10-Day Private Silk Route Tour from Islamabad: Karakorum Highway

Ten days driving the Karakorum Highway from Islamabad to Hunza, Nanga Parbat and the China border

A 10-day private tour from Islamabad following the Karakorum Highway through Pakistan's high valleys and mountain passes. You travel by private air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide, stay in hotels and mountain lodges, and visit Nanga Parbat Base Camp, Hunza Valley, Khunjarab Pass at the China border, and Fairy Meadows. Airport pickup and visa support letter are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel

• Pickup from Islamabad airport
• Transfer to hotel in Islamabad

Day 2: Travel to Chilas or Naran

• Drive to Chilas or Naran

Day 3: Journey to Fairy Meadows

• Drive to Raikot Bridge
• Jeep ride to Tattoo Valley
• Lunch at Tattoo Valley
• Trek to Fairy Meadows
• Overnight at Fairy Meadows cottage

Day 4: Excursion to Nanga Parbat Base Camp

• Breakfast at Fairy Meadows
• Excursion to Beyal Camp viewpoint
• Lunch at Beyal Camp
• Return to Fairy Meadows
• Overnight at Fairy Meadows cottage

Day 5: Travel to Hunza Valley

• Drive to Hunza Valley
• Visit mountain range junction
• Visit Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi viewpoints
• Short stay at Gilgit City and visit Karga Buddha
• Reach Hunza and overnight stay

Day 6: Explore Hooper Valley and Karimabad

• Visit Hooper Glacier and Valley
• Meet local folks and leisure activities
• Lunch in Hooper Valley
• Visit Ganish Village
• Visit Baltit and Altit Forts
• Drive to Upper Hunza for overnight stay

Day 7: Visit Khunjarab Pass and surroundings

• Drive to Khunjarab Top (China Border)
• Visit Atta’abad and Boreth Lakes
• Visit Passu and Batura Glacier
• Visit Gulmit, Passu, and Khyber Villages
• Visit Sost Dry Port and Bazaar
• See Hussaini and Passu Suspension Bridges
• Return to Passu/Attabad for overnight stay

Day 8: Drive back towards Islamabad

• Drive back to Chilas/Naran
• Sightseeing and photography along Karakorum Highway
• Overnight stay at Hilton Hotel Besham

Day 9: Return to Islamabad via Abbottabad and Murree

• Drive to Islamabad
• Visit Abbottabad and Murree
• Visit Gandhara Civilization in Taxila
• Overnight stay in Islamabad

Day 10: Explore Islamabad and departure

• Visit major attractions in Islamabad
• Drop off at airport

The experience

You arrive at Islamabad International Airport and are picked up for transfer to your hotel in the city. The tour proper begins the next morning, when you leave Islamabad and drive toward either Naran or Chilas. The route depends on the season, as Naran closes in winter. From there, the itinerary follows the Karakorum Highway, a modern route that replaced the ancient Silk Road and runs through some of the world's highest inhabited valleys. The road itself is the spine of the journey: driving it is described as a life experience, with snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and landscapes that shift constantly as you climb.

The tour includes stops at specific high-altitude sites. You reach Fairy Meadows at 3,300 meters by jeep and trek, then make an early-morning excursion to Beyal Camp for views of Nanga Parbat. You pass through Hunza Valley, where you visit Hooper Glacier, Ganish Village (a settlement over 1,000 years old), and the Baltit and Altit Forts. You drive to Khunjarab Pass on the China border, stopping at Atta'abad Lake, Passu Glacier, and the Hussaini and Passu suspension bridges along the way. On the return journey, you visit Taxila to see Gandhara Civilization sites, pass through Abbottabad and Murree, and spend your final morning exploring Islamabad before airport drop-off.

Accommodation is in hotels and mountain lodges: Islamabad Grand Hotel in the city, Shangri-La in Chilas, Fairy Meadows Cottage at altitude, Marco Polo Inn (roomy yurts) in Upper Hunza, Hilton Hotel in Besham, and back to Islamabad Grand on your last night. A live guide speaks English or Urdu throughout, and the private vehicle is air-conditioned for the long drives between valleys. Visa support documentation is provided as part of the booking.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing.
• live guide in English or Urdu.
• hotel and mountain lodge accommodation for all 10 nights.
• airport pickup and drop-off.
• visa support invitation letter.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (25 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 90 years) · Youth (16 to 24 years) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Urdu

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Harappa Tour & Travel

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Urdu, so you choose the language that works for you before booking. This tour suits travelers who are comfortable with long driving days (some stretches on the Karakorum Highway are 8+ hours) and want a private vehicle rather than a group coach. The itinerary is fixed, not flexible, so you follow the same route and schedule regardless of weather or personal preference.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Urdu.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 24 years); Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Karakorum Highway and why does it matter on this tour?

The Karakorum Highway is the modern route that replaced the ancient Silk Road, running through Pakistan's highest valleys and mountain passes. Driving it is central to the tour experience: the road itself passes through snow-capped peaks and deep valleys, and the itinerary is built around stops along this route rather than a fixed city-based schedule.

Can I visit Naran, or will the tour go to Chilas instead?

Naran closes in winter, so the route depends on when you travel. In winter months, the tour drives to Chilas instead. Confirm the exact routing when you book, as it changes by season.

What happens at Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp?

Fairy Meadows sits at 3,300 meters and is reached by a 2–3 hour trek after a jeep ride through Tattoo Valley. From there, you make an early-morning excursion to Beyal Camp (a 2-hour round trip), which is a viewpoint for Nanga Parbat, then return to the cottage for the night.

Do I need a visa, and does this tour help with that?

An invitation letter for visa support is included in the tour package, which you can use when applying for your Pakistan visa. You are responsible for obtaining the visa itself. The letter is documentation to support your application.