Last Updated on: 28th March 2026, 12:34 pm
Gilgit-Baltistan is Pakistan’s northernmost territory and is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Simply put, this is one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. And this Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary will take you to turquoise glacial lakes, suspension bridges over roaring rivers, ancient forts, and valleys dominated by 7,000-meter peaks.
Given how large the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region is, this itinerary will guide you step-by-step on how to get there from Islamabad, along with traveling from destination to destination within the territory.
It’s designed for travelers who want to experience the region’s stunning mountain scenery without committing to extreme multi-day treks. The most strenuous hikes featured here are day hikes to basecamps – challenging but doable for anyone in decent shape.
A 2-Week Gilgit-Baltistan Itinerary
- Know Before You Go
- Day 0: Arrive in Skardu From Islamabad
- Day 1: Hike to Kharphocho Fort & Narsok Organic Village
- Day 2: Visit Mansur Rock, Sarfaranga & Shigar Palace
- Day 3: Buddha Rock, Satpara Lake, Katpana Desert
- Day 4: Visit the Khachura Lakes
- Day 5: Onward to Gilgit
- Day 6: Head to Fairy Meadows
- Day 7: Hike to Behal Camp & The Rakaposhi Viewpoint
- Day 8: From Fairy Meadows to Gilgit
- Day 9: From Gilgit to Minapin
- Day 10: Hike to Rakaposhi Basecamp
- Day 11: Onward to Karimabad
- Day 12: A Day Trip to Passu
- Day 13: Visit the Hopar Glacier
- Day 14: Explore More of Karimabad
Know Before You Go
WHEN TO GO: Given Gilgit-Baltistan’s high altitudes, warmer months between May and October are generally considered the best time to visit. An exception, however, is the month of August, which typically sees a lot of rain and therefore landslides.
But how early can you go? I actually visited in late April-early May, as my Pakistan trip was part of a much longer Asia itinerary. I was concerned about snow on the trails, but in reality, this was hardly an issue except during the hike to the Rakaposhi Viewpoint.
As long as you won’t be hiking much higher than 4000 m above sea level, spring is a fine time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan, and you may even get to see cherry blossoms.
WHY START WITH SKARDU?: Lots of other Gilgit-Baltistan itineraries either omit Skardu entirely or save it for last, almost as an afterthought. But not only is Skardu one of northern Pakistan’s top destinations, it also makes sense to start there for various reasons.
Skardu is considerably cheaper than Karimabad in the Hunza Valley, so it’s a good place to start your journey and take things slow – both to recover from the grueling bus ride (more below) and to acclimate to the altitude. And when comparing it to Gilgit, the territory’s other main transport hub, there’s just a lot more to do around Skardu.
HOW TO REACH SKARDU: Skardu can be accessed directly by bus or plane from Islamabad. While less frequent, you may also be able to find direct flights from Lahore or Karachi.
As for direct buses from Islamabad, the journey can last anywhere from around 18-24 hours! And that’s if there are no major incidents, such as landslides or traffic jams, along the way.
The plane from Islamabad to Skardu, meanwhile, takes just one hour. So why even consider such a grueling bus ride? One simple reason is cost. Flights can cost up to $90 one-way, while the bus ride costs roughly $20.
But another reason is reliability. Flights frequently get cancelled or delayed due to weather or visibility issues. Therefore, if you have limited time in the region, it can be very hard to make concrete plans knowing that your flight may repeatedly get delayed.
But there’s no way to sugarcoat it – the bus ride really, really sucks. But it is a way to travel over 600 km for next to nothing, while you’re bound to meet friendly locals during the journey.
Note that many bus companies may not even accept foreign passengers. That sometimes leaves NATCO, a state-run bus company, as the only option. Unfortunately, a lot of NATCO buses (though not all) are in pretty bad shape.
Another important thing to be aware of is the security situation. There are a lot of security measures in place to keep tourists safe, especially in the province of KPK, through which this bus passes as it travels along the Karakoram Highway.
Before your journey, you must prepare around 15 photocopies (or even more if you can) of both your passport and Pakistani visa. You’ll give these to the driver as the trip starts, and he’ll then pass a copy to police or security personnel at various checkpoints along the way. Fortunately, this means you won’t have to get woken up by the guards.
