Pakistan’s two great northern valleys in one journey: Hunza first, then Skardu, linked by road through Gilgit.
Combine Hunza and Skardu in 10 days or more: fly to Gilgit, spend four days in Hunza, then drive through Gilgit to Skardu (about 8–9 hours), spend four days there and fly home from Skardu, with the road as backup. May to October is the best window.
Reviewed by ToursInPakistan Travel Team Last updated October 2026 ← Back to the Hunza Travel Guide
Morning flight, then 2–2.5 hours up the Karakoram Highway with a stop at Rakaposhi View Point.
Karimabad’s two old forts, the bazaar and sunset from Duikar.
Boat ride, the suspension bridge and the Passu Cones.
The China border at 4,693 m (about May–November), or Nagar and Hopper Glacier.
A long, scenic drive of about 8–9 hours along the Gilgit and Indus rivers.
Shangrila and Upper Kachura, then sunset on the Katpana dunes.
Deosai plateau from late June to September; Shigar Fort otherwise.
The restored fort, orchard lanes and the Sarfaranga dunes.
A light day that doubles as a buffer for weather.
Return flight from Skardu, with the road via Chilas as backup.
Send your dates. We’ll plan the route, hotels and drives.
Private tours with transport, hotels and a backup plan for flights and roads.
Duration: 10 Days · Best: May – Oct
This itinerary with hotels and private transport.
At least ten, ideally twelve for a relaxed pace. The drive between the two valleys takes a full day, and you need a spare day for flights or roads.
About 8–9 hours from Karimabad, via Gilgit. Gilgit to Skardu alone is about 6–7 hours on a mountain road along the Indus, so we start early and stop for lunch on the way.
We usually start in Hunza and finish in Skardu. If the Gilgit flight is cancelled on Day 1 we can still drive up the Karakoram Highway, and Skardu has larger jet flights to Islamabad that are often more reliable than the small planes from Gilgit.
No. Khunjerab Pass is usually open to visitors from about May to November, and exact dates are announced each year. Outside that window we swap Day 4 for Hopper Glacier in Nagar.
Send us your travel dates, number of travellers, departure city, hotel preference and whether you prefer flight or road. We’ll suggest the best Hunza and Skardu plan for your group and explain what to include or avoid.
