The administrative capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. A practical city at 1,500m where three mountain ranges converge — and the gateway to everything north, east, and west.
Tap markers to explore key sites
Gilgit sits at the junction of three of the world's greatest mountain ranges — the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush, and the western Himalayas. At 1,500m, it's warmer and drier than the valleys to the north, and it's the logistical hub for almost all travel in GB.
Most travellers pass through Gilgit rather than linger — which is a mistake. The old bazaar, the Kargah Buddha rock carving, the polo ground (home of Pakistan's most ferocious polo), and the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers are all worth a half-day each.
As a base, Gilgit has the best transport links in the region: flights to Islamabad, connections north to Hunza, east toward Skardu, west toward Chitral, and south down the KKH. The airport is compact and the town is walkable.
A city that rewards a day of slow exploration more than most guides suggest.
A 7th-century Buddhist figure carved into a cliff face along Kargah Nullah. The carving is 3m tall, cut into orange rock above a stream gorge. Easy 30-minute walk from the road. Free entry. Largely ignored by tourists who don't know it exists.
The main market runs along the central road. Dried apricots, walnut oil, local embroidery, Chitrali caps, trekking supplies. The fruit sellers along the outer lanes are the best in GB. Morning is busiest and most photogenic.
Gilgit's polo ground hosts local matches most weekends. This is not the manicured sport of the south — it's faster, louder, and played without helmets. Free to watch. Ask at your guesthouse for the schedule.
Where the Gilgit River meets the Hunza River, 2km north of the city. The two rivers meet at a sharp angle between bare rock walls. Best at golden hour. Walk or take a rickshaw (Rs. 100).
Small regional museum with Buddhist-era artefacts, manuscripts, and local cultural exhibits. Worth an hour. Rs. 200 entry. The Gilgit Manuscripts — some of the oldest Sanskrit Buddhist texts in the world — were found here and are now in Islamabad.
A forested valley 1 hour from Gilgit with three glacial lakes at 3,000m. Access road is rough but manageable. In summer: wildflowers and trout fishing. In winter: Pakistan's only ski resort. Locals come here on weekends — follow their lead.
| By air | PIA and Serene Air fly daily from Islamabad (ISB) to Gilgit (GIL). 50-minute flight. Fares: Rs. 8,000–18,000 one way. Heavily weather-dependent — cancellations are common May–July. Always have a road backup plan. |
| By road (KKH) | 18–20 hours from Islamabad by bus or shared jeep. NATCO buses depart Rawalpindi daily at 6am (Rs. 1,200–1,500). Private coaches Rs. 2,000–3,500. The KKH is paved but passes through Kohistan — travel in daylight. |
| From Hunza | 2–2.5h south by shared jeep (Rs. 400–700) or private car (Rs. 2,500–4,000). |
| From Skardu | 8–9h west by road via Jaglot (Rs. 600–900 shared jeep). Or fly Skardu–Gilgit (30 min, weather permitting). |
| Airport to city | The airport is 3km from the bazaar. Taxi: Rs. 300–500. Rickshaw: Rs. 150. Most guesthouses offer free pickup if you call ahead. |
| Budget | Rs. 1,200–2,500/night. Guesthouses around the bazaar area. Basic but clean. Shared bathrooms at the lower end. Ask for rooms away from the generator. |
| Mid-range | Rs. 3,500–7,000/night. Several reliable hotels along the main road with private bathrooms, hot water, and wifi. Serena Gilgit is the established mid-range choice (Rs. 6,000–9,000). |
| Note on booking | Book in advance June–September. Gilgit fills quickly as a stopover point. Walk-in rates are 20–30% higher than online. |
Rakaposhi, Attabad Lake, Karimabad, apricot blossoms. GB's most famous valley and deservedly so. Shared jeep from Gilgit bus stand: Rs. 400–600.
Gateway to K2 and the Karakoram high valleys. Shigar, Deosai, Sheosar Lake. Either fly (30 min) or take the long drive via Jaglot along the Indus.
Nanga Parbat base camp access from Raikot Bridge, 3h south of Gilgit on the KKH. Easy day-trip staging point or overnight destination.