Travel Information about Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan

Overview

Gilgit-Baltistan is 600 KM north from Islamabad very famous for travel and tourism, Gilgit-Baltistan was part of subcontinent before the Indo-Pak, partition in 1947, the region became part of Pakistan by a self signed volunteer letter by the heads of states of that time, the states were Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Ganche, Skardu, Gilgit Agency itself. However in early 1970s the farmer prime minister Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has overruled the kingdom status of the region and formally regulated the Pakistan's constitutional laws in the area.

Best Time To Travel

The Best time to travel the area is between April and October, the weather starts getting warm in April, however people can opt to travel in March as well to experience of cherry blossom, in April the trees and fields start turning green and one can easily adjust in a single sweater, by October the autumn starts and to enjoy the colors of the area specially in Hunza, the month of October is good, because the trees turn into many colors, i.e yellow, purple, read, and green.

Fruits

Cherry is one amazing fruite one shall try and in Gilgit the cherry becomes ready to eat in the start of May, but in Hunza and Skardu the Cherry season starts in June, however other fruites like apricots, mulberry can be available in between June and September.

The most delicious fruit Peach, Walnut, Nuts, Almond, Fig, and Grapes one can enjoy in September, the good part of the place is you do not have to spend alot of money to buy the said fruits, all you have to grant the permission from garden owners ( the locals of the area ) and eat them with no cost.

How can I reach there ?

You can either travel by road, or by plane, the flights are subject to weather and only PIA operates in the area, in order to travel by flight you will have to have an advanced booking weeks before you plan, the bookings can be done either online or by calling PIA, and make sure that the weather is clear to fly or else the flights dont operate due to mountain ranges, you can view AccueWeather for weather forcast,

PIA ATR JET

Or you can travel by road, it takes about 15 to 18 years hours to reach Gilgit, and plan your travel further from Gilgit or can either go directly to your destination by an easy booking system by local public transporters,

It takes about 18 hours maximum via KKH ( karakorum highway ) or you can also travel by booking rent a car services via Babusar Top road which takes 12 to 14 hours hardly, but the Babusar Top road is open only for 4 months, in between Mid of June to Mid of October.

From Where I Can Book or Buy Tickets ?

As I mentioned above PIA, where you can click and book your tickets for flight, and if you have plans to travel byroad you need to book your ticket from Pirwadai in Rawalpindi, almost all the public transport services operate from Pirwadari in Rawalpindi, and if you hav e plans to travel in a small car for faster journey you can hire a car from Regent Hotel or Al Badar Hotel at committee chowk Rawalpindi.

Which Bus Services and Private Car Services Operate and how much does it cost ?

From Pirwadai you can find following public transport providers,

1. NATCO :

One of the pioneers in this industry most reliable and affordable public transport service provider, they operate 24/7 and 365 days a year contingent to road conditions. The offer the services almost
whole Gilgit-Baltistan. The fare is affordable.


a. Rawalindi to Gilgit      RS 1500-RS 1700 or about $ 17 USD

b. Rawalpindi to Hunza   RS 1700- RS 2000 or about $ 20 USD

c. Rawalpindi to Skardu  RS 1700- RS 2000 or about $ 20 USD

be informed that prices are approximate however you can call them for booking and prices.
Contact Number is  (051) 5473853, the international callers can add +92 before dialing.

2. Mashaburum :

One of the oldest and another reliable services provider in the region, but the only offer services 

to Gilgit and Skardu not for the rest of the area, and they also operate round the clock, and fare is almost

same as NATCO.

3. K2 Movers.

New compare to other service providers but people have good reviews about the bus conditions and 

fast traveling, they also operate round the clock and charge almost same as others.

4. Silk Route 

Another reliable transport services providers in the area, offer services to Gilgit, Skardu and Hunza, 
their their charges are almost same as others.

5. Coaster Services ( small buses )

There are dozens of coaster transport services providers in the region, such as Sargan Travels, Mehfooz 

travels, Ashaan, and many more, people prefer traveling in these kind of buses just because their fare is

low compare to other bus services providers, and you can also bargain with them, all of the companies

are located in pirwadai.

6. Private Rent a Car Services.

You can find more then a dozen companies in Gilgit as well as in Rawalpindi, a small car on sharing 

basis of 4 passengers each car. Some of the known reliable companies you may contact are North Rent
a Car at Committee chowk rawalpindi, or you can also contact A & A Travels which has some 
convincing likes on Facebook, and some information about the packages etc. 
Such services can cost you in between RS 3000- RS 4000 each or you can ask for the whole jeep to 
be booked.

Hotels and Guest Houses

Darbar Hotel Hunza

You can find cheap hotels as well as expensive ones in the whole region, PTDC Motel, Sareena Hotel, Darbard Hotel, Hill Top Hotel are considered to be big hotels and their charges are little high compare to ones like Old Hunza Inn, Haider Inn, Khusho Guest House, Roof Top hotel and many more, the cost for big hotels are almost Rs 5000 or little more whereas the small ones can charge you in between Rs 250 to Rs 2500,

Places to Visit in Gilgit.

Kargah Nala, its a stream point with some local heritage, Nearby locations such Great Mountain Junction and Naltar Valley.

Places to See in Hunza Valley.

a. Ganish Village ( the Oldest Civilized Settlement of Hunza on Silk Route )
b. Ganish Scrad Rocks
c. Altit Fort
d. Baltit Fort
e. Ultar Peak Trek
f. Rakaposhi Peak Trek
g. Hoper Valley/Glacier
h. Passu
i. Gulmit
j. Newly Formed Atabad Lake ( known as Ganish Lake too )
k. Khunjrb Pass

Places to see in Skardu

a. Almost all the glaciers such as Balturo, Biafo, Mashaburum, Gashaburum, K-2 Base camp, Shigar Fort, Skardu Fort, Khapulu fort

Do I need a Travel Guide to visit any places mentioned above ?

Well not for all the places but yes, you certainly need a guide ( a local one we prefer ) to visit some of the places, such as Ultar Trek ( can also be done alone ), Rakaposhi Trek ( Can also be done alone ), Skardu, yes you need a guide in order to travel in Skardu specifically to visit the said areas.

For International Tourists 

The international tourists must ask some travel agency in Pakistan to send you an official invitation letter, so you take to the nearest Pakistani Counselate or Embassy and apply for the VISA, this will cost you not more then $ 100 max, once you are able to get the visa, land in Islamabad, from Islamabad if you have already someone tour operating company you do not need extra work, you will be taken care of, or else your plan to travel by air or byroad, procedure is given above.

Reach Pirwadai, but hey yes if you are planning to stay for a day in Rawalpindi Islamabad, I strongly recommend you to stay at Regent Hotel or Al Badar Hotel at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi because both hotels are owned people from Hunza, and you can trust them, from there you can get private small car on rent or go to Pirwadai in Rawalpindi and book your seat from any Publich Transport which operates to Gilgit-Baltistan A cab will cost about Rs 300 max to pirwadai from Committee chowk and if you are at airport this shall not cost you more then Rs 400, and from Airport to Committee Chowk this will be Rs 200 max.

For Local Tourists.

You can fly in between the cities with no issues but for Gilgit you can follow the same procedure except VISA :-D.

What We Recommend .

Due to huge number of tourists almost all the hotels get booked even small guest houses, and you will not find a place to sleep except on footpath or in open air, so we highly recommend you to book your hotel in advance so you have no problems whatsoever, or you can also take a tent along in a case if you dont find a hotel you can use your tent anywhere in Hunza or Gilgit on a very nominal cost.

Please type your questions in comments so we can answer them for you.