Pakistan Adventure Pre-Departure Info Pack

13 Nights 12 Days
Start Point: Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
End Point: Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Ahoy friend!

We’re SO excited you’re coming with us to our favourite country on the planet, in a land home to the most underrated mountains in the entire world.

Unlike a lot of Pakistan tours, we won’t be having any crazy long drives as our entire trip takes place in the insanely beautiful Gilgit Baltistan territory. Despite an increasing number of people catching on, this region, which is home to 5 of the 14 highest peaks on the planet, still sees minimal foreign tourism.

This is the complete opposite of Nepal. Gilgit Baltistan is raw, wild mountain magic that you truly cannot find anywhere else in the world. And we’re diving deep – hiking to high-altitude base camps, driving on the most surreal road you can imagine, and really getting to know people in their homes with our local guide.

Our route takes us to the basecamp of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain on Earth, the one-of-a-kind Hunza Valley, get up close and person with many glaciers, and make it to a 16,000+ ft high border. As we journey through one of the final frontiers of adventure travel, you’ll make lasting connections with fellow adventurers and create core memories under the stars as we sit around cheeky bonfires.

Pakistan is a very special country to Elsewheria, but not the easiest place to navigate on your own. So that’s where we come in, brimming with expert local knowledge and years of backpacking experience, have led us to create a tour that really supports locals like no other. This is more than just another group trip – but an immersive, intimate mountain adventure that’s sure to alter your brain chemistry forever.

Your guides, Audy and Will 🙂

Getting Ready to Experience Pakistan

Over the next few months, we will be sending you a few forms and documents to return in order to collect necessary information from you. Please do your best to fill in and return these as soon as you can.

Visa Arrangements – General Info

Most nationalities can enter Pakistan with a simplified, FREE, visa prior to arrival. This is usually granted within a few minutes and gives you 90 days duration of stay in the country, and 90 days to enter (your duration of stay begins the day you arrive).
If you’re not from one of the countries linked above, you’ll need to apply for a standard tourist visa, which we will issue you a Letter of Invitation for.
It’s important to note that you should choose the country of your passport in the section that asks where you’d like to be interviewed. Ironically, people are only actually interviewed when they choose their physical location (unless you have PR documents to prove you live there).

How to Get To Pakistan

Pakistan is not a well-connected country, but you’ve still got several options for international arrival.

The cheapest flights head into Karachi, which is extremely far from both Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad and not a great place overall. Therefore, we highly recommend you first fly into Islamabad International Airport, or at furthest, Allama Iqbal in Lahore, as you can then get a comfortable 5-hour-long bus to the capital.

Airlines to look into:

Thai Airways (direct flights from Bangkok)
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Pakistan International Airlines (direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Dubai)
Turkish Airways (if coming from Europe or the US)
Qatar Airways (again, good options from Europe or the US)
British Airways (direct flights from London)

Border crossings:

These are all the border crossings currently available to tourists:

Khunjerab Border from Tashkurgan, China (open year round)
Wagah Border from India (closed indefinitely as of May 2025)
Torkham Border from Afghanistan (chaotic but doable)
Rimdan Border from Iran (closed as of June 2025)
Taftan Border from Iran (closed as of June 2025)

Bus companies

These are the two best companies if you need to get a bus to Islamabad:

Faisal Movers
Daewoo
Q Connect (to/from Lahore only)

How to Get to Day 1 (Pre-Tour Arrival Information)

To experience the full itinerary, you need to be in the hotel/meeting place and be rested by the morning of day 1. We will confirm the exact time and meeting place just before the start of the tour.

Reminder that the tour starts in Skardu (this is to save exceptional amounts of time and to ensure all of our tour is only benefits the people of Gilgit Baltistan) where you’ll be picked up from the airport, though feel free to arrive a few days earlier, Skardu is a solid place to chill.

While the tour starts in Skardu, your time in Pakistan will begin when you land in Islamabad International Airport. You will most likely need to land at least one day before the start of the tour. A far cry from the likes of New Delhi, Pakistan’s planned capital is small, abundant in green spaces, and easy to manage. Trust and believe us; you’ll be just fine!

