With incredible history, food, culture and hospitality, Pakistan has lots going for it as an amazing South Asian destination. In this guide you can choose the best fit for your trip to include Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and Multan for the perfect 7-, 10- or 12-day Pakistan itinerary.
- Travel in Pakistan
- Choosing a Pakistan itinerary
- Visas
- Best time to visit
- 7- or 10-day Pakistan itinerary
Highlights
Summary
Detailed - Have more time?
- Things to see
Lahore
Multan
Islamabad
Karachi - Tips for travel in Pakistan
- Accommodation
Travel in Pakistan. What is it really like?
It’s incredible.
Pakistan is one of the most vibrant countries in Asia. But it hasn’t always topped destination lists for travellers like it does now.
We first visited Pakistan in 2022 and have since been back four times exploring all our bucket list Pakistan destinations in depth!
Pakistani people are incredibly warm and hospitable. The food is delicious and there is always something new to try. The history of Pakistan is rich in time and culture itself, and it really is a fascinating country to travel.
- Read our complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
Choosing a Pakistan itinerary. Who is this itinerary suited for?
Many travellers choose Pakistan for the wild and beautiful north. But there is lots to rave about in Southern Pakistan too.
This Pakistan itinerary is for the south of the country and includes the famous cities of Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and Multan.
If this is going to be your first time in Pakistan this might be the one to suit you for a first visit. Or if you are travelling in India first and want to cross overland to Pakistan for a first visit, this itinerary will be ideal.
The itinerary is written as a 10-day Pakistan itinerary.
However, if you have less time (or more time – lucky you!), I will give you suggestions on how to modify this itinerary at travel days throughout the post.
Is a visa required 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 7- or 10-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?
The best – officially – time to visit Pakistan is in the Spring and Autumn months of March and April or October and November.
- Summer (June – August): June is the hottest with July to September the monsoon season with heavy rainfall and high humidity.
- Winter: January is the coldest month and December is also chilly with evenings getting dark early.
- Spring (March – April): This is a good time to visit with pleasant temperatures between 15°C to 25°C.
- Autumn (October – November): Perfect temperature to explore the cities though note late November is notorious for smog in Punjab.
The beginning and end of summer, notably September and October, are our favourite times to visit.
- Read about visiting South Asia in the monsoon season and getting Dengue Fever in Delhi!
Highlights
Highlights of this Pakistan itinerary include:
- Wagah Border crossing (India to Pakistan)
- Walled City of Lahore
- Wazir Khan Mosque
- Lahore Fort
- Sunset at Badshahi Mosque
- Wagah Border Ceremony
- Take a bus in Pakistan
- Multan Fort
- Hussain Agahi Bazaar in Multan
- Shrine of Hazrat Yousaf Shah Gardez
- Day trip to Murree
- Thatta Shah Jahan Masjid
- Makli Necropolis
- See the Pakistan Monument
- Visit the famous Lok Virsa Museum
- Hear the Azan at Faisal Mosque
- Dine overlooking Islamabad from the beautiful Margalla Hills.
The Pakistani cities are packed with things to see!
Summary – 7-, 10- or 12-Day Pakistan itinerary
See your complete itinerary detailed below.
SUMMARY 7-DAY PAKISTAN ITINERARY
- Day 1 – Amritsar (India) to Lahore
- Day 2 – Lahore
- Day 3 – Lahore
- Day 4 – Bus to Islamabad
- Day 5 – Islamabad
- Day 6 – Day trip from Islamabad to Murree
- Day 7 – Departure
SUMMARY 10-DAY PAKISTAN ITINERARY
- Day 1 – Amritsar (India) to Lahore
- Day 2 – Lahore
- Day 3 – Lahore
- Day 4 – Bus to Islamabad*
- Day 5 – Islamabad
- Day 6 – Day trip from Islamabad**
- Day 7 – Fly to Karachi
- Day 8 – Karachi
- Day 9 – Day trip from Karachi
- Day 10 – Departure
*See the details below for how to extend this 10-day Pakistan itinerary to include Multan. (Spoiler alert; it’s amazing!).
**If you are doing this as a 7-day Pakistan itinerary it is more convenient to fly from Islamabad to Karachi on Day 6.
SUMMARY 12-DAY PAKISTAN ITINERARY
- Day 1 – Amritsar (India) to Lahore
- Day 2 – Lahore
- Day 3 – Lahore
- Day 4 – Multan
- Day 5 – Multan
- Day 6 – Bus to Islamabad
- Day 7 – Islamabad
- Day 8 – Day trip from Islamabad
- Day 9 – Fly to Karachi
- Day 10 – Karachi
- Day 11 – Day trip from Karachi
- Day 12 – Departure
See alternative ends to the itinerary listed below if you have more time in Pakistan.
Detailed 7-, 10- and 12-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Here are the full details for an epic 10-day Pakistan itinerary from Amritsar (India) to Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi.
At the end of the detailed 10-day itinerary I have included how to add an additional two days in Multan with details for transport and accommodation.
The first seven days of the itinerary are the same for the 7- and 10-day Pakistan itineraries.
DAY 1 – 10-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.
You are now officially in Pakistan by the way!
There are taxis waiting just outside the border terminal area. It is easiest from there to get a taxi to Lahore and check into your hotel.
Start the officially Pakistan part of your 10 day Pakistan itinerary tonight with a traditional dinner at Spice Bazaar in Gulberg II. This is one of Lahore’s most famous luxury restaurants.
