Motorcycle Touring Destination Info

Pakistan

Capital City

Islamabad

Population

~ 240,000,000

Land Area

881,640 m2

Official Language(s)

Urdu

Currency

Pakistani Rupee (PKR)

Driving Side

left

Climate

Pakistan is a temperate country and climate varies based on the topography. Four seasons are recognized

Pakistan Fact File

Pakistan is located in South Asia and has land borders with Afghanistan, China, India and Iran. Its coastline lies on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The country’s geography and climate are largely defined by topography with the eastern and southern regions being predominantly desert and plain and the northern area being mountainous.

The modern country of Pakistan was founded in 1947 when the country gained independence after the partition of the British Empire and it is now the 5th most populous country in the world with around 245 million people. Of these, 64% are under the age of 29 years. However, this separation was never completely resolved and India and Pakistan still hold claim to the disputed territory of Kashmir.

The country is home to the 2nd highest mountain in the world: K2, and the 3rd: Tirich Mir and it also has the worlds highest paved road: the Karakoram Highway.

Pakistan FAQ

Do I need a visa for Pakistan?

Yes, you need to have have a visa in advance of your arrival in Pakistan and it is best to get this online. It will take around 4 weeks to process so you should apply in good time. It can be applied for by following the instructions on the official visa website for Pakistan https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/. Be wary of mirror sites and identity theft.

You will also need a Letter of Invitation to assist you in applying for your visa, which will be issued at the time of booking your trip. If you do not receive this, please contact us with your booking number and trip details.

Which International Driving Permit do I need for Pakistan?

Pakistan has signed the 1968 Convention on International Driving Permits. Therefore, you need to use the 1968 version.

Are there any health risks that I should be aware of?

There are many infectious diseases prevalent in Pakistan and each traveller needs to assess the risks for themselves and then decide whether or not they should be vaccinated or carry medication.

For example, Rabies is an issue and many rabid dogs are found in the country. You could choose to be vaccinated prior to your trip or rely on the fact that most clinics in Pakistan have the vaccine on hand.

Poliovirus is circulating so you should be up to date with your Polio vaccinations.

For better advice, we suggest you consult and doctor and/or the CDC on their website for better information. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/pakistan

We would also suggest only drinking bottled water from a reliable supplier and not using ice in drinks. On top of this, there are many sexually transmitted diseases that some travellers need to be aware of.

What riding gear should I bring?

Try to bring as much as possible. We will advise you on the weather conditions when you book your tour/rental and this will inform you as to what you should bring. Nearly all items are available here but the supply is sporadic and sizes tend to be more for the Asian market.

Bring your helmet, jacket, riding pants, boots, gloves and waterproofs as these are essential and size-dependent. We can provide a limited range of gear and sizes so it is best to discuss this with us in advance as we cannot guarantee to have what you need.

There is NO NEED to bring bungees, waterproof bags, phone holders etc… unless you really wish to.

What are the toilets in Pakistan like?

This greatly depends on the location: rural or urban and the location: at a street stall or in a restaurant/hotel.

Do not always rely on having the best facilities. We are usually lucky enough to be in places where the toilets, even though basic, are still hygienic.

There may be times when we are ‘caught short’ and there is only a squat toilet, possibly open-air, which may not have toilet paper. Therefore, it is essential that we bring our own toilet products for those rare cases. We obviously do our best to avoid this.

Is it customary to tip?

No, it is not customary. However, as a foreigner who will usually benefit from above-average service standards, it is often appropriate to tip. It is hard to get away from the fact that foreigners can be seen as wealthier than locals and therefore the expectation of a tip is there. However, it is usually due to good service and friendly attitudes that we tip workers and this is often the level of service we receive. Therefore, we suggest giving a small tip/rounding up the total in most cases in order to see that level of care is continued.

In higher standard hotels and restaurants it would be normal to leave a 10-15% tip. It is most welcome by staff because they rarely have high salaries.

Is there good Internet access in Pakistan?

No. Around 50% of inhabitants have Internet access but the sped is slow. Also, we will be travelling in remote areas and the network is hard to access. In the larger towns there is some service but it can be sporadic.

I am vegetarian. Will that be a problem?

It is possible, but difficult, to eat vegetarian in Pakistan. Many dishes can easily be altered to become vegetarian but it is often hard to explain this clearly. Being vegetarian is not seen as ‘normal’ in Pakistan. Also, you may need to compromise and put up with dishes that are prepared in pans and oil that have had contact with meat.

We can cater for vegetarians but the choices are limited and it is often best that you bring some snacks with you in case you need them.

Can I drink the tap water?

It is NOT a good idea to either drink the tap water or clean your teeth with it in Pakistan. The quality of the water supply can be sporadic and there can be alterations to the network that the water companies are not aware of. As well, large buildings: condos, hotels, tower blocks, complexes often store water in large tanks before distribution and this can lead to contamination by many kinds of bacteria and pathogens.

How safe is it in Pakistan for travellers?

Pakistan is to have a threat of terrorism and several authorities suggest you remain vigilant and prepare back up plans for travel.

We have found it to be quite safe and have had no trouble whilst. There are the usual petty street crime, scams and sometimes sexual assaults that happen in every country, particularly in the larger cities and tourist areas. You should exercise caution when out late at night.

Whilst on tour, we spend most of our time in rural areas which are quite safe and we are more likely to come across annoyances, if anything, rather than threats.

Do I need to bring any medication?

If you take a prescription medication, you should bring enough for your trip. Most over the counter medications can be easily found but they are often under different names and this can lead to confusion.

Is there much access to ATMs in Pakistan?

There are many ATMs all over the country and in the main cities and towns such as, Islamabad. Pakistan even has the ‘world’s highest ATM’.

Beware of the withdrawal fees which can be around 4 or 5$ per transaction.

When is the best time to visit Pakistan?

This would be between the shoulder seasons May to Oct. The summer monsoon may get a little annoying but it isn’t insufferable.

Can I bring my drone?

Yes, you can bring a drone into Pakistan and there are no bans on the import and use of drones in the country other than the usual ones of not using them around airports and areas of national security. Use common sense and do not fly in these areas or near to border areas and you are unlikely to have any problem.

However, bear in mind that due to the nature of our tour, riding long distances, you may not get much chance to use it.

What is the accommodation like in Pakistan?

We use a mixture of small boutique hotels and local family homestays. All of our accommodation is clean and hygienic and the food is safe and well prepared. There may be small issues with service in a country that is developing but this is why we are here and we intend to help the locals improve rather than criticize. Where possible we use private rooms with private toilets (twin share). We occasionally stay in small family-run homestays to allow you to have the experience. They are clean and well run and the food is safe and delicious.