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Traveling from Islamabad to Hunza Valley can take from 14 to 18 hours overland. Deciding how to cover this stretch can be the first major deciding factor for your tour package. Most travelers agree that the drive between Islamabad to Hunza Valley is one of the most scenic drives in the world and should not be flown over. A 45 minute flight over the gilgit region connects Islamabad to Skardu.
This article will cover the various travel options from Islamabad to Hunza Valley, what to expect from different packages, and other helpful tips when considering different package options.
We provide tailor made packages from Islamabad to Hunza Valley. We can provide ground transport, internal flights, private hotel rooms, a local guide, and other amenities based on the needs of your group. For pricing and more information, contact us directly.
Turboprop flights from Islamabad to Gilgit take about an hour. From Gilgit, it takes about two hours to drive from the airport to Karimabad on the Khunjerab Highway. Weather related cancellations happen frequently. Flights are even more prone to cancellations during the winter.
It’s a lot more practical to fly to Karimabad, and take the KKH back to Islamabad. The flight from Islamabad to Gilgit takes about an hour, and drives from Gilgit to Karimabad take about two. So, you save about two days of driving. The drive from Gilgit back to Islamabad takes you through Kohistan and Nanga Parbat, which is one of the more scenic drives in the world. The drive from Gilgit takes you near Raikot Bridge which gives you a view of Nanga Parbat. The view is only available when taking the KKH.
Driving both ways is a better option when there are 5 or more people in your group. Each person in the group makes the drive more cost effective.
The second zone, from Besham to Kohistan to Chilas, is the most beautiful and most thrilling zone of the KKH. The portion from Besham to Chilas follows the Indus river very closely and the deep gorge of Indus is very impressive. The rocks on both side of the road literally touch the river and various hairpin turns of the road add to the beauty of this portion. This zone is closed during monsoon season because of the risk of landslides. This portion of the KKH also has several ancient rock engravings from Buddhist period.
From Chilas to Gilgit is the third zone of KKH. This zone also has many impressive mountains over 8000 meters. Also from the KKH, Nanga Parbat (8126 M) is visible at certain places.
From Gilgit to Nagar zone, the 4th zone, has impressive Rakaposhi (7788 M) which is visible on the other side of the Indus from Nagar.
Packages that cover both ways gives a traveler ample opportunity to enjoy various zones of KKH.
A standard package of five to seven days from Islamabad covers most of the famous zones of KKH.
Fly-in, drive-out package
Fly from Islamabad to Gilgit, drive to Karimabad, spend 5-6 nights in the valley, drive back via Gilgit, Chilas and Besham. This covers one direction on the KKH.
Fly both ways
Fly to Gilgit to spend a maximum of 4-5 nights in the valley. Only reliable in low flight cancellation months. Have a backup road plan for the return.
Blossom Tour
In the months of March and April, go to Hunza to see the blossoming of the cherry and apricot trees.
Hunza and Skardu Tour
Tour Skardu and Hunza in either order. The transit from one valley to the other via Gilgit takes 6-8 hours. A minimum of 10 nights is required to cover both valleys.
Corporate Delegation
Organize a package from Islamabad to Hunza for a minimum of 10 persons. Upon arrival at Gilgit, provide meet and greet, transfer and 2 nights stay at Karimabad, organized transport, guide for the heritage tour, and conference facilities.
The third day of the tour takes you to some of the nearest forts, starting with the impressive Baltit Fort in the morning. From there you'll visit Altit Fort and the Royal Gardens in the afternoon. On the way back to Karimabad, you'll stop to see some old rock engravings and the winding lanes of the Ganish Village.
On day four you'll head to upper Gojal and make the famous first of the five Pakistan-China Friendship Tunnels. Along the way you can take a boat ride on Attabad Lake and visit Gulmit and the Passu Cones. If you'd like a little adventure, you can walk across the Hussaini hanging bridge which connects the cones.
On day five you can take a long and winding drive to the Afghan border. On the way you'll pass through the stunning Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar peaks. You can stop for a while at Khunjerab Pass, which sits at 4,693 meters above sea level. The pass separates Pakistan and China.
For the following six days you can relax, hike, and take short day trips around Karimabad. Or, you can book a flight from Gilgit to Islamabad.
