Pakistan Travel Guide

Pakistan, officially named the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, draws attention with its unique nature, huge mountains and deep culture. Pakistan, located in South Asia, is a culturally and historically rich country just like Iran, Afghanistan and India. Approximately 220 million people live in Pakistan, one of the most populous countries in the region.

General Info About Pakistan

Language	Urdu and English
Capital of Pakistan	Islamabad
Continent	South Asia
Time Zone	GMT+5
Currency	Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
Socket Type	C, D 230V/50hz
Annual Average Temperature	6,2°C
Area	881.913 km²
Vegetation	Forest
Telephone Code	+92

The Capital of Pakistan

Built at the foot of the historic city of Rawalpindi, Islamabad reflects the modern face of ancient lands with surrounding mountains.

Pakistan Currency

The official currency of the country is Pakistani Rupee (PKR).

Official Language

Pakistan's official languages are Urdu and English. 74 different languages are spoken by the people of Pakistan. Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, Urdu and English are among the most spoken languages in the country.

Common Phrases:

Hello: Aslaam Alaiqum

How are you? Kya Haal Hey?

Thank you: Shukria

Yes/No: Haan/Nahi

Water: Paani

Food: Khana

OK: Theek Hey

Bye: Allah/Khuda Hafiz

How much is this? Kith-nay ka hai?

Location

Pakistan, one of the countries with the largest Muslim population in the world, has a very important strategic geographical location in Asia. Afghanistan and Iran are located in the west of the country, China in the north, India in the east and the Sea of Oman in the south. Pakistan, which gained independence in 1947, consists of 4 provinces and one federal territory: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and Balochistan.

Nature in Pakistan

Pakistan is blessed with vast plains in the Indus basin, a rocky span of plateaus in the southwest and majestic mountains in the north with beautiful valleys, snow-covered peaks and glaciers. A large part of Pakistan is a mountainous land and has 108 peaks above 7000 m out of which five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world are in Pakistan including three of the world's biggest and most spectacular mountain ranges, the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindukush. K2 also known as Mount Godwin- Austen is considered the National Mountain of Pakistan. It is the second highest mountain in the world with the 8,611 meters above sea level. K2 is the highest point of the Karakoram mountain range. Deosai plains, Baltora Glaciers, Hingol National Park, Neelum Valley, Thar Desert, Saiful Muluk, Hunza Valley, Mohenjo-Daro are just a few of the spectacles to see in Pakistan.

Climate of Pakistan

Pakistani climate is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Since Pakistan is a large country, the air temperature differs from one place to another. The temperature varies from North Pakistan to down South where the city enjoys a vast ocean’s breeze. So Pakistan has a climate that can vary between polar climate or extreme hot climate. In plateaus, the air temperature varies from season to season. The air temperature, which reaches almost 46°C in June, can go down to 4°C in January-February.

Economy and Livelihood

Pakistan is affluent in the natural resources. There are mostly natural gas and iron reserves as well as coal, petroleum, chromite, limestone and gypsum. Pakistan's economy is largely based on agriculture. Approximately 50% of the cultivated areas are for rice and wheat. Other growing agricultural products are corn, barley and cotton which makes Pakistan as the world's largest producer of raw cotton. The most profitable product of Pakistan is jute, tea, tobacco, sugar cane, fruit and vegetables, in addition to milk, beef, mutton and eggs. Pakistan plays a major role worldwide as a rice exporter, and it annually exports approximately 2 million tons, which is 10 percent of the world's trade.

Travel to Pakistan

Istanbul is 4950 km far away from Islamabad. This distance will take approximately 2 days and 11 hours by car. If you plan to travel by plane, you can complete the 3947 km journey in approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes. You may travel from Istanbul airports to Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, with direct flights.

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Transportation in Pakistan

Bus and Minibus

Buses, the most economical way to travel in Pakistan, connect many cities. For comfortable transportation, you can choose big companies such as Skyways, NATCO, Daewoo and buy your tickets online. The only transportation option among smaller villages is usually minibuses or vans.

Train

There is a large railway network in Pakistan that connects Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan, Hyderabad and many small cities between them. There are too many ticket options for different budgets. You can prefer a sleeper, business class or economy class ticket.

Taxi

Taxis are a popular way to go around the city however most Pakistanis do not use taxis between cities with bus routes, but you can rent a private taxi for travel to a particular destination.

Transportation to Pakistan Airports

You can use Express Shuttle, Taxi, Minivan or Coach. Taxis, vans and buses take passengers directly to the nearest point to their destination in Pakistan.

Places to Visit in Pakistan

The best way to get to know Pakistan's culture and traditions is to go to the country's most famous cities and landmarks. You can take a closer look at the 6 most important cities of the country and get preliminary information before make your trip plan.

Karachi

Established as a small fishing town in the 17th century situated on the Arabian Sea, Karachi has now turned into the country's financial and commercial center, with a population of nearly 20 million makes it the largest city in Pakistan and seventh largest in the world. Karachi serves as a transport hub, and is home to Pakistan's two largest seaports, the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim, as well as the busiest airport in Pakistan.

Dolmen Mall, Clifton Beach, Pakistans Founder Quaid E Azams Tomb, Saddar Town, Frere Town and Bagh Ibne Qasim are among the main places you should see in Karachi.

