Chilas to Hunza by Road: Distance, Travel Time, Transport & Scenic Stops

Chilas to Hunza by Road: Complete Travel Guide

Travelling from Chilas to Hunza takes you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Gilgit-Baltistan. The journey follows the famous Karakoram Highway, passing through the dry mountains of Chilas, the meeting point of the Indus and Gilgit rivers, and the green valleys of Nagar before reaching Hunza.

Whether you are travelling from Islamabad towards Hunza, visiting Chilas, or returning to your hometown, this guide covers the distance, travel time, transportation options and places worth stopping along the way.

Chilas to Hunza: Distance and Travel Time

The road distance from Chilas to Aliabad, Hunza, is approximately 220–240 km, depending on your starting point and route. Karimabad is another 6–7 km uphill from Aliabad.

The journey typically takes around 5–6 hours by private car, depending on road conditions, traffic and sightseeing stops. Public transport may take longer.

The usual route is Chilas → Raikot Bridge → Jaglot → Gilgit → Danyore → Goro → Rakaposhi Viewpoint → Aliabad → Karimabad.

Most of the journey follows the Karakoram Highway, one of the world's famous high-altitude mountain roads.

How to Travel from Chilas to Hunza

There are several ways to travel from Chilas to Hunza, including public buses, shared private cars, local wagons and private taxis.

Travellers arriving in Chilas from Islamabad or Rawalpindi can look for northbound transport continuing towards Gilgit and Hunza.

Some long-distance buses and private vehicles travel directly towards Hunza, while others terminate in Gilgit. If your vehicle ends in Gilgit, you can continue towards Hunza by public wagon, shared private car or taxi.

Before boarding, confirm whether your vehicle goes directly to Aliabad or Karimabad, or whether you will need to change vehicles in Gilgit.

If you prefer to arrange your journey in advance, visit GB Ride to search for available rides from Chilas to Hunza or find a driver travelling along the same route.

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Leaving Chilas: The Karakoram Highway

Chilas is an important stop for travellers moving between Islamabad, Gilgit and Hunza.

Leaving Chilas, the Karakoram Highway follows the Indus River through a dramatic landscape of steep, rocky mountains and narrow valleys.

The scenery here is noticeably different from Hunza. The mountains around Chilas are generally dry and rugged, with little vegetation along much of the highway.

As you continue north, the road passes through the wider Diamer region towards Raikot Bridge and Jaglot.

Raikot Bridge: Gateway to Fairy Meadows

Raikot Bridge is an important landmark along the Karakoram Highway and the starting point for travellers heading towards Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat.

From here, visitors can arrange local jeep transport towards Tato village before continuing on foot to Fairy Meadows.

If your destination is Hunza, you can continue directly along the Karakoram Highway without taking the Fairy Meadows detour.

The surrounding mountains and views of the Indus River make this section of the journey particularly memorable.

Jaglot: Where Three Great Mountain Ranges Meet

Continuing north, you reach the Jaglot area, near the famous meeting point of the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

The confluence of the Indus and Gilgit rivers is a well-known roadside landmark where travellers can stop to admire the surrounding mountains and river valleys.

From Jaglot, the highway continues towards Gilgit.

This is a convenient place for a short sightseeing break if you are travelling by private car or your driver agrees to stop.

Gilgit: The Main Transport Hub

Gilgit is the principal transport and commercial hub along the journey from Chilas to Hunza.

If your bus or shared vehicle terminates in Gilgit, you will need to arrange onward transportation to Hunza.

Public wagons and shared private cars are common options for the approximately 100 km journey from Gilgit to central Hunza.

Passengers can look for Hunza-bound vehicles at local transport stands, including around Jutial Adda and Danyore Central Chowk.

You can also search for available rides from Gilgit to Hunza on GB Ride.

If you are travelling in your own car, continue towards Danyore and follow the Karakoram Highway north into Nagar.

Goro: Fresh Fruits, Local Bazaar and Shapshor

After leaving Gilgit, the highway follows the Hunza River through the beautiful mountain landscapes of Nagar.

Goro is a pleasant place to stop and explore the local bazaar.

Depending on the season, roadside stalls may offer locally grown cherries, apricots, apples and other fresh fruits.

You can also look for Shapshor, a traditional meat-filled bread, and enjoy a short break before continuing towards Hunza.

The road through this section runs alongside the river, with towering mountains, villages and cultivated fields appearing along the way.

Rakaposhi Viewpoint: A Scenic Stop Before Hunza

One of the highlights of the journey is Rakaposhi Viewpoint in Ghulmet, Nagar.

Rakaposhi rises 7,788 metres above sea level and dominates the surrounding mountain landscape.

The viewpoint is a popular place to stop for tea, photographs and spectacular views of the mountain and glacier-fed streams.

If you are travelling by private car, allow around 20–30 minutes to enjoy the scenery before continuing towards Hunza.

Passengers travelling by public transport should check whether their driver plans to stop.

Arriving in Hunza: Aliabad Bazaar

After passing through Nagar, the Karakoram Highway enters Hunza and continues towards Aliabad Bazaar.

Aliabad is the main commercial centre of Hunza, with shops, restaurants, banks, hotels and local transport connections.

It is a convenient arrival point for passengers travelling to different villages in central Hunza.

If your shared ride ends in Aliabad, you can arrange onward transportation to Karimabad or other nearby villages.

Aliabad to Karimabad

Karimabad is approximately 6–7 km uphill from Aliabad, and the journey usually takes around 15–20 minutes by car.

The town is known for its historic Baltit Fort, traditional houses, handicraft shops, restaurants and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Travellers staying in Karimabad can arrange a local taxi from Aliabad or look for a ride continuing directly to their destination.

Hunza to Chilas: The Return Journey

Travelling from Hunza to Chilas follows the same route in reverse.

The journey begins in Karimabad or Aliabad and continues through Nagar, Gilgit, Jaglot and Raikot Bridge before reaching Chilas.

The road distance is approximately 220–240 km, and the journey usually takes around 5–6 hours by private car, depending on road conditions and stops.

Travellers heading towards Islamabad or Rawalpindi can look for southbound buses and shared vehicles travelling along the Karakoram Highway.

If you cannot find a direct vehicle from Hunza to Chilas, you can travel to Gilgit first and arrange onward transportation from there.

Travel from Chilas to Hunza with GB Ride

Travelling between Chilas and Hunza? GB Ride connects drivers who have available seats with passengers travelling along the same route.

For passengers: Search for rides from Chilas to Hunza, check available seats and book your journey.

For drivers: If you are travelling from Chilas towards Gilgit or Hunza with empty seats, post your upcoming trip on GB Ride and connect with passengers heading in the same direction.

For local transport operators: Post your scheduled trips and available seats so passengers can find and book transport online.

Whether you are leaving from Chilas, Gilgit, Aliabad or Karimabad, GB Ride helps you find people travelling along your route.

Post a Ride. Find a Ride. Book a Seat.

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