What our guests say
unedited, unfiltered.

“We have done a lot of trips in Pakistan but nothing compared to this. Mubarik arranged everything: the vehicle, the hotel in Shigar, the Deosai permit. We just showed up and it all worked. Deosai in September was something we will talk about for the rest of our lives. The Milky Way from the campsite was unreal. Thank you for making this so easy.”

“Came specifically for the apricot blossom and the timing was perfect. Mubarik told me exactly which week to come and he was right: the valley was at peak bloom. Eagle's Nest at sunrise, Baltit Fort, the drive along the KKH. The driver knew every stop along the road. Will definitely come back for Skardu.”

“I was travelling with my elderly parents and was nervous about the roads and altitude. Raahi gave really honest advice about what was suitable for them and built the itinerary accordingly. We skipped Deosai (too high for my mother) and spent the extra day in Khaplu instead. It was exactly the right call. The driver was patient and careful on the mountain roads. Cannot recommend highly enough.”

“We planned this as a honeymoon trip and it exceeded every expectation. Shigar Fort Palace was magical. Mubarik had arranged early access to Kharpocho Fort for sunrise: we were completely alone up there with the Indus valley below us. The whole trip felt personal, not like a packaged tour. We told all our friends and three couples are now planning their own trips.”

“First time in Pakistan and I was genuinely nervous. The experience was the complete opposite of what I expected: incredibly safe, warm hospitality everywhere, and landscapes that I had no idea existed. The cold desert at Shigar looks like something from another planet. Mubarik is extremely knowledgeable and gave us context about the region that no guidebook could. Highly recommend to anyone considering it.”

“We are a family of 6 including three children (ages 8, 11, 14). The kids loved the cold desert sand dunes and the boat ride at Kachura Lake. The brown bear sighting at Deosai was the highlight for the whole family. The 4x4 was comfortable for all 6 of us and the driver built in proper rest stops on long drives without us having to ask. Will book again next summer.”

“We were told October was off-season and almost rebooked to August. Best decision we ever made not to. The poplar trees in Shigar were gold and the valley was quiet in a way it never is in summer. We had Eagle's Nest almost to ourselves at sunrise. Aqsa responded to every question within minutes during planning and the whole trip ran without a single hiccup.”

“I came for landscape photography and the access Raahi provided was extraordinary. Pre-dawn at Kharpocho Fort with the Indus below, the cold desert at golden hour, and a full night on Deosai for astrophotography. Mubarik understood exactly what I needed without long explanations and positioned us at the right spots at the right times. I have photographed in over 30 countries and this was one of the three best trips for light I have ever done.”

“I came back to Pakistan after 15 years abroad and wanted to show my daughter where her family is from. Raahi built an itinerary that balanced the cultural side (Khaplu Palace, the old bazaar, the mosques) with the landscapes. Mubarik was patient with a lot of questions and honest about what was realistic for us. My daughter is already asking when we can go back.”

“We only had 4 days and were not sure if Skardu was worth it for such a short trip. Raahi built a focused itinerary around Shigar Fort and the cold desert that was perfect for the time we had. No filler, no rushing to hit every attraction on a list. The fort at sunset and breakfast in the garden the next morning were worth the flights alone. Already planning a longer trip for autumn.”

“Raahi handled all the logistics for our Gondogoro La crossing: transport from Skardu to Hushe, cook, porters, permits. Everything was organised and everyone showed up. On a technical trek like this, logistics failures can ruin the whole expedition. With Raahi nothing went wrong and we could just focus on the climb. The crossing was one of the best experiences of our lives.”

“We spent months researching Pakistan travel and were still unsure until we found Raahi. Aqsa answered every nervous email with patience and detail. The trip itself was flawless: the pacing, the hotels, the driver who became a genuine guide. Deosai was unlike anything we have ever seen. We have recommended Raahi to everyone who has asked about Pakistan since coming home, which is a lot of people.”

“Third time in Skardu but first time using a proper operator. The difference is night and day. Previously I organised everything myself and always missed things or made avoidable mistakes. This time we saw more in 7 days than I had in two previous trips combined. The driver knew a viewpoint above Satpara Lake that was not on any map I had. These are the things you only get from people who actually know the place.”

“We wanted something special for our 10th anniversary and were worried about the March weather. Raahi was honest: Deosai would not be accessible but everything else would be open and much quieter than summer. They were completely right. We had Shigar Fort Palace mostly to ourselves, the mountains were still white with snow, and the cold desert had a quality it simply does not have in the busy season. Perfect trip.”

