Planning your first trip to the north and stuck on Hunza or Skardu? Both are in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), both are beautiful, and each works well in about a week. But they suit different travellers, and how you get there matters as much as where you go.
This guide is for first-time visitors, families and overseas Pakistanis visiting in summer or over Eid. It is general guidance. Mountain weather and roads change quickly, so check the official sources at the end before you leave.
Hunza or Skardu: the quick answer
- Choose Hunza for a first trip, culture and easy sightseeing from one base: forts, Attabad Lake, Passu and the Khunjerab Pass (seasonal).
- Choose Skardu for big, open landscapes: lakes, cold deserts, Shigar, Khaplu and, in summer, Deosai. You can fly straight there.
- Allow 5 to 7 days for one valley, plus a spare day for delays.
- Live in the UK? The UK government advises against all travel on part of the Karakoram Highway. Read the safety section before planning a road trip.
Hunza and Skardu compared
| Hunza | Skardu | |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Terraced villages, forts, Attabad Lake, peaks such as Ultar and Lady Finger | Wide valley, Kachura and Sadpara lakes, cold deserts, Deosai plains |
| By air | Fly to Gilgit, then drive to Hunza | Fly direct to Skardu |
| By road | To Chilas and Gilgit, then north on the KKH | To Chilas, then the Jaglot–Skardu Road |
| Highest usual day trip | Khunjerab Pass, 4,693 m | Deosai, average 4,114 m |
| Families | Easy: short drives between sights | Easy if you fly; Deosai is a long jeep day |
| Best for | Heritage, local food, first visits | Landscapes, adventure, less road time |
Altitudes are from the GB Tourism Department.
Getting there
By air: Islamabad to Skardu or Gilgit
The quickest way in is a domestic flight from Islamabad. The GB Tourism Department names two airports for the region, Gilgit and Skardu. It says the Islamabad–Gilgit flight takes about an hour.
The FCDO warns that flight schedules to Gilgit and Skardu may be unreliable and can change at short notice. Book a flexible fare and keep a spare day before any international connection. Have a road plan B too. You can compare flights to Skardu and Gilgit, then book directly with the airline or booking partner.
By road: the KKH or the Naran–Babusar route
Two main routes run from the Islamabad area to Chilas, where they meet:
- The Karakoram Highway (KKH) through Mansehra, Besham and Dasu. It is the main road route, but the FCDO says landslides have hit every section north of Battagram.
- The N15 through Naran and the Babusar Pass. Popular in summer, but seasonal. The FCDO says the Chilas–Babusar stretch is inaccessible at some times of year. In July 2025, GB Tourism reported Babusar Road closed to all traffic after flash floods.
From Chilas, the KKH continues to Gilgit and Hunza. For Skardu, you turn off near Jaglot onto the Jaglot–Skardu Road. GB Tourism reported it reopened on 27 July 2026, on a temporary steel bridge after flood damage. GB Tourism says Islamabad to Gilgit on the KKH can take 10 to 12 hours, so many travellers break the journey overnight.
Is it safe? Official advisories for Hunza and Skardu
The main risks are natural: landslides, flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), which NDMA issues alerts for. In May 2026, the GB Tourism Department advised travellers to:
- check road clearance and weather before setting off
- avoid travel in bad weather and at night
- not stop near landslide areas, streams or riverbanks
Check NDMA advisories and the PMD daily forecast before each road day. GB Tourism says you can dial 1422 for the tourist police inside GB, or 05811-930055 from outside GB.
If you live in the UK: the FCDO advises against all travel on the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas (advice updated 22 September 2026). That stretch runs via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin, up to the N15 junction. The FCDO warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Flying to Gilgit or Skardu avoids that stretch. Read the full list (it also covers areas such as Swat) and confirm your cover with your insurer in writing.
If you travel on a foreign passport: the FCDO says all foreign nationals must register with the local authorities when visiting GB. It also says foreign nationals may not go within 10 miles of the China border, except at official land crossings. Trekking or climbing peaks over 6,000 m may need a permit. Confirm the current process with the authorities before you go.
