How to Plan Your Pakistan Itinerary
These plans keep to the capital area and Punjab, which are easier to reach than the mountains and work best from October to March. The north is covered as an optional extension, because conditions and official advice there change often. Distances look short on a map, but roads can be slow, so do not pack too much into one day. Read the safety section of the Pakistan travel guide first.
5-Day Itinerary: Islamabad and Lahore
- Day 1, Islamabad: Arrive, rest, and walk to the Faisal Mosque and Daman-e-Koh viewpoint for sunset.
- Day 2, Taxila: Visit the Buddhist monasteries and the museum, then return to Islamabad for dinner.
- Day 3, Rohtas Fort and Lahore: See the fort in the morning, then continue to Lahore, about four hours by motorway.
- Day 4, Lahore: Explore the Walled City, the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, and eat at Food Street in the evening.
- Day 5, depart: Visit the Shalimar Gardens if time allows, then fly home with a comfortable buffer.
7-Day Itinerary: Islamabad, Lahore and Heritage Sites
- Days 1 and 2, Islamabad: The Faisal Mosque, a Margalla Hills trail, Saidpur village and the Lok Virsa heritage museum.
- Day 3, Taxila: A day trip to the Buddhist monasteries and museum.
- Day 4, Rohtas Fort and Lahore: Drive to the fort, then continue to Lahore.
- Days 5 and 6, Lahore: The Walled City, the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, the Shalimar Gardens, the Lahore Museum and the old bazaars.
- Day 7, depart: Fly home from Lahore, leaving a comfortable buffer before your flight.
10-Day Itinerary: Punjab and Southern Heritage
- Days 1 to 3: Islamabad and Taxila, as in the 7-day plan.
- Day 4, Rohtas Fort and Lahore: The fort in the morning, then Lahore.
- Days 5 and 6, Lahore: The main sights and Food Street.
- Day 7, Multan: Travel by motorway or train to the city of shrines and blue tilework, and visit the shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya.
- Day 8, Multan: The old city and bazaars, and local sweets such as sohan halwa.
- Day 9, return: Go back to Lahore or Islamabad, depending on your flight.
- Day 10, depart: Fly home with a buffer.
14-Day Itinerary: Punjab Plus the Northern Mountains
This plan only makes sense if the advisories for Gilgit-Baltistan allow it and your insurance covers it. Use a licensed local operator, who can also arrange the required registration, and check the security situation again just before you go. The best months are May to October.
- Days 1 to 5: Islamabad, Taxila, Rohtas Fort and Lahore, following the plans above.
- Day 6: Return to Islamabad and rest.
- Days 7 to 10, Hunza: Karimabad, Baltit Fort, Attabad Lake and the Passu area, with a local driver.
- Days 11 and 12: A buffer for weather and road delays, or a visit to Skardu and the lakes nearby.
- Day 13: Return to Islamabad.
- Day 14, depart: Fly home and keep a buffer before your flight.
Planning Tips
- Leave a spare day before any international flight when you visit the mountains. Flights to Skardu and Gilgit are often cancelled by weather.
- Use intercity coaches or the motorway for long journeys, and avoid driving at night.
- Check the best time to visit Pakistan before choosing your dates, and avoid the peak summer heat in the south.
- Book accommodation ahead in spring and autumn in the north and around Eid.
Next Steps
Check your visa, then compare flights and hotels. For ideas on where to go, see the best places to visit in Pakistan.