Gilgit-Baltistan

GilgitTravel Guide: Hotels, Car Rental & Tours

Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan and its main transport hub, at about 1,500 m on the Gilgit River. Roads to Hunza, Skardu, Ghizer and Astore all start here.

Most travellers spend a night in Gilgit on the way north, but Naltar Valley, the Kargah Buddha and the junction of three mountain ranges near Jaglot are worth a stop of their own.

Hotels in Gilgit Rent a car Tours

Gilgit at a glance

Altitude: About 1,500 m
From Islamabad: About 1 hour by air; about 600 km by road
To Hunza: About 2–3 hours
Best time: March–November

Things to do in Gilgit

Naltar Valley
Forests and coloured lakes about 40 km from Gilgit, with a ski area in winter. Reached by jeep.
Kargah Buddha
A Buddha figure carved into a cliff face a short drive west of the city, dated to around the 7th century.
Junction of Three Mountain Ranges
A viewpoint near Jaglot where the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush meet, by the confluence of the Gilgit and Indus rivers.
Gilgit Bazaar
Dry fruit, gemstones and local handicrafts in the city centre.

Best time to visit Gilgit

Gilgit is accessible year-round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant; summer days can be hot in the city itself.

How to get to Gilgit

Flights from Islamabad take about an hour and depend on clear weather. By road the Karakoram Highway runs about 600 km from Islamabad; in summer the shorter route over Babusar Pass via Naran is usually open.