“We were 9 people across three generations: grandparents, parents, and four young children. Raahi arranged two vehicles so everyone had space and built the itinerary around what was realistic for both the grandparents and the kids. The Hushe Valley drive was the highlight: the children could not believe mountains could be that big. Every detail was handled before we asked.”

“I was travelling alone as a woman and had questions about safety and logistics that other tour companies either dismissed or could not answer clearly. Raahi gave specific, practical answers to every question and built an itinerary with that in mind. I felt completely safe throughout. The hospitality in both Hunza and Skardu was genuinely warm. Pakistan is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world and I will be going back.”

“We had heard about Skardu for years and finally came. Raahi made the planning completely painless, Shigar Fort Palace was already booked by the time we confirmed our flights and the itinerary was ready within a day. The cold desert at Sarfaranga was unlike anything we expected: sand dunes with snow-capped peaks rising directly behind them. We will be back with the extended family next summer.”

“I had spent months trying to plan Hunza independently and getting nowhere. Within two messages to Raahi I had a complete itinerary, every hotel sorted, and a driver who knew exactly where to stop on the KKH for photographs. Eagle's Nest at sunrise was genuinely one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I wish I had found Raahi six months earlier.”

“We had three generations on this trip including my 72-year-old father, who had wanted to see Deosai his whole life. Raahi understood immediately what mattered to us and built the itinerary around his pace. The drive to Sheosar Lake was slow and comfortable, with proper rest stops, and my father sat at the lake edge for an hour in silence. That moment was the whole trip. Thank you.”

“We drove the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad and stopped at Fairy Meadows, Hunza, and Skardu. Raahi coordinated everything along the route: the jeep at Raikot Bridge, the guesthouse on the meadow, every hotel from Besham to Skardu. The KKH is extraordinary but the logistics without local knowledge would have been a nightmare. With Raahi it was seamless. This is now in our top three trips of all time.”

“Came specifically for the apricot blossom. Mubarik told me the exact week when Karimabad would be at peak and he was right to within two days. Baltit Fort against a background of white blossoms and Rakaposhi behind everything, that is a photograph I will have on my wall permanently. The planning took one phone call. Simple, professional, and the best value I have had from any operator.”

“We are landscape photographers and had done extensive research before deciding on Pakistan. Raahi was the only operator who understood immediately what we needed: early starts, longer stops, and positioning at the right spots for the light. The astrophotography night on Deosai exceeded everything. The Milky Way at 4,100 metres is in a completely different class from anything we have photographed in Japan or Europe.”

“We were nervous about visiting Pakistan but the experience was completely different from what we expected from media coverage. The people were extraordinarily hospitable, the food was excellent, and the landscape was on a scale neither of us had seen before. Raahi managed every detail and Aqsa was responsive and reassuring throughout the planning. Already recommending to everyone who will listen.”

“The kids had been asking about Skardu since they saw photos on YouTube. Raahi turned a complicated family trip with four children into something completely manageable. The boat ride at Upper Kachura was the highlight for the children and Kharpocho Fort at sunset was the highlight for us. The driver had infinite patience for all the requests to stop for photos. Would book again immediately.”

“October was a revelation. I had almost come in August but Raahi advised me that October would be quieter and more beautiful and they were absolutely right. The autumn colour in the Hunza Valley was extraordinary. I had Baltit Fort almost to myself and the drive from Karimabad to Skardu through the autumn-lit valleys was one of the most beautiful days of travelling I have ever had.”

“Came for our twentieth anniversary and wanted something genuinely special rather than another resort. Shigar Fort Palace in March, with the mountains still in winter snow and no summer crowds, was extraordinary. Raahi had warned us Deosai would not be accessible but suggested the cold desert and a private dinner at the fort instead. Both were perfect. This is exactly the kind of advice you only get from people who know the place properly.”

“We are both in our sixties and had concerns about altitude and the road conditions. Raahi was completely honest about what to expect and planned accordingly, gradual altitude gains, rest days built in, hotels with good facilities. We saw Deosai, the cold desert, Eagle's Nest, and both Kachura Lakes. Everything worked perfectly. This was our fortieth country and easily one of our most memorable trips.”

“I came for the October light and Mubarik positioned me at viewpoints I would never have found on my own. The late-afternoon shadows across the cold desert dunes, the fort at the exact golden-hour window before the light dropped, these are shots you only get with a local who knows the timing. My best photography work this year came from this trip.”

