Total estimated cost (family of 4): AED 18,000–28,000 all-in including international flights
Per person average: AED 4,500–7,000 · Per day: AED 450–700 per person
Best months: June–September for northern Pakistan. October–March for Lahore.
Halal: 100% throughout — Pakistan is a halal-default country
This itinerary was designed for a Gulf family with children — two adults, two children, traveling from Dubai in the June–August window to escape the Gulf summer heat. It balances cultural depth (Lahore) with mountain spectacle (Hunza and Skardu) without requiring trekking, permits, or adventure sports.
All costs are in AED, based on mid-2026 exchange rates and mid-range accommodation and dining. Budget travelers can compress costs significantly. Premium travelers can upgrade accommodation throughout without changing the itinerary. For the full Gulf family context, read our Pakistan for Gulf Families guide.
Morning flight DXB–ISB (Emirates, Flydubai, or PIA — 3h 15min). Land early afternoon. Transfer to Islamabad hotel. Relax, acclimatize, explore F-7/Jinnah Supermarket area for provisions. Evening: dinner at a Kashmiri restaurant — the capital’s restaurant scene is genuinely good.
Accommodation:Islamabad hotel — mid-range 4-star near F-6/F-7 sector. AED 200–350/night for family room.
Faisal Mosque (one of the world’s largest, designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay). Lok Virsa Museum (Pakistan’s folk heritage — excellent for children, strongly hands-on). Margalla Hills morning walk or cable car. Taxila day trip optional (45 min drive, UNESCO Buddhist ruins) — see our Pakistan heritage guide for details.
Morning domestic flight ISB–LHE (~PKR 8,000 per adult one way / AED 100). Check in Lahore. Afternoon: Walled City walking tour — Wazir Khan Mosque (1641, finest tilework in Pakistan), Delhi Gate, bazaars. See our guide to Lahore’s historic landmarks.
Full day: Lahore Fort (Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Moti Masjid) + Badshahi Mosque directly opposite. Both are UNESCO-listed or recognized. Entry combined: under PKR 1,000 for the family (AED 12). Afternoon: Shalimar Gardens. Evening: Gawalmandi food street — one of the best street food experiences in Pakistan.
Morning drive or flight Lahore–Islamabad (flight: 1 hr). Connect to domestic flight ISB–GIL (PIA/Serene Air, 1 hr, ~AED 130 per adult). Arrive Gilgit afternoon. Drive to Karimabad, Hunza (2 hrs). Arrive Hunza at dusk — rooftop dinner with the first views of Rakaposhi.
Baltit Fort (850 years old, Aga Khan-restored, extraordinary interior). Altit Fort (1,100 years old, the older of the two, with a 700-year-old village attached). Eagle’s Nest viewpoint — 7 peaks visible. Karimabad bazaar: dried apricots, walnut oil, saffron, embroidery. For the full Hunza Valley experience, read our Hunza travelogue.
Drive to Attabad Lake — turquoise glacial lake inside a canyon (30 min from Karimabad). Boat ride on the lake. Drive to Gulmit (Upper Hunza) for the Passu Cones view. Optional: Hussaini Suspension Bridge (a rope bridge, thrilling for older children). Return to Karimabad.
Morning: Katpana Cold Desert (sand dunes against snow-capped Karakoram peaks — one of the most improbable landscapes in Pakistan). Afternoon: Shangrila Lake / Shangrila Resort (‘Heaven on Earth’ — the name given by a 1930s explorer who found it by accident). Optional: Shigar Valley (30 min from Skardu, ancient fort, cherry orchards, the Serena Shigar Fort hotel is among Pakistan’s finest accommodations).
Book domestic flights the same day you book international flights — seats go fast for summer
Mix guesthouses (AED 150–250/family room) with hotels — guesthouses in Hunza often have better views
Arrange a single hired driver for Islamabad + Lahore rather than daily taxis — negotiated day rate is better
Pakistan SIM cards: buy in Islamabad city (not airport) — Jazz or Zong — much cheaper than roaming
Apricots, dried fruit, saffron, and walnut oil from Hunza: buy at source — prices are a fraction of Gulf costs
FAQs — Pakistan Family Trip from Dubai
Is this itinerary suitable for young children?
Yes — with one consideration: the domestic flights and altitude changes require buffer days and patience. The Skardu altitude (2,230m) can cause mild altitude headache in the first 24 hours. Plan a rest day after arriving anywhere significantly higher than the previous stop. Pakistan is extremely family-welcoming — children are treated with particular warmth. Read our full Pakistan for Gulf Families guide for more details.
What is the best time of year to do this trip?
June–September for northern Pakistan mountain destinations (Hunza, Skardu). October–March for Lahore and cultural heritage. The itinerary as designed works best June–August — northern Pakistan at its most spectacular while Gulf summer makes staying in the UAE uncomfortable.
Do we need any special permits?
No. The standard Pakistan Tourist eVisa covers all destinations in this itinerary. No trekking permits, no CKNP fees, no restricted zone paperwork. Apply online at visa.nadra.gov.pk at least 2 weeks before travel. For US passport holders, see our complete Pakistan Visa Guide.
Dubai to Islamabad is 3 hours 15 minutes. By the time you land, you are already in a different world.
