Pakistan experiences / independent guide
The Karakoram Highway is more than a road to a pass: along its northern stretch, river valleys give way to Hunza villages, Attabad Lake and the sculpted peaks near Passu. Plan it as several daylight stages from Gilgit, rather than a race to the border.
Find your bearings
Where it happens
See the terrain and surrounding places along this journey. The numbered places match the stops below; this is an orientation map, not turn-by-turn navigation.
- 1Gilgit
- 2Karimabad
- 3Attabad Lake
- 4Gulmit
- 5Passu
- 6Sost
- 7Khunjerab Pass
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community.
The experience
What the visit is like
Gilgit to Hunza
Begin in Gilgit and give the drive to Karimabad its own day. Roadwork, traffic or short closures can change arrival time, so keep sightseeing light and make time for the valley views.
The lake and villages
Continue past Attabad Lake into Gulmit and Passu. Stop with care in designated places, spend money locally and allow time for heritage, cafés and short walks rather than collecting only roadside photographs.
Upper Gojal
Sost is a practical staging point for a possible Khunjerab day. The pass is high, weather-exposed and border access may change, so treat it as optional and avoid a late return.
Plan well
Practical details
How to arrange it
A local driver familiar with mountain conditions is valuable. Fly into Gilgit if suitable, with a weather buffer; book northern lodging in stages, not one unbroken day from Islamabad.
Season and roads
Lower Hunza can be rewarding beyond summer, while upper roads and Khunjerab require specific access checks. Landslides and snow can interrupt travel.
Road conduct
Travel in daylight, use seat belts, avoid stopping on blind bends and never rely on map-app journey times. Check fuel, tyres and communications before long remote stretches.
Budget and flexibility
Price driver, fuel, accommodation and entries separately. Keep a spare day or changeable booking in case a flight or road is disrupted.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
Is the entire highway covered by the same UK warning?
No. The current against-all-travel warning identifies the Mansehra–Chilas stretch via Besham and Dasu. Read the full advice for other regional and border risks.
Can I do Gilgit to Khunjerab in one day?
It is a long, high-altitude return. Use Hunza or Sost as a staging base and allow daylight and flexibility.
Keep exploring
Make it part of a journey
Use the related guide or itinerary to give this experience the time it deserves.
Editorial map and guidance are indicative. See local destination information and current UK travel advice. Map outline: Natural Earth.
