Only 3 seats left
Lahore to Hunza to Skardu
Hunza & Skardu Grand
12–20 May · 9 days, 8 nights
PKR 145,000
3 of 16 seats left
Gilgit-Baltistan
Hunza
Forts, orchards and the Karakoram, three days up the highway from Lahore
- Best season
- April – October
- Altitude
- 2,438 m
- From Lahore
- 3 days by road
- Tours
- 2
A green valley under the highest peaks
Hunza is a long, green valley under some of the highest mountains on earth. Terraced fields and apricot orchards climb towards Rakaposhi and Ultar, and the old forts of Baltit and Altit still watch over the villages.
People come for the views and stay for the pace: short walks between orchards, chai facing the glaciers, and the turquoise of Attabad Lake further up the highway. For many first-timers, it is where they fall for the north.
The best months to visit
- Best
- Good
- Avoid · closed or not recommended
- January: Avoid
- February: Avoid
- March: Good
- April: Best
- May: Best
- June: Best
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Avoid
Spring
Mar – May
Apricot and cherry blossom from early April. Days 15–22°C, nights near freezing early in the season.
Summer
Jun – Aug
Warm days, 25–30°C, and the busiest months. Book four to six weeks ahead.
Autumn
Sep – Nov
The poplars turn gold in late October. Days 10–20°C, cold nights.
Winter
Dec – Feb
Snow on the Karakoram Highway, and many hotels close. Days around 5°C, nights down to −10°C.
What to see in Hunza
Getting there from Lahore by road
- Lahore4–5 hrs by road to Islamabad
- Islamabad11–12 hrs by road to Chilas
- Chilas3–4 hrs by road to Gilgit
- Gilgit2–3 hrs by road to Hunza
- HunzaArrive
- By road
- Over Babusar Top from June to September; the rest of the year up the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad.
- By air
- Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit are an option but often cancelled in bad weather. We plan every trip by road.
Good to know before you go
Altitude and acclimatising
Karimabad sits at about 2,438 m. Take the first evening slowly and drink plenty of water; a mild headache usually passes after a night’s sleep.
Weather and what to pack
Warm layers even in summer, as nights drop to around 10°C. Sun cream, sunglasses and comfortable shoes for the forts’ steps.
Mobile signal and internet
Jazz and SCOM work in Karimabad; signal is patchy or missing in upper Hunza. Hotel Wi-Fi is slow and comes and goes.
Cash and ATMs
There are ATMs in Aliabad and Karimabad, but they run dry. Carry enough cash; only some hotels take cards.
Dress and local customs
Modest dress is appreciated. Ask before photographing people, especially women.
Road conditions and delays
Landslides can close the Karakoram Highway, mostly in spring. We build a spare half day into every trip and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Tours that visit Hunza
Hunza, on your own dates
We plan private tours for families and teams, from 2 days to 2 weeks.
What travellers said about Hunza
“Deosai was the highlight. The jeep drivers knew exactly where to stop for the lake, and the guide had chai ready.”
“Our guide in Skardu knew every lake by name and timed Deosai so we had it almost to ourselves.”
“They told us upfront that day two is long. The coaster was comfortable, and the driver stopped whenever my father needed a break.”
