A CROSSROADS ADVENTURE JOURNEY
Hunza, Skardu & Fairy Meadows Expedition
Dates and seasonal access discussed after enquiry.
YOUR JOURNEY AT A GLANCE
Pace: Road travel, sightseeing and walking adapted to your interests. Share your preferred pace and mobility before we prepare your proposal.
Premium accommodation where available. Final stays, room arrangements and the daily pace are agreed with you.
INDICATIVE JOURNEY PRICE
USD 4,000–5,000 per person
The final proposal confirms your dates, party size, room arrangements, services and price.
Group departure routes and lengths may differ from this private itinerary. If no dates are listed, enquire about a private journey.
PAKISTAN · HUNZA, SKARDU & FAIRY MEADOWS
Discover Hunza, Skardu & Fairy Meadows
This northern Pakistan itinerary connects the Baltistan valleys, Hunza’s cultural landscapes and Fairy Meadows. It is designed for guests who want several contrasting mountain regions and accept the extra transfers and walking involved.
Follow the complete 15-day route below. Private dates and changes to the pace are discussed after enquiry, with the final stays and services agreed before booking.
Moments along the journey
Journey highlights
Skardu and Baltistan landscapes
Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat viewpoints
Historic forts and village life in Hunza
Attabad Lake, Passu and Gojal
Your journey route
Explore the main places along this journey. Markers show geographic context; the daily sequence below confirms the proposed stages and overnight stops. Exact mountain camps, glacier lines and trail access are confirmed with the guide.
View the daily route and overnight stops
| Day | Route stage | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival In Islamabad | Islamabad · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 2 | Islamabad → Skardu · flight or first road day | Skardu if flying; Naran or Bisham if travelling by road · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 3 | Skardu · arrival contingency and rest | Skardu · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 4 | Skardu → Fairy Meadows (Via Raikot & Chilas) | Fairy Meadows |
| 5 | Nanga Parbat Base Camp Or Fairy Meadows Leisure | Stay and location confirmed in your personal proposal |
| 6 | Fairy Meadows → Gilgit (Via Raikot & Jaglot) | Raikot · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 7 | Gilgit → Karimabad (Hunza) | Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 8 | Central Hunza Exploration | Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 9 | Leisure Day In Central Hunza | Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 10 | Hopper Valley → Attabad Lake → Upper Hunza (Gulmit) | Gulmit · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 11 | Ghulkin → Hussaini Bridge → Passu & Borith Lake | Passu · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 12 | Khunjerab Pass → Gilgit | Gilgit · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 13 | Gilgit → Islamabad · flight or two-day road return | Islamabad if flying; Naran or Bisham if returning by road · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 14 | Islamabad · rest day or completion of road return | Islamabad · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 15 | International departure from Islamabad | No overnight stay; international departure |
Your 15-day itinerary
A proposed sequence, adapted to your dates and interests. Weather, flight operation and local access may require changes.
DAY 1
Arrival In Islamabad
Altitude: 540 m | Drive: 1–2 hrs
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport where the Crossroads Adventure team warmly welcomes you. Transfer to your hotel in nearby Rawalpindi to rest after your journey. Evening briefing about the expedition.
Hotel: Pearl Continental (PC) Rawalpindi or equivalent
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Islamabad · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 2
Islamabad → Skardu · flight or first road day
Take the planned domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu, subject to operation. If it operates, transfer to your accommodation and keep any local visits flexible. If the flight is cancelled, travel by road to Naran when the Babusar route is open and suitable, or to Bisham via the Karakoram Highway, and stay overnight there. The onward road journey continues the next day; do not plan a same-day drive from Islamabad to Skardu.
Domestic flight and local transfers, or the first of two road-travel days. Route selection depends on seasonal access and road conditions.
Overnight: Skardu if flying; Naran or Bisham if travelling by road · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 3
Skardu · arrival contingency and rest
If yesterday’s flight operated, use today for rest and flexible local visits in Skardu. If the flight was cancelled, complete the road journey from Naran or Bisham to Skardu today and check into your accommodation. Keep sightseeing light and begin the next itinerary stage tomorrow.
Second road-travel day when required; sightseeing is optional and depends on arrival time.
Overnight: Skardu · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 4
Skardu → Fairy Meadows (Via Raikot & Chilas)
Altitude: 3,300 m | Drive: 6–7 hrs + Trek: 2.5 hrs
Drive along the Indus River via Chilas, stopping at Thalichi viewpoint for panoramic Nanga Parbat views. Continue to Raikot Bridge, transfer to 4×4 jeeps to Tato, then trek ~3 hours to Fairy Meadows. Enjoy alpine views and settle in for the evening.
Hotel: Raikot Sarai or Greenland Guesthouse
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Fairy Meadows
DAY 5
Nanga Parbat Base Camp Or Fairy Meadows Leisure
Altitude: 3,300–4,100 m | Trek: 4–6 hrs optional
Wake up to sunrise over Nanga Parbat. Optional guided trek to Base Camp via Beyal Camp, or enjoy a relaxed day in Fairy Meadows, soaking in breathtaking scenery. Evening campfire with local shepherds.
