1 Day Islamabad City Tour

Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Pakistan brings together Mughal monuments, modern cities and mountain valleys, from the Faisal Mosque and Margalla Hills in Islamabad to Lahore's Badshahi Mosque and the forts of Hunza. Our guided sightseeing tours cover the best-known landmarks at an easy pace, with a local guide to explain the stories behind them.

Why go sightseeing in Pakistan

Pakistan fits very different landscapes into one country: the Karakoram and Himalaya in the north, green river valleys, the historic cities of Punjab and the Arabian Sea coast at Karachi. A guided tour lets first-time visitors see the highlights in a few days without working out transport, tickets and opening hours themselves. Many itineraries combine a city or two with a flight or drive to the mountains, so even a short trip can cover both Mughal Lahore and the peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Top places to visit in Pakistan

  • Islamabad: the Faisal Mosque, designed by the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay and completed in 1986, the Daman-e-Koh viewpoint in the Margalla Hills and the Pakistan Monument. More on Islamabad.
  • Lahore: the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort, the Shalamar Gardens and the food streets of the old city. See Lahore.
  • Taxila: Buddhist stupas, monastery ruins and a museum of Gandharan sculpture, an easy outing from the capital.
  • Hunza: the Baltit and Altit forts, Attabad Lake and views of Rakaposhi from the Karakoram Highway. Read about Hunza.
  • Skardu: the Shangrila and Upper Kachura lakes, Shigar Fort and the cold desert at Sarfaranga.

Islamabad city tour

If you only have a day, the capital is the simplest place to start. Our 1 Day Islamabad City Tour is a relaxed introduction to Islamabad, useful on arrival or between longer trips to the north. Choose a tour above to see the full itinerary.

Best time for sightseeing in Pakistan

  • October to March: pleasant, dry weather for Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
  • April to October: the season for Hunza, Skardu and the northern valleys, with blossom in spring and golden colours in autumn.
  • June to August: hot in the plains, with monsoon rain in July and August, so plan city visits for early mornings and evenings.

Things to do in Pakistan beyond the landmarks

Some of the best moments happen between the sights: breakfast of halwa puri in Lahore, tea with a shopkeeper in a bazaar, or sunset from a viewpoint above a valley. A good guide knows where to find them and when to slow down.

Plan your sightseeing trip

Tell us your dates and which cities or valleys you want to see, and we will arrange a private tour with a driver and guide.