Five days is the minimum we recommend for Hunza by road from Islamabad — enough for two full days in the valley if you start early and keep the drives sensible. Here is the plan we use most often, with honest notes on driving times and the trade-offs.
Driving times are typical for a private vehicle in good conditions. Traffic, weather and landslides on the Karakoram Highway can add hours. If you can add a sixth day, do — it makes the whole trip calmer.
In this guide
Day 1: Islamabad to Chilas (or Besham)
Driving: 9–12 hours. Leave Islamabad before dawn. There are two routes:
- Via the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Besham — open all year. Many families prefer to stop overnight in Besham to keep the first day shorter.
- Via Naran and Babusar Top — usually open from around June to October. More scenic: Kaghan Valley, Lulusar Lake and the 4,170 m pass. Overnight in Chilas.
Chilas is hot in summer; choose a hotel with good air-conditioning.
Day 2: Chilas to Karimabad
Driving: 5–6 hours. One of the great drives in Asia. Stop at the Nanga Parbat viewpoint near Raikot, the junction of the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges near Jaglot, and the Rakaposhi viewpoint at Ghulmet for tea below the mountain. Arrive in Karimabad by mid-afternoon and walk the old lanes before dinner.
Day 3: Karimabad — forts and Eagle’s Nest
Driving: under an hour in total. The day to slow down.
- Morning: Baltit Fort when it opens, then the bazaar.
- Midday: Altit Fort and the Royal Garden, lunch in Altit or Karimabad.
- Late afternoon: Eagle’s Nest viewpoint above Duikar for sunset over Rakaposhi, Ultar and Ladyfinger.
Day 4: Upper Hunza — Attabad, Passu and (in season) Khunjerab
Driving: 6–8 hours with stops. Drive through the Attabad tunnels to Attabad Lake for a boat ride, then on through Gulmit to the Passu Cones viewpoint and Hussaini. When the pass is open (generally spring to late November), continue to the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m on the China border, inside Khunjerab National Park.
Khunjerab makes Day 4 long. If you are travelling with young children or elderly parents, consider skipping it and spending a relaxed afternoon at Attabad or Borith Lake instead. Overnight at Attabad or back in Karimabad.
Day 5: Hunza to Islamabad
Driving: 14–18 hours — or split it. This is the honest weak point of a five-day plan. Returning in a single day is possible with an early start, but it is tiring. That is why we usually recommend a sixth day, overnighting in Chilas or Besham.
How to adapt this itinerary
For families
Make it six or seven days, overnight in Besham on the way up, skip Khunjerab with small children, and add an easy day at Attabad. See our family trip guide.
By air via Gilgit
Fly Islamabad–Gilgit (about an hour), then drive 2–3 hours to Karimabad. This turns the plan into four relaxed days in the valley — but flights depend on weather, so keep a road back-up.
Add Skardu
From Hunza, Skardu is a long day’s drive via Gilgit and the Skardu Road. Combining both needs around 9–12 days. Read Hunza vs Skardu.
Autumn and spring
In April, plan more time in Karimabad and Altit for blossom. In late October, give Upper Hunza and Passu a full day for the golden colours.
Where to stay
- Karimabad: walk to the forts and bazaar; wide range of hotels.
- Attabad Lake: lakeside resorts — one night here is a treat.
- Gulmit or Passu: quieter, convenient for Khunjerab.
Practical tips
- Carry cash; ATMs exist in Aliabad and Karimabad but can be unreliable.
- Bring a warm layer for Khunjerab even in summer.
- Carry your CNIC or passport for checkpoints and the national park.
- Dress modestly and ask before photographing people.
For the full background on Hunza, read our Hunza Valley travel guide, or ask us to tailor this itinerary to your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Hunza?
It is enough to see the highlights by road, but the return day is long. Six or seven days is more comfortable, especially with family.
Should I go via Naran or via Besham?
Via Naran and Babusar is more scenic and usually open from around June to October. Via Besham on the KKH is open year-round.
Can I visit Khunjerab on a day trip from Karimabad?
Yes, when the pass is open. It is a long day of roughly six to eight hours with stops.
