Hunza and Skardu by Road: How to Plan the Long Way North

Gilgit-Baltistan is the trip most Pakistani travellers want to do at least once. It is also the trip most often attempted on an itinerary that ignores what the distances actually mean. The Karakoram Highway is spectacular and slow, and the drive is a substantial part of the holiday rather than an inconvenience before it.

Budget the travel days properly

• Islamabad to Gilgit is a long day's drive at best, and that assumes clear roads.
• Gilgit to Hunza is short and easy by comparison.
• Gilgit to Skardu is a serious mountain road; treat it as a full travel day.
• Any landslide, road repair, or weather event can add a day. On the KKH this is normal, not exceptional.

A week-long trip that includes both Hunza and Skardu by road spends most of itself driving. Either pick one, or add days.

Route choices

Two broad options from Punjab: the KKH via Besham and Chilas, or the Naran-Babusar route when the pass is open (seasonal, usually summer only, and worth confirming rather than assuming). The Babusar route is more scenic and shorter in distance; the KKH is more reliable. Flights to Gilgit and Skardu exist but are weather-dependent and cancel often — never plan a tight return around one.

Altitude, and taking it seriously

Hunza sits comfortably high, and destinations like Khunjerab Pass and Deosai are considerably higher. Basic rules: ascend gradually, drink more water than feels necessary, avoid alcohol, and treat headache, nausea, or breathlessness as a signal to descend rather than push on. Deosai and Khunjerab in particular are day trips from lower bases for good reason.

What to sort before you leave

1. Accommodation in Hunza and Skardu. Peak season fills, and the good places fill first.
2. Cash. ATMs exist in the main towns and are unreliable. Card acceptance is limited.
3. Vehicle condition if you are driving your own — brakes, tyres, spare, and coolant get tested properly on these roads.
4. Documents. CNIC for everyone; check current requirements for restricted or border areas such as Khunjerab.
5. Offline maps and a power bank. Coverage disappears for long stretches.
6. Medication and a basic kit. Pharmacies are far apart.

Costs

The two big variables are the vehicle and the season. For a group, a single vehicle for the whole trip is usually the most sensible arrangement. For a solo traveller, paying for an empty car over that distance is the most expensive way to do it — per-seat intercity travel exists precisely for this, with the fare fixed per seat by the app rather than negotiated. See the intercity guide and, for the Punjab-side legs, our city commute guides such as Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need for Hunza?

Five to seven days minimum by road from Punjab, including two travel days. Adding Skardu properly means closer to ten.

Is the Karakoram Highway safe to drive?

It is a well-travelled road, but it is mountain driving — narrow sections, rockfall, and weather. Drive it in daylight, unhurried, and with a vehicle in good condition.

Should I fly instead?

Flights to Gilgit and Skardu save enormous time when they operate, but they are weather-dependent and cancel frequently. Do not build a tight return schedule around one.

Is it worth going in September or October?

Autumn in Hunza is exceptional and quieter than summer. Just watch the weather window for high passes, which close early.