Hotel: Raikot Sarai or Greenland Guesthouse
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Stay and location confirmed in your personal proposal
DAY 6
Fairy Meadows → Gilgit (Via Raikot & Jaglot)
Altitude: 1,500 m | Drive: 6–7 hrs
Descend to Raikot Bridge and rejoin the Karakoram Highway. Stop at Jaglot, the confluence of Indus & Gilgit Rivers, and visit Kargah Buddha rock carving. Evening leisure in Gilgit.
Hotel: Ramada Gilgit / Serena Gilgit
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Raikot · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 7
Gilgit → Karimabad (Hunza)
Altitude: 2,500 m | Drive: 3–4 hrs
Drive north along the Karakoram Highway. Stop at Rakaposhi Viewpoint and Naltar Valley viewpoint. Arrive in Karimabad, explore Baltit Fort, and enjoy a relaxed evening in the cultural heart of Hunza.
Hotel: Serena Hunza
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 8
Central Hunza Exploration
Altitude: 2,500 m · Drive: 2–3 hrs · Typical
Discover Hunza’s heritage at Altit Fort and walk through the traditional villages around Karimabad. End the day at Duikar Eagle’s Nest, with views towards Ultar Sar, Ladyfinger Peak and Rakaposhi.
Stay: Serena Hunza.
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 9
Leisure Day In Central Hunza
Altitude: 2,500 m
A free day to relax or take optional experiences: short hikes to Ultar Glacier, village craft workshops, or a traditional cooking class. A perfect day to immerse in local culture.
Hotel: Serena Hunza
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 10
Hopper Valley → Attabad Lake → Upper Hunza (Gulmit)
Altitude: 2,300–2,600 m | Drive: 3–4 hrs
Morning drive to Hopper Valley with glacier views. Continue to Attabad Lake for a scenic boat ride. Stop at Shishkat Village before reaching Gulmit in Upper Hunza.
Hotel: Lexus or equivalent in Upper Hunza
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Gulmit · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 11
Ghulkin → Hussaini Bridge → Passu & Borith Lake
Altitude: 2,500 m | Drive: 3–4 hrs
Explore Upper Hunza: walk through Ghulkin Village, cross the iconic Hussaini Suspension Bridge, photograph the Passu Cones, and visit Borith Lake. Optional short hike to Ghulkin Glacier.
Hotel: Lexus or equivalent in Upper Hunza
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Passu · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 12
Khunjerab Pass → Gilgit
Altitude: 4,693 m (Khunjerab Pass) | Drive: 8–9 hrs
Early departure for Khunjerab Pass, the world’s highest paved border. Stop at Sost, enjoy Khunjerab National Park views, and return to Gilgit overnight.
Hotel: Ramada Gilgit / Serena Gilgit
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Gilgit · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 13
Gilgit → Islamabad · flight or two-day road return
Take the planned flight from Gilgit to Islamabad, subject to operation. If the flight operates, transfer to your Islamabad hotel; any city or Taxila visit depends on arrival time. If it is cancelled, begin the road return and stay overnight in Naran when the Babusar route is open and suitable, or in Bisham via the Karakoram Highway. Complete the road journey to Islamabad on the following day. International departure is scheduled after the Islamabad overnight, never on the day the road return finishes.
Flight and airport transfers if operating; otherwise a full road-travel day with breaks. Naran via Babusar is seasonal; Bisham is the Karakoram Highway alternative.
Overnight: Islamabad if flying; Naran or Bisham if returning by road · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 14
Islamabad · rest day or completion of road return
If yesterday’s mountain flight operated, enjoy a day at leisure or optional local visits. If it was cancelled, travel from Naran or Bisham to Islamabad today and check into your hotel. Keep the evening free to rest. This Islamabad overnight protects the following day’s international departure.
Road contingency: a full transfer day with stops and allowance for delays; sightseeing is optional and secondary to reaching Islamabad.
Overnight: Islamabad · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 15
International departure from Islamabad
After your overnight in Islamabad, transfer from the hotel to Islamabad International Airport at the time agreed for your confirmed international flight. No return journey from the northern mountains is scheduled today.
Hotel-to-airport transfer; allow the airline’s required check-in time and additional time for traffic.
Overnight: No overnight stay; international departure
Accommodation along the journey
Fairy Meadows uses simpler mountain accommodation rather than the same hotel standard as Hunza or Skardu. The exact stays are confirmed after enquiry, with premium accommodation where available on the hotel-based stages.
Use the overnight line in each daily card to follow the stay sequence. Tell us your room preferences and any requests for longer stays before the personal programme is finalised.
What is included
The services below reflect this journey. Your agreed proposal confirms the final arrangements before booking.
