11 Days Chitral Hunza Tour
Overview
The connoisseur's route: Lowari to Chitral beneath Tirich Mir, the living Kalash culture of Bumburet and Rumbur, then the legendary crossing of Shandur — the world's highest polo ground — into Ghizer's green river country and on to Hunza. Two mountain cultures, one epic road.
Trip Highlights
- Kalash Valleys: Bumburet and Rumbur
- Chitral town under Tirich Mir (7,708 m)
- Shandur Pass crossing (3,700 m)
- Phander Lake and Ghizer Valley
- Full central Hunza circuit to finish
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Islamabad → Swat
Motorway north; Mingora/Kalam side.
⛰ 980 m
Swat → Chitral
Lowari Tunnel crossing.
⛰ 1,500 m
Kalash Valleys day
Bumburet and Rumbur culture.
⛰ 1,950 m
Chitral explore
Fort, bazaar, Tirich Mir views.
⛰ 1,500 m
Chitral → Mastuj
Up the river valley.
⛰ 2,359 m
Shandur Pass → Phander
Cross the polo-ground pass; lakeside night.
⛰ 3,700 m
Phander → Gilgit
Ghizer river country.
⛰ 1,500 m
Gilgit → Karimabad
Arrive Hunza.
⛰ 2,438 m
Hunza heritage day
Forts and Eagle's Nest.
⛰ 2,850 m
Attabad + upper Hunza
Boating and Passu.
⛰ 2,600 m
Fly or drive back
Gilgit flight option; drive backup adds a day.
What’s Included
✔ Included
- Hotel accommodation (breakfast included)
- Private vehicle with experienced KKH driver
- All fuel, tolls and parking
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- All applicable taxes
- 4×4 vehicle for Shandur sector
✖ Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- Kalash entry fees
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Shandur open?
Roughly June–October; outside those months the tour runs via the KKH with extra Swat/Chitral time.
Kalash festival dates?
Chilam Joshi (May) and Uchal (August) — book months ahead for festival weeks.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes — your own vehicle, your own driver, 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 Gilgit Airport?
Yes — fly Islamabad to Gilgit (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–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 66-property 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.