Things to Do in Pakistan in December

December Weather in Pakistan

21°C (69°F) High Temp

7°C (44°F) Low Temp

0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect weather for northern regions - Lahore averages 19°C (66°F) with crystal clear skies, ideal for exploring Mughal architecture without the brutal summer heat
Peak citrus season means incredible fresh orange juice for 50-80 PKR per glass and winter vegetables flood markets making street food exceptional
Dry season with minimal rainfall allows uninterrupted access to northern valleys like Hunza and Skardu before winter road closures
Tourist low season means 40-60% cheaper accommodation rates and locals have more time to engage with visitors, especially during chai sessions

Considerations

Northern areas like Gilgit-Baltistan experience temperatures dropping to -10°C (14°F) with some high-altitude passes potentially closed by late December
Fog season in Punjab creates flight delays and poor visibility for driving between major cities from early morning until 10-11 AM
Limited daylight hours (sunset around 5:30 PM) means less time for outdoor photography and sightseeing activities

Best Activities in December

Lahore Heritage Walking Tours

December's cool 19°C (66°F) temperatures make exploring Lahore's Walled City comfortable without summer's oppressive heat. Morning fog clears by 10 AM revealing stunning Mughal architecture. Winter light creates perfect photography conditions for Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. Local guides are more available and prices drop 30-40% during low tourist season.

Booking Tip: Book heritage walks 3-5 days ahead through hotel concierges or tourism offices. Tours typically cost 2,000-4,000 PKR per person. Look for guides certified by Punjab Tourism Department. Morning tours (10 AM start) avoid fog issues.

Skardu and Fairy Meadows Trekking

December offers crystal clear mountain views with snow-capped peaks against blue skies. Daytime temperatures reach 8°C (46°F) in Skardu, perfect for moderate trekking. Lower tourist numbers mean authentic interactions with Balti communities and better accommodation availability. Access roads remain open until late December before winter closures.

Booking Tip: Book mountain treks 2-3 weeks ahead as domestic tourism peaks in December holidays. Expect 15,000-25,000 PKR for 3-4 day packages including transport from Islamabad. Ensure operators provide proper winter gear and have emergency protocols.

Karachi Food Street Tours

December's 24°C (75°F) evenings make Karachi's street food scene perfect for exploration. Winter specialties like sajji and karahi taste exceptional in cooler weather. Burns Road and Boat Basin come alive after sunset with comfortable temperatures for walking food tours. Sea breeze provides natural cooling.

Booking Tip: Evening food tours typically cost 1,500-3,000 PKR per person. Book through reputable operators who know safe, authentic vendors. Tours usually run 6-10 PM to avoid daytime heat. Look for guides familiar with dietary restrictions.

Hunza Valley Photography Expeditions

December delivers the year's clearest mountain photography conditions with Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar peaks perfectly visible. Golden hour lighting at 4:30 PM creates dramatic shots impossible during cloudy seasons. Apricot trees are bare, revealing underlying landscape structure. Tourist crowds are minimal allowing unobstructed shots.

Booking Tip: Photography tours cost 20,000-35,000 PKR for 5-7 days from Islamabad. Book 3-4 weeks ahead as December is peak season for domestic photographers. Ensure operators provide cold weather camping gear rated for -5°C (23°F). Check current tour options in booking section below.

Multan Sufi Shrine Visits

Cool December weather makes visiting Multan's numerous shrines comfortable for extended periods. Thursday evening qawwali sessions are particularly powerful in winter months when devotee numbers increase. Walking between Shah Rukn-e-Alam and Bahauddin Zakariya shrines is pleasant in 20°C (68°F) temperatures.

Booking Tip: Shrine visits are free but consider guided cultural tours for 1,200-2,500 PKR to understand Sufi traditions. Thursday evening programs start around 7 PM. Book accommodation 1 week ahead as pilgrimage increases in winter months.

Islamabad Margalla Hills Hiking

December provides ideal hiking conditions with temperatures reaching 18°C (64°F) and clear visibility revealing distant peaks. Trail 3 and Trail 5 offer perfect morning hikes starting 8 AM after fog clears. Wildlife is more active in cooler weather, increasing chances of spotting leopards and various bird species.

Booking Tip: Hiking is free but guided nature walks cost 800-1,500 PKR. Start hikes after 9 AM when morning fog lifts. Trails are less crowded on weekdays. Download offline maps as phone signals are weak above 600 m (1,969 ft).

December Events & Festivals

Mid December

Shandur Polo Festival Winter Edition

Traditional high-altitude polo matches played at 3,700 m (12,139 ft) with spectacular mountain backdrop. Teams from Gilgit and Chitral compete in freezing conditions creating unique spectacle. Local handicrafts and traditional foods available.

Late December

Lok Mela Folk Festival

Annual folk festival in Islamabad showcasing regional music, dance, and crafts from all provinces. December's cool weather makes outdoor performances comfortable. Traditional winter foods and warming chai abundant.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered clothing system: temperatures range from 7°C to 21°C (44°F to 69°F) requiring versatile options like merino base layers and fleece mid-layers

Waterproof hiking boots for mountain regions where temperatures drop below freezing and trails may have ice patches

SPF 50+ sunscreen - December UV index reaches 8, especially dangerous at high altitudes where reflection off snow intensifies exposure

Warm sleeping bag rated to -10°C (14°F) for northern camping as temperatures plummet at night above 2,000 m (6,562 ft)

Power bank and charging cables - shorter daylight hours mean more reliance on devices for navigation and communication

Prescription altitude sickness medication if visiting areas above 3,000 m (9,843 ft) like Skardu or Hunza

Cash in small denominations - ATMs are rare in northern regions and card payments limited outside major cities

Head torch with extra batteries for 5:30 PM sunset and potential morning fog navigation

Insulated water bottle to prevent freezing in sub-zero mountain temperatures

N95 masks for fog season air quality issues in Punjab cities during morning hours

Insider Knowledge

Book domestic flights before 2 PM in December to avoid fog-related delays that plague morning flights between Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad

Carry exact change for street food vendors during peak winter season - small vendors often can't break large 5,000 PKR notes due to increased cash flow

Time mountain photography for 4:00-4:30 PM golden hour as sunset happens rapidly at high altitudes, giving only 30 minutes of optimal light

Visit fruit markets early morning (6-8 AM) for best selection of winter citrus at lowest prices before daily stocks diminish

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating mountain weather changes - temperatures can drop 15°C (27°F) between day and night in northern regions, catching unprepared travelers

Planning tight flight connections during fog season - Punjab flights face 60-80% delay rates in December mornings before 11 AM

Expecting summer opening hours - many northern guesthouses and restaurants close early (8 PM) due to cold weather and limited tourist traffic