The past couple of years have been considerably turbulent in terms of both international and domestic travel. Fortunately, though, tourism in Pakistan has bounced back – and it’s better than ever before.
Contrary to popular opinion, getting linked to the right tour operator can turn an meh trip into an experience of a lifetime instead of planning it on your own. The expertise of travel information guides and their long-standing collaborations open doors for the seemingly unattainable.
To help you start planning your next weekend getaway to places near and far, we’ve rounded up some of the best tourism agencies for travel in Pakistan. Whether you’re the ultimate foodie, wish to lean into hidden historical histories, or want to have the time of your life on a budget, we’ve got you covered!
But, first.
Spotting Phonies
Suppose you’re not a seasoned traveler or happen to be spreading your wings outside the nest for the first time, then you’re likely to fall victim to risk factors like fraudulent agencies itching to sell you expernsive tour packages
Here are a couple of pointers to look out for to make sure the travel agency you’re opting for is legitimate.
- Check for licenses and certifications before making any payments
- Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true
- Check for testimonials and reviews they’ve got on Google
- They have a dedicated website with contact details
- They’re based in Pakistan and operate in several cities within the country
- They’ve been in business for at least 5 years
Tour and Holiday Agencies for Travel in Pakistan
Before we speak about the the tour operators, there is one thing we advise everyone and that’s travel insurance. There are several travel insurance companies in Pakistan such as UIC Pakistan, Efu, TPL Insurance, Adamjee and Premier Insurance Limited. They all have plans dealing with issues on domestic flights, inbound travel risk, Covid19 vaccinations, travel restrictions, hijacking or terrorist attack, lost luggage, sickness and etc.
Make sure you get a decent travel insurance if you are taking your family along.
Secondly, if you don’t already have, get youself a cool map of Pakistan especially if you’re tarvelling up north. We found the map of JaPakistan to be extremely awesome! It costs 500/- only and its remarkably detailed. We can even get you a discount 😉
Now let’s take a look at the reliable travelling agencies in Pakistan
Pakistan Tour Travel
Pakistan Tour Travel is an established tour operator with several itineraries and travel packages for northern Pakistan, including Hunza valley, Skardu, and Fairy Meadows.
Being a pioneer travel company with a license from the Ministry of Tourism, Pakistan Tour Travel has a pretty remarkable portfolio of hundreds of local and foreign tourists.
However, since most of their tour packages include 5 nights on average, except Swat valley and Kumrat, they’re better suited for a summer holiday or a winter vacation.
They’ve got a great team that goes above and beyond to make your trip enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable. Their tour packages include a tour guide, a luxury car, and several facilities during your stay. Keeping in mind their audience, they’ve introduced over 100 different packages that allow you to choose your desired package according to your budget.
Apart from family-friendly group tour packages, Pakistan Tour Travel offers honeymoon packages for north Pakistan, including complimentary breakfasts, secure accommodations, private transportation, and jeep rides wherever required.
Committed to providing affordable travel services to everyone, they’ve also started a car/van rental service. You simply have to specify your preferred fleet, including make and model, and they arrive at your doorstep. Your ride comes with an experienced driver who knows the rugged terrain’s ins and outs.
And if you’re a hopeless romantic that’s always dreamed of a destination wedding, Pakistan Tour Travel has got you covered! They’ve helped dozens of couples celebrate their big day in the warm companionship of their family and friends in breathtaking locations such as Bhurban and Nathia Gali.
What are you waiting for then? Call them up on 0335 5577 443 or contact them via WhatsApp to book!
Bayda Experiences
Up next, we’ve got Baydaar, a travel company started by a young team in 2017. They garnered quite the attention in a short span and, in 2019, expanded their services to international countries like United states, Middle East, UNited Kingdom, New Zealand, and other South Asia regions.
You can choose from their domestic packages, including northern areas such as Nanga Parbat, Murree, and Hunza Valley, and international packages, which cover popular locations such as Turkey and Egypt. These include detailed itineraries, which are followed to the dot, and the cost per head. They’re also collaborating with some of the best local and international luxury hotels.
So, whether it’s a family tour you’re looking forward to, or a holiday traveling with your best buds, Baydaar is bound to give you an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Group leader and guide Rao Abdullah is known to not only ensure the safety of all travelers as he knows the local laws but also happens to know the best must-visit secret spots in every location.
To book tours and stay on top of all their updates, we’d suggest heading over to their Instagram page since they’re more active on there. Or, you can contact them on the phone numbers they’ve provided that are designated for domestic, international, and custom travel packages.
Baydaar accepts payments via bank transfers.
Tour Planner
Another fast-growing tourism company that’s made a mark for itself for travel in Pakistan is Tour Planner. They’ve got a wide selection of hand-picked hotels to choose from, along with holiday traveling packages in 13 cities in Pakistan, which include Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and of course, north Pakistan areas.
With an easy-to-use website interface, Tour Planner allows you to browse through various tour packages for holidays and honeymoons. Each package includes information regarding the package overview, inclusions, itineraries, and customer reviews to help you decide.
