10-Day Hunza & Skardu
Overview
Two great valleys in one journey: Hunza's living Silk Road heritage, then across to Skardu: gateway of K2 expeditions: for Shangrila's lakes, the Sarfaranga Cold Desert and, in season, the 4,114 m Deosai plateau where Himalayan brown bears roam.
Plan the journey with our Hunza Valley tour packages, Hunza hotel options, private transport in Hunza, trekking packages and tours for foreign travellers.
Trip Highlights
- Full Hunza circuit with English guide
- Shangrila and Upper Kachura Lakes
- Deosai National Park (Jun to Sep)
- Sarfaranga Cold Desert jeep ride
- Shigar Fort heritage stay option
- Airport transfers and e-Visa support
Day by Day Itinerary
10-day planArrive Islamabad
This arrival day is deliberately paced for comfort. After the scheduled pickup, the team assists with the hotel transfer, confirms room arrangements and provides a practical briefing covering communication, expected weather, clothing and the following morning’s plan.
Max altitude 540 mIslamabad to Chilas
Islamabad to Chilas. This is a long mountain-road transfer, so meal and washroom stops are planned around daylight, traffic and the route that is actually open. For Islamabad to Chilas on day 2, the route uses practical meal and comfort stops without promising every roadside viewpoint; the guide reconfirms the arrival estimate and following start time as conditions become clear.
Max altitude 1,265 mChilas to Karimabad
Stop at selected mountain viewpoints before an evening walk in Karimabad Bazaar. The Indus corridor, Nanga Parbat viewpoint and Rakaposhi viewpoint are considered en route, with stops selected according to visibility and safe parking. Before this day ends, the guide confirms the preparation and departure time for Hunza heritage day in the 10-Day Hunza & Skardu itinerary.
Max altitude 2,438 mHunza heritage day
Hunza heritage day. The Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation. For Hunza heritage day on day 4, the guide explains the local history and allows unhurried time in the lanes, gardens and viewpoints; fort entry and any community visit follow the opening hours and rules in effect that day.
Max altitude 2,850 mAttabad & upper Hunza
Take a suitable boat ride at Attabad Lake and visit Passu Cones and Hussaini Bridge. At Attabad Lake, any boating stop proceeds only when wind, lake conditions and the selected operator allow a safe departure.
Max altitude 2,600 mHunza to Skardu
Hunza to Skardu. For Hunza to Skardu on day 6, the Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation. For Hunza to Skardu on day 6, the route uses practical meal and comfort stops without promising every roadside viewpoint; the guide reconfirms the arrival estimate and following start time as conditions become clear.
Max altitude 2,228 mSkardu lakes & desert
Visit Shangrila Resort, Upper Kachura Lake and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert. For Skardu lakes & desert on day 7, the Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation.
Max altitude 2,500 mDeosai Plains (Jun to Sep)
Plateau day; shoulder season: Shigar & Khaplu. Deosai access is seasonal and normally depends on the park road opening; wildlife sightings and exact stops cannot be guaranteed. For Deosai Plains (Jun to Sep) on day 8, the route uses practical meal and comfort stops without promising every roadside viewpoint; the guide reconfirms the arrival estimate and following start time as conditions become clear.
Max altitude 4,114 mFly Skardu to Islamabad
One of the world's great mountain flights (drive backup). For Fly Skardu to Islamabad on day 9, the Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation.
Max altitude 540 mDepart
Buffer morning, airport drop. The final transfer keeps a sensible buffer for the agreed train or flight time, while any optional stop depends on the remaining daylight and traffic. For Depart on day 10, the schedule keeps a sensible buffer for the agreed flight, train or hotel drop-off; before services finish, the team checks luggage, onward details and the final meeting point.
What’s Included
Included
- Hotel accommodation (breakfast included)
- Private vehicle with experienced KKH driver
- All fuel, tolls and parking
- confirmed-guest on-trip WhatsApp support
- All applicable taxes
- English-speaking guide
- Airport transfers
- e-Visa support
- 4x4 for Deosai
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Domestic flight (at cost)
- Park fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Why the flight on day 9?
It saves two road days and the Skardu to Islamabad flight over Nanga Parbat is an experience in itself; a drive backup is always planned.
Best months?
June to September for Deosai; May and October are beautiful with the Shigar/Khaplu substitution.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes: your own vehicle, your own driver and guide, and departure on any date you choose. No strangers, no fixed seats, and the daily plan flexes to your pace.
Can the trip begin at Skardu Airport?
Yes: fly Islamabad to Skardu (tickets booked at cost) and we start the itinerary from the airport, trimming the road days. A road backup is always planned in case mountain weather cancels the flight.
What happens if a domestic flight is cancelled?
Mountain weather cancels a share of Gilgit and Skardu flights, so every fly-based plan carries a costed road backup that activates automatically: you may lose a day, never the trip. Road-based itineraries are unaffected.
Is Khunjerab Pass included?
Not in the standard plan: this itinerary focuses elsewhere: but a Khunjerab day (4,693 m, open ~May to Nov) can be added to any private booking; ask for the extended quote.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect well-reviewed standard hotels, with deluxe and luxury upgrades available at booking. See our Hotels page for the full 65-hotel partner list and per-night rates.
Is this package suitable for children?
Yes for school-age kids and up who enjoy walking; drive-instead options exist for most active days.
Is the tour suitable for senior travellers?
Yes with reasonable mobility: vehicle access covers nearly every highlight, walking is optional, and we pace days generously. Tell us about any conditions and we’ll adapt the plan.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Completely: add or drop days, swap valleys, change hotel tiers or start cities; it’s your trip and re-quoting a custom version costs nothing.