14-Day Northern Pakistan Grand Tour
Overview
The grand tour: two full weeks tracing the Karakoram Highway and its greatest valleys. Enough time for Hunza's culture and Nagar's glaciers, the Khunjerab border, the crossing to Baltistan for Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu's palace heritage, and Deosai's high plateau: without a single rushed day.
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
- Karakoram Highway end to end
- Complete Hunza + Nagar + Gojal circuit
- Khunjerab Pass border day
- Skardu, Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace
- Deosai Plains (Jun to Sep)
- Optional day hikes woven throughout
Day by Day Itinerary
14-day planArrive Islamabad
Arrive Islamabad. The arrival team checks the flight time before dispatch and confirms the hotel transfer, local contact details and the next departure at the briefing. For Arrive Islamabad on day 1, the team confirms the hotel, next departure time, luggage plan and any immediate practical needs after arrival; optional sightseeing is added only when time and energy allow.
Max altitude 540 mIslamabad to Besham / Naran
Begin the journey north with scheduled comfort and meal stops. Timing remains flexible enough to respond to local access, weather and the confirmed interests of the travellers. For Islamabad to Besham / Naran on day 2, 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 2,409 mContinue to Chilas
Follow the Indus gorge with a stop at the seasonal Nanga Parbat viewpoint. Views of Nanga Parbat depend on cloud and visibility, so the guide uses the safest practical viewpoint rather than promising a clear mountain view.
Max altitude 1,265 mContinue to Karimabad
Arrive Hunza; bazaar evening. Central Hunza visits are sequenced around fort opening hours, village access and walking time between Karimabad, Altit and Ganish. For Continue to Karimabad on day 4, use the remaining time to settle in, exchange essential information with the guide and prepare a small day bag for the next stage; extra visits remain optional rather than promised.
Max altitude 2,438 mHunza heritage day
Hunza heritage day. For Hunza heritage day on day 5, timing remains flexible enough to respond to local access, weather and the confirmed interests of the travellers. For Hunza heritage day on day 5, 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 mHopper Glacier & Nagar
Explore Nagar Valley’s villages and glacier viewpoints at a comfortable pace. The guide selects practical viewpoints, maintains distance from unstable glacier edges or rockfall areas and allows extra time for changing light without compromising a safe return.
Max altitude 2,800 mAttabad to Gulmit
Lake and upper Hunza culture. At Attabad Lake, any boating stop proceeds only when wind, lake conditions and the selected operator allow a safe departure. For Attabad to Gulmit on day 7, the programme leaves time for the shoreline and viewpoints rather than treating the lake as a quick roadside stop; any boat ride is optional and subject to safe operating conditions.
Max altitude 2,500 mKhunjerab Pass
Travel through Khunjerab National Park to the Pakistan to China border, subject to road and weather conditions. Khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification. Before this day ends, the guide confirms the preparation and departure time for Gulmit to Gilgit in the 14-Day Northern Pakistan Grand Tour itinerary.
Max altitude 4,693 mGulmit to Gilgit
Descend with Naltar option. Upper Hunza stops are spaced between Gulmit, Hussaini and Passu so the day does not become a rushed sequence of roadside photographs. For Gulmit to Gilgit on day 9, 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 1,500 mGilgit to Skardu
Indus-gorge road to Baltistan. The Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation. For Gilgit to Skardu on day 10, driving time can change with road work, landslides, traffic and seasonal pass access; water, medication, identification and a warm layer should remain in the day bag.
Max altitude 2,228 mSkardu lakes & desert
Visit Shangrila Resort, Upper Kachura Lake and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert. The lakeside programme is timed around safe access, light and local operating conditions. For Skardu lakes & desert on day 11, boating proceeds only when wind, water conditions and the selected operator allow it; the guide keeps enough time for safe photo stops and the onward road journey without rushing the lakeside visit.
Max altitude 2,500 mShigar & Khaplu
Visit Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace with time for their historic settlements. The Shigar and Khaplu programme allows time for the historic settlements, fort areas and the longer road distances between valleys. For Shigar & Khaplu on day 12, visits are paced around opening hours, walking time and local access; modest clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended, and guests should ask before photographing people in villages or private spaces.
Max altitude 2,600 mDeosai (Jun to Sep) to fly prep
Plateau day; shoulder season alternative. Deosai access is seasonal and normally depends on the park road opening; wildlife sightings and exact stops cannot be guaranteed. For Deosai (Jun to Sep) to fly prep on day 13, allow flexibility for a weather cancellation; the road backup, luggage plan and airport timing are confirmed in the written itinerary so the day remains workable.
Max altitude 4,114 mFly Skardu to Islamabad & depart
Take the scheduled flight to Islamabad and transfer onward; a same-day international connection is not recommended, and a road backup requires extra time. 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.
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 all days
- Airport transfers
- e-Visa support
- 4x4 where required
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Domestic flight (at cost)
- Park & entry fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 14 days too long?
It's the comfortable length for this route: the same ground in 10 days means back-to-back long drives.
Can we add K2 Base Camp?
K2 BC is a separate 18 to 21 day expedition: we arrange it; ask for the expedition brochure.
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 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.