Drinking water & refreshments
- Mineral water and basic refreshments provided during travel.
Accommodation, agreed with you
- Premium accommodation where available, with simpler stays in remote locations as appropriate. Properties and room arrangements are agreed after your enquiry.
- Group rates are based on twin sharing. Single rooms and luxury upgrades can be discussed when available.
- Islamabad / Rawalpindi: Pearl Continental Rawalpindi or equivalent.Skardu: Shangri-La Resort, Himal by Lexus or equivalent.Fairy Meadows: Raikot Sarai or Greenland Guesthouse.Gilgit: Ramada Gilgit or Serena Gilgit.Central Hunza: Serena Hunza.Upper Hunza: Lexus or equivalent, as listed in the itinerary.
Transport & arrangements
- Transport
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the entire journey.
- 4WD jeep transfers for Raikot → Tato (Fairy Meadows approach), Naltar Valley, Hussainabad, and other off-road areas.
- Domestic flights included as per itinerary (Islamabad ↔ Skardu, Gilgit → Islamabad).
- All toll taxes, permits, and parking charges included.
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
Guiding & visits
- Extras
- Professional English-speaking journey guide throughout.
- Entrance fees for Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Kargah Buddha, Hussaini Bridge, Khunjerab Pass, Borith Lake.
- Boat ride at Attabad Lake.
- Visa support letters.
- All road taxes, permits, and service charges included.
What is not included
Meals & personal spending
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are excluded and paid directly by guests.
Other exclusions
- International flights; personal travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities; personal purchases and optional activities not specified in your agreed proposal.
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, shopping, additional drinks/snacks).
- International flights to/from Pakistan.
- Tips/gratuities for drivers, guides, and hotel staff.
- Any services not expressly listed under “Included”.
- Travel/medical insurance (recommended).Optional adventure activities (e.g., paragliding).
Tailor the experience
Tell us which region matters most. We can discuss removing Fairy Meadows or reducing the number of regions, with the revised transfers and overnight locations shown in your proposal.
Plan your Hunza, Skardu & Fairy Meadows journey
Mountain flights, road alternatives & international departure
When a mountain flight is cancelled, the road alternative is split over two days with an overnight in Naran when the Babusar route is open and suitable, or in Bisham via the Karakoram Highway. The same overnight arrangement applies when travelling north from Islamabad towards Gilgit or Hunza. Northbound road travel replaces local sightseeing or uses the arrival-contingency day shown in the programme. Return journeys reach Islamabad at least one calendar day before international departure, with an Islamabad hotel overnight. Confirm international flight times against this revised sequence before booking.
Season, access & pace
The Fairy Meadows section needs its own jeep and walking arrangements. Keep flexibility around northern flights, seasonal road routes and highland excursions.
Dates & arrangements
The proposed duration is 15 days / 14 nights. Share your arrival and departure plans, party size and preferred balance of the visits listed here. Your proposal confirms transport, stays, fees and any flight arrangements for this particular route.
Packing for this journey
Comfortable walking footwear, sun protection, a daypack and layers for the valley and mountain stops on this route. Discuss extra warm clothing and waterproof protection for your dates, particularly for highland visits or mountain lodges.
Travel notes & FAQs
Can we shorten the mountain approach days?
Tell us which region matters most. We can discuss removing Fairy Meadows or reducing the number of regions, with the revised transfers and overnight locations shown in your proposal.
What affects the daily plan on this route?
The Fairy Meadows section needs its own jeep and walking arrangements. Keep flexibility around northern flights, seasonal road routes and highland excursions.
Are meals included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are excluded and paid directly by guests.
Fairy Meadows approach
The approach combines a local jeep transfer from Raikot toward Tattu and a walking stage. Allow about 3–4 hours for the approximately 5 km walk from Tattu to Fairy Meadows; your pace, luggage and trail conditions affect the timing. This is the approach stage, not the full day’s road journey. See the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department’s Fairy Meadows route notes.
Seasonal temperature reference
Rounded historical average daytime highs / overnight lows, from a northern Pakistan climate study published in 2002. These figures illustrate valley conditions; they are not a current forecast or modern climate normals. Mountain camps and exposed passes can be considerably colder.
| Valley station | June high / low | September high / low |
|---|---|---|
| Karimabad, Hunza | 26 / 14°C | 24 / 12°C |
| Skardu | 28 / 14°C | 27 / 12°C |
Check the forecast close to departure and confirm layers for your dates and altitude. Source: Science Vision: The Climate and Flood Risk Potential of Northern Areas of Pakistan, Table 1.
Further reading
Explore the official destination and heritage references relevant to this route.
LET’S SHAPE YOUR JOURNEY
Hunza, Skardu & Fairy Meadows, made personal
Tell us your preferred dates, interests and accommodation preferences. We’ll prepare a clear proposal with the itinerary, stays, services and price.
Enquire about this journey →Prefer shared company? Explore fixed departures and confirm current availability. Meet the people behind Crossroads and view our credentials.