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What To Wear in Pakistan! Tourist Packing List & Dress Code!

Categories Asia , Packing , Pakistan

After 2 visits to Pakistan, once as an independent backpacker and the other hosting a group tour for 16 women from around the world, I have an idea of the dress code for Pakistan for foreigners and what to wear in Pakistan.

Pakistan is a conservative Muslim country and there is a dress code for tourists in Pakistan that needs to be observed but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you may think and what to wear in Pakistan will differ depending on where in the country you are , who are you with and the activities you are doing.

For example, a different dress code is required when you are visiting the old streets of Lahore compared to when you are hiking in the North where life is much more chilled.

What to Wear in Pakistan

In this Pakistan travel blog, I will share my packing list for Pakistan, advise what to wear as a woman in Pakistan specifically as well as what to wear in Pakistan as a male.

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Dress Code in Pakistan

As a tourist in Pakistan, you can wear what you want within reason and it’s unlikely you will be ‘told off’ for not covering properly but because it is a traditional, conservative Muslim country it is best to follow this dress code in Pakistan..

Women should wear clothing that covers their knees so no shorts or skirts, midriff should be covered and shoulders/tops of arms should be covered so no vest tops.

Men should cover their shoulders but are allowed to wear shorts that are not too short.

Tourists do not need to wear traditional Pakistani clothing and you’ll notice in cities like Islamabad and Karachi that are more modern, many Pakistanis will wear Western clothing which means you can too, however, as I said with the Abaya in Saudi , trying out the local clothing is a nice thing to do as well as being the best way to keep cool which I’ll go into below.

Note – You do not need to wear a headscarf in Pakistan , I just wear one.

Modest Clothing for Pakistan

Overall, you should think about dressing modestly in Pakistan. Whilst tight jeans and a T-shirt are okay in many cities as well as Northern areas that are used to tourists like Hunza, dressing modestly with clothing that is light, covered and a bit more baggy can provide positives as well as being respectful like keeping cool in the Pakistan heat.

The heat in Pakistan cannot be understated . Cities like Karachi and Lahore are hot all year round during the day and extremely hot and humid in the summer months. You’re most likely to visit Northern Pakistan during the summer months and whilst it doesn’t have the humidity of the south, the daytime in the North during summer is very hot .

Related Post: Adventurous 2 Week Pakistan Women’s Tour To The Mountains!

I’ve been to Northern Pakistan in September and October and whilst the nighttimes were very cold, the day times were very warm and a T-shirt was needed!

Why do women need to dress modestly in Pakistan?

As I mentioned, you are not likely to be ‘told off’ for not dressing modestly and whilst respect and keeping cool are reasons to dress modestly, another is to warn off unwanted attention .

If you are female and travelling in a group as I was with guides, you will get less attention as you will have male guides around you but if you are travelling independently, especially in the cities you may / will get men staring and asking for photos . The more covered you are, the better this will be for you.

I say the same in my guide on what to wear in Istanbul . Tourists can wear what they want in Istanbul (within reason) and many local Turkish women will not dress modestly but as a female tourist, you will get less unwanted attention if you cover your legs, shoulders and chest more.

For women, light, long or 3/4 length baggy trousers , or leggings with a t-shirt, tunic or light linen shirt are great items to wear in Pakistan to stay dressed modestly but stay cool too.

When thinking about what tops to pack for Pakistan, it’s better to pack tops that cover your bum especially if you’re in leggings. If your trousers are on the baggier side, this isn’t as much of a problem.

The cities in Pakistan get very hot during the day and if you want to wear a vest top/tank top, the best way to do this is to have a shawl that you tie around your shoulders. This will give you a bit of a breeze whilst covering your shoulders and chest. However, a baggy light T-shirt or Tunic might be even better.

If you like the idea of wearing a traditional outfit in Pakistan with a matching tunic and trousers, you really should! Walking the streets of Lahore or Karachi in the shopping areas you’ll see plenty on sale.

I got the below long orange Tunic in Amritsar in India a few years ago before crossing the Wagha Border into Pakistan and I’ve worn it in both India and Pakistan. It’s light, bright and covering!

Related: Detailed Female Packing List For India! What To Pack For India!

If you want to get a set that is better quality and shop in a more relaxed environment with a changing room, I recommend visiting a Sapphire store in Pakistan as they have beautiful ready-to-wear pieces which are not too expensive but do benefit from high quality.

I visited the Sapphire store in Gulburg in Lahore which is where I got this blue outfit! I got so many compliments on it. It’s so light and unbelievably comfy to wear!

What to Wear in Mosques in Pakistan

You do not need to wear a headscarf in Pakistan apart from when you visit Mosques . When sightseeing in Lahore , Islamabad or Karachi it is a good idea to carry a shawl/scarf with you to put over your hair for when you visit a mosque.

As long as you are following the dress code for Pakistan that as a woman you have your legs covered past your knees and shoulders covered , you can enter a mosque. It’s better if you have your arms covered but as a tourist, it doesn’t matter too much and you could use your scarf to cover your arms a bit too if in a T-shirt.

Men can wear shorts and a T-shirt to a mosque. You’ll notice many local men won’t be in shorts. As a tourist and non-Muslim you will be okay to wear shorts although full-length trousers for men inside mosques are deemed more respectful i n Pakistan.

What to Wear Hiking in Pakistan

The great news is that when hiking in Pakistan , you can pretty much wear what you’d normally wear hiking at home and in other parts of the world.

Women should still ideally refrain from wearing shorts and opt for 3/4 or full-length leggings/trousers instead and refrain from wearing a sports bra only or a top that shows the chest area. Women can wear a top that shows their arms no problem.

The ideal outfit would be a light and baggy sweat-wicking t-shirt along with light summer hiking trousers .

Men can wear shorts hiking along with a T-shirt .

The slightly more relaxed feeling of what to wear hiking in Pakistan is because most of the hiking is done in the North and these Northern areas are very used to tourists hiking therefore locals are more used to what tourists to Pakistan wear and it isn’t seen as disrespectful but again, as a women, be mindful still that the less you wear, the more attention or stares you might get .

In the summer months , it does get very hot during the day hiking in Northern Pakistan , it’s also warm during the day in Spring and Autumn (I’ve been to Pakistan in September and October and hiking during the day in both months was very warm), however, Northern Pakistan gets very cold at night especially in Spring and early Autumn when I went so you will need a range of layers and warm clothes as well .

Hiking Boots are a must when hiking in Pakistan or at least hiking shoes if you can’t fit boots in your bag but something to protect your ankle is best.

Popular hikes in Northern Pakistan are hiking to the Fairy Meadows and then onto Nanga Parbat Basecamp , Rakapooshi Basecamp , Attabad Lake Viewpoint and in Hunza hiking to Passu Bridge , the Black Glacier and White Glacier and all of these are very rocky and good ankle protection especially if you are not used to hiking is best.

That said, I did hike in Hunza in trainers a few years ago as did my friend Travel TomTom but we didn’t do the Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Basecamp and after going this year, I wouldn’t have liked doing that in trainers!

Remember to also pack the following items to help you hike and look after you in case you get ill or feel bad in a remote location as most of Northern Pakistan is very remote:

• A backpack that can carry 1.5L of water
• Hiking Poles
• Tummy medication
• Pain relief
• Blister plasters
• Small first aid kit
• Snacks like energy & protein bars
• Waterproofs
• Down Jacket
• Hiking Socks

What to Wear Swimming in Pakistan

You may get the chance to swim in a few places in Pakistan, mainly in the North around Hunza. Attabad Lake is a popular swimming spot although we didn’t swim there on our group tour. Instead, we went to Borith Lake as pictured below where we got the chance to swim.

Bikini’s or a Swimming Costume are a no-go for Pakistan so don’t even pack them!

Instead, you’ll need to wear covered clothes and basically ‘normal’ clothes you don’t mind getting wet. The best idea is to pack an extra pair of gym leggings and workout t-shirt or long-sleeved top that you can get wet and that won’t be heavy in the water and pack a towel so you can dry and get changed easily.

At Borith Lake there is a restaurant with bathrooms to change in.

What to Pack for Pakistan

To recap, below is a packing list for Pakistan aimed at women which takes into account a trip covering Southern Cities and the Northern Areas. As a traveller to Pakistan, it’s likely you will be covering both areas and will have hiking in the North planned.. and if you don’t you should!

Here’s my 2 week Pakistan itinerary to help visit the North!

Pakistan Packing List

• Baggy / Light Long or 3/4 length trousers
• A few tunic tops
• Hiking Boots
• Hiking Trousers / Gym Leggings
• Sweat Resistance Top
• Woolly Hat*
• Waterproof Jacket
• Waterproof Trousers
• Light PJ’s for South
• Long PJ’s for North*
• Backpack for Hiking
• Travel Towel
• Big Waterbottle
• Electrolytes
• Stomach Medication

*These items are needed if you are visiting the North in Spring or the approaching Autumn, in the middle of summer like July & August when evenings do not get as cold, you can do without them, unless you plan to hike to a Basecamp where it will get cold at night even in the summer.

I hope this packing list for Pakistan and guide on what to wear in Pakistan helps you out!

• For more of my posts on Pakistan to help you plan your trip see:
• Pakistan Travel Advice. Things To Know BEFORE You Go to Pakistan!
• A 2 Week Pakistan Itinerary to Northern Pakistan & the Cities!
• How To Do the Wagah Border Crossing on Foot? India to Pakistan!
• 13 BEST Places To Visit in Karachi That You Shouldn’t Miss, From a Local!
• How To Visit Amritsar’s Golden Temple and the Wagah Border Ceremony

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Sunday 24th of December 2023

I’d like to visit Pakistan with your group, can you send me details

TheWanderingQuinn

Wednesday 27th of December 2023

Thank you, that's great to hear but I'm not running another trip. You can follow the tour company to see if they organise any more you can join :) https://www.instagram.com/readyforroad/

A Life Well Travelled

What to wear in Pakistan as a tourist | Pakistan clothing guide

Finding a balance between being comfortable in the clothing you’re wearing for travel and being conscious of local customs and traditions is important. Pakistan is a country of diversity in terms of terrain and temperature, with a great variation between the cities and the more rural areas, as well the mountains and the plains.

I’ve put together a guide for people wondering as to how to dress in Pakistan and particularly who want to know how do women dress in Pakistan, with some tips on what to wear to be respectful as well as comfortable.

How women should dress in Pakistan |  What do women wear in Pakistan?

The title is perhaps slightly misleading as there isn’t necessarily a ‘should’ in terms of what to wear in Pakistan. I asked many of my local friends what do women wear in Pakistan, and the response was usually that I could wear what I wanted, and that jeans and a t shirt would be fine. Whilst I’m sure this was true, and in cities such as Karachi where it’s more liberal would probably be fine, the reality is that outside of malls and higher end restaurants then most women did seem to dress for more traditionally or at least more conservatively.

Once I was out of the major cities and particularly in the North then most women covered their heads, and whilst this wasn’t a requirement at all except inside mosques, most tourists would perhaps feel more comfortable dressing a little more conservatively. I actually had many people come up to me and say they appreciated that I was wearing a kurta and they were happy that I was being respectful in this way. I’d like to point out again that nobody asked me to wear a kurta, it was my choice; just a choice that seemed to be appreciated.

The traditional Pakistani clothing for women is made up of the Shalwar Kameez, a sort of long sleeved shirt worn with a shawl for modesty alongside loose trousers tapered at the ankles.  Often these items are colourful and sometimes even adorned with designs and jewels. The Shalwar Kameez serves two purposes; one it’s modest as it covers the shoulders, chest and usually arms and secondly the lightweight material is helpful for hot weather. It’s actually a delight to wear as European fashions aren’t usually so colourful.

Ideas as to what to wear in Pakistan for women

Asos has a great selection of modest clothing that look stylish. I chose a few maxi dresses with long sleeves and tapered at the waist to maintain some shape. Equally oversized shirts work well and the looseness means you’ll have a little bit more air.

Mix and match your own clothing with local items Wearing a kurta with jeans is easy and comfortable. The kurta will of course go down below your hips to be a little more conservative but you’ve still got the comfort of jeans (and pockets) which you’re probably used to. 

Why not buy some local outfits during your travels in Pakistan?  Some of the regional clothing from Pakistan is beautiful. I bought a few items during my travels that not only proved practical (and will be for future trips) but also colourful and enjoyable to wear. Furthermore, local people often seemed thrilled that I was wearing items of clothing from their country and region which is often met with happy gestures and smiles.

What to wear in religious sites or mosques in Pakistan.

Outside many mosques there will be a sign that says that women must adhere to proper Islamic dress to enter. This means that your arms legs and shoulders must be covered and also your head. It’s always wise to carry a scarf with you but often they can be provided if you have forgotten to bring one.

To cover your head you can simply use the scarf to drape over your hair or so it doesn’t keep needing adjusting then consider tying it up in a top knot.

What to wear as a male tourist in Pakistan

There’s more flexibility for what to wear in Pakistan for men. In the cities then jeans and t-shirt are perfectly normal and acceptable, it’s worth noting though that during the particularly hot summers then heavy jeans might be a bit too hot. Shorts, whilst not offensive are not that commonly worn except in the more modern areas of Karachi etc.

Outside of the major cities then almost all men wear the matching traditional wear, this is made up a long shirt with a grandad style collar and a loose trouser. It’s lightweight and fairly smart to be honest. Even in the rural areas then most men seem to have their traditional wear in immaculate condition and usually pressed. Once again you’re definitely not expected to dress in a traditional fashion and it may not be practical for you but many people actually find that the cool materials are helpful in the Summer. Otherwise, wearing jeans and a t shirt even in the rural areas won’t really attract any more attention than you’d expect as a tourist anyway.

Does it get cold in Pakistan? Pakistan does have seasonal weather and during my trip in September I could feel the temperature dropping day by day. As you travel further north it will certainly become cooler, particularly at night time, so it’s wise to travel with a scarf and light jacket. In terms of what to wear in Pakistan in winter however it’s a different story in the mountains, and be sure to check temperatures before you travel to decide what level of warm clothing to take. Waterproof boots for snow, gloves, hats and thermals are all necessities in the far North and Balochistan.

I hope that this helped you decide what to wear in Pakistan, enjoy your trip!

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Hi! I’m Alex Outhwaite – I’m an award winning travel presenter from the UK, with travel TV shows broadcast on Amazon Prime, SKY, Travelxp and Discovery Plus. I’ve worked with clients like BBC Travel, National Geographic Traveller, Wanderlust Magazine & Business Insider & I regularly film travel content for tourist boards around the world.

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What to Wear in Pakistan: Dress Code + Outfit Ideas (2024)

If you’ve decided to make Pakistan your next travel destination, you may wonder what to wear here, as this is a highly conservative Muslim country.

Pakistan may not be your typical travel destination, but with cultural cities like Lahore and some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen, this is one of these offbeat countries that has a lot to offer!

The truth is that, while the entire country is conservative, what to wear (especially as a woman) highly depends on the region as some places are more conservative than others.

I spent over 7 months travelling in Pakistan and will include everything you should know about this country’s dress code, both for women as well as men , in this guide.

So, let’s dive into it! Here’s what to wear in Pakistan as a tourist.

What to Wear in Pakistan: A Guide for Travellers

As I mentioned in the introduction of this post, what to wear in Pakistan depends on the region that you’re visiting. It’s good to know that Islamabad , Lahore, Karachi and the Hunza Valley are less conservative compared to the rest of the country.

This being said, these cities/regions are still pretty conservative and there is no place in Pakistan where it’s okay to wear skirts or dresses that show your legs, tank tops or tops that show cleavage .

On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (except for the Kalash Valleys) is probably the most conservative province in Pakistan and you will see many women wearing burkas here.

So, what to wear depends on where in Pakistan you’re travelling, but overall, you will want to cover up and dress conservatively (this goes for women as well as men).

🙎‍♀️ Dress code for female travellers in Pakistan

Local women are fully covered up in Pakistan and it’s important to respect the culture and do the same.

This doesn’t mean that you have to wear local clothes. Western clothes are fine but you will want to cover everything except for your feet, ankles, hands, lower arms and neck. It’s also good to wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t show off too many curves.

In cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, you will see some local women wearing (covered, loose) Western clothes, but this is not the norm.

As I travel solo, I want to blend in as much as I can. My go-to outfit in Pakistan is a shalwar kameez and a scarf (dupatta) , which is what most local women wear. I also got a dress in Bangladesh that’s great to wear in Pakistan as well.

Do women have to cover their hair in Pakistan?

Although there’s no official law saying women should cover their hair, people will appreciate it if you do so in more rural areas.

I usually do as the locals do – if I see women walking around without a headscarf, I won’t wear one either. However, if every woman’s hair is covered, I will also cover my hair.

On one occasion, I was walking around without a headscarf and local women told me to cover my hair. This happened in Skardu, which is quite conservative.

The choice is up to you, but I like to blend in as much as possible (especially because I’m travelling solo). You will already stand out a lot as a foreigner, and if you’re the only woman flashing their hair, you will stand out even more.

It’s good to know that, unless you’re entering a religious site, you don’t have to wear a headscarf in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Hunza Valley and Ghizer Valley.

What if you want to swim?

I don’t know if it’s necessary to say this but, by all means: keep your bikini or bathing suit at home !

While neighbouring India is conservative as well, there are some places here where you can wear a bathing suit. This is not the case in Pakistan, however.

People swim in their clothes in Pakistan. So if you want to go swimming, you can do so in light, covered clothes and bring an extra pair of clothes to change after.

Although it is okay for women to swim too, this is something I never did in Pakistan because I never saw any women swimming, only men. Go for it if you want to, though!

How about hiking in the mountains?

When hiking, it’s okay for women to wear leggings, but do make sure to cover your butt with a long, loose-fitting shirt. Hiking pants are also a good option.

It speaks for itself that shorts and tank or spaghetti tops are a no-go while hiking in Pakistan.

I usually wear long pants, a T-shirt and a scarf when I’m hiking in this country. I’ve done some hikes wearing a shalwar kameez too, though. Not because I had to but because those things are so comfortable!

🙎‍♂️ Dress code for men in Pakistan

While the dress code isn’t so strict for men, most Pakistani men cover up as well . Although you will see men wearing Western clothes (t-shirts and jeans), the majority wear a shalwar kameez.

So if you would like to blend in, wearing a shalwar kameez is the way to go. If you’d rather stick to Western clothes, pants and T-shirts or long-sleeved shirts are great. I wouldn’t wear shorts or tank tops, though. Local men wear these at the gym in big cities, but not out in the streets.

I met a European traveller in Karachi who told me that while he got stared at a lot when he was wearing Western clothes, he could completely blend in when he wore a shalwar kameez.

Pakistan is incredibly diverse and some locals look European (especially in the north), so you might be able to blend in completely if you wear local clothes.

When it comes to swimming, the same goes for women as well as men: you will have to cover up and swim in (lightweight) clothes. Don’t forget to bring an extra pair of clothes to change after.

As a man, you can wear whatever you would usually wear when hiking in the mountains unless you usually wear tank tops and shorts.

Long pants and T-shirts or long-sleeved shirts are your best friends in Pakistan.

🕌 What to wear in mosques and religious sites

The dress code for mosques and religious sites is the same as in other places. Women, however, will also have to wear a headscarf to enter a mosque.

Make sure to always carry a scarf with you, these are great for covering up when needed. You don’t want to stumble upon a mosque you would like to visit only to be denied entry because you didn’t bring a scarf.

The Weather in Pakistan

An important thing to consider when deciding what to wear is the weather.

It all depends on where you’re going and when you’re visiting Pakistan. While the north can best be visited during spring, summer or autumn, the weather in the south is at its best during the winter.

Temperatures were around 30°C (86°F) when I visited Karachi, in the south of Pakistan, in November, but it can get 45°C (113°F) here during the summer.

The Hunza Valley in the north, on the other hand, sees temperatures of -10°C (14°F) during winter and 35°C (95°F) in the summer. It gets much colder in places like the Chapursan Valley, though: 21°C in the summer and as low as -30°C (-22°F) in the winter.

While cities like Islamabad and Lahore get pretty hot during summer (39°C / 102°F), it can get a bit cold here in the winter (12°C / 53°F).

So, make sure to check the weather of the places that you will be visiting and bring layers if you’re visiting the north of the country.

What to Wear in Pakistan: Outfit Ideas

🙎‍♀️ outfits for women.

The following outfits are similar to the ones I wear in Pakistan. These are ideal if you would like to blend in a little more and avoid unwanted attention. The locals will love that you’re wearing traditional Pakistani clothing too!

While you can easily buy these online, one of the best places to find them at a very affordable price is Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore. If you’re entering Pakistan by crossing the Wagah border from Amritsar (India) to Lahore, this is the perfect place to shop for local clothes.

Bringing back a local outfit might just be the perfect souvenir from Pakistan as well!

Shalwar kameez | Kurta | Dress

If you’d rather stick to Western clothes, you will find some examples of what’s suitable for Pakistan below. Think covered, loose-fitting clothes and a scarf.

Do know that, while it is completely fine to wear Western clothes, you will stand out if you do in certain areas (basically anywhere but Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and the Hunza Valley).

Shirt | Scarf | Pants | Scarf | Maxi skirt

🙎‍♂️ Outfits for men

While most Pakistani men wear a shalwar kameez, you will see more men wearing Western clothes compared to women. Loose trousers and T-shirts or long-sleeved shirts like the one in the middle of the image below are ideal.

If you would rather get a local outfit to blend in more, one of the best places to get these at very affordable prices is at Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore, but you will find them all over Pakistan.

Shalwar kameez | Shirt | Kurti

What to Wear in Pakistan: Final Thoughts

And voila – I hope that you have found exactly what you were looking for in this guide and that it will help you decide what to wear in Pakistan.

While Pakistan is not a country where you can wear what you would wear in many other countries, it is an amazing destination full of adventure, hospitality and amazing sceneries.

Let me know in the comments below if you have more questions and if anything is missing from this guide as I’m updating it frequently!

Read more about Pakistan:

• Backpacking Pakistan: The Ultimate Guide
• 14 BEST Places to Visit in Lahore
• Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan
• 14 Best Souvenirs from Pakistan

Pin it for later: Did you find this post helpful? Save it on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more travel tips and inspiration.

Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers is the founder of Laure Wanders. She was born in Belgium and has spent years travelling solo. She currently spends most of her time between Belgium and South Asia and loves helping other travellers plan their adventures abroad.

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very nice information about dresses she collection

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What to Wear in Pakistan

A complete guide on what to wear in Pakistan- for both female and male travelers alike!

So you’ve decided to visit Pakistan! Sweeeeet- you just signed up for one of the best travel experiences of your life, in my humble opinion that is.

I’m sure you’ve heard a bit about how conservative the country is, and might be a bit confused as to what to pack while backpacking Pakistan. 

But fear not! This guide has all the deets on what’s acceptable (and most comfortable) in various parts of the country. So without further ado, here’s a complete guide on what to wear in Pakistan!

The Ultimate Guide on What to Wear in Pakistan

What to wear will depend a lot on your personal Pakistan itinerary . But overall, you’re going to have to be ok with being conservative.

But first… what NOT to wear in Pakistan

It’s no secret that Pakistan is a conservative country. Unlike neighboring India, tank tops, dresses, and shorts are a no-go even in liberal cities like Lahore and Islamabad .

While there’s no official law requiring any sort of dress (except for women to cover their heads in mosques) adhering to social norms and cultural values will not only keep staring to a minimum, but goes a long way with locals on the respect front.

Let’s start with what to pack for Pakistan for ladies. First off, the only time shorts are acceptable is in a private hotel room or other private room.

I did wear a pair of shorts as pajamas when it was boiling in the cities, but ONLY in complete privacy.

So even if you’re staying in someone’s home, leaving the guestroom in shorts is NOT a thing. Shorts anywhere else? VERY MUCH NOT A THING.

T-shirts are also not acceptable in general, (outside of posh major cities and Hunza, that is) and neither are any type of shirts that would show cleavage or too much body shape. The looser, the better!

As for jeans and leggings, the former is okay in liberal areas within Lahore , Islamabad and Karachi as well as backpacker haven Hunza Valley.

Nevertheless, if you’re headed to a highly populated market area or an Old City that might not necessarily be “liberal,” its best to leave those at home, too.

Leggings on their own are a huge no-go, BUT they are totally cool if worn under a long, dress-like shirt (khameez) that I’ll get into later.

Tank tops? LOL no, unless its underneath a shirt or worn whilst sleeping in private quarters.

Bathing suits? LMAO! If you do find yourself in a swimming situation, you’re definitely going to want to keep everything on. I swam in a river in Mingora and just kept my shalwar khameez and dupatta on. Men CAN go swimming shirtless however, even in conservative areas.

While men have less restrictions, that’s not to say there’s not any altogether. Short-sleeved shirts are common in cities, though they’ll generally make you stick out like a sore thumb save for trendy gatherings of 20-30 somethings.

Shorts are extremely rare for men to wear in Pakistan, and I honestly can’t recall seeing them anywhere besides a running park in upscale Lahore.

Jeans are relatively common amongst young guys in major cities (Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi) and won’t raise many eyebrows, though they’re far from the most comfortable/practical thing to wear in Pakistan.

Tank tops are definitely not acceptable for men either, unless you want to be stared at even more than females typically are, that is!

What TO wear in Pakistan for women

Two words: shalwar khameez, with the latter being essentially interchangeable with what’s known as a kurta .