Islamabad

Here are a few tried-and-trusted hotels we recommend staying at, depending on what you’re looking for:

Coyote Den Hostel (Budget)
Jasmine Inn (Mid-range, central location)
Grand Islamabad Hotel (Mid-range)
Islamabad Serena Hotel (Luxury)

Airbnb is also a cheap and active option in Islamabad, make sure there are good and recent reviews, though.

Tips for Arriving in Islamabad

Get an eSIM for immediate connection. Just note this won’t really work in Gilgit Baltistan, so only get a bit of data for your arrival
inDrive is the most popular taxi app, but you’ll need a phone number to register, so it’s worth doing that beforehand
Otherwise, you can get taxis from the airport that should cost around 3000-4000 PKR ($11-$15 USD), so don’t be afraid to haggle. Many hotels are also able or willing to arrange an airport pickup if you ask them in advance
Some good restaurants:
- Kabul Restaurant (good Afghan food that’s been around for decades)
- Khyber Shinwari in the Peshawar Mor bazaar (amazing lamb chops from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Cheema & Chattha (fab Punjabi breakfast)
- Quetta Tea Shops (these are everywhere, and serve chickpeas in a sauce, eggs, paratha flatbreads, and chai. Very cheap.

Arriving in Skardu

Flight schedules typically get released around 6 months in advance, and we will definitely let you know when we book our own flights. Flights tend to leave early, but not always at the same time, even with one airline. You’ll need to book your flights INTO the country and your domestic flights from ISB to Skardu.

You can typically expect flights to depart to Skardu anywhere from 8 AM to 12 PM.

AirBlue and Pakistan International Airlines are the only two airlines that fly this route. Though you can also take the road, we don’t recommend this on the way there.

Are flights included?

No, international or domestic flights are not included. As mentioned, you’ll need to fly into Skardu International Airport (sadly, the name is a misnomer) or take the Karakoram Highway/Babusar Pass. If you need assistance organising transport, just let us know and we’ll help you out.

Accommodation in Pakistan

Pakistan and Gilgit Baltistan, especially, are still developing, so don’t expect Western infrastructure or even what you’d find in Southeast Asia or South America here. Still, we’ll stay in a nice mix of guesthouses, hotels, homestays, and even a night in a tent. While it’s not a luxurious adventure, the Elsewheria team has selected high-quality and 100% Indigenous-owned accommodation that members of our team have first-hand experience with.

Wifi exists in Skardu and Hunza, but you’ll need a SCOM physical SIM (which you can get in Skardu) to access data in GB as eSIMs do not work here. Some places we stay will have Western-style toilets and hot water showers, but others do not have running water. Electricity is a problem for locals and may not always be available. It’s all part of the adventure.

The rooms will be twin shares. We’ll pair you with another solo traveller of the same sex, with each of you having your own bed. However, there are double beds available for couples upon request.

If you’d prefer your own room on the trip (except 1-2 homestays), you can select this option when you book your trip. If you’ve already booked and would like to upgrade your package, please get in touch.

What are amenities like?

This is a real adventure in one of the last wild places on the planet. In exchange for incredible views and cultures, you’ll have to accept that the following Western comforts won’t be possible everywhere, but it really is all part of the experience:

Wifi
Phone signal (we have a satellite device for safety)
24/7 electricity (many places have backups, but not all)
Hot showers
Western toilets
Bed frames (while camping and in homestays)

Food in Pakistan

Pakistani food is a delicious blend of spices and flavours, with a heavy emphasis on meat (vegetarians/vegans, there are options!). Hunza and other parts of Gilgit Baltistan have their own traditional dishes that are totally different from typical Pakistani food (which has a lot of crossover with Indian) and we’ll be trying it in various settings!

Expect variations of both regional and national favorites, which include everything from your favourite curries, rice dishes, and lentils to freshly made dumplings and spinach pastas on the mountain-cuisine side of things.

Meals are typically served on large, family-style dishes, are are typically eaten on the floor in local homes! Restaurants and hotels do have tables, though.

