Traveling Pakistan
— Founder & Editor
The Karakoram Highway (KKH) — the N-35 — is one of the world's great mountain roads, linking Islamabad/Hasan Abdal to Gilgit-Baltistan through Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, and Gilgit, and on toward the Chinese border at Khunjerab. This is a planning guide for driving it from Islamabad.
Route Overview
- Islamabad → Gilgit: ~600 km, 12–18 hours of driving time (split over 2 days strongly recommended)
- Main route: Hasan Abdal → Abbottabad → Mansehra → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit
- Naran–Babusar route (seasonal, June–October): shorter and more scenic in summer, but closed by snow most of the year
- Extensions: Gilgit → Karimabad (Hunza), ~100 km of smooth mountain road
Two Driving Strategies
One long day: Islamabad to Gilgit in a single push is possible (leave 3–4 AM) but punishing — the Besham–Chilas stretch is the slowest and most exposed. Two days: overnight at Chilas or Besham, arrive Gilgit fresh on day two. Most private-trip reports favour the two-day split; one-day runs are for drivers who know the road.
Road Reality Check
- The KKH is fully paved but narrowed by landslide repairs on the Besham–Chilas section; expect rolling closures and add buffer time
- Rockfall zones between Sazin and Chilas demand daylight-only driving — do not run this stretch at night
- Monsoon (July–August) brings landslide risk; winter closes Babusar Pass and slows the Besham route
- Fuel: fill at Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, and Gilgit — pumps are sparse between
Permits & Documents
- CNIC for Pakistani nationals; keep vehicle papers, insurance, and licence in the car
- Foreign visitors may need an NOC for certain restricted valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan — check current FIA/GB tourism rules, or travel through a licensed tour operator who arranges it
- For rented vehicles, confirm the rental company's permit for GB — some don't allow it
Safety Essentials
- Carry a spare tyre, jack, and basic tools; punctures are the most common KKH failure
- No phone signal in many valleys — download offline maps and share your itinerary
- Acclimatise before exertion in Gilgit/Hunza (Karimabad sits at ~2,500 m)
- Start each day early — afternoon winds pick up dust and close some sections
Suggested 5-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Islamabad → Besham/Chilas (overnight)
- Day 2: Chilas → Gilgit → Karimabad (Hunza)
- Day 3: Hunza — Baltit Fort, Attabad Lake, Eagle's Nest
- Day 4: Nagar or Hopper Glacier day walk
- Day 5: Return toward Islamabad or fly out from Gilgit airport
Public Transport vs Self-Drive
- Own car: maximum flexibility for photo stops, but you carry the rockfall-zone timing risk yourself
- Hired 4x4 with driver: PKR 25,000–45,000/day-range vehicles including driver are common for Islamabad-origin trips; the driver's KKH experience is the real value
- Public transport: NATCO and private coaches run Islamabad → Gilgit daily (12–16 hours, overnight options); local vans cover Gilgit → Karimabad. This is how most locals do it, and it removes driving risk entirely
- Flying one way: PIA flies Islamabad → Gilgit (~1 hour) when weather allows; flights cancel frequently, so book a refundable return plan
What the Trip Costs (Ballpark)
- Fuel (own car, Islamabad → Gilgit return): roughly PKR 25,000–40,000 depending on vehicle and the year's petrol prices
- Hired 4x4 with driver: vehicles with driver commonly run PKR 25,000–45,000/day for GB routes including the driver's food and stay
- Public coach (Islamabad → Gilgit): a few thousand rupees per seat by class
- En route hotels (Chilas/Besham): PKR 3,000–8,000/night for serviceable rooms; Gilgit and Karimabad add more choice
Where to Continue Planning
- Hunza trekking routes for beginners — what to do once you reach Karimabad
- Hill stations near Islamabad — if you'd rather warm up on the Galyat hills first
Disclaimer: Independent information only. Contact details and prices may change — verify directly with operators. We are not affiliated with any bus company or travel agency. Full disclaimer.