What the heck are these, you might be wondering? Ya know, only the most incredibly comfortable socially acceptable clothing ever made. Here’s a little breakdown:

• Khameez: long, flowy dress-like top that usually comes down past the knees and sometimes to the ankles
• Kurta: same as a khameez, but often shorter whilst still covering your butt
• Shalwar: super loose, cinched at the waist pants that billow out at the legs and come together again at the ankles
• Dupatta: long matching scarf that comes with a tailored “three piece suit”

The shalwar khameez is hands down the MOST comfortable thing I’ve ever worn in my life.  Breathable, soft AF, quick to wash and dry, AND available in literally any color or pattern your heart  desires, this IS what to wear in Pakistan, hands down.

I can’t believe I spent 23 years of my life without this magical outfit that I now never want to change out of!

Though you CAN wear jeans and some type of westernized ( cough overpriced cough ) replica shirt, why bother? And though the shalwar khameez/kurta CAN be bought pre-made at one of Pakistan’s glitzy malls, those usually come with hefty price tags.

Here’s an example of what to wear in Pakistan according to one of the country’s most popular (and trendiest) stores!

Though the clothes at the mall are cute, your best (i.e. cheapest) bet is heading to a local market and getting one custom made.

When I first arrived here, I was so confused as to how everyone had this outfit that didn’t appear to be sold at any market… until I learned that 99.99% of people get theirs tailored, with literally any fabric of their choosing !

Tailored female fits generally go for 1000-1500 rupees depending, and you can get them to include pockets, too!

During my 118 days in Pakistan, I had three shalwar khameez “suits” which included three dupattas . Though I had leggings and whatnot in my backpack from prior months in India, I literally never used them, though I did see many foreign and domestic tourists alike wearing them in Gilgit Baltistan.

Before you’re able to get your hands on the most perfect outfit ever, I’d recommend arriving in a pair of loose pants and a long, shirt-like dress if possible.

Don’t break the bank on buying things to wear in Pakistan at home- just wear something on the plane/overland journey that could hold up for a day or so until you make it to the tailor!

It’s highly unlikely you’d need a dupatta in your first hours so unless you already had one at home, I wouldn’t recommend buying one before arriving as they’re so affordable and plentiful everywhere in Pakistan.

Tip: Linen is BY FAR the most comfortable material you can get. Inquire about stone linen in particular, as it takes comfort to a whole new level!

Do women have to cover their heads in Pakistan?

Unlike Iran, covering one’s head is NOT a requirement in Pakistan, BUT it definitely is recommended in certain places such as Peshawar and Swat Valley, where local women will be completely covered from head to toe.

Personally, I felt most comfortable wearing a hijab all throughout KPK and grew to love it. The one caveat to this is the relatively liberal Kalash Valley -a place where even alcohol is widely consumed!

Aside from showing respect to locals and keeping curious stares on the low, the hijab also does wonders for blending in, which is ideal if you’re trying to venture to places like the Kharkhano Market in Peshawar, for instance.

In liberal backpacker-friendly locales like Hunza Valley , it’s unlikely that you’ll need to use your dupatta at all, but its always useful to have one with you in case you come across a mosque you might want to check out or just want to protect your head/ears from cold!

What to wear in Pakistan for men

Men, your dress recs are just as comfy and easy as the ladies: none other than the shalwar khameez,  though the men’s edition is a bit different.

Unlike in India where 99.99% of men wear jeans and collared shirts, almost all  Pakistani men wear the much-loved shalwar khameez, which is very similar to the female version but a bit more fitted and unsurprisingly gifted with more pockets… and a collar!

Men’s’ shalwar pants might surprise you at first glance: they look like they’re made for an elephant’s waist! But that’s what the white looped string is for.

Men’s khameez are in one color and fitted but not TOO fitted. Though “wash and wear” aka pre-made exist, it’s highly recommended to pop into a tailor to get the best fit and price.

Prices range from 400-2000 rupees depending on material, insignias, and other additions. Though linen isn’t an option for men (truly sorry for that y’all), both cold and warm weather options DO exist.

Charles had a thicker khameez that boded well for our time in the north and two thin, lightweight ones for humid high-heat cities!

Read Next: How to trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp

What to wear in Pakistan: Miscellaneous

So we’ve covered pretty much everything BUT footwear is still up in the air. What ELSE should you pack for your trip to Pakistan?

Definitely, definitely comfortable and durable sandals like Tevas or something similar.

If you plan on doing any hiking or climbing as most travelers to Pakistan do, a good pair of hiking boots is also must! As for sneakers, I didn’t personally find a need for them, though if you’re keen on running you might.

It’s also essential to have a go-to way to get clean water while traveling in Pakistan. You can easily make any drinking water safe with a Water-To-Go filtered bottle. 

Sweaters and jackets are another must for travel to the Northern Areas- and can comfortably worn over any shalwar khameez. In case you don’t have a jacket, there are TONS of second-hand shops throughout GB that will meet all your warmth needs!

So there you have it y’all- everything you need to know about what to wear in Pakistan for both women AND men. As you can see it’s pretty dang easy AND as you’ll soon see, beyond comfortable to dress appropriately in PK! 

Though you could get away with jeans, why would you want to? Once you arrive, pop over to a market, grab your fave fabric and head straight to a tailor and you’ll be good to go! As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments below.

Samantha is the founder of Intentional Detours. Originally from the USA, she’s been backpacking the world since 2017, and is passionate about slow, adventure travel that puts local communities first. She has visited 19 countries and has been living in the Karakoram Mountains of Asia’s Hunza Valley since 2021. She’s super passionate about helping people get off the beaten path anywhere (on a budget of course), and her travel writing has been published in the likes of BBC Travel, CNBC, Business Insider, and more.

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You are looking so cute and dashing in Pakistani Dress ( shalwar qamees) . Such a nice article.

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What To Wear Traveling In Pakistan As A Female

Choosing what to pack for Pakistan can sometimes pose quite the conundrum, particularly when it comes to female travelers. Now I, personally, am always of the opinion that when in Rome, you do as the Romans do. So while some counties may be more lax with their cultural and social regulations, I prefer to keep my sets and dresses on a conservative side. This way I ensure that my look pays respect to local customs and traditions which in turn helps prevent any unwanted attention – or worse yet – accidentally offending someone

That being said, ladies should always err on the side of caution when picking an outfit as certain parts of Pakistan are rather conservative in dress code.

To ensure everyone remains happy and your cultural trip isn’t marred by any instances that could be avoided, I’d highly recommend keeping covered up (or even just for peace of mind sake!) and save your show stoppers for other destinations that are more lenient on those who want to flaunt their fashion.

Pakistan Dress Code for Women Travelers

Sure, if you find yourself in the glittering metropolis of Karachi or Lahore, you can probably let loose a bit. But like most places in the world, when it comes to more rural areas, chances are people will be a little more traditional and conservative when it comes to clothing choices.

Find a balance between being comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing for travel and being aware of the customs and traditions in the places you’re going. Pakistan is a country that has a lot of different types of terrain and temperature. There is a big difference between cities and more rural areas, as well as between the mountain peaks and the plains.

You can find out how to dress in Pakistan and how women dress in Pakistan by reading this guide. I also have some advice for people who aren’t sure what to wear and how to be respectful and comfortable.

What do women wear in Pakistan?

So, what do locals wear in Pakistan?

The traditional Pakistani clothing for women is the Shalwar Kameez, a long-sleeved shirt worn with a shawl and loose trousers. It’s both modest and stylish, and it’s perfect for hot weather.

Color, comfort and modesty.

The traditional Pakistani clothing for women certainly brings a splash of vibrancy to everyday life! It goes beyond the usual blacks, grays and blues one finds in western attire, replacing them with lively hues and ornamental details. Whether it be intricate embroidery on the sleeve or vibrant patterns that catch the eye, the Shalwar Kameez is beautiful in its playful expression. Not only is it a treat to look at, but it’s also quite fitting for warm climates with lightweight material.

What to wear in Pakistan if you are a female traveler? 

As a female traveler to Pakistan, you can rest assured that your shoulders are safely covered and your legs are looking demure. But when it comes to respecting local customs, make sure your clothes go beyond basic decency – the best way to make sure that you’re not showing too much skin is by following the general rule of thumb: cover your shoulders with tops and dresses, be sure skirts or dresses fall below the knee, and always make sure pants are long enough.

It goes without saying that you should bear local customs and traditions in mind, particularly when visiting more rural areas, but don’t feel you need to change your wardrobe entirely.

Whether you’re with your husband or not, being a blonde-haired foreigner may still result in some stares. It’s best to dress modestly and conservatively when traveling through Pakistan to avoid any unwanted looks.

For what to wear in Pakistan, it pays to plan for layers! When the temperatures reach unbearable heights you’ll want breathable fabrics so you don’t soften up like an overcooked piece of meat. Dress modestly with your arms and legs covered, sunny headgear, a colorful scarf and opaque shades.

What to wear in Pakistan: Outfit Ideas

As a female traveler to Morocco, you can rest assured that your shoulders are safely covered and your legs are looking demure. But when it comes to respecting local customs, make sure your clothes go beyond basic decency – the best way to make sure that you’re not showing too much skin is by following the general rule of thumb: cover your shoulders with tops and dresses, be sure skirts or dresses fall below the knee, and always make sure pants are long enough.

Maxi dress/ Loose fitting

Planning what to wear while visiting Pakistan can be a challenge, but surely something stylish, comfortable AND Pakistan-appropriate is out there!

Loose, long maxi dresses with tapered waists are my go-to for looking stylish as well as properly covering up in the local climate – bonus points for it being oh-so-comfy

Regardless of which region or city you’re traveling to in Pakistan, there are a few easy rules when it comes to dressing for this particular part of the world – think loose, layered and light! You’ll want to keep on the conservative side though and go for longer, more covered-up options.

You get to stay chic and respectful of local traditions AND keep cool – now that’s killing two birds with one stone!

Mix and Match

Buying some local outfits during your travels through Pakistan is a great way to bring back more than just wonderful memories. Not only does it make for an unbelievably stylish wardrobe, but you can also expect the warmest welcomes from people throughout the country who will be delighted to see you wearing items of clothing from their region! It’s not only fashionable, but its fun too – break it up with regional accessories and other items to give your outfit a personalised touch.

Who doesn’t like versatility? The kaftan is the definition of it! But if that’s not enough, this modest yet stylish piece also looks perfect for a Pakistani dress code and you can easily combine it with Western clothes and accessories. So if you’re feeling a bit fancy and want a chic look, then turn to the trusty old kaftan for effortless elegance. Not only will you have a photo-worthy ensemble but you’ll be traveling in style to any Muslim or conservative country too! Who says modesty isn’t fashionable?

Rocking a caftan isn’t just limited to poolside glamour; they are easily adaptable to all your travel needs. Whether you’re teaming it with a tank, some jeans, or your Sunday best for church, this is one piece of clothing that will never let you down.

Plus, in steamy weather, the airy lightness of a caftan is an absolute given, not to mention its low-maintenance styling appeal!

Kurta and jeans/pants

Throw on a kurta with some jeans and you’re good to go. The kurta will cover up your lady bits (which is important in Pakistan) but you’ll still be comfortable in your jeans. Plus, you get the added bonus of pockets!

Linen pants

If you’re looking for a stylish, breathable outfit for Pakistan, why not try linen trousers? Not only are they comfortable in any temperature, but they also provide an elegant and modest look that respects the conservative dress code. Plus, linen trousers come in a variety of colors and styles, allowing you to express yourself according to your personal preference.

The best way to combat heat while still adhering to local cultural norms is to pack loose linen pants. They’re light and airy, but still provide coverage for your legs. Plus, they come in a variety of colors so you can keep your outfit looking fresh.

Is it ok to wear jeans in Pakistan? Wearing jeans in Pakistan is not an issue, but during summer season wearing loose-fitting clothes is advised.

Here’s the thing: it’s going to be hot and sweaty no matter what. And if you’re dealing with razor burn, you’re going to want to steer clear of anything too tight or constricting. So our best advice is to go for loose, natural fabric pants – and avoid jeans if at all possible.

But if you must do jeans, make sure they’re chambray – the lightest weight denim out there. That way, your legs will at least have a chance of staying cool and comfortable.

So, should you throw on a scarf to keep your head covered while exploring Pakistan’s cities and attractions? It all depends! While it’s not usually necessary, wearing a scarf can make a great statement as you explore the country. Not only does it show respect for the conservative culture of Pakistan, but it allows you to up your style game and take your look, photos and adventure to the next level! Hair scarves are super versatile and come in tons of styles — from bandana-tied knots to babushka-styles and so much more.

So don’t hesitate to reach for a scarf when packing for your next trip to Pakistan – not only will you look fashionable, but also respectful of local customs.

Bad hair remedy

Bad hair days can ruin even the most enviable looks, particularly in Moroccan heat! Fortunately, headscarves are not only chic accessories but also highly practical solutions for this perennial fashion conundrum. Not to mention, they inject a bit of wit and flair into any outfit in one simple swoop. Embrace your inner bohemian goddess by experimenting with bright colors, extravagant prints – and rock that scarf no matter the forecast!

When it comes to what to wear in Pakistan, the one piece you definitely shouldn’t leave home without is an over-sized tunic. Not only will you look stylish and on-trend, but it will also ensure that your look ticks all the boxes of what is considered modest and respectable in Pakistani culture.

Maxi skirt and shirt

They look amazing in photos and, similarly to loose trousers, are very airy and won’t make you too hot if you’re visiting Pakistan in summer. So if you’re looking for a outfit that will keep you cool and help you get some amazing photos, go for a maxi skirt.

• Shalwar Kameez

Donning an ensemble of a long-sleeved shirt with a shawl for modesty and pants that taper towards the ankles won’t just keep you covered – but looking fabulous too! You’ll be a vision of jewels and color while still enjoying the benefits of lightweight clothing due to the hot temperatures.

With their elegance and classic lines, linen trousers will always be a timeless addition to any wardrobe.

• Headscarves and dupattas

When I travel, I love to buy local clothes. Not only do they usually look really cool, but they’re also super practical. I’ve bought all kinds of things – from Sindhi hats to beautiful scarves – that have come in handy and been a lot of fun to wear.

Outside of mosques, you don’t need to cover your head. You should always have a scarf with you. This is a good thing to have when you’re in religious places, or when you’re in places like bazaars where people stare at you.

When it comes to deciding what kind of shoes to wear in Pakistan, I’m pretty chill: the easier the better. My go-to for hot weather are always sandals with straps covering your toes–whether they’re slides, lace-up styles, or have low-to-the ground heels.

Tan leather sandals

While making choices for a trip to Pakistan, one must-have shoe to bring along is a pair of strappy leather sandals. These classic shoes can spiritually transport your look from day to night and work with almost every outfit combination – try them with an airy axe dress, or pair them with light pants. No matter what you choose, these tan sandals will perfectly elongate your legs and make sure your look packs a punch!

• Mix your own clothes with things from the area

 It’s easy and comfortable to wear a kurta with jeans. Kurtas, of course, will go below your hips to be a little more conservative. You still have the comfort of jeans (and pockets) that you’re used to, though!

Cardigan or a duster

Sure, it’s hot during the day, but night time often brings a chill – meaning your usual linen dresses and sandals will leave you in a cold sweat instead of looking cool. My go-to? A trusty cardigan or duster coat! Not only do they keep you warm, but they also lend an effortless air to any ensemble. Slip one on over your maxi dress or flowy trousers for stylish coverage that’ll protect you from the desert chill – without taking away from your sizzling #OOTD vibes.

What and how to wear in religious places and mosques in Pakistan?

If you’re a woman and you’re planning on visiting a mosque in Pakistan, make sure you dress appropriately. Many mosques have signs posted outside that state that women must be dressed in an Islamic way in order to enter.

So what does that mean, exactly?

For starters, it’s important to cover your head. A scarf will do the trick. You’ll also want to make sure that your clothing is loose-fitting and doesn’t show any skin. In other words, no tank tops or shorts!

And finally, avoid wearing anything that’s too brightly colored or flashy. You want to look respectful and modest when you’re inside a religious place.

Be sure to cover your arms, legs and shoulders and don’t forget to top off the look with a scarf. Don’t worry if you didn’t prepare—they often have some onsite that you can borrow.

Packing for Pakistan: Pack for the weather

A trip to Pakistan can bring many surprises – from the bustling city streets of Karachi to the soaring peaks of the Hindu Kush Mountains. Making sure you are dressed appropriately for both is essential to having a great, safe trip.Traditional Pakistani attire like shalwar kameez is not required; visitors will find that locals(especially in the cities) are just as likely to wear jeans and t-shirts.

So, what’s the weather like in Pakistan?

Ranging from extreme variations in temperature to the snow-covered northern mountains and hot winds, aptly named Loo, blowing across the plains during sizzling summer days – you never know what to expect when travelling through this land! Although temperatures can get quite high during summer with average June temps reaching 38°C, it could be a walk in the park when compared to some areas where even higher temperatures prevail – busting that 127°F mark no problem at all!

Tips for Pakistan packing list

Travelling to Pakistan can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to figuring out what to wear. On one hand, you want to be comfortable in the hot weather. On the other hand, you want to be respectful of local customs and traditions. I’ve put together a guide for people wondering how to dress in Pakistan, with some tips on what to wear to be respectful as well as comfortable.

• When you think about what to wear in Pakistan, keep in mind that the country is very traditional. A lot of clothes that show a lot of skin, such as short tops, short skirts, and tight clothes, should be kept away from.
• When it comes to Pakistani outfits in the summer, linen trousers are definitely a must-have item. Lightweight and breathable, they’ll help you stay comfortable all day long while still adhering to traditional dress codes.

What to wear in Pakistan as a man?

Men needn’t worry too much as their style is considered more relaxed – loose trousers and long shirts set off with a traditional hat will show respect and taste at the same time. When traveling to Pakistan, men can dress in a manner that is appropriate for the climate and properly reflects the culture. A great option for gentlemen looking for a comfortable, yet respectful ensemble is a golf shirt with short sleeves and either jeans or slacks. What you don’t want to do is wear sh

Choosing what to pack for your Pakistan can certainly be a puzzle, but it’s always important to remember local customs. Although tourists are not expected to dress like the locals, covering up shouldn’t be that difficult. Make sure the tops of your outfit cover your shoulders, and opt for bottoms that fall below the knee – all while still allowing air to flow!

Opt for lighter fabrics and layer it with a scarf – this way you stay nice, cool and respectful. Put together the perfect capsule wardrobe filled with travel essentials and you’ll be all set to enjoy Pakistan in style!

Being mindful of locals’ customs and traditions is essential for travel in Pakistan, so anyone visiting should carefully consider what to wear and strive for the balance between comfort and respect. As a country filled with diversity, from its temperatures to its surroundings, it becomes all the more important to familiarize yourself with the dress code before you start packing.

Based in Miami. Exploring the world.

I believe that you can travel the world without quitting your job. I believe that you can experience all the magic, the foodies and the cultures of the world while having a normal life. And, perhaps, two dogs. This is exactly what I’ve been doing for 15 years. This is exactly what my blog is about. Love, Lilia

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Female Travel In Pakistan: A Complete Guide

Published: September 11, 2023

Modified: January 3, 2024

by Daria Schram

• Budget Travel

Introduction

Savoring the Wonders of Female Travel in Pakistan

Embarking on a journey to Pakistan as a female traveler offers a unique and enriching experience. This diverse and culturally rich country beckons with its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant bazaars, and warm hospitality. While venturing through Pakistan, women can immerse themselves in the tapestry of traditions, savor the tantalizing flavors of local cuisine, and explore ancient historical sites.

As with any travel destination, it’s essential to be well-informed and prepared. This comprehensive guide is tailored to equip female travelers with invaluable insights and practical tips for a safe, enjoyable, and memorable sojourn in Pakistan. From safety considerations and cultural nuances to accommodation options and transportation, this guide aims to empower women with the knowledge to navigate Pakistan with confidence and ease.

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of female travel in Pakistan, unraveling the beauty and allure of this captivating nation while ensuring a fulfilling and secure journey for women from around the globe.

Safety and Security

Empowering Female Travelers with Essential Safety Measures

Ensuring personal safety is paramount for female travelers exploring Pakistan . While the country boasts awe-inspiring landscapes and a rich tapestry of culture, it’s essential to remain vigilant and well-prepared. Prior to embarking on your journey, it’s advisable to stay informed about the current political climate and any travel advisories issued for specific regions.

When traversing Pakistan, it’s prudent to dress modestly and respect local customs. This can help minimize unwanted attention and foster a sense of cultural appreciation. Additionally, it’s advisable to avoid traveling alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas. Opting for reputable transportation services and accommodations with positive reviews can further enhance safety and peace of mind.

Engaging with the local community can be immensely rewarding, but it’s important to exercise caution and trust your instincts. Developing a basic understanding of Urdu phrases can facilitate communication and foster positive interactions. Furthermore, staying connected with family and friends through regular updates and sharing your itinerary can provide an additional layer of security.

By remaining aware of your surroundings, respecting local customs, and staying informed, female travelers can relish the wonders of Pakistan while prioritizing their safety and well-being.

Cultural Considerations

Embracing the Rich Cultural Mosaic of Pakistan

Immersing oneself in the vibrant tapestry of Pakistani culture is a quintessential aspect of the travel experience. The country’s cultural heritage is a harmonious blend of various influences, including Mughal, Persian, and British, resulting in a captivating fusion of traditions, art, and cuisine.

Respect for elders and traditional values holds significant importance in Pakistani society. Greeting locals with a courteous “Assalamualaikum” and embracing cultural etiquette can foster a sense of mutual respect and admiration. Engaging in conversations with an open mind and expressing genuine curiosity about local customs can lead to enriching cultural exchanges.

Participating in traditional festivities, such as Eid ul-Fitr and Basant, offers a profound glimpse into the celebratory spirit and communal harmony that permeate Pakistani culture. Exploring bustling bazaars, adorned with vibrant fabrics and intricate handicrafts, provides an opportunity to support local artisans and savor the artistry deeply rooted in the nation’s heritage.

It’s important to note that alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in Pakistan, in adherence to Islamic law. Embracing this cultural norm with respect and understanding is crucial for fostering positive interactions and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.

By immersing oneself in the cultural tapestry of Pakistan, female travelers can forge meaningful connections, gain profound insights, and create enduring memories that transcend cultural boundaries.

Clothing and Dress Code

Navigating the Dress Etiquette for Female Travelers in Pakistan

Respecting local dress codes is pivotal for female travelers exploring Pakistan. Embracing modest attire not only aligns with cultural norms but also fosters a sense of reverence and acceptance within the local community. Opting for loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms, legs, and décolletage is advisable to adhere to the modesty standards prevalent in Pakistan.

For casual outings and sightseeing, lightweight and breathable fabrics, such as cotton and linen, are ideal choices, especially in the warm climate of Pakistan. Long, flowing tops paired with trousers or ankle-length skirts offer a comfortable and culturally respectful ensemble. Additionally, carrying a scarf or shawl to drape over the shoulders can provide added coverage when visiting religious sites or interacting with locals.

When visiting mosques or religious landmarks, it’s customary for women to cover their heads with a scarf as a sign of respect. Embracing this practice showcases cultural sensitivity and an appreciation for religious traditions. Furthermore, it’s prudent to remove shoes before entering sacred spaces as a gesture of reverence.

By adhering to the local dress code, female travelers can navigate Pakistan with cultural grace and forge meaningful connections while honoring the traditions and customs of this enchanting nation.

Accommodation Options

Creating a Haven: Accommodation Choices for Female Travelers in Pakistan

When seeking accommodation in Pakistan, female travelers can choose from a diverse array of options that cater to comfort, safety, and cultural immersion. From luxurious hotels to cozy guesthouses, the country offers a spectrum of choices to suit various preferences and budgets.

For those desiring a blend of modern amenities and personalized service, reputable hotels and resorts provide a secure and comfortable retreat. Many establishments offer female-friendly services, ensuring a welcoming environment for solo travelers and groups alike. Additionally, opting for accommodations with positive reviews and a strong emphasis on security can further enhance peace of mind.

Guesthouses and boutique hotels nestled within the heart of cities and towns offer an intimate and culturally immersive lodging experience. These establishments often exude local charm and hospitality, providing an opportunity for female travelers to engage with the community and glean authentic insights into Pakistani culture.

Furthermore, the burgeoning trend of homestays allows visitors to reside with local families, fostering meaningful cultural exchanges and a deeper understanding of everyday life in Pakistan. The warmth and hospitality extended by host families create a nurturing environment, ideal for female travelers seeking genuine connections and a firsthand glimpse into local traditions.

By selecting accommodation options that align with their preferences and comfort, female travelers can create a secure and enriching haven during their exploration of Pakistan’s myriad wonders.

Transportation

Navigating Pakistan: Transportation Tips for Female Travelers

Efficient and reliable transportation is integral to a seamless travel experience in Pakistan. Female travelers can explore a variety of transportation options, each offering unique insights into the country’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture.

For inter-city travel, domestic flights provide a swift and convenient mode of transportation, especially when journeying across vast distances. Prioritizing reputable airlines with strong safety records can ensure a comfortable and secure flying experience.

Embracing the charm of train travel offers a captivating glimpse into Pakistan’s picturesque countryside. From the bustling platforms to the rhythmic sway of the carriages, train journeys evoke a sense of nostalgia and adventure. Opting for well-maintained and comfortable class accommodations enhances the overall travel experience.

Within cities, ridesharing services and app-based transportation platforms offer a convenient and safe means of getting around. It’s advisable to share trip details with trusted contacts and confirm the driver’s identity before boarding to prioritize personal safety.

