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Journey · Hunza, Gojal (Upper Hunza), Ghizer
Grand Gilgit-Baltistan Circuit
The long journey: up the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad, west to Phander, north to Khunjerab and east to Baltistan.
- Duration
- 16 days
- Highest point
- 4,693 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Season
- May–October
- Price
- Price to be confirmed
Photo: Preston Rhea · CC BY-SA 2.0
Overview
For travellers with time, this circuit brings together the main regions of Gilgit-Baltistan in one continuous route. It begins with the drive up the Karakoram Highway past Chilas and the meeting point of three great mountain ranges, then branches west into Ghizer before climbing north through Hunza to the Chinese border.
The second half crosses to Baltistan along the Indus for Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu, and ends with a flight out of Skardu. Long road days are balanced by two-night stays and rest days along the way.
- The full Karakoram Highway from Chilas to the Khunjerab Pass
- The confluence of the Gilgit and Indus rivers near Jaglot
- Phander in the far west of Ghizer
- Hunza's forts and Gojal's peaks
- Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace in Baltistan
Itinerary
Day 1
Islamabad to Chilas
A long road day north into Gilgit-Baltistan. Timing varies with road and weather conditions.
Overnight: Chilas
Day 2
Chilas to Gilgit
Rock carvings near Chilas, then past the Gilgit–Indus confluence near Jaglot to Gilgit.
Overnight: Gilgit
Day 3
Gilgit to Phander
West through Gahkuch and Gupis.
Overnight: Phander
Day 4
Phander
A rest day by the lake.
Overnight: Phander
Day 5
Phander to Gilgit
Return down the Ghizer valley.
Overnight: Gilgit
Day 6
Gilgit to Karimabad
North with a stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint.
Overnight: Karimabad
Day 7
Karimabad
Baltit and Altit forts.
Overnight: Karimabad
Day 8
Karimabad to Passu
Attabad Lake, Gulmit and the Hussaini bridge.
Overnight: Passu
Day 9
Khunjerab Pass
Excursion via Sost to the pass and back.
Overnight: Passu Highest point: 4,693 m
Day 10
Passu to Gilgit
A long drive back down the highway. Timing varies with road and weather conditions.
Overnight: Gilgit
Day 11
Gilgit to Skardu
Along the Indus gorge to Baltistan.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 12
Skardu
Kharpocho Fort, Satpara Lake and the Katpana dunes.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 13
Skardu to Shigar
Shigar Fort and village.
Overnight: Shigar
Day 14
Shigar to Khaplu
Via Skardu along the Shyok.
Overnight: Khaplu
Day 15
Khaplu to Skardu
Khaplu Palace, then back to Skardu.
Overnight: Skardu
Day 16
Depart Skardu
Flight to Islamabad, weather permitting.
Practical information
- Suitable for
- Explorers, Culture travellers, Photographers, Private groups
What’s included
Included
- Private vehicle with driver for the full circuit
- Guide throughout
- Accommodation as listed
- Breakfast daily
- Entry to forts and museums on the route
- Khunjerab National Park entry where charged
- Local jeeps where needed
Not included
- Flight from Skardu
- Meals not listed
- Travel insurance with altitude cover
- Optional activities
- Tips and personal expenses
What to bring
Essential
- Layered clothing from hot valley floors to a cold pass
- Insulated jacket, hat and gloves
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Modest clothing and a headscarf or shawl
- Sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Travel-sickness remedies for long mountain drives
- Passport and several copies
- Personal medicines for the full trip
Optional and useful
- Neck pillow for long drives
- Downloaded music, books or podcasts
- Power bank and car charger
- Binoculars
- Laundry soap for mid-trip washing
Good to know
Important notes and restrictions
- Several long road days; a spare day for landslides or flight delays is strongly advised.
- The Khunjerab excursion reaches about 4,700 m; time at the top is kept short.
- Sections of the Karakoram Highway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are transit only.
- Flights to Gilgit and Skardu depend on weather and visibility, and cancellations happen; a spare day or a road alternative is sensible.
Photos
Route and region
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- Duration
- 7 days
- Highest point
- 4,693 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Season
- May–Oct
Price to be confirmed
Journey
Skardu
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- Duration
- 8 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Season
- Apr–Oct
Price to be confirmed
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Start shaping your journeyGrand Gilgit-Baltistan CircuitPrice to be confirmed
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