Best time to visit Hunza and Skardu
General guidance, as conditions vary each year:
- Spring (March to April): blossom season. GB Tourism gives late February to April for blossom in Chunda Valley near Skardu. Some high roads are still closed.
- Summer (May to September): peak season. The Babusar route usually opens once snow clears, and Deosai is reachable (GB Tourism says only in summer). The FCDO says monsoon season usually runs from late June to early October, bringing floods and landslides.
- Autumn (October to early November): golden trees and fewer crowds. GB Tourism says the Khunjerab Pass closes in winter because of harsh weather, so check it is still open.
- Winter (December to February): very cold. Khunjerab and Deosai are closed and flights can be disrupted.
Sample 5-day Hunza trip plan
This assumes you fly to Gilgit. By road, add one or two days each way.
- Day 1: Fly Islamabad to Gilgit, then drive to Karimabad. Rest and acclimatise.
- Day 2: Baltit and Altit forts, Karimabad bazaar, then sunset at Duikar.
- Day 3: Attabad Lake, Gulmit and Passu. Stay in upper Hunza for a quieter night.
- Day 4: Khunjerab Pass via Sost, in its open season only. Keep your time at the top short.
- Day 5: Drive back to Gilgit and fly home, or use this as your spare day.
Sample 5 to 7-day Skardu trip plan
- Day 1: Fly to Skardu. Visit Upper Kachura and Shangrila (Lower Kachura) lakes.
- Day 2: Shigar Fort, about half an hour away, and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert.
- Day 3: Deosai by jeep (summer only), including Sheosar Lake.
- Day 4: Khaplu Palace and Chaqchan Mosque in Ghanche. Stay overnight to make it relaxed.
- Day 5: Kharpocho Fort, Manthal Buddha Rock, Sadpara Lake and the Katpana Cold Desert.
- Days 6 and 7: Basho or Chunda Valley, then fly back with a spare day in hand.
Doing Hunza and Skardu in one trip
Fly into Skardu and take the Jaglot–Skardu Road to the KKH. Then continue via Gilgit to Hunza and fly home from Gilgit (or do the reverse). Book two one-way flights rather than a return. We suggest at least 9 or 10 days so you never rush on mountain roads.
Want big mountains abroad as well? Our Nepal visa guide for Pakistanis explains the visa on arrival in Kathmandu, and our Kyrgyzstan e-Visa guide covers Bishkek, Issyk-Kul and the rules for Gulf residents.
Where to stay and what to book ahead
- Hunza: Karimabad or Aliabad for sightseeing; Gulmit or Passu for upper Hunza.
- Skardu: the town for convenience; Shigar or Khaplu for heritage stays; near the Kachura lakes for views.
Book early for June to August, Eid and long weekends. Choose free cancellation, because a cancelled flight or closed road can shift your dates. Compare hotels and guesthouses in Hunza and Skardu.
Getting around: hire a local driver
In May 2025, after a road accident killed four young travellers, the GB Tourism Department urged visitors to hire a local, experienced driver. The FCDO gives similar advice: use experienced local drivers, and travel only in clear weather.
Hire a car with driver in Gilgit or Skardu, or from Islamabad for a full road trip. Use a local jeep for Deosai. Agree the route and daily hours upfront, and avoid driving after dark.
Altitude, health and packing
The FCDO lists altitude sickness as a risk in parts of Pakistan, including GB. Day trips to Deosai and the Khunjerab Pass go well above 4,000 m. Go up gradually and drink water. Head down if you get a bad headache, dizziness or breathlessness. See a doctor first if you are pregnant or have a heart or lung condition.
GB Tourism suggests packing warm clothes, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, a first-aid kit, a water bottle and snacks. Carry your medicines and some cash, as card payments can be limited outside main towns.
