Pakistan Hiking TOur
June 6th – June 20th, 2026
An unforgettable journey to the most underrated mountain region on the planet!
After spending 4+ years living in and trekking through the most underrated mountain ranges the Karakoram has to offer, and running numerous successful Pakistan women’s tours, it’s time for a co-ed hiking trip open to anyone!
I’ve completed more than 15 unique treks in Pakistan, and my partner Fareed and our super experienced local team have done even more. So basically – you’re in good hands!
Get ready to hike, camp and meet lifelong outdoorsy friends among some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
And unlike 99% of Pakistan trekking trips which go to the same old commercialized places (Rakaposhi Basecamp, Fairy Meadows or K2) our itinerary is crafted from extensive knowledge and experience that can only be had when you exclusively work with Indigenous locals from Gilgit Baltistan, and actually live here yourself in my case!
The 15-day trip will take you across glaciers, to fairytale forests and offbeat viewpoints in the magical Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan.
We’ll visit summer pastures, fall in love with snowcapped peaks, immerse deep into local culture, and go way beyond the typical Pakistan itinerary.
In just over two weeks, we’ll take on three seriously EPIC treks that you won’t find on other itineraries, especially combined, at this price point!
Intentional Detours is proud to only work with indigenous locals guides from the Gilgit Baltistan territory and exclusively support locally owned businesses.
From drivers to lunch stops and everything else along the way, we make sure the community is benefitting from our trips as much as possible.
June 6th-June 20th, 2026
15 days
3-10 hikers
2600 USD
$200 off through February 16th, 2026!
What’s Included and Excluded
Click Here to Sign Up!
Pakistan Hiking Tour Itinerary
Do note that when traveling in Gilgit Baltistan, unexpected surprises are the norm, especially when dealing with wild mountain roads.
Due to weather conditions, roadblocks, or who knows what, changes may have to be made on the spot, but we’ll try to stick to the plan as much as possible!
Pakistan Hiking Tour Overview
Some highlights you can expect:
3 Epic Treks
Day 1: Skardu
We’ll meet for lunch in Skardu, have some time to rest, and then meet again for a sunset outing and supper. Aim to arrive in the mountains the day before, but it’s also okay to arrive earlier today, too. We provide airport pickup from Skardu International starting 48 hours before the tour begins :)
The exact accommodation name will be shared in the information packet!
This tour does NOT begin in Islamabad as we do not want to waste any time in a boring and very easy to manage city, and want to ensure every single business and individual supported with your tour payment is from Gilgit Baltistan.
We have had great feedback on this and will provide you with lots of detailed info on everything you need to know about arriving into Islamabad and can arrange airport pickups and more if you’d like!
- Accommodation: Skardu hotel
- Max elevation: 7300 ft / 2225 m
Day 2 – Skardu Acclimatization Day
We’ll do a 5-6 hour acclimatization hike to Marsur Rock today to get the blood flowing and the epic views will start!
We’ll then check out the bazzar to grab any last minute pieces of kit you may want or need for the journey :)
- Accommodation: Skardu hotel
- Max Elevation: 12,139 ft / 3700 m (Marsur Rock only, sleeping at 7300 ft)
Day 3 – Drive to Khaltoro Valley and Trek to Khun Meadows
We’ll get a very early start to ensure we reach Khaltoro Valley, then begin our trek with plenty of daylight to set up camp and enjoy this truly incredible meadow (where we’ll be able to see Nanga Parbat if it’s clear!).
This is the most incredible meadow I’ve ever seen and it’s really not too hard of a trek at all to reach it!
- Accommodation: Tents
- Max Elevation: 10,550 ft / 3218 m
Day 4 – Trek to the Second Campsite
And so begins the journey deeper into the valley to another epic campsite that very few foreigners have ever heard of.
We’ll get an early start from the meadow, and take a leisurely trail through fairy-tale forests to see an epic surprise at the very end of the valley!
- Accommodation: Camping in two-person tents
- Max Elevation: 11,200 ft / 3413 m
Day 5: Trek Back to The Village, Drive to Hunza
Today we’ll trek back to the beginning of Khaltoro, where our jeeps will be waiting for another spin on the actual craziest road in Gilgit Baltistan!
We’ll then have lunch down in Sassi before heading toward Hunza with our regular drivers.
- Accommodation: Hunza hotel
- Max Elevation: 8500 ft / 2500 m
Day 6 – Borith Lake
We’ll check out a few sites in both Central and Upper Hunza before taking a leisurely drive to Borith Lake where we’ll be spending the night. Today is a hiking rest day before we hit the trail early tomorrow!
- Accommodation: Borith Lake hotel
- Max Elevation: 9000 ft / 2743 m
Day 7 – Patundas Day 1 (Lower Camp Site)
Today is the very first day of our Patundas trek over the epic Passu glacier! We’ll get an early start as our drivers drop us off at the Zero Point and trek for about 4-5 hours (across a glacier) to reach our campsite.
