Pakistan is not a common destination for a solo female traveler. Visas can be difficult to obtain and most governments have strongly advised against travel there. Visas can only be obtained from the embassy in your country of origin, so if you are planning to travel there first, contact the Embassy of Pakistan in your country.
Some nationalities need a letter of invitation (LOI) from a registered tour company or a person who is inviting you that lives in Pakistan. Betty, from the agency Karakoram Bikers, can help you to get a LOI and to organize an itinerary. To apply for the visa you need to have a very specific travel itinerary and you should know with advance the names of the places and cities you want to see in case you have an interview in the Embassy just as I did.
Before traveling to Pakistan I didn’t know what to expect as I didn’t find any useful travel information to prepare my trip. However, after 20 days traveling in Pakistan, I can say it is one of my favorite countries in the world. Pakistan is the land of hospitality and you will find the kindest people you will ever meet. The security situation in Pakistan is totally fine. I never faced any issue and every time I needed some help with language or directions I always found someone willing to help me. If you like landscapes, nature, culture, architecture and delicious food, Pakistan will be the perfect place for you.
GETTING AROUND & TRANSPORTATION IN PAKISTAN
Traveling in Pakistan is very easy. Big cities like Islamabad and Lahore have Uber but you can always take a taxi or a tuk tuk. The best way to travel between cities is by bus or by plane due to the long distances. Cheap flights are available, but if you don’t want to miss the amazing landscapes, I will recommend you to take a bus.
The best option is Daweoo Express it is the safest and fastest way to move around. You can buy your ticket directly on the bus station or buy it online if you want assure a seat. As well you can get a share taxi to be more comfortable during long distance trips or hire a private car with a driver. However I won’t recommend hitchhiking in Pakistan because of the multiple checkpoints you will find on your way. Even though Pakistan is very safe, you will face a lot of checkpoints. That’s why I recommend you to carry your passport with you all the time and bring with you at least 20 copies of your passport and visa.
ACCOMODATION
Accommodation in Pakistan is easy to find. I always booked a hotel or hostel before arriving to each destination. Be sure to reserve a room during public holidays because pakistani people love to travel around their country and all rooms might be booked. However, Pakistani people are so friendly they never let me pay for a room, people always offered me a room and tea. Most of the nights I slept in someone’s home and it was amazing to experience the local life. Pakistani are so friendly they will always offer you great food and of course the best chai in the whole world. So if a family offers you a room to sleep, don’t feel shy and experience the culture.
WHAT TO WEAR IN PAKISTAN
Many people think that because it is a Muslim country you have to cover your body if you are a woman. The truth is that you can dress however you want but, in my experience, I will recommend you to cover your legs and shoulders. This way you can enter the mosques which are worth seeing from inside.
PLACES TO VISIT IN PAKISTAN
1) ISLAMABAD
My flight arrived directly in the capital and I stayed in Shelton Guest House. I’m not a fan of big cities but it deserves at least one day of your itinerary. You can take a taxi to move around or if you get a sim card you can ask for an uber or cream, a very popular app to get taxis in Pakistan. Some places you must visit while you are here are the Pakistan Monumento, the Heritage museum and Lok Virsa, which are located in the same place. Lok Virsa is a place where you can hear local music, buy handcrafts, and there is always a cultural event to see. You can see online the program and see what kind of activity you are interested to see. Of course, you can’t miss the Faisal Mosque.
2) LAHORE
Local people say that “if you haven’t been to Lahore you haven’t been born.” Lahore is considered the Paris of Pakistan. I stayed in Lahore Backpackers, the owner speaks fluent English and will help you with any tourist advice you need. You will surely meet other fellow travelers there. (Saajad Hussain is the manager tel: 0300-8860039). If you are in Lahore, get in touch with Lets go to Pakistan. These guys are inviting and hosting foreign tourists from around the world; giving them a chance to experience the real Pakistan.
Places you can’t miss in Lahore are the Badshahi Mosque which is one of the most splendid and stunning pieces of Mughal architecture and one of the biggests mosques in the world. Other beautiful mosques you must see are Wazir Khan Mosque and Sohneri Mosque. Additionally, you should visit the biggest spice market in Asia, Akbari Mandi, and the Food street where you can find rooftop restaurants with an amazing view and live music.
3) HUNZA
There is not much to do and see in Gilgit itself but you will end up there because buses and taxis depart from Gilgit to anywhere you plan to go. From Gilgit I went directly to Hunza and stayed in Old Hunza Inn the owner speaks very good English and also organizes trekking and hiking tours. This place is the best option to stay in Hunza so try to book a room with time.
People in Hunza are the nicest people you will ever meet. Hunza has amazing landscapes, plus people are very nice and friendly. Hunza itself is beautiful. You can walk around, meet the locals, and eat amazing food. Music instruments are made here and if you get the chance, go to the local music school to hear some of the traditional instruments of the region, as the rabab.
Gulmit is a village not too far from Hunza, you can get a shared taxi and visit the Gulmit Carpet Centre. This is an organization where women artisans make traditional carpets. It enables the women artisans to own it as the first entrepreneurs.
