the Mughal necropolis south of Karachi, and Bahawalpur is the gateway to Cholistan and Derawar. We do not run scheduled departures to these three, but they are included in private southern itineraries, and the southern coast and deserts page lists what is possible.
Not sure which one
Tell us how many days you have and whether you would rather drive or fly, and we will suggest two or three destinations rather than a full itinerary. The FAQ page answers the common ones on season, budget and safety.
Message us with the destinations you want and we will tell you honestly what fits in your dates.