7-Day Private Tour to Hunza from Islamabad: Karakoram Highway

Seven days on the Karakoram Highway: forts, turquoise lake, and the highest border in the world

A 7-day private tour from Islamabad to Hunza Valley and Khunjerab Pass along the Karakoram Highway, with a live guide, private transportation and six nights of hotel accommodation. The route covers UNESCO-listed Baltit and Altit Forts, the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake, and ends at the Pakistan-China border at 15,500 feet, where the world's highest ATM stands. Hotel pickup is included. Entry fees to forts and parks are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad

• Greet at Islamabad Airport
• Transfer to hotel
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 2: Journey towards Chilas through KKH

• Depart for Chilas via Karakoram Highway
• Visit Besham and Dasoo towns
• Travel through Naran-Babusar Top road if open
• Reach Chilas and relax
• Overnight stay in Chilas

Day 3: Chilas to Hunza and Attabad Lake

• Travel towards Hunza via Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi viewpoints
• Explore Karimabad and Hunza Valley
• Visit Baltit Fort
• Arrive at Attabad Lake
• Overnight stay at Attabad Lake

Day 4: Journey to Khunjerab Pass border

• Breakfast at hotel
• Cross Hussaini Suspension Bridge
• View Passu Cones
• Explore Khunjerab National Park
• Visit Khunjerab Pass and highest ATM
• Overnight stay at Attabad Lake

Day 5: Explore Hunza and travel to Gilgit

• Visit Altit Fort
• Explore Altit village
• Travel to Gilgit
• Visit local bazaars or rest
• Overnight stay in Gilgit

Day 6: Travel back to Besham or Naran

• Travel towards Besham via KKH
• Or travel to Naran via Babusar Pass if accessible
• Overnight stay in Besham or Naran

Day 7: Explore Islamabad and departure

• Travel back to Islamabad
• Visit Faisal Mosque
• Explore Lok Virsa Heritage Museum
• Visit Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi
• Dinner at Monal restaurant
• Drop off at Islamabad Airport

The experience

The tour departs Islamabad and follows the Karakoram Highway south toward Chilas, passing through small towns along the Indus River and stopping at Besham and Dasoo. If the Naran-Babusar Top road is open (typically July through October), the route climbs through lush meadows instead of the main highway, adding a different landscape to the first leg. You reach Chilas by evening and stay overnight before continuing north into Hunza Valley.

Days three and four center on Hunza itself. Baltit Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karimabad, sits on a ridge above the valley with views across the surrounding peaks. Its wooden balconies and carved interiors date back centuries. You arrive at Attabad Lake by evening: a turquoise body of water formed by a 2010 landslide, now ringed by steep cliffs. The next morning, the route heads toward Khunjerab Pass, crossing the Hussaini Suspension Bridge (a swaying span high above the Hunza River) and passing the Passu Cones before reaching the border at 15,500 feet. The pass sits at the gateway between Pakistan and China, and the highest ATM in the world operates there. You return to Hunza for the night.

Day five takes you to Altit Fort and Altit village, both around 1,000 years old and preserved as UNESCO sites. The fort's stone corridors and wood carvings overlook the valley. The village itself retains its original mud-brick homes and narrow streets. You travel back to Gilgit in the evening and have time to visit local bazaars or rest. The final two days reverse the route: heading back toward Islamabad via Besham or Naran (depending on road conditions), then spending your last day in Islamabad visiting Faisal Mosque, Lok Virsa Museum and the old Raja Bazar before airport drop-off. A guide fluent in English, Hindi or Urdu travels with you throughout. Fuel, tolls and parking are covered, as are six nights in 3- to 5-star hotels and bonfire nights at some stops.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 7 days.
• a live guide in English, Hindi or Urdu.
• six nights of hotel accommodation (3-star in Islamabad and Chilas, 5-star in Hunza and Gilgit).
• pickup from Islamabad Airport and drop-off at the airport or your chosen location.
• fuel, tolls and parking fees.
• bonfire nights at selected stops.
• all supporting documents required for visa processing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (2 to 9 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Hindi and Urdu

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 50

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discovering Pakistan

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private vehicle and guide for the full week, since the fixed itinerary covers the Karakoram Highway's major stops (forts, lake and border) in a single journey. The 7-day length gives you time to acclimatize at higher altitudes and explore each valley without rushing. Shorter versions skip either the southern forts or the northern pass.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Urdu.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 9 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is Baltit Fort and how long do we spend there?

Baltit Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karimabad, Hunza, built with intricate wooden balconies and carved interiors that date back centuries. You explore it on day three of the tour, with time to walk through its corridors and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks from its hilltop perch.

Can we visit Khunjerab Pass and what is there to see?

Yes, Khunjerab Pass is the highlight of day four. It sits at 15,500 feet on the Pakistan-China border and is the highest border crossing in the world. You'll see the towering peaks of the Karakoram Range, and the world's highest ATM operates at the pass itself.

Is the Naran-Babusar Top route included, or do we take the main highway?

The route through Naran and Babusar Top (at 13,700 feet) is taken if the road is open, which typically happens from July through October. It passes through lush green meadows and is more scenic than the main highway. If it's closed, you travel through Besham and Dasoo along the Karakoram Highway instead.

What does the 7-day tour include and what costs extra?

The tour includes private transportation, a guide and driver, six nights of hotel accommodation, fuel, tolls, parking, and bonfire nights at some stops. Entry fees to Baltit Fort, Altit Fort and national parks are not included and are paid separately. International flights to Pakistan and personal expenses are also separate.

How is the tour customized to our interests?

Discovering Pakistan specializes in private tours and states that all tours are highly customizable. You can discuss your preferences when booking, and the operator will adjust the itinerary to match your interests within the 7-day framework.