The Hunza valley at the peak of autumn colour, golden poplars and terraces climbing towards the snow wall of Rakaposhi.

Pakistan Highlights: North & Lahore

Twelve nights taking in both halves of the country

12 nightsApr, May, Sep, Octeasy

For a first visit with two weeks to spend. The Karakoram and Hunza for the mountains, then Lahore for the Mughal architecture and the food — which is a completely different country and worth seeing as such. Best in the shoulder months, when both halves are comfortable.

Five nights in Hunza
Three nights in Lahore, not one
The Karakoram Highway and the Mughal Punjab in one trip
Taxila and the Gandhara collection
The Wagah border ceremony

About 47 hours on the road across 12 nights. Northern Pakistan is big and the roads are mountain roads. We show the driving day by day below rather than burying it, because the commonest complaint in this business is a transfer nobody was warned about.

Elevation across the trip

Altitude is the thing that most often spoils a trip up here. This is the profile we actually follow, with the acclimatisation nights built in.

Highest point: 4,693 m at Hunza, on day 6. Day numbers along the bottom.

Day by day

Met and transferred.

What’s included

All accommodation on a twin-share basis, in the tier shown
Private vehicle with an experienced driver for the whole trip
4x4 jeeps where the road requires one
An English-speaking guide throughout
All meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner
All entry tickets and site fees
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Bottled water in the vehicle
Restricted-zone permits and NOC paperwork where needed
Visa invitation letter and hotel confirmations for your e-visa application

What’s not

International flights
Pakistan e-visa fee (typically USD 35–60, higher for some nationalities)
Travel insurance — mandatory, and it must cover the altitudes on your itinerary
Domestic flights unless listed in the itinerary
Tips for your guide and driver (guidance provided, never expected)
Personal expenses, laundry and telephone
Anything not listed under what is included

Not quite right?

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