Grand Pakistan Tour: Lahore to Khunjerab, 15 Days
Overview
One trip, the whole story: Mughal Lahore and the Gandharan ruins of Taxila, then north through Kaghan to Fairy Meadows beneath Nanga Parbat, the Hunza heartland, the China border, and across to Skardu's lakes and palaces before flying home over the mountains. The itinerary is operated privately, with your own vehicle and an individually planned pace throughout the journey.
Plan the journey with our private Hunza tours, hotels in Hunza, Hunza car rental, guided Hunza treks and international Hunza tours.
Trip Highlights
- Lahore UNESCO heritage + food crawl
- Taxila Gandharan archaeology
- Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat viewpoint
- Complete Hunza circuit + Khunjerab Pass
- Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu & Deosai (season)
- Skardu to Islamabad mountain flight (backup by road)
Day by Day Itinerary
15-day planArrive Lahore
Fort and Badshahi golden hour. 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 Lahore on day 1, the schedule favours useful light and safe viewpoints, with flexibility for cloud, traffic and local access; the guide allows setup time without blocking roads, homes or working farmland.
Max altitude 217 mLahore Walled City + Wagah
Rickshaw heritage day, border ceremony. Lahore sightseeing is arranged around monument opening hours, city traffic and any security instructions affecting the old city or border ceremony. For Lahore Walled City + Wagah on day 2, the coordinator confirms access, timing and supplier arrangements before the programme begins; weather and local operating conditions may change the order, but the agreed core services remain clearly documented.
Max altitude 217 mLahore to Islamabad via Taxila
Motorway + museum and stupas. For Lahore to Islamabad via Taxila on day 3, lahore sightseeing is arranged around monument opening hours, city traffic and any security instructions affecting the old city or border ceremony.
Max altitude 540 mIslamabad to Naran
Into the Kaghan Valley. Khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification. For Islamabad to Naran on day 4, 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 2,409 mNaran to Raikot to Fairy Meadows
Babusar (seasonal), jeep track, meadow cabins. The Fairy Meadows approach combines the Raikot jeep track with a guided walk, and the transfer proceeds only when local road and trail conditions are acceptable. For Naran to Raikot to Fairy Meadows on day 5, the guide sets the pace from trail, weather and group condition; carry water, sun protection and a warm layer, use stable footwear, and report headache, unusual fatigue or discomfort early.
Max altitude 3,300 mFairy Meadows to Karimabad
Sunrise, descend, KKH to Hunza. Central Hunza visits are sequenced around fort opening hours, village access and walking time between Karimabad, Altit and Ganish. For Fairy Meadows to Karimabad on day 6, photography stops are chosen for light, visibility and safe parking rather than a rigid clock; ask before photographing residents, and keep paths and village entrances clear.
Max altitude 2,438 mHunza heritage day
Hunza heritage day. For Hunza heritage day on day 7, khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification. For Hunza heritage day on day 7, heritage stops involve stairs, stone lanes and short walks; the order can change with opening hours and traffic, while the guide keeps the main cultural visits in the programme.
Max altitude 2,850 mAttabad to Gulmit
Boating and Hussaini Bridge. 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 8, 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 mKhunjerab Pass
Travel through Khunjerab National Park to the Pakistan to China border, subject to road and weather conditions. For Khunjerab Pass on day 9, khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification.
Max altitude 4,693 mHunza to Skardu
The Indus-gorge crossing to Baltistan. 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 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. For Skardu lakes & desert on day 11, the Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation.
Max altitude 2,500 mDeosai (Jun to Sep) / Basho
Explore the high plateau on the approved seasonal route with planned scenic stops. 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) / Basho on day 12, 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 mShigar & Khaplu
Visit selected fort-palaces and nearby historic settlements with a local guide. 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 13, 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 mFly Skardu to Islamabad
Take the scheduled mountain flight; if weather cancels it, the road backup requires an additional day. For Fly Skardu to Islamabad on day 14, 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 15, the guide reconfirms the transfer time and onward connection before leaving the hotel; optional stops are used only when they do not reduce the required airport or station buffer.
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 throughout
- All jeeps (Raikot, Deosai, desert)
- Fairy Meadows cabins
- Airport transfers & e-Visa support
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
Can it start in Karachi?
Yes: we add Karachi to Lahore by air or the 11-day southern cultural extension; ask for the full-country plan.
Is 15 days enough?
It's the efficient sweet spot; 18 days adds rest days and Nagar/Naltar for a slower pace.
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.