For those seeking a more immersive and flexible mode of exploration, renting a car with a local driver can provide the freedom to venture off the beaten path and savor the scenic beauty of Pakistan at a personalized pace.

By embracing diverse transportation options and prioritizing safety and comfort, female travelers can traverse Pakistan with confidence and embark on unforgettable journeys across this captivating nation.

Food and Drink

Indulging in Culinary Delights: A Gastronomic Exploration for Female Travelers in Pakistan

Embarking on a culinary odyssey in Pakistan unveils a tapestry of flavors, aromas, and traditions that captivate the senses and celebrate the nation’s rich cultural heritage. Female travelers can savor an array of delectable dishes while embracing the warmth of Pakistani hospitality in traditional eateries and vibrant street food stalls.

From fragrant biryanis and succulent kebabs to savory lentil-based daals and aromatic curries, the country’s diverse cuisine offers an exquisite blend of spices and textures. Embracing the local dining customs, such as using the right hand for eating and removing shoes before entering certain dining establishments, showcases cultural respect and appreciation.

Exploring bustling food markets, known as “souks,” presents an opportunity to sample an assortment of street foods and regional specialties. Engaging with local vendors and artisans not only offers a glimpse into Pakistan’s culinary heritage but also fosters meaningful connections and enriching cultural exchanges.

While savoring the culinary delights, it’s important to prioritize food safety and hygiene. Opting for reputable eateries and ensuring that meals are thoroughly cooked can mitigate health concerns, allowing female travelers to relish the gastronomic treasures of Pakistan with peace of mind.

By immersing themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Pakistani cuisine, female travelers can embark on a sensory journey that intertwines flavors, traditions, and the heartfelt generosity of the local culinary landscape.

Activities and Sightseeing

Immersing in Splendor: Unforgettable Experiences for Female Travelers in Pakistan

Exploring Pakistan unveils a treasure trove of captivating experiences and awe-inspiring sights that cater to the diverse interests of female travelers. From ancient architectural marvels to breathtaking natural landscapes, the country beckons with an array of enriching activities and sightseeing opportunities.

Visiting the majestic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, a resplendent example of Mughal architecture, offers a profound glimpse into the nation’s rich heritage and serves as a testament to the enduring craftsmanship of bygone eras. The ethereal beauty of Shangrila Resort nestled amidst the serene Skardu Valley presents a tranquil retreat, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in the pristine allure of nature.

For those drawn to adventure, embarking on a trek through the scenic trails of the Hunza Valley or partaking in exhilarating water sports along the azure waters of Astola Island promises an adrenaline-fueled escapade amidst Pakistan’s breathtaking landscapes.

Exploring the bustling bazaars and vibrant markets allows female travelers to engage in immersive cultural experiences, from haggling for exquisite textiles and handicrafts to savoring the aromatic flavors of local street food. Additionally, partaking in traditional dance performances and attending local festivals provides an enriching insight into the vivacious spirit and cultural heritage of Pakistan.

By embracing the myriad activities and sightseeing opportunities, female travelers can create indelible memories and forge a deep connection with the captivating wonders that define the essence of Pakistan.

Health and Hygiene

Prioritizing Well-being: Essential Health Practices for Female Travelers in Pakistan

Maintaining optimal health and hygiene is paramount for female travelers exploring Pakistan. By adhering to essential practices and staying informed about healthcare resources, women can ensure a safe and fulfilling journey through this captivating nation.

Prior to travel, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional to receive relevant vaccinations and obtain necessary medications. Carrying a well-stocked travel medical kit, including items such as insect repellent, sunscreen, and basic first-aid supplies, can provide added reassurance during the journey.

Ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water is crucial. Opting for bottled water from reputable sources and avoiding ice in beverages can mitigate the risk of waterborne illnesses. Additionally, practicing diligent hand hygiene by carrying hand sanitizer and frequently washing hands with soap and water further safeguards against potential infections.

Acclimating to the local climate and staying mindful of sun exposure is essential. Wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, and seeking shade during peak sun hours can prevent heat-related discomfort and sunburn, enabling female travelers to explore Pakistan’s outdoor marvels with comfort and ease.

Should the need for medical assistance arise, identifying reputable healthcare facilities and pharmacies in advance can expedite access to essential services. Additionally, obtaining comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies offers an added layer of security and peace of mind.

By prioritizing health and hygiene practices, female travelers can embark on a journey through Pakistan with confidence, knowing that they are equipped to safeguard their well-being and fully savor the wonders that await.

Celebrating the Tapestry of Female Travel in Pakistan

As we draw the curtains on this comprehensive guide, it’s evident that Pakistan beckons with a myriad of enriching experiences, cultural marvels, and captivating landscapes for female travelers. Navigating the cultural nuances, savoring culinary delights, and immersing in the nation’s storied heritage offer a profound journey of discovery and connection.

While prioritizing safety, respect for local customs, and health considerations is crucial, it’s equally important to embrace the spirit of adventure and open-minded exploration. Engaging with the warm hospitality of the Pakistani people and forging enduring connections can elevate the travel experience, creating cherished memories that transcend geographical boundaries.

By venturing into the heart of Pakistan with an open heart and a spirit of cultural reverence, female travelers can unravel the beauty and allure of this captivating nation while fostering a profound understanding of its diverse tapestry. Embracing the enriching experiences, navigating with grace and cultural sensitivity, and prioritizing personal well-being, women can embark on a transformative journey through Pakistan, leaving an indelible mark on their travel narrative.

Let this guide serve as a compass, illuminating the path for female travelers to navigate Pakistan with confidence, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the boundless wonders that await amidst this enchanting land.

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What to Wear in Pakistan

Top style tips for pakistan.

• When planning what to wear in Pakistan, bear in mind the nation is very traditional. So, short tops, short skirts/shorts, tight or body-revealing clothes etc. should be avoided.
• A good option is the local dress; a shalwar kameez . This is a long tunic top with loose fitting pants, which can be bought cheaply at any market.
• Take loose long pants and some full-sleeved shirts and t-shirts for comfortable traveling.
• Full-sleeved clothes are ideal protection against sun burn during the day and mosquito bites at night.
• light wool is a good choice to wear against your skin as it naturally helps to regulate your body temperature . It keeps you warm in the cold, wicks away moisture when it's hot, and doesn't retain odours – even after prolonged wear.
• A sunhat is a must for the summer and a travel umbrella is great for the rain and sun .
• Make sure you take a good sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) with you, and quality sunglasses .
• Ensure you bring a versatile travel jacket. We love the  SCOTTeVEST  travel jacket because it has over 23 pockets, removable sleeves and RFID protection.

Pack for the weather

• April, May, June, July, August, September and October are the hottest months . Pack light cotton clothes, and avoid synthetics as you may develop some skin allergy or heat burns.
• Winters (November, December, January and February) are quite cold, so pack some warmer layers.
• We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂

Regions of Pakistan

• The weather can vary wildly depending on where you are visiting. For example, May in Islamabad can be a heady 43C whilst in the Shandur Pass it can be -5C. Check the forecast for your destination and time of travel. Clever layering is always key to dealing with temperature changes.

Shoes to pack for Pakistan

• Be sure to have good sturdy shoes with you since your feet will get dusty and dirty while traveling (try Hotter shoes , they are incredibly comfortable and look great too).
• And we like Thorlos hiking socks – they have options designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable in all climates.

Clothing tips for women

• For women clothes should cover both shoulders and knees.
• A cotton shirt or t-shirt, with cotton pants or an ankle length skirt are good and cover your shoulders with a sarong.
• While visiting places of worship (temples, gurudwara or mausoleum) , women must wear long skirts or pants and have covered shoulders. Also, don't forget to remove your footwear before entering any religious place.
• It is advisable to carry a light pashmina or scarf with you to cover your head in case it gets too hot. Some religious places also require you to cover your head, so it may come handy then too.

Clothing tips for men

• For men loose cotton shirts or t-shirts and long linen pants work well. Long – to avoid being bitten at night.
• For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.

Pakistan travel essentials

• As well as knowing what to wear in Pakistan, it is a good idea to also consider the vital travel accessories you will need.
• Buy insect/mosquito repellent out there – you will need plenty.
• Away from the main hotels toilet facilities will be basic and more likely a hole in the ground; take your own toilet paper and anti-bacterial handwash.
• In basic accommodation you will also need your own microfiber travel towel and toiletries . A little medical kit, sewing repair kit, and a good torch are recommended too.
• Don’t drink or even brush your teeth in tap water. Consider taking a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle . And another tip for trying to avoid an upset stomach is to have a mouth full of antiseptic mouthwash when you shower.
• A bag or soft-sided rucksack is a more practical option than hard cases when traveling around the country, and using packing cubes can help to keep your belongings tidy whilst compressing the volume too.
• Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Leather goods and embroidered table linen , bedspreads and shawls are all good buys.
• Combine your bag with a fold away day sack that will carry your essentials on day trips .
• Consider taking a solar powered charger as a back-up for your battery.
• To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug , and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for the local voltage (230V) .

© Copyright 2019 | What To Wear On Vacation | All Rights Reserved

Solo female travel anywhere and everywhere.

The ultimate guide to female travel in Pakistan

A complete—and honest—guide to female travel in Pakistan, from one of the most experienced foreign solo female travelers to blog about the country… me! Who said women can’t travel to Pakistan?

I ain’t gonna lie: traveling Pakistan as a woman can be intense.

Endless stares, medieval mindsets, constant questioning, and male-dominated spaces can be exhausting… but then there’s the flip side! Overwhelming hospitality, almost guaranteed assistance, and access to spaces men can’t see because you’re a woman.

After almost one year of independent traveling through Pakistan as a solo female, with friends, and with men both foreign and local, I can tell you that Pakistan is worth it.

More foreign and local women should travel in Pakistan; I’m here to do what I can to help encourage and inspire you! In the name of helping out fellow boss ladies, here’s a guide to female travel in Pakistan with everything I’ve learned throughout my travels.

• Background: What’s up with women in Pakistan?

Is it safe for women to travel in Pakistan?

What to expect from female travel in pakistan.

• What to wear in Pakistan
• Social etiquette
• Finding accommodation
• How to interact with men
• Tips for female travel
• Best and worst places for women to travel
• Relationships and marriage with Pakistani men
• Female-run businesses in Pakistan
• Pakistani women to follow
• Foreign female travelers to follow
• Travel resources

Women singing in a village in Sindh

What’s up with women in Pakistan?

Basically, women in Pakistan are treated like second-tier citizens. (Gonna get shit for this statement… but it’s true.)

Though there are always exceptions and things are changing in cities, many Pakistanis—both men and women—consider women delicate flowers who need to be protected and “respected” by men. Not humans capable of doing things themselves.

While men roam the streets, women are meant to stay at home. Society is heavily segregated by gender; there are places in Pakistan where you won’t see any women on the street. Very rarely will you see women publicly hanging out the way men can. Given the stares, harassment, and social pressures they face when going out, you can’t blame women for wanting to stay inside.

Times are changing. Women drive cars in cities, the ratio of boys to girls in schools is equalizing, women are outperforming men in university… but it’s still unusual for women to ride bicycles and motorbikes, girls are still pressured to drop out of school at young ages in villages, and most female university students don’t work for long after graduating; they get married and become housewives.

Traveling in Pakistan as a woman means diving headfirst into this pool of patriarchy. There’s nothing you can do but brace yourself and jump.

A female traveler from my first women-only tour of Pakistan,  the perfect introduction to the country 🙂

I believe Pakistan is safe for women to travel.

Despite what you may have heard, Pakistan is generally a safe place to travel . In my experience, both as a solo female and with friends/men, harassment has been the biggest issue. However, I’ve never felt seriously threatened. Though minor harassment—inappropriate touching, verbal harassment, stalking, etc—is more prevalent in Pakistan than other countries I’ve visited, harassment (unfortunately) happens everywhere. I don’t think it’s enough to stay away.

These days, many women come to Pakistan for all kinds of travel. Trekking in Pakistan , cultural tours, bicycle or motorcycle quests… women do it all!

However, that doesn’t mean I think Pakistan is a good destination for every female traveler. Adventurous and experienced female travelers, by all means, go. Otherwise, I think it’s important to consider if Pakistan is the right destination for you before booking a ticket. See this post for more on whether or not Pakistan is right for you.

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Perks of traveling as a woman in Pakistan

Okay, it’s not all bad when it comes to traveling as a woman in Pakistan! There are some definite plus points such as…

You don’t have to stand in line as long. Often there’s a [much shorter] ladies’ line in places like railway stations and banks. If there’s not… *cough* if a woman edges to the front of a queue most men won’t say anything. Almost a fair trade for the hassle we have to deal with on the reg, right?

People will go even more out of their way to help you. If traveling without men, most people will be so surprised that they’ll take extra good care of you. That’s saying something considering Pakistanis are already quite hospitable! A double-edged sword, as it’s due to the delicate flower mentality.

You’ll straddle the world of women and men. In segregated spaces such as conservative homes, male travelers cannot enter spaces occupied by women (ex. kitchens). But you can!

Due to their unusual position, female travelers, especially foreign females, can experience both the man and woman’s world in Pakistani society. I’ve had dinner with men, then been taken to meet women of the family while my male companion(s) had to stay put. It’s fascinating, if troubling.

Having tea in a room full of men—a typical situation for foreign women

You’ll get better seats on transportation. Especially when traveling alone, you’ll often be given seating closer to the front on buses and in cars. Girls in the front, dudes in the back.

You’re more trustworthy as a woman. Women and families will be much more open to your presence, and men will not feel intimidated or defensive around you. In this regard, it’s easier to find hosts as a female traveler.

A woman in a trance at the shrine of Bhittai in Bhit Shah, Sindh

Downsides of traveling Pakistan as a woman

You’re going to be stared at all. the. time. Sometimes it’s sexual. Sometimes it’s curious. Other times it’s scornful. Whatever the case, prepare to have all eyes on you.

Solo travelers will stand out. Pakistani women don’t often do things alone in Pakistan. If traveling solo, you’re going to get a lot of attention.

You’ll be constantly surrounded by men. It’s hard to meet women in Pakistan—I didn’t meet any women I could really talk with until my second or third trip to the country. Unless you speak Urdu, you’re far more likely to be restricted to communicating with men only in most areas.

Welcome to the world of men!

People will ask you if you’re married/why not/when are you having children at least one million times. You’d be surprised how quickly they can work it into conversations, too—I once had a taxi driver ask me if I was married 30 seconds after we met.

Men will be overprotective and want to escort you everywhere. A common plight with solo female travelers! Good intentions matter, but if men are restricting your travels too much, don’t let them stop you. Many people have this idea that if you walk outside unaccompanied by a man you’re going to be raped/murdered/abducted/assaulted by wild boars. Fun fact: you’re not. Except maybe the boars. Beware of boars.

My go-to look for Pakistan: salwar kameez . Comfortable, loose, and colorful AF. What more could you need?

What to wear in Pakistan as a woman?

Pakistan is a conservative Islamic country. Modest dress is a must!

Salwar kameez , the local dress/pants combination you’ll see on both women and men, is most ideal… and the most comfortable! They’re like socially acceptable pajamas, and great in hot weather. Many Pakistanis appreciate seeing foreigners wearing this local dress.

For cheap salwar kameez , visit any local bazaar such as Liberty Market in Lahore . However, know it’s expected you’ll tailor what you buy. Some outfits won’t come stitched at all—you buy the material, then take it to a tailor.

For “readymade” salwar kameez , head to a mall or brand-name clothing stores. There, you’ll have more options, and can try clothes on before buying. Generation is my absolute favorite brand when it comes to traditional clothes shopping in Pakistan. You can find their stores in any major city.

Typical Generation top

Shirts with at least ½ or ¾ length sleeves that cover your butt are best. Looser shirts that hide your body’s figure are ideal—leave curve-hugging and cleavage-showing clothes at home. The more conservative the place, the better it is to wear longer, baggier shirts.

T-shirts are okay in liberal parts of major cities such as malls and Defence neighborhoods, as well as when trekking in Gilgit Baltistan. If trekking in conservative places like Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province , I definitely don’t recommend t-shirts.

I do wear Western clothes in Gilgit Baltistan when it’s cold, and haven’t had any issues.

Long pants, dresses, or skirts are a must. Skinny jeans and leggings are okay so long as your shirt covers your butt.

Don’t wear shorts. I don’t mean to police your clothing, but trust me: you don’t want to wear shorts.

Headscarves and dupattas

Covering your head isn’t necessary outside of mosques, but you should always carry a scarf with you. Use it to cover your head in religious places, or cover your head/chest in more conservative areas like bazaars if stares are uncomfortable. Dupattas are the scarves women wear draped across their chest to stop creepy dudes from checking out their boobs. They… sort of work.

At night many women cover their heads when going out, even if they don’t necessarily wear headscarves during the day.

I cover my head in conservative places, and at religious gatherings like this Sufi festival in Sehwan Sharif, Sindh

Do as you like–you can show your feet! Shoes that can be easily slipped on and off are ideal as you’ll have to take your shoes off to enter mosques, homes, etc.

My friend Aneeqa and I dancing at Passu Glacier because decorum be damned

Social etiquette for female travelers in Pakistan

No, by “etiquette” I don’t mean drinking chai with your pinky out and sitting up straight in the hopes of attracting husbands! You don’t have to do much to attract men as a foreign woman.

There are some unspoken social “rules” in Pakistan to be aware of. Note that these are not official rules, just societal norms. Break them if desired… buuuut I recommend first getting familiar with the rules and the culture before purposefully going against the grain. Pick and choose your battles wisely!

Women sit in “family” areas of restaurants and dhabas (cheap roadside eateries).

This usually means an area upstairs, in the back, behind a curtain, or staying in the car and having food brought out. Men sit out on the street in the public eye. I do admit this is my favorite norm to break.

Women don’t smoke publicly.

Lighting up a cigarette on the street basically says “Hi, I’m a fast moving slut, please besiege me with your judgmental glares.” But your lungs, your decision! Some liberal women openly smoke in cities.

Women do smoke, the key is to give no fucks. Aneeqa plz don’t kill me for using this photo you look like a bawse.

Women sit next to women, unless they’re related to/know the men.

This applies to cars, buses, trains, etc. People rearrange to make it possible. This one I don’t mind so much— usually this means solo females get the front seat on buses.

Women don’t shake hands with men.

Some men think it’s inappropriate to touch women’s hands. Don’t offer your hand to shake unless the man offers his hand first. Instead, you can place your right hand over your heart and nod your head.

Women don’t pray in mosques .

Unless they’re women-only mosques, or the mosque has a separate women’s area. However, women can visit mosques, contrary to what some people may tell you.

Iftar dinner inside someone’s home in Astore

Finding accommodation for women in Pakistan

Getting [safe] accommodation in Pakistan as a woman can be tricky at times.

Women are technically not allowed to share rooms with men they’re not married or related to (if traveling as a foreign unmarried couple, just say you’re married). If traveling solo, things can get tricky quite quickly.

I’ve been denied rooms at hotels because they didn’t want to the responsibility of having a solo foreign woman guest.

Women traveling without men will likely not be allowed in cheap accommodation such as truck stops, student hostels, or crappy guesthouses.

I’ve been assigned security escorts once I reached my hotel because they were uncomfortable with my walking around alone.

Of course, you never know until you try! If on a budget, it doesn’t hurt to ask. If not on a budget, mid-range hotels (around US$30 and higher) and luxury hotels should not have reservations about accepting you. You can find these hotels on Booking.com , or other options on Airbnb.

If on a tight budget, I recommend Couchsurfing , a platform where travelers can find hosts to stay with for free . The CS community in Pakistan is very active. Though there are plenty of creepy men on the platform, there are plenty of decent men—and women—as well. Look for references from other women before deciding to stay with a host.

Note: Gilgit Baltistan is used to travelers of all sorts; these accommodation rules don’t really apply there.

Not all men in Pakistan are problematic! Many of my closest friends in Pakistan are men. But finding the good men among the bad apples can be tricky and takes some time.

How to interact with men in Pakistan 101

You’re going to be with men most of the time—it’s time to perfect your art!

Not all men in Pakistan are evil creeps out to cop feels—far from—but sometimes it can be tricky to judge a man’s character. Until your instincts are sharpened, here are do’s and don’ts to ensure smooth interactions with men.

Do: Use familial terms to address men.

Call men of a similar age or younger bhai , brother. Address older men as chacha , uncle. Think of it as a linguistic version of “friend zoning” a man.

Do: Keep your distance.

Though men are physical with men and women with women, opposite genders do not touch except perhaps to help a woman in/out of a vehicle, or to escort her across a street. You know, chivalrous stuff.

If a man is touching you, it could be accidental… but might not be. Touches from someone you’re talking to are usually subtle flirtations, even if seemingly innocent. Unless you’re in a crowd, “accidental” brushes against your body (often on butt, chest, hips, etc) are probably intentional. Drivers often do this to women sitting in the front of cars/jeeps/buses.

Pakistani men are masters of weird, subtle touching. If someone is touching you and making you uncomfortable, loudly bring attention to it so others know. Or punch him. That works, too.

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Don’t: Smile too much.

You don’t have to death glare all the time, just don’t be excessively smiley when talking to men you don’t know. Strangers, especially young men, might interpret it as flirting. You can be enthusiastic, but cautious with the smiles.

Don’t: Give out your Facebook/Instagram/Whatsapp/email address/phone number to men you don’t know well.

Men ask for it all the time, even if they don’t know you well. I learned this the hard way: JUST SAY NO . If you don’t, prepare to receive a million and one messages/calls/photos/etc… some of them more lewd than others. This happens even if you aren’t traveling as a solo female.

You don’t need a reason to say no, but if you feel bad about it, just lie and say you don’t use those apps, or you don’t have a local phone number.

Typical interaction… and this guy was head of police! Sigh.

Don’t: Be afraid to be rude.

It’s hard to be brusque with men sometimes, especially if they’ve done something nice or helpful for you. But in the end, if a man is making you uncomfortable, it doesn’t matter what he’s done for you or given to you. You’re completely within your rights to leave if you want to.

Taking trains in Pakistan is an experience I highly recommend, though many locals advise against it!

Tips for female travel in Pakistan

In Pakistan, take the same basic safety precautions as you would anywhere else in the world.

Avoid walking alone at night if traveling solo, especially in dark streets without many people. Always make sure someone knows where you’re going or where you are.

Be cautious when interacting with men. If a man seems like he’s coming on to you and you don’t like it, leave. Remember that you’re in a conservative society; if a man wouldn’t act this way toward a Pakistani girl, why is it okay if he does it to you?

“If you use tampons – take plenty with you.” June, UK

Get a local SIM card so you can call people if you need help (and people can call you to help!). Telenor and Zong have the best coverage across Pakistan, while army-run SCOM has the best coverage across Gilgit Baltistan. An essential for solo female travelers.

“Buy some local-style clothing to wear during your visit. They’re gorgeous, comfortable (especially in the summer), cover all the bases for respecting local norms, and you’re likely to make a great impression on people you meet.” Rachel, Canada

Use Uber and Careem for getting around in big cities. They save you from haggling with rickshaw drivers over prices you don’t know, and they track where you’re going and hold their drivers accountable if something happens. I’ve had issues with drivers before, but I reported them and punitive action was swiftly taken.

Note: In Pakistan, there’s a motorbike option in both Uber and Careem. Bike is by far the cheapest (and in my opinion, most fun) way to get around in cities, but there’s also a stigma against women using bikes. Whether or not you use it is up to you, just know what you’re getting into. I use it all the time, but I keep my distance on the bike seat—a backpack between you and the driver will do—and don’t get too chatty with drivers.

Gilgit Baltistan is definitely the most welcoming place in Pakistan for (solo) female travelers

Best and worst places for female travel in Pakistan

I hesitate to declare whole regions good or bad; there is good and bad to be found everywhere! However, if I had to pick…

Best places for female travel in Pakistan

Hunza region

The most “liberal” area in Pakistan is the Ismaili-majority area of Hunza. Due to the encouragement of their leader, the Aga Khan, Ismailis prioritize education for both men and women. Hunza people are more open-minded than in the rest of Pakistan, and you’ll see far more women out on the streets. That’s not to say that the women here live a good and equal life, but they’re certainly more free than women in other parts of Pakistan.

Hunza is also the most heavily touristed of all the regions in Pakistan; people are used to seeing female travelers of all nationalities, solo and otherwise.

Major cities: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad

As with everywhere in the world, cities attract more liberal, educated minds. Girls can get away with a lot more in cities. Of course, there are liberal and conservative areas in every city, but generally the more wealthy the area (ex. “Defence” areas/DHA), the more liberal people’s attitudes toward women and how they act and dress.

Kalash Valleys

The Kalash Valleys west of Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are an interesting place to meet women from a different religious/cultural background from the rest of the country: Kalasha people are pagan. Women wear extremely colorful traditional clothes, and are much more visible on the streets than in other parts of the country. They also interact with men more freely, here.

Read:  A guide to visiting the Kalash Valleys

Women shopping in a bazaar in Peshawar

The most difficult place for female travel in Pakistan  

Most of khyber pakhtunkhwa province.

I’m probably going to get shit for this, but so be it—KP is an intense place for women, travelers and otherwise. Though I do believe Pashtuns are the most hospitable people in Pakistan , their culture around women is also one of the more strict in the country. That doesn’t mean don’t go—just know what to expect before going!

Totally covered women in Thall, KPK

Pashtuns are very protective of women. There’s a strong emphasis on purdah : women are to stay out of sight, so as not to attract the unwanted glances of men.

