Traveling to Pakistan can feel tricky for women, than it is for men. It’s a very conservative and modest country and a little specific in regards to dress attire. Additionally, weather and temperatures change between the cities and it’s extremely cool going up north. In this post i’m sharing a recommended packing list for Pakistan.

Disclosure: There may be some affiliate links in this post, but they are links to products I use when I travel. 

Pakistan Group Adventure Note

If traveling with my Pakistan adventure group, we will go shopping for local clothes to make traveling Pakistan more comfortable and fuss-free and we have a tour manager to help you to solutions for last-minute emergencies.

Female Travel in Pakistan

If you are female, be prepared: public spaces are largely dominated by men, who have a love of staring, especially at foreigners. If you’ve ever traveled India, then you might consider it a primer to Pakistan. When you are a woman on the receiving side, it can feel intense. However, relations between the sexes are more strict. Physical contact between men and women are avoided. Even a friendly smile can be misinterpreted as flirtation.

Read my Recommended India Packing List

For female solo travelers, it  can feel uncomfortable, with the staring and standing out in a predominantly Muslim community. Thus, I recommend buying local clothes when you arrive. It will help acclimate you to the culture and help you blend in a little more, looking adaptable to local culture, which is conservative in its dress standards.  Locals can be pretty conservative in their expectations for foreigners too. I once had an older Pakistani man speak at me sternly to “Fix myself”,  because my salwar khameez was accidentally tucked into my pants and he felt this was inappropriate.

Up north, female travelers can be more relaxed as the society sees many foreign tourists. For this reason, many female solo travelers love heading north where the societal pressures are less.

Read my Things to Know before Traveling Pakistan

Dress Etiquette Pakistan: What Should you Wear in Pakistan

Pakistan is a Islamic country, which means dress etiquette runs conservative and very modest.

Both, men and women are recommended to cover their shoulders, arms, and legs in public.

Thus, the Shalwar kameez is a light-weight, loose-fitting long-sleeved blouse top and pants combination you’ll find both sexes wearing. If you’ve ever bought a kurta in India or Nepal, then you can probably use that if it covers your arms.  They’re super comfy!  They are very comfortable to wear and are made to navigate the environment and weather.

For men: T-shirts and jeans/trousers are okay anywhere in Pakistan. Life is easy!

For women: Women should wear shirts covering at least 3/4 length in sleeves and which cover the buttocks. Loose and baggy shirts that hide your figure are perfect. Avoid tight-fitting, cleavage-revealing clothes. Pakistan men have a tendency to stare and the public crowds are predominantly male (if you’ve ever traveled to India, you may be used to this). Wearing a long-sleeved shirt over a t-shirt or tank top underneath can be okay as long as the neckline is not low. Avoid spaghetti string tops and no bikinis or workout bras, please. Long pants are compulsory, though tighter bottoms like skinny jeans, yoga pants and leggings are okay as long as your buttocks are covered by your shirt.

Tip: Always carry a scarf; it will come in handy in Pakistan for mosques (I love traveling with my multipurpose Pashmina scarf; it can be draped in many ways and I use it as an in-flight blanket too. The Pakistan alternative is a dupatta; you’ll see women drape themselves and hair with it.).

Mosque etiquette: Women must cover their head when entering mosques and a scarf will come in handy in conservative areas such as bazaars and if you’re feeling uncomfortable.

Dress in the mountains and up north in the Gilgit-Balistan/Hunza area are a little more flexible, as locals are used to seeing tourists trekking in all kinds of clothes. For women, long sleeves are still recommended, but t-shirt wearing is okay only when trekking or engaged in physical exertion. No shorts for men or women however.

Luggage

When traveling to Pakistan, it’s best to pack light. Large luggage can present obstacles and excess weight for solo female travelers; meanwhile, smaller luggage is best if you plan to use public transportation.

It is recommended to bring one carry-on luggage or small suitcase, and a small bag or daypack to keep your phone, camera, money, passport, and other essentials.

