Snow walls on a high pass road in the north

All journeys · The Grand Traverse

The Grand Traverse.

Fourteen days, the full north in one unbroken line. Swat to Chitral, over the Shandur to Hunza, up to Khunjerab, across Deosai to Skardu, and home by Naran.

Duration14 days, 13 nights

RhythmExpedition

Best seasonJune to September

Fromfrom $3,200 ppask

Routethe full north

Reserve your dates

The whole north. One road.

Most travellers choose one region. This journey refuses to. The green of Swat, the culture of the Kalash, the highest polo ground on earth at Shandur, the forts of Hunza, the border sky at Khunjerab, bear country on Deosai and the great walls of Skardu. Fourteen days, no filler.

The route, day by day the climb, in metres above the sea

When to goJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecgrey off · outline good · filled best

Days 1-2

North, over Lowari

Islamabad to Swat, then up through Dir and over the Lowari pass into Chitral, a different world of fort walls and river evenings.

Two travel daysAsk about this day

Day details

StayChitral hotel
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingTwo days, one pass: the switchbacks begin after Dir.

Day 3

The Kalash valleys

Bumburet and Rumbur among wooden houses and walnut groves. Two thousand years of festival, dress and firelight, received as a guest.

Full day, jeep and walkAsk about this day

Day details

StayBumburet guesthouse
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingFestivals in May and September; plan around them.

Day 4

Over Shandur

The great crossing at 3,700 metres, past the highest polo ground on earth, down to Gilgit.

8-9 hrs, high passAsk about this day

Day details

StayGilgit hotel
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingThe highest polo ground on earth sits at 3,800 metres.

Days 5-8

Hunza, fully

Karimabad and its forts, Attabad lake, the Hussaini bridge, the cones of Passu, Eagles Nest at dawn and the border sky at Khunjerab.

Four daysAsk about this day

Day details

StayKarimabad view hotel
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingFour slow days: forts, Attabad, Passu and Khunjerab.

Days 9-11

Junction to Deosai

Junction Point where three ranges meet, Astore, then the full crossing of the Deosai plateau to Sheosar Lake and down to Skardu.

Three daysAsk about this day

Day details

StayDeosai camps
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingTwo nights on the plateau; stars like nowhere else.

Day 12

Shigar and the dunes

The fort garden, the Cold Desert between snow peaks, sunset at Satpara above town.

Easy dayAsk about this day

Day details

StayShigar fort rooms
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingCold desert dunes twenty minutes from a 400-year-old fort.

Days 13-14

Home by Naran

The long, beautiful drive west to Naran for a riverside last night, then over Babusar and down to Islamabad.

Two daysAsk about this day

Day details

StayYour own bed
MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
Worth knowingBabusar in the morning light, with a lake detour if clear.

From the road The Grand Traverse

Our travellers together on a rocky pass — 01The crew, somewhere highDay 7

Yaks grazing on the Deosai plains — 02Yaks of DeosaiDay 6

Summer pastures and stone walls in the Kalash valleys — 03Summer pastures, KalashDay 3

Green meadows running to the tree line — 04The green heartDay 1

Included

✓Private 4x4 with veteran mountain driver-guide
✓13 nights: the best stay in every valley on the line
✓Breakfast and dinner daily
✓Fuel, tolls, passes and entry fees
✓First-aid kit, oxygen, satellite check-ins

Not included

–Flights to and from Islamabad
–Lunches and personal snacks
–Personal gear and equipment
–Travel insurance (required)
–Tips for guides and drivers

Ways to do it three comfort levels

Same road. Three ways to travel it.

Every package is private to your group. The road is identical; what changes is where you sleep, how much room you ride with, and how much we wrap around you.

Prices on request

Tell us your dates and group size on WhatsApp and we will send the full price list for The Grand Traverse.

Know before the pass.

The practical truth of this route. Ask us anything else on WhatsApp.

Best months

June to September, the only window when Shandur, Deosai and Babusar are all open. This journey is built around that season. Ask on WhatsApp

Altitude

Three nights above 2,400 metres and days to 4,693. The route is ordered to acclimatise you progressively. Ask on WhatsApp

Who is this for?

Travellers with time and appetite. Couples, groups of friends, photographers. Not ideal for very young children. Ask on WhatsApp

★★★★★

Our family recently completed an incredible tour with Tour de Swat, and it turned out to be one of our most memorable trips. The accommodation, itinerary planning, time management, and overall coordination were excellent. Their professionalism, hospitality, and attention to detail made our vacation truly unforgettable.

4.9 from 307 travellers read them on Google

I recently went on a 10-day trip with Tour De Swat, and it was an incredible experience! The quality of their service was top-notch from start to finish. Everything was super well-organized, including the hotels, transport, and daily schedule. We didn’t have to worry about a single thing.

Keep exploring other routes

7 days, immersive

The Classic North

Turquoise lake beneath the peaks of Hunza

8 days, classic

Hunza and the Karakoram

Plan this journey Khunjerab, 4,693 m

Walk this road with us.

Fourteen days need planning. Tell us your window and we build the Traverse around it.

Plan on WhatsApp Or design a custom route