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Northern PakistanNaran & KaghanFamily
Naran, Saif-ul-Malook & Babusar
A four-day introduction to the northern valleys — pine forest, a glacial lake and a 4,173 m pass.
4 Days / 3 Nights
Rs 34,500Rs 38,500
per personHunza Valley Explorer
Seven days along the Karakoram Highway, from Karimabad and Attabad Lake up to the Khunjerab Pass.
Overview
This is our most-booked northern itinerary and the one we recommend for a first trip to Gilgit-Baltistan. It follows the Karakoram Highway north from Islamabad, with two full nights in Karimabad so that Hunza is experienced rather than passed through.
You will see the Rakaposhi viewpoint at Ghulmet, cross Attabad Lake by boat, walk the Passu Cones trail, and climb to Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 metres on the Chinese border. Baltit and Altit forts are included with a local guide who can explain what you are actually looking at.
The pace is deliberately unhurried. Mountain roads are unpredictable, and an itinerary with no slack is an itinerary that breaks.
Trip highlights
- Two nights in Karimabad with Rakaposhi views
- Boat crossing on Attabad Lake
- Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m on the Chinese border
- Guided visits to Baltit and Altit forts
- Passu Cones and Hussaini suspension bridge
- Sunrise from Eagle’s Nest at Duikar
Day-by-day itinerary
Early departure from Islamabad on the Hazara Motorway, then onto the Karakoram Highway at Thakot. We follow the Indus through Besham and Dasu, reaching Chilas in the evening. A long driving day, and the one that gets the distance out of the way.
- Meals:
- Dinner
- Overnight:
- Hotel in Chilas
What is and is not included
What is included
- Six nights’ accommodation on twin-sharing basis
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Air-conditioned transport throughout, Islamabad to Islamabad
- Experienced tour leader for the full itinerary
- Attabad Lake boat ride
- Entry fees for Baltit and Altit forts
- Khunjerab National Park permit
- Bottled drinking water on travel days
Not included
- Lunches and personal expenses
- Domestic or international flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and hotel staff
- Any activity described as optional
- Costs arising from road closures or weather delays beyond our control
Accommodation, transport and meals
Where you stay
Three-star hotels and well-established guest houses chosen for location rather than lobby size — in Karimabad that means walking distance to the bazaar and a valley-facing room where available. Twin sharing is standard; single occupancy is available for a supplement.
How you travel
Air-conditioned coaster or Hiace from Islamabad depending on group size, with a driver who runs this route regularly. Local jeeps are used where the road requires them, for example on the climb to Duikar.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are included daily, usually at the hotel. Lunches are taken at roadside restaurants so you can choose and pay for what you want. Vegetarian requirements can be accommodated with notice.
Important information
The Karakoram Highway is a mountain road. Landslides and weather can add hours to a driving day, and Khunjerab Pass may close at short notice. We build a buffer into the itinerary, but flexibility is essential.
Khunjerab Pass is at high altitude. Anyone with a heart or respiratory condition should speak to a doctor before travelling. Nights are cold from September onwards even when days are warm — bring layers.
A valid CNIC is required for Pakistani nationals; foreign nationals should carry their passport for checkpoint registration.
Cancellation policy
Deposits secure your place and cover costs we commit to on your behalf. Our standard terms are:
- More than 30 days before departure — the deposit is retained, the balance is refunded in full.
- 15 to 30 days before departure — 50% of the package price is retained.
- Fewer than 15 days before departure — the package price is non-refundable.
Airline tickets, visa fees and non-refundable hotel bookings follow the supplier's own rules, which we will set out in writing at the time of booking. Where a trip cannot proceed because of road closure, weather or a decision by the authorities, we will offer a rescheduled departure or refund whatever we can recover.
Frequently asked questions
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