This means there aren’t many women on the street at any given time—the ones who are will be swathed in white chadar sheets or burqas— and women stay inside homes more often than not. If you visit a Pashtun household, you might not see any women at first; they might be in a separate area of the house. Luckily, as a woman, you’ll probably be taken to be introduced at some point.

My future husband. JK. Or am I?

Relationships and marriage with Pakistani men: For love? Or for the visa?

It might seem strange, but after several years advising women on travel to Pakistan, this subject has come up far more than I expected: men marrying foreign women for visas.

Most of the time, Pakistani men cultivate online relationships with Western foreign women. They “fall in love”, invite the woman to Pakistan, and try to marry them at some point during the process.

Within Pakistan, I often see men flirting with foreign women. Foreign women are excited by the prospect of a spicy local hookup; men are excited because the woman could be their ticket out of Pakistan.

I’m not saying it’s impossible to find a legitimate, loving relationship with someone from Pakistan—just that women should be wary of men trying to seduce them for immigration purposes.

Never rush into a relationship/marriage with someone you don’t know. Insist on meeting them in person for an extended period of time before even considering the idea. If a man pushes you to move faster than you want to, stand your ground; relationships are a two-way street. Pakistan is not kind to women, especially once trapped in marriage.

A female malang dancing at a Sufi urs (death day celebration of a saint) in Lahore

Where to meet women in Pakistan

It sounds crazy, but I didn’t really meet any women on my first trip to Pakistan aside from being introduced to wives, sisters, or mothers who didn’t speak much English.

Now, I have a scattering of female friends in the country, but it took several trips and pointed effort to find them.

But no need to search any more! Together with my (female) friend Aneeqa, we created a Facebook group called Female Pakistan Travelers . It’s a women-only safe space where women of any nationality can interact, ask questions, and plan trips or meetups. It’s a great place to find other girls to hang out with when traveling around in Pakistan!

Aside from the Facebook group, Couchsurfing is another place to meet women, though there are far more men on CS than women unfortunately. See You in Pakistan is another Facebook group with a lot of Pakistani women happy to meet travelers.

The small women-run traditional food cafe near Baltit Fort

Female-run businesses in Pakistan tourists can support

Women running businesses is still relatively rare in Pakistan; support women-run businesses where you can in your travels! Here are a few places tourists can start.

• The Mad Hatters – Tour company run by my friend and business partner, Aneeqa
• Let’s Home – Accommodation network for Gilgit Baltistan run by a Hunzai woman named Seema
• Auratnaak (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi) – A female/queer/nonbinary stand-up comedy group with a focus on feminism in Pakistan (many acts are in English or a mix of English and Urdu)
• A Piece of Cake (Lahore) – Hip café run by two women, Hafsa and Anum
• Bozlanj Café (Gulmit) – Small village restaurant/café run by two women offering made to order traditional food
• Kha basi café (Altit Fort) – Entirely women-run café below the fort organized by Ciqam, a local women’s empowerment initiative
• Hunza Food Pavilion (Karimabad/Baltit) – Small food stall run by two women serving delicious local food
• Carpet Center (Gulmit) – Women’s weaver collective where women can learn carpet weaving and make money selling carpets to tourists and locals
• Go Flour bakery (Lahore) – Trains underprivileged women to work in their bakery

A nice auntie in a traditional kitchen in Phander Valley

Pakistani women worth following

Want to get a taste of what badass women are up to in Pakistan? Check out some of these women.

• Zenith Irfan – Known as Pakistan’s Motorcycle Girl
• Samina Baig – Mountaineer from Shimshal who’s summited Mt Everest
• Abida Parveen – Most famous female Sufi qawwal singer
• Malala Yousafzai – Author of I am Malala, famous account of Taliban control in Swat Valley from a girl’s perspective
• Yumna Warraich – Solo biker who’s traveled all over Pakistan alone
• Guliafshan Tariq – Biker girl from KPK
• Misa The Solo Girl – Solo traveler and vlogger
• Girl With Green Passport – Travel blogger/Instagrammer
• Khaula Jamil – Photojournalist
• Amna Zuberi – Travel and street photographer
• Amna Yaseen – Cultural photographer
• Girls At Dhabas – Feminist movement reclaiming public spaces for women
• Shehzil Malk – My favorite feminist artist/illustrator
• The Traveluster – Traveler and blogger
• Maria Soomro – Traveler and Instagrammer
• GBGFL – Women’s football organization in northern Pakistan

Foreign female travelers in Pakistan

Foreign women to follow

Foreigners’ perspectives can be helpful, too! All of these girls have traveled Pakistan extensively, both solo and with men, and offer helpful insights into the country and what it’s like to travel as a foreign woman there.

• Marsha Jean – Solo female traveler from Hong Kong/Australia
• Eva Zu Beck – Well-known vlogger/Instagrammer from Poland
• Rosie Gabrielle – Motorcyclist from Canada
• Amel – French yoga teacher and solo female traveler who lived in Pakistan for some time

Absorbing the sights and sounds of chaotic Karachi

Resources for female travel in Pakistan

• Female travelers Pakistan – Facebook group specifically for women traveling in Pakistan, both solo females and otherwise
• Women-only tours of Pakistan – Designed and run by me and Aneeqa! We’ll take you all over Pakistan on this unique, offbeat tour with a distinctive female flair
• Backpacking Pakistan – Foreigner-specific Facebook group
• See You in Pakistan – General Pakistan travel Facebook group
• Emergency contact numbers in Pakistan from UN Women
• The Mad Hatters – Female-run tour company who can help you organize your Pakistan travels

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Yay transparency! This post includes affiliate links. If you buy something using one of my links, I’ll make a bit of money at no extra cost to you . Never fear, I’d never steer you wrong!

Alex Reynolds

15 thoughts on “ the ultimate guide to female travel in pakistan ”.

Great post! Last time I was in Pakistan to see extended family was 2003 then again 2011. I’m visiting again next week- I hear a lot has changed but it also sounds like my experiences of 20 years ago haven’t changed at all. Reading your blog has made me excited to see the changes & do more sightseeing this time. Thanks for taking the trouble to write about your experiences 🙏🏼

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A guide to solo female travel in Pakistan

By Joan Torres 16 Comments Last updated on July 31, 2024

Wanna travel to Pakistan with Against the Compass?

Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Pakistan:

May 18th to 31st, 2025

Pakistan grabbed my attention since I saw, in the media, another solo female traveler enjoying the beauty of its land and people. I had never thought of it as a possible destination and, to my surprise, it has become one of my favorite countries.

I wasn’t sure if I was prepared or not, but simply the idea of visiting such an unexplored country, made me feel very excited.

I had been to Iran and India by myself previously, but I think Pakistan is at a different level of travel expertise.

I spent two months backpacking in Pakistan as a solo female traveler and I enjoyed it as much as I suffered its lack of infrastructure and the difficulties of traveling there solo as a woman.

It is a complex country and not many tourists venture into this ground. Locals are not familiar with tourists, much less with solo female travelers .

As a woman you will have to face some extra issues, but I need you to understand that this country is rough for both men and women.

However, Pakistan is really worth it.

In this guide I will summarize what it looks like to travel solo in Pakistan as a woman . This is all merged information from my experience, and also from other women I met when I was traveling there or afterwards in other countries.

If you are thinking of going with some female friends, this article will help you as well. I think this will be useful also for men, just so you know what is going on from our side of things.

This is an honest guide – it doesn’t matter how much I love the country – I want to assist you making a decision on definitely going to Pakistan or cancelling all your travel plans there. I really hope it helps, there isn’t much information out there.

For all the places to visit in the country read this Pakistan 1-month itinerary

In this solo female travel guide to Pakistan you will find:

Table of Contents

• Is previous travel experience required ?

Local women in Pakistan

• Is it safe for women?
• Tips on how to stay safe
• Interaction with men
• How to move around?
• What to wear?
• Best and worse areas to solo travel
• Pros & cons of being a solo female traveler
• How can we support local women?
• Feminists in Pakistan and foreign travelers
• More resources

our recommended travel insurance for Pakistan

With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Pakistan.

As a female traveler who visits Pakistan, is any previous experience required?

I would honestly love to recommend Pakistan to any single woman I cross paths with, but I can’t do that. I would feel responsible if I advised you to go there and you ended up having a bad time.

Maybe you are not prepared enough, or it is possibly not the best option after your New Zealand and Australia vacations.

Traveling in Pakistan can be tough, uncomfortable, frustrating and dangerous.

It requires some previous experience in patriarchal and hard-to-travel countries. If you have visited other male-dominated countries, you should be fine.

Can you picture yourself walking through markets surrounded only by men?

Will you be able to react or ask for help, if necessary, to stay safe?

Are you happy to socialize with only men for four or five days?

Better if you are well-traveled, ideal if you have visited different areas of the world and you know how to take care of yourself in any sort of environment.

If this is your first solo trip, simply don’t. That doesn’t mean you will have a bad time, but it could guarantee you some very uncomfortable experiences. There are so many countries in this area of the world much easier to travel around.

Also, I have heard some comments from women who went in Pakistan with their partners and recognized they couldn’t do it alone. You can travel to Pakistan as a woman, but stay safe. Watch out and keep your eyes open!

For all the practical information, remember to read: Tips and how to travel to Pakistan

This is super clear to me: men and women are not in the same situation in the country, not even close. There is not a common way for both genders, you will experience this constantly in your trip. You will feel frustration when trying to understand how this works.

You will walk through markets and streets without seeing a single woman for hours. You will meet women who hardly ever leave their house.

Do they really want to stay there all the time?

Do they avoid going out in order to avoid stares?

What if they all went out to normalize it, so men would stop harassing and behaving like they do?

Women in Pakistan are definitely in a worse position than men. This depends on the region, but, in some areas, women don’t leave the house at all. They only see the world when they need to go to the doctor or to the market sometimes, however always accompanied by their husbands.

At some point you will see, in some families, that women live in a specific part of the household and it might take a bit of time for men to allow you to enter that zone. When I managed to approach women in the house, I felt so looked after and I could always feel their excitement when meeting me.

I recommend you read My Feudal Lord , a book for understanding the position of women in Pakistan.

In big cities like Lahore or Islamabad, women are much more independent and “free” in general. When I write free, I do it from a Western perspective.

I am sure many women in Pakistan are happy with the level of freedom they have. It can also be cultural, but we should provide them with all the options and perspectives, though.

It is quite interesting to see how many girls wanted to talk to me about all the matters they cannot discuss with their families or friends, for example, sex.

As a Western female traveling in the country , you will not be expected to behave like a local woman. You will be treated not only like a man in terms of freedom and leisure options, but also you will get the benefits of being a Westerner traveling in Pakistan. They will be glad you came to their beloved country, so you will be treated in a very gentle and protective way. Additionally, and from what I have experienced, we are treated in a more caring way than Western male travelers.

Interested in more articles like this one? Check my solo female travel section

Is Pakistan safe for women?

There is not much information out there about solo traveling in Pakistan as a woman. Less indeed, if what we are looking for is the experience of a woman who has spent quite a bit of time in the country, traveling independently and in different areas.

For a generic analysis, terrorism-wise and a detailed region break-down, don’t forget to read: Is Pakistan safe to visit?

Hard to explain, but I am sure I can’t say the country is 100% safe for women.

Also, I wouldn’t recommend it to every single woman.

Short answers to the main questions I am very often asked:

Is it safe to travel in Pakistan solo as a woman? Yes – important to keep reading below – but previous travel experience is a must, as previously mentioned.

Is it safe to travel in Pakistan with male company? For sure. I wouldn’t hesitate to go there if I had male company.

Is it safe to visit Pakistan with a group of females? I think you will feel more protected when you are in a group, but the same solo female travel issues and rules apply here.

Are you prepared to travel as a solo female in Pakistan?

Solo traveling has become very popular, but not all countries are ready to welcome you with a good standard of safety and pleasure.

A young woman once asked me about traveling in Pakistan and I asked her directly where she had been solo traveling before: Japan, only .

Not that I judge people completely by the side they show in social media, but this girl was a Santorini kind – perfect sunset with sparkling long dress for the occasion.

Pakistan is not for you.

Let’s make sure you enjoy your time in Pakistan, if you finally decide to go there; there is nothing bad about leaving it for another time. If you want to travel in a similar country but easier, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are good options and nearby.

I suggest you take a moment to answer these questions in your head:

Am I able to continue enjoying my day after getting disgusting sexual comments on the streets?

Am I open-minded and calm enough to respect and digest comments against my Western way of doing things as a woman?

Am I able to manage tense situations like having a group of armed men guarding me for three days?

Can I stand living in a male world during my stay in the country?

How can the Pakistani reality affect your trip?

Pakistan is an intensely patriarchal country. Women are in a much worse position than men – in too many cases, they are not independent at all and don’t even leave their house. This was tough for me to digest as a very independent woman.

You will feel treated like a princess as a Western traveler, kind of ask what you want and you will get it, but sometimes you will suffer overprotection and a big defeat when you don’t understand how things work in this complex country, specifically for women.

Teaming up with other travelers would be ideal for an easier trip in the country, but meeting others doesn’t happen that much, as the number of travelers in the country is very low – hoping we become more and more each year.

I was lucky enough to meet another female backpacker, so we joined forces and traveled together for a couple of weeks in the northern areas.

Pakistan is not completely safe in all areas; in certain regions, you might be assigned a team of army guys – luckily, I didn’t get them. They will be protecting you, by accompanying you for some days until they consider you are safe.

My experience was decent , but I appreciate how easy is it for a woman to get involved in something bad or unfortunate in a country like Pakistan. From touching to following on the streets, I have experienced quite a few, read below…

There was one man who was walking on the same street as me in Lahore but in the opposite direction, and when we were just about to pass each other, he started running – so I could not react on time – towards me to touch my bum. The street was quite empty, despite being a main one, so I couldn’t do much more than shout at him whilst he kept running.

On other occasions, when I was walking past and someone said something to me – usually stupid sounds or flying kisses – I just faced them and asked them to shut up and be respectful in a loud voice, so the other people around could hear what was going on. I think they are not used to woman who reply like that, anyways not used to women at all.

Also, I have heard that many solo female travelers receive sex offers when walking on the streets. It has never happened to me, but I would react the same way I do when being touched or similar.

We must face them and do a favour for the next female travelers visiting the country.

As I don’t think police officers will pay so much attention to sexual harassment abuse on the streets if you accuse someone, it all depends on us and our attitude towards them. You depend on you, basically.

When in a conservative country people are not “allowed” – obviously here respecting religion and culture, I am talking about the creepy people who annoy us female travelers – to behave freely as humans – enjoy a normal sexual life and dress however they want, for example – things go to the wrong side.

Restrictions make people go mad, from what I have seen when traveling in conservative places, and this translates into some Pakistani men thinking Western travelers are porn stars at least.

It also turns into all the sexual harassment we suffer when traveling in conservative countries, not only Pakistan: India, Saudi Arabia , Iran , and a long – and very sad – etc.

Tips in how to stay safe in Pakistan as a female traveler

First of all, I advise you to read some books, previous to your trip, mainly for understanding the country’s background and getting a sense of their society. Check this list of the best 23 books on Pakistan .

Always try to find a good local contact in the country

Someone you can trust and you can call if you get into trouble. It doesn’t matter if the person lives in the other side of the country, he or she could help you.

This is always better than nothing and you can, for example, find this contact through Couchsurfing (make sure you know the person well enough).

Stay up-to-date on which parts of the country you can visit during your trip

Pakistan has still some complicated areas, tons of checkpoints and it is a country for general misunderstanding.

Never go to a place where they can’t guarantee your safety!

Trust your instinct as you have never done before

You will get invited to many chai teas, houses and get a thousand proposals. Be extremely careful with those invitations, especially when they come from men. If something sounds or looks creepy: stay away .

Never give your contact details or information about your travel plans

Especially to people you don’t trust or you have just crossed paths with.

There is a funny-not funny fact about Pakistan; somehow, they find out where you are/ follow you/ find you all the time. I have heard things like guys following girls to the next cities in their itineraries.

Never walk alone at night and all the basics on common sense

You can use apps like Uber or Careem to move around the big cities but most of the drivers will try to make you fall in love with them – either you or your passport look beautiful – while driving slowly.

Don’t be afraid to be rude and shout out for help

Many men continue doing stupid stuff because we don’t complain or embarrass them in public. Do a favor to all the women traveling in the country after you, please.

Get a sim card that provides you with a good internet connection

Zong is a good network provider for most of the country and Telenor works well in the northern areas.

I advise you get a pepper spray and a multiuse knife

Maybe you think I am exaggerating, but it has saved lives. This applies to Pakistan and rest of the world.

Interaction with Pakistani men and what they expect from us

I was quite impressed by the fact I was treated as a man when staying with families or meeting local people. It took me a while to understand that I was allowed to do all the male activities while their women were sitting at home.

I still don’t understand why and it frustrates me.

I attended weddings and other celebrations. Women were celebrating separately and I was always invited to celebrate with men.

I find it quite interesting and worrying at the same time, that they consider me more one of them with all the benefits this means in Pakistan.

If I am that respected and let free, why can’t they do the same with their women?

Many men will get super excited when seeing you on the streets. I didn’t have any bad experiences but, I have for sure felt uncomfortable when walking around.

Pakistani men can also be very charming and handsome and, if you are interested in a romance, be cautious. I found out that they can be so eery and getting close to a man in this country, only means trouble.

Tinder is an option if you want to play creepy/non-creepy swipe right and left. I recommend you stay away and wait for the next country, hopefully it will be better.

There are many men without any previous experience with women. They will see it as the perfect chance to lose their virginity or do the things they can’t do with their local girls.

Of course, not all Pakistani men are looking for sex or are disrespectful; I left the country feeling that I made really good male friends and I am looking forward to going back.

Best way to move around Pakistan as a solo woman

They will make you sit separately in any sort of transportation and this applies to the entire country; they will for sure guarantee you sit alone or next to the other women.

You may be seated next to women covered with a chador or burka.

Faisan Movers is a decent bus company and sometimes they have private security on board. As previously mentioned, don’t be afraid of asking for help if someone is annoying you.

I have never taken trains but I have heard is a pretty good option, if you are careful with the tickets you choose, the best class possible and check whether there are females only carriages.

I assume the Indian trains rule applies here: the top bed is always better for hiding or covering yourself.

Renting a vehicle

I know some women who have traveled the country by motorbike; but never someone who rented a car, does this even exist here?

Hitchhiking

If you want to try hitchhiking…well…up to you! Hunza is a great area for that.

You will go through many surreal situations, but for sure they won’t let you run out of chai.

A bit of my experience

I still remember when I was in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and two things happened in a bus station:

It looked like their world got frozen: they all stopped doing what they were doing in order to approach me: hundreds of men surrounding me and not a single woman.

I wanted to share a car to the next destination. They had to make it work somehow, there were no more women in the station and it was impossible for me to share with men.

Frustrating, once again.

What to wear & how to behave as a solo woman traveler in Pakistan

What to wear.

The best thing you can do is to wear their traditional female clothes because the last thing you want is to grab attention in this previously mentioned male world, so I advise you go shopping once you land in Pakistan.

Their clothes are full of color, really beautiful and you will for sure take some of them back home – I still don´t know what to do with them.

Local bazaars are always cheaper, but if you want something fancier, Generation is the brand I like the most and you can find various shops in the main cities.

They dress in the traditional salwar kameez , a very comfortable piece of clothing. It has two parts: wide trousers and a shirt that covers arms and hips.

Always cover your arms and legs. There is no need to cover your hair, but a dupatta is always necessary to enter mosques and useful for social moments or restaurants.

The main thing is that you dress accordingly to the occasion. I can confirm that when I was dressed as a local, they welcomed me more gently.

How to behave

In terms of manners, try to behave in a very respectful way and imitate local women. I always tried to help them in the house when they were cooking, cleaning, etc.

If you end up staying with families, keep in mind that not all the families are the same level of conservative or open-minded.

Best and worst areas to travel solo in Pakistan as a woman

The best areas, kalash valleys.

I traveled in their valleys for nearly a week and I stayed with local families.

I even spent New Year’s Eve with a fabulous couple. Kalash women are authoritative, it even looks like they control men somehow – not the right thing either, but happens in the area – they show a different attitude compared to other Pakistani women.

For me Kalash valleys is the best place if you want to chill and drink some wine (home-made liquor).

A very touristic destination for locals, but also travelers. They are accustomed to tourists, so they won’t be shocked at seeing you on the streets.

Their markets are for women as well. You won’t have any problems here and you will feel very relaxed.

Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad

They will give you the chance to meet other travelers, hopefully some ladies!

If you any reason you are in need of Western lifestyle, head to a shopping mall. The cities are ideal for meeting people or visiting some touristic areas without you feeling the most significant thing on the streets.

In Islamabad you can find some areas where all the expatriates live and they are full of modern restaurants.

The worst areas

Khyber pakhtunkhwa province.

I spent some time in the Swat Valley area and its tribal surroundings – not easy -. This is one of the most conservative areas in the country and women dress in the burka, you will barely see them on the streets.

You should read this article that covers all the safety concerns by area in Pakistan .

Pros and cons of being a solo female traveler in Pakistan

1 – You will for sure feel more protected than any male traveler. In Pakistani men’s eyes we are weak, so they will do as much as they can to keep us safe.

2 – You will experience both genders, as you will be treated as a man with a chance to meet the ladies too.

3 – Because you are a woman, they will trust you more. It doesn’t make a lot of sense in my head, but it is how it works.

1 – Constant tension on the streets: staring, harassing, touching sometimes…

2 – It is, in general, exhausting. When I left Pakistan after two months, I sat on the plane and relaxed. Done until the next time.

3 – You will get annoyed by how many times you “cause problems” just for the fact of being a woman: I mean bus sitting, restaurant sitting…

4 – Overprotection is something we all get in Pakistan but it goes at a different level with women. You will claim your own space after a few days, believe me.

How can we support local Pakistani women?

With our presence we might not change the entire country, but we can do it to some degree.

If you travel deep into the country, I am sure you will change the way some people think. Small actions can change bigger things.

I was in Chitral with some friends and asked them why there weren’t any women in the bazaar; their response was: the road is in a bad condition.

I simply asked back: why is it not in a bad condition for you? Blank…

Sit down on motorbikes the usual way and ignore the sideways dangerous tendency, share your opinions when possible, support women businesses and team up with local women.

Times are changing for women in Pakistan but there is still a lot to do.

Feminists in Pakistan and foreign woman travelers

Pakistani women you need to follow.

• Girl With Green Passport  – Travel blogger
• Abida Parveen  – Most famous female Sufi qawwal singer
• The Traveluster  – Blogger
• Misa The Solo Girl  – Vlogger and solo traveler
• Zenith Irfan  – Motorcyclist
• Amna Zuberi  – Street photographer

Foreign female travelers in Pakistan

• Marsha Jean  – Traveler from Hong Kong/Australia
• Eva Zu Beck  – Vlogger from Poland
• Alex Reynolds – Motorcyclist and blogger from the US
• Rosie Gabrielle  – Motorcyclist and vlogger from Canada

More information for solo female travel in Pakistan

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Where to team up with solo female travelers in Pakistan

Female travelers Pakistan : for women traveling solo or trying to team up in Pakistan. Tips and travel advice for women.

Couchsurfing: you can check in advance if there will be other travelers in the country at the same time. It is also great for organizing trips with locals you can trust – always check the references!

The Mad Hatters: Tour company owned by females.

Facebook groups like Backpacking Pakistan , See you in Pakistan and The Karakoram Club are good for general travel advise and meeting people. I don’t particularly like posting in them as, once you do, you get a hundred friend requests from men.

More solo female travel guides

• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Jordan
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Lebanon
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Oman
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iran
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Sudan

More guides to Pakistan

• Pakistan Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Fairy Meadows
• Karokam Highway Travel Guide
• Astore Valley Travel Guide
• Pakistan-China border crossing
• Travel Guide to Rakaposhi Base Camp
• Travel Insurance in Pakistan
• Pakistan Itinerary
• Photos of Pakistan
• Travel Books about Pakistan
• Is Pakistan Safe?

16 comments

Thank you very much for this useful articles’! . I have been trying to apply for visa yesterday but official web site wouldn’t allow me to add any of my travel history.. I have spoken to one of the company’s here in England that deal with tourist visas to foreign countries and they said it happened due to the fact that tourist visas to Pakistan were suspended.. which is strange because none of the official websites are stating this information. I was wondering if you by any chance have any information about suspension of tourist visas to Pakistan? Sorry about that and thank you very much in advance.

thanks for your message! it looks they have suspended them for certain nationalities, including British nationals. Have you contacted the embassy?

Thank you very much for your swift response! I have tried to contact the embassy but no one is picking up the phone. May I please ask where did you find such information? Because I just don’t seem to find any!

Salam! I am from Pakistan and am glad to see the trip was enjoyable despite all the issues caused by a male dominated country. I wonder how men here have the audacity to say that they respect women. It’s extremely difficult to live like this but we are stuck here. I have so many female relatives and friends who are forced to cover themselves even though they are younger than 15. Sad, but I can’t change the minds of people alone in a day. Worse, I could become a victim if I spoke up. I wish I could step outside my house safely but I can’t. My fellow females and I have been robbed of so many opportunities. I really do wish I could do something, anything really. It’s so suffocating. When I first stepped outside in the area of a more developed city in Punjab, I felt like I could breathe properly (lasted only 15 minutes or so). It felt surreal and bizarre. I’m lucky I even had that one chance. You don’t know how happy it makes me feel that you spoke up in my country. Thank you for creating that tiny spark of hope for a few people. I really appreciate it. I could keep talking for days about the problems we face but it would tire me out. If only I could do something without being scared. Thank you for writing this. It will help many people.

