A CROSSROADS ADVENTURE JOURNEY
Patundas Ridge Trek in Hunza & Gojal
March – November | Private depending on bookings
YOUR JOURNEY AT A GLANCE
Pace: A multiday mountain trek, with walking and camping days. 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 2,500–3,500 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 · PATUNDAS RIDGE
Discover Patundas Ridge
Patundas is the focus of this Gojal trekking programme, with the approach stages and surrounding Hunza stops shown day by day. The appeal is the ridge landscape and a closer encounter with the mountain environment.
Follow the complete 14-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
Ghulkin village and Gojal
The Passuchar and Luxdur approach
Patundas ridge and high mountain views
Ultar and historic Hunza
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 to Naran or Bisham | Naran or Bisham · hotel agreed after enquiry |
| 3 | Naran / Bisham to Gulmit, Gojal | Gulmit · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 4 | Gulmit To Ghulkin, Gojal (Homestay) | Ghulkin · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 5 | Ghulkin to Borith Lake and Passughar · trek and camp | Passughar · camping |
| 6 | Passughar to Luzdur · Passu Glacier crossing | Luzdur · camping |
| 7 | Luzdur to Patundas meadow · ascent and camp | Patundas meadow · camping around 4,200 m |
| 8 | Patundas to Mulunghil · descent and camp | Mulunghil · camping |
| 9 | Mulunghil to Passu · transfer to Karimabad | Karimabad, Hunza · hotel agreed after enquiry |
| 10 | Karimabad to Ultar Meadow · full-day return trek | Karimabad, Hunza · hotel agreed after enquiry |
| 11 | Full Day To Explore Hunza (Sightseeing - Hotel) | Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 12 | Hunza to Naran or Bisham · southbound road journey | Naran or Bisham · hotel agreed after enquiry |
| 13 | Naran / Bisham to Islamabad · hotel overnight | Islamabad · accommodation agreed after enquiry |
| 14 | Airport Transfer For International Departure | No overnight stay; departure timing confirmed in your proposal |
Your 14-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
Upon your arrival in Islamabad, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Spend the day at leisure, relaxing and acclimatizing to the local atmosphere.
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 to Naran or Bisham
Start the northbound road journey after breakfast. Use Naran only when Babusar Pass is open and the approach is suitable; otherwise follow the Karakoram Highway to Bisham. Break the drive for meals and rest, and stay overnight before continuing north tomorrow.
Road travel with regular breaks. The final route, road distance and driving estimate are confirmed for your departure date.
Overnight: Naran or Bisham · hotel agreed after enquiry
DAY 3
Naran / Bisham to Gulmit, Gojal
Continue to Upper Hunza. The Naran route crosses Babusar Pass when open; the Bisham route follows the Indus and Karakoram Highway through Chilas and Raikot. Continue past Gilgit, Rakaposhi viewpoints and Attabad Lake to Gulmit. This is a full road day; sightseeing depends on arrival time.
Road transfer; allow for mountain-road delays and keep optional stops brief. Overnight elevation: Gulmit approximately 2,400 m.
Overnight: Gulmit · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 4
Gulmit To Ghulkin, Gojal (Homestay)
Experience authentic hospitality with a homestay in Ghulkin village. Immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions, interacting with friendly villagers and enjoying traditional meals.
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Ghulkin · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 5
Ghulkin to Borith Lake and Passughar · trek and camp
Travel from Ghulkin to the Borith Lake trailhead, then walk towards Passughar beside the Passu Glacier. The approach crosses exposed, dry ground and uneven moraine; carry sufficient drinking water and start early. Settle into the first trekking camp. Passughar is also written Passuchar in older programmes.
Walking: approximately 3–4 hours from the Borith trailhead, plus the village transfer and breaks. Camp: approximately 3,200 m. Walking distance depends on the selected trailhead and current moraine line; the guide confirms the stage before departure.
Overnight: Passughar · camping
DAY 6
Passughar to Luzdur · Passu Glacier crossing
Follow your local trekking guide across the Passu Glacier before continuing to Luzdur pasture. Ice, crevasses and the glacier margins change; the guide selects the line and confirms rope, crampons and other equipment requirements before setting out. This is a guided glacier stage, not an independent village walk. Luzdur is also written Luxdur or Luzdhar.
Walking: approximately 3–4 hours, with extra allowance for glacier conditions and group pace. Camp: approximately 3,400–3,500 m. Confirm the current crossing line and stage distance locally.
Overnight: Luzdur · camping
DAY 7
Luzdur to Patundas meadow · ascent and camp
Climb the steep hillside to the pasture between the Passu and Batura glaciers, with views opening across Upper Hunza. Establish camp around 4,200 m. The higher ridge endpoint is around 4,600 m and is an optional extension only when conditions, acclimatisation and the group’s pace allow; reaching it is not required to reach camp.
Ascent to the meadow camp: approximately 3–4 hours before extended rests or any optional ridge walk. Gain roughly 700–800 m from Luzdur to camp. Camp approximately 4,200 m; optional upper endpoint approximately 4,600 m.
Overnight: Patundas meadow · camping around 4,200 m
DAY 8
Patundas to Mulunghil · descent and camp
Descend towards the Batura Glacier side of the ridge, following the guide through steep, loose sections. Take care on the long downhill stage and allow time for rest stops. The chosen Mulunghil camp and descent line depend on local access and ground conditions.
