Here is what I have to tell you…

As soon as you mention the words Pakistan and female travel, especially motorcycle adventure, it instantly rings a bell in people’s minds.

And that bell? It has a big red mark on it that says:
“No. It’s unsafe. It’s dangerous. I’d never do it in a million years.”

I am going to start with this. That it’s not JUST Pakistan. Anywhere in the world, it’s not entirely safe for women to travel alone.

Actually, to put it more accurately, it’s not completely safe for anyone out there. The world can be a scary place.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Traveling as a female in Pakistan can actually be incredibly rewarding. It
comes with its own set of perks, as long as you stay cautious & use your common sense. As someone who’s been doing this for over a decade now, I’ve had my fair share of experiences. And let
me tell you, every place I’ve traveled to comes with its own charm, its own people, and yes, its own
lessons.

When I first started riding…

I had no clue what I was getting into. My number one concern wasn’t the fact that I had literally zero
knowledge about motorcycle adventures; it was about my safety. I was unsure how people would react to
seeing a woman in a riding jacket and boots. Mind you, this was ten years ago, when women riders were
TABOO in Pakistan. (Well, they still are…kind of).

Of course, I did not just give up to my fears at that moment. I sat with it and rationalized every single
thing that could go wrong. I devised strategies, watched self-defense videos on YouTube, only to have
none of it happen to me.

What happened was the complete opposite of what I feared.

Instead of men telling me to “go home” because I didn’t fit their idea of “values,” people welcomed me.
In fact, I was literally scolded for not exploring their village properly because I was in a hurry to
reach my next destination.

I was in culture shock. I mean, this can’t be true, right? Surely, something has to go wrong, right?
But the truth is, everything was okay, in fact, more than okay.

Of course, not every moment was like that. There have been instances where I felt unsafe or, rather,
uncomfortable.

The Kalash Valley incident was one…

Picture this, I have my earphones on, and I am riding into one of the most scenic valleys of Kalash.
It’s warm, and summer is just around the corner. This is my first time riding here, so I have to be super careful
with the steep turns and narrow road. I make a turn to one such sharp bend and see a green pickup truck
coming from the opposite direction, about 400–500 meters away.

Since the road couldn’t fit both of us at the same time, I stopped to let him pass. He passes, and just when I thought he would go ahead, he stops… on a curve, where one of my legs was literally at the edge of the mountain.

I think to myself, “Oh, he must be another local curious about my motorcycle adventure.”

But I was wrong.

“Where are you going?” “Why are you alone?” “Give me your number.”

The questions came in, and there were more than four men in that pickup truck.

I had my GoPro on, and I later posted that video on Instagram. It got over 60 million views, which you can watch here.

At the moment, I wasn’t exactly scared, just confused. But when I saw people’s reactions online, I realized how dangerous the situation actually looked. Everyone praised me for calmly telling him that “my brother was just a few kilometers away” (even though, in reality, he was very far).

That’s the thing about traveling: some days are good, some are bad.
Sometimes you’ll meet kind, curious people who just want to help.
Other times, you’ll meet creeps who stare or ask uncomfortable questions.

So, is it safer in the city?

For me personally, I often feel more vulnerable in cities than in the mountains.
People in the northern areas of Pakistan are far more aware of foreigners and female travelers. They’re
open-minded and respectful.

Cities, on the other hand, have people from all over who come from different backgrounds, different
mindsets, and sometimes that mix can feel unsafe.

Being too friendly can sometimes be read as flirtatious…

I love talking to people, asking questions, learning stories because that’s what I do: I tell stories.

But sometimes, my curiosity, especially if I am asking a young man questions about his life, gets misunderstood as
flirtation.

I can’t begin to explain the numerous times I’ve had to set firm boundaries. Since open interactions between women
and men aren’t always the norm, a simple chat can be interpreted as flirtation: ‘She’s talking to me; she must like
me.’  This tends to happen more in communities with limited exposure and education.

Safety in Pakistan, especially for women, isn’t black and white. There are a lot of grey areas that you eventually learn to navigate through experience, intuition, and common sense.

I would never want any woman to cancel her traveling plans just because she feels unsafe, so here are some tips that have personally worked for me, which I would love to share.

1. Never share your full travel plans publicly

Don’t even tell all your friends. Not even your own soul. Pretend it never happened. Keep your plans
limited to two or three trusted people, perhaps a parent, sibling, or one close friend.

2. Keep someone updated

Whenever you arrive somewhere, message that person: “I’ve checked in, all’s good.”
And if plans change, be sure to let them know. I honestly don’t want you to end up like that guy from 127
Hours who thought it was cool not to inform anyone & ended up cutting his arm.

3. Carry a physical address book

Yes, a literal, physical address book. Just in case your phone dies, gets lost, or worst of all, tumbles off a
mountain while you’re hiking. Keep important numbers written down. You’ll thank yourself later.

4. Research your accommodations thoroughly

Pick hotels that cater to families and seasoned travelers. Read social media reviews. Once you check in, don’t overshare details about your plans with staff. Always lock your door.

5. Respect local culture

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Dress appropriately, respect traditions, and blend in. It’s not about restriction, it’s about awareness and
respect.

6. Trust Your Intuition

As women, we’re born with strong intuition. It’s like an inner radar that can sense danger miles away. Sometimes, your brain will try to silence it, telling you to “be rational.” Don’t. Listen to that inner voice. It’s there for a reason.
There have been moments when something didn’t feel right to me, and whenever I followed my gut, it always turned out to be the right decision.

7. Walk with confidence

Be alert. Don’t look lost or distracted.
When you look aware, you project strength, and that alone can ward off trouble.
Think “main character energy,” so anyone planning nonsense takes one look and goes, “Yeah… not
messing with her today.”

Last little pep talk…

There’s a quote I love. I know it’s cliché, but honestly, who cares? It goes something like this:

“Fear is temporary, but regret is permanent.”

So whether it’s a motorcycle adventure, a mountain climb, or your first girls’ trip, don’t let fear stop you. Because if you don’t take that leap, you might regret it for the rest of your life.

Pakistan, for all its complexities, is relatively safe for women who travel smart. Trust me, people will open their doors for you, welcome you with chai, and listen to your stories with awe, and you’ll come back with a thousand stories of your own.

The world is your playground, girls, and travel, especially in Pakistan, is the best education you can ever give yourself.