Backpacking Gilgit-Baltistan on a shoestring means travelling by shared van and NATCO bus instead of a private car, staying in budget guesthouses rather than hotels, and building a loose itinerary that can flex around whichever vehicle has a free seat that day. It is a genuinely cheap way to see the region, though it takes more time and patience than a booked tour.
This guide covers getting around, where to sleep, eating cheaply, and the local norms around hitchhiking that surprise a lot of first-time backpackers here.
Getting around cheaply
- Shared Hiace vans and Coasters run the Karakoram Highway route between Gilgit, Karimabad and Passu, and cost a fraction of hiring a private car. They leave when full rather than on a fixed timetable, so mornings are the reliable time to catch one.
- NATCO buses connect Islamabad and Rawalpindi to Gilgit and Skardu on a scheduled service, and are the standard budget option for the long haul north. Our guides to NATCO to Gilgit and travelling by public transport cover routes and how to book.
- Local jeeps and vans run between the main towns and side valleys such as Naltar or the villages around Skardu, again usually leaving once full.
Between towns on the Karakoram Highway, a shared van is normally easy to find within an hour or two of waiting at the right stand; into quieter side valleys, waits can be longer and asking at a hotel or shop for the next available vehicle usually works better than standing by the road.
Hitchhiking: how it actually works here
Hitchhiking is a genuine and commonly used option along the Karakoram Highway, not a fallback for emergencies. Locals routinely wave down passing cars, jeeps and even trucks, and drivers are generally used to it and willing to help, particularly outside the towns where shared vans are less frequent.
A few things worth knowing:
- It is not free by default. Offering a small amount for fuel, similar to what a shared van would cost, is normal and appreciated, though many drivers will wave it off for a short lift.
- Solo women travelling this way should use their judgement, as anywhere. Many solo female travellers do hitchhike safely in Gilgit-Baltistan, but waiting for a vehicle with a family or other women inside, or asking a hotel to help arrange a lift, is a sensible middle ground. Our guide to solo female travel in Gilgit-Baltistan covers this in more depth.
- It works best on the main highway. On quieter side roads, traffic can be too sparse to rely on.
Where to sleep cheaply
Budget guesthouses and family-run homestays are common in Hunza, Gilgit and Skardu, usually a simple room with a shared or private bathroom, sometimes including a home-cooked breakfast or dinner with the family. Rates for this kind of stay are noticeably lower than a mid-range hotel, though exact prices vary by season and by property, so check current rates directly with the guesthouse rather than relying on an old listing.
Booking ahead matters less here than in peak-season hotels; walking into a town and asking at a few guesthouses, or asking your last host for a recommendation for the next stop, is a normal way to travel. Our guides to budget hotels in Hunza and budget hotels in Skardu list what to expect at this price point.
Eating on a budget
Dhabas and small local restaurants along the highway and in every town serve simple meals, dal, rice, karahi and fresh bread, at prices far below a hotel restaurant. Fresh fruit is genuinely cheap in season, particularly apricots and cherries in Hunza in summer and apples later in the year, and buying direct from an orchard stall is both cheaper and better than what reaches a shop shelf.
A rough shoestring route
- NATCO or Hiace from Islamabad to Gilgit, an overnight or full-day journey.
- Shared van to Karimabad, staying a few nights and using local transport for day trips to Altit, Baltit Fort and the villages around it.
- Onward by shared van or hitched lift to Passu and Sost, for the Passu glacier and Attabad views.
- Back to Gilgit and on to Skardu, by road or, budget allowing, a domestic flight if the schedule and fare work in your favour.
This route can be done over one to two weeks depending on how long you stay in each place, and it leaves plenty of room to change plans if a lift, a room or the weather doesn't cooperate.
Who this suits, and who it doesn't
Backpacking this way suits travellers with time, a flexible schedule and no fixed daily plan, students and solo or small-group travellers in particular. It suits people who are comfortable asking around locally rather than booking everything in advance. It does not suit a family with young children, anyone on a tight schedule with flights to catch, or anyone who needs guaranteed seats and rooms booked ahead. For a fixed itinerary with set transport and accommodation, our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour covers similar ground without the uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
Is backpacking Gilgit-Baltistan safe?
Yes, for the vast majority of travellers, including solo travellers. Use normal precautions around road safety, altitude and weather, and check current conditions before heading into remote valleys.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?
Not usually outside peak season and Eid holidays, when it is worth booking ahead or arriving early in the day. Most of the year, arriving and asking at a few guesthouses works fine.
Is hitchhiking normal in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Yes, it is a commonly used and accepted way to travel along the Karakoram Highway, though offering something for fuel is polite and side roads see less traffic to rely on.
How much does a shoestring trip cost compared to a private tour?
Significantly less, since shared transport and budget guesthouses cost a fraction of hired vehicles and mid-range hotels, though the trade-off is more time spent waiting for transport to fill up.
Can I backpack Gilgit-Baltistan without a group?
Yes, plenty of travellers do it solo. Sharing transport and meeting other travellers along the route is common, and guesthouse owners are generally a good source of local advice.