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan. It is a modern, well planned, well maintained and well-organised international city. Islamabad, which is an autonomous city between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab province in the north of Pakistan, is the 6th largest city of Pakistan with its population of approximately 1 million, but it is the administrative and international financial center of the country. Visit Faisal Mosque, Daman e Koh, Shakarparian National Park, Margala Hills or enjoy a meal at Monal atop the mountains.

Lahore

Lahore, which is one of the most suitable places to get to know the countrys culture and local life, fascinates tourists with its exotic beauty. Don't forget to visit the Badshahi Mosque, Jilani Park, Wazir Khan Hammam, Sultan Mosque, Lahore Museum and Lahore Castle as you stroll through the spicy-scented streets of Lahore. Described as the most important cultural city in the country, Lahore also hides impressive landscapes for photography enthusiasts.

Faisalabad

Faisalabad, the country's third largest city, is full of surprises. Completing its industrial development, the city welcomes its visitors with peaceful parks, busy markets and eye-catching city icons. Chiniot Bazaar, Gatwala Park, Jinnah Garden, Clock Tower and Gumti Water Fountain are among the main attractions of the city.

Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, which stands out with its old touristic locations such as Ayub National Park, Pakistan Army Museum, Rawat Fort and Jinnah Park, is a lovely city in the province of Punjab. Approximately 2.2 million people live in Rawalpindi, the country's fourth largest settlement after the cities of Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad.

Multan

Multan, located in the Punjab region of Pakistan, is known as the city of sikhs and shrines. Approximately 2 million people live in this city, which attracts tourists with its historical structures such as Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Chowk Ghanta Ghar, Fort Kohna Qasim Garden and Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya. Multan, the sixth largest city in the country, is also a highly developed settlement in terms of transportation opportunities.

Hunza

Hunza means Paradise or Heaven on Earth and it is one of Pakistan’s most beautiful and visited places, Hunza is a mountainous valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Hunza is situated in the northern part of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west and the Xinjiang region of China to the north-east. Popular for its snow-capped and rough mountains. Many people came to Hunza just to get a few glimpses of the shining ice wall of the Rakaposhi Mountain. Other popular mountains in Hunza include Passu Peak, Ultra Peak, and Kuksel Sar.It also serves as a hub for trekking and mountaineering expeditions in the Karakoram mountain range.

Skardu

Skardu is a city in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, and serves as the capital of Skardu District and one not to miss when in Pakistan. Breathtaking views will leave visitors memzmerised by its unique beauty. Skardu has so many places to visit ranging from dense deep forest alongside the Kachura Lake with red hut cottages, the snow-clad mountains, Deosai, Forts which make an amazing combination for the viewer. Moreover, here you will find a rare diversity of flora and fauna.

What to Eat in Pakistan?

Pakistani cuisine, affected by South Asian culture, contains different options to appeal to all tastes. In Pakistani cuisine, vegetables, legumes and meat are consumed equally. The public likes to eat and they attach great importance to the appearance of the meals. Spices are often included in traditional dishes. Pakistanis add spices such as peppermint and cumin into meals. Meatballs, meat curries and B.B.Q are among the most popular dishes in the country.

Pakistan Cuisine

Biryani
Halwa Puri
Kebabs/Kebab rolls/Tikka
Karahi
Haleem
Chat

Pakistan Restaurants

Monal (Islamabad)
Kolachi Restaurant (Karachi)
B.B.Q Tonight Restaurant (Karachi)
Andaaz Restaurant (Lahore)
Butt Karahi Restaurant (Lahore)

Where to Stay in Pakistan?

There are many accommodation options for every budget in Pakistan. Most major cities have modern hotels. There are excellent facilities in the hotels including swimming pools and fitness centers. In addition, country houses, mountain huts and bungalows are frequently located in tourist locations and health centers. Camping is also possible, especially in mountainous areas where there are no hotels. A certain rate of hotel occupancy tax may be added to the cost of accommodation. For this reason, it is important to book in advance and check the reservations.

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Shopping in Pakistan: Best Souvenirs to Buy

The Empress Market in downtown Saddar, Karachi is one of Pakistan's most famous bazaars. When you go to the city centers, you may discover big and small stores. There are also famous shopping malls in big cities. Fabrics and clothing products can be found everywhere throughout the country. Multan pottery, onyx, shawls, jewelry, rugs, and carpets can be listed among the main souvenirs that you can buy from Pakistan.

Nightlife in Pakistan

Alcohol use is prohibited for Muslims in Pakistan. Night meals, walking in the park, shopping or car trip summarize the nightlife of Pakistani families.

Holidays in Pakistan

Pakistan Day (23 March)
Labor Day (May 1)
Independence Day (August 14)
Defense Day (September 6)
Quaid-e-Azam's Death Anniversary (September 11)
Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday (December 25)
Religious Holidays (Changes every year)
Day of Ashura (Changes every year)

Festivals in Pakistan

Festival of Million Lamps (March)
Sindh Horse and Cattle Show (March)
Chilimjusht Or Joshi ( May)
Eid ul Fitr (October)
Eid ul Azha (December)

Visa Requirements

Passengers traveling to Pakistan need to carry a passport that is valid at least for 6 months from the date of arrival and at least one of its pages should be blank for stamping. Applicants can stay in the country for up to 30 days at first entry for less than 3 months travel visa.

Things to Know Before Visiting Pakistan

Make sure to have all your necessary travel and identity documents or photocopies of them with you.
Don’t forget to bargain. You can easily find everything you need in city bazaars. You may have a great shopping experience with a good bargain.
You may not be able to use your credit card in some places in Pakistan. Therefore, always carry some local cash with you.