Spring 2026 Travel Season Opens for Northern Pakistan Hunza, Skardu & Gilgit-Baltistan Tour Packages

Spring 2026 Travel Season Opens for Pakistan's Northern Areas Why This Is the Year to Book Hunza, Skardu & Gilgit-Baltistan Early

Pakistan's premier domestic travel corridor, the majestic Northern Areas of Gilgit-Baltistan is entering its Spring 2026 season, and travel agencies across the country are reporting a strong early surge in package bookings. From Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, thousands of Pakistani families, couples, and solo travellers are racing to secure their spots in Hunza Valley, Skardu, Naran, Fairy Meadows, and Deosai National Park before peak-season availability runs out.

With Eid holidays falling in late March 2026 and cherry blossom season in Hunza and Skardu beginning from late March through April, travel specialists are urging travellers to confirm reservations now rather than wait until the last moment a pattern that historically results in hotel shortages, surging transport costs, and limited tour guide availability across Gilgit-Baltistan.

Why Spring 2026 is Exceptionally Significant for Northern Pakistan Tourism

Spring in Gilgit-Baltistan is widely regarded as the most visually spectacular season in the entire Pakistani tourism calendar. The cherry blossom season in Baltistan covering Skardu, Shigar, and Khaplu is accessible from the end of March to the end of May, with apricot, peach, mulberry, apple, and plum trees bursting into vibrant colour across the region. Gotravel This brief but stunning window attracts domestic travellers from all four provinces and is considered the most photographed natural event in Pakistan's tourism landscape.

The Cherry Blossom season in Hunza Valley arrives in March and April, when blossoming tree gardens fill the valley with pink, white, red, and purple flowers, transforming the landscape into a paradise unlike any other in Pakistan. Gotravel For families, couples, and nature photographers, this combination of peak mountain visibility, mild daytime temperatures, and blooming orchards creates an unmatched travel experience.

Key Destinations Covered Under Spring 2026 Northern Pakistan Packages

GoTravel.pk's Spring 2026 itineraries cover the full northern circuit, including:

1. Hunza Valley (Karimabad): The best time to visit Hunza is from May to October, when temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C, roads are open, and the valley's famous hospitality, Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Attabad Lake, and Karimabad Bazaar are fully accessible. Gotravel The Hussaini Suspension Bridge, Borith Lake, and Eagle's Nest viewpoint — one of the finest sunset vantage points in Asia — are all included in standard itineraries.
2. Skardu & Baltistan: Skardu, located at over 1,500 metres, features glaciers, fertile apricot and apple farms, turquoise alpine lakes, Deosai National Park, the Skardu Cold Desert, and is the gateway to K2 — the world's second-highest peak. Trips Adventure activities including paragliding, 4x4 ATV rides, sand skiing on the Cold Desert, and Baltoro Glacier trekking are available.
3. Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat: Fairy Meadows serves as the base camp of Nanga Parbat, offering travellers a chance to witness glaciers, mountain clouds, and log cabin stays with one of the most iconic Himalayan backdrops in the world. Go Travel and Cargo
4. Gilgit City, Naltar Valley & Khunjerab Pass: Khunjerab Pass — the highest paved international border crossing in the world at 4,693 metres — sits along the Karakoram Highway and forms the Pakistan-China border, offering some of the most dramatic high-altitude scenery on any road journey globally. Trustpilot

How to Reach Northern Pakistan in 2026

Pakistani travellers have two primary options for reaching the Northern Areas:

• By Air: PIA operates direct flights from Islamabad to Skardu daily, and from Lahore and Karachi during peak season. Additionally, direct flights from Dubai to Skardu are now available, making Gilgit-Baltistan more accessible to overseas Pakistani communities and international tourists than ever before. Eventica Travels A one-way ticket from Karachi to Skardu starts from approximately Rs. 38,800 per passenger.
• By Road: Travellers can reach Hunza from Islamabad via the Karakoram Highway, which runs approximately 1,300 km and is commonly regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Babusar Pass route from Naran is open from June through September, offering an alternative scenic corridor. Trustpilot The road from Lahore to Skardu is now fully paved, and journey times have significantly improved following CPEC-related infrastructure upgrades.

