Private Islamabad tour: Customize your full day

Build your own itinerary around Islamabad's landmarks

A private full-day tour of Islamabad where you choose the stops instead of following a set route. Meet your English-speaking guide, review the attractions (from the Faisal Mosque and Pakistan Monument to Saidpur Village and Margalla Hills viewpoints), and decide what to explore based on your interests. Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Entrance fees and meals are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Islamabad city exploration

• Meet English speaking tour guide
• Visit Faisal Mosque
• Explore Pakistan Monument
• Tour Lok Virsa Museum
• Relax at Rawal Lake
• Lunch at The Monal Restaurant
• Shop and dine at Jinnah Super Market
• Visit Saidpur Village
• Enjoy views at Damane-e-koh
• Experience Shahdara Valley
• Shop at Centaurus Mall
• Explore Shah Allah Ditta Caves
• Visit Pakistan Museum of Natural History
• Tour National Art Gallery
• Shop at Pakistan Craft Center

The experience

Most tours lock you into a fixed schedule and a predetermined list of stops. This one flips that: you arrive with your guide, get a briefing on what's available across Islamabad and its surroundings, and then choose what to see. The Faisal Mosque sits on the foothills of the Margalla Hills and holds 300,000 worshipers. The Pakistan Monument 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 living traditions and history of Pakistan's ethnic groups across 20,000 square feet. Saidpur Village, over 500 years old on the slopes of the Margalla Hills, carries the influence of Muslim, Hindu and Sikh heritage. You can spend the afternoon in any combination of these, or pivot toward something else entirely.

The day opens up beyond the major landmarks too. Rawal Lake is an artificial reservoir where private clubs organize boating and water sports. Damane-e-Koh is a hill viewpoint with 360-degree panoramic views of the city. Shahdara Valley, described as a hidden gem, sits on the river surrounded by the Margalla Hills with traditional wooden beds for sitting. The Centaurus Mall is Pakistan's largest shopping center. Jinnah Super Market is an outdoor bazaar with local and international options. The Monal Restaurant perches at Islamabad's highest point with views across the hills. Shah Allah Ditta Caves, over 2,400 years old, were used by Buddhist monks and Hindu sadhus as meditation spots. The National Museum covers Pakistan's history, geography and wildlife, including elephant bones and a replica of the world's biggest fish caught near Gwadar. Art galleries and craft centers round out the choices. Eight hours gives you room to linger at a few places instead of rushing through a checklist.

Your guide speaks English and travels with you in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Islamabad are included. Entrance fees to any attraction and all food and beverages are your own cost, so you can eat at a high-end restaurant, grab street food, or skip meals entirely depending on what appeals to you that day.

What’s included

• English-speaking tour guide.
• private air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within Islamabad.
• all taxes and service charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trips Planners

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably throughout the day. The eight-hour window and private vehicle mean you can linger at one or two places instead of racing through a standard itinerary, which suits anyone who wants depth over breadth.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Faisal Mosque and why do people visit it?

The Faisal Mosque is one of Pakistan's largest mosques, located on the foothills of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad. Designed by a Turkish architect and selected after an international competition, it can accommodate about 300,000 worshipers and is a major tourist attraction in the city.

Can I visit Saidpur Village on this tour?

Yes, Saidpur Village is one of the stops you can choose. Over 500 years old and located on the slopes of the Margalla Hills, it has a rich history shaped by Muslim, Hindu and Sikh heritage and is one of Pakistan's oldest villages. The experience differs depending on whether you visit during the day or in the calm evenings.

What kind of views does Damane-e-Koh offer?

Damane-e-Koh is a hill and picnic point in the Margalla Hills with 360-degree panoramic views of Islamabad, making it one of the city's most beautiful viewpoints.

Does the tour include meals and entrance fees?

No, entrance fees to attractions and all food and beverages are not included and are your own cost. This lets you choose where to eat (high-end restaurants, street food, or anywhere in between), and which sites to enter based on your interests.

How does the guide help me decide which attractions to visit?

When you meet your guide at the start of the tour, you receive a list of available attractions across Islamabad and its surroundings. The guide briefs you on the significance of each one, and you choose which to explore based on your taste and interests.