Here are some of our faves to look out for:

Hoilo garma: A spinach pasta from Hunza that’s typically eaten for supper and tastes incredible when topped with crushed apricot seeds
Yak burgers: If you’re a meat eater, we can assure you this is the BEST burger in not just Pakistan but all of Asia at minimum.
Karahi – A perfectly spiced chicken dish bathed in a delicious tomato sauce. Mixing in plain yogurt really hits!

Staying Safe on this Tour

Our adventure takes us through the safest places in Pakistan that have virtually no crime at all. Pakistan is safe for foreign tourists in general, and for sure one of the most hospitable countries on Earth, but traveling as a group is extra secure.

We’ll also have a guide from Gilgit Baltistan with us who speaks multiple local languages to sort anything out. Islamabad is also an easy-to-handle arrival city pre-Skardu, with less crime than many European metros.

Even so, biking and hiking through some of the highest mountains in the world carries its own set of risks.

Guest Safety is Elsewheria’s #1 priority, and our experienced ground team does everything within their power to set our group up for a safe adventure. The name of the game is security and safety first, and injury prevention. We take it very seriously.

Travel Insurance for Pakistan

You cannot join this Elsewheria adventure unless you buy travel insurance.
You will need to prove you have insurance by providing a photocopy of your policy. You also need to sign a waiver (mentioned previously), releasing the guides, Elsewheria, and our partners in Pakistan of any liability.
Travel insurance companies we recommend: World Nomads or Safety Wing

Medical Considerations Before Travelling to Pakistan

Before heading to any overseas country, you should always check out your government’s health advice. Below, you can find links to various government websites that outline this for travel to Albania:

Most importantly, consult with a quality health care professional or travel doctors before departure to be sure you’ve got all the correct vaccinations, etc.

Religion/Culture

Pakistan is a very conservative Islamic country as a whole, though the regions we’ll be visiting are definitely the most liberal places out there that are used to foreign tourism. Even so, you’ll still find lots of differences from the Western world.

Hunza is the only place you’ll see women owning businesses, though this is still a small number. In the rest of our itinerary stops, you’ll find that this is truly a men’s world. While we’ll meet and support various women-led initiatives, men and boys are who you’ll primarily see out on the street.

The majority of marriages are arranged (though this is modernizing among the younger generation, particularly in Hunza), and most women are stay-at-home moms. People generally dress conservatively in the local shalwar khameez, though you may see younger guys wearing Western clothes.

Unlike Afghanistan or Iran, the hijab is NOT mandatory for women unless you’re entering a mosque or shrine, neither of which is on our itinerary.

Overall, cities are much more conservative and surprised by foreigners than anywhere in Gilgit-Baltistan. People throughout the territory may vary in what sect they follow, but overall, you’ll find more tolerant and unbothered attitudes than anywhere in the mainland.

There are many sects of Islam, and while the majority of Pakistanis are Sunni at more than 80%, we’ll primarily encounter Ismailis and Shi’as on our trip. While individuals may differ, Ismailis are significantly more liberal, tolerant, and open-minded than any other sect.

Skardu: Quite conservative as nearly all locals follow Shi’a Islam, though people are warm, friendly, and happy to see foreigners. You can still see and sometimes meet local women here. Many cultural similarities with more liberal parts of GB
Fairy Meadows: The meadows are technically in an extremely conservative Sunni-majority part of GB (Diamer) BUT as it’s specifically built for tourists, you won’t find any issues here as locals don’t actually reside in this area.
Hunza Valley: Undoubtedly the most liberal and open-minded place in the entirety of Pakistan, the majority of locals (including our guide and driver) are Ismaili Muslims, a small minority sect that highly values education and women’s rights. Hunza is the only place where you’ll see regular owning businesses.
Nagar Valley: Local culture and ethnicity is very similar to Hunza, but like Skardu, locals are almost exclusively Shi’a instead of Ismaili. Still, people are warm and welcoming and are still happy to see tourists, and women can be seen outside the home, though you will see them dressing more conservatively than folks in Hunza.

