About This Tour
Gilgit is the beating heart of Gilgit-Baltistan — the junction town where the KKH meets the road to Skardu and the gateway through which almost every northern adventure begins. Most travellers pass through on their way somewhere else and never stop to look around. That is a mistake. The city sits at the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers, surrounded by bare mountain walls that glow copper and gold in the evening light. Its bazaars sell gemstones mined in the surrounding mountains, its polo ground hosts some of the fastest and most physical polo in the world, and its old fort has stood through centuries of Silk Road history.
Just 40km from Gilgit city, Naltar Valley is one of the most beautiful and undervisited destinations in the entire north. A rough jeep track climbs through dense pine forest to a cluster of three alpine lakes — one green, one dark blue, one a brilliant, improbable turquoise — set beneath jagged ridges at around 3,100m. In summer the forest floor is covered with wildflowers and the lakes are busy with local picnickers; in late spring and early autumn, the whole valley is yours. Naltar also hosts a ski resort used by Pakistan's national ski team. All tours depart from Lahore.
Tour Highlights
Naltar Lakes — Three in One
Three alpine lakes in one short walk: green, dark blue and turquoise. The third lake is one of the most vivid colours in Pakistan.
Naltar Pine Forest
Dense conifer forest on the approach to the lakes — cool, quiet and fragrant, with mountain views opening at every clearing.
Gilgit Bazaar & Gemstone Market
The famous gemstone market where rubies, emeralds and tourmalines mined from surrounding mountains are sold directly by traders.
Gilgit Polo Ground
One of the oldest polo grounds in the world, used for the wildly physical local variant of the game that predates the colonial version.
Gilgit Fort & Old Bridge
The remaining walls of the old Gilgit fort and the famous suspension bridge over the river, both with striking historical character.
Naltar Ski Resort
Pakistan's national ski team trains here — in summer the chairlift gives aerial views of the valley and surrounding peaks.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
We fly from Lahore to Gilgit (via Islamabad domestic connection) or drive the Karakoram Highway north. Arrival in Gilgit by afternoon. Evening walk through the bazaar and old bridge.
- Fly Lahore–Islamabad–Gilgit or drive KKH
- Arrival Gilgit, hotel check-in
- Gilgit bazaar and gemstone market evening walk
- Overnight: Gilgit
A full day exploring Gilgit. Morning visit to the polo ground, the old fort remains and the famous suspension bridge. Afternoon in the gemstone market, where traders sell stones mined from the surrounding mountains at very reasonable prices.
- Gilgit Polo Ground and history
- Old fort walls and suspension bridge
- Gemstone market — rubies, emeralds, tourmaline
- Optional Buddhist rock carvings at Kargah Nullah
A 4x4 takes us from Gilgit to Naltar, climbing through dense pine forest on a rough but spectacular track. We reach the lakes by mid-morning and spend several hours exploring. The third lake, the turquoise one, is the highlight. Optional chairlift at Naltar ski resort.
- 4x4 drive from Gilgit to Naltar (1.5 hrs)
- Walk through Naltar pine forest
- Visit all three lakes — the turquoise lake is unmissable
- Optional Naltar ski resort chairlift
Morning visit to Kargah Nullah — a 7th-century carved Buddha figure cut directly into a cliff face above the river, one of Gilgit's most significant archaeological sites. Fly back to Lahore or begin the KKH road return.
- Kargah Buddha rock carving visit
- Return to Gilgit airport or road departure
- Flight or drive back to Lahore
- Arrival Lahore
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- ✓ All transport from Lahore and back
- ✓ Comfortable hotel/guesthouse accommodation
- ✓ Daily breakfast and selected meals
- ✓ Dedicated local guide throughout
- ✓ All sightseeing and entry fees
- ✓ 24/7 WhatsApp support
- ✓ 4x4 jeep for Naltar Valley
- ✓ Domestic flight Gilgit–Islamabad–Lahore if chosen
✗ Not Included
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗ Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- ✗ Personal shopping and souvenirs
- ✗ Tips for guide and driver
- ✗ Any costs due to weather delays
- ✗ Domestic flights Lahore–Gilgit return (if chosen, ~Rs 12,000–18,000/person)
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