Northern Pakistan Tour: 13 Days
Overview
Everything the north is famous for, in one continuous loop with no southern add-ons: Kaghan's alpine start, two cabin nights at Fairy Meadows, the entire Hunza corridor to the China gate, and Baltistan's lakes, desert, palaces and 4,114 m plateau: the definitive mountains-only itinerary for travellers who came for the Karakoram.
Plan the journey with our guided Hunza trips, places to stay in Hunza, rent a car in Hunza, Hunza adventure tours and foreign visitor packages.
Trip Highlights
- Fairy Meadows: two nights facing Nanga Parbat
- Full Hunza circuit + Khunjerab Pass
- Hopper Glacier & Nagar day
- Skardu: Shangrila, Kachura, Cold Desert
- Deosai Plains (Jun to Sep) & Sheosar Lake
- Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace
- Skardu to Islamabad mountain flight (backup by road)
Day by Day Itinerary
13-day planIslamabad to Naran
Islamabad to Naran. Timing remains flexible enough to respond to local access, weather and the confirmed interests of the travellers. For Islamabad to Naran on day 1, allow a full mountain-road day with meal, fuel and comfort stops agreed en route; the driver follows the road that is officially open and adjusts timing for traffic, weather and daylight.
Max altitude 2,409 mNaran to Raikot to Fairy Meadows
Babusar (seasonal), jeep track, cabin night. 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 2, walking time and the turnaround point are adjusted to trail and weather conditions; keep water, sun protection and a warm layer accessible, and follow the guide at exposed or uneven sections.
Max altitude 3,300 mFairy Meadows day
Beyal hike and Nanga Parbat viewpoints. For Fairy Meadows day on day 3, 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.
Max altitude 3,500 mDescend to Karimabad
Descend to Karimabad. Central Hunza visits are sequenced around fort opening hours, village access and walking time between Karimabad, Altit and Ganish. For Descend to Karimabad on day 4, allow a full mountain-road day with meal, fuel and comfort stops agreed en route; the driver follows the road that is officially open and adjusts timing for traffic, weather and daylight.
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, 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 2,850 mHopper Glacier
Explore Nagar Valley with planned village and glacier-viewpoint stops. 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
Attabad to Gulmit. 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 Hunza to Skardu in the Northern Pakistan Tour: 13 Days itinerary.
Max altitude 4,693 mHunza to Skardu
Follow the Indus gorge toward Baltistan with planned comfort and viewpoint stops. 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 9, 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 2,228 mSkardu lakes & desert
Visit Shangrila Resort, Upper Kachura Lake and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert. For Skardu lakes & desert on day 10, 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)
Plateau and Sheosar Lake. 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) on day 11, lake activities and stopping points are selected from current weather, access and crowd conditions; comfortable shoes and a light warm layer are useful even when most of the day is vehicle based.
Max altitude 4,114 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, 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 2,600 mFly to Islamabad: depart
Take the scheduled mountain flight; if weather cancels it, the road backup requires an additional day. 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
- All jeeps (Raikot, Deosai, desert)
- Fairy Meadows cabins
- English guide for foreign guests
- Airport transfers
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- Domestic flight (at cost)
- Park & entry fees
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from the 14-day foreigner tour?
This loop adds Fairy Meadows and Deosai; the 14-day version trades them for a slower KKH and Naltar: we'll match you to the right one free.
Domestic price basis?
This package is quoted in USD; the final written price depends on dates, hotel category and group size.
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.