Mobile data and connectivity in GB
Signal is usually fine in main towns but patchy in side valleys, on passes and across Deosai. The PTA says the Special Communications Organization (SCO) and national mobile operators provide service in GB. Ask your hotel which network works best, and download offline maps before you go. The FCDO also notes that mobile data can be cut without warning during protests.
Visiting from the UK or the Gulf? A Pakistan travel eSIM can work from arrival, but it runs on local networks, so the same gaps apply. Phones bought abroad may also need registration on PTA DIRBS. See our eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM guide.
Travel insurance for northern Pakistan
When you compare travel insurance for this trip, check:
- medical and evacuation cover in remote mountain areas
- cover for high altitude and jeep safaris or treks
- trip delay and cancellation for weather
- for UK residents, any exclusion linked to FCDO advice
Common mistakes
- No spare day before a connecting flight.
- Driving yourself on mountain roads, or driving at night.
- Planning Deosai, Babusar or Khunjerab outside their open season.
- Ignoring monsoon flood alerts.
- Assuming your insurance covers every route.
Quick checklist
- Choose Hunza, Skardu or both, and your month
- UK-based: read the latest FCDO advice
- Foreign passport: check Pakistan visa rules. The FCDO says valid NICOP or SNICOP holders can enter as Pakistani citizens, without a visa
- Foreign national: plan to register with local authorities in GB
- Flexible flights plus a spare day
- Hotels with free cancellation
- Local driver or jeep arranged
- NDMA, PMD and GB Tourism updates checked
- Offline maps and mobile data ready
- Insurance covering altitude and your route
How Voyfaro can help
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FAQ
Which is better, Hunza or Skardu?
Hunza is easier for first-timers and families who want culture and short drives. Skardu suits travellers who want wide landscapes and a direct flight. With 9 or 10 days, do both.
What is the best month to visit Hunza and Skardu?
As general guidance, May to mid-June or October avoids the main monsoon, which the FCDO says runs late June to early October. Late February to April suits blossom. Deosai is summer-only.
Is it safe to travel to Hunza valley?
GB Tourism calls the region a safe destination and advises checking travel advisories. The bigger risks are landslides, floods and road accidents, so hire a local driver and avoid night travel. UK residents should read the FCDO advice.
How far is Skardu from Hunza?
They are not next door. You drive from Skardu down the Jaglot–Skardu Road to the KKH, then north via Gilgit. Plan most of a day each way, with a local driver.
What if my Skardu or Gilgit flight is cancelled?
Ask the airline about the next flight, or go by road with a local driver if advisories allow. A flexible fare and a spare day make this much easier.
How many days are enough for a Hunza trip from Islamabad?
About five days if you fly to Gilgit, and seven or more by road, including a spare day.
Can I drive from Lahore or Karachi to Hunza?
Yes, but it is a long journey. Drive to Islamabad first, then take a northern route with a local driver for the mountain sections. From Karachi, flying north saves several days on the road.
Sources
Official pages we checked in October 2026:
- Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department, FAQs (airports, safety, tourist police, packing)
- GB Tourism Department, Important Advisory for Tourists: Travel Smart, Stay Safe (25 May 2025)
- GB Tourism Department, Important Travel Advisory for Tourists and Travelers (3 May 2026)
- GB Tourism Department, Emergency Declared on Babusar Road (22 July 2025)
- GB Tourism Department, Jaglot-Skardu Road Reopened for Traffic (27 July 2026)
- GB Tourism Department district pages: Gilgit (flight and road times), Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Hunza
- GB Tourism Department destination pages: Kachura Lakes, Chunda Valley, Deosai National Park, Khunjerab Pass
- National Disaster Management Authority, Advisories (weather, flash flood and GLOF alerts)
- Pakistan Meteorological Department, Daily forecast
- Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Cellular mobile (operators in AJ&K and GB) and DIRBS device registration
- UK Government (FCDO), Pakistan travel advice, Safety and security, Regional risks, Entry requirements and Health (written for British travellers)