Fairy Meadows, Skardu Valley & Hunza Valley Tour

This tour blends two entirely different regions of northern Pakistan: Naran Kaghan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Hunza in Gilgit-Baltistan, both blessed with countless amazing locations. After roaming the Kaghan Valley, the route pushes on to Hunza — an ancient valley of the Gilgit region known for its remarkable history and famously civilized, highly educated people — taking in Eagle's Nest, Attabad Lake, Khunjerab Pass, Hooper Valley, Rakaposhi views and Baltit Fort, plus shopping in Gilgit's NLI Market and visits to Fairy Meadows and Phandar Valley. A feast for the adventurous and for nature lovers alike.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Islamabad to Naran

   Meet and greet in Islamabad at 7:00 am, departing for Naran at 7:30 am (282 km, 6–7 hours). Stop en route at Mansehra (3,570 ft above sea level and Pakistan's 71st largest city) and Balakot, with its terraced-mountain hamlets and the Kunhar River flowing through — plenty of scenic photo spots — plus a break at Kiwai waterfall. Arrive in Naran in the evening: at 7,904 ft, surrounded by lush green mountains, waterfalls and forests, with summer temperatures rarely above 15°C and an annual average of 10.1°C. Evening walk through Naran bazaar with its restaurants, handicrafts and dry-fruit shops. Overnight at the hotel.

2. 2

   Day 2 — Naran to Fairy Meadows

   Early breakfast and departure for Fairy Meadows, driving Batakundi to Raikot Bridge (141 km, about 3.5 hours) with en-route visits to Jhalkad, Besal, Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top (13,700 ft above sea level). At Raikot Bridge on the KKH, transfer to 4WD jeeps for the 2.5-hour drive to Tattoo Village, then hike about 2.5 hours up to Fairy Meadows. Check in to the Fairy Meadows Cottage, enjoy a bonfire if the weather is clear, and stay the night.

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   Day 3 — Beyal Camp / Nanga Parbat Base Camp

   After breakfast, a full-day excursion with a soft 2-hour trek to Beyal Camp toward Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Nanga Parbat, the 'Killer Mountain', is the 9th highest peak in the world at 26,660 ft above sea level. Evening return to Fairy Meadows Cottage for the night.

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   Day 4 — Fairy Meadows to Karimabad, Hunza

   Early breakfast, then descend to Tattoo Village and ride the 4WD jeep back to Raikot Bridge. Drive on toward Hunza along the KKH (164 km, about 3.5 hours), with a short stop near Jaglot at the Three Mountains junction point where the Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram ranges meet, and another at the Rakaposhi viewpoint — Rakaposhi (25,551 ft) is known as 'the Mother of Clouds' and ranks as the 27th highest peak in the world. Arrive at Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, and transfer to the hotel.

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   Day 5 — Khunjerab Pass (Pak-China border)

   After breakfast, head for Khunjerab Pass, the Pakistan-China border at 15,397 ft above sea level (100 km, about 4 hours each way). En route, stop at Attabad Lake (formed by a massive landslide in 2010, up to 21 km long and 358 ft deep), Gulmit, the Hussaini Suspension Bridge — hand-built by the local community and considered the world's second longest man-made hanging bridge, once used by trade caravans on the old Silk Route — Passu Glacier, the cone-shaped Passu Cones, and Sost, the dry port of Pak-China trade. Pass Dhee, the entry point to Khunjerab National Park, and spend time at the border; oxygen is thin at this height, so chewing gum during the stay is advised. Return to Karimabad for the night.

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   Day 6 — Naltar Valley to Gilgit

   After breakfast, set off for Naltar Valley (95 km, about 2.5 hours including an off-road jeep trek). Change vehicles at Rahimabad onto 4WD jeeps for the off-road leg, visit Naltar Valley and continue by jeep to Satrangi Lake and Pari Lake. In the evening, drive to Gilgit City (52 km, 2 hours) for the night at the hotel.

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   Day 7 — Gupis and Yasin Valley

   After breakfast, drive to Gupis Valley (127 km, about 3 hours 15 minutes) and transfer to the motel. After some rest, visit Yasin Valley by 4WD jeep (20 km), returning to the motel in Gupis for the night.

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   Day 8 — Phandar Valley and Baha Lake

   Early breakfast and departure for Phandar Valley (60 km, about 1 hour 40 minutes). Check in at the motel, then drive on to Langar (38 km, 1 hour 15 minutes) and trek about 3 hours to Baha Lake — a sky-blue lake that is the longest natural lake in Gilgit-Baltistan at 5 km long and 750 m wide. Enjoy the mesmerizing views and try your luck catching trout before returning to the Phandar motel for the night.

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   Day 9 — Back to Gilgit City

   Early breakfast and the drive back to Gilgit City (187 km, about 5 hours). After some rest, visit the ancient Old Suspension Bridge and shop at the NLI Market for dry fruits, handicrafts and more. Night stay in Gilgit.

10. 10

    Day 10 — Gilgit to Skardu

    Early breakfast, then the long drive to Skardu (201 km, about 8 hours — slow going while the Gilgit-Skardu road is under construction). Skardu Valley, 10 km wide and 40 km long, sits at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar rivers at nearly 8,202 ft, an important gateway to the 8,000-metre peaks of the Karakoram; the Indus here separates the Karakoram Range from the Himalayas. Check in at the hotel with free time for your own activities. Overnight in Skardu.

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    Day 11 — Deosai Plains excursion

    After breakfast, a full-day 4WD jeep excursion to the Deosai Plains — at 13,497 ft the second highest plateau in the world after Tibet's Chang Tang. In the local Balti language Deosai is called 'Byarsa', meaning summer place; covering roughly 3,000 square kilometres and extending toward Ladakh, the plains are home to snow leopards, ibex, Tibetan blue bears and wild horses. Visit Sadpara Lake, Sheosar Lake and Bara Pani, returning to the Skardu hotel in the evening.

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    Day 12 — Skardu to Chilas

    Early breakfast, then the drive back to Chilas (257 km, 9–10 hours, slowed by the Gilgit-Skardu road works). Travel along the KKH to Chilas and transfer to the hotel for the night.

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    Day 13 — Chilas to Naran and Lake Saif ul Malook

    After breakfast, depart for Naran via Babusar Top (114 km, about 3 hours) and check in at the hotel. Take a 3-hour 4WD jeep excursion to the legendary Lake Saif ul Malook at 10,578 ft — a heavenly turquoise lake in a mesmerizing landscape, namesake of the Sufi fairy tale about a Persian prince who fell in love with a fairy princess at its shore. Evening walk in Naran bazaar and overnight at the hotel.

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    Day 14 — Naran to Islamabad

    Early breakfast and departure for Islamabad via Balakot, Mansehra, the Hazara Expressway and the M-1 Motorway (282 km, about 6 hours). Arrive in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel for the night.

15. 15

    Day 15 — Islamabad city tour and departure

    After breakfast, enjoy an Islamabad city tour taking in Faisal Mosque, the Lok Virsa Museum and the Pakistan Monument, before drop-off at Islamabad Airport for the flight home.

What's Included

Important Notes