Colors Of Hunza Valley Tour - 9 Days
About this tour
Hunza is a beautiful valley in the Karakoram range and one of the top tourist attractions in Pakistan. This beautiful valley is around 100 km from Gilgit city and takes 2 hours to reach, and the famous Karakoram Highway is open throughout the year.
Each season is full of distinct features displaying a unique scenic atmosphere & cultural events. Blossom signals an exceptional display of a change of nature, welcoming new life. Summer is the most popular season, offering sunny days and pleasant temperatures. Green fields, beautiful trees with flowers, snow-capped high mountains, rivers and blue skies attract nature lovers to this beautiful valley. Autumn in Hunza valley brings a vibrant colour palate as the whole valley remains colourful with splendid panoramic views of high mountain peaks.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: lslamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan
Arrive at Islamabad International airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will enjoy leisure time to relax and recover from the journey on this day. In the afternoon you can enjoy a city tour (visit Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa museum etc.)
Day 2: Islamabad, Pakistan to Hunza, Hunza Nagar
Fly from Islamabad airport to Gilgit (a 1-hour scenic flight); you can enjoy the scenic beauty of valleys and High Mountain peaks. On our way to Hunza, we will have a short stop to visit the Berano suspension bridge (one of the oldest suspension bridges in the region) and the Danyor tunnel. We will also have quick stops for photography at the collision point of two tectonic plates, the ancient silk route viewpoint and the Rakaposhi viewpoint. While passing through the small villages in Nagar and Hunza valleys, we will witness village life. Check into the hotel in Karimabad and have some free time. We will do an evening walk (40 minutes) at Samarqand kohl (water channel) through the apricot orchids in the village and explore the local culture. We will drive to Dongo Das (a 20-minute drive) for stargazing at night. Enjoy your precious time under the dark sky. Drive back to our hotel for the night stay.
Day 3: Karimabad to Eagle's Nest Hotel, Gilgit
Enjoying a full day in Hunza, we will visit 800 years old Baltit Fort (30 minutes walk), Karimabad Bazar (for shopping for Handicrafts, gemstones, dry fruits etc.), Altit Fort (900 years old), and enjoy traditional Lunch at Kha Basi Café (a café owned by Serena hotels and run by local women). After lunch, we will visit the music school in Altit, where local children learn and play traditional music (guests can also practice playing regional musical instruments). Later in the afternoon, we will visit Ganish village (the oldest settlement in Hunza) and visit a local family home. We will drive to Duikar (2800 m) to enjoy the best view of the sunset. After a 15-minute beautiful hike, we will arguably reach one of the best sunset viewpoints in the world with a birds-eye view of the whole of Hunza and Nagar valleys and the splendid views of seven mountain peaks above 7000m. Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.
Day 4: Karimabad to Passu
Today we will drive to Passu through numerous small villages in upper Hunza. After stopping at the Atabad Lake and enjoying boating, we will reach Gulmit village, where we will walk through the orchids and then visit the old house & music school. Enjoy a short hike, Pakistan's highest & longest stairs, to Ondra fort (01-hour), a community-based tourism initiative in Gulmit village of Gojal Valley. Free time to enjoy the beautiful view of Passu cones and upper Hunza. Later in the afternoon, drive to Borith Lake (a beautiful lake in upper Hunza famous for migrating birds). After witnessing the magnificent migrating birds, we will proceed to Passu to enjoy leisure time in the afternoon; we can do an evening trek to Passu glacier beside the stream (2 hours trek both ways) - optional. Enjoy the sunset from glacier breeze restaurant with a cup of tea/coffee and the famous apricot cake. We may participate in a cultural event in upper Hunza (if the time matches). Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.
Day 5: Hoper Hilton, Hunza Nagar to Minapin Valley, Minapin
After breakfast, we will drive to Hoper valley – for 1 hour (2800 m). En route, we will visit Nagar Khas (a village in Nagar valley) and meet locals to witness a different culture and Nagar fort. Then continue to travel to Hoper village where we can do a beautiful short hike to Hoper glacier (2 hours) and experience walking on the glacier. Then drive to Minapin village to enjoy leisure time and a famous traditional lunch (Gurkun karahi) while a local historian briefly explains the region's history. After lunch, drive to KHO (a beautiful viewpoint) in local jeeps. Drive back to Karimabad in the evening.
Day 6: Khanabad Cricket Ground, Khana Abad to Gilgit
Drive to Khanabad village in lower Hunza and spend most of the day here. We will witness village life with a host family and experience practical participation in village people's routine activities. We will visit fruit orchids, walk through the streets, meet locals, including artisans/historians and enjoy traditional lunch with a host family. We can also enjoy meditation/yoga in the village. Drive back to Gilgit in the afternoon and visit Kargah Budha (7th century Budha).
Day 7: Gilgit Airport, Gilgit to Islamabad, Pakistan
Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad (1-hour scenic flight). Transfer to hotel and after lunch sightseeing. OR Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway with short stops (in case of flight cancellation)
Day 8: Gilgit to Islamabad, Pakistan
If we cannot fly due to the weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we fly from Gilgit to Islamabad, we will enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today. (Day excursion to the Taxila museum and archaeological sites will be one of the options)
Day 9: Islamabad Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan to lslamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.
What's included
• Airport transfers (on the first and last day in Islamabad) • All land transport involved in the itinerary • Internal flights and associated airport transfers • All hotel accommodations (twin sharing) • All meals throughout the holidays • Licensed professional local guide • Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary • Implementation of all sustainable tourism protocols • All entry tickets (forts, parks) • Host family's participation to involve group members in their daily routine activities • Cultural lunches • Cultural evening with traditional music and dance
• Travel Insurance • Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered) • International airfare • Personal equipment (clothes, boots etc.) • Tips for guiding and supporting staff • Miscellaneous expenses – drinks and souvenirs etc
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
lslamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan