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HunzaTour
10 daysCultural journeySpring · Autumn

Karakoram Highway & Hunza Odyssey

Hunza Valley · Passu & Upper Hunza · Attabad & Borith Lake · Khunjerab Pass

Islamabad to the Khunjerab border by road, taking our time.

Karakoram Highway & Hunza Odyssey
Duration10 days
GradeEasy
Group2–10 guests
SeasonSpring, Autumn
StartsIslamabad

Overview

A classic journey up the Karakoram Highway: Indus gorges, the three great ranges meeting near Gilgit, the forts of Hunza, Attabad Lake and the Passu Cones, finishing at the Khunjerab border. Unhurried days, local homestays and plenty of time to walk.

  • Overland on the Karakoram Highway
  • Baltit and Altit forts
  • Boat ride on Attabad Lake
  • Passu Cones and Hussaini bridge
  • Day trip to Khunjerab Pass

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Evening briefing and a walk to Saidpur village for dinner.

    IslamabadD

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Driving times are approximate and depend on road conditions.

Route & altitude

IslamabadChilasGilgitKarimabadGulmitPassuKhunjerab PassKarimabadGilgit

Schematic route, not to scale. Dashed line = day trip. Hover or tap a stop.

0 m1,000 m2,000 m3,000 m4,000 m5,000 mIslamabadChilasGilgitKarimabadGulmitPassuKhunjerab P…4,693 mKarimabadGilgit

Approximate altitude at each overnight stop or highlight, in order of travel.

Included

  • Private vehicle with experienced driver
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Breakfast and dinner daily (lunch on trek days)
  • English-speaking local guide
  • Entry fees and permits listed in the itinerary
  • Airport / hotel transfers

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa and travel insurance
  • Lunches in towns (unless listed)
  • Personal expenses, tips and drinks
  • Anything not listed under Included

Places on this journey

Hunza Valley

Hunza Valley

Orchards, old forts and Rakaposhi

Passu & Upper Hunza

Passu & Upper Hunza

Glaciers on both sides of the road

Attabad & Borith Lake

Attabad & Borith Lake

A lake that wasn’t there before 2010

Khunjerab Pass

Khunjerab Pass

The top of the Karakoram Highway

Questions

Yes. We monitor road and weather conditions daily and adjust the route when needed.

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Karakoram Highway & Hunza Odyssey

Islamabad to the Khunjerab border by road, taking our time.

10 days · Easy · 2–10 guests · from $1,850 per person · starts Islamabad

A classic journey up the Karakoram Highway: Indus gorges, the three great ranges meeting near Gilgit, the forts of Hunza, Attabad Lake and the Passu Cones, finishing at the Khunjerab border. Unhurried days, local homestays and plenty of time to walk.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Islamabad
Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Evening briefing and a walk to Saidpur village for dinner.
Overnight: Islamabad · Meals: D
Day 2: Islamabad to Besham via Babusar or KKH
An early start along the Karakoram Highway through Abbottabad and the Hazara hills, following the Indus into the mountains.
Overnight: Besham / Chilas · Meals: B, D · 9–10 h
Day 3: Chilas to Gilgit, the meeting of three ranges
Pass the Nanga Parbat viewpoint and the junction where the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush meet. Stop at the Kargah Buddha and settle into Gilgit.
Overnight: Gilgit · Meals: B, D · 5–6 h
Day 4: Gilgit to Karimabad
Drive into Hunza with Rakaposhi on your left. Check in, then sunset at the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint.
Overnight: Karimabad · Meals: B, D · 3 h
Day 5: Baltit and Altit forts
Explore Baltit Fort and the older Altit Fort, wander Karimabad’s lanes and have tea with a local family.
Overnight: Karimabad · Meals: B, D
Day 6: Attabad Lake and Gulmit
Drive through the Attabad tunnels, take a boat across the turquoise lake and continue to Gulmit, a Wakhi village.
Overnight: Gulmit · Meals: B, D · 2.5 h
Day 7: Passu Cones and Hussaini bridge
Walk to the Passu Glacier viewpoint, cross the suspension bridge and spend the afternoon at Borith Lake.
Overnight: Passu · Meals: B, D
Day 8: Khunjerab Pass
Drive to the border at 4,693 m through Khunjerab National Park, then return to Passu.
Overnight: Passu · Meals: B, D · 5 h each way
Day 9: Back to Karimabad
A slow return with stops for photography and local shopping.
Overnight: Karimabad · Meals: B, D · 2.5 h
Day 10: Departure via Gilgit
Transfer to Gilgit for onward travel. Flights depend on weather; we can arrange the overland return as an alternative.
Overnight: – · Meals: B

Included

Not included

HunzaTour · [email protected] · +92 321 4364658 · Prices are indicative.