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Islamabad from the Margalla Hills at dusk, the wooded ridge falling away to the green city below.

Islamabad

The quiet, green capital — and where almost every trip begins

Altitude

540 m

Worth going

All year

How long to stay

1–2 nights

Getting a signal

4G on the main operators

Islamabad is orderly, leafy and, by the standards of South Asian capitals, remarkably calm. Most travellers see it for a night at each end of a trip, which is about right: the Margalla Hills, Faisal Mosque, and Taxila an hour away are a comfortable day and a half.

  • Faisal Mosque, at the foot of the Margalla Hills
  • Daman-e-Koh and the Monal ridge for the view over the city
  • Taxila, an hour away — Gandhara archaeology and a good museum
  • Saidpur village for an easy first evening

The honest downsides

  • It is a planned city and a little sterile. Rawalpindi next door is the livelier half.
  • Summer is hot and humid from May to August.
  • Two nights is plenty for most people.

Trips that go to Islamabad

The gilded dome and white marble facade of a Sikh gurdwara in warm early light, still water in the foreground.Culture & heritage

Sikh Heritage Pilgrimage

Seven nights taking in Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur and Panja Sahib

7 nightsAll year
from $1,090ppSee the trip →
Weathered carved sandstone tombs and domed mausolea of the Makli necropolis on a dry plateau in warm late light.Culture & heritage

Indus Heritage: Karachi, Mohenjo-daro, Multan & Lahore

Ten nights following the Indus through five thousand years

10 nightsNov–Feb
from $1,690ppSee the trip →
Red sandstone Mughal arches inlaid with white marble at Lahore Fort, deep shadow under the arcade opening onto a sunlit courtyard.Culture & heritage

Pakistan Highlights: North & Lahore

Twelve nights taking in both halves of the country

12 nightsApr, May, Sep, Oct
from $1,840ppSee the trip →
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