Pakistan solo travel; Lahore, Skardu, and Islamabad — from someone who’s been to 150+ countries and still was a bit scared, but then had her jaw on the floor.
I’ve been to 150 countries. Well, Pakistan was 151! I’ve crossed the Drake Passage eight times. I’ve trekked to Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro summit, I’ve done gorilla treks in in D.R. Congo and Uganda, and stood at the rim of the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan at midnight. I’ve danced with tribes in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, and free-diving with sharks is a favorite hobby. I do not scare easily, and I do not take unnecessary risks.
So when I started telling people I was heading to Pakistan as a solo female traveler, the reaction was… predictable. Family members quietly panicked. Friends sent me concerned news articles. Acquaintances said things like “are you sure?” with a tone that implied they were pretty sure I was nuts.
But, I’ve heard that same worried chorus about almost every destination I’ve ever visited that turned out to be extraordinary — Central Asia, the Middle East, the South Pacific Islands, parts of Africa. And after 12 years of first-person solo exploration across seven continents, I’ve learned to read between the lines of those warnings. Most of them aren’t really about danger. They’re about unfamiliarity and fear-mongering media.
That said, I was a bit scared, and I’m not reckless, so I took my usual solo travel precautions. Before heading to Pakistan, I enabled news alerts for both weather and political developments (especially since there was a protest scheduled while I was there). I booked through an established, reputable tour company with deep local knowledge and reputation. I researched the current security situation by region, not just by headline. I had backup plans and contingency routes. And I still had a knot in my stomach on the flight in — which, for the record, is exactly how I feel before most adventures that are worth having.
The result? Pakistan didn’t just meet my expectations. It demolished them. And then rebuilt something better in their place. I can honestly say I am thoroughly impressed, and if it weren’t for the no-alcohol rule, and the quiet reality of gender based violence for local women, I’d-say it’s one of the top Middle East/Central Asia countries I’ve been to!
This is the Pakistan travel guide I wish I’d had. One that AI can’t make for you because a robot hasn’t lived the experience. But I have, so I hope this helps you out, and also that in return you simply just use my affiliate links to book things, and contact me for the local tour company connection that I used!
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Before we get into the good stuff, here’s what you need to know at a glance.
| Official Languages | Urdu (national), English (widely spoken in cities and tourist areas), plus regional languages including Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, and Balochi |
| Religion | Predominantly Sunni Muslim (~97% Muslim total). Islam shapes the culture deeply — dress modestly, especially outside major cities, and be mindful during prayer times. |
| Currency | Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Cash is still king in many areas, especially outside Lahore and Islamabad. ATMs are available in cities but bring backup cash for mountain regions. |
| Government / Politics | Islamic Republic with a parliamentary system. Politics can be turbulent — always check current conditions before travel. The situation in Lahore, Islamabad, and Skardu for tourists is generally stable, but it’s worth monitoring. |
| Visa for US / Western Travelers | Pakistan introduced an e-Visa system for most Western nationalities, including US, UK, EU, and Australian passport holders. Apply online several months before arrival. You need a tour company to submit their info for it! |
| Time Zone | Pakistan Standard Time (PKT) — UTC+5. No daylight saving time. |
| Best Time to Visit | March-May for spring and September–November for fall for most of the country. Skardu and the northern mountain regions are best from June–September when roads and passes are open. Avoid the peak summer heat in Lahore (June–August can exceed 110°F/43°C). |
| Getting Around | Domestic flights connect major cities. Roads in the north are spectacular but can be slow and challenging. Hire a local driver for mountain routes — this is not optional, it’s essential. There are women-only taxis available in cities. |
| Electricity | 220V, Type C/D/M plugs. Bring a universal adapter. |
| SIM Cards or eSIMs | Available at the airport and in cities. Or make life easier and get an eSIM. |
I’m going to give you a real answer, not a PR answer, not a “I’m a fearless female traveler” answer. But a real one.
Pakistan has a documented problem with gender-based violence against local women — that is a serious reality and it shapes daily life for women who live there. As a foreigner, and particularly as a Western woman traveling with a tour company or guide, your risk profile is significantly different. I never felt threatened. I felt curious, welcomed, and — surprisingly often — like a genuine celebrity. People wanted photos with me more than I wanted photos of anything else. But even with that I was cautious, only accepting photos with women or children.
