Choose Hunza if you want the easier, busier and better-served trip, with plenty of hotels and sights close together along the Karakoram Highway. Choose Khaplu if you have time to go further, want a quiet base with a restored palace and a big mountain backdrop, and don't mind fewer choices. They are 289 km apart by road, in two different halves of Gilgit-Baltistan, and most people don't have time to give both a proper stay.
This is a comparison for choosing between them, not a full guide to either. Each has its own detailed pages, linked below.
| Khaplu | Hunza (Karimabad) | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Baltistan, Ghanche district | Hunza, on the Karakoram Highway |
| Altitude | About 2,600 m | About 2,600 m |
| Gateway | Skardu, then about 103 km east | Gilgit, then about 90 to 100 km north |
| Drive from gateway | About 2 to 3 hours in good conditions | About 2 to 3 hours |
| Feel | Quiet, off the main circuit | Established tourist destination |
| Signature sights | Chaqchan mosque, Khaplu Palace, Masherbrum views | Baltit and Altit forts, Attabad Lake, Passu, Khunjerab |
How do you get to each?
Both are reached through a gateway town. For Khaplu it is Skardu; Skardu to Khaplu is about 103 km on a paved road, described as two to three hours by most sources, and longer with stops. For Hunza it is Gilgit, then about 90 to 100 km on the Karakoram Highway to Aliabad or Karimabad, in around two to three hours.
Skardu and Gilgit are themselves a long way from anywhere. Skardu to Gilgit is about 197 km, roughly three and a half hours, and Skardu to Hunza is 289 km, about five to six hours of driving. So combining the two is a full day of transfer, not a side trip.
Flying to Skardu or Gilgit from Islamabad is the fastest way in, though weather cancels flights. If you drive from the south, note that the UK government advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, and foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice, since it can void insurance. Flying, or the Babusar route in summer, avoids that stretch. Gilgit-Baltistan itself isn't on the UK list.
For the last leg, see our guides to Skardu to Khaplu and Islamabad to Hunza by road.
Which is quieter?
Khaplu. A Dawn writer described it as off the beaten path, attracting fewer visitors than the popular destinations. Hunza has been a tourist destination since the Karakoram Highway arrived, and it is the more crowded of the two, especially in the main summer weeks and on long weekends.
That cuts both ways. Hunza has far more hotels, restaurants and guesthouses, so it is easier to book late and easier for a family that wants choice. Khaplu has fewer places to stay, so book earlier. See hotels in Khaplu and budget hotels in Hunza.
What is there to see?
Khaplu is about slow days. The main sights are the Chaqchan mosque, dated by Dawn's writer to about 700 years ago, and the restored Khaplu Palace, now a hotel and museum. Trekking to Masherbrum base camp and Laila Peak starts in this area. See places to visit in Khaplu.
Hunza offers more within short drives: Baltit Fort, which was fully rebuilt between 1990 and 1996, Altit, Attabad Lake, the Passu Cones and, in summer, the day trip to Khunjerab Pass. See places to visit in Hunza.
When should you go?
Both do best in the warmer months, and both look good in autumn. Their seasons differ in detail, so read the dedicated pages: best time to visit Khaplu and best time to visit Hunza. One practical difference: the Highway around Hunza stays open in most of winter, while the Khunjerab stretch closes, so Hunza is easier in the cold months than a remote valley.
Which should you pick?
- Pick Hunza if it is your first northern trip, you have three to five days, you are travelling with children or older parents, or you want the widest range of places to stay and eat.
- Pick Khaplu if you have already seen Hunza, you like quiet, or you are building a trip around Skardu and the nearby valleys. Our Skardu page covers that side.
- Do both only if you have at least a week. The transfer between them takes most of a day.
If you can only do one and you are unsure, take Hunza. For details of what a Hunza trip looks like, start with our Gilgit and Hunza page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Khaplu better than Hunza?
Neither is better; they suit different trips. Hunza offers more sights and services, and Khaplu is quieter and has fewer visitors.
Which is easier to reach, Khaplu or Hunza?
Hunza, for most people. It is about 90 to 100 km from Gilgit on the Highway, while Khaplu is about 103 km beyond Skardu, and both need a flight or a long drive first.
Can you visit Khaplu and Hunza in one trip?
Yes, with about a week or more. Skardu to Hunza is 289 km and five to six hours of driving, so it takes most of a day.
Which is colder, Khaplu or Hunza?
Both sit at roughly 2,600 m and have cold winters. Check the seasonal pages for each before travelling in winter.
Which is better for families?
Hunza, for the range of hotels and the short distances between sights.