If you’re up for an adventure, you can customize your weekend trip by clicking on the ‘Make My Trip’ option. All you need to do is provide your contact details, specify the number of individuals traveling and select your destination. You also get to choose multiple destinations!
Other than the option to travel in Pakistan, Tour Planner also allows you to plan and book for Umrah and Hajj. They handle all the visa, flight, and accommodation bookings for you and ensure a hassle-free trip for you and your family.
You can book your trips through their website, and if you run into any problems, you can get in touch via their support number, that’s available 24/7 for their travellers.
They currently accept payments through Visa and Master cards, internet banking, UBL Omni, and Easy Paisa. They are working on getting Skrill added to this list as well. Cancellations depend on the hotel and tour package policy, and all refunds take at least 10 business days when travellers initiate a request
GoZayaan
Whether you want to plan your trip to Gilgit or trek to K2, GoZayaan is another great travel company to consider. Although it’s a Bangladeshi startup, they’ve also started their services in Pakistan.
They’ve got a bunch of tours that go up north to areas such as Chitral, Shogran, and Kalam and allow you to book hotels and flight around the globe.
Fun fact: They’re currently offering a flat 50% discount on ALL hotel and resort bookings until the 31st of July 2022, so make sure you avail this crazy offer! You can make all payments through Master and Visa cards.
GoZayaan also has a mobile application available on Google and iOS that makes travel booking a lot easier. Furthermore, if you’re interested in customizing your weekend trip, you can contact them via phone or messenger.
Regarding their cancellation policy, it varies from hotel to hotel. A cancellation fee may be applicable depending on the property and time of cancellation. Do keep in mind that no refunds or cancellations can be made on blackout dates, so plan your activities accordingly. Refunds can generally take up to 15 business days.
Trip Venture
Next line, we’ve got Trip Venture, another leading name in the tourism industry. And they’ve got a number of testimonials to back up this claim. They have tours going to over 10 cities up north, including a variety of affordable honeymoon packages to help you kick start your new chapter!
These trips are inclusive and great for travellers such as families, couples, students, and even corporate groups looking to beat the heat!
Trip Venture’s website is easy to navigate, and they’ve mentioned all the essential information regarding different travel packages in detail. This includes the number of travelers you can bring along, cost per head, inclusions, and itineraries. You can book through WhatsApp or make inquiries online through their portal.
If due to any reason, you wish to cancel your booking, you need to inform Trip Venture’s team at least 15-20 days prior to the departure date to qualify for a 100% refund during the holiday season. On regular days you need to notify them at least 5 days before. In the case of flight bookings, airfare is unfortunately not refundable.
PS. Trip Venture is environmentally conscious and plays its part wherever possible to ensure that the beauty of Pakistan’s rugged and lush terrain is sustained.
PakVoyager
If you’re yet to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of Skardu, Kashmir, Chitral, or Swat valley, PakVoyager can change that for you. With their seamless booking operations, flexible cancellations and refund policies, personalized trips, and 24/7 support for travellers, they’ve completely changed the game for travel in Pakistan.
They regularly update their website with the latest outgoing tours as well as their summer discounts (which are currently up for grabs!) that include prices inclusive of taxes. You can conveniently make your bookings through their website or contact them via WhatsApp for further information. They accept payments via Visa, MasterCard, and Union pay, in PKR, AED, and USD.
To be eligible for a refund, you need to cancel your hotel booking 72 hours before the confirmed date or at least 5 days before the date your tour is supposed to leave. Bear in mind that PakVoyager doesn’t refund 5% service charges of what you initially paid.
They also run a brilliant travel guide and blog that keeps you updated on the latest news and helps you discover Pakistan’s natural wonders and its rich and diverse cultures.
Tour My Pakistan
As the name suggests, Tour My Pakistan is specifically for visiting the tourist attractions in Pakistan. Their tour packages include Naran Kaghan, Hunza Valley, Neelum Valley, and Swat valley. You can also browse through a list of hotels in these areas and place your bookings for them.
For personalized trips, you can search for hotels, make your bookings for car rentals, and specify the dates and months best suited to you. Their car rental services let you choose from a variety of different vehicles such as SUVs, minivans, and even buses for a family trip. They’re also currently offering a whopping 20% discount on single cars!
Tour My Pakistan accepts payments via bank transfer and accepts cancellations made 2 days prior to the departure date. All refunds are made within 24 hours. You can call them or contact them on their WhatsApp business account to book your trip.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right travel agency for travel in northern Pakistan or even southern Pakistan is crucial for ensuring an unforgettable experience (in a good way, of course!).
As long as you’re aware of what you’re looking for and value most, there’s a tour operator out there waiting to help you plan your next trip.
If you’re unsure where to start your search, we’ve narrowed down your choices to the top operators based on customer reviews, quality of travel, and refund policies for travelers. However, please bear in mind that this list is nowhere near exhaustive and these are just a few.
If you think we’ve missed out on a travel agency you swear by, let us know in the comments below! We’ll be sure to check it out and update our list.
Till then, happy traveling!
Very nice and informative article, like always!!