Families with kids
Family Tours
Big mountains at a gentle pace, for every generation
Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the most rewarding places in Asia to travel as a family — and one of the easiest, once you know which valleys to choose. The classic family circuit links Hunza and Skardu by good paved roads, swaps long hikes for short scenic walks, and builds each day around something children genuinely love: a speedboat on Attabad Lake, a paddle boat at Shangrila, a picnic in an apricot orchard beneath Rakaposhi.
Hunza is the natural base. Karimabad's bazaar, Baltit Fort and the Eagle's Nest viewpoint are all reached by vehicle plus a few minutes on foot, and the valley's hotels — from family guesthouses to modern resorts — are used to multigenerational groups. Drives are short and broken often, so even toddlers and grandparents travel comfortably between stops.
In Baltistan, Shangrila Resort at Lower Kachura Lake is practically built for families, with its heart-shaped lake, gardens and the famous aircraft-fuselage restaurant, while Upper Kachura Lake and the Sarfaranga cold desert add easy boat rides and dune sunsets. Nothing on the itinerary requires fitness beyond a gentle stroll.
Safety is the question every parent asks first, and the honest answer is reassuring: Hunza and Skardu have very low crime, warm attitudes toward children, and decades of experience hosting international visitors. With a private vehicle, an experienced driver and a local guide handling checkpoints and logistics, families consistently describe the trip as far easier than they expected.
What this experience includes
Boating on Attabad Lake
Shared wooden boats and private speedboats run from the Attabad jetty across surreal turquoise water — a guaranteed highlight for kids, with life jackets provided and calm morning conditions ideal for younger children.
A day at Shangrila and the Kachura lakes
Paddle boats on Shangrila's heart-shaped lake, gardens to run around in, and a short drive to Upper Kachura Lake for a lakeside lunch of fresh trout. Easy, contained and photogenic.
Storybook fort visits in Karimabad
The 700-year-old Baltit Fort is a real-life castle with watchtowers, ladders and royal kitchens — a guided visit takes under an hour and ends with apricot juice in the old bazaar below.
Gentle orchard and village walks
Flat, shaded walking paths thread Karimabad's terraced orchards and the old lanes of Altit village. Most walks last 30–60 minutes and can be cut short anywhere, with the vehicle never far away.
Sunset at the Sarfaranga cold desert
Children climb and sled down silver sand dunes ringed by snow peaks near Skardu, with optional short camel and jeep rides. Late afternoon brings soft light and cool temperatures.
Eagle's Nest sunset by car
A paved road climbs to the Duikar viewpoint above Hunza, where the whole family watches sunset light up Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar and Ladyfinger Peak — no walking required beyond the terrace.
Where we take you
lake · 2,550 m
Attabad Lake
A disaster that became one of Pakistan's most beautiful places
lake · 2,500 m
Shangrila Resort (Lower Kachura Lake)
Pakistan's original 'Heaven on Earth' postcard
town · 2,450 m
Karimabad
The old royal capital and the heart of every Hunza itinerary
fort · 2,500 m
Baltit Fort
Seven hundred years of Hunza history above the Karimabad bazaar
lake · 2,500 m
Upper Kachura Lake
The wilder, deeper, bluer of Skardu's twin lakes
desert · 2,300 m
Sarfaranga Cold Desert
Silver dunes at 2,300 metres, ringed by snow peaks
Family Tours — frequently asked questions
Is Hunza safe for families with young children?
Yes. Hunza has very low crime, children are warmly welcomed everywhere, and the main sights are reached by good roads rather than trails. Families travel with a private vehicle and guide, so checkpoints, hotels and meals are all handled for you.
What is the best age for kids to visit Gilgit-Baltistan?
Families travel successfully with all ages, but ages 5 and up get the most from boat rides, forts and short walks. For babies and toddlers we slow the pace further, keep drives under three hours and choose hotels with family rooms and reliable heating.
Are there good hotels for families in Hunza and Skardu?
Yes — both hubs offer comfortable mid-range and upscale hotels with family rooms, hot water and Wi-Fi, plus resorts like Shangrila at Lower Kachura built around gardens and lakes. Outside the two hubs accommodation is simpler, which is why family itineraries base in Karimabad and Skardu.
Do family tours involve any difficult driving or altitude?
The family circuit stays mostly between 1,500 m and 2,800 m, where altitude is rarely an issue, and uses the paved Karakoram Highway and Skardu road. Optional high days like the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) are easy to add or skip depending on how everyone feels.
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