Book Camping in Islamabad

Camping within reach of Islamabad centres on three areas: Khanpur Dam, about ninety minutes towards Haripur, where lakeside sites are established; Simly Dam and the Bhara Kahu side, forty-five minutes from the city; and the Margalla foothills for basic overnight camps. Organised trips include tents, sleeping mats, dinner and breakfast, and a site team who handle setup.

Expect Rs 4,500 to Rs 8,000 per person for a standard overnight camp including transport from Islamabad, a shared tent, barbecue dinner and breakfast. Private family camps with a dedicated tent and cook run Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000 for four to six people. Add-ons such as kayaking at Khanpur or a bonfire setup are usually Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 each.

Check what the tent actually is, since a two-person dome and a family-size canvas tent produce very different nights. Ask about washroom arrangements at the site, whether sleeping bags are rated for the season, and what the plan is if it rains. October to April is the comfortable window; July and August camping should be avoided near watercourses because of flash flooding.