All in all, the best way to get the latest information is to follow various Pakistan travel-oriented groups on Facebook.
LOCAL SIM CARDS: Note that even if you already have a Pakistani SIM card, it’s probably not going to work in northern Pakistan. But there is a dedicated telecom company operating in Gilgit-Baltistan known as SCOM.
It’s easy enough to obtain a SIM card upon your arrival – even as a foreign tourist. Just be sure to go to the MAIN office in either Skardu or Gilgit, as branch offices typically don’t allow foreigners to obtain new SIM cards there. (Most locals don’t realize this and may direct you to the wrong shop.)
In any case, you’ll definitely want to download Gilgit-Baltistan maps for offline use in advance of your trip.
GILGIT-BALTISTAN TOURS: As mentioned above, this itinerary doesn’t feature any strenuous hikes. But if that’s mainly what you’re interested in, consider booking a special hiking tour. This 10-day tour, for example, takes you from Islamabad to Gilgit-Baltistan and back in the company of an expert guide.
Day 0: Arrive in Skardu From Islamabad
As mentioned, if you plan to arrive in Skardu from Islamabad, the journey could take around 18-24 hours – if not more. In that case, you’ll need to plan a buffer day in Skardu just to recover from the journey.
But even if you decide to fly, it would be wise to give yourself an extra buffer day or two in the beginning of your journey in case of flight cancellations. (Note that the same would apply for those deciding to fly into Gilgit.)
WHERE TO STAY IN SKARDU: Skardu has plenty of hotel options to choose from.
I had an excellent stay at Hotel Saspolo which I would highly recommend to budget travelers. The room included a private bathroom and Wifi, while the hotel also had reasonably-priced room service. And they also help set me up with a reliable driver.
For all that, the prices were shockingly low (about $6 per night!), which I originally thought was a mistake at first, but it was indeed the real price.
If you’re not on such a strict budget, highly-rated midrange options in central Skardu include Kesar Palace Hotel & Restaurant and Arish Luxury Suites.
The broader Skardu region is also home to two well-known luxury hotels. One of them is the Shigar Fort to the northeast of town, and the other is the Shangrila Resort to the northwest, both of which are destinations in their own right. (Legend Hotel Kachura is another option near Shangrila.)
Day 1: Hike to Kharphocho Fort & Narsok Organic Village
A great way to get acclimated to Skardu’s elevation of 2500 m is to start with an easy hike that you can do with no need for a driver (assuming you’re staying in town). This hike takes you to two notable locations in Skardu: Kharphocho Fort and the Narsok Organic Village.
All in all, this excursion should take you several hours. Begin by hiking to Kharphocho Fort, which dates back to the 16th century. But it’s certainly seen better days, and the main reason to come now is for the views.
When finished, you can enjoy a scenic walk alongside the Indus River, eventually making it to the Narsok Organic Village.
Developed in the 2000s, the village was established for both eco-tourism purposes and to supply the region with pesticide-free produce. While there’s not a whole lot to do other than walk around, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant.
If you still have time or energy leftover, you can hire a driver to take you to one of the locations featured in Day 3 of this itinerary. (In my case, I went to the Katpana Desert on this day.)
Day 2: Visit Mansur Rock, Sarfaranga & Shigar Palace
For this day, you’ll need to hire a driver – either through your hotel or with someone you meet on the street.
Though I managed to hire a motorbike driver for PKR 6000, I didn’t realize how steep the drive up to Mansur Rock would be! Ideally, you should be able to hire a driver with a car for around PKR 9-10,000.
Mansur Rock is arguably the top highlight of the entire Skardu region (well, unless you’re adventurous enough to visit K2). The hike there is short, steep, and breathtaking.
Just getting to the trailhead is part of the adventure, as the access road climbs steeply via switchbacks. Then, from the trailhead, the hike to the rock is just about 2.3 km – yet there’s an elevation gain of over 800 m. The final destination, meanwhile, rises up to 3600 m above sea level.
