Hunza Transportation Tips by TOOCOOL Top 5 Page for this destination

Karakoram Highway Karakoram Highway Review

The Karakoram Highway starts from the town of Manshera and ends in Kashgar in China. The ride from Islamabad to Gilgit is roughly about 15 hours. However, for tourists who have time, there is another way which is much more enjoying. From Islamabad, leave for Nathiagali. Spend a night or two at Nathia Gali and go on the Nathi Gali - Abbottabad road to Abbottabad. On that day, take a trip to Thandiani (2hrs drive) and spend the night at Abbottabad (or go back to Nathia Gali). Then, leave for Naran in the Kaghan Valley and stay there for a few days (visiting Shogran and Lake Saif-ul Muluk). From Naran, take a jeep ride over the Babusar Pass and reach Chilas on the other side and proceed to Gilgit/Hunza on the same day. Or from Naran go southwards, visit Swat Valley (I think they are connected by a road) and from Swat take the road from Khawazakhela over the scenic Shangla Pass to Besham on the Karakoram Highway on the other side. From Bsham, proceed to Chilas which is about 5 hours away. You can also reach Hunza from Kashgar in China by crossing the border.

Dont forget to read and see my photo album on my home page of the Karakoram Highway.

Mode: TO

Type: Car/Motor Home

Website: http://www.tourism.gov.pk

The Highway to Hell "Gilgit - Chitral Road" Gilgit - Chitral Road Review

This is the road from Gilgit to Chitral which passes through stunningly beautiful areas and the road is also stunning. It is a very rough ride and it certainly is the "highway to hell" (for some reason you get several of these in Pakistan's Northern Areas). However, this road passes through the Ghizar area which contains the beautiful areas of Sher Qila (Punial Valley), Phander, Yasin, Shandur and Mastuj. The lake at Phunder is definitely the mainstay for tourists while Gupis and Mastuj have reasonable PTDC motels. Good news! President Musharraf inauguarated the reconstruction of this road and its about to be completed in a few months which will reduce the journey time almost to half and improve the road conditions dramatically.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Car/Motor Home

Website: http://www.tourism.gov.pk

The Fokker to Gilgit By Air Review

The only aeroplane which goes to Gilgit is the oldest aeroplane in the Pakistan International Airlines Fleet (probably the oldest in the world also !!). The plane is the F27 Fokker which has a lot of improvements needed in its structure. There are quite a few shocks and other things. However, the flight is pretty beautiful and safe and gives an awe-inspiring view of Nanga Parbat. The view of the mountains and the landscape is brilliant and you must try this flight at least once in a lifetime. The flights are dependant on the weather (there is 50 % chance of cancellation) even though I never understand this, how can weather affect an aeroplane over a mountainous arid DESERT of Kohistan where there is less than 4 inches of rain a year. Probably they take another route. The landing on the Gilgit Airport is a bit scary as the Runway length is only about 600 m (NOT JOKING). However, thankfully no incidences have ever happened up to date. However, 2 planes have crashed in flights to Skardu (Baltistan) from Islamabad. The first crashed plane was found and made into a restautant (quite convenient). However, the scary part is that the other aircraft's BODY wasnt found-----not anywhere just disappeared (this isnt Bermuda Triangle) and that plane was a Boeing 747.

There are about 2 flights to Gilgit every day and they leave only from Islamabad Airport. Hunza is about 2 hours drive north from Gilgit.

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Website: http://www.piac.com.pk