Pakistan 13-Day Tour: Hunza, Fairy Meadows, Skardu & Lahore

Overview

Why Take the Ultimate Pakistan Tour?

This is the one itinerary that joins Pakistan's two great faces in a single trip: the high mountains of the north and the Mughal cities of the plains. In 13 days you leave Islamabad over the 4,173 m Babusar Pass, trek through pine forest to Fairy Meadows and stand beneath the Raikot face of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) at its base camp, then follow the Karakoram Highway into Hunza and up to the Khunjerab Pass on the China border. From there the road turns east to Skardu and the dunes of the Sarfaranga Cold Desert before a mountain flight drops you back to the plains for Lahore: Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, the Walled City and the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah.

It is a road-and-trek tour rather than an expedition. Nights are in hotels except for two in traditional cabins at Fairy Meadows, the walking is limited to three days, and a private vehicle, local jeeps and one domestic flight do the rest. Priced from USD 1,800 per person, it is our best-value way to see both the north and the south of Pakistan in under two weeks.

Highlights

Tour Highlights

Fairy Meadows and the Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek: two nights in the alpine meadow beneath the 8,126 m Killer Mountain, with a day walk past Reflection Lake and Beyal Camp to the base camp area at about 3,900 m.
Two of Pakistan's great high passes by road: Babusar Pass (4,173 m) between the Kaghan Valley and the Indus, and Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) on the Pakistan–China border.
The Karakoram Highway beside the Indus and Hunza rivers, with Attabad Lake, the Hussaini Suspension Bridge and the Passu Cones along the way.
Hunza's living heritage: Karimabad bazaar, the 700-year-old Altit and Baltit forts, sunset at Duikar (Eagle's Nest) and dinner at a women-led restaurant.
Skardu and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert, where sand dunes run up against Karakoram peaks, with optional jeep safari, horse riding or paragliding.
A scenic domestic flight from Skardu to Islamabad over the Himalaya, weather permitting.
Mughal Lahore: Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, the Walled City's bazaars and street food, and the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Border.

Day by day

Ultimate Pakistan Itinerary — Day by Day (13 Days)

Distances, drive times and altitudes are indicative. Babusar Pass is seasonal and the Skardu–Islamabad flight depends on clear weather, so your guide may adjust the route or use road alternatives for safety. Optional activities depend on local conditions and availability.

