Things to do in Pakistan

25 things to do in Pakistan

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Hike to Fairy Meadows for views of Nanga Parbat

  Trek through pine forests to a lush alpine meadow, offering breathtaking, unobstructed views of the 'Killer Mountain' Nanga Parbat's sheer Raikot Face.

  Fairy Meadows, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Explore the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-daro

  Walk the streets of this 4,500-year-old Indus Valley Civilization metropolis, examining its advanced drainage system, Great Bath, and enigmatic seals.

  Mohenjo-daro, Sindh

• Witness the Sufi devotional music at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar

  Feel the spiritual energy of the dhamaal dance and qawwali at the magnificent shrine of the revered Sufi saint, a whirlwind of sound and color.

  Sehwan Sharif, Sindh

• Trek to K2 Base Camp

  Embark on a multi-day expedition through the Karakoram to stand at the foot of the world's second-highest peak, surrounded by granite giants and glaciers.

  Concordia region, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Savor street food at Burns Road in Karachi

  Dive into Karachi's culinary heart, tasting spicy nihari, sizzling kebabs, and refreshing kulfi among a bustling, aromatic evening crowd.

  Karachi, Sindh

• Visit the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque

  Marvel at the Mughal grandeur of the imposing fort and the colossal sandstone mosque, especially breathtaking when illuminated at dusk.

  Lahore, Punjab

• Discover the Kalash valleys and their unique culture

  Visit the remote Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir valleys to meet the Kalash people, known for their distinct pagan traditions, vibrant festivals, and colorful dress.

  Bumburet Valley, Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Witness the confluence of the Indus and Gilgit rivers

  Stand at a dramatic viewpoint where the muddy brown Indus meets the crystal-clear blue Gilgit River, a striking natural boundary marked by contrasting hues.

  Jaglot, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Enjoy a traditional Lahori breakfast of halwa puri

  Start the day with a classic feast of fluffy puri bread, sweet semolina halwa, and spicy chana at the historic Gawalmandi Food Street.

  Gawalmandi, Lahore, Punjab

• Visit the Taxila archaeological site

  Roam the sprawling UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient Gandharan city, exploring Buddhist stupas, monasteries, and a well-preserved museum of millennia-old art.

  Taxila, Punjab

• Drive the Karakoram Highway to the China border at Khunjerab Pass

  Travel one of the world's highest paved roads, winding through dramatic gorges and snow-capped peaks to reach the 4,693-meter Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese frontier.

  Khunjerab Pass, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Attend the annual Shandur Polo Festival

  Experience the world's highest polo ground at 3,700 meters, where teams from Chitral and Gilgit clash in a traditional free-style match amid a festival atmosphere.

  Shandur Pass, Gilgit-Baltistan / Chitral

• Explore Hingol National Park and its rock formations

  Venture into Balochistan's otherworldly landscape to see the natural 'Princess of Hope' rock sculpture and active mud volcanoes in a lunar-like desert.

  Hingol National Park, Balochistan

• Stroll along the Port Grand in Karachi

  Walk the vibrant promenade stretching over the harbor, lined with diverse eateries, shops, and live entertainment, with views of the city skyline and anchored dhows.

  Karachi, Sindh

• Camp beside the turquoise Attabad Lake

  Pitch a tent on the shores of this stunning, glacier-fed lake formed by a 2010 landslide, now a sapphire gem surrounded by jagged cliffs perfect for boating.

  Attabad Lake, Gojal Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Taste Peshawari naan and chapli kebab in Qissa Khwani Bazaar

  Indulge in the legendary dry-fruit-studded naan and minced meat patties at the historic 'Storytellers' Bazaar,' absorbing the frontier spirit of old Peshawar.

  Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Walk through the historic Rohtas Fort

  Explore an imposing 16th-century garrison fort with massive stone walls, monumental gates, and bastions that once guarded a strategic route for Sher Shah Suri.

  Rohtas Fort, Jhelum, Punjab

• Rock climb the Trango Towers

  Challenge yourself on some of the world's most spectacular granite spires, with the sheer 1,300-meter Great Trango Tower offering legendary big-wall climbs.

  Trango Towers, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Visit the remote village of Passu and the Passu Cones

  Photograph the iconic jagged spires known as Passu Cones from the quiet village, a stunning backdrop to the Hunza Valley's apricot orchards and glaciers.

  Passu, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Wander through the Walled City of Lahore and its havelis

  Get lost in the labyrinthine streets lined with ornate balconies, restored mansions, and vibrant bazaars, where every turn reveals a piece of Mughal and Sikh history.

  Walled City, Lahore, Punjab

• Spot the Indus River dolphin near Sukkur

  Take a boat ride on the mighty Indus from Sukkur Barrage to catch a rare glimpse of the endemic, blind freshwater dolphin surfacing in the murky waters.

  Sukkur, Sindh

• Eat fresh fruit and dry fruits at the Gilgit bazaar

  Browse colorful stalls piled high with Hunza apricots, almonds, walnuts, and seasonal mulberries, tasting the region's famous produce in a lively mountain market.

  Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan

• Discover the Buddhist stupas and monasteries in Swat Valley

  Visit the Butkara Stupa and surrounding Gandharan-era ruins in the verdant valley, walking among carved reliefs and ancient prayer platforms that reveal a Buddhist past.

  Butkara Stupa, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Ski at Malam Jabba resort

  Carve down snow-covered slopes in the Hindu Kush, Pakistan's premier ski destination, with a chairlift offering panoramic views of the Swat Valley below.

  Malam Jabba, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Watch the sunset and enjoy tea at Monal Restaurant in the Margalla Hills

  Sip steaming chai and savor local cuisine from a hilltop perch at Pir Sohawa, as the sun dips behind Islamabad and the Margalla range, lighting up the city below.

  Pir Sohawa, Islamabad