Islamabad Day Trip: Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lake Views

You pick the stops and the guide arranges the day around your flight time.

A guided city tour of Islamabad where you choose which attractions to visit from a list that includes the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, Rawal Lake, Saidpur Village and others. Your English-speaking guide picks you up from the airport or hotel, drives you in an air-conditioned vehicle, and returns you to your departure point. Lunch at The Monal restaurant with panoramic views is included, along with entrance tickets to the sites you select and all taxes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Islamabad's top attractions

• Pickup from airport or hotel
• Visit Faisal Mosque
• See Pakistan Monument
• Tour Lok Virsa Museum
• Relax at Rawal Lake
• Lunch or high tea at Monal Restaurant
• Shop at Jinnah Super Market
• Explore Saidpur Village
• Enjoy views at Daman-e-Koh
• Visit Shahdara Valley
• Shop at Centaurus Mall
• See Shah Allah Ditta Caves
• Visit Pakistan Museum of Natural History
• Explore National Art Gallery
• Shop at National Crafts Museum
• Drop off at airport or hotel

The Experience

The Faisal Mosque sits on the foothills of the Margalla Hills and holds one of the largest capacities of any mosque in Pakistan—it was designed by a Turkish architect after an international competition. The Pakistan Monument, built to symbolize national unity, covers 2.8 hectares and rises high enough to be visible across the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. The Lok Virsa Museum, renovated in 2004, displays the history and living traditions of Pakistan's ethnic groups across 20,000 square feet. These three anchor most itineraries, but the tour is built around your preferences: if you want Rawal Lake for boating or Saidpur Village—a 500-year-old settlement on the Margalla slopes with Hindu, Sikh and Muslim heritage—your guide works those in instead.

The day runs between 6 and 12 hours depending on how many sites you choose and how much time you spend at each one. Your guide picks you up from Islamabad airport or your hotel, and you board an air-conditioned vehicle for the route. Lunch happens at The Monal, the highest restaurant in Islamabad, where the panoramic views of the Margalla Hills come with the meal. If shopping interests you, Jinnah Super Market offers local and international brands, or Centaurus Mall—Pakistan's largest—has everything from traditional dress to international retailers. For something quieter, Shahdara Valley sits on the river surrounded by hills, or Damane-e-Koh offers 360-degree views from a hilltop. The Shah Allah Ditta Caves, over 2,400 years old and once used by Buddhist monks and Hindu ascetics, sit hidden in the hills if you want history that goes deeper.

Entrance tickets to the sites you choose are included, as are all taxes and service charges. The guide speaks English and will explain what you are looking at as you move through the city. Drop-off is back to the airport or to your hotel, whichever works with your schedule. Gratuities are optional.

What’s included

• Pickup from Islamabad airport or your hotel.
• transport in an air-conditioned vehicle for 6 to 12 hours.
• an English-speaking guide.
• entrance tickets to the attractions you select.
• lunch at The Monal restaurant with panoramic views of the Margalla Hills.
• and all taxes and service charges. Gratuities are optional.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trips Planners

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a layover or limited time in Islamabad and want to see the city's major landmarks without arranging transport or deciding which sites matter most—your guide handles the route and you pick the stops that interest you.

Top questions

What is the Faisal Mosque and why is it a major stop on this tour?

The Faisal Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Pakistan, located on the Margalla Hills foothills in Islamabad. It was designed by a Turkish architect and selected through an international competition; the structure can accommodate about 300,000 worshipers, making it a landmark visible across the city and a primary attraction for visitors.

Can I choose which attractions to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

You choose which attractions to visit from a list your guide provides. The tour is built around your preferences—you might focus on the Faisal Mosque and Pakistan Monument, or swap those for Saidpur Village, Rawal Lake, the caves, or the museums. Your guide arranges the route and timing around your selections.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup from Islamabad airport or your hotel; transport in an air-conditioned vehicle; an English-speaking guide; entrance tickets to the attractions you choose; lunch at The Monal restaurant; and all taxes and service charges. Gratuities are optional.

How long does the tour last?

The tour runs between 6 and 12 hours depending on how many sites you visit and how long you spend at each one. Your guide times the day around your flight departure or arrival.

What is Saidpur Village and what makes it worth visiting?

Saidpur Village is over 500 years old and sits on the slopes of the Margalla Hills. It has a rich history shaped by three eras of Muslim, Hindu and Sikh influence and is one of the oldest villages in Pakistan. The experience of visiting in daylight differs from visiting in the calm evenings, and it offers a different perspective on Islamabad's cultural heritage.

Is there time for shopping during the tour?

Yes. Jinnah Super Market is an outdoor market with local and international brands, and Centaurus Mall is Pakistan's largest shopping center with unlimited variety. Both can be added to your itinerary if shopping interests you.