Gilgit: Junction Town of Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan and the junction where routes to Hunza, Ghizer and Chitral meet the Karakoram Highway.
About Gilgit
The town lies on the Gilgit River near its confluence with the Hunza River. For travellers it is mostly a junction: flights from Islamabad land here, and roads continue north to Hunza and west towards the Shandur Pass.
Our cultural itineraries stop for the Kargah Buddha and the Danyor rock carvings; fishing and biking trips use Gilgit as a base for the Ghizer valley.
Trips that include Gilgit
Every published programme whose day-by-day itinerary mentions this destination, with its length and season:
| Programme | Days | Best time | Starts from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gandhara Civilization Tour | 14 | — | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| HinduKush Mountain Bike | 19 | Mid-May to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Polo Festivals | 13 | — | International Airport, Islamabad |
| Karakorum Highway Biking tour | 14 | Mid-June to End-September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Autumn Tour in Gilgit-Baltistan | 15 | Mid-October to End-October | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Cherry Blossom Tour | 15 | Mid-March to End- March | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Rakaposhi/Diran BC Trek & Hunza Tour | 14 | Mid-May to September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Trout Fishing in Pakistan | Gilgit Baltistan | 7 | — | — |
| Great Karakoram Traverse | 32 | Mid-June to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Indus Civilization Tour | 15 | — | Karachi Airport, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Rush Lake Trek & Hunza Tour | 15 | Mid-May to End-August | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
| Snow Lake Trek | 21 | June to September | Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad |
What the itineraries do in Gilgit
Itinerary days that mention this destination, quoted from the programmes:
19: Karimabad to Gilgit/Naran
Drive along the Karakoram Highway. Overnight in hotel.
29: Karimabad to Chilas
After breakfast, we will depart for Chilas. En route, lunch stop at Gilgit will also visit the local bazaar. Afternoon drive to Chials. Overnight stay in a hotel at Chilas.
Rakaposhi/Diran BC Trek & Hunza Tour
02: Islamabad to Gilgit (By Air in case of flight has operated)
Early morning breakfast and transfer to Airport fly to Gilgit (flights are subject to weather) and then onward drive for Minapin Nagar, if unable to fly we will depart for Chilas by road. Overnight stay at Chilas.
Rakaposhi/Diran BC Trek & Hunza Tour
03: Chilas to Minapin Nagar (in case of no flight)
In case the flight has operated, we will visit Gilgit Bazaar and after lunch, we will drive to Minapin. In case of no flight, the day will be used for overland travel from Chilas to Minapin. Overnight stay in hotel at Minapin
02: Islamabad to Gilgit (By Air in case of flight has operated)
Early morning breakfast and transfer to Airport fly to Gilgit (flights are subject to weather) and then onward drive for Hunza, if unable to fly we will depart for Gilgit by road with an overnight stay at Chilas.
Day 11: Shandur Pass – Teru / Phander
An exhilarating, long downhill stretch from the pass down to the emerald Phander Valley. The road follows the turquoise Gilgit River lined with willows and trout pools. Overnight in camp.
Day 14: Singal – Gilgit
The final cycling stage brings us to Gilgit, the historic hub of the northern region. A visit to the local bazaar and the ancient Kargah Buddha rock carving. Overnight in hotel.
Day 15: Gilgit – Karimabad (Hunza Valley)
We transfer/bike along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) into Hunza, enjoying direct roadside vistas of Rakaposhi (7,788 m). Visit Baltit and Altit Forts in the afternoon. Overnight in hotel.
Planning notes
- Some programmes fly Islamabad to Gilgit when the flight operates and drive via Chilas when it does not.
- Gilgit is the start of the trout fishing programme and a stop on the polo festival, Gandhara and Hindu Kush biking itineraries.
- Check each programme's season in the table above.