Pakistan offers an online e-visa for nationals of over 192 countries, making entry considerably more straightforward than it was even a few years ago. The application is done through the official government portal, costs vary by nationality and the visa typically allows a stay of 30 days, extendable in-country.

Most Western nationalities are eligible for the e-visa. Some countries may require additional documentation or a longer processing time; Koryo Tours provides all necessary support and guidance as part of the booking process.

The honest answer is... it depends significantly on where you are going.

The major cities of Lahore and Islamabad, and the northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Hunza, are considered safe for tourists and receive large numbers of international visitors without significant incident. Peshawar and the Northwest Frontier require more care and benefit greatly from local guidance.

The tribal areas along the Afghan border are not advisable for casual tourism and require special permits. Areas near the Line of Control with India should be avoided.

For the specific itineraries Koryo Tours operates, the risk is actively managed through experienced local partners and current intelligence. 

The four-day military confrontation in May 2025 (Operation Sindoor) was a serious escalation between two nuclear-armed states and caused significant disruption to travel in the region.

The ceasefire agreed on 10 May 2025 has held, and tourism in Pakistan has resumed normally. Pakistan's northern areas, which are the main draw for most international visitors, were not directly affected by the strikes. That said, the structural tensions that produced the 2025 crisis have not been resolved, and the India-Pakistan relationship remains one of the world's more volatile bilateral situations.

Monitoring the current diplomatic situation before booking and purchasing travel insurance that explicitly covers Pakistan is strongly advisable.

It depends on which Pakistan you are visiting. For the cultural cities of Lahore and the ancient sites of Sindh, October to March is ideal: mild temperatures, clear skies and manageable conditions for sightseeing. Pakistani summers in the south and plains can be extreme, with temperatures reaching 45 to 50 degrees Celsius.

For the northern mountains and the Karakoram Highway, the summer months of June to September are the trekking and climbing season, when high-altitude routes are open and the mountain scenery is at its most dramatic.

Hunza in blossom, in late March and April, is one of the most beautiful seasonal spectacles in Asia.

Avoid the northern areas in winter, when many passes are closed.

Punjab and Sindh - Lahore (the Walled City, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, food), Mohenjo-daro, Multan, Rohtas Fort, Taxila Buddhist sites, and the ancient city of Harappa.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Peshawar (the Old City and Qissa Khwani Bazaar), Swat Valley, the Gandhara archaeological sites, and the Khyber Pass.

Gilgit-Baltistan - The Karakoram Highway, Hunza Valley, Nagar, Skardu, Fairy Meadows (Nanga Parbat base camp), Deosai Plateau, and K2 base camp for serious trekkers and climbers.

The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) is the official currency and is widely used throughout the country.

ATMs are available in major cities and increasingly in tourist areas of the north, though reliability varies. US Dollars and Euros can be exchanged at banks and authorised money changers in cities.

Card payments are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, but cash is essential for markets, guesthouses and most transactions outside the major urban centres. 

Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country and modest dress is expected in all public settings.

For women, this means covered shoulders and legs throughout the country, with a headscarf or dupatta carried at all times for mosques, shrines and more conservative areas.

In the northwest and around Pashtun communities, particularly conservative dress is strongly advisable and a headscarf worn at all times is respectful and practical. Men should wear long trousers in all public settings. In the northern mountain areas, practical, layered trekking clothing is the priority, with modest coverage maintained.

At Sufi shrines, which are among Pakistan's most atmospheric and welcoming religious sites, shoes must be removed and the atmosphere is one of music, prayer and welcome rather than strict formality.

Visiting the northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan generally requires a special area permit, which is straightforward to obtain and usually arranged by your tour operator.

Trekking to base camps of major peaks including K2 requires specific trekking permits from the Ministry of Tourism.

The Khyber Pass and tribal areas on the Afghan border require separate permits and should only be visited with an authorised guide from the region.

Some restricted zones remain in place from post-2001 security arrangements; your operator will advise on what requires permits for your specific itinerary.

Photography of military installations, government buildings and sensitive areas is prohibited throughout Pakistan.

In Lahore and Islamabad, accommodation ranges from international-standard hotels to excellent boutique properties in historic buildings. Karachi has the full range of business-class hotel options. In the north, accommodation in Hunza and Skardu has improved dramatically in recent years. There are now comfortable hotels with mountain views and reliable facilities in both towns.

In more remote areas and on trek, guesthouses and camps are the options, and they are clean and hospitable even at the simplest level. Staying in locally run guesthouses in the Hunza villages, where hosts will often share tea, fruit and stories long into the evening, is one of the most memorable parts of any northern Pakistan journey.