Gilgit-Baltistan
Hunza Valley
Apricot orchards, old forts and Karakoram giants along the Karakoram Highway.
2,438 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Pakistan · Karakoram · Himalaya · Hindu Kush
Pakistan
Three great ranges meet in the north: the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush. Five of the world's fourteen 8,000 m peaks, K2 among them, rise within its borders.
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Signature peak
- K2, 8,611 m
- Fly into
- Islamabad (ISB)
- Destinations
- 114
114 destinations
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Destinations in Pakistan
Where to go in Pakistan
12 of 114 destinations · Main season May–Sep
Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan
Fairy Meadows
A grassy plateau with a front-row view of Nanga Parbat, reached by jeep and a forest trek.
3,300 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Trekking
Gilgit-Baltistan
Skardu & Shangrila
Lakes, high deserts and the road towards K2 and the Baltoro Glacier.
2,228 m · May–Sep · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Naran, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lake Saiful Muluk
An alpine lake below Malika Parbat, reached by jeep from Naran.
3,224 m · Jun–Sep · Easy
Good for: Lakes
Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Deosai National Park
A vast, treeless plateau of summer wildflowers and Himalayan brown bears, reachable by road for only a few months a year.
4,114 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan
Khunjerab Pass
The world's highest paved border crossing, a barren, snow-ringed pass at the top of the Karakoram Highway.
4,693 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Near Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
Naltar Valley
Pine forest, coloured alpine lakes and winter skiing, a short jeep ride from Gilgit.
2,800 m · Jun–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes · Snow & ski
Baltistan, Gilgit-Baltistan
Shigar Valley
A wide river valley of orchards and sand dunes below the Karakoram, with a restored 17th-century fort.
2,300 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Ghanche, Gilgit-Baltistan
Khaplu Valley
A quiet Balti valley of river views, apricot trees, a restored palace and a 14th-century wooden mosque.
2,600 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kalash Valleys
Three green valleys in the Hindu Kush, home to the Kalasha people and their distinctive festivals.
2,000 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Swat Valley and Kalam
A green, river-cut valley of forests, lakes and Buddhist ruins, with Kalam as the usual mountain base.
2,000 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes · Villages & culture
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Neelum Valley
A deep, green river valley of forest, waterfalls and wooden villages in Azad Kashmir.
2,100 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
More places in Pakistan
102 more destinations, by region
Gilgit-Baltistan · 48 destinations
Baltoro Glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan
K2 and Concordia
A multi-week trek up the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia, the meeting point of giant glaciers beneath K2.
8,611 m · Jun–Aug · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan
Attabad Lake
A long turquoise lake created by a landslide in 2010, now crossed by tunnels and boats on the Karakoram Highway.
2,500 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
Above Karimabad, Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan
Eagle's Nest, Duikar
A hilltop viewpoint above Karimabad with a wide view of the Hunza Valley and the peaks around it.
2,850 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Minapin, Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan
Rakaposhi Base Camp
A one- or two-day walk from the village of Minapin to the base camp of Rakaposhi, one of the great mountain walls of the Karakoram.
3,500 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan
Hopar Valley
A side valley of Nagar where a glacier ends among terraced fields, facing Karimabad across the Hunza River.
2,800 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan
Gulmit and Ghulkin
The main village of upper Hunza, with a small museum, old houses and a glacier on the doorstep of neighbouring Ghulkin.
2,500 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Near Ghulkin, Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan
Borith Lake
A small, still lake above the Hunza River, reached by a short walk and a good place to see the Passu Glacier and the cones.
2,600 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
Karimabad, Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan
Baltit Fort and Karimabad
A restored hilltop fort above Karimabad, the old home of the rulers of Hunza, with sweeping views of the valley and its peaks.
2,500 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan
Shimshal Valley
A remote Wakhi valley at the end of a long jeep road, famous for its mountaineers and as a gateway to high glaciers and pastures.
3,100 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Villages & culture · Trekking · Scenic views
Near Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
Bagrot Valley
A green side valley about an hour from Gilgit, with terraced villages and trails towards the base of high peaks.
2,300 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture · Trekking
Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan
Phander Valley
A calm, green valley in Ghizer with a still lake, poplar trees and snow peaks, on the long road from Gilgit to Chitral.