A free day in Gojal gives you the chance to do a glacier walk and explore other areas of the upper Gojal valley.
Entrance Fees: All three. Expect them to be charged separately.
Flight Cancellations & Diversions: Contingency plans if your flight gets canceled or diverted. Who pays the additional costs if Gilgit weather closes?
Extras: A la carte. Expect to pay for meals, tips, side trip jeeps, and anything else you want or need to purchase along the way.
Cancellation Policy: Official policy.
All of the Above: Generally applicable.
Hunza in Each Season:
March/April Blossom: The most popular time of the year. The best rooms go the earliest. Book in January for April.
May/June: More of everything. The Road North opens. First real warm days of the year.
July/August: High season. Highest hotel rates. Monsoon and landslides on KKH through Kohistan.
Sept/October: Most beautiful. Starting to get crowded.
Nov/Dec to Feb: Valleys get a lot of snow. Longest, and most empty and deserving, time to visit. The Northern Areas stay open to Sost.
Islamabad is not far from the North from the North trail head, and people from Lahore and Karachi can't do trips in the same way as those from Islamabad. One can do an 8 day trip to Hunza with a return drive, all in one go from Islamabad. However, most people form Islamabad break the trip at Besham, as the first day of the trip is very tiresome and long.
Trips from Islamabad to Hunza can be organized for corporate clients form Islamabad in an effective manner. The groups leave on a Monday and come back on a Saturday, giving them ample time to explore and do other activities on the other days. Trips from Islamabad to Hunza can be done in a group of 15, with a combination of 5 minivans or 2 large coaches.
People flying into Islamabad International Airport can stay in Islamabad for the night, and take a KKH drive or a flight to Gilgit the same day, to begin their trip. The archaeological site of Taxila is a good option to visit on the way to KKH from Islamabad. It requires a special permit to visit Khunjerab pass and other restricted areas. Permits can be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife department of Pakistan.
Couples and honeymooners from Islamabad typically have two booking window. First is the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. The second window is in the fall.
During peak season, we try to arrange private transfers and confirm double rooms. We organize the Duikar sunrise and Attabad lake, which are usually stopover points along the way.
For a honeymoon couple, the ideal itinerary is to fly into Hunza and drive back to Islamabad. This way the driving is eliminated, and the returning trip on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) is less tiring.
Beware of false security
Hotels in Hunza turn away a lot of guests during the weekend in the summer. Make sure your reservations are under your name.
Know the closure status of Khunjerab and the KKH during your planned trip.
Flight schedules can be unreliable. Always have a backup plan.
Cancellations on the Gilgit flight are common. Don't plan a same day connection from Islamabad after your flight from Gilgit.
The 14th of August, both Eids and other major holidays are the worst times to travel to Karimabad. Book well in advance if planning on traveling during these times.
What is the duration of the Hunza tour package from Islamabad? A minimum of 5 nights is required, but a comfortable trip will take 7 nights, and 10 to 12 nights if combined with Skardu.
Is the journey from Islamabad to Hunza enjoyable? Yes, the section of the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad to Hunza is very scenic. You should take this route at least once.
Is it possible to visit Hunza for the weekend from Islamabad? No, you need more time than that to properly visit the valley.
What is the best route from Islamabad to Hunza? The best and quickest route is to take a flight to Gilgit and from there travel by road to Karimabad. If you prefer the journey over the destination, you should take the Karakoram Highway. The best option is to do both and travel by air to Gilgit and by road to Karimabad.
Is a guide necessary for Hunza? A guide is not required for more open areas. A guide is suggested for morelets say: forts and rock carvings and other areas that require some interpretation. In the same regard, a guide is a must for Upper Hunza. Some relationships and command over the language change the entire experience.
When is the cheapest for a Hunza package from Islamabad? November, May and the months of October (shoulder months) are the best and the cheapest.
What is your ideal departure date from Islamabad? How many are traveling? Preferred mode of transport? Which attractions are of high importance? How long are you willing to stay?
Once we have your preferred dates, attraction importance, duration, and mode of transport we will prepare an itinerary and send you rates and names of hotels prior to confirmation.
WhatsApp: +92 341 111 3777
Email: info@hospitalitytours.com
Head office: Opposite NUST Gate 4, Sector H-13, Islamabad