“Raahi handled everything outside the mountain: private 4x4 from Islamabad to Skardu to Askole, accommodation, permits, and connected me with an excellent guide and porter team. On a K2 expedition, logistical failures before you even start the walk can ruin the whole trip. With Raahi nothing went wrong. I also added three days at Khaplu Palace on either end, which was the right call, the best acclimatisation and recovery programme possible.”

“A first trip to Skardu for all of us and we could not have planned it better ourselves. The brown bear sighting at Deosai was something the children will describe to their grandchildren. Shigar Fort Palace for two nights was a splurge we will never regret. Raahi built the itinerary in a day and it was exactly right for our family.”

“We wanted a honeymoon that was genuinely different from the Maldives or Europe. Skardu in October was the right call in every way: the mountains, the fort, the quiet. Raahi arranged sunrise access to Kharpocho before any other visitors arrived and it was completely private. Shigar Fort Palace in the autumn quiet, with wood fires in the evening, was exactly as romantic as we had hoped.”

“As a solo New Zealand woman planning a Pakistan trip, I got a lot of concerned reactions from friends and family. The experience was the complete opposite of their fears. The region is safe, the hospitality is genuine, and the landscapes are unlike anything in my part of the world. Raahi answered every question I had before I booked and the trip ran without a single problem. Worth every bit of the planning.”

“I brought my two teenage sons on this trip and wanted them to see what Pakistan actually looks like beyond the cities. The Hushe Valley drive, the view of Masherbrum from the road, the palace at Khaplu, they came home with a completely different understanding of their own country. Raahi made it possible to see all of this in a week without feeling rushed. Excellent in every respect.”

“I had been looking for an operator for months who could give me detailed, honest answers about travelling in Pakistan as a solo woman. Most responses were generic. Raahi answered everything specifically and built an itinerary that balanced adventure with practical comfort. The Attabad Lake kayaking and the Deosai overnight were highlights. Already looking at coming back in April for the blossom.”

“We had only four days and Raahi built something focused and perfect rather than trying to squeeze in everything. Shigar Fort Palace for two nights, the cold desert in the afternoon, and a dawn drive back to the airport. No filler, no wasted time. The simplicity of it was exactly what we needed. Will come back for a longer trip in autumn.”

“Deosai National Park in late August is extraordinary for night photography. The combination of altitude (4,100 metres), minimal light pollution, and unusually clear skies produces conditions I had not encountered even in Norway or Iceland. Raahi arranged two overnight stays on the plateau and adjusted the schedule when clouds came in on the first night, giving us a second clear window. Exactly what a photographer needs from a logistics partner.”

“I came specifically for the heritage sites, Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Khaplu Palace, and Shigar Fort Palace, and Raahi built the trip around that focus. Having early access to Baltit Fort before the day visitors arrived was something I had not expected and it changed the experience entirely. The historical context Mubarik provided at each site went far beyond anything in the guidebooks.”

“Our longest trip in years and worth every day. Raahi connected Skardu and Hunza into a logical route through Khaplu that we would not have thought to take ourselves. The Shyok River drive between Khaplu and Skardu was one of the most dramatic road sections of the whole trip. Everything was arranged before we left home and nothing required any problem-solving on our part.”

“First time in Pakistan and we were completely unprepared for how extraordinary it was. The scale of the mountains, the quality of the food, the hospitality in every guesthouse and hotel, all of it exceeded expectations by a significant margin. Raahi made the logistics completely seamless and Aqsa was patient with all our first-timer questions. We have already started planning a second trip with a different route.”

“We had a short window and were not sure five days was enough for Skardu. Raahi designed an itinerary that covered Deosai, Kharpocho Fort, and the Kachura Lakes without feeling rushed. The Deosai section was the reason we came and it did not disappoint, the plateau in early June, when there is still some snow at the edges and the wildflowers are just starting, was stunning.”

“We spent months planning this trip and used Raahi for the Pakistan section. The preparation was thorough, visa advice, currency, what to expect at altitude, cultural norms, and the trip itself matched exactly what we had been told. Eagle's Nest at dawn, the cold desert, the Attabad Lake boat, two nights at Shigar Fort Palace. Every day had something significant. A genuinely exceptional experience.”

“I had been looking at the April blossom photographs for two years before finally coming. Raahi told me the exact window when Karimabad would be at peak and I booked around that advice. The valley was as extraordinary as the photographs. Solo travel in Hunza is comfortable and safe, and having a trusted driver who knew every viewpoint made the photography significantly better.”

