Pakistan travel guide
Meet Pakistan Pakistan weather reportGetting into PakistanFrom the Pakistani kitchen From the Pakistani barCurrency in Pakistan Major airports in PakistanDid you know?
Meet Pakistan
Pakistan is found on the Arabian Sea, surrounded by Afghanistan, Iran, India, and China. Its location is linked back to ancient trade routes, with its proximity to the Kyber and Bolan rivers creating a tradition of prosperity with Asia and Europe. Its indigenous civilisation dates back to the start of human life, with the 20th century bringing a mixture of races to the country. Combined with its complex history of war and religion, Pakistan has become an interesting example of community.
Geographically, Pakistan has every kind of geological structure – seas, deserts, mountain ranges (both dry and wet), arable land and rainforests can all be found here. Although most of the federally-administered tribal areas which are mostly off-limits to foreigners, Gilgit-Baltistan is home to some of the tallest mountains in the world, making for fantastic trekking opportunities. Ancient ruins are to be found around Islamabad, and the remnants of past civilisations around Moenjodaro and Lahore are not to be missed.
There are several festivals in Pakistan based around Islamic holidays, the largest being Eid-ul-Fitr, which celebrates food after a long fast. Businesses close around this time, and due to the dawn-to-dusk fasting tradition of Ramadan that precedes it, this time of year (varies; calendars for exact dates) is not recommended for tourists as, although you will be exempt, it will be difficult to find places that are open. January-May are the best times to travel, as there are few bank holidays during this time, and the weather is more reliable.
Pakistan weather report
The climate here is largely hot and dry, although it can be more temperate in the northwest. The majority of the country experiences its rainy season from end of June through to early October with monsoon season occurring in July and August. During the monsoons, flooding along the rivers is quite common creating fertile land and humidity in the Punjab area.
October through late-February is generally a nice time to visit as temperatures are pleasantly warm without the suffocating heat of summer, and the air is sunny and dry. The evenings during this period can get a bit chilly.
Pakistan’s mountainous regions are excessively cold during the winter months while the south can be suffocatingly hot with high humidity levels. As such, it’s best to check the weather forecast for the time of year intended for travel prior to departure when visiting Pakistan. It’s also important to remember that the country can be prone to severe earthquakes.
Getting into Pakistan
Most nationalities will require visas to enter Pakistan. A list of 24 “tourist friendly” countries was recently drawn up, allowing a month's visa on arrival if travelling with designated tour operators. This list includes Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain , Sweden, Thailand, the UK and the United States.
Most other visas last for 30-90 days, and double-entries are only issued to persistent applicants. Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, and Tonga can stay for an unlimited amount of time. Citizens of Israel are not permitted entry as Pakistan does not recognise it as a nation. Religious visas are granted for 15 days provided there is a group of 10 or more.
Nationals of Taiwan are refused entry except for transit. Business visas can be issued within 24 hours and last for 5 years.
From the Pakistani kitchen
The formula of a Pakistani meal is usually meat with rice or a flatbread such as Roti, Naan or Paratha. The spiciness of food varies from region to region. As a rule of thumb, the dishes available in high-end hotels are also available on the street. As with most countries in this part of the world, it is customary to eat with your right hand when passing food from hand to mouth.
Kebabs are popular in Pakistan. A few types include:
- Seekh – a long skewer of minced meat with herbs and seasoning
- Shami – a patty of meat and lentils
- Chapli – a spicy round kebab, which is a speciality of Peshawar
- Chicken kebab
- Lamb kebab – often served cubed
Other typical dishes include biryani, which is seasoned rice mixed with pieces of chicken and vegetables, chicken tikka and roasted chicken. Stews include Haleem, made from meat, lentils, and wheat grains, and Daal, which is essentially a lentil soup. Of course, food here is served halal according to Islamic eating habits, this is similar to eating kosher.
Desserts worth trying include Kulfi (ice cream), and Falooda, made with jellies and rose water.
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From the Pakistani bar
Tap water can be unsafe to drink. It is best to buy bottled water, and avoid anything cold that may contain elements of unbottled water.
Tea is extremely popular here. Both black and green varieties are common and often drunk with sugar and cardamom. Lemon is recommended with green tea. Kashmiri Chai is a milky tea with almonds and nuts. It is often served during the cold seasons at weddings. Coffee is also widely available.
Sweet fruit drinks are available in the south, as are lassi drinks made with milk or yoghurt bases. These come in sweet or salty flavours, the most popular of which is the mango lassi.
Although it is illegal for Muslims to consume or possess alcohol in Pakistan, it is available for travellers at off-licenses and bars in top-end hotels. There is even a local beer, called “Murree Beer”.
Currency in Pakistan
The currency in Pakistan is the rupee or PKR. Coins are issued in 1, 2, and 5 rupee denominations while banknotes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 rupee values.
ATMs exist in most areas and accept major credit cards.
Major airports in Pakistan
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Mohammed V International Airport (CMN)
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Jinnah International Airport (KHI)
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Allama Iqbal International Airport (ATG)
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Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB)
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Gwadar Airport (GWD)
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Peshawar International Airport (PEW)
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Sialkot International Airport (SKT)
Did you know?
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Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world
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The name Pakistan was first devised by Indian students studying at Cambridge in 1932 P stood for Punjab, A for the Afghan areas of the North West Frontier, K for Kashmir and S for Sind
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Sialkot makes 90% of the world's sports goods, and provides for the FIFA World Cup