Shandur Lake and green plateau below snowy ridges at Shandur Pass

Epic route

Chitral → Shandur → Gilgit Jeep Safari

The great crossover of the north: Hindu Kush to Karakoram over the 3,700 m Shandur Pass by 4×4, with nights in Chitral, Phander and Hunza.

Duration10 days · 9 nights
DifficultyChallenging
Group size2 – 10
StartsIslamabad
Rating4.9 (41 reviews)

Overview

The great crossover of the north: Hindu Kush to Karakoram over the 3,700 m Shandur Pass by 4×4, with nights in Chitral, Phander and Hunza. Best travelled June – September.

Islamabad
Chitral
Mastuj
Shandur
Phander
Gilgit
Hunza
Islamabad

Trip highlights

Kalash Valleys
Bumburet, Rumbur & Birir — home of a unique, centuries-old culture.
Chitral
Shahi Mosque & Chitral Fort
The 1924 royal mosque beside the Mehtar's fort on the river.
Chitral
Naltar Valley
Pine forests and the famous multicoloured Satrangi & Blue lakes.
Gilgit
Rakaposhi View Point
Tea with a 7,788 m wall of ice right in front of you.
Gilgit
Baltit & Altit Forts
Restored royal forts above Karimabad with sweeping valley views.
Hunza
Attabad Lake
A turquoise lake born from a 2010 landslide — boat rides and jet skis.
Hunza

Best months

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Islamabad → Dir
Drive north via Malakand.
Day 2Dir → Chitral
Lowari Tunnel to Chitral town.
Day 3Chitral & Kalash
Day in Bumburet with your guide.
Day 4Chitral → Mastuj
4×4 drive up the Yarkhun river to historic Mastuj.
Day 5Mastuj → Shandur → Phander
Cross the Shandur Pass and its lake to the trout-blue Phander lake.
Day 6Phander → Gilgit
Down the Ghizer valley to Gilgit.
Day 7Gilgit → Hunza
Rakaposhi viewpoint and Karimabad.
Day 8Gojal & Attabad
Attabad Lake, Passu Cones and Hussaini Bridge.
Day 9Hunza → Chilas
Begin return journey.
Day 10Chilas → Islamabad
Tour ends in Islamabad.

What's included

Included

Air-conditioned private transport (Grand Cabin / Prado on mountain sections)
Hotel stays on twin / triple sharing
Daily breakfast & dinner
Experienced driver and local tour guide
All toll taxes, parking and fuel
Entry tickets mentioned in the itinerary
24/7 support line during your trip
Dedicated 4×4 jeep Chitral – Gilgit

Not included

Lunch, snacks and personal shopping
Jeep rides, boating or activities marked as optional
Travel insurance
Anything not listed under 'included'

Photos

What travellers say

Every detail was handled — from the Attabad boat ride to the room with the Rakaposhi view. Our guide knew every family in Karimabad.

AAyesha R.Lahore

I travelled solo and hired a guide for eight days. Safe, flexible and genuinely fun. He changed the plan twice for better weather and light.

DDaniel M.Manchester, UK

Our honeymoon was perfect. Clean hotels, a punctual driver and a surprise bonfire dinner by Mahodand Lake. Highly recommended.

HHamza & SanaKarachi

Frequently asked

Where do your tours start?

Most departures start and end in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. We can also pick you up from Lahore, Peshawar or Gilgit/Chitral airport on request.

Is northern Pakistan safe for families and solo travellers?

Hunza, Gilgit, Swat, Chitral, Kumrat and the Galiyat welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. We monitor road and weather conditions daily, travel with experienced drivers and keep a 24/7 support line open throughout your trip.

What is the best time to visit the north?

April–May for blossom, June–August for high meadows and lakes (Kumrat, Kalam, Naltar), September–November for golden autumn in Hunza and Chitral, and December–February for snow in Murree, Nathia Gali and Malam Jabba.

Do foreigners need a special permit?

Most of our routes need only a valid Pakistani visa. A few border areas require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC); our team arranges it for you when your itinerary needs one.

How do I confirm a booking?

Send an enquiry or WhatsApp us. We confirm availability, share the final itinerary and invoice, and hold your seats with a 30% advance. The balance is paid before departure.