Come frolic around Pakistan’s most interesting corners with me and Alex from Lost With Purpose.
Pakistan is a cultural and culinary powerhouse. It’s also undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Between bites of sizzling chapli kebab, piles of fragrant Kabuli pulao, bowls of delightfully creamy molida, and rich buffalo milk lassi, we’ll dive into the varied cultures of Pakistan. Not with museums, but with experiences. From the technicolor truck art markets of Punjab to the women’s wine cellars of the Kalash. You’ll walk to the foot of enormous glaciers, stroll across hanging suspension bridges, stay overnight in local homes tucked high in Pakistan’s mountains, and pay a visit to a local shaman who speaks with mountain fairies.
This is Pakistan in all its complicated, contradictory, and captivating glory.
This trip spans cultures from Punjabi to Wakhi and Pashtun to Kalasha, because Pakistan is not one single, uniform entity, and to understand the place, you’ve got to experience it all.
Through numerous trips to Pakistan, we’ve curated the perfect itinerary to help you better understand a place that so few people venture to visit.
Come With Us to Pakistan in October 2026!
There’s no better time to visit Pakistan than in the Fall. The cities have cooled to a lovely strolling temperature, the mountains remain snow-capped and stunning, and the cuisine is at its best with lots of fresh produce available even in the smallest villages. Not to mention the fall foliage just starting to erupt in yellows and golds across the high elevations.
You can still trek, you can cross passes (these roads are only open certain times of year), and it sees way clearer skies than the Spring months.
There’s literally no reason NOT to come with us to Pakistan this October.
This Is Not Your Average Tour of Pakistan
There are three major things that set this Pakistan tour apart.
As you can see, this is NOT a run-of-the-mill Pakistan itinerary. We’re not going to Fairy Meadows, Lahore, or Skardu. This is by design. While those destinations are beautiful (pretty much all of Pakistan is), you don’t need a tour to explore them. They are entry-level Pakistan. If you’re going to pay big money for a tour, it should take you places that you may not have been able to reach on your own. You can easily add on any of these destinations to the end of this tour, but I promise you won’t feel like you missed anything at Fairy Meadows once you see the mountains on this itinerary.
We’re traveling by 4×4! While this is not in itself a novel idea, as much of Pakistan’s roadways require it, you’ll find 99% of tours in Pakistan travel by bus. This means mostly sticking to the Karakoram highway and the trodden trail. But most of our favorite Pakistan destinations are well off it. We’re springing for 4×4 vehicles so as not to sacrifice on the itinerary.
This itinerary has been hand-crafted by us, the tour organizers. There’s no overarching parent company here. Just myself, Alex, Sana, and Evan. This means we can pivot based on the group’s interests. You want to see the Buddhist ruins? No problem. Spend a day on a horse trek in the mountains? We’ll figure it out. Sana is an extraordinarily well-traveled and well-connected local, so his expertise is obvious. He also worked as the UN Head of Security for Pakistan, so you’re in good hands. Alex lives in Pakistan and has seen more of the country in her 9 years there than perhaps any other foreign woman ever has. While Evan’s and my experience pales in comparison, we have spent a lot of time in Pakistan and are eager to show you what we love about the company.
Our 15-Day Pakistan 4×4 Tour Itinerary
We’re calling this day zero because the vast majority of flights arrive late at night, so you may not have enough time to actually sightsee on this day. Don’t fret, we will do some exploring when we return to Islamabad at the end of the trip.
If you choose to arrive a day early, you can use day zero to buy some local clothes and/or pay a visit to Rawalpindi to get some custom-painted truck art on pretty much anything you want.
Today, we begin our scenic drive to the mountains. We will cross the iconic Babusar Top (4,173 meters/13,691 feet), stopping for photos and a scenic lunch at Lulusar Lake.
This is the most painless way to reach the mountains. No overnight in desolate Chilas for us.
Naran is a lovely forested town that’s super popular as a summertime getaway for Pakistani travelers and often missed entirely by foreign visitors.
Yet another scenic drive awaits you. Today, weather permitting, we will get our first glimpse of Rakaposhi, a towering 7,788 m/25,551 ft peak. This idyllic village in Nagar district is the gateway to the high peaks, and it’s also an excellent introduction to mountain cuisine. We will try famous dishes like Durum Pitti (a special wheat-dough dish served with apricot oil) and Gorkhun (a meat dish slow-simmered in a hundred-year-old stone pot).
The *iconic* Hunza Valley is only a stone’s throw from Minapin, which means we will be blessed with a short drive day and jump straight into our Hunza highlights.
- Historic Baltit and Altit Forts with panoramic mountain views.
