Ejaz KarimPakistan Tourism 2026: A Landmark Year
Pakistan's tourism sector is experiencing a transformation that few could have predicted five years ago. The combination of proactive government policy, improved infrastructure, and a wave of positive international media coverage has driven a 43% surge in foreign tourist arrivals in the first half of 2026 — the highest growth rate of any South Asian country this year.
For travellers who have been watching Pakistan from the sidelines, now is the moment. Here is a comprehensive update on everything that has changed in 2026 and what it means for planning your trip.
E-Visa Now Covers 126 Countries — Including Instant Approval
The single biggest practical change for international travellers is the dramatic expansion of Pakistan's e-visa programme. As of 2026, citizens of 126 countries can apply online and receive an approved e-visa within 24–72 hours for most nationalities — no embassy visit required.
Key updates for 2026:
- Visa-on-Arrival is now available to citizens of 52 countries at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi international airports — up from 26 in 2023.
- Multiple-entry visas are now the default for tourism applications (previously single-entry was standard).
- Three-month validity has been extended to six months for tourist visas, giving travellers far more flexibility.
- Gilgit-Baltistan permit is now bundled automatically into the tourist visa for most nationalities — previously a separate application.
Citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, UAE, and most GCC countries are all currently eligible for e-visa. Check the official NADRA portal for the latest country list, as it is updated regularly.
New International Flight Routes to Islamabad
Air connectivity has improved substantially in 2026, with several new direct routes making Pakistan significantly more accessible:
- Turkish Airlines increased Islamabad frequencies from daily to twice-daily (peak season), cutting connection times for European travellers significantly.
- Emirates launched a new Islamabad–Dubai service with A380 aircraft from May 2026, adding capacity on one of Pakistan's most popular routes.
- Korean Air launched a Seoul–Islamabad route (via Dubai) from June 2026, responding to rapidly growing Korean adventure tourism interest in Pakistan.
- Wizz Air Abu Dhabi added Islamabad to its network with budget-friendly fares from the UAE.
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed Frankfurt direct service and added capacity on the London Heathrow route.
For Skardu specifically — the gateway to K2 and Concordia — the domestic flight situation has also improved. Air Sial and Serene Air now operate regular Islamabad–Skardu services, supplementing PIA's schedules. Booking domestic flights well in advance (especially July–August) remains essential.
Pakistan Wins Asia's Top Adventure Destination Award 2026
The World Travel Awards named Pakistan "Asia's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination" for 2026 — the second consecutive year Pakistan has received the award. This recognition reflects the global adventure travel community's growing awareness of what Pakistan offers: five 8,000m peaks, the world's greatest glacier trekking, and an infrastructure that has improved dramatically over the past decade.
Pakistan was also shortlisted by Lonely Planet, National Geographic Traveller, and Condé Nast Traveller for their "destinations to watch in 2026" features — each publication specifically highlighting the Karakoram, Hunza Valley, and Fairy Meadows as bucket-list experiences for this generation of adventure travellers.
PTDC's New Digital Tourism Initiative
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) launched its most ambitious digital initiative to date in 2026: a national tourism portal integrating real-time permit applications, guided tour booking, and a 360° virtual preview of all major trekking and tourism destinations.
Key features of the initiative include:
- Online trekking permits for all restricted area routes — no longer requires postal applications or in-person visits to Islamabad offices
- Real-time trail conditions reporting from government-registered guides on major routes
- QR-code verified guide credentials — travellers can now scan any registered guide's ID to verify their licence, reducing the risk of using unregistered operators
- Emergency GPS check-in system integrated with Gilgit-Baltistan Rescue 1122 for all high-altitude trekkers
Gilgit-Baltistan's New Tourism Infrastructure
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has invested heavily in 2025–26 in tourism infrastructure across the region:
- The Skardu International Airport expansion was completed in early 2026, with a new international-standard terminal and extended runway capable of handling Boeing 737 MAX aircraft — significantly improving capacity and reliability for the critical Skardu route.
- The Karakoram Highway bypass sections around Gilgit have been completed, cutting the Islamabad–Gilgit drive time by approximately 90 minutes and reducing rock-fall risk at several notorious sections.
- New eco-camps have been established at Concordia and K2 Base Camp, replacing some of the ageing stone structures with insulated, weather-resistant facilities that can operate through a wider weather window.
- The Naltar cable car project — connecting Naltar Valley to Gilgit — was inaugurated in March 2026, opening a spectacular all-season experience previously inaccessible to most visitors.
Safety and Stability: The Picture in 2026
The security situation in the northern areas — Gilgit-Baltistan, the Karakoram Highway, and all major trekking destinations — remains excellent. These areas have been safe for foreign visitors for well over a decade and continue to see no incidents affecting tourists. The UK FCDO, US State Department, and Australian DFAT all maintain "exercise normal caution" (green/yellow) advisories for Gilgit-Baltistan and the KKH.
Gilgit-Baltistan is administered separately from other Pakistani provinces and has its own tourism-specific regulatory framework. The separateness of this administration from areas of political sensitivity in other parts of Pakistan is an important distinction for travellers to understand.
Summer 2026: What to Expect
The 2026 summer trekking season (June–August) has seen record demand for K2 Base Camp and Concordia trek permits. We strongly recommend:
- Booking at least 3 months in advance for July departures — permit allocations and guide availability are under pressure
- Domestic flights to Skardu booking as soon as your trekking dates are confirmed — they sell out well in advance in peak season
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover — mandatory for all high-altitude routes, and now also required documentation for some permit applications
If you are planning a 2027 expedition to K2 or any of the Karakoram 8,000m peaks, applications to the Alpine Club of Pakistan open in October 2026. Contact us early — our expedition support services are already being booked for the 2027 season.
Book Your Pakistan Adventure
Whether you are planning your first visit to Pakistan or returning to go higher or further, 2026 is an extraordinary time to make it happen. The country's welcome has never been warmer, the infrastructure has never been better, and the mountains are as magnificent as they have always been.
Book your trek or tour directly with us, or contact Ejaz's team to discuss a custom itinerary. Our WhatsApp is open seven days a week: +92 344 3788887.