12-Day Hunza Trek Tour (For Foreign Travellers)
Overview
For travellers who came to walk the Karakoram. This plan wraps two of Hunza's finest short treks — Rakaposhi Base Camp and the Passu glacier country — inside the full cultural circuit, with proper acclimatisation, licensed mountain guides and hotel comfort between camping nights.
Trip Highlights
- Rakaposhi Base Camp trek (Tagaphari, 3,500 m)
- Passu Glacier & Borith country walking days
- Ultar Meadow acclimatisation hike
- Full cultural circuit: forts, Attabad, Khunjerab
- Licensed English-speaking mountain guide
- Camping gear, porters and trek meals included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive Islamabad
Airport pickup, briefing; Taxila museum option.
⛰ 540 m
Islamabad → Chilas
KKH north.
⛰ 1,265 m
Chilas → Karimabad
Viewpoints; gear check.
⛰ 2,438 m
Ultar Meadow acclimatisation hike
Half-day hike above Karimabad; heritage evening.
⛰ 3,300 m
Minapin → Hapakun
Trek day one through orchards and pine.
⛰ 2,900 m
Hapakun → Tagaphari (Rakaposhi BC)
Camp facing the 7,788 m north face; sunset session.
⛰ 3,500 m
Descend → Karimabad
Glacier viewpoint at dawn, descend, hotel night.
⛰ 2,438 m
Attabad → Gulmit
Boating and Hussaini Bridge; overnight Gojal.
⛰ 2,500 m
Borith–Passu glacier walk
Hike from Borith Lake over the Passu Glacier viewpoint trail.
⛰ 2,850 m
Khunjerab Pass
Border day through the national park.
⛰ 4,693 m
Return toward Islamabad
Drive south (or Gilgit flight option).
⛰ 1,265 m
Depart
Arrive Islamabad, airport drop.
What’s Included
✔ Included
- Licensed local mountain guide
- Porters and camping equipment where required
- All meals on trek days
- Islamabad pickup and drop (private transport)
- Hotel nights before/after trek
- First-aid kit and oximeter
- English-speaking guide
- Airport transfers
- e-Visa support
✖ Not included
- Sleeping bag (rentable)
- Personal trekking gear and boots
- Lunches/dinners on non-trek days
- Tips and personal expenses
- International flights
- Visa fee
- Khunjerab entry fee
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit must I be?
Comfortable hiking 4–6 hours on mountain trails; the plan builds altitude gradually and every trek day has an exit option.
Can the Patundas trek replace Rakaposhi BC?
Yes for experienced hikers — Patundas is more demanding (glacier crossing) and we adjust days accordingly.
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 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?
Yes — the itinerary includes a Khunjerab Pass day (4,693 m, China border), open roughly May to late November. In winter we substitute Naltar Valley snowscapes.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect a mix of hotels and full camping support on trek nights (tents, mats, mess tent and cook crew). 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.