Cultural Etiquette Tips:

A few things to think about for the trip:

Avoid talking about religion or politics generally
Never wear shorts as a woman
For women: don’t shake hands with men, and instead put your hand over your heart
For men: don’t shake hands with women
Don’t be too friendly with the opposite sex
Note that people are proud of their food and appreciate it if you try even a bit

Language

ALL schools in Pakistan are taught in English, and the vast majority of the population speaks some of it. We find that language is really not an issue here, as there will always be someone around who is a fluent English speaker, even in very remote villages.

It’s even one of the “official” languages: you’ll see many signs and government notifications are written in English, though most people likely learned Urdu first, the other official language. Urdu is almost exactly the same as Hindi, apart from the script.

Be aware that Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan are both extremely linguistically diverse, with more than 70 unique tongues being spoken throughout the country as a whole. On our trip, we’ll encounter Urdu, Burushaski, Wakhi, Shina, and even some Balti whilst in Skardu.

Money in Pakistan

The country uses the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) and the country is still a VERY cash-based society. Outside of Islamabad (or other major cities), expect to pay in cash for everything. In Gilgit Baltistan, you may find a few restaurants or hotels with card readers but they don’t always work.

Some people have issues with ATMs while others do not. Yes, many banks do not work with foreign cards, but a good number (you’ll also find in the mountains) operate just fine.

These are the companies to look for:

UBL
Bank Al Falah (best option for Mastercards)
Allied Bank
HBL
Standard Charter (only in Islamabad/other major cities)

If you’d like, you can also exchange money in Islamabad, where there are various shops in a neighbourhood known as Blue Area. We’ve personally used Riaz Money Exchange. Note that there is one exchange in Gilgit, but that’s it. If you’d like to tip guides, they can accept foreign currency.

How much should you bring?

To cover additional meal costs, souvenirs, tipping, and whatever else you end up buying, we recommend bringing $400-$500 USD. This can always be exchanged back in case you need it!

Please see the note on tipping in the next section of this document. It is always better to have MORE than you think you need, just in case.

Tipping Staff and Porters

The Elsewheria team, including our ground team in Pakistan, goes above and beyond for guests before, during, and after the trip to make sure that everyone has the best possible mountain experience imaginable.

So, how do you show your guides some love? Well, besides bringing good vibes, good hiking snacks, and laughing at their jokes, tipping is the next best option.

Below we have included the industry standard recommendation to offer our staff some additional compensation based on your overall experience and keeping in mind the length of the trip and how hard we work to ensure you have an incredible time in Pakistan. Show your staff some love!

A generous tipping budget to cover all your bases is around $400-$500 USD for the entire trip, and you’ll have the cash anyway if you don’t end up needing it!

Tipping recommendations (in USD):

Tips for your western guide can be paid in USD/EURO cash post-trip or via Venmo, Wise, PayPal, etc.
Pakistan guides can accept PKR, USD, or Euros

SIM Cards and Internet Access in Pakistan

While Pakistan isn’t winning any high-speed awards, the internet is significantly better than it was a few years ago, especially in the mountains.

We highly recommend getting an ESIM to make arrival smooth – from experience, it really makes a difference and eSIMs do work in all major cities.

HOWEVER, they don’t currently work in Gilgit-Baltistan at all, where the only 4G mobile operator that actually works is SCOM. SCOM certainly isn’t the greatest but hey, it will at least allow you to send WhatsApp messages.

SCOM SIMS can be purchased in Skardu or Aliabad for about $7 USD, and a 30 GB data package is around $3 and lasts for a month.

In Skardu and Hunza, you can expect to have Wifi, but keep in mind we’re deep in the mountains, so it can go out randomly. For your arrival eSIM, though, we’d recommend Jetpac. Look at this adventure as a chance to disconnect a bit. We love a digital detox!

Weather Conditions in Pakistan

Both May and September are ideal times to be exploring the mountains of Gilgit Baltistan – both are shoulder seasons where the summer heat waves (yes, sadly this is a thing!) are skipped and domestic tourism is minimal. While it could rain, recent years have been sunny with comfy, summer-like days and cool but comfortable nights.

Daytime temps can still get to a real feel of around 77 F (25 C) in lower altitude areas, and about 10-12 degrees colder at places like Rakaposhi Basecamp and Fairy Meadows.

