The Naran to Hunza route is one of the most spectacular road journeys on earth. In a single drive, you cross a 4,173-metre pass, descend through the high Himalaya, follow the Indus River along one of the world's great mountain highways, and arrive in the Karakoram valleys of Hunza. It is the kind of journey travellers genuinely plan entire holidays around.
This guide walks you through the full route in detail, covering the four main segments, the overnight options, the seasonal constraints, and why starting and ending at a hotel chain that operates in both valleys removes all the logistical friction.
Distance
~340 km
Driving Time
10 to 12 hrs
Best Season
Jun to Sep
Nights Needed
2 recommended
In This Guide
- 1.The Route at a Glance
- 2.The Four Segments in Detail
- 3.When to Make the Drive
- 4.Where to Stop Overnight
- 5.What to See in Hunza When You Arrive
- 6.Where to Stay in Naran and Hunza
- 7.Frequently Asked Questions
The Route at a Glance
The route is: Naran → Babusar Top → Chilas → Gilgit → Hunza. Total distance is approximately 340 km. In good summer conditions, driving time is 10 to 12 hours, which is genuinely too much for one day.
We recommend splitting the journey over two days with an overnight in Chilas or Gilgit. This lets you drive in daylight, take proper photo stops, and arrive in Hunza fresh rather than exhausted.
The Four Segments in Detail
The journey is best understood in four segments. Each has a distinct character, and mapping them out in advance helps you plan fuel, photo stops, and rest breaks.
Naran to Babusar Top
~75 km, 2 to 2.5 hrsThe first segment climbs steadily along the Kunhar River through Jalkhad, Batakundi, and Burawai before ascending to Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top at 4,173 metres. This is the highest point of the journey and usually the most memorable.
Tip: Start early from Naran, ideally by 7:00 AM. Weather at Babusar Top is most reliable in the morning.
Babusar Top to Chilas
~80 km, 2.5 to 3 hrsThe descent from Babusar to Chilas is a dramatic drop of more than 2,500 metres. The road winds through barren rock landscapes that feel completely different from the green Kaghan Valley behind you. Chilas is a hot, arid town on the Indus River.
Tip: Chilas is genuinely hot, even in summer. Peel off layers as you descend. Fuel up in Chilas; it is the first reliable filling station after Burawai.
Chilas to Gilgit
~130 km, 3.5 to 4 hrsThis section of the Karakoram Highway follows the Indus River through a deep gorge flanked by Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram range. The road is fully paved and safe, with spectacular views at the Nanga Parbat viewpoint near Raikot Bridge.
Tip: Stop at the Nanga Parbat viewpoint for 20 minutes. On clear days, Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest peak, dominates the skyline.
Gilgit to Hunza
~100 km, 2 to 2.5 hrsThe final segment is the most scenic part of the KKH. The road continues along the Hunza River, past Rakaposhi viewpoint and through the town of Nagar, before entering Hunza proper at Aliabad and Karimabad. Baltit and Altit forts become visible as you approach.
Tip: The Rakaposhi viewpoint cafe is a classic tea stop. From here, the 7,788-metre peak fills the entire windshield on a clear day.
Book Both Ends of the Journey
Belmont Hotels and Resorts operates properties in both Naran and Hunza. Start your road trip at Belmont Naran on Jheel Road, finish at Belmont Hunza, and let our teams coordinate bookings, transfers, and advice across the entire journey.
When to Make the Drive
The route is seasonal. Babusar Top, the gateway from Kaghan Valley to the Karakoram Highway, closes every winter under deep snow.
Early Season
Mid-May to Mid-June
Babusar Top opens progressively. Snow lingers at the top. Weather can be unpredictable. Fewer crowds.
Peak Season
June to September
The prime window. All roads open, stable weather, long daylight. Most travellers plan the Naran to Hunza trip in this period.
Late Season
Late September to Mid-October
Cooler temperatures, thinner crowds, golden autumn light in Hunza. Watch weather forecasts; Babusar can close at short notice.
Closed
Mid-October to Mid-May
Babusar Top closed. Use the longer alternative via Islamabad, Besham, and the Karakoram Highway, adding two full days to the trip.
