Getting from Hunza to Naltar means driving back down the Karakoram Highway toward Gilgit, turning off at Nomal before you reach the city, and climbing the paved Naltar Expressway to Naltar Bala. From Karimabad it is roughly 95 km and about three hours of driving, plus another hour or more each way by hired jeep if you want to see the coloured lakes above the village. A same-day round trip from Hunza is possible in summer with an early start, but it is a long day, and staying a night in Naltar makes for a far less rushed one.
This guide covers the route stage by stage, how the jeep change for the lakes works, and how to time the day realistically.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Karimabad to the Nomal turn-off | About 75 km on the KKH, roughly 2 hours |
| Nomal to Naltar Bala | About 20 km on the paved Naltar Expressway, 45 minutes to an hour |
| Karimabad to Naltar Bala, total | About 95 km, roughly 3 hours' driving |
| Naltar Bala to the lakes | 12 to 13 km of jeep-only track, 1 to 1.5 hours each way |
| Road surface | Paved throughout to Naltar Bala; jeep track beyond it |
| Same-day return from Hunza | Possible in summer with an early start; a long day |
The route: down the KKH, then up to Naltar
Naltar is a side valley off the Hunza river, reached through the village of Nomal rather than through Gilgit city itself. Coming from Karimabad, the drive runs in two stages:
- South on the Karakoram Highway. Retrace the road you came up on, back down through Aliabad, Nagar's turn-off, and the villages along the river. Nomal lies on the opposite bank of the Hunza river from the highway, about 25 km before Gilgit, and a bridge crosses over to it near Jutal. You do not need to drive into Gilgit city to reach Naltar, which saves time and traffic if Gilgit itself is not on your plan for the day.
- Up the Naltar Expressway. From the Nomal side of the bridge, a paved road climbs about 20 km into the valley, through Naltar Payeen and on to Naltar Bala, the upper village where the hotels and the jeep stand for the lakes are. This road was rebuilt and formally opened in November 2024; before that it was a rough track and the drive took considerably longer.
Fill the tank before you leave Karimabad or Aliabad. There is no reliable fuel supply once you turn off toward Nomal.
Changing to a jeep for the lakes
Naltar Bala is as far as an ordinary car should go. The last stretch, 12 to 13 km up to Satrangi and the other coloured lakes, is a rough track along the stream, crossed by several meltwater channels, and it is driven only by local jeeps with experienced drivers. Arrange a jeep in Naltar Bala itself, or ask your hotel in Karimabad or Aliabad to book one ahead for the morning you arrive.
Agree the fare for the round trip, including waiting time at the lakes, before you set off, and start as early as you can. The streams crossing the track rise through the day as snowmelt increases, and jeeps returning in the afternoon are sometimes held up until the water drops. Our Satrangi Lake and the Naltar lakes guide covers the ride and what you see at the top in detail.
Is a same-day return from Hunza realistic?
It depends on how early you start and how much time you want at the lakes. A rough plan:
- Leave Karimabad by 6 or 7am. Three hours of driving gets you to Naltar Bala by mid-morning.
- Switch to a jeep and go to the lakes. Another hour to hour and a half each way, plus time to walk between Satrangi, Blue Lake and Pari Lake.
- Head back by early afternoon to be driving down the Naltar Expressway and back onto the KKH before the light fades, and to give the meltwater streams time to have already peaked and started to drop.
Done this way, the whole day comes to nine or ten hours from Karimabad and back, most of it in a vehicle. That is workable in June, July and August when the days are long, but it leaves little slack for a late start, a delayed jeep, or simply wanting to linger at the lakes.
If you would rather not rush it, spend a night in Naltar Bala instead. Simple guesthouses are available in the village, it turns a long single day into two relaxed half-days, and it leaves a buffer if the streams on the jeep track are running high. Our Naltar Valley guide covers the valley as a whole, and our hotels in Naltar guide covers what rooms are actually like.
Doing it as part of a longer trip
Most visitors see Naltar as a side trip from a longer stay in Hunza and Gilgit rather than a dedicated journey. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour includes Naltar and the lakes within a nine-day route along the Karakoram Highway, which removes the logistics of arranging your own car and jeep changes.
If you are driving yourself and want a lighter alternative, note that Naltar can equally be done as a day trip from Gilgit rather than from Hunza; the drive is shorter, at around 40 to 45 km from the city.
Frequently asked questions
How far is it from Hunza to Naltar Valley?
About 95 km from Karimabad to Naltar Bala: roughly 75 km back down the KKH to the Nomal turn-off, then about 20 km up the paved Naltar Expressway. Allow around three hours of driving.
Do I need to go through Gilgit city to reach Naltar from Hunza?
No. The turn-off for Nomal and Naltar is on the Hunza river side of the KKH, about 25 km before Gilgit, so you can head into the valley without driving into the city itself.
Can I take my own car all the way to the lakes?
No. Ordinary cars can reach Naltar Bala on the paved road, but the last 12 to 13 km up to the lakes is a rough track reserved for local jeeps.
Is a day trip from Hunza to Naltar and back realistic?
Yes, with an early start in summer, but it is a long day of nine to ten hours, mostly driving. An overnight in Naltar Bala is a more relaxed way to do it.
What is the best time to drive from Hunza to Naltar?
Late May to October, when the road to Naltar Bala is clear and the jeep track to the lakes is open. In winter the valley is under snow and the lakes are inaccessible.
