Planning a northern Pakistan trip and wondering how much it'll actually cost? You're not alone. The internet is full of vague estimates — but this guide gives you real, up-to-date 2026 figures based on actual tour prices from Islamabad to Hunza and Skardu. We break down every rupee: transport, accommodation, food, entry fees, and activities — across three budget tiers — so you can plan with complete confidence. Whether you're a budget backpacker or a comfort-seeker, your 7-day northern Pakistan adventure is more affordable than you think.
creBudget Overview — 3 Tiers Explained
Northern Pakistan costs vary enormously depending on your travel style. We use three standard tiers throughout this guide so you can quickly find your number. All figures are per person for a group of 2–4 sharing transport and rooms where applicable.
💡 Pro Tip: Group Travel Slashes Costs
Travelling in a group of 4 can cut your per-person transport cost by 50–60%. A private jeep from Islamabad to Hunza (PKR 20,000 total) shared by 4 people is only PKR 5,000 each — cheaper than the public bus for some routes.
The 7-Day Itinerary
This itinerary covers the classic northern Pakistan circuit — Islamabad → Karakoram Highway → Hunza Valley → Skardu → Return. It's the single most popular route in northern Pakistan and hits all major highlights without being rushed. Here's the route at a glance:
- Day 1: Islamabad → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit → Karimabad, Hunza (by road via KKH)
- Day 2: Karimabad sightseeing — Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Eagle's Nest viewpoint, local market
- Day 3: Attabad Lake boat ride, Passu Cones, Hussaini Bridge, Khunjerab Pass visit
- Day 4: Hunza → Gilgit → Skardu (drive or fly from Gilgit)
- Day 5: Skardu — Shangrila Resort, Satpara Lake, Kharpocho Fort, Katpana Cold Desert
- Day 6: Shigar Fort, Shigar Valley drive, optional Deosai jeep trip (seasonal)
- Day 7: Skardu → Islamabad (flight or road, depending on budget)
Day 1 — Islamabad to Hunza
The journey from Islamabad to Karimabad via the Karakoram Highway is itself one of the great road trips of the world — 600 km of jaw-dropping scenery past Tarbela Dam, Besham gorge, Nanga Parbat viewpoint at Chilas, and finally into Gilgit-Baltistan.
Islamabad → Karimabad, Hunza
📍 Distance: ~600 km | ⏱ Drive: 14–16 hours- Depart Rawalpindi/Islamabad at 5:00 AM via the Karakoram Highway
- Nanga Parbat viewpoint stop at Chilas (world's 9th highest peak, 8,126 m)
- Scenic drive through Indus gorge, Besham, and Gilgit
- Arrive Karimabad by evening, check in to guesthouse/hotel
- Dinner at local restaurant in Karimabad bazaar
Budget tip: NATCO/Daewoo bus from Rawalpindi Pir Wadhai Terminal to Gilgit costs PKR 1,800–2,500. Then a shared coaster/van Gilgit→Karimabad for PKR 300–500. | Luxury tip: Private SUV Islamabad–Hunza PKR 18,000–25,000 total (share among 2–4 people).
Day 2 — Karimabad Sightseeing
Day 2 is dedicated entirely to Karimabad — the cultural heart of Hunza. Baltit Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate) and Altit Fort offer unmatched views of Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and the valley below. The Eagle's Nest viewpoint at dusk is one of the most photographed spots in Pakistan.
Karimabad — Forts, Viewpoints & Local Culture
📍 Karimabad, Hunza Valley | ⏱ Full day- Baltit Fort visit — 700-year-old fort, stunning Karakoram backdrop (entry fee: PKR 500)
- Altit Fort — older twin to Baltit, more intimate village atmosphere (entry fee: PKR 500)
- Eagle's Nest viewpoint — sunset views over Karimabad and three 7,000 m peaks
- Karimabad bazaar — dry fruits, local apricot products, handicrafts
- Try local Wakhi & Hunzai cuisine — chapshuro, diram phitti, tumuro tea
Day 3 — Attabad Lake, Passu & Khunjerab Pass
Day 3 is the most action-packed day of the entire trip — a full-day drive from Karimabad to Khunjerab Pass and back, stopping at the famous Attabad Lake, the dramatic Passu Cones, and the iconic Hussaini Suspension Bridge. Khunjerab (4,693 m) is one of the world's highest border crossings.
