Gilgit-Baltistan is built around two hub towns, Gilgit and Skardu, connected to each other and to the rest of the region by a small number of highways that follow the rivers through the mountains. Almost every tourist route is a variation on: reach Gilgit or Skardu, then push further up a side valley. This guide lays out how the districts and roads fit together, so a printed or downloaded map makes more sense once you're on the ground.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Divisions | Gilgit, Baltistan, Diamer (10 districts in total) |
| Main hub, west | Gilgit |
| Main hub, east | Skardu |
| Main highway | Karakoram Highway (KKH), Islamabad to the Khunjerab Pass |
| Gilgit to Skardu | About 6 to 7 hours by road |
| Gilgit to Karimabad (Hunza) | About 2.5 hours |
The three divisions and ten districts
Gilgit-Baltistan is split into three administrative divisions with ten districts between them:
- Gilgit division: Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar and Ghizer.
- Baltistan division: Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang and Ghanche.
- Diamer division: Diamer and Astore.
For a visitor, this maps roughly onto two travel circuits. The Gilgit division covers Hunza, Nagar, Naltar and the Ghizer valleys toward Shandur, all reached from Gilgit town. The Baltistan division covers Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu and Deosai, all reached from Skardu town. Diamer and Astore sit between the two, along the Karakoram Highway and the Babusar route.
The Karakoram Highway: the spine of the region
The Karakoram Highway (KKH) runs from Islamabad up through Besham, Chilas and Gilgit to Karimabad, Passu, Sost and finally Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border. It is the only sealed, all-weather route into Gilgit-Baltistan by road and the one nearly every overland visitor uses, whether starting from Islamabad, Lahore or further south.
From Gilgit, the KKH continues north through Hunza to Khunjerab, while a separate road branches east to Skardu. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour follows the KKH end to end; our Skardu and Deosai tour branches off toward Baltistan.
Rough drive times between the main hubs
Road conditions, weather and the occasional landslide mean any drive time is an estimate, not a promise. As a guide only:
| Route | Rough drive time |
|---|---|
| Gilgit to Karimabad (Hunza) | About 2.5 hours |
| Karimabad to Khunjerab Pass | About 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Gilgit to Skardu | About 6 to 7 hours |
| Skardu to Khaplu | About 3 hours |
| Skardu to Shigar | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Gilgit to Naran (via Babusar Pass, seasonal) | About 6 to 8 hours |
| Islamabad to Gilgit (by road) | About 18 to 22 hours, usually split over two days |
How the valleys branch off
Once you're at either hub, most onward travel follows a single valley road to its end:
- From Gilgit: north on the KKH to Hunza, Nagar and Khunjerab; west to Ghizer, Gupis, Phandar and on toward Shandur Pass; a rough side road to Naltar's lakes.
- From Skardu: west to Shigar and its fort; east up the Shyok river to Khaplu; south over the Sadpara pass onto the Deosai plateau, open only in summer; further south again toward Astore and, via Babusar, into Kaghan.
- Diamer and Astore sit on the KKH and the Babusar route respectively, mostly passed through rather than stayed in, though Astore is the turn-off for Rama Lake and Fairy Meadows.
Using a map on the ground
A downloaded offline map (Google Maps or Maps.me, saved before you lose signal) is worth more here than a paper one for route-finding, but a paper or printed regional map still helps for planning, since it shows how the valleys relate to each other at a glance in a way a phone screen doesn't. Mobile signal is reliable in Gilgit, Skardu, Karimabad and the other main towns, and drops out on higher roads, side valleys and most of the route to Khunjerab and Deosai, so download what you need before setting out each day.
Our travel guide has more on road conditions, permits and what to check before travelling into any of these valleys.
Frequently asked questions
How many districts does Gilgit-Baltistan have?
Ten: Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar and Ghizer in Gilgit division; Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang and Ghanche in Baltistan division; and Diamer and Astore in Diamer division.
How long does it take to drive from Gilgit to Skardu?
Around 6 to 7 hours by road in normal conditions. It is a separate road from the Karakoram Highway to Hunza, so plan it as its own day rather than a side trip.
Is there a direct road between Hunza and Skardu?
No through road connects them directly. The standard route is back down to Gilgit and then east to Skardu, which is why most itineraries treat Hunza and Skardu as two separate legs of a trip rather than one loop.
Do offline maps work well in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Reasonably well for roads, though detail thins out in remote side valleys. Download the area before you travel, since signal is unreliable once you're off the main highways.
Is the Karakoram Highway route safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani travellers use it all year, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, through Besham and Dasu. In summer the road over the Babusar Pass avoids that stretch. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and road conditions before setting out.
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