2026 Tour Package Pricing & What to Expect

Tour packages from Lahore and Islamabad to Northern Pakistan for Spring-Summer 2026 are currently being offered starting from PKR 18,500 per person for budget domestic packages, scaling upward to PKR 65,000 and beyond for fully inclusive premium family itineraries that cover accommodation, transport, guides, and meals. Advance bookings made before March 15, 2026 attract early-bird rates at most agencies, including GoTravel.pk.

Standard packages from GoTravel.pk include hotel accommodation (twin-sharing basis), private transport via Coaster or Toyota Prado, experienced licensed tour guides, and entry fees to national parks and heritage sites. Customized itineraries for families, honeymoon couples, and corporate groups are available upon request.

Safety, Connectivity & Travel Tips for Spring 2026

Gilgit-Baltistan has a zero percent crime rate and is consistently rated among Pakistan's safest domestic travel regions. Locals are widely known for their extraordinary hospitality and welcoming nature toward visitors. Gotravel Mobile connectivity is available via Telenor and Zong throughout most of the Northern Areas.

Travellers should carry layered clothing as mountain temperatures can drop sharply after sunset even in spring. Road conditions near Babusar Pass remain snow-affected until late May, and travellers planning pre-May departures should opt for the KKH route through Chilas and Gilgit. Altitude acclimatization is recommended for destinations above 3,500 metres, including Khunjerab Pass, Deosai, and K2 Base Camp approaches.

Why Book Your Spring 2026 Northern Pakistan Tour with GoTravel.pk

GoTravel.pk is a fully registered Pakistani travel agency offering domestic Northern Pakistan packages with expert planning, verified accommodations, and end-to-end tour management. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Hunza or a returning adventurer seeking to explore the Baltoro Glacier or Deosai Plains for the first time, GoTravel.pk provides tailor-made itineraries built around your group size, budget, and travel dates.

Availability for Eid holidays, April Cherry Blossom departures, and June-July peak season slots is limited. Contact GoTravel.pk today to confirm your Spring 2026 Northern Pakistan package before bookings close.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q1. When does the Spring 2026 travel season open for Hunza and Skardu? 
The Spring 2026 travel season for Northern Pakistan officially begins from late March 2026, coinciding with cherry blossom season in Hunza and Baltistan. The peak domestic tourism window runs from April through October, with the best weather conditions between May and September.

Q2. What is the best time to visit Hunza Valley in 2026?
The best time to visit Hunza Valley is from May to October 2026, when temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C, all major roads and attractions are accessible, and the landscape is at its most scenic. For cherry blossoms specifically, late March to mid-April is the ideal window.

Q3. How much does a Northern Pakistan tour package cost in 2026? 
Tour packages from Lahore or Islamabad to Hunza, Skardu, or Gilgit-Baltistan start from approximately PKR 18,500 per person for budget options and go up to PKR 65,000 or more for fully inclusive, customized family or premium group packages. Airfare and flights to Skardu are additional unless specified in the package.

Q4. Can I travel to Skardu by air from Lahore or Karachi in 2026?
Yes. PIA operates direct seasonal flights from Lahore and Karachi to Skardu during peak season (approximately April to September). Islamabad to Skardu flights operate daily year-round. Direct flights from Dubai to Skardu are also now available for overseas Pakistanis and international tourists.

Q5. Is it safe to travel to Hunza and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2026? 
Yes. Gilgit-Baltistan is consistently rated one of the safest regions in Pakistan for domestic and international tourism, with a near-zero crime rate and exceptional local hospitality. The Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department and the Directorate of Tourist Services (DTS) actively regulate and support tourism infrastructure in the region.

Q6. What documents are required for visiting Northern Areas in 2026? 
Pakistani nationals require a valid CNIC or passport for domestic travel to Gilgit-Baltistan. Foreign nationals must possess a valid Pakistan tourist visa or e-Visa. Citizens of 192 countries are eligible for Pakistan's e-Visa, while nationals of 64 countries qualify for Visa on Arrival. No special permit is required for general tourist areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, though some trekking routes to restricted zones may require additional NOC documentation.

Q7. What is included in a GoTravel.pk Northern Pakistan tour package? 
GoTravel.pk packages typically include hotel accommodation (twin-sharing), private transport, experienced tour guides, national park entry fees, and meals as specified per itinerary. Customized inclusions for honeymoon couples, families, and corporate groups are available. Contact GoTravel.pk directly for a tailored quotation.