- Dine at a women-run restaurant with traditional Hunzai cuisine.
- Shopping for traditional clothes, fresh dried fruit (snacks are always good), handmade rugs, and precious stones, if that intrigues you.
It’s time to really start making use of our 4×4 capabilities. The drive from Hunza to Shimshal Valley, nicknamed the “Valley of Mountaineers, is an incredible road cutting through fall foliage-filled valleys that puts the Instagram-popular fairy meadows route to shame. We will have the opportunity to do a short day hike here (if you’re feeling up for it) and stay in a local home in one of Pakistan’s highest-altitude permanent settlements.
This will likely be a highlight of the trip in both scenery and cultural experience.
When it comes to the blockbuster hits, Passu delivers. After returning to the Karakoram highway, we will speed on over to the Passu Glacier and Borith Lake, where, following a very short walk, you’ll find yourself overlooking a crackling sea of glacial ice. One of the most impressive landscapes in the country.
Then we’ll return to the paved road and head to the infamous Yak Grill, offering delicious food and unrivaled views of the Passu Cones. After lunch, we can head to the REAL hanging suspension bridge (not the tourist one) and take a short hike to an isolated local village before heading back to one of my favorite guesthouses in Pak for dinner and a morning view you won’t forget.
This will mark the first real “rest” on this trip, if that’s what you want to call it. We will stay for three nights at Coyote Den in the incredible Ishkoman Valley for maximum comfort. If you’re feeling like chilling at the guesthouse in the sprawling orchards, hanging out with the sheep and your fellow trip-mates, no problem. For those who want adventure, Ishkoman is packed with it. Here we can…
- Explore Dain Waterfall and the local villages on a short hike
- Pay a visit to the female shaman who speaks to mountain fairies and can tell your future (not kidding)
- Eat traditional food in local homes (while this will happen as often as possible on the trip, the food here is insanely good)
- Go trout-fishing in sustainable fish farms
- Indulge in Pakistan’s premier adult grape juice/fermented fruit beverage (if you catch my drift) over a home-cooked meal in my fave producer’s house
Thankfully, we’ve been out of the car for three whole days, because today we’ve got a long drive across one of Pakistan’s high passes. Shandur Pass is a breathtaking high-altitude meadow known as the “Roof of the World” that hosts the world’s highest Polo Field and some magnificent landscapes.
Today will be a beautiful drive with plenty of stops.
I’m super into Booni. This remote, peaceful town was a kingdom cut off from the world for centuries, and it was only within the last 50 years that it was connected to the world by roads. It also happens to have what I consider to be some of the best mountain views in Pakistan at Qaqlasht Meadows.
Kalash is one of the single most unique destinations in all of Pakistan. We will make the super fun semi-off-road drive to Kalash Valley and spend a few days eating our way through Birir and learning about the incredible culture of the Kalash people. You can read Lost With Purpose’s Kalash guide to learn more about this neat place.
Today, we will venture into Peshawar, an insane foodie destination and a city of living history. We will don some traditional attire and set out to explore the chaotic streets and markets of the old city, indulge in halva, chapli kebab, and a plethora of other local delicacies along the way.
Peshawar offers a totally different perspective on Pakistan today. And it’s important to experience the more conservative sides of the country in addition to the relatively liberal mountain regions. We will visit old homes, a few museums, and soak up a last little bit of culture before returning to Islamabad.
After a short return drive from Peshawar, we will head to Faisal Mosque, the most important attraction in Islamabad. We can also dip our toes into Rawalpindi and visit the truck art markets if you haven’t gotten enough of Pakistan’s chaotic cities, or I can set you up to get some ink with one of Pakistan’s only female tattoo artists (I did last time!). This is the final day of the tour, and this evening we will sadly say our goodbyes.
You can fly home either late this evening or tomorrow. Or stay on longer and explore more of Pakistan with me.
Who is This Pakistan Tour For?
In other words, is this the right tour for you?
If you want to experience Pakistan as a whole, rather than Pakistan through its most touristy destinations, this is the tour for you.
If you are okay stepping a little out of your comfort zone and are interested in learning about the culture, history, and food alongside taking pretty pictures (rather than just for the gram), this is the tour for you.
If you’re up for a bit of adventure in 2026, this is the tour for you.
You don’t need to have traveled the world extensively, be super physically fit, or ride a motorcycle. We’ve carefully designed this route to offer the best of Pakistan without limiting who can go.
On the flip side, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been to Pakistan before; this itinerary will likely offer you a deeper dive and give you the added bonus of hanging out with me and Alex (@lostwithpurpose) for a few weeks.
While we have no gender, nationality (visa pending), skill, or fitness restrictions, we don’t allow kids on this trip, and you should be in good enough health for international travel.
