10-Day Northern Pakistan Itinerary: Hunza and Skardu Combined
Pakistan Locals Team
13 September 2026 · 3 min read
At a glance
- Location
- Northern Pakistan
- Region
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Best time
- Late June to early October, when Deosai is open and the passes are clear
- Duration
- 10 days
If you have ten days and want the best of the north, the classic route links the two giants: Skardu for the lakes, the cold desert and Deosai, and Hunza for the forts, Attabad and Khunjerab, joined by the legendary Karakoram Highway. Here is a day-by-day 10-day northern Pakistan itinerary that ties it all together. For the shorter overview, see our northern Pakistan itineraries guide, and to choose between the valleys, read Hunza vs Skardu.
How to link it
The smart move is to fly into Skardu (about 45 minutes from Islamabad, weather permitting), travel overland to Hunza mid-trip, and drive out on the Karakoram Highway, so you see the road without doubling back. If you are short on time at the end, fly out of Gilgit instead. Go late June to early October, when Deosai is open and the passes are clear.
Days 1 to 4: Skardu and Deosai
- Day 1. Fly Islamabad to Skardu, settle in, and visit the Kachura lakes and Shangrila.
- Day 2. Shigar valley and the restored Shigar Fort, plus the Katpana cold desert at sunset.
- Day 3. A 4x4 day across the Deosai plains to Sheosar Lake. See our Deosai guide.
- Day 4. Optional Khaplu day, or a relaxed morning before the transfer. Follow our Skardu itinerary for the detail.
Day 5: Skardu to Hunza
A long, scenic travel day. Drive from Skardu down to the Karakoram Highway and up through Gilgit to Karimabad in Hunza, roughly seven to eight hours in total. Arrive in the evening and settle into the valley.
Days 6 to 9: Hunza and Upper Hunza
- Day 6. Baltit and Altit forts, the Karimabad bazaar, and sunset at Eagle's Nest in Duikar.
- Day 7. Attabad Lake, the Passu Cones and the Hussaini suspension bridge in Gojal.
- Day 8. The long day trip up to Khunjerab Pass at 4,733 m on the China border.
- Day 9. Rakaposhi viewpoint and Hopper Glacier, or a slow orchard day. See our Hunza itinerary.
Day 10: the Karakoram Highway home
Drive the Karakoram Highway back toward Islamabad, a spectacular finish that most people break with a night in Naran, Besham or Chilas, so in practice this last leg often spills into an eleventh day. To save time, fly out of Gilgit instead. See our Karakoram Highway guide.
Tips
- Buffer for weather. The Skardu and Gilgit flights are weather-dependent, so keep a spare day.
- Cash. ATMs thin out after Gilgit, so carry enough for the whole trip.
- Pace. This is a full ten days. If you want it slower, drop Khaplu or the Khunjerab day.
- Budget. See our northern Pakistan cost guide.
Quick answers
Can you do Hunza and Skardu in 10 days? Yes, ideally flying into Skardu and out via Hunza and the Karakoram Highway.
Fly or drive? Mix both: fly into Skardu, drive between the valleys, and drive or fly home.
Best time? Late June to early October.
Skardu to Hunza distance? About seven to eight hours via Gilgit.
Written and fact-checked by the Pakistan Locals editorial team, with hosts across Gilgit-Baltistan. Last updated September 2026. Flights, roads and prices change with the season, so confirm before you travel.
Sources and further reading
Ready to plan the big trip? Browse hosted trips across Hunza and Skardu on Pakistan Locals, or plan on the map. Host across the north? List your experience free.
Questions people ask
Can you do Hunza and Skardu in 10 days?+
Yes, and ten days is close to ideal. A common plan is to fly into Skardu, spend three to four days including Deosai, travel to Hunza for the forts and Khunjerab, and drive out along the Karakoram Highway.
Should you fly or drive for a 10-day northern trip?+
The best plan mixes both. Fly into Skardu to save a full day, then drive between Skardu, Gilgit and Hunza, and either drive the Karakoram Highway home or fly out of Gilgit to save two days.
When is the best time for a 10-day northern trip?+
Late June to early October, when Deosai is open and the high passes like Khunjerab and Babusar are clear.
How far is it between Skardu and Hunza?+
The drive via Gilgit takes most of a day, roughly seven to eight hours, so build a travel day into the plan between the two valleys.
Pakistan Locals Team
The Pakistan Locals editorial team writes practical, on-the-ground travel guides to Pakistan, researched and fact-checked in consultation with our network of local hosts and guides.