Walking: approximately 3–5 hours before extended stops. A substantial descent of roughly 1,100 m is described for this stage; the actual camp elevation and walking distance are confirmed by the guide for the selected campsite.
Overnight: Mulunghil · camping
DAY 9
Mulunghil to Passu · transfer to Karimabad
Walk out towards Passu along the Batura Glacier margin and moraine, following the locally confirmed trail. Meet the vehicle at the agreed road pickup point and continue to Karimabad, central Hunza. The transfer begins after the trek finishes; hotel check-in and rest take priority over further sightseeing.
Walking: approximately 4–5 hours, plus the separate road transfer to Karimabad. Passu is around 2,500 m. The pickup point, walking distance and transfer time depend on the current exit trail.
Overnight: Karimabad, Hunza · hotel agreed after enquiry
DAY 10
Karimabad to Ultar Meadow · full-day return trek
Start early from Karimabad and follow your local guide from the Baltit area towards Ultar Meadow. The route follows the water-channel and canyon approach, with steep, uneven and sometimes slippery sections before reaching the summer pasture below Ultar Sar. Enjoy the mountain views, then descend to Karimabad and rest at your hotel. Hon Pass, summit climbing and a glacier crossing are separate objectives. The guide checks access and sets the turnaround point; a shorter walk or rest day can be arranged if conditions or fatigue after Patundas require it.
Allow approximately 4–5 hours for the ascent. Reserve a full day, around 7–9 hours including the return and rests, as a planning allowance. Meadow elevation: approximately 3,270 m. The selected trailhead, current trail and endpoint determine the distance. Carry water, a packed lunch, warm and waterproof layers, and boots with grip.
Overnight: Karimabad, Hunza · hotel agreed after enquiry
DAY 11
Full Day To Explore Hunza (Sightseeing - Hotel)
Spend the day exploring Hunza’s attractions, including Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, and the scenic viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the valley. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of the region.
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: Hunza · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 12
Hunza to Naran or Bisham · southbound road journey
Begin the return journey from Hunza. Stay in Naran when Babusar Pass is open and road conditions are suitable, or Bisham on the Karakoram Highway route otherwise. This is a long transfer day, with meal and rest stops. Continue to Islamabad tomorrow.
Full road-travel day; route and driving estimate confirmed for the departure date. Keep sightseeing secondary to reaching the agreed overnight stop.
Overnight: Naran or Bisham · hotel agreed after enquiry
DAY 13
Naran / Bisham to Islamabad · hotel overnight
Complete the road journey to Islamabad and check into your hotel. Rest this evening before the Day 14 international departure. No return drive from the northern mountains is scheduled on departure day.
Road transfer with breaks and allowance for traffic or delays. Optional stops depend on arrival time; the Islamabad hotel overnight is retained.
Overnight: Islamabad · accommodation agreed after enquiry
DAY 14
Airport Transfer For International Departure
Bid farewell to Pakistan as you’re transferred to Islamabad International Airport for your onward journey. Depart with cherished memories of your trekking and cultural experience in the stunning landscapes of Northern Pakistan.
Travel mode: Road transfers and local visits. Distances and timings are approximate where stated in the programme.
Overnight: No overnight stay; departure timing confirmed in your proposal
Accommodation along the journey
The mountain walking stages use the camp or lodge arrangements agreed for this route. Approach and return stays are confirmed separately, with premium accommodation where available.
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.
Meals on trekking days
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included on trekking days 5–10. Meals on other days are payable separately.
Drinking water & refreshments
- .Mineral water in the car
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.
Transport
- .Airport transfers
- .Transportation with fuel
- .All toll tax and parking charges
Visa Application
- .Invitation letter and supporting documents for visa application
Extras
- .English-speaking, professional journey guide
- .Entrance tickets to attractions
- .Porters
What is not included
Meals & personal spending
Meals outside trekking days 5–10 are excluded.
Other exclusions
- International flights; personal travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities; personal purchases and optional activities not specified in your agreed proposal.
- Meals not on Trekking Days
- Flight and insurance liability
- Any Expenses not mentioned above
Tailor the experience
This itinerary treats Patundas as a multiday trekking programme. A shorter viewpoint walk is a different experience and should be discussed separately rather than assumed to reach the same route.
Plan your Patundas Ridge 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
This is a trek with exposed mountain conditions and camp logistics. The guide confirms the approach, any glacier-related arrangements and daily progression according to conditions.
Dates & arrangements
The proposed duration is 14 days / 13 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
Walking boots suitable for the route, layered mountain clothing, waterproof protection, sun protection and a daypack. Confirm sleeping, camp and any specialist equipment with us before departure; do not assume equipment hire is included.
Travel notes & FAQs
Is Patundas a day walk from Hunza?
This itinerary treats Patundas as a multiday trekking programme. A shorter viewpoint walk is a different experience and should be discussed separately rather than assumed to reach the same route.
What affects the daily plan on this route?
This is a trek with exposed mountain conditions and camp logistics. The guide confirms the approach, any glacier-related arrangements and daily progression according to conditions.
Are meals included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on trekking days 5–10. Meals on other days are paid separately.
Further reading
Explore the official destination and heritage references relevant to this route.
LET’S SHAPE YOUR JOURNEY
Patundas Ridge, 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.