Gilgit
Discover Gilgit
Gilgit (Urdu: گلگت) is a mountain town in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Travellers exploring the Pakistani Himalayas or en route to or from China are almost definitely going to spend at least one night here. This makes it a great base to further research your trip, meet up with potential travel partners, or simply take a break. It's also a starting point for climbers to nearby Rakaposhi. The best season to visit is from May to mid October. The local dialect is Shina, however, Urdu and English are also spoken and understood.
What to Experience in Gilgit
Taste of Gilgit...
You can try local fruits like apples, cherries, apricots and a variety of nuts rich in omega 5 like almonds, chestnuts, walnuts etc. Restaurants offer all sorts of Western breakfast to local ones - like salted tea and bread as well as Chinese food, Tanduries, and local dishes. In this region, people do not eat spicy food like the rest of the country. Local food consists of special baked breads (different varieties), handmade-noodle soups, salted meats, roasted meat, vegetables, fruits & dairy products. All the products are organic as they believe in traditional farming without the use of chemical fertilizers and sprays. Most of the high end hotels have their own bars but at some areas they have their local alcohol too. Gilgit has one of the cheapest accommodation for visitors with a budget. There are a handful of internet cafes along the main road. Fax and telex are also available. The main post office (M-Sa 9AM-7PM, closed Sundays) is at Saddar Bazaar on the main road. In Gilgit-Baltistan there is only one working cell phone network operator, namely SCO / SCOM. Foreigners can buy SIM cards at SCO franchise shops and offices; activation of a card usually takes about 24 hours. Gilgit is fairly stable and safe compared to other regions. Travelers both local and foreign still visit the area and enjoy the beauty and nature. You can see Hunza valley from Gilgit near Diamir area.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsGilgit is just off the Karakoram Highway between Chilas and Karimabad, and most people arrive by road. The bus journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours, costs between Rs.3020 and Rs.4180 and departs three times a day from the Pirwadhai Bus Terminal in Rawalpindi. The official government bus company (which also allows foreigners for passengers) operating between Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Gilgit is NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corporation). For foreign passengers on the NATCO bus journey from Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Gilgit it is advised to bring 10 passport copies for the bus driver, which they need to present at every police checkpoint on the highway. Faisal Movers company buses leave from Faizabad station (just out of Islamabad and into Rawalpindi; easily reachable by red Metro Bus line or taxi) and take 12 hr to Gilgit (Rs 4520 in 2025). Add Rs 500 and an extra hour or two to Aliabad in Hunza Valley. Go to the station and buy tickets the day before, as they sell out....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Private vehicles are normally used as local transport. Renting jeeps is also a common way of moving around. You can go to nearby cities on buses and by air. To get around inside the city of Gilgit you can either hire taxis or hop on one of the many commuter minivans. If you happen to see such a minivan, just hail it by waving, get on, and knock on the driver's cabin whenever you want to hop off. You could also think about renting a car, or for the more adventurous, a motorbike to discover the wonders of Gilgit-Baltistan. Inform yourself which roads and sections are safe to drive and keep the weather conditions in mind. Petrol is available in most parts of the roads in Gilgit-Baltistan, and motorbike mechanics are usually plenty around and very cheap. This area is no doubt a heaven for trackers and hikers. With the help of a guide or by yourself - area is safe as well as a treat to experience untouched beauty and a rendezvous with the locals.
Where to Stay
Gilgit has one of the cheapest accommodation for visitors with a budget. There are a handful of internet cafes along the main road. Fax and telex are also available. The main post office (M-Sa 9AM-7PM, closed Sundays) is at Saddar Bazaar on the main road. In Gilgit-Baltistan there is only one working cell phone network operator, namely SCO / SCOM. Foreigners can buy SIM cards at SCO franchise shops and offices; activation of a card usually takes about 24 hours. Gilgit is fairly stable and safe compared to other regions. Travelers both local and foreign still visit the area and enjoy the beauty and nature. You can see Hunza valley from Gilgit near Diamir area. It takes 35 minutes by jeep to get to Hunza but weather and traffic are two important factors leading to a bit longer drive to Hunza. The drive towards Hunza is a once in a lifetime experience. Hunza has the highest literacy rate of Pakistan, close to 98%. People are very friendly and it is quite developed.
Money & Budget
There are banks that change cash and travellers cheques. Some shops accept the foreign currency as well. You can buy gem stones, antiques and Chinese goods - anything from silk to electronics. Very few banks and ATMs in Gilgit-Baltistan accept foreign bank cards or credit cards for withdrawing money. As a visiting foreigner your best bet would be to bring enough cash for your whole journey in Gilgit-Baltistan, or to try the ATM at the Alfalah Bank branch in Gilgit, which sometimes happen to work with foreign cards. You can try local fruits like apples, cherries, apricots and a variety of nuts rich in omega 5 like almonds, chestnuts, walnuts etc. Restaurants offer all sorts of Western breakfast to local ones - like salted tea and bread as well as Chinese food, Tanduries, and local dishes.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Gilgit is fairly stable and safe compared to other regions. Travelers both local and foreign still visit the area and enjoy the beauty and nature. You can see Hunza valley from Gilgit near Diamir area. It takes 35 minutes by jeep to get to Hunza but weather and traffic are two important factors leading to a bit longer drive to Hunza. The drive towards Hunza is a once in a lifetime experience. Hunza has the highest literacy rate of Pakistan, close to 98%. People are very friendly and it is quite developed. UNESCO World Heritage Sites can also be seen there.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Gilgit
Attabad Lake is a lake in Gojal Valley, Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan The lake was created in January 2010 as a result of the Attabad Disaster. Attabad Lake has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Gilgit-Baltistan offering activities like boating, jet skiing, fishing and other recreational activities.
Northern Area Of Pakistan
bridge over river near mountain during daytime
Silk Road with beautiful view.
a river between mountains
a rocky and barren landscape
brown wooden fraame
Mahodand Lake is a lake located in the upper Usho Valley at a distance of about 35 kilometres from Kalam in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
View Of Khamus Waterfall
Attabad Lake also known as Gojal lake, is a lake in Gojal Valley, Hunza, Pakistan that was created in January 2010 by a landslide dam. The lake has since become a tourist attraction itself for its unique blue color and dramatic mountain backdrop
Attabad Lake is a lake in Gojal Valley, Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan The lake was created in January 2010 as a result of the Attabad Disaster. Attabad Lake has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Gilgit-Baltistan offering activities like boating, jet skiing, fishing and other recreational activities.
Northern Area Of Pakistan
bridge over river near mountain during daytime