Best places to visit in northern areas of pakistan
Global love for Pakistan’s northern landscapes
Travelers from all around the world love to visit the northern areas of Pakistan, and starting from that global pull, I’ve seen firsthand how valleys like Hunza and Swat feel less like tourist spots and more like shared stories between cultures; with the Govt. has lifted all the travel hurdles for visitors from all around the globe, the momentum only grew, and by the summer of 2024 it was impossible not to notice many wanderers worldwide moving through a friendliness country blessed with the sacred landscape.
This admiration isn’t new either—During 2017 and 2018, the British Backpackers society highlighted Pakistan among the best travel destinations in the world., a sentiment that felt spot-on when I trekked through the north and later saw Forbes magazine echo it by naming Pakistan the best travel destination in 2019, reinforcing why these northern places keep winning hearts without needing loud promotion.
Places To Visit In Hunza
When talking about the best travel destinations in Hunza Valley, my journey always begins with places like Ganesh Historical settlement, Baltit, Altit Fort, Attahbad Lake, Shimshal Valley, Passu cones and glacier, and Khunjerab Pass (Pak-China Border), because these spots naturally stitch history, adventure, and scenery together, making Hunza feel like a living museum rather than just another mountain valley.
1.Ganesh Village and Peaks of Hunza
Walking through Ganesh village, a historical Silk Route settlement around 1000 years old and believed to be the First Silk Route settlement, you can sense why Hunza valley is often described as the only place where one can witness Four mighty Seven Thousanders peaks along with iconic summits like Ladyfinger peak (Bublimating – 6000 m) and Hunza Peak (6,270 m) rising dramatically above daily village life.
2.Trekking Routes of Hunza Valley
From personal trekking experience, the soul of adventure lies in Hunza Valley, where many beautiful trekking routes such as the Shimshal pass, Patundas trek, and Batura Glacier trek quietly pull travelers away from crowds and into raw mountain silence that truly defines the Northern areas of Pakistan.
3.Rakaposhi View Point
At Rakaposhi View Point, no matter where you stand in Hunza, the towering Rakaposhi mountain dominates the horizon as part of the Karakoram range, standing tall at 7,788 meters, living up to its name “shining wall”, with glaciers like Barpu, Biro, Bagrot, and Pisan, while its sunrises and sunsets remain unforgettable.
4.Karimabad
Exploring Karimabad, the historic capital of Hunza province, feels like stepping into royalty’s past, as its stone-built houses and streets preserve an old-world charm, with landmarks such as Baltit Fort, Victoria Memorial Monument, and the scenic Ultar Nala shaping the town’s timeless identity.
5.Altit Fort
Perched above Karimabad, Altit Fort is an ancient fort that once housed the hereditary rulers titled Mir, serving as a royal residence around 1100 years ago, and now functioning as a museum where its architecture, restored by Agha Khan Culture Trust, stands as a lasting legacy.
6.Baltit Fort
Equally captivating is Baltit Fort, whose 600 years old foundations and fairy-tale structure with wooden windows overlooking the valley make it a Hunza landmark, once home to the Mers Hunza, before royal conflicts shifted power toward Altit Fort.
7.Attabad Lake
The moment you reach Attabad Lake, its crystal clear turquoise waters set within the mighty Karakoram range instantly justify why the 13 miles long and 358 feet deep lake is consistently ranked among Pakistan’s best lakes, especially glowing with color in spring.
8.Rush Lake
Hidden higher up, Rush Lake in Nagar Valley feels untouched, sitting at a surface elevation of nearly 4694 meters, surrounded by massive peaks, and often recognized as the highest lake in Pakistan, where simplicity becomes the valley’s strongest beauty.
9.Sost Village
Finally, Sost Village, the last Hunza town on the Pakistan-China border along the Karakoram Highway, plays a vital role in passenger and cargo movement, connecting directly to the Khunjerab pass, Khunjerab Trail, and a protected national park known for the rare snow leopard, symbolizing long-standing friendship in Pakistan.
Places To Visit In Skardu
It truly has a lot to offer for travelers to wander in the mountains to explore, and from my own experience roaming its raw terrain, I can say many places have not been visited, which is what makes it feel untouched; from the mighty mountains to the world’s highest desert, Skardu has everything for its lovers, and some of the best places to visit in Skardu valley are:
1.Shangrila (Lower Kachura) Lake
Shangrila (Lower Kachura) Lake is the place where Skardu first slows you down, with its deep-blue water framed by trees and red-roof cottages, and from my own visit, early mornings here feel unreal as the reflections make you forget you’re still in the northern areas of Pakistan.
2.Upper Kachura Lake
Hidden above its famous sibling, Upper Kachura Lake feels raw and untouched, and trekking up to it rewards travelers with silence, cold alpine water, and a sense of discovery that defines the best places to visit in northern areas of Pakistan.
3.Kharpocho Fort
Standing tall above Skardu town, Kharpocho Fort offers panoramic views of the valley and Indus River, and walking through its ruins gives a clear glimpse into the strategic and historic soul of Baltistan.
4.Katpana Cold desert and Lake
The contrast at Katpana Cold desert and Lake is striking, where golden sand dunes meet cold desert air and a calm lake, making it one of those rare landscapes I’ve only ever experienced in Skardu valley.
5.Shiger Cold Desert
Less crowded and more open, Shiger Cold Desert stretches wide under massive skies, and its quiet beauty proves that Skardu’s charm isn’t only in mountains but also in its empty, powerful spaces.
6.Shiger Valley and Fort
Rich in greenery and history, Shiger Valley and Fort blend flowing streams with centuries-old architecture, and exploring the fort feels like stepping into a preserved chapter of Baltistan’s royal past.
7.Khaplu Valley and Palace
Elegant and serene, Khaplu Valley and Palace showcases refined Balti culture, and from personal experience, the palace gardens and river views make it one of the most graceful stops in northern Pakistan.
8.Chaqchan Mosque
With its wooden structure and Tibetan-style design, Chaqchan Mosque reflects the spiritual and cultural fusion of the region, standing as one of the oldest and most meaningful landmarks in Skardu.
9.Deosai National Park
Spreading across vast plains, Deosai National Park feels endless, and whether it’s wildflowers in summer or roaming wildlife, this high-altitude park always reminds travelers why Skardu holds a special place among the best places to visit in northern areas of Pakistan.
These were some of northern Pakistan’s most famous and best travel destinations that travelers should visit this season, not just because they appear on maps or social feeds, but because each place carries a distinct mix of landscape, culture, and lived experience that I’ve personally seen leave visitors speechless; from high-altitude valleys shaped by glaciers to ancient towns echoing Silk Route history, these destinations consistently attract explorers looking for authenticity, slow travel, and raw beauty.