Salam! Thank you so much for this comment it really gives us – women visiting the country – a real perspective from the local women. I wish I could speak more about this with you. My email is [email protected] if you want to contact me. Thank you!

Ah I feel so sorry for you, I’m a man from England and I see so many ladies dressed in the traditional Pakistani costumes and though I love all those wonderful colours I still feel sorry that men have put those of you who care under such tyranny. One day we shall all be free

I’m planning to go to Pakistan next year as a solo female traveller. I’m also hoping to help and support the women there

Salam Malika, I got my Pakistani visa on December 2020, I’m in Pakistan 🇵🇰 right now, probably they have suspended visas for UK due to the new virus 🦠 variant.

I love your blog I want to travel to Pakistan next year once all the ‘coronavirus’ has been ‘exposed’ sorry I meant dealt with, anyway as a man reading a female blog makes it the more interesting!! Anyhow it’s great information and I love the way you detail situations, I think your extremely brave, and I am taking lots of your tips for myself…. hope that makes sense john

I was reading your article with much interest but lost it completely when you suggested reading “my feudal lord” as a book representing Pakistani women….that book has nothing to do with middle class normal Pakistani households… women are treated with love and respect and the reasons they mostly stay at home at many( both cultural and religious) and not just because they are oppressed…I feel disrespected and am infuriated by that the stupid book has become a representation of us Pakistani women

I am married to a Pakistani man and have visited Karachi and Islamabad from North America four times between 1988 and 2016. I have not ventured out on my own; always with my husband and/or our extended family. Despite always wearing salwar/kamiz, I receive harmless but unwanted attention: men taking my photo surreptitiously, slowing down to look at me, people wanting a frangin (foreign woman) in their family photos. I have seen almost no other Western travelers in Karachi, Islamabad, Murree, Taxila, Thatta. I just wanted to share what I have experienced.

Going to Pakistan in September looking forward to travelling to gojra and the surrounding areas hopefully the tips will come in handy I’ll try and write my own blog about my experience I’m going to try and hire a motorcycle I ride a Harley in the UK and an old thunderbird I live on a boat in Upton it’s a lovely experience come and share a meal sometime, there’s separate compartments for sleeping,

Thank you for your article. My work has offered me a year-long position in Islamabad. I am scared to take it. If I took the position, I would move there by myself. I don’t know if I’m comfortable doing this. I would love any additional experience/advice you have for me for my predicament.

Hi! Thanks so much for this insight! Am travelling to Pakistan next month. Will be mainly in Lahore visiting friends, but am arriving in Karachi at night and have to stay one night there. Is there any safe place for women you could recommend? Would be highly appreciating it 🤗 Thank you! Wish you many more great trips to share with the world!

Thank you for your article I would love to visit Pakistan and have friends in Punjab who I would love to see However I have never travelled solo outside my own country and fear the long flight to a foreign speaking country so late in my life I did not see comments made in 2024 Are you planning an update?

I am a pakistani american who is traveling to pakistan this fall. I do have family in pakistan and speak urdu like a native but want to travel solo to hunza for about 6 days. My family is not to keen of that idea. I was hoping someone had recommendations of a private tour company that is trustworthy for a solo female traveler.

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Home » Asia » Pakistan » The ULTIMATE Guide to Female Travel in Pakistan

The ULTIMATE Guide to Female Travel in Pakistan

A country that conjures up all types of mental images and sensational news stories. A place that would certainly one of the last places for solo female travel… right?

Wrong! While often said to be an extremely dangerous country to travel in, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, Pakistanis are the kindest and most hospitable people on the planet , and the entire country is filled with truly surreal landscapes .

…That doesn’t mean that female travel in Pakistan is easy though. Conservative customs and extremely limited foreign tourism means that Pakistan might pose a challenge.But with a bit of experience, a whole lot of preparation, and a wide-open mind, visiting Pakistan will undoubtedly be the adventure of a lifetime .

After falling in love with the country during a four month backpacking trip back in 2019, I now live in Pakistan. And by now, I’ve traveled to every province and territory of the country: some parts solo, others with fellow foreigners, and still more with Pakistanis. So you can rest assured that I know a bit about all things female Pakistan travel!

Now let’s get into it: here’s everything you need to know about female travel in Pakistan.

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Why Travel to Pakistan? 

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Visiting Pakistan is one of the world’s greatest adventures. Its landscapes are surreal, and the hospitality you’ll encounter in each and every region is truly something to behold. 

The country is beautiful and chaotic, diverse and difficult, it’s everything any real traveler could ever want to experience and more. Home to some of the best treks on Earth AND the friendliest people, it’s hard to imagine a better adventure travel destination.

While the media has made out travel in Pakistan to be insane, the reality on the ground is completely different. I should know – I’ve now been living here for over a year and have traveled to each and every province and territory without the use of tours.

Female Pakistan travel can no doubt be difficult at times, but I’ve found that it’s always, always worth it. It can also be one of the cheapest countries to travel in if you do it right (i.e. broke backpacking)!

If hiking, mountains, rich cultures, and incredible people appeal to you, then the better question is “why not Pakistan?” 

Is Pakistan Safe for Female Travel?

Personally, I do believe that Pakistan is safe for female travel.

Yes, it’s patriarchal and conservative, but the reality is that foreign tourists are deeply respected in Pakistan.

Sure, I’ve been catcalled, harassed via phone, and experienced the strange and classic “hand brush” here and there, but overall there are a lot more dangerous places you can travel to than Pakistan

Random incidents involving foreign women are exceedingly rare, and most travelers do just fine following typical travel safety tips .

Even so, traveling to Pakistan is definitely NOT for everyone. If you cannot put feminist values to the side, or if things such as squat toilets, bucket showers, or questionable hygiene bother you, then you might want to reconsider your trip.

But for any lady looking for a REAL adventure, there are few places as incredible as Pakistan, despite the hardships.

484 pages with cities, towns, parks, and ALL the out-of-the-way places you will WANT to know. If you truly want to discover Pakistan , download this PDF .

Traveling as a woman in Pakistan is not always easy, and the level of difficulty is wildly different if you’re alone vs. traveling with a male friend.

But let me make it clear: traveling to Pakistan is NOT the next step after a Southeast Asia backpacking escapade. You should have experience in other Middle Eastern/ South Asian countries and even then, you need to be prepared.

Before diving into the major issues, here are a few questions you should consider before booking your trip. 

• Have you traveled to conservative, patriarchal countries before? 
• Are you ok with being the only woman around, perhaps for days?
• Are you ok with possibly not encountering any other foreign tourists? 
• Are you prepared to possibly deal with incessant phone calls, questioning and general overprotective BS from security agencies?  
• Are you ready to put feminist values and beliefs aside and dress modestly? 

If you answered no to any of these questions, you might not be ready to visit Pakistan. But if you think you can deal with all the above, then there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Though Pakistan can be a bit of a culture shock, and yes it IS a conservative Muslim country–but female travel here is worth it… and might even just change your life.

Now let’s dive deeper into the most common problems you’ll encounter, though you shouldn’t expect every region in the entire country to be the same:

• Male harassment : While certainly not the worst country for this, male harassment is certainly an issue in Pakistan. This can range from cat calling, subtle touches or light grabs, online stalking and more. Note that this doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s something to be aware of. Harassment can also come in the form of unwanted advances – be careful who you befriend and the types of hotels/people you stay with. 
• Harassment from security agencies : To me, nothing can top this in terms of Pakistan frustrations, but such is adventure travel in offbeat countries, I guess. Authorities are very overprotective of foreigners, particularly in the Upper Chitral region, despite it being a normal place popular with domestic tourists. These people will call up your hotels, your Pakistani friends etc. The good news is that this doesn’t happen everywhere-major cities and MOST of Gilgit Baltistan are typically safe bets. Avoid the entire KPK province if you feel this isn’t something you can handle. I have cried far more times in Pakistan from these people than any random annoying man on the street tbh.
• Being the only woman around : The reality is that Pakistan’s public spaces are dominated by men. By this point, this is something I’ve gotten used to and don’t care about but for first-timers, it can be a bit jarring. The more conservative the region, the fewer women will be out. Both the Hunza and Kalash Valleys are notable exceptions to this as both are quite liberal societies where women of all ages are out and about. 
• Overprotection : As it’s so rare for men to see a woman out alone, they’ll be extremely worried for your safety (this includes authorities.) If you’re staying with a family, it will be hard to do ANYTHING alone. As long as you’re not in a restricted area, stand firm and reiterate how you’ve flown across the world alone to be here.
• Language barriers with other women : Though an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis speak fluent English, this percentage lessens as you move towards more remote and rural areas. In such areas, men will often still speak some English but not many women. This is why learning a bit of Urdu before your trip is one of the most useful things you can do. Though Pakistan has dozens of regional languages, Urdu is the national tongue that connects the country. 

Benefits of Traveling As a Woman in Pakistan

Y’all – it’s not all doom and gloom! Traveling as a foreign woman in Pakistan can be hard at times, but there are also a ton of perks that male travelers just won’t experience:

• Extra hospitality : Because you’re a woman by herself, people will be even MORE kind and helpful to you than If you were a couple. As it’s rare to see women traveling alone, Pakistanis will go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable.
• Great seats : As a female traveler, you’ll never have to sit next to a man on any public transit. Women typically sit in the front seat or front row, and as a foreign traveler, you’ll likely get one of the better ones. 
• You get the best of both worlds : As a female traveler, you won’t be expected to behave like local women. Foreign tourists are essentially placed into another category, so you not only will be able to try the famous Pakistani hashish without backlash, but you’ll ALSO have access to spaces male travelers won’t have. 

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Not all places in the country are created equal – some locales are ideal for female travel, while others… not so much. 

Note that women traveling with a man shouldn’t have many issues in the worst places either.  For a smooth start to your Pakistan adventure, visit these places first:

Hunza Valley 

The Hunza Valley is a majestic, high-altitude region in Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan region. Visiting Hunza is like visiting another country, and for good reason.

There are many MAJOR differences with Hunza culture that make it the safest place in Pakistan for female travel. It’s even a place where you’ll see female travelers giving motorcycle travel a try. First off, it’s the most educated region of Pakistan…and yes that includes women too!

The people of Hunza are known to be some of the most liberal people in Pakistan, and they follow a sect of Islam called Ismailism that’s known for valuing education and women’s rights. In Hunza, women often walk in the market by themselves or with female friends and you’ll also find numerous female-run businesses. 

While Hunza is not perfect, men (especially men under 30) are used to seeing women (both foreign and local) around. Staring is very minimal, and I’ve personally experienced lots of respect from men even when alone in a remote area.

I started my solo Pakistan adventure in Hunza, and I can’t think of a better place to recommend you to begin yours! There are also some fantastic Pakistan adventure tours that focus in on Hunza!

Ghizer 

Ghizer is a region located along a glorious, bright blue river that eventually connects Gilgit Baltistan with Upper Chitral. 

The people are fantastic, and a large percentage are Ismailis. You’ll find many cultural similarities between the people of Hunza and the people of my favorite two regions of Ghizer: Phander and Yasin. 

Phander is a village located along the road, while Yasin is a valley within a valley. Darkut Village at the very end of the valley is a wonderful place that’s safe for solo female travelers. 

Ishkoman is another side valley of Ghizer with similar cultural values, though keep in mind that Ishkoman is still considered “offbeat” for foreigners so you may encounter questions from authorities. 

Kalash Valleys 

The Kalash Valleys are home to a unique ethnic group indigenous to Chitral. They speak their own unique language and traditionally practice a sort of animism instead of Islam. Wine is commonly brewed, and women are very out and about in the villages.

Solo female travelers report great experiences in the Kalash, and it might be the one place in Pakistan where you will have a better experience as a woman than a man. Women are used to domestic tourist men harassing and ostracizing them, so they particularly welcome female guests. 

Islamabad 

Islamabad is Pakistan’s capital city and one of the nicest cities in South Asia. It’s clean, not too crowded, and filled with green spaces.

As such, it’s a very easy start to Pakistan and a place where people are used to seeing foreigners.   Big cities always tend to be more liberal, and you’ll see that firsthand while exploring Islamabad.

While you’ll still encounter far more men than women, many people in Islamabad are VERY westernized, and you’ll find every modern amenity you could need here. It’s also one of the only places in Pakistan with a decent backpackers hostel, where you can link up with other travelers. 

While easy to navigate for foreign travelers in general, solo females might find the following locales moderately difficult to manage depending on personal experience:

Lahore is a fantastic city (when it’s not boiling that is), and overall it’s an easy city to travel in as far as Pakistan is concerned. While Lahore can certainly be managed by a solo female traveler, it’s a bit of a chaotic introduction to Pakistan.

Unless you really feel up for the challenge, I feel like you should save Lahore for later in your trip once you’ve already had a few mishaps.

In terms of male harassment, Karachi really isn’t the worst. It could be a great introduction into Pakistan, but ONLY if you have the right contacts. Karachi might be the only place in Pakistan that’s truly dangerous in my opinion, as it has the highest rate of robberies and violent crime.

For these reasons, finding a quality Couchsurfing host or person to show you around the city is essential if you’re alone. I also recommend staying in safer areas such as DHA or Clifton. While nowhere is truly safe in Karachi, this isn’t a city where you’d want to stay in the cheapest part of town.

Don’t get me wrong–Karachi is a great city with great people, delicious food, and plenty of modern luxuries. But while foreigners are NOT specific targets, it’s the only place in Pakistan I felt worried about my things.

On the ironic upside though, police/security in Karachi are fantastic in that you won’t be bothered at all even if you stay for months. 

While Skardu is very safe, the reason it’s not one of the best places to travel as a female is that it’s HUGE, making it difficult to meet other backpackers. Also, the Skardu region is not at all like Hunza in that it’s quite conservative, and you won’t see many women out.

Safety-wise, crime is very low and people are very warm and hospitable. If you don’t mind being the only foreigner in the room for days, or long transport times, Skardu is a beautiful place to start your Pakistan trip. 

It’s also where you’ll go before heading out on the K2 Basecamp Trek , which is another solid way to spend a month in Pakistan.

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The following are the hardest places in Pakistan for women travelers:

Swat Valley 

The people of Swat Valley are extremely hospitable, but they’re also some of the most conservative in Pakistan. It’s very common for men to never see the face of a woman they’re not closely related to. As such, male harassment is common for foreign female travelers in the region.

I loved my time in the Swat Valley, and would highly recommend it to couples or groups involving men. But due to the extremely conservative traditions and beliefs, Swat Valley will be difficult unless you have notable experience in other conservative regions. 

Peshawar is one of the oldest cities in the world and is no doubt one of my favorite places in Pakistan. Solo females WILL be shocked by the lack of women though–Peshawar is one of the most conservative places in Pakistan after all.

I explored Pakistan with another female traveler (no men), and we were given immense respect and hospitality.

That being said, the experience might be overwhelming if you’re new to traveling in conservative countries.

In Peshawar, you should absolutely wear a shalwar khameez and a hijab to be respectful AND blend in. 

Interior Sindh

The cultural capital of Pakistan, Interior Sindh is filled with incredible traditions and historical sites. Yet the downside is that tourism is still in its infancy, and foreigners are very overprotected.

This is especially true for solo female travelers! This means you’ll likely be given mandatory escorts to visit attractions, and in some cities be limited to pre-approved hotels.

The upside is that the escorts are usually free transportation, and they’ll bring you wherever you want to go. This will be hard for solo females though as there are definitely not any women escorts, and some speak limited English at that. 

Azad Kashmir 

Azad Kashmir isn’t hard because of its people, but because it’s a sensitive border region that’s barely open to foreigners in general. 

Solo females will experience significant hassle here unless you’re on a tour or have local (i.e. Kashmiri) friends. As beautiful as it is for Pakistanis, I recommend you avoid unless you have a Pakistani ID card. 

One thing to know about Pakistan travel is that finding places to stay as a foreign woman isn’t always easy. In more offbeat locales, hotels will claim that they can’t accept foreigners. More like they don’t want to take the responsibility for a solo female traveler.

Other stressful occurrences include police showing up to your hotel to give “security” in safe areas, and hotel owners turning out to be major creeps. You also might find it hard to share a room with a Pakistani male you’re not married to, though this won’t be an issue in Gilgit Baltistan. 

On the bright side though, there are some fantastic places to stay throughout the country that are accustomed to both foreign tourists AND female foreign tourists.

Higher-value hotels will usually have no such issues accepting your reservation, and you can find a good number of these on Booking.com. Unlike other countries in the region, Pakistan’s hostel scene is very undeveloped so Hostelworld isn’t a great search option.

There are also a few female hosts on Couchsurfing , so it’s definitely worth signing up before your trip.

Accommodation Tip:

While there’s often talk of a popular backpackers hostel near Ghulkin in Upper Hunza, I highly recommend that solo female travelers/ groups of women go for another option instead: a truly beautiful homestay nestled deep in the bucolic village, far away from the sounds of the highway.

And the best part is? It’s run by a bad-ass woman/mom who you’ll be able to talk the night away with!

Said badass woman is a local friend of ours named Sitara . She’s teacher by profession, speaks excellent English, and is an overall lovely person who will make you feel at home.

She also has three lovely kids you’ll be able to meet in the comfort of a traditional-style Wakhi abode.

It’s a great place to get a real taste of Pakistani village life, and Sitara also happens to be a truly  godly  chef.

You can contact her on Whatsapp at  +92 355 5328697 .

Some top tips for female etiquette while traveling in Pakistan:

Do not be overly friendly with men

As many men have virtually no experience talking to women they’re not related to– what might be considered basic friendliness in the Western world can be easily taken the wrong way. Be polite, but don’t act the way you would in liberal countries. Anything that could be mistaken as flirting is a BIG no. 

Do not give everyone your phone number 

One of my major mishaps with men in Pakistan was giving my Whatsapp number to an older man on a bus. He hadn’t appeared creepy and was significantly older than me. Still, I was soon inundated with insane texts and calls.

Lesson learned : Never give your number to men unless they have notable references from women YOU know personally. 

Dress modestly 

What you wear in Pakistan matters! While there’s no mandatory hijab rule, it’s important to be respectful of cultural and religious values by wearing loose, modest clothing that covers your butt and shoulders. The shalwar khameez is best for this, and jeans and leggings ARE ok as long as you have a khameez!

Do not shake hands with men

Just don’t do it. It’s taboo in Pakistani culture, so the move is to always put your right hand over your heart as a respectful form of greeting. If a man extends his hand first, it’s fine to take it, but never initiate. 

Be quiet in public

In general, Pakistani society is pretty respectful and lowkey in public. Verbal and physical fights are rare. This is even MORE important for women, who are usually “seen but not heard.”

• Get a local SIM card : Staying connected is essential in Pakistan, so the first thing you’re going to want to do is to get a local SIM card. In any major city, Zong or Jazz will do while SCOM is the only 4G data provider in Gilgit Baltistan.
• Use Facebook groups to meet women: Facebook groups for women travelers (both foreign and local) are great ways to meet other travelers or just other ladies to hang out with. I spent the night with a local girl I met from the Female Pakistan Travelers Facebook group.
• Don’t go places with men alone: Yup. Just don’t do it unless another woman or fellow male traveler is around. While most of the time nothing will happen, it’s easy to see how something could go wrong.
• Only accept invitations from women/families : In Pakistan, you’ll no doubt receive dozens of invitations for chai, dinner, or other random events. I’ve had amazing experiences come from these, but as women, we, unfortunately, need to be more cautious when saying yes. While this isn’t foolproof, it’s more likely to be a genuine invitation when women and children are involved.
• Use InDriver/ Careem : These days Uber doesn’t really exist in Pakistan, and these two apps are the local favorites instead. Download them, and always be prepared to pay in cash. Most drivers cannot accept online payments.
• Tell someone where you are : Always make sure SOMEONE knows where you are: whether it’s a newfound friend in Pakistan or a relative back home. This goes for anywhere in the world!
• Learn some Urdu : Learning Urdu was the single most useful thing I did to prepare for my solo trip to Pakistan. It helped me a lot on the ground and made me feel significantly more confident walking around alone. Plus, you never know when it might come in handy.
• Bring PLENTY of tampons and medications : Tampons do not exist ANYWHERE in Pakistan and pads can also be…odd. Definitely come prepared with your preferred products, and also any other kinds of probiotics or supplements you might need as they’re hard to find here. 

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Dealing With Authorities in Pakistan

If you asked me what the most difficult part of female Pakistan travel is, it’s undoubtedly dealing with the security agencies. If you dare to venture outside of basic places like Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi you will surely encounter these people at some point. 

While this isn’t a female-only issue, it’s by far been the most difficult aspect of traveling and even living in Pakistan. Unfortunately, traveling with a man (Pakistani or foreign) will not improve these issues. 

I’m not trying to scare you, but at least to me, this is the worst and hardest part of Pakistan travel. 

While there are certain places that are actually dangerous and security is warranted (such as the former FATA region or Interior Balochistan), the following places are absolutely not which makes it all the more frustrating:

• Upper Chitral : This is a difficult one to write as this region is truly the gem of Pakistan with the most wonderful locals. It’s also ironically one of the safest places in the country for women, particularly solo women. Unfortunately, you’d have a much easier time traveling virtually anywhere else in Pakistan. Lower Chitral (Kalash Valleys and Chitral City) are not included in this as Upper Chitral starts around Booni. 
• Azad Kashmir : This region makes slightly more sense as it’s contentious and escalations with India do occasionally happen, but overall it’s very safe and popular with upper-class Pakistani families. Foreigners can visit certain parts, but as a solo female, I recommend traveling with a local or a knowledgeable local guide only.
• Interior Sindh : Anywhere outside of Karachi is fair game for harassment from authorities, especially since Sindh is rarely visited to begin with. In general, Thatta and Sukkur are two of the worst places for foreigners whereas Sehwan is one of the best. 
• Interior Punjab : In Multan and Bahawalpur or anywhere similar, you’ll be given forced, mandatory security despite the fact that these areas have no incidents of violence. The only upside is that they will take you anywhere you want to go for free!

Figuring out what to wear in Pakistan isn’t hard, and usually ends up being incredibly comfy. Honestly, in my opinion, there’s virtually nowhere in the country you should be wearing casual Western clothes unless you’re deep in the mountains or at a private party.

Even in the towns and villages of liberal Hunza Valley, conservative dress is a MUST. Shalwar khameez is your best bet, which is the long dress and flowy pants combo you’ll see most Pakistanis wearing. Leggings are a totally okay substitute as long as your dress (khameez) is long.

The best and cheapest way to buy one is to have your “suit” hand-made at a tailor. But for a quick and (relatively cheap) first purchase, bazaars, and malls often sell readymade pieces that are cute and stylish.

Don’t forget a dupatta– you never know when it might come in handy!

While Pakistan’s streets are mostly filled with men, there are numerous places/businesses you can visit if you’re in need of some female energy. Here are some female-run initiatives that are worth checking out:

• Hunza Food Pavillion (Karimabad): Run by female chef and entrepreneur Lal Shehzadi, this is the best restaurant in Hunza to sample local cuisine!
• Highland Cuisine (Karimabad): Another fantastic female-run restaurant! This is also the best place in Hunza to try hoilo garma (basically spinach pasta) outside of local homes.
• Bozlanj Cafe (Gulmit): Serving up slightly different dishes, two awesome ladies have been running this no-frills cafe in Upper Hunza for years! Do pay them a visit
• Korgah (Gulmit): A female-run carpet center that’s been open since 2005. It’s a great place to experience some local culture as well.

Female Pakistan Travel Resources

These online resources are filled with advice, connections, and other useful info to help you prepare for your Pakistani adventure. 

Intentional Detours Blog : That’s me! I first visited Pakistan in 2019, and then returned in 2021 where I then spent 13 months exploring the country. I now live in the Hunza Valley and have traveled in every province and territory. 

Female Pakistan Travelers : A Facebook group JUST for women. Find both local and foreign women to connect with or get pressing advice quickly.

Lost With Purpose Blog : Alex Reynolds has been traveling to Pakistan since 2016 and has a fantastic blog with tons of useful info. She also runs women-only tours to Pakistan several times a year. 

Backpacking Pakistan Facebook Group : A useful mixed-gender group of mostly foreigners with plenty of up-to-date information.

Getting Insured BEFORE Traveling to Pakistan

You NEVER know what will happen in Pakistan–so plan ahead!

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Yes, female Pakistan travel may be difficult at times. Things might go wrong, and you’ll be confronted with some things perhaps for the very first time.

But behind all the stress and unknowns is a stunning, magical country filled with the friendliest and most hospitable people from top to bottom. And as a female, I guarantee you you’ll get to experience so much more than your male counterparts.

No matter where you go in Pakistan, you’ll be treated like a long lost family member. And that’s part of what makes this country so addicting, and so very special.

And it’s the women of this country that are truly the most remarkable of it all. So grab your visa, get inspired, and go meet them.

The universe that is Pakistan awaits.

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

Samantha Shea

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29 Comments

Dear Sister. Stay blessed, and enjoy the hospitality and sincerity of the glorious people of this land.

Hey, Two things… I would love to have Nida contact number since I am reaching Karachi in few days. Second thing is…. Now for some nationalities you can get your visa on arrival at the airport, after submission and payment through the website!! Super cool!!

Can I get in touch with Nida? I’m a female and 26 yo. Based in Karachi and want to experience travelling with ladies group.

