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The Hunza gorge, the river road winding below golden peaks

All journeys · Hunza and the Karakoram

Hunza and the Karakoram.

Eight days among forts and glaciers. Karimabad, the turquoise surprise of Attabad, the cones of Passu, and a border pass on the roof of the world.

Duration8 days, 7 nights
RhythmClassic
Best seasonApril to October
Fromfrom $1,850 ppask
RouteIslamabad to Khunjerab
Reserve your dates

The valley that raised the bar.

Hunza is the journey people imagine when they imagine Pakistan, and it is better than the photographs. Thousand-year-old forts, orchards that turn gold in October, a landslide that became a lake, and at the end of the road, 4,693 metres at Khunjerab.

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

When to goJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecgrey off · outline good · filled best
01
Day 1

Islamabad to Naran

Leave the plains heat for the pine slopes of the Kaghan valley. Cool air, a loud river, mountains properly introduced.

7-8 hrs, private transferAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayNaran hotel
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingThe Kunhar river keeps you company the whole climb.
02
Day 2

Over Babusar to Gilgit

Switchbacks to 4,173 metres, snow patches by the road, and suddenly the whole Indus basin below. Down into Gilgit by evening.

6 hrs, high passAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayGilgit hotel
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingBabusar opens June to October; winter routes go via Besham.
03
Day 3

Into Hunza

A short, spectacular run with the Rakaposhi viewpoint on the way. Settle into Karimabad as the light leaves the fort walls.

3 hrs, KKHAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayKarimabad view hotel
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingThe first Rakaposhi viewpoint arrives before you expect it.
04
Day 4

Baltit and Altit forts

A thousand years of the Hunza state in two restorations of genius. Old water channels between the forts, apricot cake at sunset.

Easy day, on footAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayKarimabad view hotel
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingAltit fort at golden hour; Baltit in the cool morning.
05
Day 5

Attabad, Gulmit, Hussaini

Boats on the landslide lake, the old road to Gulmit, and the Passu cones filling the windscreen all day.

Full day, lake and valleyAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayGulmit guesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingThe lake is coldest, bluest and calmest before eleven.
06
Day 6

Khunjerab Pass

Follow the Karakoram to its climax at 4,693 metres, the China border. Ibex on the slopes, tea in Sost on the way down.

Full day, high altitudeAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayGulmit guesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingCarry layers: it is snow and silence at 4,693 metres.
07
Day 7

Eagles Nest, Duikar

Dawn above the valley as Rakaposhi and Diran catch first light. Afternoon yours: cafes, craft shops, or nothing at all.

Morning viewpointAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayKarimabad view hotel
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingSunset from Duikar lights five 7,000-metre peaks at once.
08
Day 8

Gilgit to Islamabad

Fly from Gilgit for a mountain farewell from the air, weather permitting, or drive the Karakoram Highway with the Indus for company.

1 hr flight or 12 hrs roadAsk about this day
Day details
  • StayYour own bed
  • MealsBreakfast and dinner at the stay; lunch on the road.
  • Worth knowingThe flight back is one hour and worth booking early.

From the road Hunza and the Karakoram

Snow walls on the Babusar road
01Over BabusarDay 2
With our guide at Altit Fort
02Altit FortDays 3-4
Boats on the turquoise water of Attabad
03Boating on AttabadDay 5
The snow-lined road to Khunjerab Pass
04Khunjerab, 4,693 mDay 6
Orchards below the peaks of Hunza
05Orchards of HunzaDay 7
Looking down the valley from above Karimabad
06Above the valleyDay 7
Autumn colours around a walnut-wood hut
07Autumn arrives in HunzaDay 7

Included

  • ✓Private 4x4 with veteran mountain driver-guide
  • ✓7 nights in heritage guesthouses and valley hotels
  • ✓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 Hunza and the Karakoram.

Know before the pass.

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

How fit do I need to be?

Easy to moderate. Walking is optional everywhere and the 4x4s do the climbing. Tell us about any conditions beforehand. Ask on WhatsApp

What about connectivity?

Towns have data, the high valleys do not. Treat the silence as part of the route. Ask on WhatsApp

Cash or card?

Bring cash from the big cities. Cards rarely work beyond them, and ATMs are thin in the valleys. Ask on WhatsApp

Will I feel the altitude?

Hunza sits at a gentle 2,438 metres and the itinerary paces you before the Khunjerab day at 4,693. Most people feel nothing but wind. Ask on WhatsApp

Jon Gritten ★★★★★

Tour de Swat looked after us magnificently for 6 days while we travelled around the indescribably beautiful northern mountain areas of Pakistan. Hunza Valley, Skardu, Gilgit, the Karakoram Highway, always surrounded by breathtaking views. I really can’t recommend Mohsin our guide, all his team, our driver and the area highly enough.

Jon GrittenHunza and the Karakoram, 6 days · on Google

4.9 from 307 travellers read them on Google

It is now a little over four days since returning from Pakistan and my heart is full of happiness and shared joy. The whole team went out of their way for us at every step of the journey.

Arfan Akramon Google, 5 stars

Keep exploring other routes

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 The long northern road14 days, expedition

The Grand Traverse

Plan this journey Khunjerab, 4,693 m

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Tell us your dates and group size. We shape Hunza and the Karakoram around you.

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