DAY01
Arrival in Islamabad — Faisal Mosque, truck art and Daman-e-Koh
~540 m
You're met at the airport and taken to your hotel to rest, with a stop at a reputable money-exchange facility. In the afternoon we visit Faisal Mosque beneath the Margalla Hills, see Pakistan's colourful truck art up close and end with panoramic views of the capital from Daman-e-Koh. Dinner and overnight: hotel, Islamabad.
DAY02
Drive Islamabad to Naran through the Kaghan Valley
~2,400 m
After breakfast we drive north through Haripur, Havelian, Abbottabad and Mansehra to Balakot, where the road enters the Kaghan Valley. The Kunhar River, pine forests and mountain villages keep you company to Naran, with time to explore the bazaar and relax by the river before dinner. Distance: 230–280 km. Drive: 5–7 hrs. Overnight: hotel, Naran.
DAY03
Naran to Chilas via Lulusar Lake and Babusar Pass
4,173 m
An early start climbs past Lulusar Lake (road and weather permitting) to Babusar Pass at about 4,173 m for photographs and high-altitude views. We then descend to Chilas, where the green Kaghan Valley gives way to the dramatic rocky landscape of the Indus, and prepare for the Fairy Meadows adventure. Distance: 150–170 km. Drive: 5–7 hrs excluding stops. Babusar is seasonal; an alternative route is used if the pass is closed. Overnight: hotel, Chilas.
DAY04
Chilas to Fairy Meadows via Raikot Bridge and Tatto
~3,300 m
From Chilas we drive to Raikot Bridge and transfer to local 4×4 jeeps for the rugged mountain track to Tatto (1–1.5 hrs). A trek of 2–3 hrs through pine forest brings you to the famous meadow beneath Nanga Parbat, where you check into traditional mountain cabins. The rest of the day is for tea, forest walks, photography and a night under the stars. Overnight: cabins, Fairy Meadows.
DAY05
Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp via Reflection Lake and Beyal Camp
~3,900 m
An early start for the trek of the trip. We pass Reflection Lake or its viewpoint (trail conditions permitting), climb through alpine forest to Beyal Camp and continue to the Nanga Parbat Base Camp and viewpoint area at about 3,850–3,900 m, with the 8,126 m Raikot face rising straight above. Trek: 10–14 km round trip depending on route. We return to Fairy Meadows for dinner. Overnight: cabins, Fairy Meadows.
DAY06
Fairy Meadows to Hunza along the Karakoram Highway
~2,500 m
We trek back down to Tatto, take the jeep to Raikot Bridge and rejoin the private vehicle for the Karakoram Highway. The road follows the Indus and then the Hunza river through spectacular gorge scenery, with a refreshment stop in Gilgit if timing allows, arriving in Hunza for a relaxed evening. Distance: 180–220 km. Drive: 6–8 hrs excluding the trek. Overnight: hotel, Hunza.
DAY07
Excursion to Attabad Lake, Passu and Khunjerab Pass
4,693 m
A full day up the Karakoram Highway to the China border. We stop at turquoise Attabad Lake (boating optional), cross the Hussaini Suspension Bridge and photograph the Passu Cones before the climb through Khunjerab National Park to the pass at about 4,693 m, the highest paved border crossing in the world. Back to Hunza in the evening. Round trip: 250–300 km. Drive: 8–10 hrs with stops. Overnight: hotel, Hunza.
DAY08
Hunza heritage day — Karimabad, Altit Fort, Baltit Fort and Eagle's Nest
~2,500 m
A relaxed day in the heart of Hunza. We browse Karimabad bazaar for handicrafts and dry fruit, tour Altit Fort and then the iconic Baltit Fort above the town, and drive up to Duikar (Eagle's Nest) for sunset over the peaks. Dinner is at a local women-led restaurant serving traditional Hunza cuisine, followed by an evening walk through Karimabad. Local driving: 30–60 km. Overnight: hotel, Hunza.
DAY09
Drive Hunza to Skardu
~2,230 m
After breakfast we leave Hunza for Baltistan, with scenic stops for photographs, tea and river views as the tight valleys of Hunza open into the broad landscapes around Skardu. Arrival by evening; check in, relax and dinner. Distance: 280–300 km, route dependent. Drive: 7–9 hrs. Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
DAY10
Skardu and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert
~2,230 m
A day among Skardu's landscapes, centred on the Sarfaranga Cold Desert, where sand dunes meet enormous Karakoram peaks. Optional activities, subject to availability and conditions, include a jeep safari, horse riding, biking and paragliding or other air activities where operational. Return to Skardu for dinner and a relaxed evening. Local driving: 40–80 km. Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
DAY11
Fly Skardu to Islamabad, then drive to Lahore
~217 m
Transfer to Skardu Airport for the domestic flight to Islamabad, with aerial views of the mountains, weather permitting. On arrival we continue by private vehicle through the changing landscapes of northern Pakistan and Punjab to Lahore. Road: ~375 km. Drive: 4.5–6 hrs, traffic dependent. Mountain flights are weather-dependent, so flexibility is essential. Overnight: hotel, Lahore.
DAY12
Lahore — Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Walled City and Wagah Border
~217 m
A full day in the Mughal capital: the magnificent Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort with its courtyards, gates and palaces, and Androon Lahore, the historic Walled City, with its traditional streets, bazaars, crafts and street food. In the late afternoon we drive to Wagah Border for the Pakistan–India flag-lowering ceremony before a farewell Pakistani dinner. Local driving: 30–60 km. Overnight: hotel, Lahore.
DAY13
Departure from Lahore or Islamabad
~217 m
Guests flying out of Lahore enjoy a relaxed morning and a scheduled airport transfer. Guests departing from Islamabad travel by private vehicle from Lahore according to their flight schedule, with sufficient time allowed for the road journey and airport check-in. Goodbye, Pakistan.

Fixed departures

Dates for 2027

Ex-Islamabad	From	To	Duration
1st Departure	05 Jun 2027	17 Jun 2027	13d / 12n
2nd Departure	03 Jul 2027	15 Jul 2027	13d / 12n
3rd Departure	07 Aug 2027	19 Aug 2027	13d / 12n
4th Departure	04 Sep 2027	16 Sep 2027	13d / 12n
5th Departure	25 Sep 2027	07 Oct 2027	13d / 12n

Pace & fitness

How Demanding Is the Ultimate Pakistan Tour?

Most of this tour is a comfortable hotel-based road trip by private vehicle, but three days at Fairy Meadows lift it to a moderate grade. The walk in from Tatto takes 2–3 hours on a well-used forest trail, and the base camp day is a 10–14 km round trip to about 3,900 m with a few hundred metres of ascent. Neither needs technical skill, but you should be happy walking for several hours on uneven ground at altitude. The two high passes, Babusar and Khunjerab, are reached by road, so the time spent above 4,000 m is short.

Who This Tour Is For

First-time visitors who want mountains, culture and city life in one trip.
Walkers of reasonable fitness who want a taste of Himalayan trekking without an expedition.
Couples, friends and small groups happy with two nights in simple mountain cabins.

Accommodation at Fairy Meadows is in traditional wooden cabins with basic facilities; everywhere else you sleep in hotels. Long driving days are part of the experience, so bring patience and a good playlist.

When to go

Best Time to Do the Ultimate Pakistan Tour

The tour runs from June to early October, the window in which both Babusar Pass and Khunjerab Pass are open and the Fairy Meadows trail is free of snow.

