Gilgit-Baltistan is one of Pakistan’s most spectacular travel destinations, home to some of the world’s highest mountains, beautiful valleys, alpine lakes and centuries-old cultural heritage.
But you don’t have to be a mountaineer or trekker to experience it.
Many of the region’s most famous places can be enjoyed through comfortable road journeys, scenic viewpoints, short walks, cultural visits and relaxed family holidays. From the orchards and historic forts of Hunza to the lakes and deserts of Skardu, every valley has its own character.
For families and first-time visitors, Gilgit-Baltistan is an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the scenery and experience the hospitality and traditions of the mountain communities.
Destination: Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Main Destinations: Hunza • Gilgit • Skardu • Shigar • Khaplu • Ghizer • Astore
Tour Type: Scenic, Cultural & Family Holidays
Best Seasons: Spring, Summer & Autumn
Suitable For: Families • Couples • Friends • Solo Travellers • Senior Travellers
Experience Level: Easy to Moderate
Travel Style: Private Tours & Customized Journeys
With more than 15 years of experience in Gilgit-Baltistan, we help travellers discover the region through carefully planned and locally operated journeys.
Our team comes from the region and understands its roads, valleys, culture and communities. We combine local knowledge with comfortable transportation, carefully selected accommodation and flexible itineraries.
Whether you are travelling with your family, as a couple, with friends or as a private group, we can design a journey around the places and experiences you want to discover.
We believe the best way to experience Gilgit-Baltistan is not simply to visit its famous viewpoints, but also to experience its people, culture, history and way of life.
◆ Private transportation throughout your journey
◆ Comfortable hotel accommodation
◆ Experienced local driver and tour guide
◆ Airport transfers
◆ Sightseeing and visits included in your selected itinerary
◆ Local cultural experiences and assistance
◆ Meals according to your selected tour package
◆ Fuel, tolls and applicable road expenses
◆ Assistance with itinerary planning and local arrangements
◆ Support throughout your journey in Gilgit-Baltistan
Services and inclusions vary according to the selected tour and itinerary.
◆ International flights
◆ Pakistan visa fees
◆ Travel and medical insurance
◆ Personal expenses and shopping
◆ Laundry and telephone charges
◆ Meals or activities not mentioned in your selected itinerary
◆ Additional expenses caused by weather, road closures or unforeseen circumstances
◆ Any services not specifically included in your confirmed tour
Discover Gilgit-Baltistan, a land of towering mountains, turquoise lakes, ancient valleys, and rich cultural traditions. Home to some of the world’s highest peaks, including K2, this spectacular region offers unforgettable adventures, from trekking and mountaineering to exploring remote villages and historic forts. Experience breathtaking landscapes, warm local hospitality, and a culture shaped by centuries of mountain life—making Gilgit-Baltistan a destination unlike anywhere else in the world.
| Day | Destination / Route | Main Attractions & Experiences | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Islamabad → Chilas | Scenic drive along the Karakoram Highway, Indus River & mountain landscapes | Chilas |
| Day 2 | Chilas → Fairy Meadows | Raikot Bridge, jeep ride & trek to Fairy Meadows, spectacular Nanga Parbat views | Fairy Meadows |
| Day 3 | Fairy Meadows → Gilgit | Morning mountain views, return trek/jeep & drive to Gilgit | Gilgit |
| Day 4 | Gilgit → Naltar Valley | Naltar Valley, Naltar Lakes, forests & mountain scenery | Gilgit |
| Day 5 | Gilgit → Hunza | Rakaposhi View Point, Hunza Valley, Karimabad | Hunza |
| Day 6 | Central Hunza | Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Karimabad, Duikar & Eagle’s Nest | Hunza |
| Day 7 | Upper Hunza | Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, Passu Village, Hussaini Bridge & Gulmit | Hunza |
| Day 8 | Khunjerab Pass | Sost, Khunjerab National Park & Khunjerab Pass | Hunza |
| Day 9 | Hunza → Nagar / Hopper | Nagar Valley, Hopper Glacier & spectacular Karakoram views | Nagar / Hunza |
| Day 10 | Nagar → Gilgit → Ghizer | Gupis, Gahkuch, Puniyal & scenic drive through Ghizer | Gahkuch |
| Day 11 | Ghizer Valley | Khalti Lake, Gupis, local villages & mountain landscapes | Phander |
| Day 12 | Phander Valley | Phander Lake, meadows, rivers & traditional village life | Phander |
| Day 13 | Phander → Gilgit → Skardu | Scenic journey along the Indus, dramatic mountain valleys | Skardu |
| Day 14 | Skardu Valley | Upper Kachura Lake, Shangrila, Satpara Lake & Skardu town | Skardu |
| Day 15 | Shigar Valley | Shigar Fort, Amburiq Mosque, Shigar Valley & Sarfaranga Cold Desert | Skardu |
