Gilgit-Baltistan feels remote — a region fenced off by some of the highest mountains on Earth — but reaching it is easier than ever. Travellers have three main options: flying from Islamabad, driving the legendary Karakoram Highway, or crossing the Babusar Pass in summer. This guide explains how each route works, how long it takes, and how to choose the right one for your trip.

By air

By air is the fastest way in. Pakistan International Airlines flies from Islamabad to Gilgit in about one hour, and to Skardu in about one hour as well, with additional Skardu flights from other major cities in the peak season. The flight to Skardu, threading between Karakoram giants, is one of the most spectacular in the world. The catch is the weather: these are visual flights that are frequently delayed or cancelled in poor conditions, so always keep a buffer day in your plans and choose the earliest flight of the day, which has the best chance of operating.

By road: the Karakoram Highway

By road via the Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the classic journey. From Islamabad, coaches and shared cars run to Gilgit in roughly 14-18 hours via Abbottabad, Mansehra and Chilas, following the Indus through gorges of staggering scale. NATCO and private companies run regular services, while hiring a private car with a driver lets you stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint, the junction point of the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges near Jaglot, and the ancient rock carvings at Chilas. From Gilgit, Skardu is a further 4-5 hours on the improved Skardu Road along the Indus — though heavy rain can trigger landslides, so always check road conditions before setting out.

Via Babusar Pass

Via Babusar Pass is the scenic summer shortcut. From roughly mid-June to October, snow permitting, the road from Naran climbs over the 4,173-metre Babusar Top and descends to Chilas, cutting several hours off the Islamabad-Gilgit journey and passing Lulusar Lake and high alpine meadows on the way. The pass closes with the first heavy snows of winter, and even in season it is no place to be caught in bad weather after dark — cross in the morning where possible.

Practical tips: Book flights and coach seats well in advance for the summer (June-September) and blossom (March-April) peaks. Carry your CNIC or passport at all times — documents are checked at several points on the KKH, and foreign visitors should carry copies of their visa and any required permits. Break the long road journey with a night in Besham or Chilas if driving from Islamabad, carry motion-sickness medicine for the mountain roads, and always build a spare day into your itinerary for weather or road delays. In the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, flexibility is the most important thing you can pack.