Hi, I´m going to Pakistan in July, on a solo trip, and would like to know if I can get the tourist visa at the ariport in Islamabad. I could in Israel and Turkey when they said I had to get it previously in Brazil. I´d like to know if it´s possible and how they behave, tks 🙂

That is definitely impossible. You won’t even be able to get on a plane to Pakistan without your visa already sorted.

Dear brother will The news regarding arrival visa is totally fake being a designated tour operator we investigated deeply and highly Authorise there are still no any real news. Last month we had a meeting PATO(Pakistan Association Of Tour Operator) with interior minister Ihsan Iqbal regarding this issue.Interior ministery asked to provide complete documents with DTS license companies to further procedures.so all of us provided documents and list of registered tour operator with DTS(Department of Tourist Services)Islamabad. Last week again prime minister of Pakistan Shahid Khan Abbasi called a meeting with PATO president and some companions he urged and assured only Designated tour operator will get benefit via this initiative after investigation of all tour operators who submitted their legal documents for interior ministry.now the procedure is underway we are waiting for further information from them. Thanks Regards Hussain Balti

Hi Paola, There is a good news about tourist visa at the airport….yes its possible. I can further investigate this for your clearance, if interested. please check this link and reliable news source; https://www.dawn.com/news/1383952

I am Fouzia- running a travel & tour company Rove Pakistan Travel & Tour Pvt. Ltd. Being a women-led enterprise, I will be delighted to faciliate you:))

Hi Nida, In late January, I am flying through Karachi for 15 hours. I am 61 and have traveled solo a great deal. I want to make this short window of time count! I am trying to hire a female guide/driver who speaks English to show me around Karachi. I can’t seem to make any progress on the internet and would really welcome any suggestions you might have. Best, Ji Ji

Hello Ji Ji, please could you share any tip or contacts you’d made? I plan to travel in Pakistan in March. Kind regards. Many thanks!!!

Hello I’m mei Yanti r u wanna plan to Pakistan?

wow…Pakistan is my hot list right now and planning to make it happen next year. Really open my eyes on solo trip there. thanks for sharing!!

I m workking as tour guide In Gilgit Baltistan since 1995 with foreign tourists and until 2007 we had so much solo females tourists from all over the world. They never had problems accept 1 or 2 robbery in mountains when they slept in a tent alone. Those days were so simple very comfortable. After 2007 we had a break of foreign tourists until now. Hope this kind of forum will bring them again.

Thanks for the write, its really helpful in boosting Pakistan’s image. As I have started my won travel & tour company and being a women and from Northern Pakistan(Hunza), I want to create a niche by offer tour packages exclusive for women also. In this connection, this write is really helpful.

Ahhh I just want to say thank you very much to everyone to show a lot of love for Pakistan and give your honest opinion our arms and hearts are open for everyone!!!

Ahhh I just want to say thank you very much to everyone to show a lot of love for Pakistan and give your honest opinion our arms and hearts are open for everyone ?

The Pakistani people are, without a doubt, the most hospitable, kind and welcoming people that I have ever encountered. From the bustling streets of Lahore to the quaint mountain towns of Hunza, every time a local person spotted me I would, without fail, be rewarded with a huge grin and often an invitation to dinner. I lost count of just how many cups of free chai I drank but it was a lot…

Hey Will, Emma, Alex, Nida and Lizzy,

I love your stories and your storytelling skills 🙂

You got me really inspired and already checking the Brokebackpacker’s Pakistan tour details. Unfortunately, the dates don’t work for me… Is there a chance you’ll offer the tour in 2018 as well?

Great to hear some first-hand experiences from women who have done these trips! A couple questions for y’all: Did you trek (alone or with a group? how did you organize it?)? And what was the traveler scene like — did you meet other foreigners, or mostly locals?

Also, how was it staying in hotels as a woman alone (esp. at the low end of the budget spectrum)?

Thanks for the interview, it is indeed very informative and eye-opening. I’d like to think of myself as someone who isn’t discouraged from visiting places because of media negativity, but I feel like the experience travelling solo is different to that of travelling with a companion. I guess the point I’m making is that despite the usefulness of this piece, I don’t feel it fully addresses the issue of solo female travel safety in Pakistan, because two of the females interviewed travelled with a male companion and one is a local who travelled with friends. And solo female travel safety is what you’re looking at here, right? I found the piece interesting but perhaps most of the interviewees didn’t quite fit the brief. Nonetheless posts raising awareness about destinations like Pakistan is a positive thing.

This post is so inspiring! I would love to go to Pakistan but would prefer a group tour for practical reasons. Any suggestions?

Hey Jill, we are running tours to Pakistan; check out this page – https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/broke-backpacker-adventure-tours/

Hi.greetings from Pakistan. You can contact me for any information About a trip to Pakistan .I will be pleased to help you. Thanks .Nasir from Gilgit

Last time i was in India i also have crossed the border into Pakistan, and as you say, it is even saver then a Western Large City i think,

Really like the effort put in to getting this information together and shared. Glad a neutral and honest opinion of travelling in Pakistan has been put across. Personally, would recommend lone females to travel in northern Pakistan only, otherwise best to have a chaperone, since we are culturally quite patriarchal. That said, people will go well out of their way to help/assist foreigners especially women.

Great post. And most important is that woman get to see the face of Pakistan that, as men, we will never be able to experience. I’m talking about the female face of Pakistan.

By the way, I think that it’s not correct to say that Pakistan is a REALLY safe country to travel.

The only reason why Pakistan is very safe is thanks to the Pakistani intelligence, which after CIA, it’s the strongest and best intelligence service in the world. If it was not for them, Pakistan would have become a failed state, like Afghanistan.

Therefore, we can’t say that Pakistan is a super safe country because things can change overnight due to a mistake. A clear example is the incident in Nanga Parbat back in 2015.

So yeah. I am enjoying my time in Pakistan very much and I am feeling extremely safe, especially thanks to the enormous people’s hospitality. The likelyhood of something bad happening is extremely low. Everybody goes back home with Pakistan in their hearts but we all have to be aware of the potential dangers. Travel safe and always be cautious 😉

Cheers man!

I love Emma’s shift, from initial shock to embracing differences. Dude here LOL, and even though my situation has been different when traveling to places there were a 180 from where I lived in NJ I always feel the initial shock, or, that hyper uncomfortable feeling, and over time I settle in and see we are far more similar than initial appearances. Most humans really want to open up and connect. Only fear separates us. Dive into the fear. You will love life.

Thanks for sharing!

Woow, this looks really amazing, This is really on my have to do list before i get into my 40’s

Keep posting, Kind regards Stefanie

I like your travel story about pakistan travel.Solo travelling is not safe in pakistan for female because pakistan people have different type of thinks about females Thanks

Pakistan is safest place for females if they are in respectable dress

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What it’s like to travel as a woman in Pakistan

Your friends and family might think you’re crazy for wanting to travel to Pakistan , but you’re not alone: plenty of women travel there these days. Come prepared, and the country will welcome you with open arms.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Your gender is a backstage pass to Pakistani society.

On the surface, Pakistan is a man’s world. Male drivers navigate roads. Male waiters bring dal to dinner tables. Men run shops, hawk wares, and loiter anywhere and everywhere.

But another world powers the male façade: the world of women. In Pakistan, women run homes, handling the 4 Cs: cooking, cleaning, clothes, and children.

Though guests are warmly welcomed in Pakistani homes, women in the family often stay away from the guest area when men are present. Female travelers can transcend this cultural barrier. Women are considered safe, and welcome to interact with both men and women. While male travelers must be more discerning, it’s totally cool for you to poke your head into the kitchen and say hi to women in the family.

JOIN US ON OUR 15-DAY WOMEN’S EXPEDITION THROUGH PAKISTAN NOW. FULL DETAILS HERE. 

2. Every area feels different.

Photo C/O Intrepid.

Pakistan’s seven provinces and territories all have very different vibes.

Take Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. There, women move freely and intermingle with men, jeans often outnumber hijabs, and female drivers are everywhere. Yet 30 minutes south of Islamabad in Rawalpindi there are fewer women outside, hardly any female drivers, and a lot more burqas and hijabs.

Mountainous Gilgit Baltistan is another story entirely, especially in the Hunza region. There, women run businesses, go to school, herd animals, and play sports. In short, almost everything! Men and women mix regularly, and local girls enjoy more freedom than their southern counterparts. You’ll rest easy in Hunza.

INTERESTED IN A LONGER ADVENTURE? JOIN US ON OUR 17-DAY PAKISTAN EXPEDITION. FULL DETAILS HERE. 

3. When getting dressed, modesty is key (but not at the expense of colour!)

Photo by Alex Reynolds.

Pakistan is a conservative Islamic country, so please leave the shorts and crop tops at home.

Though modesty is a must, dress isn’t officially regulated; it’s about respecting local culture. Modesty doesn’t mean miserable—in Pakistan, the more colourful, the better!

Headscarves aren’t necessary except when visiting mosques, though they can reduce stares in more conservative areas such as bazaars. Always carry a scarf with you, just in case you need to fling one over your head.

Long, loose shirts covering your bum are best for day-to-day wear. Three-quarter-length to long-sleeved shirts are ideal, though sometimes young women wear t-shirts in major cities.

Long pants are a must. Tight pants, like skinny jeans or leggings, are acceptable if they’re worn with long shirts, but they’re certainly not ideal on hot days.

Salwar kameez is the cool and colorful pant-shirt combination common in Pakistan. Don’t be afraid to buy a set! They’re extremely comfortable (they’re basically socially acceptable pajamas) and locals will appreciate your gesture.

RELATED: MEET THE TRAVELLERS WHO BOOKED AN ADVENTURE WITHOUT AN ITINERARY

4. You’ll feel like a celebrity… and be photographed like one too.

“One selfie, madam?” is a phrase you’ll probably hear at least once in Pakistan, especially if you’re white.

Whether you allow your newfound friends to snap the selfie is your call. A single selfie request can quickly turn into a massive PR ordeal in busy places, so pick and choose your battles wisely. Requests from women are usually harmless, but it’s recommended to politely decline requests from lone men or groups of boys, unless you’ve interacted beforehand.

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5. It’s okay to be friendly with men… but not too friendly.

Men are not creatures to be feared in Pakistan. There are plenty of gems around!

Still, be mindful when interacting with them. What you think is friendly might be flirtatious to a local man. You don’t want to lead anyone on; many men hope to marry foreign women.

If you’re not interested in getting betrothed on your trip, aim to be pleasant but distant. When first meeting a man, try not to smile too much. Avoid physical contact, such as light touches while talking. Don’t shake hands with men unless they offer first.

Some might ask for your phone number, email, or “Facebook ID”. It’s best not to share contact information with men you don’t know… unless you like being called by strangers on a daily basis! If you need an excuse, say you don’t use social media or have a Pakistani phone number.

RELATED: WHY I ALWAYS TRAVEL SOLO WITH INTREPID

6. People will take extra good care of you because you’re a woman.

Female travelers are a relative anomaly in Pakistan, but that works in your favour. Pakistani culture places great emphasis on protecting women. As a woman traveling sans-man, many locals will be extra protective of you.

Pakistanis will help you navigate traffic, give you the best seat, let you cut lines, guide you in person when you’re lost… and then some.

7. You might be overwhelmed at times.

Pakistan can be intense. Some days, people will break your heart. On others, you’ll want to scream at the injustice. It’s hard, but remember: you are a guest.

Though you may feel strongly about some practices, it’s not your place to force change. Pakistan isn’t perfect, but there are still many things it can teach outsiders willing to listen and learn.

Explore Pakistan with a female local leader on our new 15-day Women’s Expedition now. Find out more about this incredible adventure here . 

Feature photo C/O Intrepid. 

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PAKISTAN , SOLO , SOUTH ASIA · October 9, 2017 Last Updated on July 27, 2024

SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL IN PAKISTAN

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

Pakistan is not a common destination for a solo female traveler. Visas can be difficult to obtain and most governments have strongly advised against travel there. Visas can only be obtained from the embassy in your country of origin, so if you are planning to travel there first, contact the Embassy of Pakistan in your country.

Some nationalities need a letter of invitation (LOI) from a registered tour company or a person who is inviting you that lives in Pakistan. Betty, from the agency Karakoram Bikers , can help you to get a LOI and to organize an itinerary. To apply for the visa you need to have a very specific travel itinerary and you should know with advance the names of the places and cities you want to see in case you have an interview in the Embassy just as I did.

Before traveling to Pakistan I didn’t know what to expect as I didn’t find any useful travel information to prepare my trip. However, after 20 days traveling in Pakistan, I can say it is one of my favorite countries in the world. Pakistan is the land of hospitality and you will find the kindest people you will ever meet. The security situation in Pakistan is totally fine. I never faced any issue and every time I needed some help with language or directions I always found someone willing to help me. If you like landscapes, nature, culture, architecture and delicious food, Pakistan will be the perfect place for you.

GETTING AROUND & TRANSPORTATION IN PAKISTAN

Traveling in Pakistan is very easy. Big cities like Islamabad and Lahore have Uber but you can always take a taxi or a tuk tuk. The best way to travel between cities is by bus or by plane due to the long distances. Cheap flights are available, but if you don’t want to miss the amazing landscapes, I will recommend you to take a bus.

The best option is Daweoo Express it is the safest and fastest way to move around. You can buy your ticket directly on the bus station or buy it online if you want assure a seat. As well you can get a share taxi to be more comfortable during long distance trips or hire a private car with a driver. However I won’t recommend hitchhiking in Pakistan because of the multiple checkpoints you will find on your way. Even though Pakistan is very safe, you will face a lot of checkpoints. That’s why I recommend you to carry your passport with you all the time and bring with you at least 20 copies of your passport and visa.

ACCOMODATION

Accommodation in Pakistan is easy to find. I always booked a hotel or hostel before arriving to each destination. Be sure to reserve a room during public holidays because pakistani people love to travel around their country and all rooms might be booked. However, Pakistani people are so friendly they never let me pay for a room, people always offered me a room and tea. Most of the nights I slept in someone’s home and it was amazing to experience the local life. Pakistani are so friendly they will always offer you great food and of course the best chai in the whole world. So if a family offers you a room to sleep, don’t feel shy and experience the culture.

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WHAT TO WEAR IN PAKISTAN

Many people think that because it is a Muslim country you have to cover your body if you are a woman. The truth is that you can dress however you want but, in my experience, I will recommend you to cover your legs and shoulders. This way you can enter the mosques which are worth seeing from inside.

PLACES TO VISIT IN PAKISTAN

1) islamabad.

My flight arrived directly in the capital and I stayed in Shelton Guest House . I’m not a fan of big cities but it deserves at least one day of your itinerary. You can take a taxi to move around or if you get a sim card you can ask for an uber or cream, a very popular app to get taxis in Pakistan. Some places you must visit while you are here are the Pakistan Monumento, the Heritage museum and Lok Virsa, which are located in the same place. Lok Virsa is a place where you can hear local music, buy handcrafts, and there is always a cultural event to see. You can see online the program and see what kind of activity you are interested to see. Of course, you can’t miss the Faisal Mosque.

Local people say that “if you haven’t been to Lahore you haven’t been born.” Lahore is considered the Paris of Pakistan. I stayed in Lahore Backpackers , the owner speaks fluent English and will help you with any tourist advice you need. You will surely meet other fellow travelers there. (Saajad Hussain is the manager tel: 0300-8860039). If you are in Lahore, get in touch with Lets go to Pakistan . These guys are inviting and hosting foreign tourists from around the world; giving them a chance to experience the real Pakistan.

Places you can’t miss in Lahore are the Badshahi Mosque which is one of the most splendid and stunning pieces of Mughal architecture and one of the biggests mosques in the world. Other beautiful mosques you must see are Wazir Khan Mosque and Sohneri Mosque. Additionally, you should visit the biggest spice market in Asia, Akbari Mandi, and the Food street where you can find rooftop restaurants with an amazing view and live music.

There is not much to do and see in Gilgit itself but you will end up there because buses and taxis depart from Gilgit to anywhere you plan to go. From Gilgit I went directly to Hunza and stayed in Old Hunza Inn the owner speaks very good English and also organizes trekking and hiking tours. This place is the best option to stay in Hunza so try to book a room with time.

People in Hunza are the nicest people you will ever meet. Hunza has amazing landscapes, plus people are very nice and friendly. Hunza itself is beautiful. You can walk around, meet the locals, and eat amazing food. Music instruments are made here and if you get the chance, go to the local music school to hear some of the traditional instruments of the region, as the rabab.

Gulmit is a village not too far from Hunza, you can get a shared taxi and visit the Gulmit Carpet Centre. This is an organization where women artisans make traditional carpets. It enables the women artisans to own it as the first entrepreneurs.

I took a bus from Gilgit to Chitral. It is a very long ride with too many check points but it is totally worth it. Don’t forget to carry at least 15 copies of your passport with you. I just slept one night in Chitral and the next day continued my journey to the Kalash Valley. I slept in Jumeirah Continental Hotel .

Security situation in Pakistan is very good, even better than what I thought and expected before arriving to the country. As with every country in the world, there are some areas prohibited for foreigners, like the border regions with Afghanistan. Nevertheless, you can get access to some prohibited areas by getting a NOC (non objection certificate). You can get this document in any big police office.

Due to the proximity with Afghanistan and security issues with the Talibans years before you need to apply for an NOC to be in Chitral and surrounded areas. You just have to pay and sign some documents and then they will provide you private security. This was one of the most interesting experiences I ever had. I never had private security before and it was pretty fun. I applied for an NOC in Chitral, to see the Kalash people. I had a police officer and an anti terrorism officer with me during my 3 day trip to this region. They always took care of me and helped me with anything I needed. The best part is that the government offers it for free.

I spent three days with the Kalash people in two different towns called Bamburat and Rumbur. The Kalash are an ancient tribe of Pakistan with a very particular way of life, religion, and rituals. The Kalash people believe that they are descendants of Alexander the Great and women wear colored embroidered dresses and beaded headdresses called susutr.

If you have any doubt please don’t hesitate to contact me. As well, you can contact Asmar Hussein one of the best professional photographers in Pakistan. He loves receiving foreigners and showing them his country.

Have you visited Pakistan? Please share you own tips with our readers in the comments below.

Do you want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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• A Guide To Solo Female Travel In Iran
• A Guide To Solo Female Travel In Uzbekistan
• A Girl’s Guide To Solo Travel In Tajikistan
• Conquering Stigmas: Travelling Solo Through The Silk Road

By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Alessia Ramponi Connect with Alessia  Instagram

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maqsood ur Rehman says

October 9, 2017 at 5:16 pm

All story related to Pakistan is correct.

We Are Travel Girls says

October 10, 2017 at 4:07 am

Thank you so much for reading, we are delighted that Alessia shared her article about your country with our readers. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls

April 19, 2019 at 7:38 am

Thank you for this post. I have been tempted to travel for some time but been a bit nervous about going on my own. Reassuring to read your post :-)

Naimat Ullah Swati says

October 9, 2017 at 5:26 pm

October 10, 2017 at 4:08 am

Thank you so much for reading! Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls

Sharif ahmad says

October 9, 2017 at 9:29 pm

Thank you so much elsia remponi for good info about pakistan!

Thank you for reading Sharif. We are delighted that Alessia shared her article about your country with our readers to give them an informed view of travel there. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls

Syed jahanzaib azhar says

October 9, 2017 at 9:47 pm

So beautiful and true picture of pakistan and thing which also need to describe in your blog that over all peace you would have experinced here. Please tell your friends too about this rich experince . and hope your future trip again . bye.

October 10, 2017 at 4:09 am

Thank you so much for reading Syed. We were very happy to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers so more people can look at travel to Pakistan. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Zakhan says

October 9, 2017 at 9:59 pm

You forgot to mention monal Islamabad and food street Lahore ? Or u missed it

Alexandra Packer says

October 9, 2017 at 10:48 pm

Wow some lovely photographs and inspiring stories! Its definetely high on my list now :)

Bilal khan says

October 9, 2017 at 11:14 pm

I dont know why international media dont see all this good about Pakistan they always show us as terorists when ever a torist travals to Pakistan they say only good about Pakistan but not a single media group highlight this what should we call it.

October 10, 2017 at 4:11 am

Thank you so much for reading Bilal. We are pleased to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers so more people can look at travel to Pakistan and help to share some positive experiences about the country. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Umair Ahmed Shaikh says

October 10, 2017 at 12:21 am

Thank you Alessia for visiting Pakistan and encouraging others to visit my beautiful country. Being a traveler myself and been to many countries across the globe, I can say with certainty that Pakistan has a lot to offer. Do visit us again.

October 10, 2017 at 4:12 am

Thank you so much for reading Umair. We are so pleased that we were able to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers so more people can look at travel to Pakistan. Your country looks beautiful and I hope to visit one day myself. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Khalid jamal Siddiqui says

August 4, 2020 at 1:17 pm

Thank you so much for visiting my country. Pakistanis love to welcome people from all over the world. Its part of our heritage and religion. Once again thank you for writing about my beautiful homeland. Hope you will again come here someday. Stay blessed

Anonymous says

October 10, 2017 at 12:58 am

Thanks Alessa for your comendable word for Pakistan,realy the situation and people are entirly different as bed media is showing us. Hunza Inn where you stay during your trip to Pakistan i have many time stay there during my visit the owner name is Kareem Khan and we mostly say him hushiar Khan(Alert)

October 10, 2017 at 4:14 am

Thank you so much for reading.. We are happy to be able to publish Alessia’s article and experience in Pakistan with our readers to help share some positive messages about the country and encourage others to visit. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Ameer Ali says

October 10, 2017 at 1:49 am

Thank u for visiting my beloved country

Thank you for reading Ameer. Your country looks beautiful and I hope to visit myself one day. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Arslan Ansari says

October 10, 2017 at 2:50 am

It is a great pleasure of us as Pakistani to hear a review about our country. Most of the countries and people spreading the fake news around the world that Life is not safe in Pakistan. Pakistan is at TOP in hospitality around the world, you can feel free to visit any area of the Pakistan without fear.

In the Last, i would like to say thank you very much to let the world know about our county`s situation.

October 10, 2017 at 4:17 am

Thank you so much for reading Arslan. We are so pleased to be able to publish Alessia’s article about your country with our readers. It is great that we can share a positive article about your country, and encourage travel to Pakistan as well as help people to understand more about your countries situation. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this article. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Farooq Tahir says

October 10, 2017 at 4:52 am

Thank you Alessia for your commendable words about my country, hope you and many more people visit us. Pakistan is such a beautiful country and we are committed at making it safer and stronger.

October 10, 2017 at 5:14 am

Thank you for reading Farooq. Your country looks beautiful and I hope to visit myself one day. We are pleased to provide a platform for women like Alessia to share their travels and bring more understanding to travel in Pakistan. Becky, Founder & Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Where are you going next?? I’m traveling solo to Malaysia around next month.

October 10, 2017 at 8:19 am

Great to hear good about the beauty of Pakistan.Pakistan is indeed amazing tourist destination. I welcome all tourist to Pakistan and if they need any help/NOC/Invitation i am ready to help them. [email protected]

October 11, 2017 at 12:06 pm

Wow – thank you for that great review! i really enjoyed reading it :) May i ask you where you got that blue flowery headscarf from? :D

October 11, 2017 at 8:12 pm

Thanks for reading and Mia – glad you enjoyed this article. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls x

Syed Ali Raza says

October 13, 2017 at 12:50 am

Its awesome to read/hear from our foreigner friends speaking good about our Amazing Homeland! Really gratefull for sharing your lovely experience, i being a Pakistani assure you that we as a nation Love our country and love the fact that it has so much to offer foreign travellers that they will feel delighted to be here, see our culture, our heritage and above all scenic beauties of our Homeland, which can never be found anywhere else! One request, as you already mentioned in the blog above, Our country is a peaceful place, there is no danger of any kind, good and bad people are everywhere in all parts of the world but i assure, we Pakistanis take you all as our respectable guests and you become our embassadors in your own countries! Always mention good deeds, great food, lovely scenes, mesmerizing culture of our Homeland to others so that the world comes to know that We are True Pakistan! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

October 13, 2017 at 8:24 pm

Thank you very much for reading and commenting on this article about Pakistan Syed. We are very happy that Alessia shared her positive experience in the country so that more travellers can be educated about your country. Thank you! Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls

Ayesha says

November 7, 2017 at 4:08 am

love your post..

Farahn-Uz-Zaman says

November 29, 2017 at 10:10 pm

Very well captured, captioned and documented

November 30, 2017 at 4:02 am

Thank you for reading Farahn, pleased to hear that you liked this article.

C Khan says

November 29, 2017 at 11:44 pm

Alessia, thank you so much for sharing your positive experiences about my beloved country, Pakistan. I would love it if you included a bit more detail about the beautiful locations and people in your photos just to give us some context. Also, where did you get your gorgeous outfits from? I grew up abroad but spent 6 wonderful years in Islamabad. I still miss having the Margalla Hills on my doorstep and hearing the sounds of wolves calling and wild boars rustling in the woods outside our home at night. Safe travels!

Giulia says

December 8, 2017 at 7:18 am

Hi Alessia! Very Interesting article! When have you visited Pakistan?

December 10, 2017 at 2:02 am

Thanks for reading Giulia, glad to hear that you enjoyed reading this article. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls

December 25, 2017 at 9:54 am

Well a beautiful narration of travel log depicted in marvolous photos as well. Human all over the globe are alike, lovable, adorable, having common emotions and feelings.

December 27, 2017 at 3:56 am

Thank you so much for reading!

untitled says

January 26, 2018 at 3:15 am

This is so beautiful! Thank you for stopping by our country. Its an honour for us to host visitors like you. Hope to see you here soon again.

February 4, 2018 at 4:13 am

Loved this! Definitely going to follow for more!

Hikma History says

February 4, 2018 at 4:14 am

Awesome post, looking forward to reading the other “Solo Female Travel” posts!

February 14, 2018 at 5:00 pm

Thanks for reading Hikma, please you found this post interesting. Becky, Founder – We Are Travel Girls

February 16, 2018 at 1:02 am

Always a joy to see people from the outside sharing experiences to the positive side of Pakistan.

February 17, 2018 at 6:50 pm

Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed this article! Becky, Editor – We Are Travel Girls

Shanawar Sajjad says

February 26, 2018 at 2:39 am

Thank you for visiting our country & show the real face of Pakistan.

February 26, 2018 at 11:05 pm

Thank you for reading, pleased to hear that you enjoyed the article. Becky – We Are Travel Girls Founder

Yasir Ahmed says

March 28, 2018 at 1:03 am

That’s a great blogpost. Glad you had fun traveling in Pakistan. I would love to travel to Iran someday.

Anique Asad says

April 3, 2018 at 1:25 am

Without any doubt, everything mentioned about Pakistan is true. Pakistanis are really a hospitable nation. Pakistan is literally a land of peace now. Do visit Pakistan, we welcome our guests wholeheartedly.

Rafidah says

March 18, 2019 at 10:23 pm

Thanks very much for the useful information while I’m in the midst to plan my solo journey from Karachi to Islamabad. Good to know that female traveller can travel safely in Pakistan.

April 15, 2018 at 5:40 am

Thank you for sharing your experience. Pakistan is great land

Ali Raza says

August 9, 2018 at 3:40 am

Very nice article!!! Really Pakistan is the great Country.

Durdana Ahmed says

February 8, 2019 at 3:47 am

I am also a domestic and international tourist. I am proud to be a Pakistani and I traveled more than 150 different areas only in Gilgit-Baltistan. Yes, it’s true that Pakistan is not a common destination for a solo female traveler but once you are Pakistan you feel you are in your own country. People of Pakistan are very hospitable and kind. Please tell your friends about your experience and the true face of Pakistan. I am an Associate Professor by profession and teaching geography and history of Pakistan and I am promoting tourism in Pakistan. I am conducting seminars and lectures about the tourism development of Pakistan. I will be delivering a lecture on 12 February 2019 in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi. You can come and attend if you are in Pakistan. Next time kindly visit Karachi and must-see from Karachi to Gawader via Makran Coastal highway, Kund Malir, Ormara, Hingole National Park, Princes of hope, Buzy Pass and Mud volcano in Baluchistan. From last year I have been traveling in these areas and writing articles and promoting tourism in my lecture series. Hope you will come again…Good Luck?

Aryaan Asad says

March 14, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Really Pakistan is the great Country. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article. Best Regards.

December 21, 2019 at 1:27 pm

What a treat to read about your adventure in beautiful Pakistan, its very informative and detailed…it is an amazing and diverse country with so much to offer in terms of culture, food, hospitality and landscapes and above all quite untouched by travelers. It has so much more to offer. Will look forward to seeing future vlogs…best wishes

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What To Pack For Pakistan: A Complete Packing List

After seeing lots of beautiful photos of Pakistan, you have finally booked your trip to the world’s most hospitable country – yay!

But, shortly after booking you realized it’s time for the actual trip preparation, which includes applying for your visa, creating an itinerary, and, well, packing – not so yay anymore. You might have already bought an excellent suitcase and durable backpack, but now you’re just sitting in front of your luggage and thinking: “What the heck should I actually pack for Pakistan?”

I totally get you. Packing can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts about travel, especially if it’s your first time traveling to your chosen destination. In addition, a country as culturally and geographically diverse as Pakistan can make the packing game even more difficult for international travelers.

So how do you actually know what to pack for your once-in-a-lifetime trip (or frequent adventure) to Pakistan?

Don’t worry, I got you right here! Having traveled across Pakistan during pretty much all seasons, I’ve developed a thorough understanding of what travelers to the country really need and what they should rather leave at home. That’s why I decided to compile this complete Pakistan packing list that explains in detail what to pack for Pakistan. The products listed here include some of my favorite brands as well as lots of great recommendations from other expert travel bloggers so trust me, this will be the most complete Pakistan packing list you’ll ever find on the entire internet!

Traveling to Pakistan anytime soon? Here’s everything you need to know about traveling to Pakistan in 2022!

*DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. This means that from every purchase made through this website, I’ll earn a small commission with no additional cost to you.*

Table of Contents

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The Absolute Essentials To Pack For Any Trip To Pakistan

Oftentimes, we pack so many things for a trip that never end up using. Well, not these ones. Here’s a list of the absolutely essential items you should bring for any trip to Pakistan, no matter where and when:

Electronics

Most power outlets in Pakistan are A, C or D type, with a voltage of 250 V. While so far most of my plugs have worked well, a universal travel adapter is always a good idea to pack for Pakistan.

• Extension cord

How many times have I stayed at hotels and guesthouses in Pakistan just to realize that there’s only one power outlet in the room and it’s barely accessible because it’s so high on the wall. That’s why I strongly recommend bringing an extension cord to Pakistan. Just make sure it can handle the voltage.

• Pocket WiFi

Many parts of Pakistan have a very poor internect connection but when there is some signal, why not more efficient? A pocket WiFi is able to catch 3G or 4G signal using just one SIM card and create a reliable hotspot for multiple people, making it the perfect option if you want to save on mobile data plans.

A powerbank can be a real lifesaver for any trip, making it an essential item to pack for Pakistan as well. The higher the amp, the better!

Personal Hygiene

*Note: These items are all easily available in shops in Pakistan but you might want to consider bringing them from home so you can use them immediately upon arrival. They are some of the things you definitely shouldn’t leave without .*

• Hand sanitizer

Pakistani washrooms can get very interesting , to put it politely, and food is generally eaten with your hands. Hand sanitizers will definitely delay your first food poisoning by a bit.

Your hands will be super oily after eating, you’ll thank me for this one.

• Tissues/toilet paper

You’ll find out soon after your arrival that water is the go-to solution to clean your butt in Pakistan. While this method is much more hygienic than using paper alone, most western travelers will feel quite uncomfortable walking around in wet pants all day.

Personal Health

Pandemic aside, these guys are a must to pack for any trip to Pakistan. From the polluted city air to the horrible dust roads in the north, N95 masks are the only thing that can protect your respiratory tract in Pakistan.

• Pepto Bismol

There is a 95% chance that your stomach will go crazy at least once during your stay in Pakistan. You might not get hospitalized three times a month like me but some minor trouble is almost guaranteed. I recommend Pepto Bismol tablets for small stomach problems. They’re pink, compact, and easy to bring on planes.

If you’re lactose-intolerant, you’re doomed in Pakistan without this little aid because chai will literally power your journey.

Photography Equipment

I know the photographers among you will roll their eyes out at me for this, but a phone camera can seriously do wonders sometimes, especially if you don’t want to constantly carry a DSLR with you. Huawei P50 Pro has by far my favorite phone camera thanks to its incredible AI and zoom and it’s the device I’ve taken some of my most beautiful travel photos with.

However, if you’re using another phone it’s still possible to achieve incredible wide angle shots similar to those of the Huawei camera with a travel phone lense kit .

Recommended by Dan from Urban Abroad and me

• DSLR/Mirrorless Camera

As much as I love taking photos with my dear Huawei P30 Pro, I’ll have to admit that for the best results you’ll need an actual camera. While DSLRs like the Nikon D7000 are best to click amazing photos, mirrorless cameras like the Sony Alpha A 6000 are the better choice for vlogging and their compactness and light weight also makes them perfect for traveling.

Recommended by Devesh from Footloose Dev and me

It’s imperative to protect your photography equipment well when traveling across Pakistan with a good camera bag. One great option is the expandable Peak Design Everyday Backpack , which lets you store all your equipment in one waterproof bag.

Recommended by Hillary from Hillary Newman Photography

• Travel tripod

Whether you want to take long-exposure shots of Pakistan’s breathtaking waterfalls or incredible star skies, a good travel tripod is a must to pack for Pakistan. A professional option for DSLRs is the Peak Design Travel Tripod thanks to its incredible compactness, stability, and light weight. For smartphones, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 stabilizer/tripod and the Joby GripTight tripod are great choice.

Pubali and Indranil from Paradise Catchers , Harshi & Aman from  Trot.World , and Roshni from The Wanderlust Within

• Camera Remote Control

Want a photo of yourself or your group but don’t have anyone who can click it? Looks like you’ll need a camera remote control !

Recommended by Jess from Unearth The Voyage

Other Essentials

• Water Filter Bottle

Tap water across Pakistan is DEFINITELY not safe. Now, you could just keep buying bottled water like everyone else but why not invest in a water filter bottle that removes harmful microorganisms without producing any plastic waste? Try the Katadyn BeFree or the GRAYL Ultralight filter bottles that easily lets you carry plenty of drinkable water with you at all times.

Recommended by Samantha from My Flying Leap and Ella from Many More Maps

• Modest clothing

Read more on that in the ‘What to Wear in Pakistan’ section below.

What To Pack For Pakistan’s Northern Areas

=With some of the world’s tallest mountains and most breathtaking landscapes, Pakistan’s northern areas are a paradise for trekkers and adventure lovers. However, traveling to and especially trekking in Pakistan’s northern areas will also expose you to extreme cold, dryness, and lack of oxygen. Here’s what to pack for Pakistan’s northern areas for a smooth and comfortable trip:

• Functional Base Layers

Trekking in Pakistan’s mountains will expose you to the cold and make you sweat at the same time. Therefore, it’s important to invest in a highly functional pullover that will keep you as comfortable as possible. I strongly recommend the Icebreaker Merino Long Sleeve T-shirt because it’s lightweight, breathable, odor-eliminating, and keeps you warm. Another great base layer to pack for Pakistan is the Under Armor Base 4.0 Crew-neck T-shirt that also keeps you very warm and dries up quickly.

Recommended by Kristel from Chef Travel Guide and Melissa from Parenthood and Passports

• Functional stretch pants

I’d usually say traditional pants are the best option to pack for Pakistan but not when it comes to trekking. I’ve already torn quite a few of my pants while trekking in Fairy Meadows and I don’t want the same thing to happen to you as well. Therefore, I strongly recommend a durable pair of pants that are comfortable and protect you from water and sun rays throughout your trek, such as the prAna Stretch Pants .

Recommended by Samantha from My Flying Leap

• Trekking shoes

You’ll certainly need shoes with an excellent grip for trekking in Pakistan’s northern areas unless you want to fall off the mountain. I recommend Teva Sugarpine Air Mesh because they are waterproof, breathable, and give you a good grip. If you’re traveling with children, the Mountain Warehouse Drift Junior Kids Boots are an excellent option. And if you plan to visit places like Naran in summer and prefer a lighter option, you can opt for these hiking sandals instead.

More casual options that work for less difficult treks include a good pair of running shoes and leather winter boots .

Recommended by Samantha , Annabel , Maria , Kristin , and Anna

No matter what shoes you’re wearing, your feet will easily get cold in the mountains. Therefore, warm and functional socks like the moisture-controlling Dickies Crew Socks are a must to pack for Pakistan’s northern areas.

Recommended by Bruna Venturinelli from  Maps ‘N Bags

• Insulated jacket

O.M.G. who would have thought you’d need a warm jacket to pack for Pakistan’s northern areas? (insert sarcasm here) For all those cold mountain nights when the bonfire fails you, you should opt for a high-quality compact insulated jacket like the North Face ThermoBall Eco to keep you safe both from the cold and water. Plus, the North Face ThermoBall Eco is made out of recycled materials! Can it get any better than that even?

Recommended by Bruna from  I Heart Brazil

• Scarves, gloves, etc.

Everything else that keeps you warm should be on your list for what to pack for Pakistan’s northern areas.

Without a doubt, you’ll need a good backpack to store all your drinks, snacks and equipment while trekking. The Cabin Zero backpack is a great choice to pack for Pakistan’s mountain treks because it’s both spacious and lightweight.

Recommended by Tracey from Trips100

Health And Wellness

• Altitude sickness drops

Altitude sickness is no joke when you’re climbing around some of the world’s tallest mountains. In fact, I blacked out five times during my attempt to reach the Nanga Parbat basecamp and I thought I was going to die somewhere in the wilderness. Therefore, one of the best things you can pack for Pakistan’s northern areas are altitude sickness drops .

If you can’t get any altitude sickness drops in time before your trip to northern Pakistan, chocolate is your second-best option. Luckily, this is something you can cheaply stock up on at every small local shop. Heck, even dried apricots will do!

• Facial mist

My number one secret to maintaning radiant skin in the mountains (or any other extrememly dry place) is facial mist! I’ve personally been carrying the Garnier SkinActive Facial Mist with me on all my treks and have had an excellent experience with it.

• Moisturizing cream

You don’t need the highest-quality product to pack for Pakistan’s mountains, just carry a little bit of simple moisturizing cream with you at all times. A small travel-sized container of Nivea cream will totally do its job.

You’ll thank me so much for this! My favorite lip balm that I always make sure to pack for Pakistan’s northern areas is Burt’s Bees’ .

UV radiation will probably be the least of your worries in the cold mountains but it shouldn’t be! It’s extremely important to apply broad spectrum sunscreen before and during your trek to protect yourself from the harmful sun rays. The one product that I always pack for Pakistan’s mountain treks and works very well for me is the travel size SPF 70 sunscreen lotion from Neutrogena . Not only does it offer high protection but it also feels super light on my skin and fits into even the smallest pockets!

Getting stuck in the dark in Pakistan’s north is no fun! In case that happens to you, it’s crucial to have a torch with you. And what’s much better than constantly holding a phone in your hands is a waterproof headlamp .

Recommended by Jessica from Uprooted Traveler

• Phone case and screen protector

A phone case and screen protector are an absolute must to pack for Pakistan’s mountains. I mean, I almost broke my bones on those treks, image how broken my phone would have been without these protectors! Go to your local phone shop to find the best case and screen protector for your phone model,

You’ll have so many adventures in Pakistan that it isn’t always possible to constantly hold your phone or camera. Therefore, whether you’re a professional vlogger or just want to record your adventures for fun, I suggest investing in a Go Pro that lets you record your entire trip without bothering you.

Recommended by Chris Fry from  Aquarius Traveller

• Travel drone

While there are many drone-free zones in cities like Islamabad , you should consider a travel drone to pack for Pakistan’s incredible nature spots. DJI SPARK is an excellent option for this thanks to its lightweight and compactness.

Recommended by Devesh from Footloose Dev

What To Wear In Pakistan

One of the questions I get asked most frequently about travel in Pakistan is what to wear in Pakistan. It’s a well-known fact that Pakistan is a conservative country, which leaves many especially female travelers wondering what clothes they should pack. Relax, you won’t have to don a niqab or burqa. Here’s what you should actually wear in Pakistan:

What to wear in Pakistan as a woman

This can be anything that covers your legs, shoulders, and chest. Western fashion that follows these criteria is totally acceptable in the big cities but it’ll definitely be worth investing in some gorgeous local clothing afterward.

For women, it’s absolutely essential to bring a bunch of scarves with you to Pakistan. Although you’re not required to cover your hair on the street, it’s a must for visiting religious places. And even in everyday life, I always prefer to cover my hair to avoid unwanted attention.

Read more:  Is Pakistan Safe For Women Travelers? Here’s What It’s REALLY Like

What to wear in Pakistan as a man

The rule of thumbs when it comes to what to wear in Pakistan as a man is full or half-sleeve shirts and a pair of long pants. Both Western and traditional clothes are acceptable. You’ll sometimes see men in shorts and tank tops in Pakistan but this is generally looked down upon.

What to wear in Pakistan throughout the year

From May all the way through September it can get very hot in Pakistan. For most parts of the country, you’ll only need to bring very thin (but of course modest) clothes. It’s advised to stock up on Pakistani summer clothes as soon as you arrive. Opt for thin-fabric scarves when wearing hijab. Bring a thin jacket if you plan to visit the northern areas in summer.

From December to February it can get pretty cold in all of Pakistan (don’t even think about visiting the northern areas brrrrr), especially given that even in the cities most houses lack proper heat insulation. Therefore, you should bring thicker pullovers, scarves, a coat, and anything else that keeps you warm.

October to November and March to April are the most comfortable months to visit Pakistan but also the most difficult ones to pack for. You’ll likely need thin summer clothes during the daytime and a jacket at night. However, the weather can change very unexpectedly during these months so it’s a good idea to bring both summer and winter clothes.

Read more:  Celebrating Eid Al-Adha In Pakistan: My Eye-Opening Experience

Gift Ideas For Your Pakistani Host Family (Or Any New Friends You Make On The Way)

• Alcohol-free chocolate

Chocolate is always everyone’s favorite, in Pakistan and beyond. Just make sure that it’s alcohol free.

• Premium tea

It’s no secret that chai (black tea with milk and spices) is Pakistan’s national drink. While most families use simple black tea in everyday life, I always make sure to buy high-quality tea whenever I visit famous tea regions to pack for Pakistani hosts and friends.

• Beautiful scarves

Most Pakistani women wear a scarf in one form or another when going outside, making it the perfect gift to pack for Pakistani ladies. Therefore, if you find a beautiful scarf in some part of the world, don’t shy away to bring it to Pakistan!

• Small gifts from your country

Out of all the gifts that you can pack for Pakistani hosts or friends, unique arts or crafts from your culture always make the most special gifts. However, it’s best to avoid anything religious.

What NOT To Bring To Pakistan

You might be thinking so much about what to pack for Pakistan that you barely think about which items you should better leave at home. Here’s what NOT to bring to Pakistan:

Pakistan may be a meat lover’s paradise but pork is a complete taboo. So leave that pork jerky as well as any candies containing pork gelatine at home when you pack for Pakistan.

Alcohol is illegal for most people in Pakistan and while non-Muslims are exempt from this rule (and are even allowed to purchase booze in five-star hotels), it’s best not to bring anything alcoholic to Pakistan to avoid trouble (except for hand sanitizer of course!).

• Marijuana or any other recreational drugs

Although you might stumble across hasheesh here and there in Pakistan, marijuana and most other recreational drugs are illegal and it’s crucial to stay clear of any such substances while you pack for Pakistan since even small traces on your clothing can be detected at the airport and land you in trouble. If you want a nice trip (pun intended), try local paan instead.

• Immodest clothing

Please stick to the dress code mentioned above when you pack for Pakistan. Not only out of respect for the local customs but also because people might call the police on you if you go out in shorts and tank top.

• Sexually explicit materials

It should go without saying that anything depicting sexually explicit graphics is something you should NOT pack for Pakistan.

Where To Visit In Pakistan

Still haven’t finalized your itinerary yet? Consider adding these awesome destinations to your Pakistan itinerary and click the links to read my first-hand experiences and tips:

• Fairy Meadows
• Balochistan

Phew, that was a long list! I sincerily hope this packing list was helpful and gave you a better idea of what to pack for Pakistan. Of course, many of the items listed here are interchangable with your personal alternatives. The main ideas I want you to take away from this post are:

• Traveling in Pakistan can expose you to some crazy adventures and you should prepare as well as possible for them – even if that means packing a few extra items here and there.
• Pakistani society tends to be quite conservative – when in doubt, always go for the more modest dress and avoid anything that could potentially cause trouble.
• Pakistan is extremely beautiful – be prepared to take lots of photos and videos.

As long as you keep these things in mind, you’ll be good!

Have you been to Pakistan yet? If so, what items would you recommend to pack for Pakistan travel?

Comment below!

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This is a really thorough list and very useful! I like the tip about having a headlamp and I agree with having chocolate under health and welfare 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

Chocolate is such a life-saver on these high-altitude treks. I seriously think I would have died without it up there.

I’ll definitely be saving this post when I start packing (hopefully not too long from now lol.) So many great suggestions I’m definitely going to look into! The pepto is DEFF a must LOL

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22 Best Pakistani Convocation Outfits For Graduating Girls

Convocation Dress Ideas for Pakistani Girls. Every student has a dream of rocking their university life with the best appearance and look even more alluring on the day when they are about to get their degree, and that is convocation.

Boys are mostly not so excited about what to wear, but when it comes to girls, it has to be picture perfect. Starting from their hair till their shoes, everything has to be up to the mark, and for which they begin to plan it weeks before about their look, and the most important thing to girls is their outfit. It should be classy modern and unique at the same time and make their grad photos look astonishing.

What To Wear For Convocation?

Life isn’t perfect, but your convocation outfit can be! Your outfit tells alot about your personality, and therefore girls tend to choose a perfect outfit for themselves. Also, their heartfelt and smiling pictures are the cherry on top for making them look perfect. Talking about Pakistani fashion trends, it is all about keeping it both modest and exceptional. Occasions like these are for women where they can flaunt their beauty and express their personality by choosing what they wear. If you need some fashion inspiration about convocation dresses then hold tight and keep scrolling down the post below:

What To Consider While Choosing a Convocation Dress?

There are a few things you should keep in mind before glamming up for your big event

• Dresses according to the weather: Make sure to choose your outfit according to the season. In winters, prefer wearing outfits of dark material like maroon, deep purple, midnight blue, etc. and thick as well. In summers, light colors like yellow, lime green, and baby pink are ideal because of the heat and sunlight; it would reflect back and not absorb it, unlike dark colors.
• What time of the day is it: The question arises, day or night? If your event is in the day time, you should favor wearing dresses with little or less embroidery and work with light jewelry as you don’t want to overdo yourself.
• Your physique: There is no doubt about the fact that your body structure plays a vital role in deciding what you wear, but it is the self-confidence that makes you look eye-catching. But if you have a short height, avoid wearing long dresses as it will dim your appearance a little.
• Hairdo: Functional hair styling is like putting stars in the sky; it will pump up your clothes, and your makeup will look better with it. You can go for a messy bun, a sleek ponytail, a loose braid if it is too hot for your hair to be left open, or you can give them loose curls. You should prefer going for a gel back if it is a night event look as it is in fashion. It all depends what is the texture of your hair is it thin or thick curly wavy or frizzy.
• Makeup- a perfect finish: Add a finishing touch with the right makeup, which, of course, will be decided according to the time of the day, and your clothing colour scheme. You should prefer wearing dark lip colors and more eye shadow at night time and vice versa. Make sure you are not wearing a dark lip colour with dark eye makeup.
• Be Confident: It is without a doubt that confidence is your best outfit. Make sure you are self-confident enough to pull out any look you choose to wear. Do not go for a look that looks good but is uncomfortable once you wear it, it will shatter your confidence.

Here are few pictures of Pakistan’s leading celebrities and bloggers on their convocation, keeping in sight every little detail, from apparel to being self-confident

Check out these 22 different types of attire you girls can look stunning in on your convocation and rock your grad pictures!

↓ 22 – Ankle Length Red Wrap Around Dress

Mawra Hocane wore an attractive yet decent dress on her graduation; after all, who does not want to be the eye-catcher on their convocation? She chose a Gucci Belt and coat shoes to complete her look. You can select a colour as bright as red on this occasion. Put a full stop to the look by wearing minimal jewelry.

↓ 21 –  A Sophisticated Printed Tulle Dress

Happiest girls are the prettiest, and who wouldn’t be happy on their convocation day? And even more, thrilled when she is wearing what she loves. This floral mesh net skirt will make you look majestic in the crowd with minimal print on it. Pair it with long earrings and a messy bun but if you are hijabi you can complete this look with any pastel-colored hijab that goes with your dress.

↓ 20 –  Saree: Pure Grace And Glamour

This clothing is entirely traditional, and whoever likes to keep it close to their culture would choose this over several other choices. It’s wholly a 6 yard of elegance, which would only need a smile and minimal to no accessory for all the cameras flashing at you. This dark green sari with a shimmery blouse is all you need for your event but only if you can carry it comfortably under your gown!

↓ 19 –  Kurta With Pants- The Desi Style

This outfit never goes out of style. Girls have worn it in different forms over the period. Short shirts, long shirts, cigarette pants, palazzos all are were in fashion back in the ’80s and 90’s golden era, and these charms are all back in this decade as well. You can pair it with whatever it suits you, stilettos or flats.

Moreover, jewelry can be decided depending on the work on the dress. If there is light embroidery/ sequence work/ pearl work, you can wear long earrings and a small pendant. Nylah raja, a Pakistani influencer, went for this simple all-white look on her convocation.

↓ 18 – Velvet: Perfect For Winters

It can be pretty challenging when it gets to getting dolled up in winters. You need to look striking and not feel cold as well. For that, velvet material will be the safest option to go for, since it is warm and thick and impressive as well. You can wear a velvet jacket with bell-bottoms or a simple velvet shirt with cigarette pants, as shown in beautiful Sania Masktiya’s ensemble. Looking for winter clothing brands for women? Have a look at 10 Best Pakistani Winter Clothing Brands For Women In 2020

↓ 17 –   High Waist Pants With A Coat

This sophisticated look can never go out of style and still looks elegant whenever you wear it. Whether it is night or day, you can still rock this look with a simple plain shirt inside if your coat has print on it, and if not a floral shirt can be worn with it, under a plain jacket and high waist pants.

