Day 1 — Arrival in Islamabad, Pakistan

Arrive in Pakistan and meet your private guide at the agreed airport or pickup location. Depending on your international or domestic arrival time, transfer to your Islamabad accommodation and rest before beginning the northern journey. If your flight schedule makes it more practical, the Islamabad overnight can instead be arranged before your departure from Pakistan.

Overnight: Islamabad

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2 — Islamabad to Batakundi via Kaghan Valley & Naran

Begin your private Northern Pakistan road journey from Islamabad. Travel through Mansehra and Balakot before entering the scenic Kaghan Valley. Continue toward Naran and Batakundi through forests, rivers, mountain villages and dramatic Himalayan scenery.

This first mountain-road section introduces you to the landscapes of northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Overnight: Batakundi

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 — Batakundi to Fairy Meadows via Babusar or the KKH Alternative

Continue toward the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan. When open and accessible, travel through the Babusar Pass route and continue toward Chilas before reaching the Fairy Meadows area.

When Babusar Road is closed because of snow, weather or road conditions, the journey can use the Karakoram Highway via the Besham–Dasu–Kohistan–Chilas corridor instead. The exact route and overnight arrangement will depend on current road accessibility.

From the access point, continue by local 4WD/jeep and enjoy the relatively easy walking section toward Fairy Meadows. This is an opportunity to experience the spectacular Nanga Parbat landscape without turning the overall tour into a demanding trekking expedition.

Overnight: Fairy Meadows area, subject to seasonal access

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 — Fairy Meadows to Hunza Valley via Rakaposhi

Leave the Fairy Meadows area and continue toward Hunza through the dramatic mountain landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan. Travel along the Karakoram region toward Karimabad and stop at a Rakaposhi viewpoint for panoramic views of one of the most famous peaks of the Karakoram.

Continue to Hunza Valley and explore the historic and cultural atmosphere of Karimabad. Depending on timing, visit Baltit Fort and Altit Fort.

Overnight: Hunza / Karimabad

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 — Hunza to Khunjerab Pass via Passu & Upper Hunza

Travel north from Hunza along the legendary Karakoram Highway. Continue through Upper Hunza and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery around Passu, Gulmit and Sost.

Stop for views of the famous Passu Cones before continuing toward Khunjerab Pass, the high-altitude Pakistan-China border crossing. Access is subject to weather, road conditions and border regulations.

Return toward Hunza after the Khunjerab journey.

Overnight: Hunza / Karimabad

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 — Hunza to Gilgit via Rakaposhi & Kargah Nala

Leave Hunza and continue toward Gilgit with scenic stops along the Karakoram route. Enjoy additional views of Rakaposhi before reaching Gilgit, an important gateway to the mountain regions of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Where conditions permit, visit Kargah Nala and its historic Buddha rock carving, combining natural scenery with the region's cultural heritage.

Overnight: Gilgit

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 — Gilgit to Skardu & Kachura Lakes

Travel from Gilgit toward Skardu through the dramatic mountain landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan. Enjoy scenic viewpoints and changing mountain scenery as you enter Baltistan.

Depending on arrival time and local conditions, visit Upper Kachura Lake and Lower Kachura Lake, commonly known as Shangrila Lake.

Overnight: Skardu

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 — Skardu & Shigar Valley

Explore the cultural heritage of Baltistan on a private excursion to Shigar Valley. Discover traditional mountain architecture, local landscapes and historic heritage.

Visit Shigar Fort and Amburiq Mosque where included in the confirmed itinerary, then return toward Skardu.

Overnight: Skardu

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 — Skardu to Khaplu Valley & Kharmang

Travel east from Skardu toward Khaplu Valley, one of the most distinctive cultural landscapes of Baltistan.

Visit Khaplu Fort and Chaqchan Mosque before continuing toward the Kharmang region. Where road and weather conditions permit, explore Manthoka Waterfall, Khamosh Waterfall or other suitable scenic points.

Overnight: Khaplu / Guwari

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 — Khaplu to Basho Valley & Skardu

Return toward Skardu and continue into Basho Valley. Where required, use a local 4WD/jeep for the mountain section.

Basho is known for forests, meadows, streams and peaceful alpine scenery. Enjoy light walking and time in the mountain environment before returning to Skardu.

Overnight: Skardu

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 — Skardu to Deosai National Park

Travel from Skardu toward Deosai National Park and the spectacular Deosai Plains. Experience vast high-altitude landscapes, open alpine plains and dramatic mountain scenery.

Deosai is strongly seasonal. Heavy snow can block the high-altitude roads until late spring. The principal visitor period is generally from mid-June through mid-September, while access can begin earlier or continue later depending on snow and road conditions.

If Deosai is not accessible, your private guide will arrange a suitable alternative scenic route and sightseeing experience in the Skardu/Baltistan region.

Overnight: Skardu or confirmed seasonal accommodation

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 — Skardu to Naran

Begin the return journey from Baltistan toward Naran. Travel through the changing landscapes of Northern Pakistan and enjoy scenic mountain viewpoints along the route.

