Top 10 Places to Visit in Northern Pakistan This Summer
Northern Pakistan is the most underrated alpine region on the planet. Within a single 700-kilometre arc — from the Kaghan Valley in the south to the Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border in the north — you will find four of the world's 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, three of the world's longest glaciers outside the polar regions, alpine lakes the colour of which no photograph can quite capture, and a network of valleys inhabited by communities whose hospitality has not changed in a thousand years. For Pakistani travellers, the north offers a domestic alternative to the European Alps at a fraction of the cost. For international travellers, it offers landscapes that rival — and arguably exceed — anything in Nepal or the Indian Himalayas.
This guide lists the 10 destinations we send our clients to most often, ranked roughly from the most accessible to the most remote. Each can be visited as a standalone trip or combined with neighbouring destinations in a longer itinerary.
1. Hunza Valley
The gateway to the high Karakoram, Hunza is the most iconic of all Pakistani mountain destinations. The valley floor sits at 2,400 metres, framed by Rakaposhi (7,788 m), Ultar Sar (7,388 m), and the Ladyfinger peak. Karimabad is the main town, home to the 900-year-old Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, both beautifully restored and open to visitors. The Attabad Lake — formed in 2010 when a massive landslide dammed the Hunza River — is a 14-kilometre stretch of turquoise water that has become one of Pakistan's most photographed landscapes. Recommended stay: 4 nights.
2. Skardu & the Shigar Valley
Skardu is the capital of Baltistan and the gateway to K2. The town itself sits on the banks of the Indus and is the staging point for trips to Deosai National Park, Shigar Fort, and the cold desert of Sarfaranga. The Serena Shigar Fort — a 17th-century palace restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service — is one of the most atmospheric places to stay in Pakistan. Recommended stay: 4 nights.
3. Deosai National Park
The second-highest alpine plateau in the world, Deosai sits at an average altitude of 4,114 metres. It is a national park protected for the Himalayan brown bear, the golden marmot, and a carpet of wildflowers that peaks in July. The drive from Skardu is 2.5 hours on a 4x4 track; once on the plateau, the silence is absolute. Recommended visit: 1 full day trip from Skardu.
4. Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Fairy Meadows is a grassy meadow at 3,300 metres, framed by the south face of Nanga Parbat — the world's 9th-highest mountain. The meadow is accessible via a jeep track from Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway, followed by a 2-hour hike. The view of Nanga Parbat at sunset from Fairy Meadows is one of the most photographed mountain views in the world. Recommended stay: 2 nights in basic but comfortable lodges.
5. Swat Valley
The "Switzerland of the East" — a name earned in the 1960s and still apt today. Swat is more accessible than the Karakoram (a 4-hour drive from Islamabad), and it offers a mix of alpine scenery, Buddhist heritage (the Butkara Stupa and the Swat Museum are highlights), and family-friendly resorts in Kalam and Malam Jabba. Recommended stay: 3 nights.
6. Naran & the Kaghan Valley
Naran is the most popular of the northern destinations for first-time visitors, partly because it is accessible by sedan car from Islamabad in 6–7 hours. Lake Saif-ul-Malook at 3,224 metres is the signature sight, accessible by jeep from Naran. The valley is crowded in July and August — visit in June or September for the best balance of weather and quiet. Recommended stay: 2 nights.
7. Khunjerab Pass & the Pak-China Border
At 4,693 metres, Khunjerab is the highest paved international border crossing in the world. The pass itself is a 4-hour drive from Sost in upper Hunza, through the Khunjerab National Park — home to the snow leopard, the Marco Polo sheep, and the Himalayan ibex. The border is open for trade and tourism between April and November each year. Recommended visit: 1 day trip from Sost or Passu.
8. Passu & the Cathedral Cones
Passu is a small village in upper Hunza, famous for the Passu Cathedral Cones — a row of jagged 6,000-metre peaks that form one of the most striking skylines in the Karakoram. The Passu Glacier is accessible on foot from the village, and the Hussaini Suspension Bridge over the Hunza River offers an adrenaline rush for travellers who dare. Recommended stay: 2 nights.
9. Neelum Valley
Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir is the greenest of the northern destinations, with pine forests, rivers, and waterfalls at every turn. The valley runs parallel to the Line of Control, and travellers should check the security situation before planning a trip. Highlights include Shounter Lake, Ratti Gali Lake, and the village of Kel. Recommended stay: 3 nights.
10. Chitral & the Kalash Valleys
Chitral is the most remote of our 10 destinations, accessible by air from Islamabad or by road via the Lowari Tunnel. The Kalash Valleys — Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir — are home to the Kalash people, a non-Muslim community with a unique culture, language, and religious tradition that predates Islam in the region. The Joshi spring festival in May and the Chawmos winter festival in December are the best times to visit. Recommended stay: 4 nights.
Custom Northern Pakistan Packages
Kimi Travels builds fully customised itineraries across all 10 of these destinations — by air from Islamabad to Skardu or Gilgit, or by 4x4 Prado on the Karakoram Highway.
- Door-to-door from any Pakistani city
- Premium hotel upgrades in Hunza and Skardu
- Experienced driver-guides
- 24/7 WhatsApp support throughout
Visa & NOC Support for Foreign Visitors
Foreign passport holders visiting upper Hunza, Skardu, or near the Line of Control may need an NOC. We handle the paperwork with the relevant authorities.
- NOC processing for foreign nationals
- Domestic flight bookings to SKT / GIL
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking
Practical Tips for Northern Pakistan Travel
The window for comfortable travel is May to October. Outside this window, many passes are closed by snow and hotels in the higher valleys shut down entirely. Book accommodations at least 4 weeks in advance for July and August — the best properties sell out fast. Always travel with a charged power bank (electricity is unreliable in the higher valleys), a refillable water bottle, and a basic first aid kit. Mobile data is available in most towns on the SCOM network; SIM cards can be purchased in Skardu and Gilgit with a passport.
Standing with Palestine
At Kimi Travels, we believe travel should build bridges between people — never erase their histories or silence their struggles. We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and proudly serve Palestinian students, patients, and families travelling through Pakistan and the wider region. A portion of every booking we process is donated to verified humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. Justice anywhere is justice everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I visit the north in winter?
A: Yes, but only the lower valleys (Swat, Kaghan, Neelum) are reliably accessible. The Karakoram Highway beyond Chilas is frequently closed by snow from December to March.
Q: Is the Karakoram Highway safe for self-driving?
A: We strongly recommend hiring an experienced driver-guide. The highway has many switchbacks, no guardrails in places, and frequent rockfall.
Q: Do I need a permit for trekking?
A: For day hikes around the main valleys, no permit is required. For multi-day treks in restricted zones (Biafo Hispar, K2 base camp), a permit from the Ministry of Tourism is required. We can arrange this.
Ready to plan your Northern Pakistan adventure? Kimi Travels offers fully customised itineraries with live pricing on kimi.pk/packages.
"The mountains of Pakistan do not need your passport to know you. They only need your respect."
— Kimi Travels Desk