Every turn on the trail opened up another shot worth taking. Our guide knew exactly where to stop for the best light, and the pace never felt rushed.
Franco Hita
Classic Pakistan Tour
Destination Explanation
Classic Pakistan Tour
This is our longest overland route, linking Baltistan, Hunza and Chitral in a single trip: a flight to Skardu, the Deosai Plateau, Fairy Meadows under Nanga Parbat, Hunza's forts, the Shandur Pass, and the Kalash Valley before finishing through Swat. It runs as a 16-day version or a fuller 20-day version that adds the Deosai crossing and a short trek toward Nanga Parbat Base Camp.
Route: Islamabad → Skardu → Deosai → Fairy Meadows → Hunza → Gilgit → Phandar → Shandur Pass → Chitral → Kalash Valley → Swat → Islamabad
Duration
16 or 20 Days
Starting Point
Islamabad
Ending Point
Islamabad
Maximum Altitude
3,800 m, Shandur Pass
Difficulty Level
Easy
Best Season
April to September
Hiking Opportunities
Location Detail
This route runs the length of northern Pakistan — from Skardu in Baltistan, through Hunza and Gilgit, over the Shandur Pass into Chitral and the Kalash valleys, and back via Swat.
- Mountain Height:3,800 m (Shandur Pass)
- Total Hikers:TBD
- Mountain Range:Karakoram & Hindu Kush
Trip Itinerary
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Islamabad → Skardu → Deosai → Fairy Meadows → Hunza → Gilgit → Phandar → Shandur Pass → Chitral → Kalash Valley → Swat → Islamabad
01Day 1
Day 1
Arrival in Islamabad
Airport transfer
- Arrive in Islamabad and transfer to your hotel for an evening briefing.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
02Day 2
Day 2
Fly to Skardu
Flight: 45 minutes
- A short mountain-view flight over the Karakoram to Skardu, weather permitting (road transfer as backup).
Overnight: Hotel in Skardu
03Day 3
Day 3
Sightseeing in Skardu
Full day
- Skardu Bazaar, Upper Kachura Lake, Kharpocho Fort and the 8th-century Buddha rock carving at Manthal.
Overnight: Hotel in Skardu
04Day 4
Day 4
Skardu to Astore via Deosai
Drive: approx. 8 hours
- Cross the Deosai Plateau, reaching 12,449 ft at its highest point — open grassland, wildflowers and marmots, with Sheosar Lake as the scenic stop.
- Descend through pine forest into Astore Valley.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Astore
05Day 5
Day 5
Astore to Fairy Meadows
Drive: approx. 2.5 hours
- A shorter driving day, arriving at Fairy Meadows for an afternoon with Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) filling the view.
Overnight: Cabins at Fairy Meadows
06Day 6–7
Day 6–7
Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp and back
Trekking: approx. 6 hours each way
- Walk via Beyal Camp to the Nanga Parbat Base Camp area (around 4,100 m), then return to Fairy Meadows.
- This is the one genuinely strenuous stretch of the trip — everything either side of it is road-based.
Overnight: Cabins at Fairy Meadows
07Day 8
Day 8
Fairy Meadows to Hunza
Trek + drive: approx. 8–9 hours total
- Walk back down to Raikot Bridge, then drive north on the KKH to Karimabad.
Overnight: Hotel in Karimabad
08Day 9
Day 9
Sightseeing in Hunza
Full day
- Altit Fort, the 700-year-old Baltit Fort, and sunset over Rakaposhi.
Overnight: Hotel in Karimabad
09Day 10
Day 10
Hunza to Gilgit
Drive: approx. 2–3 hours
- A short run down to Gilgit, with the afternoon free.
Overnight: Hotel in Gilgit
10Day 11
Day 11
Gilgit to Phandar
Drive: approx. 7 hours
- The Gilgit–Shandur road through Gupis and Khalti, following the turquoise Ghizer River into Phandar Valley.
Overnight: Hotel in Phandar
11Day 12
Day 12
Phandar to Chitral via Shandur Pass
Drive: approx. 6–8 hours
- Cross the Shandur Pass (3,800 m), home to the annual high-altitude polo festival, before descending to Chitral.
Overnight: Hotel in Chitral
12Day 13
Day 13
Chitral to Kalash Valley via Ayun
Drive: approx. 2–3 hours
- Drive via Ayun to the Rumbur and Balanguru villages of Kalash Valley, home to the Kalash people and their pre-Islamic culture.
Overnight: Hotel in Kalash Valley
13Day 14
Day 14
Kalash Valley sightseeing
Full day
- A relaxed day meeting Kalash villagers and exploring the valley on foot.
Overnight: Hotel in Kalash Valley
14Day 15
Day 15
Kalash to Swat
Drive: approx. 7–8 hours
- A long, scenic drive south through winding mountain roads to the green plains of Swat Valley.
Overnight: Hotel in Swat
15Day 16
Day 16
Explore Swat Valley
Full day
- Mingora's Swat Museum, the 2,000-year-old Butkara Stupa, and the Buddhist-era sites around Saidu Sharif.
Overnight: Hotel in Swat
16Day 17
Day 17
Swat to Islamabad
Drive: approx. 5–6 hours
- Return via Chakdara and the Malakand Pass, joining the motorway into Islamabad.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
17Day 18–19
Day 18–19
Contingency day / Islamabad sightseeing
Full day
- A buffer for any delays along the route, or a day to see Faisal Mosque and Parliament Square.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
18Day 20
Day 20
Departure
Airport transfer
- Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Note: This is the 20-day route with the Deosai crossing and Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek. A 16-day version is also available, running Skardu to Hunza directly and skipping those days — get in touch and we'll build the version that fits your schedule.
Before You Go
Challenges & Preparation
Flight to Skardu
The Islamabad–Skardu flight is scenic but weather-dependent; we build in a road-transfer contingency so a cancelled flight doesn't cost you the day.
One Strenuous Stretch
Everything on this route is road-based except the walk to Nanga Parbat Base Camp — pack proper boots and layers for those two days specifically.
Shandur Polo Festival
If you'd like to catch the festival itself, let us know when booking — it runs for three days each July and dates move slightly year to year.
Full Guide
Local guides who know every trail, pass, and campsite along the way.
Postcard Views
Scenic viewpoints and photo stops built into every itinerary.
Strong Tent
Reliable camping gear built to handle high-altitude weather.
Trekking Essentials
Core trekking gear included so you can travel light.
History of The Trek
Every trail in the Karakoram carries its own story of local life, trade, and mountain tradition. Detailed history for this route is coming soon.
Trek Highlights
Why Trek This Trail
The Deosai Plateau and Sheosar Lake.
Fairy Meadows and the Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek.
Baltit and Altit Forts in Hunza.
The Shandur Pass, host to the world's highest polo festival.
The Kalash Valley's living pre-Islamic culture.
Gandhara-era Buddhist sites in Swat.
Hiking Opportunities
Review From Hiker
I only had a few days to spare and the itinerary was planned around that perfectly. Transport, camps, and permits were all sorted before we even arrived in Skardu.
Hamka Renton
The trek was tougher than I expected in the best way. Solid campsites, a guide who checked in on everyone, and views that made the climb worth it.
Jilly Negredo
Start Your Journey
Get In Touch
Planning your next adventure in Skardu or Gilgit-Baltistan? Whether you're looking for a guided trek, a private tour, or a customized itinerary, our team can help you plan your journey. Tell us where you want to go, when you want to travel, and what kind of adventure you're looking for.
Contact Us