These are the best companies if you fly into Lahore instead (cheaper, but a lot more hassle) and then need to get a bus to Islamabad:

• • Faisal Movers
  • Daewoo

• • Q Connect (to/from Lahore only)

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, as there is only one or two flights a day from Islamabad to Skardu, and they all leave early morning – it’s hard to chain these together with an international arrival into Islamabad. 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!

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)

You can search for more options on Airbnb, it is also a cheap and active option in Islamabad. 

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 man’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.