4-Day Hunza Express: Gilgit & Hunza by Air — Karakoram Weekend Escape

Tour Overview

Experience the stunning beauty of the Hunza Valley on this 4-day express, from the mountain city of Gilgit to the beautiful Hunza Valley with its stunning mountain scenery, its ancient forts (Altit and Baltit), its beautiful villages, the stunning Attabad Lake, the famous Karakoram Highway, and the breathtaking views of the Karakoram mountain range including the majestic Rakaposhi. The Hunza Valley, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, is one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in the world, with its stunning snow-capped peaks, its lush green terraced fields, its beautiful villages, its ancient forts, and its warm and hospitable people.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Islamabad to Gilgit (by Air) & Hunza Valley

Arrive at Islamabad International Airport (Islamabad, Pakistan). Take a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit (approximately 1 hour, with stunning aerial views of the Karakoram mountain range, the Indus River, and the beautiful mountain scenery). Upon arrival at Gilgit Airport, transfer to your hotel or directly to the Hunza Valley (approximately 2-3 hours drive from Gilgit, along the famous Karakoram Highway, with stunning views of the mountains, the Indus River, and the beautiful scenery). Along the way, visit the beautiful Attabad Lake (a stunning turquoise-blue lake formed by a massive landslide in 2010, with its crystal-clear water, its beautiful setting surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and the famous Attabad Lake tunnel (a series of tunnels carved through the mountain to allow the Karakoram Highway to pass by the lake). Visit the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery, take a boat ride on the lake (if available), and enjoy the stunning views. Continue to the Hunza Valley, arriving in Karimabad (the main town of the Hunza Valley, located at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters, with its stunning views of the surrounding mountains including Rakaposhi (7,788 meters), Ultar Sar (7,388 meters), and the various other peaks). Check into your hotel. Explore Karimabad, visit the local bazaar, the various shops and restaurants, and enjoy the stunning mountain views. Evening welcome dinner with Pakistani cuisine including biryani, karahi, tikka, fresh bread (naan and roti), and the famous Hunza apricots and dried fruits. Overnight in Karimabad (Hunza Valley).

Day 2: Baltit Fort, Altit Fort & Hunza Valley

Morning visit Baltit Fort (a stunning ancient fort in Karimabad, over 700 years old, the former residence of the Mir (ruler) of Hunza, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful views of the Hunza Valley and the surrounding mountains, and its museum. The fort has been beautifully restored and is one of the most important cultural sites in the Hunza Valley). Explore the fort, visit the museum, and enjoy the stunning views from the fort. After Baltit Fort, visit Altit Fort (another stunning ancient fort in the Hunza Valley, even older than Baltit Fort (over 1,000 years old), the original residence of the Mir of Hunza before it was moved to Baltit Fort, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful setting on a rocky outcrop above the Hunza River, and its museum. The fort has been beautifully restored and is a UNESCO award-winning restoration project). Explore the fort, visit the museum, and enjoy the stunning views of the Hunza Valley and the surrounding mountains. Visit the nearby Altit Village (a beautiful traditional village with its stunning architecture, its terraced fields, and its beautiful setting). After lunch, visit the beautiful Hunza Valley, explore the various villages including the nearby village of Ganish (a beautiful ancient village with its stunning mosques, its traditional houses, and its beautiful setting), the village of Hussaini (famous for its beautiful suspension bridge over the Hunza River), and the various other villages. Visit the beautiful terraced fields, the fruit orchards (Hunza is famous for its apricots, apples, cherries, and various other fruits), and the beautiful mountain scenery. Visit the nearby Attabad Lake area and the Passu Cones (a stunning group of mountain peaks near Passu, with their unique cone shape and their stunning beauty). Evening return to Karimabad. Enjoy the stunning sunset over the mountains (the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint is a great place to watch the sunset, with stunning panoramic views of the Hunza Valley and the surrounding mountains). Dinner with Pakistani cuisine. Overnight in Karimabad.

Day 3: Eagle’s Nest, Rakaposhi Viewpoint & Gilgit

Morning visit the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint (a stunning viewpoint high above the Hunza Valley, at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Hunza Valley, the surrounding mountains including Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and the various other peaks, and the beautiful sunrise over the mountains. The Eagle’s Nest is one of the best viewpoints in the Hunza Valley). Enjoy the stunning sunrise and the beautiful mountain views from the Eagle’s Nest. After the Eagle’s Nest, drive back down to the Hunza Valley and visit the Rakaposhi viewpoint (a beautiful viewpoint with stunning views of Rakaposhi (7,788 meters), one of the most beautiful mountains in the Karakoram range, with its stunning snow-capped peak and its beautiful glaciers). Visit the viewpoint and enjoy the stunning views of Rakaposhi and the surrounding mountains. Visit the nearby Minapin village and the Rakaposhi base camp area (if time permits, a short hike to the Rakaposhi base camp for closer views of the mountain). After lunch, drive from the Hunza Valley back to Gilgit (approximately 2-3 hours), along the Karakoram Highway, enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Gilgit, explore the city: visit the Gilgit Bazaar (a bustling market with its fresh produce, crafts, textiles, and local food), the Gilgit River, the various historic sites, and the beautiful surrounding mountains. Visit the nearby Kargah Buddha (an ancient Buddhist rock carving from the 7th century, located just outside Gilgit, a reminder of the region’s Buddhist past). Visit the nearby monument of the Great Game (the historic Taj Mughal monument and the various other historic sites). Evening dinner with Pakistani cuisine in Gilgit. Overnight in Gilgit.

Day 4: Gilgit to Islamabad (by Air) & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Gilgit or shopping for Pakistani products including traditional crafts, textiles, jewelry, Hunza apricots and dried fruits, gemstones, and local products. Visit the Gilgit Bazaar for souvenirs. After breakfast, transfer to Gilgit Airport for your flight back to Islamabad (approximately 1 hour, with stunning aerial views of the Karakoram mountain range). Upon arrival in Islamabad, depending on your flight schedule, do some last-minute shopping or visit the various attractions in Islamabad including the Faisal Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world, with its stunning modern architecture), the Pakistan Monument, the Lok Virsa Museum, and the various other attractions. After lunch, transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 4-day Hunza express of Gilgit and the Hunza Valley by air.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses