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Are you travelling or planning to visit Pakistan? Following are a few answers that will give you an overall introduction to what to expect in Pakistan. You will get an idea of the essential details about Pakistan for safe and informed travel.
Pakistani culture is vibrant & diverse, with many languages spoken. There are over 70 languages and over 15 major ethnic groups in Pakistan. As a tourist, you will experience an incredible variety of lifestyles, music, food and art. It almost feels like you are travelling in different countries. Culture is infused with religion, and many people follow general trends that are more of a culture than religion. Familial bonds are strong, and most families live in a joint family structure.
Pakistanis are known for their generous and hospitable behaviours.
If you plan to travel to Pakistan, you must know that it is safe for all genders. Some places have recurring security risks, but they are far-flung and remote areas to which tourists and even the general public don’t have access. There have been years of struggle against terrorism and violence to reach this state of peace. And now Pakistan is safe for locals and foreigners alike.
Pakistan doesn’t need visitors to buy travel insurance to enter the country; however, most travellers are protected on their trips abroad to any country to have peace of mind. It is recommended that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment. When taking out insurance, please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.
You may need specific vaccinations when visiting, which are explained in the information we send you when you book. For recommended and compulsory health requirements, please consult your country’s department of health recommendation for Travelers, or talk to your doctor.
It is important to remember that for any holiday in Pakistan, you will need a passport (generally with six months remaining validity after the trip). If you don’t have a passport, apply for one in good time. If you do have a passport, check the expiry date. You must apply online for your Pakistani visa; this can be done via the official NADRA website. Please note that there is a special section for trekking and mountaineering visas which appears after you have clicked on the tourist/visit visa category link. We provide visa invitation letters & required supporting documents to all clients who book a tour with us
All the leading international credit cards are usable in major cities of Pakistan and are accepted in hotels, shopping centres and stores. If your credit card comes with a PIN, you can also withdraw cash from ATMs, often near shopping centres and banks in major cities.
Tipping is not an obligation in Pakistan on any of your trips. But tipping for kindness or good services is always welcome. Towards the end of your holiday, the trip leader will help the group to determine an appropriate level of tipping for each crew member. Usually, this is done as a group’ thank-you’ ceremony on the last day. We estimate that USD40–50 (in local currency equivalent) will cover this aspect of your trip expenditure.
You should check with the phone company you will use before you leave your home and ask about the mobile roam facilities available in Pakistan. You can also buy SIM cards in Pakistan and use a new number for the duration of your travel. You can quickly get a tourist SIM card on arrival.
Pakistan is dry land for Muslims; however, foreigners and non-Muslims can have alcohol as per their choice. Some Hotels also offer alcohol to foreigners in Pakistan, and the local beer is quite good. Being modest in public areas is still suggested and bringing alcohol into Pakistan with you is illegal.
Pakistan is a Muslim state, and the dress code is often modest, informal and relaxed. As it is a conservative country, make sure you don’t plan on wearing skirts or shorts. You can follow this suggestion while you pack your bags at home.
Any specific questions or need further information– get in touch with us
These are a few things most travellers need to ask before they embark on their journey to Pakistan. Beyond the Valley is ready to introduce you to real Pakistan! That is fun, rich in culture and has abundant scenic natural beauty.
We ensure our tourists’ safety and, as a responsible organization, offer complete insight into the type of areas they wish to visit. If you have specific questions, please write to us at [email protected] or WhatsApp/text to +923004023580.
Trekking to high altitude (generally this means above 2500 meters) involves additional risk not normally associated with lower-level treks. This is not something that should prevent you from undertaking a trek. However, before embarking on such a holiday, it makes sense to learn about the dangers inherent in trekking at high altitudes and also the ‘golden rules' to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
For each of our holidays, the maximum altitudes attained are listed on the website and in the heading of the individual Trip Notes. In addition, the altitudes of each camp and each pass are listed in the daily itinerary. You should read the Trip Notes carefully and use your judgment to gauge whether your chosen holiday is suitable for your level of experience. If you have any doubts at all you should contact our office. Our experienced staff is more than happy to talk about altitude-related issues during our holidays.
The human body is capable of adapting to a very wide range of barometric pressures. This adaptation process is known as acclimatization and it does take time. The most important rule is to gain height slowly and it is generally accepted that the maximum safe altitude gain in any one day is 500 meters once above 2500 meters. Where this is not possible, then it is important to have a rest or acclimatization day at the new altitude before gaining further height. In general the maxim ‘climb high and sleep low' applies. It is perfectly acceptable (and even beneficial to your acclimatization) to climb higher than 500 meters above your last camp (for example when crossing a high pass) as long as the increase in sleeping altitude remains within the above rule.
There is a correlation between daily fluid intake and successful acclimatization and you must pay particular attention to hydration during trekking at high altitudes. On treks to 3000 meters and above most people will need to drink between 4 and 6 liters each day to achieve suitable hydration levels and you must adopt a responsible approach to achieving this target.
Before embarking on a trek to high altitude it is important that you familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and that you report any illness to your tip leader straight away. See the links at the bottom of this page for further reading on AMS.
There are a number of untested herbal remedies which claim to prevent mountain sickness. However, only one drug is currently known to have a useful role in preventing AMS and to be safe for this purpose: acetazolamide (Diamox). We recommend that you carry Diamox in your first aid kit for treks where you spend an extended period above 4000m. Diamox can only be obtained from a medical professional on prescription and it is important that you first consult your own doctor so that you know there are no contra indications with other medicines you may be taking and that you do not have an allergy to acetazolamide. Diamox commonly causes some minor side effects, such as tingling fingers and toes, or a metallic taste in the mouth, but more severe reactions are rare. On trek, the decision whether or not and when, you should take Diamox as with any drug, will rest solely with you. If you intend to take Diamox, you must familiarize yourself with the appropriate dosage and regime prior to coming on the trip. The links at the bottom of this page will provide further information on the use of Diamox as an aid to acclimatization.
Travelling to high altitudes is not something you need to be scared of. Every year thousands of people enjoy the most amazing experiences in the world's greatest mountain ranges. Altitude sickness is entirely preventable if you follow very simple rules and procedures. Please make sure you are aware of these before you travel.
SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
The hike up to our campsite is a moderate 6 miles and 1400ft of elevation gain. The scramble up to Pyramid Ridge can be steep and difficult, but very adventurous and with just light day packs.Hiking
Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information. Backpack Weight ratings are estimates that account for Wildland-provided gear, guest clothing, personal items and a share of group food. By packing light it’s often possible to stay on the lower end of the weight range. Pack weights also decrease during the trip.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To show the relative difficulty of our adventure holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.
Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular holiday, including, length of day, terrain, type of accommodation, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us
GREEN 1 - 4 LEISURELY
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.
YELLOW 5 - 7 MODERATE
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
RED 08 - 10 TOUGH
Our toughest holidays, involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.
SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
The hike up to our campsite is a moderate 6 miles and 1400ft of elevation gain. The scramble up to Pyramid Ridge can be steep and difficult, but very adventurous and with just light day packs.Hiking
Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information. Backpack Weight ratings are estimates that account for Wildland-provided gear, guest clothing, personal items and a share of group food. By packing light it’s often possible to stay on the lower end of the weight range. Pack weights also decrease during the trip.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To show the relative difficulty of our adventure holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.
Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular holiday, including, length of day, terrain, type of accommodation, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Our toughest holidays, involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.