Where to Stop Overnight
Completing the Naran to Hunza drive in a single day is technically possible but not advisable. Two main overnight options are available:
Chilas
Chilas is the first town after Babusar Top. It works well if you leave Naran early in the morning and arrive by late afternoon. Accommodation is functional rather than luxurious. Summer temperatures in Chilas are notably hot, so an air-conditioned room is worth paying for.
Gilgit
Gilgit is the larger regional hub with better hotels, more restaurants, and a more scenic riverside setting. It puts you only 2 to 2.5 hours from Hunza for the final leg. Most travellers prefer Gilgit as the overnight stop, despite the longer first-day drive from Naran.
What to See in Hunza When You Arrive
Hunza is one of Pakistan's most rewarding destinations and deserves at least three full days of exploration after the long drive.
- 1Baltit Fort and Altit Fort: the 700-year-old seats of the former Hunza state, beautifully restored and open to visitors.
- 2Attabad Lake: a turquoise lake formed by a 2010 landslide, now one of Hunza's most iconic photo spots.
- 3Passu Cones and Passu Glacier: the jagged peaks and nearby glacier viewpoint along the KKH past Hunza.
- 4Hussaini Suspension Bridge: a classic rope bridge over the Hunza River, genuinely thrilling for those who cross.
- 5Eagle's Nest viewpoint: sunrise and sunset views across the entire Hunza Valley, framed by Rakaposhi and Ultar.
- 6Khunjerab Pass: the Pakistan-China border at 4,693 metres, a full-day excursion from Hunza.
Where to Stay in Naran and Hunza
A long road trip is far easier when both ends are anchored to a hotel you already know. Belmont Hotels and Resorts is one of the few operators with properties in both valleys.
Start
Belmont Naran
Jheel Road, Naran. The ideal base for the first leg, with secure parking, buffet breakfast, and a front desk that coordinates the onward journey.
View Belmont NaranEnd
Belmont Hunza
Our Hunza property, ready for arrivals from the KKH. Familiar hospitality standards at both ends of the journey, with bookings coordinated between the two properties.
View Belmont HunzaFrequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Naran to Hunza?
The driving distance from Naran to Hunza is approximately 340 kilometres via Babusar Top, Chilas, and Gilgit. Total driving time is 10 to 12 hours in good conditions, which is genuinely too much for a single day. We strongly recommend a one-night stop in Chilas or Gilgit.
Can I do Naran to Hunza in one day?
It is technically possible, but we do not recommend it. Driving 10 to 12 hours through mountain passes is exhausting, and the scenery justifies a slower pace. A two-day plan with an overnight in Chilas or Gilgit is far more sensible and enjoyable.
When is Babusar Top open for the Naran to Hunza route?
Babusar Top is usually open from mid-May to mid-October. Outside this window, the Naran to Hunza route via Babusar is closed. The alternative is to return south via Mansehra and Islamabad and take the Karakoram Highway from Besham, which adds two full days.
Is the Naran to Hunza road safe?
Yes. The entire route is paved and well-travelled during the open season. The Babusar section has tight switchbacks but is driveable in any well-maintained car. The Karakoram Highway from Chilas to Hunza is one of Pakistan's most scenic and best-maintained roads.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle for the journey?
Not strictly. A regular sedan can complete the full journey in summer. A high-clearance SUV or 4WD is more comfortable on the Babusar section and in shoulder-season weather. In peak season, almost all traffic on the route is standard passenger cars.
Where should I stop overnight between Naran and Hunza?
Most travellers stop in Chilas or Gilgit. Chilas works well as a late-afternoon stop if you leave Naran early. Gilgit offers more hotel choice and better restaurants. From Gilgit, Hunza is a relatively short 2 to 2.5 hour drive the next morning.
What is the best time of year to drive from Naran to Hunza?
June to September. Babusar Top is reliably open, the weather is stable, and daylight hours are long. Cherry blossom season in Hunza is around March and April, but the Babusar route is closed then; use the longer Karakoram Highway route via Besham instead.
Where should I stay in Naran and Hunza?
Belmont Hotels and Resorts operates in both Naran and Hunza. Starting and ending your road trip with the same trusted hospitality standard makes the long journey genuinely easier, and our teams at both ends coordinate bookings, transfers, and travel advice seamlessly.
One Booking, Two Valleys
Plan your Naran to Hunza road trip with Belmont Hotels and Resorts. Our properties in both valleys mean a single point of contact for bookings, transfers, and onward logistics across one of the world's most memorable road journeys.