Frozen Hunza Winter Tour
The Frozen Hunza Winter Tour is a private 7-day journey to Hunza in its quietest season, with frozen Attabad and Borith lakes, snowy villages, old forts and warm local hospitality.
- Duration7 Days
- StyleEasy
- DestinationsHunza, Attabad, Gojal
- Best SeasonDecember – February
- StayHeated hotels
Hunza in Its Quietest Season
In winter, the Hunza Valley becomes calm and silent. The crowds are gone, the poplars are bare, and the lakes of upper Hunza begin to freeze under the peaks of the Karakoram.
On the Frozen Hunza Winter Tour you walk on frozen Attabad Lake when conditions allow, visit Borith Lake, see the Passu Cones dusted with snow and explore Baltit and Altit forts without the summer queues.
Trip Highlights
- Frozen Attabad Lake in the heart of Hunza
- Borith Lake and the Passu Cones in snow
- Baltit and Altit forts without the crowds
- Sunrise on Rakaposhi and Ultar
- Winter life and food in Hunza villages
- Heated hotels with mountain views
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Gilgit, drive to Hunza
Fly to Gilgit (weather permitting) and drive up the Karakoram Highway to Karimabad, with a stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Karimabad
Visit Baltit Fort and the old village of Karimabad, then walk to Altit Fort and its gardens.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Attabad Lake and Gojal
Drive to Attabad Lake. When the ice is safe, walk on the frozen lake with your guide, then continue to Gulmit and the Passu Cones.
Overnight: HotelDay 5Borith Lake and Passu
Visit Borith Lake and the Hussaini suspension bridge area, and enjoy tea with a local family.
Overnight: HotelDay 6Drive to Gilgit, fly to Islamabad
Drive back to Gilgit and fly to Islamabad (or take the road if flights are cancelled).
Overnight: HotelDay 7Depart
Private transfer to the airport.
Overnight: —Walking on frozen lakes is only possible when the ice is thick enough. Your guide checks local conditions every day and will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Private airport pick-up and drop-off
- Heated hotels in Islamabad and Hunza
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Gilgit–Islamabad, or road transport if flights are cancelled
- Private 4x4 vehicle with an experienced winter driver
- English-speaking local guide
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Entry tickets to Baltit and Altit forts
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and drinks not listed
- Tips and personal expenses
Why Choose the Frozen Hunza Winter Tour?
The Frozen Hunza Winter Tour shows a side of Hunza that few travellers see. The light is clear, the valley is peaceful, and you share it with the people who live here, not with crowds of tourists.
Love the snow? Add a few days on the Naltar Ski Tour, or come back in spring for the Hunza Cherry Blossom Tour.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide, or browse all our winter and ski tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Private & Flexible
Every tour is private, with your own guide and 4x4. You can change the pace or add days at any time.
Cold Weather
Night temperatures in Hunza often drop well below freezing. Bring a down jacket, thermal layers, warm boots and gloves.
Winter Travel
Flights to Gilgit depend on the weather. If they are cancelled, we drive the Karakoram Highway instead.
When to Go
Lakes are most often frozen from late December to early February. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your dates, and our team will plan your winter trip to Hunza and send you a quote.