↓ 16 –  Jumpsuits- All In One Outfit

Let your style speak for yourselves and let everyone jaws drop, and eyes stare as you enter your convocation by wearing an elegant jumpsuit. Pair it up with stilettos and sleek earrings, and you are good to go. This light grey jumpsuit is perfect for girls with a dusky complexion, and if you have slightly fair skin, you can go for vibrant colors as well.

↓ 15 –   Long Ethnic Dresses

Keeping it desi with a simple long angarkha style dress paired with small jhumkis and nagras/ khussa. In short, keeping it desi from tip to toe. Here is one look in a midnight blue angarkha style that you can get inspiration from.

↓ 14 –  Front Open Design

This fashion never goes out of style. A front open long tail shirt paired with cigarette pants is a perfect outfit for your convocation. You can either wear a plain shirt with a printed pair of pants or vice versa. Make sure the choice of your colors is according to the weather. Here is a photo inspiration of a beautiful ensemble worn by Maya Ali, she wore this light-colored shirt with a dark jamawar pant and stilettos in an award function, you can also rock this style in your grad photos as well.

↓ 13 – Cape Style Trend

This trend is short-lived and comes back in every decade for a short period but looks fantastic to wear. Some people call it a poncho as well. Your cape can be short or long. Made of net chiffon or silk, it can have sleeves or not, depending upon your preference. It can be a high low style or knee-length. In this picture, you can see a lovely fawn cape with a simple inner with it, which will look best for your event!

↓ 12 – Mahira’s Vibes

As discussed earlier, Saari is 6 yards of complete elegance, and every woman can look beautiful in one, all you need to do is decide how to wear it. Spark up the creative person and decide like Mahira khan wore this beautiful sari with western fusion involved in it. Here you can see her draped in a white floral print with a camel-colored coat. You can go with a dark colour sari and a light-colored coat. This can be a perfect look for winter.

↓ 11 –  Peplum Style Outfit

People with a slim physique would look good in this as it gives an excellent shape to your body and looks modest too at the same time. You can wear it alongside bell bottoms or straight pants and a pair of coat shoes. This photo inspiration speaks for itself, and this white outfit is an example of simplicity, and anyone who wears it will definitely rock this one.

↓ 10 –  Solid Colored Chiffon Dress

Chiffon is the picture-perfect material to be worn in summers as it is light, and you can choose any colour you want to according to the time of your event. Girls with a good height who are tall and lean will look good in these kinds of dresses. You can pair solid-colored dresses with heavy necklaces, and a small clutch will do your thing. If it’s night time, you can go for a dark color as well.

↓ 9 –  Mirror Work Suits

If you are a type of girl who does not like western dressing and wants to keep it modest in a desi way, then mirror work shalwar qameez is just the perfect suit for you. You can wear it in any colour you wish to wear. This subtle pink ensemble is ideal for any skin complexion as well. You can do some right shimmery eye makeup with it to glam up the look.

↓ 8 –  Slay That Purple Blouse Like Kate Middleton

Chiffon solid colored blouse with boot cut high waist pants are definitely a thing to be worn, rock it on your grad day and be the center of attention. Just like Kate Middleton was the epitome of perfection in this Gucci blouse. She kept it simple with no jewelry; you can pair it with a delicate necklace and earrings.

↓ 7 –  Side Slit Outfits

This is a new trend in 2020, and a lot of girls love wearing these varieties of shirts because this is unique and looks striking as well. Your shirt can be of any material, silk, linen, or any other fabric. You can pair it with cigarette pants or palazzos, whatever suits you best. This side slit outfit has a floral print on it and its perfect for summers as it is not too dark for the hot weather. You can also pick colors like yellow and baby pink.

↓ 6 –  Skirt With A Shirt

A good skirt always makes a girl look classy and elegant if worn correctly. You can wear it in any weather and in any colour. It will be plus point if you go for a floral print skirt with a solid-colored blouse. You can select a skin fitted or a loose blouse depending upon your wish. Pair it with coat shoes, and you are good to go.

↓ 5 –  Wear That Dress The Minaal Khan style

This lime green ankle-length dress is perfect for occasions like your convocation. It is simple and stylish simultaneously. You can go for bold colors if it is for night time like midnight blue or black. You can wear any type of jewelry you like, especially that one necklace that you keep for special occasions, now is that right occasion! Take it out and slay it!

↓ 4 –  Flaunt A Maxi Dress 

Dresses like these always look good on girls who are a little bulkier because of the flare in the dress. One thing you should be crystal clear about is that your material of the dress should be light if you go for stitching because the lighter the fabric, the more flare it will have. You can also wear dark shimmery maxis if your event is in the evening, mix it with long hanging jewelry, and everyone would wish to look as chic and comfy as you are!

↓ 3 –  Kimono Dress for Convocation Event

The word kimono means a piece of clothing and it is a traditional Japanese dress. Although it goes back hundreds of years, it is still widely recognized as a modern garment, it mainly has a belt or wrap around and may or may not have long sleeves.

↓ 2 –  Palazzo Suit With A Coat

Get inspired by this look from Shilpa Shetty’s wardrobe. This white palazzo suit with a black coat is fabulous for your convocation. This look is perfect for winters; depending upon your complexion, you can select the colour scheme.

↓ 1 –  Shalwar Qameez- Perfect For All

This look is everyone’s all-time favorite. It looks good; it feels good when worn, this type of outfit is the modest of all and anyone can look good in it. You can select any colour of your choice. Since its convocation, try keeping it light with less embroidery or sequence work because less is more!

Searching for some Shalwar Kameez Fashion inspiration? Check out:  15 Modest Ways for Women To Wear Shalwar Kameez Fashionably

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About the author.

A Chemical Engineer by profession and content designer by choice! Meet Manahil Qureshi who has an infinite love for food and cats. Be it the latest fashion ideas about women or kids outfits or trendy men fashion styles, she loves to keep her pen moving on such niches. Other than writing, she has a love for designing jewelry which is why she has also started her own designer jewelry label, called Glare jewels. Want to know what is coming up next on her publication blogs? Subscribe to the newsletter and keep yourself updated anytime. Cheers!

Plazo dress is very nice simple and good looking

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Bella Hadid Wears the Naked Dress to End All Naked Dresses

Anthony Vaccarello finally figured out how to reproduce his collection of ultra-sheer pantyhose dresses. Bella Hadid hit Cannes in look seven from the Saint Laurent fall 2024 show: a halter dress featuring 10 denier hosiery cups, a knotted pantyhose bodice, and a below-the-knee skirt with a control top hemline.

Hadid, styled by Molly Dickson, leaned into the Old Hollywood glamour that has become synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival, adding a pair of mahogany peep-toe ankle strap heels and an enormous pair of drop earrings from Chopard.

This look fits into Hadid’s latest sartorial M.O. of sheer earthy tones that can only be described as “sexy nymph.” While promoting her fragrance, Orebella, in New York, the model wore a diaphanous nude Dior slip dress by John Galliano, as well as a cream-colored Rokh dress with a lace bodice. And yesterday in Cannes, she further explored brown tones in a simple tank dress . But this look—with only some extremely well-placed seams preserving her modesty—is by far her boldest to date.

When asked about how he would manufacture these ephemeral pieces from the collection, Vaccarello told Vogue, “Don’t even ask me about production—I can’t tell you.” This being the first instance the delicate outfits have been spotted on the red carpet speaks to Hadid’s risk-taking style. Even if she is the only person who ever wears one of these sheer Saint Laurent looks out in the world (let’s see if she can make it to the end of the night without any snags) the fact that Vaccarello was readily willing to make one for her speaks to Hadid’s immense power in the fashion industry.

And if this is Hadid’s wardrobe for her first official day of events in Cannes? We can only imagine what’s to come.

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Harris was ‘last person in the room’ on Afghan exit, but her influence is unclear

The vice president’s role in the Afghanistan withdrawal suggests her limits in meaningfully altering President Biden’s course on historic choices.

When Joe Biden’s presidency began in 2021, Afghan official Nader Nadery knew that the new commander in chief was determined to pull U.S. troops from his country.

But Nadery, like other Afghans who feared the return of a repressive Taliban regime that had been overthrown in 2001, hoped he had an ally who could persuade Biden to leave some forces behind until the Taliban agreed to a peace deal: Vice President Kamala Harris .

While Harris had backed Biden’s pledge to end the bloody and costly 20-year military operation, she had also been outspoken about protecting women and children after the United States pulled out. “I want to ensure that the country is on a path to stability, that we protect the gains that have been made for Afghan women and others,” Harris said in 2019 while running for president .

When the withdrawal turned chaotic and deadly in August 2021, with the Taliban taking over and women quickly losing many of their rights, Nadery and others wondered if Harris ever counseled the president to take a different course. “I hoped that President Biden listened to her and other voices who advocated for Afghan women,” said Nadery, who served as an adviser to then-Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Harris’s role behind the scenes in one of the most consequential and controversial episodes of Biden’s presidency shows how she has sought to position herself as a vice president deeply involved in key moments — even agreeing with an interviewer that she was the “last person in the room” with Biden as he cemented his plans to pull out the troops and evacuate allies.

But it also suggests the limits of her ability — or willingness — to meaningfully alter Biden’s course on historic choices. She raised important questions about the Afghanistan withdrawal before the calamitous, 17-day evacuation from Kabul but did not push for any alternative policy, according to officials who attended meetings that included her and who provided new details about the matter to The Washington Post.

One former senior military official involved in the deliberations said that Harris asked sharp questions “like a district attorney” during interagency meetings early in 2021 but revealed little about what she was thinking on the issue.

“She never gave a sense for where she was on it,” the senior military official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Another former military official involved at the time said he does not recall Harris “playing any role of significance” during policy deliberations in 2021, but said it is possible she sought out Biden outside National Security Council meetings that he led.

Harris declined to comment. A Harris aide said in an emailed statement that the vice president was fully involved in briefings in which she asked “probing questions.” The aide said Harris “strongly supported President Biden’s decision to end America’s longest war,” adding, “We’re not going to get into the Vice President’s private counsel to the President.”

Republicans have hammered the Biden administration in congressional hearings about the deadly aftermath of the withdrawal, including an Islamic State suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops and an estimated 170 Afghans. Former president Donald Trump also had made it a centerpiece of his campaign against Biden — but Harris’s role in the decision-making, thus far, has been little scrutinized.

Harris allies stressed that a vice president’s job is to privately give advice to the president and then march in lockstep after a decision is announced by the chief executive. Ron Klain, who was Biden’s chief of staff when the Afghanistan policy was decided and also worked for Biden and Al Gore when they were vice presidents, said he has often seen the second-in-command stuck within a “box” that precludes revealing any split from the boss.

“Al Gore found himself in that box. Joe Biden found himself in that box. And she [Harris] has found herself in that box,” Klain said. “You have to just be part of a team. You don’t get to argue your own brief” publicly.

There was precedent for a vice president splitting from a president on Afghanistan policy, though — one set by Biden years earlier when he served under President Barack Obama.

As Obama prepared in 2009 to send tens of thousands more troops to Afghanistan, Biden’s view on the military intervention darkened amid the possibility that his son Beau, who had served in Iraq, might have to deploy there.

Biden sent a classified fax to Obama, arguing that the president’s plans were a mistake, and then wrote in his personal notebook that he was “thinking I should resign in protest over what will bring his administration down,” according to a special counsel’s report released this year on Biden’s handling of classified material.

But Biden also wrote that he felt “boxed in by knowing or at least feeling that my resignation would only harden his position and leave him with less voice.”

In private, Biden made clear his view that protecting Afghan women from the Taliban was not a cause worth U.S. military involvement. In a 2010 meeting with Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Biden said, according to Holbrooke’s diary: “I am not sending my boy back there to risk his life on behalf of women’s rights! It just won’t work, that’s not what they’re there for.”

Obama rejected Biden’s view and approved an increase in troops in December 2009 by more than 30,000, to more than 100,000 the following summer — although by the end of his time in office, he ultimately reduced the number of troops in Afghanistan to about 8,400. Trump as president then deliberated for months on how to handle Afghanistan after taking office in January 2017, approving a Pentagon request to increase troop numbers to about 14,000 that fall before souring on the conflict and changing course.

Meanwhile, Harris, who had been elected to the Senate in 2016, flew to Afghanistan in December 2018 as part of a bipartisan delegation that met with the top U.S. commander at the time, Gen. Austin “Scott” Miller, and stopped in Kabul, Kandahar and Mazar-e Sharif. The trip was low-profile, with no press engagements. Harris, in a statement after her visit, said she was “eager” to find a political solution that would allow American personnel to come home.

But she also made a point of emphasizing the risks for women in Afghanistan if the United States left. In August 2019, as she sought the Democratic presidential nomination, she laid out her vision for pulling troops from the country in a questionnaire from the Council on Foreign Relations, saying she would bring together military, national security and diplomatic officials to coordinate a plan that would ensure the country was stable and that “we protect the gains that have been made for Afghan women and others, and that it never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists.”

While the Democratic candidates in the 2020 primary all wanted to pull troops out, they diverged on the details of how that could be done without Afghanistan falling into chaos and again become a breeding ground for terrorists. Biden said that he would leave behind a small number of Special Forces “to be able to deal with the potential threat unless we got a real good negotiation accomplished to deal with terrorism.” Harris, before withdrawing from the race in December 2019, told the New York Times “the question is the type of presence,” saying she would give support to the Afghan government “in a way that they keep their country secure.”

The Trump administration in February 2020 signed a deal with the Taliban, promising to get all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by May 2021 — a pledge Biden and Harris would be left to ponder after taking office.

‘The last person in the room’

In early 2021, Harris began meeting regularly with Biden about the details of pulling out troops from Afghanistan, according to Klain.

“She advised the president on that. She advised the president on the evacuation,” Klain said. He declined to disclose details of that advice.

Biden announced in April 2021 that U.S. troops would be withdrawn within months. Shortly after the decision, Harris was asked on CNN whether she was “the last person in the room” to express a view before Biden made his decision.

“Yes,” Harris responded .

“And you feel comfortable?” the CNN reporter asked.

“I do,” Harris responded.

A senior military official and a second former official familiar with the discussions said Biden’s views on the matter by that time appeared so deeply entrenched that they did not believe Harris was influential in his thinking.

Biden’s decision had gone against the advice of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and senior military officers, including Gen. Mark A. Milley, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They had recommended leaving a small force of about 2,500 troops to prop up the Afghan government, carry out counterterrorism operations and allow the U.S. intelligence community to keep a foothold in a country where numerous terrorist groups were based.

Adela Raz, who had been Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United Nations since 2019, moved in July 2021 to become Kabul’s representative in Washington. From that perch, Raz said in an interview, she watched as the Biden policy unfolded, and she feared for its impact on her homeland. But she said that she had no illusions that Harris could influence Biden to alter his decision because his mind was made up — and she also didn’t believe Afghanistan was a significant matter for the vice president.

“I’m not questioning her ability and capacity, not at all,” the former ambassador said. “Because I strongly believe in strong women, and I think she is one of those. But I felt, when I started to have conversation with the larger diplomatic community in Washington, that she was dealing was a challenging portfolio, and the issue of Afghanistan was not really brought into her file.”

As the withdrawal neared its conclusion in August, Afghanistan descended into chaos. Taliban militants launched a bloody, successful offensive against U.S.-backed Afghan forces, and security across the country crumbled. The Taliban seized control of Kabul on Aug. 15, forcing the Biden administration to scramble thousands of U.S. troops back to Afghanistan in what would become an exhausting, deadly effort to evacuate allies and officials.

More than 124,000 people were successfully airlifted to safety as the Taliban took power, but the operation was marked by scenes of desperate Afghans pleading for help — and then the deadly bombing at the edge of Kabul’s airport and an errant U.S. drone strike that killed an aid worker and nine other people, including seven children.

Nadery, who worked on peace negotiations with the Taliban, was traveling to Qatar to talk to Taliban officials about what he hoped would be a political settlement with that group and the Afghan government as the chaos broke out. He was never able to return to his homeland and now resides in the United States.

Fawzia Koofi, who had been the first female deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s parliament and who also was a government peace negotiator, said she, too, had hoped Harris would persuade Biden to keep enough troops in the country to enable a peace deal to be made.

“We had hoped she would be able to at least influence the policies of President Biden,” she said, but has been left to wonder whether “the Biden policy influenced her.” Koofi, who was in Kabul when the Taliban took over, left shortly thereafter and now heads a group called Women for Afghanistan.

Harris, meanwhile, during the evacuation embarked on a previously scheduled trip to Singapore and Vietnam, where she was confronted with pointed questions about the violence thousands of miles away — and in particular the likely fate of women left behind.

“The Taliban claims it will respect women’s rights within Islamic law. How will the U.S. hold the Taliban accountable on this?” one reporter asked at an Aug. 26, 2021, news conference in Hanoi.

Harris responded : “I have worked almost my entire career on a number of issues but with a particular emphasis on the protection of women and children. And there’s no question that any of us who are paying attention are concerned about that issue in Afghanistan.” She pledged that the United States would work with allies to protect women and children in the region.

With the Taliban grabbing power, a coalition of women’s groups signed a letter in late August 2021 to Biden and Harris saying that “the very lives and futures of Afghan women and girls” were in “grave danger.” It said that “Vice President Kamala Harris has worked over many years for women’s rights, especially women of color” and appealed to her and Biden to protect their rights.

Asked what Harris did in the aftermath of the pullout to protect women and children, the Harris aide cited calls that she made to world leaders thanking them for their assistance in the evacuation.

“The Vice President has been a strong champion for the rights of women and girls around the world, and before and after the withdrawal she has always been focused on doing whatever we can to support the women of Afghanistan,” the aide in a statement.

A dramatic loss

Within weeks of the last U.S. plane leaving Kabul, the Taliban cracked down on women’s rights: enacting a ban on secondary female education , banning women from many jobs and requiring strict dress codes with coverings from head to toe. Afghan women abruptly lost much of what they had gained during the 20 years that American troops were in the country.

Harris lamented that dramatic loss, posting on March 23, 2023, on social media: “I am deeply saddened by the first anniversary of the ban on girls’ secondary school attendance in Afghanistan, and by the prohibition on university education for Afghan women. We will never stop championing the rights of women and girls around the world.”

Such pronouncements left Afghans such as Nadery wondering if she had been able to similarly champion women’s rights with Biden as he plotted the American exit. Nadery said that while Harris supported humanitarian aid for Afghan women, he believes “she was less public about it” because of what he called Biden’s lack of interest in the issue and his strict control of information about the decision.

Sima Samar, chairwoman of the nongovernmental Afghanistan Human Rights Center , said in an interview that she, like Nadery, had hoped Harris would have been able to do more. Samar, an Afghan who was visiting family in the United States when the Kabul government collapsed, said the aftermath of the withdrawal and Taliban takeover is that “Afghanistan has turned out to be a prison for women without the boundary walls around it. It is the only country that has put an official ban on girl’s education and women’s education beyond the sixth grade.”

When Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Republicans sought to keep the chaos in Afghanistan in the spotlight, signaling they believed it was a key vulnerability in his reelection effort. At the Republican National Convention last month, representatives from six of the families of U.S. troops killed in the airport bombing took the stage, a visceral reminder of the tragedy. Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of Sgt. Nicole Gee, one of the Marines killed, told the crowd that Biden had “refused to recognize their sacrifice.” Rep. Michael Waltz (R.-Fla.) said that everyone remembers “Biden’s disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

With Harris now supplanting Biden atop the Democratic ticket, it remains to be seen if she will face similar conservative blowback over her nebulous role in the decision to pull the military from Afghanistan.

Now that she is the nominee, Harris can articulate her own policy on Afghanistan — though she has yet to speak in depth about how she would handle the Taliban if elected. Harris will be able to “go with her own instincts and not have to worry what someone down the hall thinks,” Klain said.

Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who founded #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations helping Afghans who collaborated with Americans during the war, said that Harris’s advisers assured him recently that she is committed to Afghan relocation efforts and looking for new ways to assist.

Khalid Payenda, who was acting finance minister from January to August 2021, said he hopes Harris recognizes that many of the same issues that led to American involvement remain, including the nation being a base for terrorists. Whoever is elected president, Payenda said, “those threats [are] still very much relevant.”

The Harris aide said in the emailed statement that the White House is “vigilant against any terrorist threats directed at the United States,” adding that the “Biden-Harris Administration continues to press the Taliban to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, especially women and girls.”

Aaron Schaffer contributed to this report.

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The ‘Orgasm Gap’ Isn’t Going Away for Straight Women

A new study suggests they still have fewer orgasms during sex than men do, even with age and experience.

By Catherine Pearson

Sex researchers and therapists have long known that women in heterosexual relationships tend to have fewer orgasms than men do. A large new study suggests that this “orgasm gap” persists — and does not improve with age.

The Numbers

The research, published recently in the journal Sexual Medicine, found that across all ages, men of all sexual orientations reported higher orgasm rates during sex — from 70 to 85 percent — compared with 46 to 58 percent for women. Lesbian and bisexual women between ages 35 and 49 reported higher orgasm rates than their heterosexual counterparts.

The analysis included data from eight Singles in America surveys, which are funded and conducted by Match.com annually in collaboration with The Kinsey Institute, the sexuality and relationships research program at Indiana University. The sample included more than 24,000 single Americans between the ages of 18 and 100.

Researchers were especially interested in the question of whether orgasm rates vary by age. Amanda Gesselman, a research scientist with the Kinsey Institute and lead author on the study, said she thought the team might find evidence that the orgasm gap narrows as women develop confidence and learn what they like (and, perhaps, their partners develop skills to help pleasure them).

However, while older gay and bisexual men and lesbian women did have higher orgasm rates, “we really didn’t see evidence of closing the orgasm gap overall,” she said, adding that she hopes future studies will explore the age-orgasm connection further.

“We really, as a society, sort of prioritize men’s pleasure and undervalue women’s sexual pleasure,” Dr. Gesselman said. “And I think that contributes to consistent disparities.”

The Limitations

Emily Nagoski, a sex educator and author of the book “Come Together” — who did not work on the new study — said a limitation of the study was that the survey asked: “When having sexual intercourse in general, what percentage of the time do you usually have an orgasm?” But it did not provide a more specific definition of what “sexual intercourse” means.

Research shows the majority of women require some form of clitoral stimulation in order to orgasm. So if straight women defined “sexual intercourse” as vaginal penetration alone, it makes sense that there was a significant gap in orgasm rates, she said.

A more revealing question might be, “What percentage of the sex you have do you like?” Dr. Nagoski said. “Orgasm is not the measure of a sexual encounter. Pleasure is the measure of a sexual encounter.”

Ultimately, what matters is that people spend time figuring out what makes a satisfying sexual encounter for them — which often includes things like connection, trust and comfort, said Kristen Mark, professor at the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota.

“There are so many ways to experience sexual pleasure, so it’s important not to equate the orgasm gap to a pleasure gap,” she added.

Dr. Mark said that may be especially true later in life, when factors like the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, a partner’s erectile problems or other health challenges can make it difficult for women to reliably orgasm during sex — but they might still be enjoying the sex they are having.

What Progress Looks Like

At the same time that sex researchers and experts are calling for a more nuanced understanding of what makes sex “successful,” they express frustration at the fact that heterosexual women of all ages are still not having as many orgasms as their partners.

Laurie Mintz, a professor of psychology at the University of Florida and author of “Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters — and How to Get It,” said the study’s findings underscore the need for comprehensive sex education. But that’s not enough.

Women need to figure out what they find pleasurable, and then feel confident and comfortable communicating that to their partners, Dr. Mintz said. That requires an attitude that conveys “I deserve pleasure as much as my partner,” she added — and it also requires a partner who is receptive and open. Dr. Mintz acknowledged that both are easier said than done, calling the orgasm gap an “insidious” byproduct of patriarchal attitudes toward sex.

Women who are unable to orgasm, or who are simply not having sex that feels good, can talk to their general practitioner, Dr. Mark added — though she lamented that it tends to fall on patients, not medical professionals, to initiate conversations about sexual health. And she acknowledged that most doctors get little if any training in sexual health. Still, “it’s their job to meet you where you are and find you the resources you need,” Dr. Mark said. For instance, issues like dryness and pain during sex after menopause — which can make orgasms elusive — are treatable.

But she and other sexual health experts emphasized that there are larger issues at play. Among them, the lingering idea that women’s sexual pleasure is somehow secondary.

“It can be fixed,” Dr. Mintz said. “It’s going to take education, and empowerment, and acceptance of vibrators and lubricants, and using the word ‘clitoris’ — and all of that.”

Catherine Pearson is a Times reporter who writes about families and relationships. More about Catherine Pearson

What to Know About Your Sexual Health

Sexual health can be an important part of personal well-being. the information below can help you demystify this often misunderstood topic..

A new study suggests women in heterosexual relationships still have fewer orgasms  during sex than men do, even with age and experience, creating an “orgasm gap.”

A common antibiotic, doxycycline, greatly reduced cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia when taken every day , a study found.

More than half of men over 40 will experience some kind of erectile problem, and the prevalence increases with age (though men in their 20s and 30s can be affected, too). Here’s what to do about it .

Older daters are not getting adequate screening and protection from S.T.I.s. Here’s how to be a safer sexually active senior .

Any physical activity can improve your sexual health. But these five exercises  are especially beneficial.

New regimens in development, including once-weekly pills and semiannual shots , could help control H.I.V. in hard-to-reach populations.

• Cast & crew

A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern. A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern. A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.

• Halina Reijn
• Nicole Kidman
• Harris Dickinson
• Antonio Banderas
• 1 nomination

Top cast 35

• Intern Rose

• Nude cult member

• Giggling Girl
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• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Technical specs

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