13-Day Hunza Autumn Tour through Skardu, Passu and Khunjerab Pass

13 Days Round trip from Islamabad Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover Hunza Valley in autumn, when orchards and poplar trees glow in gold, orange, red, and amber beneath the Karakoram peaks
02 Travel the Karakoram Highway to Khunjerab Pass at 4,733 m on the old Silk Route toward China
03 Explore historic forts and villages including Skardu Fort, Baltit Fort, Altit, and Ganish
04 Experience remote high-mountain landscapes in Chupursan Valley, Shimshal Valley, Passu, and Duikar
05 Enjoy mountain flights, dramatic viewpoints, glaciers, high-altitude valleys, and Wakhi culture in Upper Hunza

Hunza lies in the extreme north of Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, surrounded by the Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Pamirs through the Wakhan Corridor, with the historic city of Kashgar beyond. Set on the old Silk Route, now followed by the Karakoram Highway and crossing the Khunjerab Pass at 4,733 m, this legendary land is known for its dramatic mountains, glaciers, man-made oases, and distinct cultural heritage. In autumn, Hunza's orchards and poplar trees turn brilliant shades of gold, orange, red, and amber against the snow-capped peaks of the Karakoram. This journey explores Hunza during its most colourful season, combining breathtaking landscapes, ancient villages, historic forts, local culture, and unforgettable mountain views.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 13 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Islamabad, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi, Hunza, Skardu, Naran, Mansehra, Shimshal, Khunjerab National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Flight to Islamabad

Flight to Islamabad, Pakistan.

Day 02

Arrival in Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing

Arrival at Islamabad airport.
Meet your guide.
Transfer to the hotel.
In the remaining time, enjoy sightseeing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Day 03

Fly to Skardu and Explore Skardu Town

Take a domestic flight to Skardu. This 1-hour mountain flight may offer aerial views of the mountains.
Arrival in Skardu.
Transfer to the hotel.
Visit Skardu, its fort, and the bazaar.
Visit the Cold Desert and Shigar, then return to Skardu.
Overnight at a hotel in Skardu.

Day 04

Drive from Skardu to Karimabad

Drive from Skardu to Karimabad. Along the route, you will make several stops at viewpoints for pictures. The journey takes around 6-7 hours.
Arrival in Karimabad.
You can visit Ganish Fort, then continue to Baltit Fort, Altit, and the bazaar.
Overnight at a hotel in Karimabad.

Day 05

Hoper, Altit Fort, and Duikar Heights

Drive to Hoper, about 1 hour away.
Walk around the area, then return to Karimabad.
Drive to Altit and visit Altit Fort.
Then drive about 30 minutes to Duikar, at 3,000 m, the highest point of the valley.
Overnight at a hotel in Duikar.

Day 06

Passu and Upper Hunza Discoveries

Drive to Passu, around 60 km and about 2 hours away.
On the way, visit the ruby mine, rock carving, Gulmit Museum, Carpet House, Borith Lake, and the Passu suspension bridge.
Overnight at a hotel in Passu Village.

Day 07

Khunjerab Pass Excursion and Return to Sost

Drive from Passu to Khunjerab Pass, a journey of 120 km taking about 3-4 hours.
Drive back to Sost, around 90 km and about 2 hours.
Overnight at a hotel in Sost.

Day 08

Excursion to Remote Chupursan Valley

In the morning, take an excursion to Chupursan Valley (Zood Khun), then return to Sost.
Overnight at the hotel.

Chupursan Valley is one of the most remote and spectacular valleys of Gojal, Upper Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. It branches west from the Karakoram Highway near Sost and extends toward the Wakhan region of Afghanistan.

It is known for remote Karakoram landscapes, dramatic mountains, glaciers, and high-altitude valleys.

The valley also offers Wakhi culture, with traditional villages, farming, livestock, and warm local hospitality.

Zood Khun is one of the valley's best-known and last settled villages, at around 3,000-3,500 m elevation.

Day 09

Into the High Mountains of Shimshal Valley

Drive to Passu on the Karakoram Highway, around 1 hour.
Then continue on the link off-road to Shimshal, covering 53 km in about 3 hours, to reach Shimshal Valley in Hunza.
Overnight in a local guest house.

Shimshal Valley is one of the most spectacular high-mountain valleys of northern Pakistan, located in the Gojal region of Hunza near the Pakistan-China border.

Shimshal is famous for its Wakhi culture, enormous mountain landscapes, glaciers, high-altitude pastures, and trekking routes.

Day 10

Return from Shimshal to Karimabad

Drive back to Karimabad from Shimshal Valley, a journey of around 5-6 hours.
Overnight at a hotel in Karimabad.

Day 11

Drive to Naran Valley

Drive from Karimabad to Naran, a journey of around 9-10 hours.
Overnight at a hotel in Naran.

Day 12

Return to Islamabad via Kaghan Valley

Continue to Islamabad, a 6-7 hour drive via Kaghan, Balakot, Mansehra, and Abbottabad.
Overnight at a hotel in Islamabad.

Day 13

Departure from Islamabad

Departure from Islamabad with drop-off at the airport.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Islamabad 9 cities · 13 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation is included: hotels and local guesthouses throughout Islamabad, Skardu, Karimabad, Duikar, Passu, Sost, and Naran, with daily breakfast.
The domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu is included.
A professional tour guide accompanies you from arrival to departure.
Halal, meat, and vegetarian food options are provided as part of the tour.
Transport is included: private vehicles, air-conditioned transfers, and 4WD jeeps required for rugged mountain terrain such as Shimshal Valley.

What's Not Included

International flights to and from Islamabad, Pakistan, from your home country.
Travel insurance covering high-altitude mountain travel, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations.
Any lunches, dinners, or drinks outside the standard package inclusions and daily breakfasts.
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, room service, and extra snacks or beverages.
Tips and gratuities for local drivers, tour guides, and hotel staff.
Optional activities, extra excursions, entry fees, or activities not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.