Gilgit

Gilgit is the administrative capital of Gilgit-Baltistan and the region's main transport hub — most travellers pass through by air or road before heading on to Hunza or Skardu. The city sits at the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza Rivers, surrounded by the Karakoram range, and offers the region's best mid-range hotel infrastructure, banking, mobile connectivity and supply stops, making it a practical first or last night on almost any Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary. Beyond its role as a gateway, Gilgit has its own worthwhile sights — the 7th-century Kargah Buddha rock carving just outside the city, a lively bazaar known for gemstones and local handicrafts, and easy access to Naltar Valley, a 1.5–2 hour 4x4 drive away, home to a chairlift, pine forests and the Blue and Satrangi (Rainbow) Lakes. Gilgit Airport (GIL) and the city's position on the Karakoram Highway make it the most connected base in the region, with flights to Islamabad (weather-permitting) and road links to every other district.