June: passes freshly open, the meadows green and full of flowers, snow still low on Nanga Parbat.
July–August: peak season with the warmest weather at altitude and long days; Lahore is hot and humid.
September–early October: clear, stable skies, the best mountain views and the first autumn colour in Hunza, with cooler nights at Fairy Meadows.

Outside this window Babusar closes and we route via the Karakoram Highway through Besham, which adds a long day. Lahore is pleasant in September and October but very hot in June and July, so plan sun protection for the city days.

Kit list

Essential Packing List

A full kit list comes with your pre-departure info. The essentials:

Broken-in walking shoes or light boots for the Fairy Meadows and base camp trails, plus casual shoes for the cities.
Layers: base layers, a fleece or light down jacket and a windproof, water-resistant shell; nights at Fairy Meadows are cold even in summer.
A daypack, refillable bottle, headlamp and a warm sleeping-bag liner for the cabins.
Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm for the passes and the desert; a warm hat and gloves for Khunjerab.
A personal first-aid kit with your usual medication and rehydration salts.
Modest clothing for mosques, forts and the Walled City; a scarf is useful for women visiting Badshahi Mosque.
A camera with spare batteries and memory, a power bank and a universal adapter.

Price includes

What's Included and Excluded

Included

All road transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle, including airport pick-up in Islamabad and drop-off in Lahore or Islamabad.
4×4 jeep transfers between Raikot Bridge and Tatto in both directions.
The Skardu–Islamabad domestic flight where it operates, subject to weather.
Twin-share hotels in Islamabad, Naran, Chilas, Hunza, Skardu and Lahore, and traditional cabins at Fairy Meadows.
Daily breakfast and dinner as per the itinerary, plus tea, coffee and drinking water on the road.
An experienced English-speaking guide throughout and a local guide for the Fairy Meadows and base camp trek.
Entry fees for forts, mosques, national parks and the Wagah ceremony as per the itinerary, and all road tolls.
A letter of invitation for your Pakistan visa application.

Excluded

International airfare and the Pakistan visa fee.
Personal travel and medical insurance, which is required for this tour.
Lunches, drinks and personal items such as laundry, calls and souvenirs.
Optional activities at Attabad Lake and Sarfaranga (boating, jeep safari, horse riding, paragliding) and a porter for your bag on the trek.
Tips for the guide, driver and jeep crews, and any cost from cancellations, closures, flight delays or road changes beyond our control.

Social responsibility

Our Social Responsibility: Three Travellers, One Child in School

Every trip we run depends on the drivers, guides, jeep crews, cooks and hotel teams of northern Pakistan who look after you along the way. We think tourism should leave something lasting behind, so we've put education at the centre of our giving.

For every three foreign travellers who join us, Third Pole Adventures funds a full year of schooling for one child in the remotest parts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

These are the villages at the very end of the road, where one sponsored school year can change a child's life. We give on the basis of need, with a particular focus on girls' education: educating girls in mountain communities lowers infant and maternal mortality, reduces early marriage, and lifts the whole valley over time.

So your journey from the meadows to the Mughal city leaves a trail of opportunity behind it. If you'd like to do more, you can sponsor additional students directly; just ask our team.

Next step

Ready to See the Ultimate Pakistan in 13 Days?

Book your Ultimate Pakistan Tour with Third Pole Adventures. 2027 departures are open now from USD 1,800 per person, and private dates for couples, families and small groups can be arranged on request.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The tour is priced from USD 1,800 to 2,200 per person on a twin-share basis, depending on group size, hotel category and departure date. That covers all transport including jeeps and the domestic flight, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, guiding and entry fees. International flights, the visa and insurance are extra.

The walk from Tatto to Fairy Meadows takes 2–3 hours on a clear forest trail. The base camp day is a 10–14 km round trip to about 3,900 m and takes most of the day. Any reasonably fit walker can do it, and you can stay at the meadows and skip the base camp day if you prefer.

No. Babusar Pass usually opens in late May or June and closes with the first heavy snow in October or November. Our departures are timed for the open season, and if the pass closes early we drive the Karakoram Highway via Besham instead.

Mountain flights depend on clear weather and are sometimes grounded. If that happens we drive from Skardu to Islamabad and on to Lahore, which is a long day, and adjust the Lahore programme so you still see the main sights. Keep some flexibility in your onward flight.

The tour ends in Lahore on day 13. You can fly home from Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport, or we transfer you by road (4.5–6 hours) to Islamabad for your flight.

Comfortable hotels in Islamabad, Naran, Chilas, Hunza, Skardu and Lahore, and traditional wooden cabins with basic shared facilities for two nights at Fairy Meadows. Deluxe, semi-deluxe, standard and eco categories are available on request.

Gilgit-Baltistan has a long record of peaceful hospitality, and Lahore is a busy, welcoming city that receives visitors year-round. We watch conditions closely and travel with experienced local guides and drivers throughout.

Yes. We run scheduled group departures and can also tailor private trips, shorter, longer or with extra days in Hunza, Skardu or Lahore, for couples, families and friends. Send us your preferred dates.

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