A joint family trip to the northern areas, with grandparents, cousins and children all travelling together, runs on different logistics from a couple's trip or a small group of friends. The scenery is the same; what changes is how many vehicles you need, how hotels handle a block of rooms, and how much slower everything moves with a wide range of ages in one group.
Working out how many vehicles you need
For 10 to 20 people, you're generally looking at two or three vehicles rather than one large one, because a single Hiace or Coaster carrying the whole family also means the whole family is stuck together for every stop, bathroom break and photo. A common split is one or two Hiace grand cabins (comfortably seating around 12 to 14) plus a smaller car for anyone who needs to travel at their own pace, such as elderly relatives who tire of long drives or a family with a small child who naps.
Rental rates for a Hiace vary a good deal by company and season; our guide to hiring a Hiace for the northern areas has current figures. Whatever you book, confirm in writing: the number of seats versus the number of people (a "14-seater" is cramped with 14 adults and luggage), whether the driver's meals and stay are included, and what happens if a vehicle breaks down partway through the trip, since a spare seat elsewhere in the group is the only real backup on remote roads.
Booking rooms as a block
Hotels in Hunza and Skardu that regularly host groups, including Serena's Hunza and Skardu properties and Shangrila Resort on Lower Kachura Lake, can arrange a block of rooms held under one booking, which is worth asking for by name rather than making 8 to 10 separate reservations. A room block usually gets you:
- Rooms held together or close to each other, which matters more with children and older relatives in the group
- One point of contact for changes, rather than juggling several individual bookings
- Sometimes a modest group rate, though this isn't guaranteed and is worth asking about directly
Book earlier than you would for a smaller trip. A block of 8 to 10 rooms is harder for a hotel to accommodate at short notice in July, August or around Eid than two or three rooms would be.
Meals for a big group
Restaurants and hotel dining rooms in the north can generally seat a large family, but a group of 15 to 20 ordering individually from a menu takes far longer than the same group eating a set spread. Ask your hotel or a local restaurant in advance whether they can do a fixed family-style meal for your group size; most places used to tourist traffic in Hunza and Skardu can, and it makes mealtimes considerably faster and calmer with children in the group.
Mixed ages: what actually needs planning
The age range in a joint family trip is usually the thing that determines the itinerary, more than the destination does.
- Altitude. Deosai (over 4,000 metres) and Khunjerab Pass (4,693 metres) affect older relatives and anyone with a heart or lung condition more than younger travellers. Ask a doctor before the trip rather than deciding on the day, and keep any stop at extreme altitude short.
- Long drive days. The Karakoram Highway and roads to Skardu or Deosai involve long hours in the vehicle. Build in a stop roughly every two hours, and don't schedule two very long drive days back to back.
- Uneven ground. Jeep tracks, riverside paths and hotel grounds built on a slope are common in the north. If anyone in the group has limited mobility, check with your driver or hotel what walking is actually involved at each stop before you commit to it.
- Children. Pack for boredom on long drives (snacks, something to do) as much as for the destination itself, and keep at least one day of the trip unscheduled so a tired child, or a tired grandparent, doesn't derail the whole itinerary.
Splitting the trip when interests differ
Not every relative wants to do every activity. It's reasonable, and often easier, to split the group for part of a day: some going up to a viewpoint by jeep while others stay at the hotel, rather than forcing everyone through the same schedule. This works better if you've already got two or more vehicles for the trip, which is another reason not to book a single large vehicle for the whole group.
Our trip-planning guide covers the wider logistics of building an itinerary, and it's worth working through it as a group before you book anything, so everyone's expectations for pace and activities are set before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
How many vehicles do we need for a 15 to 20 person family trip?
Generally two or three rather than one. A single large vehicle keeps the whole group together for every stop, which usually isn't what a mixed-age family wants on a multi-day trip.
Can hotels in Hunza and Skardu handle a block of 10 or more rooms?
The larger, more established properties can, but you should ask for a room block by name and book well ahead, especially for July, August or Eid weeks.
Is Deosai or Khunjerab Pass safe for elderly relatives?
Both involve significant altitude, which can affect anyone with heart or lung conditions more seriously than younger travellers. Check with a doctor beforehand and keep time at altitude short.
Should the whole family do the same activities every day?
Not necessarily. Splitting the group for part of a day, so those who want a jeep trip or a longer walk can go while others rest, usually works better than forcing one schedule on everyone.
What's the biggest planning mistake for a joint family trip?
Underestimating how much slower everything moves with a wide age range. Build extra time into drive days and keep at least one day free rather than scheduling every hour.