4) CHITRAL
I took a bus from Gilgit to Chitral. It is a very long ride with too many check points but it is totally worth it. Don’t forget to carry at least 15 copies of your passport with you. I just slept one night in Chitral and the next day continued my journey to the Kalash Valley. I slept in Jumeirah Continental Hotel.
Security situation in Pakistan is very good, even better than what I thought and expected before arriving to the country. As with every country in the world, there are some areas prohibited for foreigners, like the border regions with Afghanistan. Nevertheless, you can get access to some prohibited areas by getting a NOC (non objection certificate). You can get this document in any big police office.
Due to the proximity with Afghanistan and security issues with the Talibans years before you need to apply for an NOC to be in Chitral and surrounded areas. You just have to pay and sign some documents and then they will provide you private security. This was one of the most interesting experiences I ever had. I never had private security before and it was pretty fun. I applied for an NOC in Chitral, to see the Kalash people. I had a police officer and an anti terrorism officer with me during my 3 day trip to this region. They always took care of me and helped me with anything I needed. The best part is that the government offers it for free.
I spent three days with the Kalash people in two different towns called Bamburat and Rumbur. The Kalash are an ancient tribe of Pakistan with a very particular way of life, religion, and rituals. The Kalash people believe that they are descendants of Alexander the Great and women wear colored embroidered dresses and beaded headdresses called susutr.
If you have any doubt please don’t hesitate to contact me. As well, you can contact Asmar Hussein one of the best professional photographers in Pakistan. He loves receiving foreigners and showing them his country.
Have you visited Pakistan? Please share you own tips with our readers in the comments below.
Do you want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
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By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Alessia Ramponi
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maqsood ur Rehman says
All story related to Pakistan is correct.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading, we are delighted that Alessia shared her article about your country with our readers. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Helen says
Thank you for this post. I have been tempted to travel for some time but been a bit nervous about going on my own. Reassuring to read your post :-)
Naimat Ullah Swati says
Very nice
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading! Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Sharif ahmad says
Thank you so much elsia remponi for good info about pakistan!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you for reading Sharif. We are delighted that Alessia shared her article about your country with our readers to give them an informed view of travel there. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Syed jahanzaib azhar says
So beautiful and true picture of pakistan and thing which also need to describe in your blog that over all peace you would have experinced here. Please tell your friends too about this rich experince . and hope your future trip again . bye.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading Syed. We were very happy to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers so more people can look at travel to Pakistan. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Zakhan says
You forgot to mention monal Islamabad and food street Lahore ? Or u missed it
Alexandra Packer says
Wow some lovely photographs and inspiring stories! Its definetely high on my list now :)
Bilal khan says
I dont know why international media dont see all this good about Pakistan they always show us as terorists when ever a torist travals to Pakistan they say only good about Pakistan but not a single media group highlight this what should we call it.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading Bilal. We are pleased to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers so more people can look at travel to Pakistan and help to share some positive experiences about the country. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Umair Ahmed Shaikh says
Thank you Alessia for visiting Pakistan and encouraging others to visit my beautiful country. Being a traveler myself and been to many countries across the globe, I can say with certainty that Pakistan has a lot to offer. Do visit us again.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading Umair. We are so pleased that we were able to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers so more people can look at travel to Pakistan. Your country looks beautiful and I hope to visit one day myself. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Khalid jamal Siddiqui says
Thank you so much for visiting my country. Pakistanis love to welcome people from all over the world. Its part of our heritage and religion. Once again thank you for writing about my beautiful homeland.
Hope you will again come here someday. Stay blessed
Anonymous says
Thanks Alessa for your comendable word for Pakistan,realy the situation and people are entirly different as bed media is showing us.
Hunza Inn where you stay during your trip to Pakistan i have many time stay there during my visit the owner name is Kareem Khan and we mostly say him hushiar Khan(Alert)
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading.. We are happy to be able to publish Alessia’s article and experience in Pakistan with our readers to help share some positive messages about the country and encourage others to visit. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Ameer Ali says
Thank u for visiting my beloved country
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you for reading Ameer. Your country looks beautiful and I hope to visit myself one day. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Arslan Ansari says
It is a great pleasure of us as Pakistani to hear a review about our country. Most of the countries and people spreading the fake news around the world that Life is not safe in Pakistan. Pakistan is at TOP in hospitality around the world, you can feel free to visit any area of the Pakistan without fear.
In the Last, i would like to say thank you very much to let the world know about our county`s situation.
Thanks
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading Arslan. We are so pleased to be able to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers. It is great that we can share a positive article about your country, and encourage travel to Pakistan as well as help people to understand more about your countries situation. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this article. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Farooq Tahir says
Thank you Alessia for your commendable words about my country, hope you and many more people visit us. Pakistan is such a beautiful country and we are committed at making it safer and stronger.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you for reading Farooq. Your country looks beautiful and I hope to visit myself one day. We are pleased to provide a platform for women like Alessia to share their travels and bring more understanding to travel in Pakistan. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Anonymous says
Where are you going next?? I’m traveling solo to Malaysia around next month.
