When to go — the season that suits each valley
Skardu and Hunza follow the North’s classic calendar: cherry and apricot blossom from mid-March to mid-April; the full green season from May to September, when every pass and road is open; and golden autumn from mid-October to mid-November, with clear skies and quiet roads. Winter (December to February) is beautiful but severe — limited flights and temperatures of −10 °C and below — so we run it as private trips only.
Some sights keep their own hours. The Deosai Plains, on the Skardu and Astore routes, are typically open only from late June to mid-September. Babusar Pass, the scenic route to Naran, usually opens around June and closes by September or October. And Taobat, the last village in Neelum Valley, is a mid-June to mid-October trip. Tell us your month first — the right valley follows from it.
How a private trip works for overseas guests
Private touring is how most of our overseas guests travel, because nothing about it assumes you live in Pakistan. Your trip starts from your desired location — most guests start from their arrival city, Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi — and many fly straight on to Skardu from Islamabad. From there everything is yours: your own vehicle and local driver-guide, your dates, your pace, and your hotel standard, from Standard Plus to Luxury.
There are no published prices for private tours, because the price genuinely depends on your vehicle, hotels and dates. Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp and a planner replies with a day-by-day itinerary and one honest price. You reserve with a 30% bank-transfer deposit, and date changes are free up to 15 days before departure.
Visas — one official step, done online
Most visitors apply for their Pakistan visa through the country’s official online visa system before they travel. Requirements differ by nationality and are updated from time to time, so confirm your own country’s current rules on the official Pakistan visa portal before you book anything — and apply in good time rather than at the last minute. If you’re not sure where to check, ask us on WhatsApp and we’ll point you to the official portal.
Safety and practical basics
Travel the way locals do: with a government-registered operator and guides from the valleys themselves. Our operations team tracks flights, weather and road conditions daily and reroutes when a pass closes or the Karakoram Highway slows — mountain roads are generally well maintained, but the weather writes the final timetable, and honest operators plan around it.
Carry your passport with you — you’ll need it at checkpoints on the Karakoram Highway and at Khunjerab Pass. Keep some cash in rupees for cafés, crafts and tips; card machines in the valleys fail often enough that cash is king. Mobile coverage in Gilgit-Baltistan is mainly SCOM, with Wi-Fi at most hotels — and Khunjerab sits at 4,693 m, so our itineraries climb gradually and most travellers feel the altitude only briefly.
Start with the Private Tours page
Every itinerary in this guide — Skardu, Hunza, Swat, Neelum, Kumrat, Astore and more — runs as a private tour, in six flavours: honeymoon, family, friends and small groups, corporate retreats, company staff trips and college and university trips. Browse the Private Tours page, pick the trip that fits, and tap Contact for Prices — or simply message the planning desk and tell us where you land. We’ll build the North around you.
Planning a private trip to Pakistan?
Tell us where you land and your dates — a planner replies on WhatsApp with a day-by-day plan and one honest price.
Frequently asked questions
Can my private tour start from Islamabad or Karachi instead of Lahore?
Yes. Private tours start from your desired location — most overseas guests start from their arrival city, whether that’s Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi, and many fly straight on to Skardu from Islamabad. Tell us where you land and the plan is built from there.
Do you publish prices for private tours?
No — a private tour’s price depends on your dates, vehicle and hotel standard, so it is quoted per trip. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size and a planner replies with a day-by-day plan and one honest price. Fixed group departures with published PKR prices are on the Public Tours page.
Do I need a visa to visit Pakistan?
Most visitors apply through Pakistan’s official online visa system before travelling. Requirements vary by nationality and can change, so check your country’s current rules on the official portal before you book — and if you’re unsure where to look, ask us on WhatsApp and we’ll point you to the official page.