For overseas Pakistanis, a northern areas trip usually has to be squeezed into a family visit home between weddings, relatives' schedules and a fixed return flight, which is a different kind of planning from a straightforward holiday. The trip itself doesn't change much, but the timing, the jet lag and the booking-from-abroad logistics need more thought than they would for someone already in Pakistan.
Give yourself a buffer before heading north
Long-haul flights followed almost immediately by a mountain trip is a rough combination, especially with children. Jet lag is generally easier travelling west (many North America and UK routes into Pakistan) than east, but either way, a day or two in Islamabad or Lahore to recover before a long drive or a high-altitude flight makes the rest of the trip go more smoothly. Keep children on a normal sleep and meal routine as soon as you land, rather than letting the first days drift, since that shortens the adjustment for them as much as for adults.
If your northern trip involves real altitude (Deosai, Khunjerab Pass, or a flight into Gilgit or Skardu), arriving already tired from travel makes altitude symptoms harder to judge in yourself or your children. A buffer day also gives you slack if a domestic flight north is delayed by weather, which happens often enough on these routes that it's worth planning around from the start.
Booking domestic flights while you're still abroad
PIA and Airblue are the main carriers serving Gilgit and Skardu; private low-cost carriers generally don't cover these routes. Two things matter more here than on an international booking:
- Book well ahead, especially for travel in June to August or around Eid, when seats to the north sell out early.
- Expect weather cancellations. Flights to Gilgit and Skardu are cancelled or delayed by cloud over the mountains more often than flights elsewhere in Pakistan. Build a spare day either side of a flight, and have a road alternative in mind if you can't afford to lose the day entirely.
NICOP, passports and identification
If you're travelling on a foreign passport, current rules require a valid NICOP for visa-free entry; if your NICOP has expired or been cancelled, you'll need a Pakistani visa arranged before you fly, since airlines have been told to deny boarding without one or the other. Check the validity of your NICOP well before you book, not at the airport. Our guide to travelling on a NICOP covers the current rules and what to do if yours has lapsed.
Fitting the trip around family time
Most overseas visits are built around a wedding, an ill relative, or simply a limited number of weeks with family, and the northern trip is squeezed into whatever's left. A few things make this work better:
- Decide the northern trip's length early, and protect it on the calendar the same way you'd protect a family event, since it's the part most likely to get quietly cut down as the visit fills up with other commitments.
- A shorter, focused trip beats a longer one you have to cut short. Five to seven days to one region (Hunza, or Skardu and Deosai) usually works better than trying to cover the whole north in a visit that's already tight on time.
- Book hotels and any tour before you travel, especially if your visit falls in peak summer or around Eid, when rooms in Hunza and Skardu fill up. Arranging this from abroad, rather than on arrival, avoids losing days of a short visit to finding a place to stay.
Bringing children who've never seen the mountains
For children raised abroad, this is often their first real exposure to Pakistan's geography beyond family visits to a home city, and the north makes a strong impression. Pack for altitude and cold regardless of how warm it is where their relatives live: layers, a proper jacket, and sun protection, since children can burn quickly at altitude even on a cool day. Our family-focused packing lists and trip guides cover this by season if you want more detail once you've picked your dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I allow to recover from jet lag before travelling north?
A day or two in Islamabad or Lahore is a reasonable buffer, more if you're also adjusting children or travelling with elderly relatives. It matters more if your northern leg involves real altitude or a domestic flight.
Should I book domestic flights to Gilgit or Skardu before I arrive in Pakistan?
Yes, especially for summer or Eid travel. Seats on these routes sell out ahead of time, and booking from abroad avoids scrambling once your visit has started.
What happens if my NICOP has expired?
Since 2026, an expired or cancelled NICOP means you need a valid Pakistani visa to enter on a foreign passport; check its validity before you book your flight home.
Is it better to plan a shorter, focused northern trip or try to see everything?
For a visit already tight on time, a shorter trip to one region works better than an ambitious loop that risks being cut short by family commitments.
Do I need to worry about altitude more with children who've grown up abroad?
Altitude affects children the same way regardless of where they grew up, but a child who is also jet-lagged and unused to Pakistan's summer sun needs a bit more care with pacing, hydration and sun protection.
