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
Hunza Valley Tour
Destination Explanation
Hunza Valley Tour
The Hunza Valley Tour follows the Karakoram Highway — the old Silk Route — north from Islamabad into Hunza, one of the most striking valleys in the range. Expect UNESCO-listed forts, turquoise Attabad Lake, the world's highest paved border crossing at Khunjerab, and the warmth of Hunza's Burusho and Wakhi communities. It runs as a 10-day version routed through Skardu, or a 12-day version that extends to Fairy Meadows beneath Nanga Parbat — both road-based and graded easy.
Route: Islamabad → Naran → Karimabad (Hunza) → Attabad Lake → Khunjerab Pass → Passu → Fairy Meadows → Islamabad
Duration
10 or 12 Days
Starting Point
Islamabad
Ending Point
Islamabad
Maximum Altitude
4,880 m, Khunjerab Pass
Difficulty Level
Easy
Best Season
May to October
Hiking Opportunities
Location Detail
Hunza sits in the upper Karakoram along the KKH, roughly a day's drive north of Islamabad — gateway to the Khunjerab Pass and the Pakistan–China border.
- Mountain Height:4,880 m (Khunjerab Pass)
- Total Hikers:TBD
- Mountain Range:Karakoram
Trip Itinerary
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Islamabad → Naran → Karimabad (Hunza) → Attabad Lake → Khunjerab Pass → Passu → Fairy Meadows → Islamabad
01Day 1
Day 1
Arrival in Islamabad
Airport transfer
- Land at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
- An evening briefing over dinner covers the route ahead and what to expect at altitude.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
02Day 2
Day 2
Islamabad to Naran
Drive: approx. 8 hours
- Head north on the Karakoram Highway, passing Taxila, Hassan Abdal and Abbottabad on the way into the Kaghan Valley.
- The road climbs steadily from the plains into pine forest and river gorge as the mountains close in.
Overnight: Hotel in Naran
03Day 3
Day 3
Naran to Karimabad, Hunza
Drive: full day
- Continue on the KKH alongside the Indus and then the Hunza River — one of the highest paved roads in the world, with peaks and glaciers visible the entire way.
- Arrive in Karimabad, the old capital of Hunza, by evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Karimabad
04Day 4
Day 4
Sightseeing in Karimabad (2,440 m)
Full day
- Visit Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, both centuries old and among the best-preserved heritage sites in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Walk the old bazaar streets and take in views over the valley toward Rakaposhi (7,788 m).
Overnight: Hotel in Karimabad
05Day 5
Day 5
Eagle's Nest & Attabad Lake
Half day
- A short drive up a switchback road reaches Eagle's Nest, the best viewpoint over Hunza, for sunset over the surrounding peaks.
- Attabad Lake, formed by a 2010 landslide that dammed the Hunza River, is a stop on the route north — its turquoise water sits directly beneath the KKH.
Overnight: Hotel in Karimabad
06Day 6
Day 6
Karimabad to Khunjerab Pass and Passu
Drive: approx. 3–4 hours each way
- Continue north past the Hussaini suspension bridge to Khunjerab Pass (4,880 m), the highest paved international border crossing in the world, shared with China.
- Return to overnight near Passu, in the shadow of the Passu Cones and Batura Glacier.
Overnight: Hotel in Passu
07Day 7
Day 7
Passu to Fairy Meadows
Drive & jeep track: approx. 6 hours + 2–3 hour walk
- Travel south on the KKH to Raikot Bridge, then transfer into 4x4 jeeps for the Fairy Meadows track — steep, narrow, and occasionally walked where the road has washed out.
- The last stretch to the meadows is on foot, arriving to log cabins with a direct view of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m).
Overnight: Cabins at Fairy Meadows
08Day 8
Day 8
Free day at Fairy Meadows
Optional short walks
- A rest day to take in Nanga Parbat at close range, with short walks into the surrounding forest for those who want them.
Overnight: Cabins at Fairy Meadows
09Day 9
Day 9
Return to Islamabad
Full day
- Walk back down to Raikot Bridge, rejoin the vehicle, and drive back to Islamabad.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
10Day 10
Day 10
Contingency day / Islamabad sightseeing
Full day
- A buffer day for delays, or a chance to see Faisal Mosque and the Margalla Hills before departure.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
11Day 11–12
Day 11–12
Departure
Airport transfer
- Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward flight.
Note: This is the 12-day route with the Fairy Meadows extension. A 10-day version is also available, replacing the Naran approach and Fairy Meadows leg with a return flight to Skardu, then an overland run to Karimabad and back via Naran — talk to us about which fits your dates better.
Before You Go
Challenges & Preparation
High Altitude
Khunjerab Pass sits at 4,880 m — you'll be above 4,000 m for a short part of one day, which most travellers handle without issue, but take it easy and stay hydrated.
Fairy Meadows Access
The jeep track and final walk-in can be rough underfoot; porters and horses are available for those who'd rather not carry a full pack.
Best Season
May to October gives the clearest roads and driest weather; Khunjerab can close outside this window.
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
Drive the Karakoram Highway, the old Silk Route, to Hunza.
UNESCO-recognised Baltit and Altit Forts.
Turquoise Attabad Lake and the Hussaini suspension bridge.
Sunset from Eagle's Nest over the Hunza valley.
Khunjerab Pass — the world's highest paved border crossing.
Optional extension to Fairy Meadows beneath Nanga Parbat.
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
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