When finished with the hike (4-5 hours), you can have your driver take you further north to the Sarfaranga Cold Desert. Just note (as I learned the hard way) that you can’t just walk up or drive to the iconic dunes. Expect to pay around PKR 8000 or so for a Jeep ride over.
You can then finish your day at Shigar Palace, a historical fort situated about 30 km northeast of Skardu.
Day 3: Buddha Rock, Satpara Lake, Katpana Desert
This day is focused on seeing more sights relatively close to central Skardu. As you still might be acclimating, you could also do some of these things on Day 2 instead, followed by a rest in the afternoon.
The Manthal Buddha Rock is one of the few attractions around Skardu that’s walkable from the center. It’s located in Manthal village, about 3 km outside of the city. If you’re also visiting Satpara Lake, you should be able to have your driver drop you off along the way.
Aside from Sarfaranga, Skardu’s other main cold desert is known as Katpana, situated near the airport.
Unfortunately, the whole area is being rapidly developed, with bungalows being built directly on the sand. Much of the desert is blocked off by fences, and it’s hard to see the expansive dune views you may be expecting.
The view of the Indus River and surrounding mountains from this area, at least, is gorgeous.
Day 4: Visit the Khachura Lakes
Another top activity to do in Skardu is to take a day trip to the Kachura Lakes, best known for the iconic Shangrila Resort situated beside Lower Kachura Lake.
You should be able to hire a driver for around PKR 9000, including a stop at the scenic Soq Valley.
Upper Kachura is about an hour away from central Skardu. Situated at an altitude of around 2500 m, the lake has a depth of 70 meters (230 ft).
Soq Valley, meanwhile, is a scenic valley through which the Shigarthang Lungma stream runs. It’s popular for its riverside restaurants.
But the top highlight is the Lower Kachura Lake, most known for the Shangrila Resort. If you’re not a hotel guest, you can still enter the premises for PKR 1000 at the time of writing.
Inside, you’ll find not just Shangrila, but several other hotels, with new ones currently under construction.
Day 5: Onward to Gilgit
The driving distance between Skardu and Gilgit is about 2-3 hours, though anticipate significant delays in case of potential landslides or other problems along the rocky road. That’s why you should set a whole day aside for this journey.
Rather than figure out complicated bus schedules, the easiest method would be to ask your hotel about arranging a shared minivan for you. It should be able to pick you up right at your hotel and then drop you off at Giglit’s main bus terminal.
WHERE TO STAY IN GILGIT: The city of Gilgit is Gilgit-Baltistan’s largest city and transport hub, and there are plenty of hotel options here (though not many are actually on Booking).
I originally booked a night at a place called Duroyo Hotel, which I chose precisely because it seemed within walking distance of the bus station. But I arrived to learn that no rooms were available.
In the end, I stayed at ‘Hotel Express and Restaurant’ (not to be confused with Avari Xpress Hotel located a block east). While you need a taxi or public transport to get to and from the station, it’s in a central area along Shahre-e-Quaid-e-Azam Rd, near plenty of shops, restaurants and ATMs.
There was even a coffee shop right next door. And if you’ve traveled through South Asia before as a coffee lover, you know how hard it is to find real coffee!
Importantly, the staff at Hotel Express also let me keep my luggage in the staff room for a few nights while I was at Fairy Meadows. I then returned and stayed an additional night before moving on to Minapin.
Day 6: Head to Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows, located at around 3,500 m above sea level, is one of northern Pakistan’s most talked-about destinations. It’s the best place from which to view Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain in the world.
But just getting to Fairy Meadows is a big part of the adventure – and according to many, the nerve-wracking Jeep ride up is the highlight of the entire experience.
From Gilgit, the steps to reach Fairy Meadows are as follows:
- Get from the city to Raikot Bridge, about 90 minutes away
- Take a Jeep ride from the bridge area up to Tato Village – a thrilling journey which lasts about two hours
- Hike from Tato Village to Fairy Meadows – a moderate hike which should take 2-3 hours (roughly 5 km)
To make sure you get to Fairy Meadows before sunset, you’ll want to leave as early as you can. Each of the above steps are rather complex, but you can learn the full details in our dedicated guide.