2,900 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
Between Ghizer and Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Shandur Pass
A high, grassy plateau with a lake between Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, famous for a polo festival played at over 3,700 m.
3,738 m · Jun–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture · Lakes
Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan
Astore Valley
A green valley of pine forest, meadows and small villages at the foot of Nanga Parbat, with Rama Meadows as its best-known viewpoint.
2,400 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan
Rupal Valley
A high valley below the south face of Nanga Parbat, one of the tallest mountain walls in the world, with a trek to the Herrligkoffer base camp.
3,000 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Kachura Lakes
Two quiet lakes near Skardu, with the Shangrila resort on the lower lake and a short walk to the upper one.
2,300 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Satpara Lake
A wide turquoise lake just south of Skardu, the water supply of the town and the first stop on the road to Deosai.
2,636 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Katpana Desert
Golden sand dunes below snow mountains near Skardu, often described as one of the highest deserts in the world.
2,300 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Ghanche, Gilgit-Baltistan
Hushe Valley
A high Balti valley at the end of a rough road from Khaplu, below Masherbrum and the start of treks to Gondogoro La and Concordia.
3,050 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views · Villages & culture
Deosai, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Sheosar Lake
A wide, still lake on the Deosai plateau at over 4,000 m, among wildflower meadows and open skies.
4,142 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Biafo and Hispar glaciers, Gilgit-Baltistan
Snow Lake and Hispar La
One of the great glacier journeys of the world, crossing the Biafo and Hispar glaciers by way of the vast white basin known as Snow Lake.
5,151 m · Jul–Aug · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Karambar Pass, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Karambar Lake
One of the highest lakes in Pakistan, a turquoise lake near the Karambar Pass on the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral border.
4,272 m · Jul–Sep · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views
Passu area, Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan
Hussaini Suspension Bridge
A long rope-and-plank footbridge over the Hunza River, set below the Passu Cones and often photographed as a symbol of the valley.
2,500 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan
Yasin Valley
A long, quiet valley in the far west of Gilgit-Baltistan, with fields, poplars and a river below high Hindu Kush peaks.
2,400 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan
Ishkoman Valley
A green valley of potatoes, poplars and small villages in northern Ghizer, with routes to high passes and the Karambar valley.
2,100–3,700 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Gupis, Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan
Khalti Lake
A calm lake in the Gupis valley, formed by a landslide, with poplars, a footbridge and trout in its clear water.
2,200 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Near Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
Kargah Buddha
An ancient standing Buddha carved into a cliff in the Kargah valley, a short drive from Gilgit.
1,500 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture
Near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Manthal Buddha Rock
A large boulder carved with a seated Buddha and rows of smaller figures, just outside Skardu on the Satpara road.
2,300 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture
Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Kharpocho Fort
The ruined fort on a rocky hill above Skardu, with wide views of the Indus, the old town and the surrounding peaks.
2,300 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Kharmang, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Mantokha Waterfall
A tall waterfall that drops about 55 m down a rock wall in the Kharmang valley, east of Skardu.
2,400 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Khaplu, Ghanche, Gilgit-Baltistan
Khaplu Palace
The restored white palace of the Khaplu rulers, with carved wooden balconies, a museum and a heritage hotel below the mountains.
2,600 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Khaplu, Ghanche, Gilgit-Baltistan
Chaqchan Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Baltistan, dating to about 1370, with a wooden frame, carved balconies and a blend of Tibetan and Persian styles.
2,600 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture
Naltar Valley, Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
Satrangi Lake
A green-and-turquoise lake in the upper Naltar Valley, reached by a rough jeep track beyond Naltar village.
3,100 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Baltoro Glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan
Baltoro Glacier
One of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions, the highway of ice to K2 and four other 8,000 m peaks.
3,000–4,600 m · Jun–Aug · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Baltoro Glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan
Trango Towers
A cluster of huge granite spires beside the Baltoro Glacier, among the steepest rock walls in the world.
6,286 m · Jun–Aug · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan
Nagar Valley
The green, terraced valley across the river from Karimabad, with views of Rakaposhi, glaciers and old villages.
2,400 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Diamer and Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan
Nanga Parbat
The ninth-highest mountain on earth, an immense snow massif that can be seen from Fairy Meadows, the Rupal valley and the Babusar road.
