Founder and Editor Share Packing Tips and Essentials for Pakistan
There are those of us who don’t stress about packing at all and those of us who get anxious every time we pull out a suitcase. But if you want to pack efficiently for Pakistan, who better to ask for packing tips than our Founder and Editor—the regular Pakistan travel freaks? Now that Pakistan has been removed from the UK’s red list, we have the opportunity to travel again, and here are those packing tips, tricks, and essentials that we swear by!
(During the winter months, temperatures in Pakistan drop as low as 4°C. In the summer, it gets very humid, with temperatures above 40°C).
Anam Hussain, Founder and Creative Director
“To step off the plane in Lahore after a long connecting journey from the UK via Istanbul, I worm my way closer to the exit packed with diaspora passengers eager to get to the front of the queuing line at the immigration desk—all at once. Carrying an 8kg hand trolley, a crossbody satchel bag as a ladies small personal item, with the last ounce of free space squeezed, and wearing a bulky winter coat with a long scarf makes manoeuvring through the crying babies and porters for the VIP a challenge. Before reaching the arrivals, I am exhausted.
I confess: I over-packed.
I consider that perhaps I didn’t need four pairs of heels or as many dresses as I packed.”
Tips
Colour Coordinate Clothing
Carry one or two colour palettes so outfits are easier to coordinate and can be mixed and matched. But make sure you don’t pack two clothing items in the same colour. Take out that second black dress and stick to one! Instead, add in pops of different patterns. Do also take a pair of comfortable black leggings to match every outfit.
Roll
Keep to the Marie Kondo triple-fold method to make sure you get every last packing space!
Follow the Rule of Three
A clothing item can’t come with you if it is not stain-resistant, can’t be worn at least three times— wrinkle-free.
Wear the Bulky Garments
If you are visiting in the winter months, anything like a blanket-sized sweater can be worn for the plane ride. That way you can lighten up your luggage.
Packing Essentials for Pakistan
Water Bottle
It’s not always safe to drink directly from the tap. To drink clean water and avoid buying any plastic bottled water, invest in a portable filtered bottle. I use the Water-to-Go 50cl bottle which protects against bacteria, parasites and microplastics reduce chemicals like chlorine, improving water taste. The filter removes 99.9% of bacteria and allows you to take any non-salt water from a stream, river, or tap and filter it instantly.
Power Bank
Those electronic devices need to be fully charged to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity of taking a picture of flying kites at sunset from village rooftops, or capture that serene valley view in Naran Khagan. For times like these, a portable power bank can be your best friend. One of the most popular is this PowerCore Essential 20000 power bank by Anker. It can charge more than 5 charges for an iPhone and almost 5 full charges for Samsung Galaxy. And to plug that power bank and all other devices into a wall outlet, the Hyleton worldwide travel adapter with 4 USB ports and fast charging is the best all-around choice..
Protection Face Cream
My favourite sunscreen right now is this Dr. med. Christine Schrammek Optimum Protection Cream with SPF 20 that my dermatologist recommended. It has a special texture for all skin types and protects against harmful environmental influences and stress factors.
Aisha Farooq, Editorial Director
Jetlag Face Mask
Puffy, tired-looking face when you reach Islamabad International airport? Apply a thick layer of Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask during the flight. It revitalises the skin and is rich in vitamins, minerals and ceramides.
Travel Roll Storage Bags
Wilko vacuum storage bags are ideal for carrying heavy clothing. I’d recommend buying different sizes to help minimise the bulk of traditional Pakistani clothes (which are heavier than Western-style clothes!), maximise space, and keep you organised on the road.
Wellbeing Journal
Though we live in a digital age, there will always be something quite reflective and romantic about taking a moment to write down your thoughts while you’re travelling. The Wellbeing Journal by Waterstones is personal. It includes activities for the mind, such as contemplative quotes and drawing prompts, with lots of writing space. This can help you set goals and stay in a positive mindset for the rest of your trip. It becomes a time machine of your memories, emotions, and descriptions of the people you meet and places you discover. It is also a great way to store all of your keepsakes, like a railway ticket from Islamabad to Lahore or your Taxila Museum ticket you don’t want to throw away, to forever remind you of your time spent there, and help you plan your next adventure.
