Rent a Car from Islamabad to Hunza, Gilgit and Khunjerab
Rent a car with a professional driver from Islamabad to Hunza, Gilgit and Khunjerab. The same car can collect you in Lahore, Karachi or another city and stay with you throughout the trip. Choose the Babusar road in season or the Karakoram Highway, with overnight stops on the way to Karimabad. Share your month, route and group size so we can suggest a suitable car.
Hunza roads and passes, as of 4 October 2026
Last checked
- Babusar Top
- Reopened on 25 May 2026. The KP card of 27 September showed daytime access, 6 am to 6 pm; the usual season is late May to November.
- Khunjerab Pass
- Officially open all year since December 2024. Visitor access follows snow; one northern guide gives a touring window of roughly May to October.
- Karakoram Highway
- The all-year route, with slower dam-construction diversions between Besham and Chilas. Overnight stops usually fall in Besham or Chilas.
- Monsoon
- July and August are monsoon months. Keep a spare day and adjust the order of visits for weather.
Islamabad to Hunza by road: Babusar or the KKH
When Babusar Top is open, take the Hazara Motorway to Mansehra, then Naran, Babusar and Chilas to join the KKH. This route to Hunza is about 630 km and 13 to 15 driving hours. The all-year KKH route through Besham, Dasu and Chilas is about 700 km and 15 to 18 hours. Dam-construction diversions between Besham and Chilas slow traffic to 25 to 30 km/h in places. Most trips break the journey with a night on the road; in summer you can return by the other route.
Where the nights fall between Islamabad and Karimabad
Naran is about 280 km and six to eight hours from Islamabad with stops. From there, cross Babusar in daylight, descend to Chilas and continue to Gilgit. Karimabad is another 100 km and roughly three hours from Gilgit, past the Rakaposhi viewpoint at Ghulmet. On the KKH route, the first overnight stop is Besham or Chilas.
Which car for the Babusar road and Khunjerab
A Toyota Prado or Toyota Land Cruiser suits families crossing Babusar or visiting Khunjerab. For eight or more travellers, ask about a Toyota Grand Cabin; larger parties can consider a Toyota Coaster. A Corolla or Civic depends on your route and the time of year. Share the passes you want to visit and your luggage needs when choosing the car.
Karimabad, Attabad Lake and Passu
Allow a day for Baltit Fort, Altit Fort and sunset at Eagle's Nest in Duikar. Give the upper valley another day: Attabad Lake for a boat trip, then Gulmit, the Passu Cones and the Hussaini suspension bridge. Your driver waits while you visit each stop. Combining the forts and upper valley after a long drive leaves little visiting time.
The Khunjerab trip to the China border
Khunjerab is at 4,693 metres, about 155 km and three and a half to four hours from Karimabad in good conditions. The last 86 km is from Sost, where documents are checked. Carry your ID card or passport, cash for the national park fee and warm layers, even in July. Allow a full day with an early start; visits to the top depend on snow.
Rent a car from Lahore to Hunza: the M-2 first, then the mountains
Lahore adds the M-2 to Islamabad: about 375 km and four to five hours each way. A Hunza tour from Lahore usually takes seven to ten days, allowing a motorway day at each end. The same car and driver collect you from home. If you have fewer days, fly to Islamabad for an airport pickup.
Starting from Karachi
From Karachi, start with a car and driver at your door or fly to Islamabad for an airport pickup. The road option needs extra travel days and overnight stops. Ask for a quote for either starting point, or both if you want to compare.
When to go to Hunza
June to September is the main Hunza season. In July and August, keep a spare day for monsoon weather and changes to the order of stops. Winter trips focus on Karimabad, the forts and Attabad Lake. Khunjerab visits usually fall between May and October.
Payment and booking policies
Payment options are cash, bank transfer, card or online payment, and a monthly invoice for companies. Hunza bookings have free cancellation until 24 hours before pickup. A replacement car is sent if one breaks down; north of Gilgit it takes longer to arrive. Fuel and parking are set out in your quote. Motorway tolls are extra.
Cars we suggest for a Hunza trip (we confirm the right one for your route and month)
| Car | Seats | Suits on a Hunza trip |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prado | 6 passengers + driver | Babusar Top, the Khunjerab road and families with luggage |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 7 passengers + driver | The same roads with more room for a larger family |
| Toyota Corolla GLi / XLi or Honda Civic | 4 passengers + driver | Up to four people; suitability depends on route and month |
| Toyota Grand Cabin | 14 seats; confirm layout | Groups of eight or more, matched to the route and season |
| Toyota Coaster | 22 seats; confirm layout | Large groups, matched to the road and month |
Sample itineraries
From Islamabad
Six-day summer sample: north over Babusar, returning by Babusar or the KKH. Roads and weather may change the order of stops.