Asif says
Great to hear good about the beauty of Pakistan.Pakistan is indeed amazing tourist destination. I welcome all tourist to Pakistan and if they need any help/NOC/Invitation i am ready to help them. [email protected]
mia says
Wow – thank you for that great review! i really enjoyed reading it :)
May i ask you where you got that blue flowery headscarf from? :D
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading and Mia – glad you enjoyed this article. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls x
Syed Ali Raza says
Its awesome to read/hear from our foreigner friends speaking good about our Amazing Homeland! Really gratefull for sharing your lovely experience, i being a Pakistani assure you that we as a nation Love our country and love the fact that it has so much to offer foreign travellers that they will feel delighted to be here, see our culture, our heritage and above all scenic beauties of our Homeland, which can never be found anywhere else!
One request, as you already mentioned in the blog above, Our country is a peaceful place, there is no danger of any kind, good and bad people are everywhere in all parts of the world but i assure, we Pakistanis take you all as our respectable guests and you become our embassadors in your own countries! Always mention good deeds, great food, lovely scenes, mesmerizing culture of our Homeland to others so that the world comes to know that
We are True Pakistan!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you very much for reading and commenting on this article about Pakistan Syed. We are very happy that Alessia shared her positive experience in the country so that more travellers can be educated about your country. Thank you! Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls
Ayesha says
love your post..
Farahn-Uz-Zaman says
Very well captured, captioned and documented
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you for reading Farahn, pleased to hear that you liked this article.
C Khan says
Alessia, thank you so much for sharing your positive experiences about my beloved country, Pakistan. I would love it if you included a bit more detail about the beautiful locations and people in your photos just to give us some context. Also, where did you get your gorgeous outfits from? I grew up abroad but spent 6 wonderful years in Islamabad. I still miss having the Margalla Hills on my doorstep and hearing the sounds of wolves calling and wild boars rustling in the woods outside our home at night. Safe travels!
Giulia says
Hi Alessia! Very Interesting article! When have you visited Pakistan?
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading Giulia, glad to hear that you enjoyed reading this article. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Anonymous says
Well a beautiful narration of travel log depicted in marvolous photos as well. Human all over the globe are alike, lovable, adorable, having common emotions and feelings.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you so much for reading!
untitled says
This is so beautiful! Thank you for stopping by our country. Its an honour for us to host visitors like you. Hope to see you here soon again.
Anonymous says
Loved this! Definitely going to follow for more!
Hikma History says
Awesome post, looking forward to reading the other “Solo Female Travel” posts!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading Hikma, please you found this post interesting. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Anonymous says
Always a joy to see people from the outside sharing experiences to the positive side of Pakistan.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed this article! Becky, Editor – We Are Travel Girls
Shanawar Sajjad says
Thank you for visiting our country & show the real face of Pakistan.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thank you for reading, pleased to hear that you enjoyed the article. Becky – We Are Travel Girls Founder
Yasir Ahmed says
That’s a great blogpost. Glad you had fun traveling in Pakistan. I would love to travel to Iran someday.
Anique Asad says
Without any doubt, everything mentioned about Pakistan is true. Pakistanis are really a hospitable nation. Pakistan is literally a land of peace now. Do visit Pakistan, we welcome our guests wholeheartedly.
Rafidah says
Thanks very much for the useful information while I’m in the midst to plan my solo journey from Karachi to Islamabad. Good to know that female traveller can travel safely in Pakistan.
Shedi says
Thank you for sharing your experience. Pakistan is great land
Ali Raza says
Very nice article!!! Really Pakistan is the great Country.
Durdana Ahmed says
I am also a domestic and international tourist. I am proud to be a Pakistani and I traveled more than 150 different areas only in Gilgit-Baltistan. Yes, it’s true that Pakistan is not a common destination for a solo female traveler but once you are Pakistan you feel you are in your own country. People of Pakistan are very hospitable and kind. Please tell your friends about your experience and the true face of Pakistan.
I am an Associate Professor by profession and teaching geography and history of Pakistan and I am promoting tourism in Pakistan. I am conducting seminars and lectures about the tourism development of Pakistan. I will be delivering a lecture on 12 February 2019 in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi. You can come and attend if you are in Pakistan.
Next time kindly visit Karachi and must-see from Karachi to Gawader via Makran Coastal highway, Kund Malir, Ormara, Hingole National Park, Princes of hope, Buzy Pass and Mud volcano in Baluchistan. From last year I have been traveling in these areas and writing articles and promoting tourism in my lecture series.
Hope you will come again…Good Luck?
Aryaan Asad says
Really Pakistan is the great Country. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article.
Best Regards.
NAC says
What a treat to read about your adventure in beautiful Pakistan, its very informative and detailed…it is an amazing and diverse country with so much to offer in terms of culture, food, hospitality and landscapes and above all quite untouched by travelers. It has so much more to offer. Will look forward to seeing future vlogs…best wishes