BaydaarThe Baydaar blog
Travel guides for northern Pakistan and beyond.
Itineraries, costs, seasons and honest advice from a team that has been running trips from Islamabad since 2017.
Hunza Valley Travel Guide: Best Time, 7-Day Itinerary and Cost from Islamabad
Planning a Hunza trip? The best months to go, a day-by-day itinerary from Islamabad, what it costs, and the places worth your time, from Attabad Lake to Khunjerab.
Skardu and Deosai Plains: The Complete Trip Guide
When Deosai is open, how to plan Skardu, Shangrila and Shigar, the Sarfaranga cold desert and Khaplu, and what a Skardu trip from Islamabad really costs.
Swat Valley Guide: Kalam, Ushu Forest and Malam Jabba in 4 Days
A 4-day Swat Valley itinerary from Islamabad covering Mingora, Kalam, Ushu Forest, Mahodand Lake and Malam Jabba, plus the best time to go and what it costs.
White Water Rafting on the Kunhar River: A First-Timer's Guide
Everything to know before rafting the Kunhar River in Kaghan Valley: the season, how safe it is, what to wear, and a 2-day rafting and camping trip from Islamabad.
Turkey Tour from Pakistan: Visa, Cost and a 10-Day Itinerary
Planning Turkey from Pakistan? How the Turkish visa works for Pakistani passports, a 10-day Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya itinerary, and what a group tour costs.
Baku from Pakistan: E-Visa, Cost and a 5-Day Azerbaijan Itinerary
Baku is one of the easiest international trips for Pakistanis. How the Azerbaijan e-visa works, what to see in 5 days, and what a group trip from Pakistan costs.
Northern Pakistan Packing List: What to Bring for Hunza, Skardu and Swat
A practical packing list for a trip to northern Pakistan, from layers and documents to cash, medicine and phone signal, plus tips for your first group trip.
Gilgit Shilajit: How to Tell Pure Shilajit from Fake Before You Buy
What Shilajit is, where the best comes from, the real difference between resin, powder and capsules, and how to spot fake or adulterated Shilajit in Pakistan.