However, don’t be put off by the sound of that luxury and think it might be about to spoil your budget…
The pricing for Spice Bazar is brilliant and the food is exceptional!
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 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Start with a breakfast in your hotel and get ready for a day of exploring the incredible historic city of Lahore.
- Tip: For today’s itinerary you likely won’t be back to your hotel until after dinner.
Mid-morning, take a taxi to the old Walled City of Lahore and enter through the famous Delhi Gate.
This is the best part of iconic old Lahore to explore at your leisure. Wander the streets of the historic bazar and see the famous Mughal wonders like Shahi Hammam and the Wazir Khan Mosque.
You can walk all the way through the old city towards the Lahore Fort. Or you can take an auto-rickshaw from one of the city gates to Minar-e-Pakistan and the main entrance to the fort.
Purchase tickets on entry 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 (the best time to visit) to Badshahi Mosque.
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 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Today’s main event is in the afternoon so take your time to enjoy breakfast again this morning in 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 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Today is a travel day from Lahore to Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad.
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.
Option for DAY 4 of this Pakistan itinerary
If you want to include the city of Multan in your Pakistan itinerary and make it a 12-day trip, on this day you will go by car from Lahore to Multan.
Multan is famously known as the ‘City of Saints’ for all the historic Sufi shrines decorating the historic city.
For this itinerary option you will stay in Multan for two nights from Day 4 – 6. From there you will travel by bus from Multan to Islamabad and rejoin the itinerary continued below.
- Read about the fabulous things to do in Multan.
DAY 5 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Today is the day to explore Pakistan’s capital city. Take a taxi to visit the Heritage Pakistan Monument, historic Lok Virsa Museum and 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.
Have dinner tonight at La Montana in the Margalla Hills overlooking the city of Islamabad.
- Read about visiting Faisal Mosque and things to do in Islamabad.
- Travel by taxi.
- Stay overnight in Islamabad, Pakistan.
DAY 6 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Take a day trip today 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.
- Travel by taxi.
Book a driver and car for the day through your accommodation.
- Stay overnight in Islamabad.
DAY 7 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Fly today from Islamabad to Karachi in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan.
The two cities are well connected by air with regular daily flights for around $99 USD per person.
Or, if you feel like the adventure it is doable (we did it with two kids!) by overnight train from Islamabad to Karachi. The trian takes around 18 hours and departs from Rawalpindi on the Green Line passing through Lahore on the way.
If you travel by train you will arrive the following day in Karachi.
In which case, add on an extra day of travel to this 10-day Pakistan itinerary.
- Stay overnight in Karachi.
DAY 8 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Today is all about Karachi. This is Pakistan’s largest and most populous city. There is heaps to explore in Karachi!
Visit the iconic Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam mausoleum and the bustling Empress and Zainab Markets. Take a walk (or a camel ride) on the famous Clifton Beach and try some of the country’s best food on Burns Road.
- Read about things to do in Karachi.
- Travel by taxi and auto-rickshaw (and camel).
- Stay overnight in Karachi.
DAY 9 – 10-Day Pakistan Itinerary
Book a car and driver through your accommodation and take a day trip from Karachi to Thatta. The historic city of Thatta and nearby town of Makli have two of Pakistan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Makli Necropolis is one of the worlds largest funerary monuments. Thatta is home to the incredible Shah Jahan Masjid.
- Read about a day trip from Karachi to Thatta and Makli.
- Travel by taxi.
Book a car and driver through your accommodation.
- Stay overnight in Karachi.
DAY 10 – Departure from Karachi
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 Karachi until you leave.
We hope you have enjoyed a great Pakistan itinerary!
Have longer than 10 days in Pakistan on your itinerary?
Read more about the best things to do in Lahore, Multan, Islamabad and Karachi.
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is also Pakistan’s second largest city (after Karachi).
- Read about the Walled City of Lahore and things to do in Lahore.
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.
Multan
The historic city of Multan in Pakistan is known as the ‘City of Saints’ and is a prosperous city of bazaars, mosques and superbly designed tombs.
It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South Asia; and third oldest in Asia.
- Read all about things to do in Multan.
Things to do in Multan
- Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam: This 14th century mausoleum is one of the earliest examples of Multani funerary architecture built in the pre-Mughal style.
- Darbar Hazrat Yousaf Shah Gardez: Shah Yousuf Gardez was an Islamic Sufi saint who came to Multan in 1088 AD from what is the present-day Paktia Province of Afghanistan.
- Darbar Bahauddin Zakariya: Shrine dedicated to the Punjabi Muslim mystic Bahauddin Zakariya who was the founder of the Suhrawardiyya order of Sufism.
- Fort Kohna: Multan Fort served as a strategic military stronghold and witnessed the rise and fall of many different empires throughout history.
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.
Karachi
Karachi is the capital city of the southern Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the largest city in Pakistan and the 12th most populous city in the world with more than 22,000,000 inhabitants.
- Read more about things to do in Karachi.
Things to do in Karachi
- Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum: An icon of Pakistan and testament to Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- Mohatta Palace Museum: A Rajasthani-style palace converted to a museum of Pakistani arts.
- Clifton Beach: Karachi’s famous seafront beach stretch that is always busy with camels, horses and locals enjoying the sand.
- Empress Market: Karachi’s largest bazaar named after the then Empress of India, Queen Victoria.
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 food hygiene.
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 and 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 Pakistan itinerary starting in Amritsar.
- 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, Islamabad and Multan
These are the hotels where we stayed in Lahore and Islamabad and can recommend for your 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).
- Multan: Ramada by Wyndham (mid-luxury).
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!