Day 1: Islamabad to Naran
Take the Hazara Motorway to Mansehra, then Balakot and the Kaghan valley: about 280 km and six to eight hours with breaks. Night in Naran.
Day 2: Over Babusar Top to Gilgit
Pass Lulusar Lake, cross Babusar in daylight and descend to Chilas, then follow the KKH past Jaglot. Night in Gilgit.
Day 3: Gilgit to Karimabad
Stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint at Ghulmet, then Baltit and Altit forts and sunset at Eagle's Nest in Duikar. Night in Karimabad.
Day 4: Upper Hunza and Khunjerab
Visit Attabad Lake, Gulmit, Passu and the Hussaini bridge, with an early start for Khunjerab when accessible. Night in Karimabad.
Day 5: Karimabad to Naran
Return via Chilas and Babusar to Naran. Outside Babusar season, stop in Chilas; the KKH return needs one extra day.
Day 6: Back to Islamabad
Return through Mansehra and the Hazara Motorway to Islamabad.
From Lahore
Eight-day Lahore sample, adding the M-2 at each end of the Islamabad plan. Adjust the mountain days for road and weather conditions.
Day 1: Lahore to Islamabad
Take the M-2, about four to five hours, and spend the night in Islamabad.
Days 2 to 7: Islamabad to Hunza and back
Follow the six-day Islamabad plan through Naran, Babusar, Gilgit and Karimabad, with Khunjerab if open, then return south.
Day 8: Islamabad to Lahore
Return by the M-2 to Lahore.
Cars for the trip
Questions people ask
How many days do we need for Hunza from Islamabad?
Six days: one to Naran, one over Babusar to Gilgit, two in Hunza and two for the return. Published plans range from five to seven days. Add a day for both Khunjerab and the Karimabad forts, and another during the monsoon.
Is it better to go to Hunza via Babusar or the KKH?
Babusar is shorter when open: about 630 km, with Naran and Lulusar Lake on the way. The all-year KKH route is about 700 km, with slow diversions between Besham and Chilas. In summer you can use a different route on the return.
Is Babusar Pass open in October?
Usually, yes. October falls within Babusar's normal late-May-to-November season. Confirm road conditions for your travel dates.
When can we drive up to Khunjerab Pass?
Plan for May to October, the touring window given by one northern travel guide. Although the border officially stays open all year, snow determines visitor access to the top. Winter plans can focus on Karimabad and Attabad Lake.
Which car is best for a Hunza trip?
A Toyota Prado or Land Cruiser is our usual suggestion for Babusar and Khunjerab. Groups of eight or more can ask about a Grand Cabin, with the vehicle matched to the passes and month.
Can a Corolla or Civic go to Hunza?
It depends on the route and season. Send your preferred road, travel month and luggage needs so we can confirm whether a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic suits the trip.
Is the driver's food and stay included on a Hunza tour?
Yes. The driver's meals and room at each overnight stop are included in your Hunza quote.
How much does it cost to rent a car from Islamabad to Hunza?
Each Hunza tour is quoted per trip. The amount depends on your car, days, starting city and whether Khunjerab is included. Send those details for a quote.
Can we visit Fairy Meadows on the way to Hunza?
Yes, by local jeep and then on foot. From Raikot Bridge, a jeep takes you to Tato; the final hike takes three to four hours. Mention Fairy Meadows when booking so the jeep days fit your car trip.
Can we see Attabad Lake and Passu in one day from Karimabad?
Yes. Attabad Lake, Gulmit, Passu and the Hussaini bridge share the same KKH stretch north of Karimabad. Adding Khunjerab makes a long day, so start early or visit the pass separately.
Do you send cars to Lahore or Karachi for a Hunza trip?
Yes. The car and driver can collect you from Lahore, Karachi or another city. From Karachi, flying to Islamabad and starting at the airport is another option.
What if the weather changes our Hunza plan?
The driver can wait for a road to clear or take you to a nearby town, moving the plan by a day. Keep a spare day, especially in July and August.
Do foreigners need a permit to visit Hunza?
The main valley is open on a Pakistani visa. Since 2019, the general NOC requirement covers only restricted zones near borders and the Line of Control. Carry your passport and copies for checkpoints.
Book your car
WhatsApp +92 311 2847167 with your Hunza dates, group size, starting city and preferred route. We reply with a suggested car, overnight stops and trip quote.
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