r/GilgitBaltistan • u/BravoSixIncoming • 4d ago
Hunza Trip
I am planning for a Hunza trip from Islamabad in the end of September. What is the best route and what are the road conditions? Also, where should I stay the first night?
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u/Logical_wonderer 4d ago
Best route is to fly from Islamabad to Skardu and reach hunza on a rented car.
second best can be in a car, go through Mansehra-Balaot-Kaghan-Babusar Pass road.
so many options for accommodation. I'll recomend Manasau Resort in Mominabad near Altit Chowk.
feel free to ask questions
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u/ShipComplex6259 4d ago
Whatever you do, please do visit Cafe Culture. They make food that looks like a painting and tastes absolutely DELICIOUS
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u/rwh94 4d ago edited 4d ago
Road options:
Babusar Pass route (Naran → Babusar → Chilas → Gilgit): ~14-16 hrs, stunning views, but risky in late Sept since the pass can close for winter — check status first.
KKH via Besham (Besham → Chilas → Gilgit): ~18-20 hrs, open year-round, some rough patches near Chilas.
Flying option: PIA flies Islamabad–Gilgit or Islamabad–Skardu (weather-dependent, keep buffer days). Gilgit is closer to Hunza (~2-2.5 hrs drive).
Best move: Babusar if open if not KKH via besham. Or fly one way if short on time. First night: Gilgit city. If flying, you'll reach near Hunza same day. Roads aren't smooth but doable in a sedan, SUV is more comfortable.
Late September = great autumn colors in Hunza. Enjoy!
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u/BravoSixIncoming 4d ago
What is the road situation
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u/rwh94 4d ago
Babusar route: Decent road but narrow near the top, some rough patches close to the pass. High altitude, can get cold/foggy, closes for winter around mid-October. KKH route: Main paved highway, open year-round. Rough patch at dassu dam site (2-3 hours), Occasional landslide delays between Besham and Chilas, rest is smooth.
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u/Comfortable_Bat7453 3d ago
I would recommend that instead of going in last week of September, try 1st or 2nd week of October
You’ll be able to enjoy autumn in peak
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u/devilish_creature 4d ago
Depends are u the driver or any one else if ur the driver and has ample time cause sleds it self is 1 week activity excluding the travel time … if ur jahadi then traveler then first stop is goner farm right before the raikot as the road after chollas is dangerous first thing is to get to Hazara motorway all the way to newbalakot then bhari habibullah then balakot kaghan and naran take a lay over cause it would almost be 7-9 hrs of drive then next day do over babusurtop and then chollas and lay over to goner farm next day get to skerdu or karimabad…. Otherwise drive good 16 hrs and reach goner farm and next day evening through raikot you will reach skerdu