Arrive in Naran and relax after the long mountain journey.

Overnight: Naran

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 — Naran to Islamabad & Tour Ends

After breakfast, travel from Naran through the scenic Kaghan Valley toward Islamabad. Enjoy the final Himalayan landscapes of your Northern Pakistan journey.

Your private tour ends with drop-off at your desired location. Depending on your travel arrangements, we can coordinate drop-off at an airport, hotel or another agreed location in Pakistan.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Babusar Pass

Babusar access is seasonal. The road normally becomes accessible around spring as snow clears, but the exact opening date varies from year to year. It can close again in autumn or earlier because of snowfall and road conditions.

The itinerary therefore explicitly uses Babusar Pass only when open and accessible.

Karakoram Highway Alternative

When Babusar Road is closed, the route between the Himalayan and Gilgit-Baltistan regions can be adjusted to use the Karakoram Highway through the Besham–Dasu–Kohistan–Chilas corridor.

This route is generally used as the principal alternative to the seasonal Babusar route, although landslides, heavy rain, road works and other local conditions can occasionally cause temporary disruption.

Deosai National Park

Deosai is a high-altitude destination with a shorter access season. Heavy snow can block the roads during winter and spring. Access generally improves from late May or June, with the main visitor period extending through summer into early autumn. The exact opening and closing dates depend on snow, weather and road conditions.

If Deosai cannot be reached safely, your private itinerary can be rearranged and alternative scenic locations and accommodation can be provided according to current local conditions.

Northern Pakistan includes remote mountain roads, high-altitude passes and destinations where weather and road conditions can change quickly.

Babusar Pass is used only when open and accessible. If Babusar Road is closed, the itinerary can use the Karakoram Highway alternative via Besham, Dasu and Chilas, subject to current road conditions.

Deosai National Park is also seasonal because of snow and high-altitude road conditions. Fairy Meadows access can likewise depend on local road and weather conditions.

If conditions require a change, Adventure Touristik may rearrange the sequence of the itinerary and provide suitable alternative scenic points and accommodation. We will work to fulfill the promised services and cover the planned destinations wherever safely and practically possible.

Is this a private Northern Pakistan tour?

Yes. This is a private, fully guided Northern Pakistan tour. Only your booked group participates, with private transportation and an English-speaking guide.

What destinations does this 13-day Pakistan tour cover?

The route covers Islamabad, Kaghan Valley, Naran, Fairy Meadows, Hunza Valley, Upper Hunza, Passu, Khunjerab Pass, Gilgit, Skardu, Kachura Lakes, Shigar, Khaplu, Basho Valley, Deosai National Park and the return route through Naran toward Islamabad.

Does the tour visit Khunjerab Pass?

Yes. The tour includes a journey from Hunza along the Karakoram Highway toward Khunjerab Pass and the Pakistan-China border region. Access is subject to weather, road and border conditions.

Does this tour include Skardu?

Yes. The itinerary includes several days in and around Skardu, including Kachura Lakes, Shigar Valley, Khaplu Valley, Basho Valley and a planned Deosai excursion when seasonally accessible.

Does the tour include Fairy Meadows?

Yes. The revised itinerary includes an overnight in the Fairy Meadows area, subject to seasonal road, weather and local access conditions. The Fairy Meadows section is designed as a scenic mountain experience with light walking rather than a demanding technical trek.

Is Babusar Pass open all year?

No. Babusar Pass is seasonal. It is included in the route only when open and accessible. If the pass is closed, the itinerary can use the Karakoram Highway route via Besham, Dasu, Kohistan and Chilas instead, subject to current conditions.

When can I visit Deosai National Park?

Deosai is a seasonal high-altitude destination. Access normally improves from late spring as snow clears, with the main visitor period during summer and early autumn. Exact opening and closing dates depend on snowfall, weather and road conditions.

Can I choose my own travel dates?

Yes. This is a private bookable tour available on your preferred travel dates, subject to availability and operational conditions. Contact Adventure Touristik with your preferred dates, or ask us to recommend suitable dates.

Can you pick me up from an airport in Pakistan?

Pickup can be arranged from an agreed airport, hotel or location in Pakistan according to the confirmed itinerary and logistics. Please provide your arrival details when booking so we can coordinate the transfer.

Can you drop me somewhere other than Islamabad?

Drop-off arrangements can be discussed according to your travel plans. We can coordinate the final drop-off at an agreed airport, hotel or destination where the required transportation arrangement is practical.

Is this a trekking tour?

No. It is primarily a private scenic and cultural mountain road journey with sightseeing, light walking and selected 4WD mountain sections. The Fairy Meadows section can include an easy walking experience, but this is not a technical trekking expedition.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the planned tour. Halal meals are provided, with vegetarian options available. Dietary requirements should be communicated before travel.

What is not included in the tour price?

International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional activities, tips and gratuities, personal shopping, extra hotel nights outside the itinerary and certain costs caused by extraordinary weather, road closures, border closures or other circumstances outside the agreed itinerary are not included.