8,126 m · Jun–Sep · Challenging
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan
Khunjerab National Park
A huge high-altitude park along the Chinese border, home to ibex, marmots, blue sheep and the rare Marco Polo sheep.
3,200–5,200 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa · 33 destinations
Kaghan Valley to Chilas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan
Babusar Pass
A high, winding road over the mountains between the Kaghan Valley and the Karakoram Highway, with views towards Nanga Parbat.
4,173 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views
Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kaghan Valley
A long, green valley of pine forest, rivers and alpine lakes, running from Balakot up to the Babusar Pass.
2,409 m · Jun–Sep · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Shogran and Siri Paye
A cool forest plateau above the Kaghan Valley, with a jeep ride to the high Siri Paye meadows and the slopes of Makra Peak.
2,362 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Above Naran, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lalazar Plateau
A high pine-and-meadow plateau above Naran, reached by a jeep track and surrounded by snow peaks.
3,120 m · Jun–Sep · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dudipatsar Lake
A high alpine lake in a green bowl below snow peaks, reached by a long day trek from the Kaghan Valley.
3,800 m · Jul–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views
Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lulusar Lake
A large alpine lake beside the road to the Babusar Pass, and the source of the Kunhar River.
3,410 m · Jun–Sep · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Malika Parbat
The highest peak of the Kaghan Valley, known as the Queen of the Mountains, with high-altitude trails and viewpoints from Naran.
5,290 m · Jul–Sep · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Galiyat, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Nathia Gali
A cool pine-forest hill station in the Galiyat hills, with colonial-era buildings and walks, about two and a half hours from Islamabad.
2,500 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Galiyat, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Ayubia National Park
A small national park of pine and fir forest in the Galiyat hills, known for its chairlift, walking trails and leopards.
2,400 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Tirich Mir
The highest peak of the Hindu Kush, a great snow mountain that dominates the skyline of Chitral.
7,708 m · Jun–Sep · Challenging
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kumrat Valley
A green valley of deodar forest and meadows beside the Panjkora River, with a jeep road to high pastures and lakes.
2,000 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Kalam, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Mahodand Lake
A turquoise lake above Kalam, in a long forested valley, known as the Lake of Fishes and reached by a scenic jeep ride.
2,865 m · May–Sep · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Kalam, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Matiltan and Ushu Forest
A quiet village and forest valley above Kalam, with a waterfall, deodar trees and a river, on the road to Mahodand Lake.
2,300 m · May–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Malam Jabba
Pakistan's best-known ski resort, a forested hill above Swat with a chairlift, a ski slope and views of the valley.
2,800 m · Dec–Mar, Jun–Sep · Easy
Good for: Snow & ski · Scenic views
Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Madyan and Bahrain
Two river towns in the middle of the Swat Valley, with hotels, trout restaurants and bazaars on the way to Kalam.
1,350 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Mingora, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Swat Buddhist Heritage
The ruined stupas and carvings of ancient Swat, a major centre of Buddhism, with a museum and a giant rock-cut Buddha.
1,000 m · Mar–Nov · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture
Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Ansoo Lake
A tear-shaped lake in the high basin below Malika Parbat, reached on a hard day trek from Lake Saiful Muluk.
4,126 m · Aug–Sep · Challenging
Good for: Lakes · Trekking
Galiyat, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dunga Gali
A quiet pine-forest hill station in the Galiyat, with the well-known Pipeline Track walk and trails to Miranjani.
2,500 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Galiyat, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Miranjani Trek
A forest and ridge hike to the highest peak of the Galiyat, with wide views over Kashmir and the Himalayan foothills.
2,992 m · Apr–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Tarbela Dam and Lake
One of the largest earth-filled dams in the world, holding back the Indus in a wide reservoir an easy drive from Islamabad.
450 m · Oct–Apr · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes
Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Takht-i-Bahi
A UNESCO World Heritage monastery on a hilltop, one of the best-preserved Buddhist sites in Pakistan.
150 m above the plain · Oct–Apr · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture
Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Marghazar White Palace
A white palace built by the first ruler of Swat in 1940, set among gardens and trees beside a mountain stream.
1,000 m · Mar–Nov · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Matta, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Jarogo Waterfall
A tall waterfall that drops down a mossy cliff in a forested gorge in the Chatekal valley of Matta, in Upper Swat.
1,500 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views
Kalam, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Utror Valley
A deodar and spruce valley north of Kalam, with a clear river, meadows and the lakes of Kundol and Pari.
2,300 m · May–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Lakes · Trekking
Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chitral Fort
The old fort of the rulers of Chitral on the river bank, famous for the siege of 1895 and still the family home of the royal house.
1,500 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Mastuj and Buni
Two old villages in Upper Chitral, on the road to the Shandur Pass, with wide plains, fruit trees and views of high snow peaks.
2,350 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chitral Gol National Park
A mountain park near Chitral town that protects the markhor, Pakistan's national animal, with rough trails and views down the valley.
1,450–5,000 m · Apr–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views · Trekking
Chitral and Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lowari Pass and Tunnel
The high pass between Dir and Chitral, with a long tunnel that opened in 2017 and a winding road with views of forest and snow.
3,118 m · Jun–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views
Azad Jammu and Kashmir · 16 destinations
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Muzaffarabad
The capital of Azad Kashmir, set where the Neelum and Jhelum rivers meet, and the gateway to the Neelum Valley.
700 m · Mar–Nov · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views
Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Ratti Gali Lake
A high glacial lake below snow peaks in the upper Neelum Valley, reached by a long walk through meadows from Dowarian.
3,683 m · Jul–Sep · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views
Near Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Pir Chinasi
A high ridge above Muzaffarabad with a Sufi shrine, a viewpoint and cool, misty air, popular for day trips and for its snow in winter.
2,900 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture
Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Banjosa Lake
A quiet man-made lake among pine forest in the Poonch hills, with boats, cabins and walks, close to Rawalakot.
1,981 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Lakes · Scenic views
Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Jagran Valley
A green side valley of the Neelum, with clear trout streams, wooden cottages and forests on steep slopes.
1,400 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Kundal Shahi, Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Kutton Waterfall
A wide, roaring weir on the Jagran River beside Kundal Shahi, often called the Niagara of Kashmir.
1,350 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Hattian Bala, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Leepa Valley
A remote valley of rice terraces, apple orchards and pine forest near the Line of Control, reached by a long mountain road.
1,900 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Scenic views
Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Ganga Choti and Sudhan Gali
A high peak of the Pir Panjal with an easy-to-reach meadow base at Sudhan Gali, popular for day treks and camping.
3,045 m · May–Oct · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Red Fort, Muzaffarabad
A 17th-century brick fort on a rocky spur above the Neelum River, known locally as the Rutta Qila.
740 m · Mar–Nov · Easy
Good for: Villages & culture
Shounter Valley, Neelum, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Chitta Katta Lake
A remote high lake below dark rock peaks and glaciers, reached by jeep from Kel and a long hike in the Shounter Valley.
4,100 m · Jul–Sep · Challenging
Good for: Lakes · Trekking
Punjab · 3 destinations
Murree, Punjab
Patriata (New Murree)
A forested hilltop above Murree with a chairlift, a cable car and wide views over the foothills.
2,250 m · Apr–Oct · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
Islamabad Capital Territory · 2 destinations
Islamabad Capital Territory
Margalla Hills National Park
A national park on the edge of Islamabad, with forested hiking trails, viewpoints and wildlife a short drive from the city centre.
1,600 m · Oct–Apr · Moderate
Good for: Trekking · Scenic views
Islamabad Capital Territory
Daman-e-Koh
A hillside viewing terrace in the Margalla Hills, with a wide view over Islamabad, its green avenues and the Faisal Mosque.
650 m · Oct–Apr · Easy
Good for: Scenic views
About Pakistan
Pakistan at a glance
Pakistan's mountain travel is concentrated in the north, in Gilgit-Baltistan and the valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush meet here, and the country holds five of the world's fourteen peaks above 8,000 m: K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II.
Most visitors travel along the Karakoram Highway, which crosses the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m, one of the highest paved border crossings in the world, or fly from Islamabad to Skardu or Gilgit when the weather allows. Valleys such as Hunza and Skardu combine easy sightseeing with access to some of the most serious trekking and mountaineering on Earth.
The main season runs from May to September, with spring blossom in Hunza in April and autumn colour in October. Roads can close because of landslides, snow or flooding, so build spare days into any itinerary and check conditions locally before you travel.
