Which Car Is Best for the Northern Areas of Pakistan? A Road-by-Road Guide

Hire a car with a professional driver for the northern areas, from a saloon to a Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Grand Cabin or Coaster. The right one depends on your road, your month and your group. Those differ a lot between a summer weekend in Naran, a week on the Karakoram Highway to Hunza and the long drive to Skardu.

Motorways, the Murree hills and the Galyat

Most northern trips begin on a motorway: the M-2 from Lahore, then the Hazara Motorway (M-15) north of Islamabad. The M-15 runs 180 km from the Burhan interchange near Hasan Abdal past Abbottabad and Mansehra to Thakot. On these roads the choice is about seats, legroom and boot space for long hours, not ground clearance. Murree and the Galyat change in winter: on snow days the traffic police call for four-wheel-drive vehicles and tyre chains. For a snow trip, we suggest the Prado or Land Cruiser first.

The Kaghan valley road to Naran and over Babusar Top

Naran is on the N-15, a 240 km national highway that leaves Mansehra and climbs the Kaghan valley through Balakot and Kaghan. It then crosses Babusar Top and drops to Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. From Islamabad, Naran is about 280 to 285 km, six to eight hours with stops. The valley road reopens each spring once the snow is cleared, and the pass opens later. For Babusar we suggest the Prado or Land Cruiser first, for their clearance and room. Above Naran, the 8 to 9 km up to Lake Saiful Muluk is a steep, rocky track that local drivers cover in 4x4 jeeps.

The Karakoram Highway to Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab

The Karakoram Highway (N-35) is the all-weather route north, paved all the way through Besham and Chilas to Gilgit and Hunza. Beyond Hunza it passes Attabad Lake and climbs to the Khunjerab Pass. Khunjerab is now open all year, though in deep winter the snow on the day decides a visit. Islamabad to Hunza is about 630 km over Babusar in summer, 13 to 15 hours, or about 700 km through Besham, 15 to 18 hours. Most trips break the journey at Naran, Besham or Chilas. For Fairy Meadows, local drivers take visitors 15 km from Raikot Bridge up a narrow gravel road to Tato. The meadow is a walk of three to four hours from there.

Jaglot to Skardu, and the Deosai plateau

The road to Skardu leaves the Karakoram Highway near Jaglot. The 167 km Jaglot-Skardu road then follows the Indus east into Baltistan in about three hours. For this trip we put forward the Prado and Land Cruiser first, with Shigar and Khaplu as outings from Skardu. Deosai, a plateau averaging 4,114 metres about 30 km from Skardu, is reached on an unpaved road that needs a proper 4x4. The drive from Skardu to Bara Pani on the plateau takes around two hours. Deosai is open from about mid-June to mid-October, depending on the snow.

Swat, Kalam and the track to Mahodand

From Islamabad, the M-1 and the Swat Motorway (M-16) reach Chakdara. The N-95 then carries on 135 km through Mingora, Madyan and Bahrain to Kalam. In all, that is about 320 to 330 km and six to eight hours. The last 35 km or so above Bahrain is narrower and is repaired after weather damage most seasons, so allow extra time. A family gets more clearance and room there in a Prado or Land Cruiser. Beyond Kalam, Mahodand Lake is 35 to 40 km up the Ushu valley. The paved road gives way to a narrow, rocky track that fords several streams, so the lake is about two hours away by 4x4 jeep. Access depends on the weather and your travel dates; discuss the jeep day when you book.

Saloon, 4x4, van or coaster: matching the car to your group

Group size settles much of the choice. Up to four passengers fit a saloon such as the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, on routes and in months that suit it. Six ride in a Toyota Prado and seven in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Larger family groups can ask about a Toyota Grand Cabin, with the seating and bags confirmed, whose high roof makes long days easier. Larger parties take a Toyota Coaster 4C with its current 22-seat listing. For a Grand Cabin or Coaster, list every pass and side valley you plan, and we confirm those roads for your dates.

Northern roads at a glance: season notes are indicative; discuss access for your travel dates when you book

Road or place	What it is like	Season note	Tell us
M-2, M-1, Hazara Motorway (M-15), Swat Motorway (M-16)	Multi-lane motorways; five tunnels on the M-15	Open all year	Group size and bags
Murree and the Galyat	Sealed hill roads close to Islamabad	Snow days in winter, when police call for 4x4s and tyre chains	Your dates, and whether snow is the plan
Kaghan valley road (N-15) to Naran	Sealed valley road from Mansehra through Balakot	Reopened in April 2026 after the winter	Whether Babusar Top is on the list
Babusar Top	Steep pass at 4,173 metres between Naran and Chilas	Reopened 25 May 2026; usually shut from around November	The day you plan to cross
Karakoram Highway to Gilgit and Hunza	Paved mountain highway with long driving days	Discuss access for your dates; allow extra time in July and August	How many days, plus a spare one
Khunjerab Pass	Paved border crossing at 4,693 metres	Open all year; winter visits depend on snow	The month
Jaglot-Skardu road	167 km mountain road	Keep a spare day in the monsoon months	Group size and the valleys you want
Swat: Bahrain to Kalam	Narrower last 35 km, repaired most seasons	Allow extra time; check the month with us	Whether Mahodand is planned
Lake Saiful Muluk, Fairy Meadows, Deosai, Mahodand	Unpaved tracks: local jeeps for Saiful Muluk and Fairy Meadows, a proper 4x4 for Deosai and Mahodand	Indicative seasons: Deosai about mid-June to mid-October; Mahodand about late May to early October. Access depends on weather and your travel dates.	Which ones you want; the quote sets out the day

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