Northern Areas of Pakistan — Destination Guide

Hunza Valley

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

DESTINATION 01

Hunza Valley

The valley that rewrites your definition of beauty. Surrounded by Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and Lady Finger peaks, Hunza is northern Pakistan at its most iconic — ancient forts, apricot blossoms, and the friendliest people on earth.

~600 km from Islamabad

12–14 hrs by road

2,438 m altitude

Best Time to Visit April – October | Spring blossom: late March–April

Baltit & Altit Forts (900+ years old)
Rakaposhi viewpoint & glacier
Eagle's Nest — sunrise panorama
Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m)
Attabad Lake turquoise waters
Traditional Hunzai cuisine & apricots
Passu Cones — dramatic rock spires
Karimabad bazaar & local crafts

Group Trip — from PKR 9,500 Private Trip

Adventure Hub

Skardu

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

DESTINATION 02

Skardu

Gateway to the world's highest peaks — K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum all begin their journeys here. Skardu is where the rivers merge, the deserts meet glaciers, and adventure travellers find their nirvana.

~680 km from Islamabad

16 hrs by road / 1 hr by flight

2,228 m altitude

Best Time to Visit May – September | Peak season: June–August

Sheosar Lake — mirror-clear alpine waters
Shangrila Resort & Lower Kachura Lake
Sarfaranga Cold Desert
Skardu Fort (Kharpocho)
Shigar Valley & Chaqchan Mosque
Upper Kachura (Shangrila) Lake
Satpara Lake & dam
Gateway to K2 base camp treks

Group Trip — from PKR 11,000 Private Trip

Family Favourite

Naran Kaghan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

DESTINATION 03

Naran Kaghan

The classic Pakistani summer escape. The Kaghan Valley follows the Kunhar River through dense pine forests and emerald meadows, rising to the legendary Saif-ul-Malook Lake — where the mountains literally touch the clouds.

~250 km from Islamabad

5–6 hrs by road

2,410 m altitude (Naran)

Best Time to Visit June – September | Road opens: May

Saif-ul-Malook Lake — fairy-tale alpine lake
Lulusar Lake — Pakistan's cleanest lake
Babusar Top (4,173 m) — panoramic pass
Shogran plateau & Siri Paye meadows
Ansoo Lake — teardrop-shaped crater lake
Kunhar River trout fishing
Lalazar meadow — wildflower fields
Battakundi & Batakundi valley camping

Group Trip — from PKR 8,000 Family Trip

Switzerland of Pakistan

Swat Valley

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

DESTINATION 04

Swat Valley

Once called the"Switzerland of Pakistan" by Queen Elizabeth II — and the title still holds. Swat's lush green valleys, crystal rivers, ancient Buddhist ruins, and welcoming Pashtun culture make it one of Pakistan's most rewarding destinations.

~260 km from Islamabad

5–6 hrs by road

910–2,885 m altitude

Best Time to Visit April – October | Year-round accessible

Malam Jabba Ski Resort — Pakistan's only ski resort
Mahodand Lake — glass-clear emerald waters
Ushu Forest — ancient cedar woodland
Kalam Valley — upper Swat's crown jewel
Butkara Stupa — 3rd century BCE Buddhist ruins
Mingora bazaar & Swat Museum
Marghazar White Palace
Swat River white water rafting

Group Trip — from PKR 8,500 Family Trip

Bucket List

Fairy Meadows

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

DESTINATION 05

Fairy Meadows

A lush alpine plateau at the foot of Nanga Parbat — the world's ninth-highest mountain. German climbers named it"Märchenwiese" (Fairy Meadows) and the name stuck. There's nowhere on earth quite like this: flower-carpeted fields, towering pines, and the Killer Mountain looming above.

~470 km from Islamabad

10 hrs road + 3–4 hr trek

3,300 m altitude

Best Time to Visit May – September | Peak beauty: June–July

Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) base views
Wildflower meadow carpets
Night sky stargazing (no light pollution)
Raikot Bridge — dramatic gorge crossing
Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Traditional wooden huts & camping
Beyal Camp — closer Nanga Parbat views
Forest walks through giant pine trees

Private Trip — 4D/3N from PKR 18,500 Enquire Now

Most Photogenic

Attabad Lake

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

DESTINATION 06

Attabad Lake

Born from a catastrophic landslide in 2010, Attabad Lake is one of the most photogenic locations in all of Asia. The unnaturally vivid turquoise water — surrounded by the dramatic Karakoram walls — is simply unforgettable. Most visitors stop here on the way to or from Hunza.

~550 km from Islamabad

En route to Hunza

2,150 m altitude

Best Time to Visit April – October | Combined with Hunza trip

Electric turquoise water unlike anywhere else
Boat tours on the lake
Gojal Valley viewpoints
CPEC tunnel — engineering marvel
Passu Cones backdrop photography
Sumayar village & local culture
Submerged KKH viewable from boats
Gulmit village cultural stops

Included in Hunza Group Trip Private Hunza Package

World's 2nd Highest Plateau

Deosai Plains

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

DESTINATION 07

Deosai Plains

The world's second-highest plateau at an average elevation of 4,114 m — a vast, wind-swept expanse that blooms into a sea of wildflowers every summer. In winter it transforms into a frozen wilderness; in summer it becomes one of the most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes on the planet.

~700 km from Islamabad

Day trip from Skardu (3 hrs)

4,114 m avg altitude

Best Time to Visit July – August | Road open: June–October

Sheosar Lake — stunning high-altitude lake
Himalayan brown bear sightings
Endless wildflower meadows in summer
Panoramic 360° mountain views
Star gazing at 4,000+ m altitude
Snow leopard territory
Astore Valley en route
National Park camping permit required

Add-on to Skardu Group Trip Custom Deosai Package

Hidden Gem

Naltar Valley

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

DESTINATION 08

Naltar Valley

Naltar is northern Pakistan's best-kept secret — and that's exactly why seasoned travellers love it. This valley, accessible from Gilgit, is home to some of the most unusual lakes in the world: Naltar Lakes shift from turquoise to deep blue to emerald green across different sections, framed by ancient pine forests and snow-capped peaks.

~580 km from Islamabad

13 hrs + 2 hrs from Gilgit

2,900–3,800 m altitude

Best Time to Visit June – September | Winter skiing: December–February

Naltar Lakes — tri-colour high-altitude lakes
Pakistan Air Force Naltar ski resort
Dense pine & spruce forest walks
Diran Peak (7,266 m) views
Naltar village — traditional Shina culture
Apple & apricot orchards
Off-road jeep track adventure
Remote camping, stargazing

Build a Custom Naltar Trip Talk to an Expert

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