Nights are definitely chillier, and although a solid jacket will still come in handy, you can expect temperatures to be between 55-65°F (10-18°C), depending on our location. Our night camping on the way to Rakaposhi will naturally be where you want to be the most prepared.

Keep in mind that typical weather apps are unfortuantely VERY inaccurate when it comes to Gilgit Baltistan’s temperatures. Many weather stations are placed on glaciers, which often makes it seem like it’s much colder here than it really is. The entire territory has a four-season climate with cold, somewhat snowy winters and hot summers, so very similar to the Northeast United States.

What to Pack for Pakistan

Your Pakistan packing list is essential to get right for a comfortable trip in the Karakoram. While you can find many international brands in Islamabad and other cities, these do not exist in Gilgit-Baltistan, especially when it comes to gear. You can find some great items second-hand, but the selection will vary. There are a few mountaineering shops, but they don’t tend to have too much original, brand-name gear.

All the more reason to get kitted up in advance, you’ll be happy you did!

We’ve made a full Pakistan packing list to get you ready for our mountain odyssey.

Laundry

Although you might get the opportunity to do laundry along the way through the homestays/ hotels, it is not guaranteed. We are not staying long in each place, so there may not be enough time for the hosts to do it.

Please pack assuming you will not have laundry available. Unless you call washing your underwear in the bucket, which is present everywhere in Pakistan, laundry, then yes, you can do it!)

Camping Equipment

While tents are provided, other equipment (sleeping bags and mats) must be rented on site at Rakaposhi. If you have your own, feel free to bring them along.

About the Guides

This Pakistan Adventure will be guided by Audy and Will – Elsewheria’s wonderful co-founders <3 Here is a bit more about each of them:

Meet Audy: Co-Founder, Ocean Addict & Whale Enthusiast

Audy Scala is the Co-founder of Elsewheria, a certified scuba instructor, freediver, and fearless traveler who’s been writing her own map since the age of 17. Her journey has taken her hitchhiking through Latin America, diving with manta rays in Indonesia, working in ocean conservation in Bali, and singing with whales in French Polynesia.

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau.

For Audy, the sea is home; a sacred mirror, a healer, and a teacher. She feels most alive underwater, and nothing brings her more joy than witnessing others fall in love with the ocean too.

Audy is the lead guide for our Baja adventures and co-leads the Pakistan tour. Deeply connected to Mexico, where her family lives and her heart belongs, she speaks Spanish and is passionate about sharing the richness of its culture and community. Mexico, she says, is where the warmth of the people can melt any fear, bias or misconceptions – Mexico is a truly magical place.

When she’s not guiding trips, you’ll find her journaling from a hammock deep in the jungle, strumming her guitar around a campfire, dancing barefoot at music festivals, or curled up in a coffee shop, lost in a fantasy novel.

Meet Will Hatton: Co-Founder & Chief Adventure Planner

Co-founder of Elsewheria and globe-trotting adventurer, Will has been on the road since the age of nineteen and has travelled to over a hundred countries. A passionate outdoorsman, Will is also a self-professed nerd and enjoys poring over maps and data points to plan the perfect adventure itineraries into truly remote corners of the world. Will strongly believes that travel is the ultimate tool for personal growth and enjoys nothing more than cheering on guests and friends as they hike, bike and explore with him.

The OG Broke Backpacker, Will, has been recording his adventures for nearly twenty years and leading small groups to far-flung lands since 2011. Will first found himself in Pakistan in 2016, and started leading group expeditions in this magical country (one of his all-time favourites!) in 2017.

Will is the lead guide for our Pakistan adventures and the supporting guide for our Baja adventures. Permanently married to the mountains, Will’s other passions include entrepreneurship, playing cards, handstands, swords and writing short stories. When he isn’t on the road, Will is based in beautiful Bali where he is the Co-founder of Tribal Hostel, founder of Ahoy Wellness Villa and dog-dad to three fluffpups.

Post Trip Tips

Leaving Skardu

You can typically expect flights to depart from the Skardu Airport anywhere from 8 AM to 12 PM.

AirBlue and Pakistan International Airlines are the two airlines.

Again, here are our recommendations of where to stay in the capital:

Coyote Den Hostel (Budget)
Jasmine Inn (Mid-range, central location)
Islamabad Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Airbnb

Some other things to know:

If you want to do any money exchanges, we have personal experience with Riaz Money Exchange in the Blue Area neighbourhood
If you bought a SCOM SIM card in GB, it will still work in Islamabad if you switch the network to Ufone
To get from the airport to your accommodation, use inDrive, take a taxi, or arrange a pickup with your hotel
If you want to spend more time in the country, we highly recommend spending more time in Gilgit-Baltistan or Chitral. It will be unbelievably hot (35 °C+) in any of the historical cities, which are best visited from November to late February

International Departure

While many have booked their flight out of the country, do keep in mind that it may be very tight if any flight from the mountains gets cancelled. So definitely don’t have an international departure booked for 3 AM on the day following your domestic flight at least…

If you have the time, I’d recommend banking this as a buffer day to just relax in some nice AC in ISB and plan to fly out the day after.

Paying the Balance, Deposit and Cancellation Terms

Alright, it’s time to talk money and T&Cs, folks. Here are the nitty gritty details about payments and our terms:

Deposit Terms

All deposits are non-refundable. However, if the client cancels more than 90 days before the start of the trip, the full deposit may be applied as credit toward a future Elsewheria trip (one-time transfer only and must be used within 12 months).

If cancellation is made less than 30 days before the start of the trip, the deposit will be forfeited.

In cases where extraordinary, non-recoverable costs (such as flights, permits, or visas) are involved, these costs are never refundable by us, regardless of notice.

Final Payment Policy

Final payment is due at least 90 days before the trip start date, unless otherwise stated.
Bookings made within 90 days of departure require full payment at the time of booking.

Cancellation After Full Payment

90+ days before the trip: Full refund minus the non-refundable deposit.
51-90 days before the trip: 50 percent refund of total payment (excluding the deposit).
31-50 days before the trip: 75 percent refund of total payment (excluding the deposit).
Less than 30 days or fewer before the trip: No refund. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations, delays, and medical emergencies.

All refunds will be processed back to the original card or payment method used at the time of booking. Once a refund has been accepted by the bank or payment provider, Elsewheria has no further control over the release of funds.

If you are unable to attend this adventure, please inform us as soon as possible.

Organiser-Initiated Cancellation

Elsewheria reserves the right to cancel a trip if the minimum required number of participants stated in the provided itinerary is not met. In this case, all payments will be fully refunded, including the deposit. Notification will be provided at least 30 days before the start of the trip.

Early Trip Departure Protocol

In the event that a trip participant needs to leave the planned trip itinerary early due to illness, injury, family emergency, personal reasons, or simply because they want to, etc, then there are a few things to note:

Should a trip participant choose to leave the planned itinerary early for any reason, from the moment they leave the tour, all expenses from that point onwards are the responsibility of the trip participant.

This includes, but is not limited to, hotels/accommodation, transportation, emergency helicopter evacuation, internal flights (even if we have purchased you a flight for the trip you are attending), meals, airport transfer, guide services – everything that is normally covered by Elsewheria during your tour is no longer covered once a trip participant decides to leave.

Once the decision has been made to leave the tour, the trip participant must sign an “Early Departure Waiver Form” – formerly releasing Elsewheria of any further obligations to fulfil our tour/guide/transport/logistics services.

That said, in an emergency situation or in case of severe illness, Elsewheria staff will do everything within our means to aid the trip participant until they are in a safe/stable condition. When possible, Elsewheria staff can also help you book new accommodation, flights, transport, etc, but all of these expenses are for the trip participant to pay.

Point being, our staff will always be available to the best of our ability to facilitate the logistics of your departure, should you choose to leave the trip early.

Liability Waiver

All tour participants will be required to sign an industry-standard waiver releasing Elsewheria from liability related to any aspect of this trip. Waivers are usually issued on day 1 of the tour at our first team briefing. If you would like to request a copy of the waiver in advance, please email us.

Any questions?

Please check out our FAQs on the tour itinerary page, or email us at adventure@thebrokebackpacker.com Again, we are very excited to get to meet you in person in Pakistan soon!