Debating crossing the border for a first taste of Pakistan? The fabulous cities of Lahore and Islamabad are the perfect introduction! In this guide, we lay out a sample 5-day Pakistan itinerary, from Amritsar, India to Lahore and Islamabad including highlights, where to stay, how to get around and with suggestions to shorten or lengthen the trip, depending on your interests and how much time you have available.
- About travel in Pakistan
- Choosing a Pakistan Itinerary
- Visas
- Best time to visit
- Highlights
- 5 Day Pakistan Itinerary
– Summary
– Detailed itinerary - Longer than 5 days in Pakistan?
- Tips for travel in Pakistan
- Where to eat in Lahore and Islamabad
- Accommodation
About travel in Pakistan
Pakistan is probably one of our unanimously favourite countries we have ever visited. We first visited on a short trip crossing over the border from Amritsar to visit Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
Well, we fell in love with Pakistan and have since visited again on a further three more trips.
In the past Pakistan has been swept up in the same media-driven mentality as other less-travelled ‘Stans. There has always been an undeniable ‘fear of the ‘Stans’.
But for travellers today it is an amazing destination rich in culture, history and warm in hospitality.
- Read our complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
Is a 5-Day Pakistan itinerary worth it?
Travel in Pakistan is still in a curious stage for travellers. If you’ve travelled to India or other South Asia countries it is almost inevitable it will pique your curiosity for what it might be like travelling in Pakistan.
We were cautious but curious too before our first visit. But four trips later and four times crossing over the Wagah Border from Amritsar to Lahore in Pakistan, we love it and can’t get enough.
If you are going to be in India already and want to get a feel for Pakistan, crossing the border for five days is worth it.
This 5-day Pakistan itinerary covers:
- Amritsar (India)
- Lahore (Pakistan)
- Islamabad (Pakistan)
The cities of Lahore and Islamabad are vastly different. Lahore is full of Mughal history and a rich culture and heritage that is bustling with that typically South Asian city atmosphere. Islamabad on the other hand is the capital and is a newer city with a contrastingly more organised feel to it.
This 5-Day Pakistan itinerary makes entering the country easy and really showcases the best of both Lahore and Islamabad.
Do I need a visa for Pakistan?
Most nationalities require a visa in advance for Pakistan. However, it isn’t as tricky as it used to be to get a visa for Pakistan. They have introduced an e-visa system and up to 176 nationalities can now apply for a Pakistani visa online.
- Read about how to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa here.
To start this 5-day Pakistan itinerary from Amritsar in India you will also need to have a visa in advance for India too.
When is the best time to visit Pakistan?
This 5-Day Pakistan itinerary includes two of Pakistan’s largest cities, Lahore in Punjab, and the neighbouring capital city of Islamabad.
The best time to visit Lahore and Islamabad is during the cooler months of winter and autumn from September to November and from March to May.
These cooler months offer comfortable temperatures. The Punjabi plains can get extremely hot during the summer months. And believe it or not there is also a monsoon and rainy season in the region in July and August.
Albeit November and December are cooler times temperature wise too. However, these can be a terrible time to visit due to crop burning season. (Sorry, Pakistan).
At this time of year the smog from pollution is heightened intensely with the crop burning season and air quality can be horrendously toxic.
We most recently visited Lahore and Islamabad in December and despite the cooler temperature that was good for travel, it was noticeably dark early in the evenings.
One of the things I love most about Lahore and look forward to on each visit is the colourful bustle of the friendly old Walled City of Lahore.
However, in the wintertime it is a much greyer and darker atmosphere. There aren’t as many people out enjoying it as for locals it feels cold already and it truly lacked the usual loveable atmosphere of this incredible city.
I recommend if it works for you, try this 5-day Pakistan itinerary during the Spring or Autumn months when the weather – and atmosphere – is at its peak best for travel.
- Read about visiting India during the monsoon season and getting hospitalised in Delhi with Dengue Fever.
Highlights
Highlights of this Pakistan itinerary include:
- Crossing the famous Wagah Border from India to Pakistan
- Historic Walled City of Lahore
- Wazir Khan Mosque
- Lahore Fort
- See sunset at Badshahi Mosque
- Experience the Wagah Border Ceremony
- Take a bus in Pakistan
- See the Pakistan Monument
- Visit the famous Lok Virsa Museum
- Hear the Azan at Faisal Mosque
- Dine overlooking Islamabad from the beautiful Margalla Hills.
These two Pakistani cities are packed with things to see!
Summary – 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
See your complete itinerary detailed below.
- Day 1 – Amritsar (India) to Lahore
- Day 2 – Lahore
- Day 3 – Lahore
- Day 4 – Lahore – Bus to Islamabad
- Day 5 – Islamabad
- Day 6 – Islamabad – *Departure
See alternative ends to the itinerary listed below if you have more time in Islamabad or Pakistan.
Detailed 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Here are the full details for an epic 5-day Pakistan itinerary from Amritsar (India) to Lahore and Islamabad.
Day 1 – 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
The first day of this Pakistan itinerary starts from Amritsar in India.
Today is going to be a travel day crossing the Wagah Border from Amritsar to Lahore in Pakistan.