Attabad Lake → Passu → Khunjerab Pass
📍 Upper Hunza | ⏱ 10–12 hours round trip- Attabad Lake boat ride — 90 min on the famous turquoise lake (PKR 400–600/boat)
- Passu Cones — dramatic cathedral-like rock spires, no entry fee
- Hussaini Suspension Bridge walk — one of the world's most thrilling bridges
- Khunjerab Pass — drive to the top at 4,693 m, Pakistan-China border (entry fee PKR 1,000)
- Spot Marco Polo sheep, snow leopard territory — Khunjerab National Park
Day 4 — Hunza to Skardu
This is the transition day. You have two options: the scenic road via Gilgit (4–5 hours, dramatic mountain driving) or a short 30-minute flight from Gilgit to Skardu which is itself one of the world's most breathtaking flights — landing on a runway flanked by 8,000 m peaks.
Hunza → Gilgit → Skardu
📍 Transit Day | ⏱ 4–5 hrs by road / 30 min by air- Morning drive Karimabad → Gilgit (2 hours) along the Hunza River
- Option A: Gilgit–Skardu flight (30 min, one of the world's great scenic flights)
- Option B: Gilgit–Skardu by road via Indus Valley (4–5 hrs, dramatic gorge scenery)
- Afternoon: Check in to Skardu hotel, rest
- Evening: Walk along Skardu bazaar, explore local dry fruit and gem shops
Flight note: PIA Gilgit–Skardu flights cost around PKR 8,000–15,000 one way. Book well in advance — seats sell out fast, especially in summer.
Day 5 — Skardu Highlights
Day 5 explores Skardu's most iconic sights — the fairy-tale Shangrila Resort lake, crystal-clear Satpara Lake, the imposing Kharpocho Fort overlooking the Indus, and the surreal Katpana Cold Desert (sand dunes surrounded by 6,000 m+ peaks).
Shangrila, Satpara Lake & Katpana Desert
📍 Skardu District | ⏱ Full day sightseeing- Shangrila Resort & Lower Kachura Lake — famous "Heaven on Earth" lake resort
- Satpara Lake — boat ride on the glacial-fed turquoise lake (PKR 500/boat)
- Kharpocho Fort — 16th century Balti fort with panoramic Skardu views
- Katpana Cold Desert — unique high-altitude desert, stunning photography
- Balti cuisine dinner — try Balti momo, maalida, and butter tea
Day 6 — Shigar Fort & Valley
Shigar Valley is Skardu's best-kept secret. The restored 400-year-old Shigar Fort (now a boutique heritage hotel) is one of the finest examples of Balti architecture in the world. The drive through Shigar's poplar-lined roads is spectacular, especially in autumn.
Shigar Fort, Shigar Valley & Optional Deosai
📍 Shigar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan | ⏱ Full day- Shigar Fort — restored Balti heritage fort, now a Serena heritage hotel (PKR 200 visit fee)
- Shigar Valley drive — poplar trees, ancient villages, crystal streams
- Optional: Deosai Plains day trip (June–September only, PKR 4,000–6,000 jeep add-on)
- Askole gateway viewpoint — start of the K2 Base Camp trekking route
- Local Shigar handicrafts — woodwork, embroidery, Balti rugs
Day 7 — Return to Islamabad
The final day. Budget travellers take the road; mid-range and luxury travellers fly. The Skardu–Islamabad flight is one of the world's great scenic routes — views of Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, and the entire Karakoram range from your window seat.