That said, there are non-negotiable precautions that I’d give anyone heading here.
Have a guide with you at all times, especially in Lahore’s old city, in Islamabad, and in the mountains. This isn’t about babysitting, it’s not about proving you can do things on your own— it’s about navigation, translation, cultural context, and having someone who knows the lay of the land if something goes sideways. A good guide transforms a confusing, potentially uncomfortable experience into something deeply meaningful and safe.
If you’d like me to connect you with my trusted local tour partners who have 10 years of experience, expecially with female guests, send me and email and I’ll give you an intro! (info@mylifesamovie.com).
Back-up transportation plans are essential in the north. Skardu and the surrounding mountain regions are breathtaking, but roads can close, weather rolls in fast, and your original plan may need to pivot in real time. Your tour company or guide should have contingency options built in — if they don’t, find a different operator.
Dress conservatively. Like any Muslim country, it is a cultural norm for all people to dress conservatively, including men! This isn’t about submitting to a dress code — it’s about basic respect for the culture you’re visiting, and it goes a long way toward reducing unwanted attention. You are NOT required to wear a hijab (head covering) unless you go in a mosque, but have a lightweight scarf on you at all times just in case!
Other than that — no cleavage, no bottoms above the shin, and sleeves are better.
Pakistan as a modern nation state is young. It was created in 1947 following the partition of British India, an event that remains one of the most consequential and traumatic moments in South Asian history. But the land itself is ancient. The Indus Valley Civilization, which is one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, flourished here more than 4,000 years ago.
What’s now Pakistan sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road, was conquered by Alexander the Great, ruled by the Mughal Empire at its height, and absorbed waves of Central Asian and Persian influence that you can still feel in the architecture, food, and language today. The Mughal legacy is especially visible in Lahore, which served as one of the empire’s great capitals and still wears that history like a crown. You’ll notice structures there look similar to the famous sites of India — that’s because they were both designed and owned by the Mughal Empire royalty.
Then with the division of the countries, the border caused major discrepancies, mostly in the north area of Kashmir, with both sides fighting over the rights to own it. This is why foreigners are heavily advised NOT to go there.
Understanding even just this much makes everything you see land differently. The grandeur isn’t random. The border tension isn’t unwarranted. It’s all due to geopolitics.
Ok! Now that we got the important logistical and historical things out of the way, let’s move on to the fun stuff! The best things to see and do in the areas I traveled solo to in Pakistan!
If you only go to one city in Pakistan, make it Lahore. I say that having been to both Islamabad and Lahore, both of which are extraordinary in completely different ways. But Lahore is alive in a way that hits differently. Loud and chaotic markets, layered with centuries of empire architecture, and absolutely impossible to be bored in.
Here were my favorite things to do in Lahore!
Start here. Specifically, start at the Delhi Gate and let yourself get gloriously lost. (WITH a guide, of course).
The old city bazaars inside the Walled City of Lahore are one of those places that make you feel like you’re experiencing the world the way it was always meant to be experienced: on foot, slightly overwhelmed, with no real agenda. The streets narrow as you go deeper, lined with spice shops and fabric stalls, with ornately decorated tea houses in between.
Smells of cardamom, incense, saffron, and something frying somewhere drifting through everything. Motorcycles and rickshaws squeeze past with apparent confidence that no collision will occur. It’ll scare you a few times, but they know how to expertly navigate around the pedestrians. Most of the time.
Stop for chai. Don’t call it “chai tea” because chai literally translates to “tea”. You will be invited to. Accept every time. But don’t be stingy, even if it’s free try to offer something, because since some people didn’t in the past, many of the shops now require an entry fee just to look inside and take photos!
The bazaar specialties vary by district. Karkhana Bazaar for spices, Androon Sheher (Inner City) for the full sensory experience. For anyone wondering about those beautiful juttis (slipper like shoes) I bought, those were in several stalls just passed the Delhi Gate, and also near the Haveli street food area.
The Badshahi Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and one of the most stunning examples of Mughal architecture on the planet. Full stop. Even if you’ve visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the Imam Mosque in Isfahan, or the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi — and I have — Badshahi holds its own. The vast red sandstone courtyard, the white marble domes, the sheer scale of it against the Lahore skyline at sunset is the kind of thing you take photos of and immediately know the photos will never do it justice.