“We are a large family of 8 and getting everyone organised is always complicated. Raahi handled two vehicles, all the hotels, and the Deosai permit without any issues. The cold desert was the highlight for everyone, my sister's children had never seen sand dunes before and the backdrop of the Karakoram behind them was surreal. Not a single thing went wrong on the entire trip.”

“I had photographed in the Drakensberg, Iceland, and Patagonia. Nothing prepared me for the scale of the Karakoram. Raahi understood the photography priorities immediately and positioned me at locations I would not have found independently. The pre-dawn drive to Kharpocho Fort with the Indus lit below and the cold desert in late afternoon, both of those sessions produced the best landscape work I have done.”

“We wanted something memorable for our anniversary and chose Skardu and Hunza in October on Raahi's advice. The autumn colours in Karimabad and the quiet that October brings to both regions made it feel like we had the valley to ourselves. Eagle's Nest with Rakaposhi in autumn light, and two nights at Shigar Fort Palace in the November quiet, exactly what we were looking for.”

“I came specifically for the Milky Way photography at Deosai and Raahi built the whole itinerary around the new moon window. Two nights on the plateau, adjusted based on forecast, and the clear sky at 4,100 metres was everything I had read it would be. Raahi understood the specific requirements without needing lengthy explanations. For any serious night photographer, Deosai in August is a destination that belongs on the list.”

“The Hushe Valley drive was the moment the whole family went quiet in the back of the car, the view of Masherbrum and K7 through the valley walls is something you cannot explain in photographs. Raahi had included it as a half-day extension from Khaplu that most operators apparently skip. These are the inclusions that make a trip. Well planned, well executed, highly recommended.”

“May in Skardu was more beautiful than we expected, the orchards were in bloom and the cold desert had a freshness before the summer heat. Raahi arranged Shigar Fort Palace before the summer bookings filled it and we had the garden almost entirely to ourselves for both mornings. The service and local knowledge throughout were exceptional. A genuinely special trip.”

“We came for the Hushe Valley trekking routes and Raahi handled the full logistics: transport from Skardu to Khaplu, accommodation, guide and porters from Hushe village, and two nights at Khaplu Palace at each end. The views of K6 and K7 from the trail are extraordinary. Having everything arranged in advance meant we could focus entirely on the walk. Professional and thorough throughout.”

“We wanted a honeymoon that would be genuinely memorable rather than a resort. Skardu in September was perfect: cool evenings, clear mountain views, and a night on Deosai under the stars that we will never forget. Raahi had every detail arranged before we arrived. We told our entire extended family about it and Raahi has had several more bookings from us since.”

“I came for landscape and architectural photography. The access Raahi provided, early morning at Baltit Fort, the correct golden-hour timing for the cold desert, a position on the Kharpocho walls that I would not have found alone, made a measurable difference to the quality of work I brought back. Mubarik's knowledge of the light at specific locations is something you cannot find in any guidebook.”

“This was a trip we had talked about for years and Raahi made it everything we had imagined. Our daughter (age 10) had her mind completely changed about what the world looks like by the view from Eagle's Nest. The driver made every long mountain drive feel safe and comfortable. We left Pakistan wanting to come back almost immediately.”

“We drove the full KKH from Islamabad in October and the autumn colour was extraordinary throughout. Raahi coordinated every stop along the route and the local knowledge was invaluable, the guesthouse in Passu with the direct view of the cones, the exact viewpoint above Attabad Lake that photographs best from. A trip that exceeded our already high expectations.”

“We did the full circuit and Raahi connected it all into a logical itinerary with nothing wasted. The transition from Skardu's desert character to Hunza's green terraces over one drive through the Karakoram is one of the most dramatic landscape shifts we have experienced anywhere. Two weeks was exactly the right amount of time and every hotel and vehicle was exactly as described.”

“We are both retired and had wanted to see the Karakoram for decades. Raahi understood immediately that we wanted to see everything without being rushed and built the itinerary accordingly, more nights in each location, no back-to-back long drives, altitude gain managed carefully. Deosai was the highlight we had dreamed about. We came home ten years younger in spirit. Cannot say enough good things.”

“October was the right month for photography in Skardu in every respect. The lower-angled light, the autumn colour on the poplar trees in Shigar, the way the cold desert looks in late afternoon with the Karakoram behind it, all of it is better than in midsummer. Raahi knew exactly which locations to prioritise and when. My social media following tripled in the month after this trip.”