Travel Insurance for Pakistan? Look no further! Make a memorable trip to Pakistan with an affordable travel insurance policy with Holiday Extras.

Pakistan is one of the most breathtaking, culturally diverse and historically rich countries in the world with relative tourist anonymity. Taking out a comprehensive travel insurance policy, is a smart move to ensuring you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

Unfortunately, media propogation has made tourists wary of this jewel of South Asia. With dynamic cities such as Islamabad and Karachi, and a wealth of beautiful examples of architecture in the once Mughal capital, Lahore — Pakistan has a plethora to offer the eager traveller.

Choosing a travel insurance policy

It goes without saying, you will need worldwide coverage when booking your travel insurance. At Holiday Extras, we like to keep things as simple as possible for you: we have two types of policies with four different levels of cover, just to give you that extra bit of security — whatever happens! Our policies are created with you in mind and are tailored for the optimum travel experience for your trip to Pakistan.

Our job is to help you find the appropriate level of protection in a travel insurance policy. If the overall cost of your holiday is a lot higher, including flights and accommodation, then perhaps a level of cover with a higher cancellation cover might be the most suitable thing for you.

Addtional high risk sports insurance

Pakistan is home to some of the world's most breathtaking mountain ranges. If you are the adventurous type, maybe a hiker through Asia, or simply making the most of your annual family visit, you will want to make sure you're covered in the case of an accident as a result of a sport with a higher associated risk.

Hiking is an incredibly popular activity in the Pakistani mountain ranges, with visually breathtaking views of valleys, glaciers and lakes. Home to the indomitable, K2 (aka 'Savage Mountain'), it's not the tallest mountain in the world but the steepest and some would say it's arguably the most difficult to ascend! We think you'd have to be pretty brave to have a stab at this, but even if you go for a slightly tamer hike, we have the additional coverage for you.

Travel money

In Pakistan the means of currency is the Pakistani rupee (PKR), and you're in for good news since the cost of living in Pakistan is extremely cheap in comparison to the UK. Local restaurants will largely be low-priced, but be warned that hotel restaurants and bars might be more expensive in comparison. If you're seeking tranquility by escaping the hustle and bustle, it's also probably worth getting out your cash from an ATM before leaving the city. We'd also say to double check the ATM's withdrawal limit as it can vary from each bank.

Medical

You know what they say: "you never know what's around the corner", and if you're visiting a new place, it's natural to entertain a few "what if's" regarding your health. If you don't have the appropriate insurance and things take a turn for the worse, health-wise, you're potentially looking at a fairly hefty medical bill — and who on earth wants that?

We have general policies that include a comprehensive cover, but if you have any pre-existing medical conditions you will need to tell us when taking out your policy. If you will be travelling with medication check out our page full of helpful tips and advice. If you're travelling with diabetes we also have handy information for that too.

The way we look at it, why would you want to be stressing over antibiotics and a fairly light wallet, when you could be on a walking tour of Mohenjo Daro — the remnants of one of the world's oldest civilisations!

Do I need vaccinations?

Yes, vaccinations are a must if you're travelling to Pakistan! It's advisable to consult with your GP four to eight weeks beforehand to to make sure you're up-to-date with all the vaccinations you need. Just like any other insurance provider, our policies will not cover medical conditions if they develop because you do not have the required immunisation. Here are the following diseases you are at risk of contraction if unvaccinated in Pakistan:

• Cholera
• Diphtheria(often combined with polio and tetanus via the NHS)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• Polio(often combined with diphtheria and tetanus via the NHS)
• Rabies
• Tetanus (often combined with diphtheria and polio via the NHS)
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Typhoid

Whilst as a country Pakistan is free of yellow fever, nor is there a risk of contracting it, the government requires proof of a yellow-fever vaccination if you're a backpacker and are arriving from a country with a particularly high risk of yellow fever.

Etiquette

Pakistan is officially an Islamic Republic and therefore laws and cultural norms are formed around Islamic scripture, with over 94% of its population identifying as Muslim. That being said, it is advised to dress modestly in accordance with the national custom and ensuring polite manners when in public and upon meeting strangers. Obviously this all goes without saying, but keep in mind that Pakistan is a country founded on religious nationalism and throughout its history and secularism has been a controversial issue.

Security warning

While the media propagates the idea Pakistan is a war-torn country, this couldn't be further from the truth. Like with any country with a turbulent past, you have to be vigilant and use common sense in unfamiliar situations. Over 270,000 Brits travel to Pakistan each year to visit relatives or to take in its rich culture, with the vast majority of them have absolutely no trouble during their stay. We wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't advise you to be aware of current political climate in South Asia; tensions have been rife between India and Pakistan since the terrorist attack in Pulwama, India on 14 February 2019, although most places in Pakistan are absolutely safe to travel to!

For more information and regular updates on the political situation in Pakistan and how it will affect your travel, take a look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.