Read my list of top wheeled backpack convertibles and the one I travel with.  Chest and waist packs are handy , lightweight and fashion-friendly, as well.

Passport and important documents

Please carry your passport and valid Pakistani visa with you at all times. I recommend taking a snapshot or scan of your passport to keep on your mobile phone so you always have access to it. These days, photos held on mobile devices are slowly being accepted in more countries.

Other vital information to have copies of that may be requested are COVID vaccination, travel vaccination or medical cards.

Recommended Packing List for Pakistan

The following list are suggestions, but totally up to your comfort, discretion and trip itinerary.

• Modest clothes like 3/4″ sleeved shirts (for ladies) and t-shirts (for men), trousers, pants, jeans
  Avoid shorts, bikinis or short-sleeved attire.
• Scarf (I always take my favorite green pashmina) or shawl to cover your head at mosques or to cover your chest when you feel uncomfortable (for ladies)
• Jacket for Northern Pakistan- It’s much cooler in the north.
• Raincoat
• Wool socks
• Sun protection  – hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (read my reef-friendly suncreen tips)
• Sandals and/or comfortable walking shoes
• Flip Flops
• Re-usable water bottle
• Purse or backpack (Read my anti-theft bags here and here)
• Travel pillow – those road trips can get long
• Neck wallet or money belt (for passport, cash, air tickets and other valuable items)
• Inexpensive umbrellas or rain ponchos can be bought from local vendors and urban areas will have basic toiletries if you forget them.

Trip insurance

Highly recommended. You can use this trip insurance finder tool for a plan that matches your budget and needs, but you’ll want to look for plans that offer coverage for Pakistan and which cover things like medivac!

Be aware, many insurances do not cover extreme activities. As travelers who travel Pakistan are often there for the trekking, that is something to consider. The trekking can be intense and due to high altitude sickness it can be intensified, so you want to be covered. Serious trekking would also fall under mountaineering so it’s important that you know what range you fall under.

I use World Nomads because they cover adventure activities /destinations that many others do not.  I got the Explorer Plan.

• According to World Nomads policy, “Mountaineering, high altitude climbing, hikes, treks, or expeditions above 26,247 feet/8,000 meters (Epic Plan), 21,325 feet/6,500 meters (Explorer Plan) or above 9,842 feet/3,000 meters (Standard and Annual Plans).“

 Weather in Pakistan

A rule of thumb when traveling Pakistan is that whatever time of season it is, the north will be colder than the south. The difference between the two are extreme.  The south can be hotter and more humid and the heat can get pretty high. I went at the end of September when it as supposedly cooling down and I haven’t experienced anything like it. Summer in New York, Bangkok, South India... it was sweltering and I was lucky that we had an air-conditioned van with a lot of refillable water for my small group. Tip: Remember to stay hydrated.

Southern Pakistan

Temperatures in can get high and the best you can do to manage the heat is to don a salwar khameez like the local ladies. The fabrics are lightweight and made to be comfortable for warm weather, while also navigating the Muslim dress etiquette of long shirts to cover the backside. The kurta (long shirt) is billowy and loose. Meanwhile, the pajama pants are super comfy. You will love them, I promise.  The last thing you’ll want is to wear skinny jeans that stick to your body as you sweat.

Northern Pakistan

Temperatures run cooler to cold in Northern Pakistan. It’s best to think in layers and fabrics that are quick-drying but might offer warmth at night.

• Warm and quick drying layers for mountainous terrains
  Moisture wicking materials, dri-weave and wool are ideal. Wool is pricey but classic styles, regulates body heat in all types of weather, dries fast and does not carry an odor. I like Unbound Merino; you can read my review.
• Thermals, if traveling during winter seasons or traveling north. Silk thermals are thin, lightweight and great for layering. I’ve even worn them under tight jeans in the Arctic.
• Trekking shoes
• Trekking pole (optional: our treks -I’ve been told- are light; but what’s light for some may not be so for others)
• Wool socks for trekking. They are quick drying and odor free.
• Sunhat, baseball cap or beanie
• Headlamp or Flashlight for nature and power outages
• Quick dry travel towel
• baby wipes