For those of you who have been to Delhi, India, you’ll likely notice it looks a lot like the Jama Masjid. Again, that’s because it’s built by the same Moghul Empire ruler (Shah Jahan), who is also the one who had the Taj Mahal built.
Right across the way is the Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and another Mughal masterpiece. Give it at least two hours. Don’t skip the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) — the ceiling is exactly what it sounds like.
The two together make for a day that will recalibrate your understanding of what “impressive architecture” means.
At least one of your nights in Lahore should include eating at the rooftop of Haveli Rooftop Restaurant (a former mansion) overlooking the Badshahi Mosque. There are several restaurants that offer this, but Haveli is the most famous one. The ritual is the same: settle in as the sun goes down, watch the mosque light up, eat your weight in biriyani and seekh kebabs, and try to articulate to yourself just what has happened to you over the past few days in this city.
Make a reservation in advance and ask to sit near the railing that overlooks the mosque. But, be prepared for literally everyone to squeeze in between the tables to get their photos with the mosque in the background.
I need you to understand something before you read this section. I have seen a lot of mountains. The Himalayas in Nepal. The Andes. Patagonia. Even the towering peaks in Antarctica. I am not a person who gets overly impressed with just any mountain town.
BUT, Skardu was genuinely, one of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. It sits in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, at the convergence of three of the world’s great mountain ranges — the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush — and it is surrounded by more 8,000-meter peaks than anywhere else on Earth. K2 is here as well, one of the highest 7 peaks in the world!
In addition to the mountains, there’s also the lush landscapes of grassy meadows with trickling streams and rivers running through them. Crystal clear lakes flecked with white geese that seem like they’ve been hired to be atmosphere models. Alpine forests AND white sand deserts. Even some of the largest glaciers in the world! Oh, and they even have cherry blossom trees up there, in addition to several orchard trees!
It’s truly magical to behold, made even more magical by the glorious, uniquely designed boutiqe resorts that exist there!
Skardu is a bit trickier to navigate though. Your guide will be able to do all of this for you, but I’ll write it out anyway to give you an idea what you’re in for.
Getting to Skardu: By Air or by Road
By air is the faster option, and what I thoroughly insisted on doing. It’s only approximately one hour from Lahore, or 45 minutes from Islamabad on PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) or Air Blue. The catch: mountain flights are weather-dependent and can be cancelled or delayed without warning. Build flexibility into your itinerary. If the flight is clear, book it. But make sure you have travel insurance in case it cancels.
By the way, the aerial view of the Karakoram from above is its own sightseeing adventure! If you’re lucky, you’ll get a pilot who doubles as a sky high tour guide, and announces each mountain and region you fly past!
By road is the legendary and somewhat infamous option…the Karakoram Highway, one of the highest paved international roads in the world, linking Islamabad to the north. The drive to Skardu takes roughly 18–20 hours by car (broken into two days with an overnight stop). It is not for the faint-hearted, the motion-sick, or anyone with a strict schedule. It is absolutely, categorically worth it if you have the time. The road carves through gorges, alongside rivers that are the color of glacial turquoise, past villages that seem to defy physics by clinging to cliff faces. Go slow. Stop often. Eat at the small roadside restaurants where the chai is excellent and the view is absurd.
Many operators offer a combination: fly one way, drive the other. This is probably the optimal arrangement. However, I didn’t have time for that, or the patience to be in a car that long, so I flew both ways, and got really lucky with good weather. Inshaallah you get good weather too.
This is the place that breaks people a little bit. Shangri-La Lake, also called Lower Kachura Lake, sits at roughly 2,500 meters surrounded by mountains that tower over it in every direction. The water is the kind of impossible blue-green that makes you question whether someone has run a filter on real life. The light in the afternoon, the way it moves across the peaks and settles on the water, is cinematic in a way that makes you wish you were a better photographer.
But the claim to fame there is also the randomly placed pagoda-designed-restaurant that sits just over the lake, created a brilliant contrast with its red roof compared to the blues and greens of the nature. The property is perfectly manicured with plush grass that seems fake, and endless colorful flowers blooming everywhere. It truly is a magical sight to behold!