| Day 16 | Kharmang Valley | Manthoka Waterfall, Khamosh Waterfall / local villages & mountain scenery | Skardu |
| Day 17 | Skardu → Deosai | Jeep adventure across Deosai Plains, Sheosar Lake & wildlife landscapes | Deosai / Astore |
| Day 18 | Deosai → Astore | Deosai plateau, Chilim, Astore Valley & Rama Meadows | Astore |
| Day 19 | Astore Valley | Rama Lake, Rama Meadows & Nanga Parbat views | Astore |
| Day 20 | Astore → Chilas / Naran side | Scenic mountain journey back towards the lower valleys | Chilas |
| Day 21 | Chilas → Islamabad | Karakoram Highway journey back to Islamabad | — |
Please note: Departure dates are tentative and may be adjusted according to weather, road conditions, local events, and group requirements. Private and customised departures are also available.
Check out our departure dates of 2027, and book now
Let us arrange your transportation as part of a complete travel experience, including tours, accommodation and local travel services.
This tour is suitable for adventure seekers, families, couples, photographers, nature lovers, and first-time visitors to northern Pakistan. No technical trekking experience is required for the standard tour, although a reasonable level of fitness is recommended, as some days involve long road journeys, walking, and optional hikes.
Pakistan is a welcoming country with a rich history, diverse cultures and some of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes.
For international visitors, Gilgit-Baltistan offers an opportunity to experience a part of Pakistan that remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.
International guests travelling to Pakistan should review the current visa, permit, travel and expedition requirements before making travel arrangements.
Visa requirements, trekking regulations and government policies may change. We strongly recommend checking the latest information directly from the relevant official authorities before travelling to Pakistan or planning a mountaineering expedition.
Expect an unforgettable journey through dramatic mountain landscapes, glacial lakes, historic forts, remote valleys, traditional villages, and vibrant local cultures. The tour combines comfortable sightseeing with adventure, giving you the opportunity to experience both the famous highlights and the lesser-known beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Travel in Gilgit-Baltistan is an adventure in itself. Roads pass through high mountain valleys, narrow gorges, and spectacular sections of the Karakoram Highway. Most destinations are accessible by vehicle, but some journeys can be long, and road conditions may vary. Travel times are therefore approximate and may change due to traffic, weather, road works, or local conditions.
International participants travelling to Pakistan for an expedition, trek or mountain adventure should carefully review the relevant travel, visa, insurance and expedition requirements before making final travel arrangements.
Mountain travel in Pakistan involves remote regions, changing weather conditions and specialised logistical arrangements. Requirements may vary depending on nationality, destination and the nature of the planned activity.
The following information provides general guidance for international participants.
International visitors travelling to Pakistan should ensure that they have a valid passport and meet the applicable entry requirements for their nationality.
Visa and entry requirements may change from time to time. Participants are responsible for checking the latest official requirements before making travel arrangements.
Karakoram Holidays may provide appropriate supporting documentation where applicable for confirmed participants. However, visa decisions and entry permissions remain the responsibility of the relevant government authorities.
We recommend beginning the visa process well in advance of your planned departure.
Certain trekking and mountaineering activities in Pakistan may require official permissions, permits or other documentation.
Requirements may vary depending on:
• The destination
• The selected mountain or trekking region
• The type of activity
• The nationality of the participant
• Government regulations
• The specific expedition programme
High-altitude mountaineering expeditions may involve additional permits, government fees and administrative requirements.
Karakoram Holidays will provide appropriate guidance regarding expedition-related arrangements. However, participants are responsible for ensuring that they understand and comply with applicable official regulations.
International participants normally begin their journey by travelling to Pakistan’s main international airports.
Depending on the selected expedition or programme, the journey may continue by domestic flight or road transportation towards the mountain region.
Many expeditions in northern Pakistan involve travel through remote areas where weather, road conditions and flight operations can affect the schedule.