WHERE TO STAY IN FAIRY MEADOWS: Accommodation at Fairy Meadows is difficult to book online, as most hotel managers don’t bother with the traditional booking websites. One exception I can find, however, is BroadView Hotel.
I also tried contacting some establishments I’d read about online via WhatsApp, such as Fairy Meadows Cottages, though they quoted me around PKR 10,000 per night. In the end, I did things the old-fashioned way: showed up and asked around.
This worked out fine. The first hotel I approached was Green Land, which had been recommended online by other travelers. Despite it being a weekend, they had available rooms, and, after a bit of haggling, I brought the price of a private room down to PKR 3500 per night. (Prices, of course, can always fluctuate due to the season, inflation, etc.)
Note that most hotels in the Fairy Meadows area have on-site restaurants, so you can just eat at your hotel.
A few other details to note:
- Fairy Meadows is developing rapidly, and lots of new hotels were under construction at the time of my visit. So you’ll likely have even more options than what you’ve read about online.
- Don’t expect any Wifi at Fairy Meadows. And even if you have a local SCOM SIM card, reception will randomly disappear for hours at a time.
- Though I had no issues finding an apartment on the spot during a weekend in May, you may have problems finding a place if you’re visiting during summer peak season.
- Be sure to bring enough cash for everything in advance.
- It gets quite cold at night, so pack warm clothing.
Day 7: Hike to Behal Camp & The Rakaposhi Viewpoint
With a full free day in Fairy Meadows, the best way to spend it is to hike to the Behal Camp and the Rakaposhi Viewpoint beyond it.
The full hike is around 11 km, with an elevation gain of around 450 m.
It could be considered a moderate hike. But considering how you’ll end up at nearly 4000 m above sea level, altitude sickness could be a major concern for those who’ve just arrived in the region (hence why you should acclimate in Skardu).
All in all, this hike took me 7 hours, but that included plenty of stops and a break for chai at Behal camp.
I did this hike when there was a lot of snow on the ground which added to the challenge significantly. Those doing this hike in summer should have a much easier time.
Day 8: From Fairy Meadows to Gilgit
This day is the same as Day 6 but just in reverse. Again, check our dedicated guide to learn more about arranging return transport with your driver, and also for tips on getting back to Gilgit from the Raikot Bridge.
Day 9: From Gilgit to Minapin
Minapin is located between Gilgit and Aliabad/Karimabad, so it’s an ideal place to stop along the way to the Hunza Valley.
Inconveniently, however, Minapin is situated off the main Karakoram Highway. Vehicles going directly there have to turn onto the Pissar-Minapin Road, with the total nonstop journey from Gilgit lasting around two to three hours.
Unfortunately, there are seemingly no direct buses or minivans from Gilgit to Minapin departing in the morning, except for one at 15:00, according to a local.
Therefore, you should anticipate being dropped off at the turnoff point, though it’s another 3.5 km from there until the town. But more on that shortly.
When coming from Gilgit, you have two options, and you should just choose whichever is closest to your hotel. Numerous vehicles heading north along the Karakoram Highway depart from Giglit’s main bus terminal. Or, you can find a shared minivan departing from Khasanna Road.
Reaching the turnoff, expect to either haggle with a local taxi driver or hitchhike. I was traveling with all of my luggage and didn’t want to walk, so I just decided to hitchhike. Fortunately, this ended up working out just fine.
WHERE TO STAY IN MINAPIN: I had a great experience at a hotel called Osho Thang. It’s not on the typical booking websites but I contacted the owner in advance via WhatsApp to make a reservation. You should be able to reach them at +92-346-956-0283.
They have a variety of different rooms available, but as a solo traveler, I just chose the cheapest which cost PKR 3000 per night at the time. It had an attached bathroom and that was all I really needed. The on-site restaurant, meanwhile, was delicious and reasonably priced.
If you’d like to stay closer to the trailhead for the hike to the Rakaposhi Basecamp, consider Manokur E Basa Hotel or Cosy Stones.
Day 10: Hike to Rakaposhi Basecamp
There are plenty of epic hikes in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. And the hike to the Rakaposhi Basecamp is gradually becoming considered a ‘must-do.’ Its main highlight is the view over Minapin Glacier and Rakaposhi Mountain – the world’s 27th highest.