Skardu → Islamabad (Return Journey)
📍 Skardu to Islamabad | ✈ 55 min flight / 🚌 18 hr road- Morning flight: Skardu → Islamabad (PIA, ~55 minutes, spectacular mountain views)
- Budget option: Skardu → Rawalpindi by Coaster/bus (18 hours, overnight)
- Last-minute shopping: Skardu gems (aquamarine, tourmaline), dried fruits, saffron
- Final photography around Skardu bazaar before departure
Full Budget Breakdown Table
Here's the complete 7-day northern Pakistan trip cost summary across all three tiers. All prices are per person, based on a group of 2–4 sharing costs where applicable.
| Category / Day | 🟢 Budget | 🟡 Mid-Range | 🟣 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Islamabad → Hunza | PKR 5,700 | PKR 14,000 | PKR 29,000 |
| Day 2 — Karimabad Sightseeing | PKR 5,100 | PKR 11,500 | PKR 23,500 |
| Day 3 — Attabad Lake & Khunjerab | PKR 7,500 | PKR 14,000 | PKR 27,000 |
| Day 4 — Hunza → Skardu | PKR 5,700 | PKR 14,500 | PKR 37,000 |
| Day 5 — Skardu Highlights | PKR 7,000 | PKR 14,200 | PKR 31,500 |
| Day 6 — Shigar Valley | PKR 6,700 | PKR 13,800 | PKR 34,700 |
| Day 7 — Return to Islamabad | PKR 3,300 | PKR 14,500 | PKR 21,000 |
| Miscellaneous & buffer (10%) | PKR 4,000 | PKR 6,500 | PKR 12,000 |
| 🏆 7-Day GRAND TOTAL (per person) | PKR 45,000 | PKR 83,000 | PKR 215,700 |
📌 What's NOT included in this budget
- Personal shopping (gems, dry fruits, handicrafts)
- Travel insurance — strongly recommended for any northern Pakistan trip
- Deosai Plains day trip (add PKR 4,000–8,000 budget / PKR 10,000 mid / PKR 20,000 luxury)
- Islamabad hotel if arriving a night early (add PKR 3,000–15,000 depending on tier)
- SIM card for local data — Jazz/Zong unlimited package ~PKR 300 for a week
10 Ways to Save Money in Northern Pakistan
- Travel in a group of 4. Private jeep hire, accommodation sharing, and food costs drop dramatically. A PKR 20,000 jeep split four ways is PKR 5,000 each — cheaper than public transport for many routes.
- Book your Hunza accommodation 3–4 months ahead in spring. Prices for March–April blossom season double in the last 4 weeks. Early booking can save PKR 5,000–8,000 per night.
- Eat at local dhabas and Hunzai guesthouses. A full meal at a local dhaba costs PKR 300–600. The same meal at a tourist restaurant runs PKR 1,500–2,500. The local version is often better.
- Take the NATCO/Daewoo bus from Rawalpindi. The overnight bus to Gilgit (PKR 1,800–2,500) is far cheaper than a private vehicle and surprisingly comfortable on the main highway section.
- Skip the Gilgit–Skardu flight if not in a rush. The road journey (PKR 800–1,200) is stunning and saves PKR 10,000+ per person compared to flying.
- Travel in shoulder season (May or October). Prices for hotels and private jeeps are 20–40% lower than peak summer and spring, while the scenery is equally spectacular.
- Buy dry fruits and produce directly from local farms. Hunza apricots, walnuts, and mulberries direct from farms in Karimabad cost 40–60% less than bazaar tourist prices.
- Negotiate jeep rates before getting in. Always agree on the price before your journey — local transport rates are fully negotiable and foreigners (and even Pakistanis from cities) are routinely quoted 2–3x the actual rate.
- Get a Jazz or Zong SIM from Islamabad. Data coverage in northern areas is limited but these are the best networks. Buying in Islamabad is easier and cheaper than in Gilgit or Skardu.
- Book a package tour. For 4+ people, The Trekkers Pakistan's all-inclusive packages often work out cheaper than organizing everything independently — and remove all the planning stress.
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