Check out and depart from your hotel in Amritsar at 10:00am and travel by taxi to the Wagah Border Crossing. It is around 45 minutes’ drive from Amritsar to the Attari-Wagah border terminal and it takes a couple of hours to cross this fascinating border on foot.
- Read our complete guide to the Wagah Border crossing from India to Pakistan here.
- Travel by taxi.
Welcome to Lahore and Punjab in Pakistan!
It is easiest to get a taxi from the Wagah border crossing to Lahore and check into your hotel. There are taxis waiting just outside of the border terminal area.
Start the officially Pakistan part of your 5 day Pakistan itinerary tonight with a traditional dinner at Spice Bazaar in Gulberg II; one of Lahore’s most famous luxury restaurants.
For more recommendations on where to eat, see the “Where to Eat” section listed at the end.
- Read about things to do in Lahore.
- Travel by taxi.
- Stay overnight in Lahore, Pakistan.
Day 2 – 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Begin the day with breakfast in your hotel and get ready for a day of exploring the incredible historic city of Lahore.
Get a taxi to the old Walled City of Lahore and enter through the famous Delhi Gate. Wander the vibrant small streets of Lahore’s historic bazar and see the famous Mughal wonders including Shahi Hammam and Wazir Khan Mosque.
Take a rickshaw from one of the city gates to Lahore Fort. Purchase tickets on entry to the fort and explore the beautiful grounds and Sheesh Mahal (the Mirror Palace) overlooking Badshahi Mosque.
Walk down through the fort gates for a pre-sunset visit to Badshahi Mosque. This is the best time of day to visit.
End the day with dinner at Haveli Restaurant with the sunset call to prayer overlooking the mosque.
- Read about Lahore, visiting Badshahi Mosque and the things to see in the Walled City of Lahore.
- Travel by taxi and auto-rickshaw.
- Stay overnight in Lahore, Pakistan.
Day 3 – 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Start today with a local breakfast and a leisurely morning at your hotel.
There is time this morning to visit the beautiful Mughal-era Shalimar Gardens or get a taxi across the river to see the tombs of Shah Jahangir and Noor Jahan. Otherwise take some free time until mid-afternoon.
In the afternoon, take a taxi and head once again towards the Wagah Border for the famous Wagah Border Ceremony.
This incredible ceremony is performed every evening at sundown and symbolises the closing of the international border for the day and the relationship between Pakistan and India.
It is an uplifting and energising ceremony that really needs to be experienced in person – and of course, today you will be cheering loudly for Pakistan!
- Read our guide to experiencing the Wagah border ceremony from Lahore.
Have dinner tonight on the way home from Wagah back in Lahore at Savour Foods after the ceremony. This is one of Lahore’s most popular family restaurants!
- Travel by taxi.
It is easiest to book a driver for the afternoon and have them wait for you at the Wagah Border ceremony.
- Stay overnight in Lahore, Pakistan.
Day 4 – 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Today you say goodbye to Lahore and enjoy a comfortable bus ride to Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad.
The buses in Pakistan are surprisingly luxurious and it is a relaxing journey to see the countryside from your seat. We recommend a bus trip with Faisal Movers or Road Master bus services.
The journey from Lahore to Islamabad by bus takes around five hours.
- Read our guide to bus travel in Pakistan here.
Islamabad is a modern city and will feel very different to what you have seen of Pakistan so far! Arrive in Islamabad and check into your hotel.
Have dinner tonight in bustling F-7 Sector of Islamabad at Kabul Restaurant. (This is our favourite Islamabad restaurant and a very popular restaurant with locals!).
- Read about taking the Faisal Movers bus from Lahore to Islamabad and the top things to do in Islamabad.
- Stay overnight in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Day 5 – 5-Day Pakistan Itinerary
After a local breakfast at your hotel head out to explore Pakistan’s capital city.
Today is the day to visit the Heritage Pakistan Monument, the historic Lok Virsa Museum and take a walk around Lake View Park.
Have lunch in Islamabad at Khiva Restaurant or the famous Quetta Chai (make sure to try the cheese paratha!).
After lunch return to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for a pre-sunset visit to the impressive Faisal Mosque – the largest mosque in Pakistan.
Tonight is the last evening of your 5-day Pakistan itinerary. We suggest finishing the trip with a special dinner at La Montana. This is one of Pakistan’s most famous restaurants, high up in the Margalla Hills with spectacular traditional food and breathtaking views over Islamabad.
- Read about visiting Faisal Mosque and things to do in Islamabad.
- Travel by taxi.
- Stay overnight in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Day 6 – Departure from Islamabad
Enjoy one last local breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to the airport. If you have a later flight you can relax at the hotel until check-out or store your bags and head out for one last explore of Islamabad until you leave.
We hope you have enjoyed a great introduction to Pakistan on your 5-day itinerary!
Have longer than 5 days in Pakistan on your itinerary?
Read more about the best things to do in Lahore and Islamabad.
If you have an extra day or two from Islamabad it is a great spot to do a day trip to the beautiful hill station of Murree or the UNESCO site of Taxila.
Murree was once the main hill station escape from the heat of the Punjab plains for the British just over 1.5 hours’ drive from Islamabad.
Taxila is an important archaeological site, just over an hour’s drive from Islamabad that was once a major centre of Buddhist learning and culture.
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is also Pakistan’s second largest city (after Karachi).
Things to do in Lahore
- Lahore Fort: The Shahi Qila is a Mughal structure dating to the 11thcentury.
- Badshahi Mosque: One of the most famous mosques in the world and a real treat to visit.
- Anarkali Bazaar: One of Lahore’s oldest markets.
- Shalamar Gardens: UNESCO world heritage site Mughal-era gardens and park.
- Wagah Border: Marking the border between Pakistan and India with a daily evening ceremony.
Islamabad
Islamabad is known as a clean, calm and green city by Pakistan standards and I would have to say that description is pretty apt. It is a relaxing and easy city to explore.
There are modern malls and services if that’s what you’re looking for. And there are beautiful open green spaces and parks (even hiking trails) if that is what you’re after.
Plus it’s easy to get around in Islamabad by taxi or Uber. Rickshaws are banned in the capital city.
- Read more about things to do in Islamabad.
Things to do in Islamabad
- Faisal Mosque: Pakistan’s national mosque and the sixth-largest mosque in the world.
- Pakistan Monument: A now-iconic monument constructed to symbolise the unity of the Pakistani people.
- Itwar Bazaar: Local market more commonly known as the Sunday Market with farmers bringing their fruits and vegetables to the city for sale.
- Daman-E-Koh Viewpoint: Beautiful views over what is confidently the greenest city in the country.
- Centaurus Shopping Mall: If modern is your thing; see this enormous mall and the very modern side to Pakistan.
- Kabul Restaurant: A must-do restaurant in Islamabad.
Where to eat in Lahore and Islamabad
We love the food of Pakistan and over the last four trips we have found some definite favourites!
Here are our recommendations for where to eat in Lahore.
- Spice Bazaar: Our favourite Pakistani restaurant in Lahore with beautiful ambience, great service, delicious dishes and top-notch desserts.
- Haveli Restaurant: Directly opposite Badshahi Mosque, this is the most famous restaurant in Lahore and serves delicious Pakistani BBQ and traditional cuisine.
- Savour Foods: This is Pakistan’s most popular fast food style chain restaurant with the largest and original store in Lahore. We love the crunchy chicken burgers though locals will be mad offended if you don’t go for the famous rice!
- Amritsari Hareesa: This is a regional food of Pakistan most famous in Hareesa street of Lahore.
- Chaman’s Ice-Cream: Debatably the most famous ice cream in Lahore’s historic Mall Road.
These are our favourite places to eat in Islamabad.
- Kabul Restaurant: A great lunch choice in Islamabad with BBQ meats and delicious Afghani style rice dishes and salad. Highly recommend!
- Quetta Chai: This is a bustling and lively simple outdoor restaurant in the evening. Be sure to try the cheese paratha and say hi to Freddy at Freddy’s Book Stall!
- Savour Foods: This is a popular fast-food chain of restaurants in Pakistan. Our favourite is in Lahore, but Savour Foods Islamabad is reliably consistent.
- Quetta Tea & Taste: A great place for chai in F-10 district that despite humble appearances during the daytime comes vibrantly alive in the evening.
Tips to have the best experience in Pakistan
- Dress appropriately. Pakistan is a Muslim country.
Women should keep their shoulders and knees covered and dress modestly.
- Take care with foods. Eat at places with high turnover (eat where the locals do).
Make sure to practice good hygiene and carry sanitiser with you.
- Carry cash. Pakistan operates as largely cash-based society away from the modern malls, restaurants and supermarkets.
It is worth carrying small change and notes for tips, toilets and small purchases.
- Lower expectations of personal space. (This needs to be on the list for both sides of your India Pakistan itinerary!).
Neither culture prioritises personal space so don’t be too precious and join the crowds.
Accommodation in Delhi and Amritsar
These are the hotels where we stayed in Delhi and Amritsar and can recommend for your 5 day Pakistan itinerary.
- Delhi: Taurus Sarovar Portico Hotel (mid-range); Smyle Inn (budget); Hotel Hari Piorko (budget).
- Amritsar: Hotel Regency Amritsar (mid-range); Hotel Sapphire (budget).
Where to stay in Lahore and Islamabad
These are the hotels where we stayed in Lahore and Islamabad and can recommend for your 5 day Pakistan itinerary.
- Lahore: Rose Palace Hotel (budget); Grand Millennium Hotel (mid-range)
- Islamabad: Regalia Hotel Islamabad (mid-range); Grand Peace House II (basic); Shelton Mellton (basic).
Read more about travel in Pakistan
- 15 Things to do in Multan.
- 10 Things to do in Islamabad.
- Day Trip from Islamabad to Murree.
- 8 Things to do in Islamabad with kids.
- Day Trip from Islamabad to Taxila.
- Crossing the border from Pakistan to India.
- Review of the Ramada by Wyndham in Multan.
- 10 Day Punjab India and Pakistan Itinerary.
More about travel planning for Pakistan and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before visiting Pakistan!