The classic first visit: old forts, a turquoise lake, the Passu Cones and the Chinese border, at a pace that still feels like a holiday.
Five days is the shortest comfortable first Hunza trip, as long as you fly to Gilgit. It covers Karimabad and its forts, Attabad Lake, Passu and Hussaini Bridge and, from about May to November, Khunjerab Pass, with a light last day for flight delays. Driving from Islamabad adds two days each way.
Reviewed by ToursInPakistan Travel Team Last updated October 2026 ← Back to the Hunza Travel Guide
Timings are flexible. We adjust each day to weather, road conditions, energy levels and flight times.
Morning flight from Islamabad (about 1 hr 10 min), then 2–2.5 hours up the Karakoram Highway with a tea stop at Rakaposhi View Point. Check in and watch the evening light on Rakaposhi and Ultar.
Tip: Keep the first evening light. Karimabad sits at about 2,500 m.
Guided visit to Baltit Fort, then walnut cake at Café de Hunza and the Karimabad bazaar. Afternoon at Altit Fort and its royal garden, and sunset over five peaks from Eagle’s Nest at Duikar.
Boat ride on Attabad Lake, then on to Gulmit, the Hussaini suspension bridge and the Passu Cones. Back to Karimabad for dinner, or stay a night by the lake.
Full day up the Karakoram Highway through Sost and Khunjerab National Park to the Pakistan–China border at 4,693 m, about 3–3.5 hours each way. Look out for yaks and marmots. Warm layers essential.
Tip: Outside about May–November, swap Khunjerab for Hopper Glacier in Nagar.
An early start for the 2–2.5 hour drive to Gilgit and the return flight. If it is cancelled we try the next flight, or drive you down the Karakoram Highway, which takes two days.
Swap days in or out depending on season and group.
Tell us your dates and group. We’ll adapt the five days and send a quote on WhatsApp.
One base and short drives, with Khunjerab as an optional day.
Forts, lake and sunsets without rushing.
Fits into a short Pakistan stay.
Swap Khunjerab for Rakaposhi View Point and gardens.
Private tours with transport, hotels and a backup plan for flights and roads.
Duration: 6 Days · Best: Apr – Oct
This route plus a buffer day, with hotels, transport and Khunjerab in season.
Duration: 5 Days
Five days for couples, with a lakeside night and private dinners.
Duration: 7 Days
Family rooms and a gentler pace for children and elders.
Duration: 6 Days
This route timed for October colour in Karimabad and Gulmit.
Yes, if you fly to Gilgit. Five days covers Karimabad and its forts, Attabad Lake, Hussaini Bridge and Passu, and Khunjerab Pass in season. By road you need about seven days, because the Karakoram Highway takes two days each way.
Yes, but add two days. Day 1 becomes two driving days via Besham or Chilas, and the return does the same. Our 7 day itinerary is built for road travel, or you can fly one way and drive the other.
Khunjerab is usually open to visitors from about May to November. Outside that window, or if the border road is shut for the day, we swap Day 4 for Hopper Glacier in Nagar or a slower day at Borith Lake and Passu.
Yes. Most days involve short drives from one base. The Khunjerab day is long and climbs to 4,693 m, so we make it optional for very young children and elders.
May, June, September and October. Khunjerab is usually open, the weather is settled and Gilgit flights tend to be more reliable than in the cloudier months. Late April is lovely for blossom, but Khunjerab may still be closed.
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 plan for your group and explain what to include or avoid.