There are two common ways of doing this hike. One option is to hike to Hapakun Camp situated about halfway up, camp there, and then proceed to the top the next morning. If that’s the version you’d prefer, begin your hike on the afternoon of Day 9.
Or, you can do the entire thing in one day. The total hike is about 18 km long with an elevation gain of 1420 m. In my case, all in all, the roundtrip hike took me 7.5 hours.
Day 11: Onward to Karimabad
Most visitors to the Hunza Valley base themselves in Karimabad, the main tourist hub of the region. But public transport routes typically culminate in Aliabad, a short drive away.
Arriving in Aliabad, you can then take a shared or private taxi to get to Karimabad.
But what about moving on from Minapin? It’s such a small village that there aren’t really any local taxis, and my hotel owner suggested I hitchhike. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before a car passed by and gave me a ride to the highway. People in Pakistan are so friendly and hospitable that things usually work their way out in the end.
I then waited about twenty minutes along the highway before a minivan bound for Aliabad appeared.
Upon arrival in Karimabad, you may want to explore one of the town’s forts, such as Altit Fort or Baltit Fort. But you’ll also have time for them later on in the itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN KARIMABAD: Though Aliabad may be the region’s main transport hub, there’s a reason that most tourists prefer to stay in neighboring Karimabad instead. Karimabad is more charming, laidback, and is home to numerous historical sites and scenic viewpoints.
It also has plenty of tourism infrastructure, though it may be too touristy for some people’s tastes.
As a budget traveler, I had a great stay at Tourist Cottage Hunza. It was a bit outside the touristy center, but still walkable to numerous restaurants and even the forts. Furthermore, the staff were very helpful and set me up with affordable drivers to Passu and Hopar Glacier. And the view from just outside my room was spectacular.
Popular midrange options, meanwhile, include The Jade Palace and Razhek.
For those able to splurge, the views from Eagle’s Nest Hotel simply cannot be beat. And the Hunza Darbar Hotel is another famous luxury option.
Day 12: A Day Trip to Passu
If you could only do one excursion during your stay in the Hunza Valley, a day trip to Passu should be your top priority. You should be able to arrange a driver from Karimabad for around PKR 9-10,000.
One of the first highlights you’ll encounter is Attabad Lake. Today, it attracts visitors due to the beautiful turquoise hue of its water. But it was actually formed as a result of a tragic landslide that occurred as recently as 2010.
One of the most prominent symbols of Passu are its suspension bridges hovering over the Hunza River. There are actually two very similar bridges: the Hussaini Suspension Bridge and the Passu Suspension Bridge, which you can walk across for a small fee.
The Passu Cones are the area’s most well-known natural formation, and are visible from much of the valley. Other highlights in the region, meanwhile, include the Passu Glacier and the Rainbow Bridge. And if you travel a couple of hours north, you’ll reach the Khunjerab Pass, home to the world’s highest border crossing.
When finished with Passu, you should also be able to have your driver take you to the Sacred Rocks of Ganish and the Ganish Settlement at the end of the day.
Day 13: Visit the Hopar Glacier
Hopar Glacier is located about 22 kilometers from Karimabad. It’s a bumpy ride that takes about an hour each way, though still manageable in a sedan.
Hopar Glacier is a bit unique in the sense that to get closer to it, you walk down rather than up. All in all, the glacier is massive, stretching out to over 30 kilometers long and covering approximately 100 square kilometers. It’s also a ‘black glacier,’ covered in mud and debris from surrounding moraines.
Expect to pay around PKR 9-10,000 for a day trip which includes a few additional attractions. Your driver should also be able to take you to additional locations, such as the confluence of the Hunza and Nagar Rivers, the Ganish Settlement (if you haven’t been already), and the Eagles Nest viewpoint.
Day 14: Explore More of Karimabad
The last day of this Gilgit-Baltistan is dedicated to seeing anything else you may have missed in the Hunza Valley, such as Baltit or Altit Fort. You may also choose to return to Islamabad on this day, as buses from Aliabad normally depart in the afternoon.