Gallery From Our Previous Forays Into Pakistan
Pricing: 3,200 USD per person
This is the most affordable 4×4 trip you’ll find online. This was something that was important to me when crafting this itinerary. Renting 4×4 vehicles in Pakistan isn’t cheap. That’s why most tour companies forgo them and end up sacrificing on the destinations they can visit. But we aren’t a tour company. We’re real travelers with experience traveling in Pakistan.
We also want each vehicle to only seat 3 guests for maximum comfort and scenery viewing pleasure. This means we simply cannot price this any lower.
Inclusions
3 meals a day + lots of chai
Accommodation during the tour (twin sharing)
4×4 Transportation
Entry fees for all attractions on the tour
Airport transfers
Exclusions
Flights (there are none on the tour)
Visa Fees
Alcohol (outside of Ishkoman experience)
Snacks
Tips for driver + other local guides we may use (optional)
This discounted price will rise to 3500 USD per person in March 2026.
Save By Booking Together: Couples/Groups 3,000 USD per person
Since this tour pairs up travelers in twin sleeping arrangements, if you bring your own room buddy, we’ll give you a $200 discount each! When you book, tell me who you’ll be traveling with, and I’ll make sure you each only pay $3000.
This isn’t just for couples either! If you’re a small group of friends, we’re more than happy to offer you the discount too.
Payment and Cancellations
Payments can be made by bank transfer, Wise (all major cards and most currencies), or credit card (Pakistani rupees). A deposit of $1000 is required to secure your position on the tour.
Tour Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your tour for some reason, our cancellation policy is:
- 2+ months in advance: Full refund minus deposit
- 1-2 months in advance: 50% refund minus deposit
- < 1 month in advance: 25% refund minus deposit
- < 2 weeks in advance: Too last-minute! No refunds, but we can move your payment (minus deposit) to another tour in 2027.
If, for some unforeseen reason, WE have to cancel the trip, you will receive a full refund.
Tour Organizers
Come get to know who you’ll be traveling with (if you don’t know us from socials already).
Sanaullah Marwat (Local)
Sanaullah (Sana) is from western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He’s biked literally all the way from one end of the country to the other in between working as a security expert for the UN and British High Commission. These days, he heads his own adventure tour company, Coyote Trail. He knows everything there is to know about Pakistan, has a devious sense of humor, and is a menace. In a good way. Usually.
Alex Reynolds (Foreign)
Alexandra (Alex) is a solo female traveler, writer, and photographer from the United States. She began traveling Pakistan in 2016—blogging about it excessively the entire time—and started leading tours in 2019. After many a year and many a misadventure, she can now say she’s pet goats in every single province and territory of Pakistan. Today, she lives in Pakistan full-time.
Geena Truman (Foreign)
Hi! It’s me. I’m a freelance writer and travel blogger with a particular fondness for chai, wildlife, and South Asia. I’ve spent the better part of the last decade traveling and eating my way through Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Pakistan, in particular, I’ve visited on four separate trips in the last 2 years.
Evan Harris (Foreign)
Evan is a photographer with a laid-back, go-with-the-flow attitude who quickly becomes best friends with everyone he meets. A true adventurer up for every ill-advised idea that pops into someone’s head, he’s driven a 4×4 or motorcycle across too many countries to count and been to Pakistan on four different occasions. He’s also my husband.
Other Important Tour FAQs You Need To Know
If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Feel free to use the form at the bottom of this page to contact me directly if you have other concerns that you would like addressed.
Is This Tour Designed Responsibly With Locals in Mind?
Yes, we designed our Pakistan 4×4 tour with responsible tourism in mind. On this tour, we will…
- Stay in local homestays and guesthouses instead of international chains.
- Eat local, seasonal food as often as possible.
- Travel to more offbeat locations to distribute our tourist money.
- Support women-run initiatives and women-run businesses in Pakistan.
- Pay all local drivers, guides, and hosts a fair wage for their time.
How Many People Per 4×4 Car?
We are not going to cram you in like sardines to maximize profit on this tour. Each car will have three guests (+ one of us) and travel in a caravan to each destination. This gives you room for comfort, space for luggage in each car, and a window so you can enjoy the scenery, which is half the fun on drive days.
How Long Will We Be in the Car on This Tour?
Roads are long and bumpy, particularly on the drive up to Gilgit Baltistan and in remote valleys. Landslides often cause unexpected delays in the mountains. Prepare yourself for hours of bumpy rides, and know that plans may sometimes be altered due to road delays. Our longest drive days will be crossing Shandur Pass (thankfully, it’s beautiful) and getting up to Gilgit-Baltistan (which we have broken into two reasonable drive days).
