7 Days,
Cherry Blossom Hunza Tour Package

Pickup from your doorstep in Islamabad or Rawalpindi in the morning. Drive north via the Hazara Expressway through Abbottabad and Mansehra. Breakfast stop at Balakot or Mansehra. The road follows the Kunhar River through increasingly dramatic gorge scenery. Continue on the Karakoram Highway through Battagram and Besham. The Indus River joins the route after Besham and stays as a companion through the gorge all the way to Chilas. Arrive Chilas by evening. Check into Shangrila Resort Chilas. Overnight in Chilas.

Note: This day is 10 to 11 hours of driving with stops. It is the longest driving day of the tour. Departure at 7:00 AM is important.

After breakfast, continue north on the KKH. Stop at the confluence point near Gilgit where three of the world’s great mountain ranges the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalaya meet within a visible distance. This is not a tourist construction; it is a geographical reality that can be seen from the road. Continue to Nagar Valley.

Nagar Valley sits directly across the Hunza River from Karimabad. In spring, the orchards on the valley slopes bloom against a backdrop dominated by Rakaposhi at 7,788 meters and Diran at 7,257 meters. The combination of blossoms at 2,200 to 2,600 meters with glaciated peaks above is the most dramatic spring landscape in this tour. Check into Roomy Yurt Minapin an accommodation placed directly in the orchard belt below Rakaposhi with unobstructed mountain views. Overnight in Nagar Valley.

Full day excursion to Naltar Valley from Nagar base. The road to Naltar branches from Gilgit city, climbs 40 kilometers into a separate mountain valley at 2,800 to 3,000 meters. 4×4 Jeep is required beyond a certain point included in your package price.

Naltar in spring has a different character from the rest of the tour. The pine forests are dense, the three Naltar lakes Naltar Lake, Bashkiri Lake, and Satrangi Lake sit surrounded by snow-dusted trees in late March and early April. The walk from the road to Satrangi Lake takes approximately 30 minutes through pine forest. In spring the lake edges may still have snow, and the water color is deep blue-green. The blossom trees in the lower Naltar Valley below the ski resort are at full bloom in late March. Return to Nagar Valley by evening. Overnight at Roomy Yurt Minapin.

After breakfast, drive from Nagar to Karimabad approximately 45 minutes across the Hunza River. Check into Hunza Darbar Hotel in Karimabad.

Morning visit to Altit Fort over 900 years old and one of the oldest surviving structures in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Aga Khan Trust restoration has preserved it meticulously. The fort grounds include Altit Village, the Royal Garden, and an ancient swimming pool carved into the rock. Entry tickets are included in your package. During blossom season, the path up to Altit Fort runs through orchard terraces in full bloom.

Afternoon visit to Baltit Fort 13th century, used as the royal residence of the Mirs of Hunza for 700 years. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes. The terrace at the top of Baltit Fort, with Ultar Sar glacier directly above and the entire Karimabad Valley below, is one of the finest viewpoints in Hunza at any season in blossom season the valley floor is covered in pink and white. Entry included.

Evening at Karimabad Bazaar. Optional walk on the Aliabad to Karimabad trail through the terraced orchards approximately 2 kilometers, 40 minutes one way. Overnight at Hunza Darbar Hotel.

This is the day for Upper Hunza the Gojal region where the orchard villages are at peak bloom in the first two weeks of April. Depart Karimabad after checkout. Drive north along the KKH past the turquoise water of Attabad Lake. Check into Luxus Attabad Resort, located directly on the shore of the lake.

After check-in, boat ride on Attabad Lake (charges apply, not included). Continue driving to Gulmit Village known for its meadows and fruit orchards at 2,400 meters. In April, the Gulmit meadows are covered in pink and white blossom with Rakaposhi visible to the south and the Karakoram wall to the north. Continue to Passu Village and the Passu Cones seven sharply pointed rock spires that rise from the valley floor. In spring, the lower slopes near Passu Village have apricot and cherry trees in bloom, creating a contrast with the grey-brown rock spires above that is one of the most photographed scenes in the valley.

Return to Luxus Attabad Resort for the night. Overnight on the lake shore.

Checkout from Luxus Attabad Resort after breakfast. Begin the return journey south on the KKH. The drive from Attabad to Besham takes approximately 11 to 12 hours with stops. The route follows the Hunza River to Gilgit, then the Indus River gorge south through Chilas, Sazin, Dasu, and Battagram to Besham. This is a long driving day departure after breakfast is important. Arrive Besham by evening. Check into Hilton Besham Hotel. Overnight in Besham.

After breakfast, depart Besham. Drive via Hazara Expressway and Abbottabad back to Islamabad. The drive takes approximately 5 hours. Arrive Islamabad by afternoon. Drop at your doorstep. End of services.