Hunza & Skardu Combo Tour — 10 Days
Overview
Can't choose between Hunza and Skardu? Don't. This grand circuit links the two crown valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan in one seamless private loop: Hunza's living heritage and turquoise lakes, then Skardu's Shangrila lake resort, the lunar Sarfaranga Cold Desert, Shigar and Khaplu palaces, and: June to September: the flower-carpeted Deosai plateau.
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
- All central Hunza highlights
- Shangrila "Heaven on Earth" and Upper Kachura Lakes
- Sarfaranga Cold Desert jeep ride
- Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace heritage
- Deosai National Park (Jun to Sep) at 4,114 m
Day by Day Itinerary
10-day planIslamabad to Chilas
Day 1 follows the Islamabad to Chilas stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Travel north on the Karakoram Highway with scheduled comfort and viewpoint stops. Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 1,265 mChilas to Karimabad
Day 2 follows the Chilas to Karimabad stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Stop at selected mountain viewpoints before an evening walk in Karimabad Bazaar. The road journey is planned with realistic driving time and appropriate comfort stops. The driver follows current route advice and uses a conservative pace, while the guide selects worthwhile viewpoints that do not create an unnecessarily late arrival at the next destination. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 2,438 mHunza heritage day
Day 3 follows the Hunza heritage day stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Visit Baltit and Altit Forts before travelling to Eagle's Nest for sunset. Today’s cultural programme balances guided explanation with unhurried observation. The guide introduces the historical setting, local customs and important architectural details, while allowing suitable time for photographs, craft areas and respectful interaction where community access is welcomed. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 2,850 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 2,850 mAttabad + upper Hunza
Day 4 follows the Attabad + upper Hunza stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Boating, Hussaini Bridge, Passu Cones. The lakeside programme is timed around safe access, light and local operating conditions. Any boating is confirmed with the operator on the day, and the guide keeps the sequence flexible if wind, water level, congestion or seasonal restrictions affect the preferred plan. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 2,600 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 2,600 mHunza to Skardu
Day 5 follows the Hunza to Skardu stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: The dramatic (and now paved) Indus-gorge road. Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 2,228 mSkardu lakes & desert
Day 6 follows the Skardu lakes & desert stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Shangrila, Upper Kachura, Sarfaranga jeep ride. The lakeside programme is timed around safe access, light and local operating conditions. Any boating is confirmed with the operator on the day, and the guide keeps the sequence flexible if wind, water level, congestion or seasonal restrictions affect the preferred plan. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 2,500 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 2,500 mDeosai Plains (Jun to Sep)
Day 7 follows the Deosai Plains (Jun to Sep) stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: 4x4 across the plateau, Sheosar Lake picnic; shoulder season: Basho or Manthoka. Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 4,114 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 4,114 mShigar & Khaplu
Day 8 follows the Shigar & Khaplu stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Fort-palace heritage day. The heritage visits are arranged in a logical order so the group can understand the place rather than simply move between monuments. Time is reserved for local interpretation, architectural details, community etiquette, photographs and questions, subject to opening hours and access rules. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 2,600 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 2,600 mSkardu to Chilas / Besham
Day 9 follows the Skardu to Chilas / Besham stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Begin the return leg (or fly, optional). Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 1,265 mArrive Islamabad
Day 10 follows the Arrive Islamabad stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Complete the drive south with scheduled comfort and meal stops. Arrival arrangements are kept straightforward so guests can recover from the journey. The representative confirms the transfer, assists with hotel check in, reviews essential documents and explains the next departure time without adding unnecessary sightseeing after a long trip. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. At the end of the tour, the guide confirms the agreed drop off or departure arrangements and remains available for final practical questions about the journey.
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
- 4x4 jeep for Deosai / Cold Desert
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- Deosai park fees
- Skardu flight (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gilgit to Skardu road safe?
Yes: the once-notorious road was rebuilt and paved; it's now a 4 to 5 hour scenic drive along the Indus.
Best month for this combo?
June to September, when Deosai is open and both valleys are green.
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 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.