Electronic & Survival Packing List for Pakistan

The voltage in Pakistan is 220-240 Volts. For travel up north, there may be times you’ll be subject to power outtages,

• International plug adapter or plug adapters with two round holes
• Multiport plug if you have several electronics to charge.
• Extra camera batteries.
• Power bank – electricity outages are common and roadtrips up north can take entire days. Anker 10,000mAh portable charger, Anker 10,000mAh Maggo magnetic for Magsafe (this can get hot)
• Silk liner They’re smaller and lighter than sleeping bags.

Incidental Kits

• Toiletry bag: soap, shampoo, nail clipper, a small mirror and tweezers, deodorant, tooth brush/toothpaste, laundry soap, makeup.
• Mini First Aid Kit: anything you require regularly such as vitamins, prescription medication (don’t forget to label them), pain/fever relievers, anti-allergy medication, bandages/ointment,
• Adventure Survival Kit: Mosquito spray, bandage, tylenol
• Motion Sickness Medicine: High Altitude Sickness happens to the best of us. If you are traveling Northern Pakistan, I recommend motion sickness pills or motion sickness patches! The drives up north can get long and winding. Ginger chews are another option if you want to avoid medication.
• Anti-diarrhea medicine like Imodium or loperadine, charcoal tablets, pepto bismal chewable tablets. At some point, you may get a stomach bug, so this is handy to have.
• Prescription notes: Have your doctor write prescription notes so in the case of emergency you can get refills from a local doctor or hospital.
• Female Sanitary products (if you require tampons, bring them! Pakistan may/not sell them )
• Books, journals, Netflix downloaded movies, Spotify or a smart phone with music on the long drives.

Additional Notes

Public toilets:  A packet of tissues and biodegradable wipes are handy to always carry on you for public toilets.   Roadtrips and travel to remote areas will likely not stock tissues and facilities may/not desirable. We were lucky in that my driver knew of well managed rest stops with clean western toilets. But squat toilets exist in Pakistan too.

Tip: Pack a Female Urinary Device: You may encounter the occasional squat toilet. If you do not know how to use a squat toilet or you have bad knees, I recommend a female urinary device such as Freshette, PStyle, SaniGirl.

Baby wipes and hand sanitizer : For roadtrips and public restrooms, where there might not be a water sink with soap.

Motion Sickness & High Altitude Sickness. It happens to the best of us. If you are traveling Northern Pakistan, I recommend having it. The drives can get long and occasionally winding. High altitude sickness is common for travelers to experience. I recommend motion sickness pills or motion sickness patches– one of my travelers brought this and shared it with our group. One of our members was not feeling well.  The patches are fast acting, non-invasive and lasts for 72 hours! Ginger chews are another option if you want to avoid medication.

Emergency toiletries & items : Forget to pack something? Urban cities like Islamabad and Lahore have grocery and specialty stores. In larger malls you might find a MiniSo shop. Ask your hotel or local guide to direct you to a nearby shop or pharmacy.

Laundry:  You can inquire at the hotels what the turnaround time is for washing particular garments. Hotel laundry service can be inexpensive and charge per piece and category of clothing. I had my laundry done by my hotel in Lahore and they got everything back to me in a day and it cost my less than $5 USD. Otherwise, bring laundry soap and wash in hotel sinks (or use a scrubba wash bag)

Pharmacies : Pakistan has pharmacies. I always bring my own first aid, medicines and adventure kits as its best to be prepared on the spot.  Pharmacies abroad may have stronger doses to what your home doctors diagnose. If you have a special condition, bring your medical notes and doctor prescriptions with you in case you need to refill.

Buying from local shops: If you forget general toiletries, over-the-counter medical relief, bug spray, etc…- it’s likely you’ll be able to find it in Pakistan! But western-specific items or brands things may be challenging.  Traveling north, villages will sell basic toiletries, but there is no guarantee it will have everything you need.

What would you add to this recommended packing list for Pakistan?