Getting there
Fly into Islamabad International Airport (ISB). From there, travel north by road along the Karakoram Highway, or take a domestic flight to Gilgit or Skardu. Mountain flights depend on the weather and are often delayed or cancelled, so keep a buffer day or two.
Getting around
Most travellers hire a car with a driver, or a 4x4 for the mountain valleys. Shared jeeps and buses serve the main routes, and jeep tracks reach places such as Fairy Meadows and Lake Saiful Muluk.
Entry and safety
Visa rules depend on your nationality, and many visitors can apply online before travelling. Check the official government portal, and the rules for any restricted or border areas you plan to visit.
Travel advisories for Pakistan vary by region and change over time. Check your government's current advice and local conditions before you book, and use a reputable local driver or operator in remote areas.
Official sources
Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Pakistan
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Hotels are listed by their owners and approved by the LuxPines team, and the order reflects our own ranking. We do not take bookings, so confirm prices and availability with the hotel. Own a hotel here? List it with us.
From the journal
Planning Pakistan in more depth
Health · · 3 min read
Altitude sickness: what to know before 3,000 m
Symptoms, pacing and the rest days that make high-altitude trips safer and more enjoyable.
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Itinerary · · 3 min read
A road trip through the Kaghan Valley
From the plains town of Balakot up to the Babusar Pass, with stops for lakes, meadows and forest.
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Planning · · 3 min read
How to choose a trekking guide, operator and porters
Questions to ask, red flags to watch for and how to support fair treatment of porters.
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Itinerary · · 3 min read
Hunza Valley in a week: a relaxed itinerary
Forts, viewpoints, a turquoise lake and glaciers, from Karimabad to Passu, with room to slow down.
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Health · · 3 min read
Mountain weather basics: how to read the sky and plan your day
Why the afternoon is riskier, how temperature falls with height and the signs that say it is time to turn back.
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Planning · · 3 min read
Photographing the mountains: light, weather and respect
Golden hour, storm light, simple composition and the manners that keep photography welcome.
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Planning · · 3 min read
Respectful travel in mountain villages: customs and good manners
Simple habits that make you welcome in village homes and keep tourism useful for the people who live there.
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Itinerary · · 3 min read
Seven lakes in northern Pakistan you can reach without trekking
Turquoise reservoirs, a landslide lake and alpine water within a drive or jeep ride of a road.
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Itinerary · · 3 min read
Skardu and Baltistan in five days
Turquoise lakes, dunes, restored forts and a summer trip to Deosai, from a base in Skardu.
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Seasonal · · 3 min read
Spring in the mountains: blossom, rhododendrons and wildflowers
Where to find blossom and flowers, and what to expect from snowmelt, mud and closed huts.
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Trekking · · 3 min read
The high lakes of Pakistan: Rush, Karambar, Dudipatsar and more
Six lakes above 3,000 m, with their heights, seasons and what it takes to reach them.
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Planning · · 3 min read
The Karakoram Highway: a practical guide
Where to break the long drive, what the road is like and how to plan around landslides and weather.
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Itinerary · · 3 min read
The Swat Valley in four days
Ancient stupas, trout beside the river, deodar forests and a lake at the end of a rough road.
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Trekking · · 3 min read
Training for your first trek: an eight-week plan
Weekly walks, stairs and loaded-pack days that build the stamina for a first multi-day trek.
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Planning · · 3 min read
What to pack for a mountain trip: a practical list
Layers, boots, rain and sun protection and the small items that make a long day easier.
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Seasonal · · 3 min read
Winter in the mountains without skiing
Snow walks, quiet villages and clear-sky viewpoints, plus the safety habits that matter in cold, short days.
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Planning · · 3 min read
How mountain huts work: refuges, rifugios and teahouses
Booking, half board, quiet hours and what to pack for Alpine huts and Himalayan teahouses.
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Seasonal · · 2 min read
Where to find autumn colour in the mountains
Where and when mountain regions turn gold, from Wyoming and the Dolomites to Hunza and Mount Fuji.
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Everything you need for Pakistan
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Stays
Compare hotels, lodges and guesthouses in Pakistan.
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Flights
Compare fares to Islamabad (ISB), the usual gateway for most trips.
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Tours & activities
Guided day trips, treks and transfers with local operators.
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Mountain gear
Layers, boots and poles picked for high-altitude trips.
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