A luxury trip to the northern areas is entirely possible, but the region's version of luxury is a well-run heritage hotel and a good private vehicle rather than a resort strip; the mountains themselves do most of the impressing. This guide covers the hotels that deliver on comfort, private transport, and helicopter charter as a way to cut out the long road days.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Best hotel chain | Serena Hotels (Islamabad, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar Fort, Khaplu Palace) |
| Helicopter charter | Only Askari Aviation is licensed to fly in Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Booking lead time for a chopper | About 7 working days for Pakistani nationals; 6 to 8 weeks for foreign nationals needing security clearance |
| Best months | May to September |
| Private vehicle | A 4x4 with an experienced driver, booked directly rather than shared |
Where to stay
Serena Hotels runs the most consistent chain of high-end properties across the region: Hunza Serena in Karimabad, Gilgit Serena, and the heritage properties at Shigar Fort and Khaplu Palace in Baltistan, both restored former royal residences turned boutique hotels. These are the closest the northern areas come to a dependable luxury standard, with proper rooms, kitchens used to hosting foreign and domestic guests, and staff experienced with a demanding itinerary.
Beyond Serena, Shangrila Resort on Lower Kachura Lake near Skardu is a well-known lakeside property with a distinctive setting, though it sits in the mid-range rather than top-tier bracket on independent review sites, so treat it as a scenic choice rather than a five-star one. A handful of newer boutique lodges have opened in Hunza and Skardu in recent years; check recent reviews before booking any of these, since standards vary and a name that was excellent two seasons ago can change quickly.
Getting there in comfort
Flying is the first upgrade over a road trip: PIA runs domestic flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu in around an hour, cutting out one or two days of driving, though flights are cancelled at short notice in poor weather, so build in a spare day either side.
Helicopter charter is the real luxury option. Askari Aviation, run by the Army Welfare Trust, is the only operator licensed to fly charter helicopters in Gilgit-Baltistan, because of the region's sensitive border areas, and all bookings go through a registered tour operator rather than directly. Pakistani nationals need about seven working days' notice; foreign nationals need security clearance that can take six to eight weeks, so this is not something to arrange at the last minute. Charges are calculated per sector with a minimum flying time, and full payment is typically required in advance.
Moving around once you're there
A private 4x4 with an experienced driver, booked directly rather than shared with another party, is the main upgrade on the ground: it means your own pace, stops wherever you want them, and a driver who knows the specific road conditions on any given day. For trips that include Deosai or a jeep track, confirm the vehicle is genuinely built for it, not a city SUV, and that the driver has done that specific route before.
Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and Skardu and Deosai tour can be adapted with private vehicles and upgraded accommodation rather than shared transport, which is the more common way operators build a comfort-first version of a standard itinerary rather than offering a wholly separate luxury product.
What luxury doesn't buy you here
Even at the top end, the northern areas don't offer the infrastructure of an established international luxury destination. Mobile signal drops out above Karimabad and in large parts of Skardu district regardless of budget, power cuts happen even at good hotels (ask about backup generators), and the roads themselves don't improve because you're paying more. Anyone expecting a fully polished, five-star bubble experience throughout should adjust that expectation: the reward is the scenery and the relative privacy of a heritage property, not a Maldives-style resort standard.
Is a luxury trip worth it here?
Yes, if what you want is genuine comfort at the end of each day, a driver and vehicle you don't have to think about, and the option to skip the longer road days by air or helicopter. It's less worth it if you're expecting resort-level facilities to match the price, since the region simply isn't built that way yet. For most travellers, a well-chosen Serena property combined with a private vehicle and a flight instead of a two-day drive delivers most of the comfort a luxury trip is looking for, without needing a helicopter.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best hotel chain for a luxury trip to the northern areas?
Serena Hotels, with properties in Islamabad, Gilgit, Hunza, and the restored heritage forts at Shigar and Khaplu in Baltistan. They're the most consistent high-end option across the region.
Can I book a helicopter charter to Hunza or Skardu myself?
No. Askari Aviation is the only operator licensed to fly charter helicopters in Gilgit-Baltistan, and bookings must go through a registered tour operator rather than directly with the airline.
How far in advance do I need to book a helicopter charter?
About seven working days for Pakistani nationals. Foreign nationals need security clearance that can take six to eight weeks, so this needs to be arranged well ahead of the trip.
Is Shangrila Resort a luxury hotel?
It's a well-known, scenic lakeside resort near Skardu, but independent reviews place it in the mid-range rather than top luxury tier, so it's worth choosing for its setting rather than expecting a five-star standard throughout.
Does paying more guarantee better mobile signal or power supply?
No. Signal gaps and power cuts affect hotels at every price point in the northern areas. Ask any high-end property specifically about backup generators and don't expect city-level connectivity anywhere in the region.
