Naran–Hunza–Khunjerab Pass Tour

This week-long road trip links two of Pakistan's most loved mountain regions in a single loop: the Kaghan Valley with its lakes and meadows, and the Hunza Valley on the Karakoram Highway, all the way up to the Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border. Along the way you cross Babusar Top, stand at the junction point of three great mountain ranges, and ride 4x4 jeeps to Naltar Valley and Saif ul Malook Lake.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Islamabad to Naran

   Meet and greet at the GlobalGateway meeting point in Islamabad at 7:00 am, with departure for Naran at 7:30 am (282 km, 6–7 hrs). En route, stop at Mansehra (elevation 3,570 ft, the 71st largest city of Pakistan) and Balakot, a town of small hamlets set in terraced mountains with the Kunhar River flowing through it — plenty of scenic photo spots. A further stop at Kiwai waterfall for photos and a breather. Arrive in Naran by evening: a valley of lush green mountains, waterfalls and forests at 7,904 ft above sea level, where summer temperatures rarely exceed 15°C and the average annual temperature is 10.1°C. In the evening, stroll Naran bazaar with its restaurants, handicraft and dry-fruit shops. Overnight at the hotel.

2. 2

   Day 2 — Kaghan Valley to Hunza

   After an early breakfast, set off for Karimabad, the capital of Hunza (320 km, 7 hrs). Pass through Batakundi (a newly developed tourist resort) to Besal, a small hamlet in Kaghan Valley, then visit the striking Lulusar Lake — the headwater source of the River Kunhar. Climb to Babusar Top (13,690 ft, minimum temperatures around 3°C), the highest easily accessible point in Kaghan Valley, connecting Gilgit-Baltistan with KPK via Thak Nala on the KKH. Continue past Chilas on the Karakoram Highway, cross Raikot Bridge (the gateway to Nanga Parbat base camp and the jeep trek to Fairy Meadows), and stop at the Nanga Parbat viewpoint — the "Killer Mountain", 9th highest in the world at 26,660 ft. Near Jaglot, pause at the Three Mountains junction point where the Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram ranges meet, then at the Rakaposhi viewpoint (25,551 ft, "the mother of clouds", 27th highest peak in the world). Arrive in Karimabad and transfer to the hotel.

3. 3

   Day 3 — Hunza Valley

   After breakfast, visit Baltit Fort in Karimabad — foundations roughly 700 years old, expanded in the 16th century for a Baltistan princess married to the Mir of Hunza, and once the seat of the Hunza kingdom — with panoramic views over the valley. Then take a half-day excursion to Hopper Valley in Nagar Khas and the Hopar Glacier (50 km, 1 hr one way). Back in Hunza, explore the 1,000-year-old Ganesh Village and head up to Eagle's Nest (10,000 ft) for sunset views of Rakaposhi, Lady Finger and the Golden Peaks. Late evening return to the hotel in Karimabad.

4. 4

   Day 4 — Upper Hunza and the Pak–China Border

   Drive up to Khunjerab Pass, the Pakistan–China border at 15,397 ft (100 km, 4 hrs one way). Stop at Attabad Lake (formed by a massive landslide in 2010; up to 21 km long and 358 ft deep), Gulmit, and the Hussaini Suspension Bridge — a hand-built community bridge regarded as the world's second-longest man-made hanging bridge, used by trader caravans on the old Silk Route. Continue past Passu Glacier and the cone-shaped Passu Cones, with a short stop at Sost, the dry port for Pak–China trade. Pass through Dhee, the entry point to Khunjerab National Park, and spend time at the border itself — oxygen is thin at this altitude, so chewing gum during the stay is recommended. Return to Karimabad for the night.

5. 5

   Day 5 — Naltar Valley Off-Road Adventure

   After breakfast, head for Naltar Valley (95 km, about 2 hrs 30 min including an off-road jeep trek). Switch to 4WD jeeps at Rahimabad for the off-road section and explore beautiful Naltar. In the afternoon, drive back via Rahimabad and the KKH to Danyor (45 km, 1 hr 45 min), check in to the hotel, and after some rest visit Gilgit city. Night stay at Danyor.

6. 6

   Day 6 — Return to Kaghan Valley

   Early breakfast, then drive back to Naran via Babusar Top (235 km, 5 hrs 20 min). The rest of the day is free for families to explore scenic points along the Naran Valley and capture photos of the trip. Overnight at the hotel in Naran.

7. 7

   Day 7 — Saif ul Malook Lake and back to Islamabad

   After breakfast, ride jeeps up to Saif ul Malook Lake (3 hrs return) — a turquoise alpine lake tied to the Sufi folk tale of a Persian prince who fell in love with a fairy princess at its shores. After the lake visit, drive back to Islamabad via Balakot, Mansehra, the Hazara Expressway and Motorway M-1 (282 km, 6 hrs), with drop-off at the designated point. End of tour.

Hotels

Price & Inclusions

The tour is priced from USD 143 per person and covers the essentials of the full 7-day circuit: