Pakistan Travel FAQ

The Golden Adventure (TGA) is a Destination Management Company (DMC) in Pakistan running adventure and cultural tours for travellers and travel partners worldwide. The company was launched on 1 November 2022 and has hosted 200+ travellers from more than 10 countries. Read our story.

Yes. TGA is registered with the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Tourism Pakistan, with DTS Licence DTS-GB-094.

Our head office is in Gilgit: Office No. 1, Al Sabah Chowk Jamhor Market, Gilgit 15100, Pakistan. We also have a USA office in Washington DC for travellers and partners in North America. See contact details.

Our offices in Pakistan and the USA are open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time (Pakistan Time and US Eastern Time). You can message us on WhatsApp at any time and we will reply as soon as possible.

Our team of 15+ people works across Pakistan, from tour leaders and drivers to trekking guides, led by our founder Muhammad Waleem, CEO Muhammad Waseem and Operations Manager Muhammad Asif Khan.

Contact us on WhatsApp (+92 355 5777518) or email (info@thegoldenadventure.com) with your preferred tour, dates and group size, or use our Plan My Trip page. We send you an itinerary and quote, and your tour is reserved once we receive the 25% advance and send your written booking confirmation.

A 25% advance of the total tour price reserves your tour. The remaining 75% is due one week before your arrival in Pakistan.

We currently accept payment by bank transfer. Online payment and debit/credit card payments are coming soon. Our bank details are shared with your booking confirmation.

For last-minute bookings, please contact us first to check availability. In this case the full tour price is usually paid at the time of booking.

No. We keep things personal: all bookings and questions are handled directly by our team on WhatsApp or email, so you speak to a real person from the start.

If you cancel, the 25% advance is non-refundable. After full payment (from one week before arrival) or in case of a no-show, there is no refund, because hotels, transport and other services are paid in advance. Read the full Booking & Cancellation Policy.

If we have to cancel or change your tour because of bad weather, landslides, road closures, flight cancellations, government restrictions or security reasons, you can choose to reschedule your tour or receive a 100% refund of the payments made to TGA.

Please email us as early as possible and we will do our best to help, subject to availability. Any extra costs charged by hotels, airlines or other suppliers because of the change are paid by the client.

No. There is no refund for unused services, such as meals, hotel nights or activities, including if you leave a tour early for personal reasons.

Yes, almost all foreign visitors need a visa. Tourists apply online through the official portal visa.nadra.gov.pk. A tourist visa is usually valid for 3 months and takes about 7–10 working days. Read our complete Pakistan Visa Guide.

For most nationalities, no. The free Visa Prior to Arrival scheme was suspended on 1 January 2026, so travellers now apply for a standard paid e-Visa. Fees depend on your nationality.

Some treks, such as K2 Base Camp, are in restricted zones and need a trekking permit and a licensed guide. Popular routes like Fairy Meadows and Rakaposhi Base Camp do not. When you book with us, we arrange all required permits.

Since early 2026, visa holders can fill in the digital disembarkation card on the official Pak-ID mobile app before arrival and show it at immigration.

Many foreign tourists visit Pakistan every year, especially the northern areas such as Hunza, Skardu and Fairy Meadows, which are known for their hospitality. Conditions vary by region, so we always check current road, weather and security conditions, avoid restricted border areas and adjust plans when needed. Your safety always comes first.

We strongly recommend travel insurance covering medical treatment, cancellation and emergency evacuation, including helicopter rescue for treks. TGA does not provide or sell insurance. Read our Travel Insurance Policy.

Many northern destinations are high: Karimabad is about 2,500 m, Fairy Meadows about 3,300 m and K2 Base Camp about 5,050 m. Our itineraries include rest and acclimatisation days, and our guides watch for symptoms. Tell us about any health conditions before booking.

Many women and solo travellers explore Pakistan, especially with a reliable local operator. Dress modestly, respect local customs and follow your guide's advice. We are happy to plan private trips for solo travellers.

Our guides and office team support you in any emergency, arranging first aid, transport to the nearest medical facility and contacting your insurer and family. Please share your insurance details with us before the trip.

We offer trekking, cultural tours, jeep safaris, autumn tours, bike tours, expeditions and wildlife trips, including snow leopard expeditions, plus fully tailor-made journeys. Browse all tours.

Yes. Any style of tour across Pakistan can be customised to your dates, interests, pace and budget. Plan your trip and we will send you a tailor-made itinerary.

It depends on the trek. Rakaposhi Base Camp and Nanga Parbat via Fairy Meadows suit active beginners, while the 22-day K2 Base Camp Trek is strenuous and best for experienced trekkers. Each tour page shows the difficulty level.

Each tour page lists exactly what is included and not included. Typically this covers accommodation, transport, guides, meals as stated, permits and your Letter of Invitation. International flights, visa fees, insurance and personal expenses are usually not included.

Most mountain trips run from April to October. High-altitude treks like K2 are best in July and August, blossom season is around early April, and autumn colours peak in late October. See our destination guides for details.

Depending on the trip, we use hotels in cities, family-run guesthouses and lodges in the valleys, wooden cottages at places like Fairy Meadows, and full-service camping on treks.

The currency is the Pakistani rupee (PKR). ATMs are available in cities but limited in the mountains and may not accept all foreign cards, so carry enough cash before heading north.

Yes. You can buy a local SIM card in cities like Islamabad or Gilgit with your passport. Coverage is good in towns and weaker in remote valleys.

Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, and pack loose, comfortable clothes. In the mountains, bring warm layers even in summer, as nights are cold.

Pakistani food is delicious and halal, from karahi and biryani to local mountain dishes. Let us know about any dietary needs, such as vegetarian meals or allergies, and we will do our best to arrange them.

Most visitors fly into Islamabad, then take a domestic flight to Gilgit or Skardu or travel by road on the Karakoram Highway. Mountain flights depend on the weather, so we always plan a spare day.

Tipping is not compulsory but is customary and much appreciated by guides, drivers, cooks and porters at the end of a trip.

Yes. As a DMC, we work with travel agents and tour operators worldwide and handle everything on the ground in Pakistan, so you sell the journey and we run it. See our DMC services.

Ground handling, hotel reservations, transport, domestic flight bookings, visa support (LOI), trekking and climbing permits, guides and porters, corporate and group trips, and familiarisation (FAM) trips.

Email us at info@thegoldenadventure.com with your company details and the type of trips you sell, and our team will get back to you.