Gilgit-Baltistan is the kind of place that recalibrates your sense of scale. Five of the world's fourteen 8,000m peaks — K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II — are located here. The Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Western Himalayas all converge in this one region. Ancient Silk Road caravanserais dot valley floors that modern tourists drive through in SUVs. It is, by almost any measure, the most geographically spectacular region in Pakistan.
Getting here requires some planning. This guide covers the practical details — permits, transport, accommodation, and what not to miss.
Do You Need a Permit for Gilgit-Baltistan?
Pakistani nationals: No special permit required for Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, or most of the KKH. A valid CNIC is sufficient. Exception: trekking into restricted zones (Siachen buffer zone, areas near the Line of Control) requires a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Ministry of Interior — apply via a licensed trekking agency.
Foreign nationals: A valid Pakistan tourist visa covers Gilgit-Baltistan in general. However, specific areas require a Foreign Tourists Permit (FTP) — most notably areas near the Chinese border (Khunjerab and above), areas near Skardu beyond standard tourist zones, and certain restricted valleys.
FTP procedure: Apply at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Gilgit or Skardu. Bring 2 passport photos, photocopies of passport and Pakistani visa, and a letter stating your itinerary. Processing time: same day to 48 hours. Fee: approximately PKR 1,000–2,000. Most licensed tour operators handle this automatically — one reason to book through an established agency for complex itineraries.
Getting to Gilgit-Baltistan
By air to Gilgit: PIA and Serene Air operate flights from Islamabad to Gilgit Airport (ATQ). Journey time: 55 minutes. Seats cost PKR 8,000–18,000 one way. Critical caveat: these flights are weather-dependent and cancellation rates during cloudy periods are extremely high. Do not build a tight itinerary around a Gilgit flight. Many passengers wait 2–3 days for a flyable window.
By air to Skardu: PIA operates Islamabad–Skardu (SKT). Similar cancellation issues apply. The Skardu flight offers spectacular views of Nanga Parbat on clear days.
By road (KKH): Islamabad to Gilgit via the Karakoram Highway: approximately 600km, 10–12 hours driving (longer with stops or traffic). The route passes through Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, and Jaglot. The Kohistan section between Besham and Chilas has historically had security concerns — travel in daylight and check current advisories before departure.
Islamabad to Skardu: Via Babusar Pass (open June–October): approximately 8–9 hours through Naran. Alternatively via Gilgit: 14–16 hours total. The Skardu road from Gilgit Junction is one of the most dramatic drives in Pakistan — 190km along the Indus River gorge.
Major Destinations in Gilgit-Baltistan
Hunza Valley (Karimabad): The most visited destination — Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Attabad Lake, Eagles' Nest. See our dedicated Hunza guide for full detail.
Skardu: The gateway to K2 Base Camp treks. Shangrila Resort (Kachura Lake) is one of Pakistan's most photographed spots. The Deosai Plateau — a high-altitude grassland home to Himalayan brown bears — is 2–3 hours from Skardu town.
Fairy Meadows (Nanga Parbat Base Camp): A 1.5-hour jeep ride from Raikot Bridge on the KKH, followed by a 3–4 hour hike or horse ride to the meadow. Nanga Parbat's Rupal Face fills the horizon. The meadow sits at 3,300m — altitude acclimatisation required.
Naltar Valley: 40km from Gilgit, accessible by jeep on a rough mountain track. Famous for its 5 coloured lakes, ski resort (Pakistan's only), and dense pine forests. Relatively uncrowded compared to Hunza.
Passu: 60km north of Karimabad in Upper Hunza. The Passu Cones (serrated rock spires) are among the most photographed geological formations in Pakistan. The suspension bridges over the Hunza River here are — genuinely — not for those with a fear of heights.
K2 Base Camp Trek: Key Facts
Reaching K2 Base Camp (5,000m) is one of the world's great treks — 16–21 days from Skardu, through Askole village, up the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia, and on to K2's base. Required: full trekking permit (USD 50–200 depending on zone), registered guide, porter team, 7–14 days' acclimatisation in Skardu.
The trek season is June–August. Book an agency from Skardu (Karakoram Treks, Alpine Club of Pakistan, Summit Trekkers) at least 3 months ahead for July departures.
Safety and Current Advisories
Gilgit-Baltistan has been broadly safe for tourists throughout 2024–2026. The main risks are environmental — flash floods, landslides on the KKH (particularly July–August), and altitude sickness. Check NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) advisories before travel and always have a flexible return plan. The Kohistan stretch of KKH has had isolated incidents — travel this section in daytime convoy if possible.
Money, Connectivity, and Essentials
- Cash only: Gilgit town has HBL, Silk Bank, and UBL ATMs. Karimabad has ATMs that work intermittently. Skardu has better banking infrastructure. Beyond these towns, carry all the cash you'll need.
- Mobile: Jazz has the best coverage in Hunza and along the main KKH. Coverage dies completely in remote valleys. Download offline maps (Maps.me, Google Maps offline) before departure.
- Altitude: Gilgit (1,500m), Karimabad (2,400m), Skardu (2,438m), Fairy Meadows (3,300m), Deosai (4,114m), Khunjerab Pass (4,693m). Acclimatise gradually — at least 2 days in Karimabad or Skardu before ascending further.
- Power banks: Load-shedding is extensive throughout GB. Guesthouses rarely offer 24-hour electricity. A 20,000mAh power bank is essential.