Domestic flights, particularly flights to mountain regions, may be affected by weather conditions.
Road travel may also be affected by:
• Weather
• Landslides
• Road closures
• Traffic conditions
• Seasonal conditions
• Other operational factors
Participants should maintain flexibility when arranging their international travel and avoid scheduling tightly connected international flights immediately after the planned expedition.
Additional days may occasionally be required because of travel delays.
Participants are responsible for obtaining appropriate insurance for their selected activity.
Standard travel insurance may not provide sufficient coverage for trekking, mountaineering or high-altitude activities.
Depending on the selected programme, appropriate insurance may include coverage for:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Personal accidents
• Search and rescue
• Emergency evacuation
• High-altitude trekking
• High-altitude mountaineering
• Helicopter evacuation where available
• Trip interruption
• Trip cancellation
• Repatriation
Participants must carefully check the terms and limitations of their insurance policy.
For high-altitude expeditions, the insurance policy should specifically cover the intended mountaineering activity and appropriate altitude.
The specific insurance requirements for each mountain may be provided on the relevant expedition page.
Participants are responsible for arriving with appropriate personal clothing and equipment suitable for their selected expedition or trekking programme.
Mountain conditions can vary significantly depending on:
• Altitude
• Weather
• Temperature
• Season
• Terrain
• Snow and ice conditions
High-altitude expeditions require specialised clothing and mountaineering equipment.
Participants should carefully review the equipment requirements for their selected expedition before travelling.
A detailed equipment list may be provided during the preparation and booking process.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their personal equipment is appropriate, functional and suitable for the planned activity.
High-altitude mountaineering and trekking require careful physical and mental preparation.
Participants should prepare appropriately before joining an expedition.
Preparation may include:
• Physical fitness training
• Endurance training
• Strength training
• Previous trekking or climbing experience
• Technical mountaineering training
• Acclimatisation planning
• Equipment preparation
The experience and fitness requirements vary depending on the selected mountain.
Participants should carefully review the requirements of their chosen expedition.
For major mountaineering expeditions, previous high-altitude and technical climbing experience may be required.
Participants should plan for personal expenses that may not be included in the selected expedition package.
Depending on the programme, personal expenses may include:
• International flights
• Visa costs
• Travel insurance
• Personal equipment
• Additional hotel nights
• Meals not included in the programme
• Personal purchases
• Tips
• Communication expenses
• Additional transportation
• Costs caused by unexpected delays
• Other personal expenses
Participants should maintain sufficient financial flexibility during their journey.
Unexpected weather or travel delays may occasionally result in additional expenses.
Pakistan uses the Pakistani Rupee (PKR).
Access to banking and payment facilities may be limited in remote mountain regions.
International participants are advised to make appropriate financial arrangements before travelling towards remote areas.
Cash may be required for certain personal expenses.
Participants should discuss any questions regarding expedition payments and included services with Karakoram Holidays before confirming their booking.
Mobile and internet coverage may be limited or unavailable in remote mountain regions.
Communication services may vary by location and selected expedition.
Participants should not expect reliable mobile or internet access during all stages of a mountain expedition.
Communication arrangements at Base Camp and other remote locations may depend on the available facilities and services.
Participants should inform family members that communication may be limited at certain points during the journey.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are physically prepared for their selected activity.
Participants should provide accurate information regarding relevant experience, fitness and any information necessary for safe expedition planning.
High-altitude environments can place significant physical demands on the human body.
Participants must follow reasonable safety instructions provided by expedition leaders, guides and authorised team members.
If a participant is considered unable to continue safely, the expedition team may recommend or require changes to their participation.
Safety decisions made during an expedition must be respected.
The Karakoram, the Himalaya, and other mountain regions of Pakistan are environmentally and culturally important.
We encourage participants to respect:
• Local communities
• Local traditions
• Mountain environments
• Glaciers
• Wildlife
• Cultural sites
Participants should minimise unnecessary waste and follow responsible travel practices throughout the journey.
We believe that responsible tourism and mountaineering play an important role in protecting Pakistan’s mountain environments for future generations.
The requirements, regulations and logistical arrangements for each expedition may vary.
Participants should carefully review the specific information provided for their selected mountain or programme.
Government regulations, visa requirements, permits and travel conditions may change.
The information provided by Karakoram Holidays is intended as general guidance. Participants are encouraged to confirm their current requirements with the relevant official authorities before travelling.
