Choosing a Northern Pakistan Itinerary
Northern Pakistan is not one destination. This guide compares the four regions our itineraries cover and shows which trips go where, so you can choose by landscape, season and pace.
The four regions
- Baltistan (Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu, Hushe, Deosai): the Karakoram giants, Baltoro treks and the Deosai Plains; reached by air to Skardu or by road.
- Hunza and Nagar: villages, forts and orchards along the Karakoram Highway, with short treks to Rakaposhi and Rush Lake and a drive to the Khunjerab Pass.
- Nanga Parbat side (Fairy Meadows, Astore): meadows and close views of Nanga Parbat, the Mazeno Pass trek and the Rama Meadows.
- Chitral and Ghizer: the Hindu Kush, the Kalash valleys and the Shandur Pass, used by our festival tours and the Hindu Kush bike tour.
Tours, safaris and cultural trips by length
Programmes with hotel nights or short walks rather than a full trek:
| Programme | Days | Best time | Range / region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cholistan Camel Safari | 7 | October to March (cooler months) | Cholistan Desert |
| Deosai Plains Jeep Safari | 10 | Mid July to Mid September. | Himalaya/Karakoram |
| Honeymoon Tour to Naran, Kaghan & Hunza | 10 | Mid-June to End-October | Himalaya/Karakoram |
| Deosai Horse Safari | 11 | Mid-June to End-September | Himalayas |
| Kalash Festival | 11 | 14th – 15th May/19th – 20th August/7th – 22nd December | Hindokush |
| Polo Festivals | 13 | — | — |
| Gandhara Civilization Tour | 14 | — | — |
| Autumn Tour in Gilgit-Baltistan | 15 | Mid-October to End-October | Himalaya/Karakoram |
| Cherry Blossom Tour | 15 | Mid-March to End- March | Himalaya/Karakoram |
| Indus Civilization Tour | 15 | — | — |
Combining regions
Several programmes link two regions: the Snow Lake trek finishes in Hunza after starting in Baltistan, the Gandhara tour runs from Taxila to Hunza, and the autumn and cherry blossom tours cover both Hunza and Skardu. Linking regions usually means a longer road day via Gilgit and the Karakoram Highway.