Featured Tour
Northern Areas Tour: Pakistan's Mountain Kingdoms
Alpine Karakoram Adventure
Featured Tour
Northern Areas Tour: Pakistan's Mountain Kingdoms
Alpine Karakoram Adventure
Alpine Karakoram Adventure
Explore the convergence of the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush in Pakistan's majestic Northern Areas.
Trip Stats
OthersGilgit Baltistan
Difficulty
Moderate
EasyModerateHardExtreme
Max Altitude
4,734 meters
Wind Speed
15-30 km/h
Temperature
-10°C to 25°C
Duration
7 to 21 Days
Best Seasons
Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug), Autumn (Sep-Nov), Winter (Dec-Feb)
Max Altitude
4,734 meters at Khunjerab Pass
Location
Gilgit Baltistan & Northern KP
Mountain Ranges
Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindu Kush
Overview
The Northern Areas of Pakistan stretch across 72,971 square kilometers of the world's most spectacular mountain terrain, encompassing Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's northern valleys, and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This is where the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush converge, holding five of the world's fourteen highest peaks above 8,000 meters, including K2 and Nanga Parbat. The region is divided into two main administrative divisions—Baltistan and Gilgit—each with districts like Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Astore, and Shigar that offer distinctly different landscapes and cultural experiences.
For travelers, the Northern Areas present a year-round destination, but each season reveals a completely different face of these mountains. Alpine Karakoram Adventure has spent years building relationships across these valleys—with families who run guesthouses in remote villages, drivers who know every bend of the Karakoram Highway, and guides who can read weather patterns in the way clouds sit on Rakaposhi. Whether you have seven days or three weeks, we can craft the perfect Northern Areas itinerary based on when you travel and what you want to experience.
Trip Highlights
What makes this tour special
Explore Hunza Valley's cherry and apricot blossoms beneath Rakaposhi's 7,788-meter peak.
1
Float on the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake, formed by a massive 2010 landslide.
2
Drive the Karakoram Highway, the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' connecting Pakistan and China.
3
Trek to Fairy Meadows for breathtaking views of Nanga Parbat's 4,600-meter Rupal Face.
4
Visit the Katpana Cold Desert in Skardu, where sand dunes meet snow-capped peaks.
5
Explore the 700-year-old Baltit Fort and 900-year-old Altit Fort in Hunza Valley.
6
Experience the world's highest paved border crossing at Khunjerab Pass (4,734m).
7
Camp in Deosai National Park, the 'Land of Giants,' home to Himalayan brown bears.
8
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport. Our representative meets you and transfers you to your hotel. Evening briefing with your guide about the journey ahead, altitude preparation, and equipment checks.
540 meters
None (own arrangements)
Hotel in Islamabad
Morning flight to Skardu with views of Nanga Parbat. Visit Satpara Lake and Kharpocho Fort for panoramic views of the Indus River and Skardu city. Focus on hydration and acclimatization.
2,230 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Skardu
Visit Shangrila Resort (Lower Kachura Lake) and the pristine Upper Kachura Lake. Afternoon exploration of the Katpana Cold Desert's high-altitude sand dunes.
2,300 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Skardu
Short drive to Shigar Valley. Tour the 400-year-old Shigar Fort and the ancient Amburiq Mosque. Experience traditional Balti village life and farming cultures.
2,250 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Shigar
Full day trip to the 'Land of Giants' via Chilim Pass. View Sheosar Lake and look for Himalayan brown bears across the high-altitude plateau (seasonal access).
4,100 meters
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel in Skardu
Drive along the Indus River to the Karakoram Highway. Stop at the confluence of the three mountain ranges. Reach Karimabad by evening with views of Rakaposhi.
2,400 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Karimabad
Guided tours of Baltit and Altit Forts. Walk through Karimabad’s traditional bazaar and irrigation channels. Optional sunset viewing at Eagle's Nest.
2,400 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Karimabad
Travel to Attabad Lake for a boat ride. Continue to the Pak-China border at Khunjerab Pass. Return to Passu to see the iconic Passu Cones and Hussaini Bridge.
4,734 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Passu
Morning trek to the Passu Glacier snout. Visit Borit Lake and Gulmit village to experience Wakhi culture and traditional house architecture.
2,800 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel in Passu
Drive to Raikot Bridge, followed by a jeep ride to Tattu. Trek 2-3 hours to Fairy Meadows, opening up views of Nanga Parbat's massive north face.
3,300 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Fairy Meadows Huts
Optional trek to Beyal Camp and Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Spend the day admiring the 8,126m peak before returning to the meadows for a campfire.
3,800 meters
Breakfast, Dinner
Fairy Meadows Huts
Trek down to Tattu, jeep to Raikot, and drive back to Islamabad via the Karakoram Highway. Transfer to the airport for late-night international departures.
540 meters
Breakfast
None
Note: The Northern Areas require flexibility. Flights to Skardu and Gilgit are weather-dependent and can be delayed or cancelled on short notice—always build buffer days into your schedule. Road conditions change with landslides, river flows, and snow melt. Babusar Pass typically opens in late June and closes by October. Khunjerab Pass closes from December through March. Deosai National Park opens only from July through September when snow clears.
What's Included
Included
11 items included
- Twin-sharing accommodation in hotels, lodges, and guesthouses
- Daily breakfast and specified meals in remote areas
- All land transportation in air-conditioned vehicles
- 4x4 vehicles for high passes and off-road sections
- English-speaking licensed guide
- Local specialist guides at forts and cultural sites
- All entrance fees to monuments, forts, and national parks
- Domestic flights (Islamabad-Skardu/Gilgit)
- Bottled drinking water during the tour
- Letter of invitation for Pakistan visa application
- All taxes and service charges
Not Included
10 items not included
- International airfare to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance with medical coverage and evacuation
- Lunches and dinners not specified in inclusions
- Photography fees at specific sites
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone calls)
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
- Single room supplement
- Costs from unforeseen circumstances beyond our control
- Horse hire for Fairy Meadows trek
We understand that every traveler has unique needs and different seasons require different approaches. Alpine Karakoram Adventure can customize your plan based on your travel season, interests, and time available. We offer Silver, Gold, and Platinum service packages ranging from standard guesthouses to luxury heritage properties.
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