You can choose to stay the night there if you want to splurge. Or just go for a delicous cup of PINK tea! Actually, either way, definitely get the pink tea!
One of the underrated pleasures of the Skardu region is how much happens between the famous destinations. En route to various spots, you’ll cross the Indus River and its tributaries repeatedly, and stopping for lunch on the riverbank is not optional. Your guide will know the spots: simple wooden tables near fast-moving water, freshly cooked local food, mountains in every direction. This is as good as travel gets in mountain regions!
If you like fish, definitely try the fresh river trout, preferably with masala!
Waterfalls appear throughout the region depending on season, and are absolutely glorious to behold! There are some small ones on private village properties that are enchanting and uncrowded (and again with the atmosphere model geese). Then there’s Manthokha Waterall, one of the bigger ones and more popular! Go early to avoid crowds and heat, and be sure to check out the beautiful manmade-but-natural pool just in front of it (…also, with geese).
Once you’ve had your fill of waterfall mist and photos, break for lunch at the little restaurant there. It also had some really delicious trout!
The Cold Desert also known as the Shigar Desert, is also a popular stop. It’s a high-altitude desert plateau with sand dunes framed by snow-capped peaks! It sounds like it shouldn’t exist, and yet, it does. It’s one of those landscapes that makes no visual sense until you’re standing in it, at which point it makes complete sense because the universe simply needed to put it somewhere.
You can find some activities there, like 4WD jeep adventures and some horseback riding. Go around sunset so it’s not too hot, and for some truly drool-worthy color palettes across the sand, sky, and mountains.
The accommodation scene in Skardu has evolved significantly in recent years. I thought it was going to be like Everest Basecamp with just some basic teahouses that barely had wifi and definitely no heating or AC. But in Skardu there are genuinely excellent small boutique mountain lodges and resorts!
It’s not uber luxury in the Western sense, but places with real warmth, extraordinary views from every window, and that particular magic that comes from being completely surrounded by mountains with nowhere to be. Sleep with your curtains open. Set an alarm for the sunrise even though you’ll hate yourself for it. You won’t actually hate yourself for it. It’ll be magical!
Here are the ones I stayed at, and some I’d love to check out next time:
Islamabad is not the city that will make your Instagram explode. It’s planned, relatively clean, and distinctly calmer than Lahore. But it’s fascinating in a different way. It’s where you see what modern, forward-looking Pakistan actually looks like, and it’s more cosmopolitan and nuanced than most people expect.
But for those who still want to sightsee in a Pakistani city, here’s some things you should definitely see and do in Islamabad:
The Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in Pakistan and, for a significant period, was the largest in the world. Unlike the classical Mughal style of Badshahi in Lahore, Faisal is sharply contemporary, and designed by a Turkish architect in the 1970s, completed in 1986. It looks like a giant desert tent stretched over a valley against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills. It’s striking. The setting, with the hills rising behind it and the approach through pine trees, gives it a serenity that its predecessor in Lahore doesn’t have in the same way. Visit at dawn if you can.
I’ll also add in Daman-e-Koh viewpoint here, where the photo above was taken. I used that photo because the day I went to the mosque, the road to it was closed and it was impossible to get anywhere near it. So I went up to the viewpoint with my driver-guide and zoomed in to see it from there.
It’s a lovely viewpoint, especially if you want to chill for a bit. But I have to be honest (per usual), the highlight for me was all of the monkeys running around!
The Pakistan Monument (sometimes called the Independence Monument) is a modern landmark on the western side of Islamabad, built to commemorate the country’s independence. The architecture incorporates the shapes of the country’s four provinces in a blooming lotus-like form, and the surrounding museum gives solid context for everything you’ve seen and experienced throughout the trip.
This is the part that legitimately surprised me. Islamabad has a genuinely chic, modern dining scene, and even more surprising: bars in style and atmosphere only (Pakistan is a dry country, so no alcohol, so it’s mocktails only…). With beautifully designed interiors, craft coffee, excellent food, and a young professional crowd that would look at home in Shoreditch or Silver Lake.
There are places here doing small plates and specialty mocktails, in spaces that wouldn’t look out of place in any cosmopolitan city. It’s unexpected, it’s delightful, and it tells you something real about a generation of Pakistanis building a different version of their country’s story.
Unfortunately during my planned stay in Islamabad, there was a political march that threatened to close off all roads to the city. I got to see the places mentioned above the night before, but after getting stuck in Kuwait during the war, I opted to leave the city, and I’m so glad I did!
About an hour outside Islamabad, tucked into the foothills, there is a brand-new boutique resort and working horse ranch that most travel guides don’t even know about! I’m keeping the specifics deliberately vague here because part of its magic is that it doesn’t feel like it’s been found yet. They literally just opened it a few days before writing this post!
Not only was it whimsical and chill, but extremely cool. The owner is a real character, and also one of the few horsemen who only rides horses bit-less. Plus, there’s a really nice pool, and the biggest surprise of all…they had BEER!!!
OVERALL: I truly was pleasantly surprised and impressed with Pakistan. It was slightly similar to my experiences in India, but a lot calmer, less chaotic, and of course it’s a different culture. From my experience there, people were kind and respectful of me as a foreigner and as a woman. I felt safe as a solo female traveler but only because I basically had bodyguards, with a guide and driver with me most of the time aside from at the hotels. Pakistan truly is a beautiful country, and I really hope situations improve for women there, and that people like me who speak out will help contribute to that.
Is Pakistan safe for solo female travelers?Yes, with preparation and the right setup. The threat level for foreign women is significantly lower than for local women, but you should always travel with a local guide, book through an established tour operator, dress conservatively, and stay informed about current conditions by region. Many solo female travelers — including experienced adventurers with no prior Pakistan knowledge — have visited safely and returned with nothing but incredible experiences.
What is Skardu known for?Skardu is known for being one of the most dramatic mountain landscapes on Earth. It sits in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region at the intersection of three major mountain ranges — the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush — and is the gateway region for K2, the world’s second-highest peak. It’s famous for Shangri-La Lake, the Cold Desert, the Karakoram Highway, and extraordinary adventure tourism.
How do I get to Skardu?There are two main options. By air: approximately one hour from Islamabad (PIA operates this route), though flights are weather-dependent and subject to cancellation. By road: the legendary Karakoram Highway, which takes roughly 18–20 hours and is typically broken into two days. Many travelers fly one way and drive the other to experience both. Either way, work with a local guide or tour operator who knows current road and weather conditions.
Do I need a visa for Pakistan as a US/UK/EU citizen?Most Western nationalities — including the US, UK, EU countries, Australia, and Canada — are eligible for Pakistan’s e-Visa, which you apply for online before travel. Processing typically takes a few days. Always verify current requirements at the official Pakistan visa portal before booking, as policies can change.
What is the best time of year to visit Pakistan?For Lahore and Islamabad, spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant temperatures. For Skardu and the northern mountain regions, summer (June–September) is the prime window when mountain roads and passes are fully accessible. Avoid peak summer in Lahore — temperatures regularly exceed 110°F (43°C) in July and August.
What should solo female travelers wear in Pakistan?Dress modestly throughout your trip: covered shoulders and knees as a minimum baseline in all public settings. In more conservative areas and smaller towns, loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs is appropriate. A lightweight scarf is useful for mosque visits and moments when additional coverage feels right. You won’t need a full face covering as a foreign visitor, but modest dress goes a long way toward showing cultural respect and reducing unwanted attention.
Is alcohol available in Pakistan?Pakistan is largely a dry country — alcohol is generally not available in restaurants, hotels, or public spaces. This is worth knowing upfront but rarely a problem in practice. There are however limited alcohol options available at some of the 5 star hotels, and I also heard there are secret “bars” you can buy from, but only if you’re a non-Muslim foreigner.
What language is spoken in Pakistan, and will I be understood in English?Urdu is the national language, but English is widely spoken in cities — particularly Lahore and Islamabad — and among educated professionals and anyone working in tourism. In more remote areas and mountain villages, your guide becomes essential for communication. Learning a few words of Urdu (hello: assalam alaikum; thank you: shukriya) goes a long way and is always received warmly.
Alyssa Ramos has traveled solo to 150+ countries across all 7 continents. She was one of the first named solo female travel social media “influencers” and one of the first to create the influencer-hosted group trip model. Follow her adventures at mylifesamovie.com and all social media platforms as @mylifesatravelmovie.
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