How Fit Do I Need to Be to Go On This Adventure?
All physical activity on this trip is negotiable! While we are planning on tackling a few short walks in the mountains, the longest of which is 9KM round-trip. You can also opt out if that’s out of the question. You should be well enough to travel and spend time on your feet to explore comfortably.
Is Altitude Sickness a Concern?
Altitude sickness is always a risk when going more than 2,000 meters (6,500′) above sea level… which we will! The highest altitude we’ll be traveling to is Babusar Pass at 4,100 m (13,450′), and only high-altitude accommodation will be at roughly 3,000 m (9,843 ′).
However, Alex + Sana have run loads of tours in Pakistan and never had anyone have serious altitude issues aside from minor headaches and some nausea. If you’re concerned about altitude on the trip, we recommend talking to your doctor before leaving to see if they advise you to travel with Diamox, a common altitude sickness prevention drug.
What About Food-Borne Illness/Am I Likely to Get Sick in Pakistan?
Hygiene standards can be poor in Pakistan. Our chosen hotels and guesthouses have clean facilities, but when we’re out on the road, we’ll encounter restrooms in sometimes terrifying states. Food is often problematic, and upset stomachs are inevitable. We’ll do our best to find clean food and help anyone who falls ill; just know it’s a common side effect of traveling here.
What Is The Toilet Situation in Pakistan?
About the sometimes terrifying toilets…
Infrastructure is basic. Running hot water is not always available in the mountains. Some accommodations will only have bucket showers (bucket of water and something to pour it on you). Squat toilets are common, toilet paper is not common. These are part of the challenges of traveling in a developing country! Keep an open mind (and always have hand sanitizer ready), and you’ll be okay.
Will I Have Internet Access on The Tour?
Connectivity is limited at times. Though cities have decent signals and wifi, mobile signals in Gilgit-Baltistan and Ghizer are unreliable. Wifi is slow (if even available), and many areas have no signal. We’ll arrange local SIM cards for you if desired, but overall, don’t count on doing video calls or uploading videos unless we’re in a city. Pakistan is not yet a digital nomad-friendly destination.
Will There Be Electricity?
Electricity is not available 24/7 in the mountains. Many places only have electricity for a few hours each day. Some establishments have generators to provide electricity, but they don’t run all day. Heating in remote areas is sometimes limited to wood stoves rather than electric heating. A power bank for small devices is useful (charge it before we leave the city!). We’ll make sure you have access to outlets when electricity is available.
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
I always choose to travel in Pakistan with travel insurance.
Personally, as an American who likes to save money where I can, I use Seven Corners. It’s not as wonderful as World Nomads when it comes to coverage, but for the basics, it works. It’s up to you which fits your budget and if you’re interested in insuring gear like your camera, just medical, or you want it to cover trip cancellation for your flight.
What Will Accommodation Be Like?
We’ll stay at hotels, guesthouses, and traditional homestays. You’ll have to share double rooms in hotels and guesthouses. In homestays, part of the group may have to share one common sleeping space and sleep on the floor. It’s how local people sleep!
Is Pakistan Actually a Safe Travel Destination?
Not a single place in the world is 100% safe. But Alex and I have written blog posts detailing everything you need to know about safety in Pakistan.
Here’s Alex’s: Is Pakistan Safe For Travel
Here is Mine: Is Pakistan Safe? An Honest Look.
TDLR: Pakistan is an excellent travel destination, and you are very unlikely to encounter any human-related safety issues. Nature is unpredictable. But this is the benefit of traveling on a guided tour with local experts like Sana.
What Can I Expect From the Weather in Late-October?
Since this tour covers such a diverse range of climates in Pakistan, it will be quite varied. The good news is this is one of the best times of year to visit if you’re hoping for clear skies and sunshine in the mountains (which we are).
Wondering What to Pack?
We’ve got you covered. After booking, I will email you a full guide with loads of helpful information, including a full packing list created specifically with this itinerary in mind. You’ll also be able to contact me via WhatsApp with any other questions you have that may pop up.
Interested in Extending Your Stay? I’m Here to Help.
Interested in visiting the historic foodie city of Lahore or the stunning natural beauty of the Swat Valley? Want to tack on a visit to Skardu? Maybe you want to stay on a little longer in Peshawar or fly down to Karachi? I’ll be in Pakistan after the tour and am happy to set you up with an expert local guide (or join you, who knows).
You simply can’t see ALL there is to see in Pakistan in one go. But I can help you try.
Need Some More Info?
Shoot me an email directly to my personal email account, Geena.Truman@gmail.com.
I’m happy to answer any additional questions you might have!
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