- Accommodation: Camping in two-person tents
- Max Elevation: 11,200 ft / 3413 m
Day 8 – Patundas Day 2
We’ll have to tackle a STEEP uphill to reach Patundas, but trust and believe it’s worth it! We’ll spend the day up at the meadows, and decide where we all prefer to camp, up top or at the same campsite :)
You’ll have the opportunity to trek further to the edge of the plateau, or just chill at the shepherd hut and admire the Batura Glacier below.
- Accommodation: Camping in two-person tents
- Max Elevation: 13,779 ft / 4200 m (optional possibility to go up to 4800 m)
Day 9 – Return to Zero Point, Head to Passu
Time to head back to civilization! We should make it back to civilization by midday, with the option to take a dip in the Borith Lake as we drive by it again on our way to Passu.
The rest of the afternoon will be chill/ free time to rest and decompress from our glacier journey, followed by an epic dinner at my favorite restaurant in Hunza :)
- Accommodation: Passu hotel
Day 10 – Drive to Skardu
Today’s a long day of driving (about 7 hours) but it means a bit more rest before we gear up for our last (and highest) trek.
We should reach Skardu by 4pm latest, where we’ll have one more night in a hotel before it’s back to the tents!
- Accommodation: Skardu hotel
Day 11 – Drive to Machulo, Trek to Khadi Broq
We’ll hit the road early to reach Machulo, which is about 3-ish hours from the city. We’ll then have a quick snack and meet our porters before hitting the trail.
Day 1 is relative easy as we trek through shepherd’s fields and pastures for about 3.5 hours to get settled into our first campsite before dark.
- Accommodation: Camping in two-person tents
- Max Elevation: 12,467 ft / 3800 m
Day 12 – Trek to Quoli Brangsa
Get ready for a hard but rewarding day. Yes, it’s about to be STEEP but we’ve got a whole team here to support you through the long slog!
It will take about four hours to reach camp 2, and then we’ll have the entire day to rest and relax before (hopefully) laying eyes on K2 tomorrow. The opportunity to meet shepherds and their animals is also very likely :)
- Accommodation: Camping in two-person tents
- Max elevation: 13,615 ft / 4150 m
Day 13 – Machulo La K2 Viewpoint
Today we’ll hopefully see a whole bunch of 8000 meter peaks, including the mighty K2! The ascent to the top of the pass/viewpoint is steep but short. Broad Peak along with Gasherbrum 1&2 should be visible as well if the weather cooperates :)
We’ll then return, where our porters will have packed up all our gear and get ready to descend to camp 1 one where we’ll spend one final night under the stars.
- Accommodation: Camping in two-person tents
- Max elevation: 16,637 ft / 5071 m (camping much lower at camp 1)
Day 14 – Trek Back to Machulo and Drive to Skardu
Today’s an easy day – we’ll head back to Machulo which should only take 3 hours max.
We’ll then head back to Skardu for a celebratory group dinner, and of course, a coveted hot shower!
- Accommodation: Skardu hotel
Day 15 – Departure Day
We’ll enjoy one more early group breakfast before saying our goodbyes and heading out!
Feel free to book your flight out for today or tomorrow. Accommodation is not included tonight but Skardu Airport drop off regardless of whether you’re leaving today OR tomorrow.
- Accommodation: None, tour ends after breakfast
Click Here to Sign Up!
Intentional Detours Testimonials
In the fall of 2024, I took a 2-month leave of absence from work to travel around parts of Asia. One of the reasons why was for Samantha’s northern Pakistan tour in October. Visiting the region during the fall had been a bucket list dream of mine for years. When researching around for tours, I came across Samantha’s website and found her itinerary to be unique and incredibly appealing. What really stood out to me were the off-the-beaten-path hikes, which many tours didn’t do. Hers promised an authentic experience, and I knew it was the one I wanted to book. Before booking, I had a lot of questions for Samantha. She was responsive and understanding. Her warmth and attentiveness in our email conversations were only amplified when we met in person. Both Samantha and her husband, Fareed, went above and beyond to make sure our group was taken care of. They were not only incredibly accommodating but also genuinely caring, especially when I wasn’t feeling well during the trip. They immersed us in a part of this world that is absolutely stunning at every turn, and we had the privilege of meeting some of the most welcoming locals, whose warmth and generosity made the trip even more special. And shout out to Moeen, our skilled (and handsome) driver! He could even spot goats on a rocky mountainside from extreme distances while driving. It was truly impressive! This trip was a big highlight of my leave. It’s an amazing experience that I’m forever grateful for. If you're looking for a truly unique and immersive experience in Pakistan, I highly recommend Intentional Detours.
Would highly recommend!
I recently joined the tour of northern Pakistan organized by Samantha, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! The itinerary was well-paced, balancing sightseeing with time to immerse ourselves in the local culture. The landscapes were stunning— beautiful mountains, lush valleys, and some of the most picturesque spots I’ve seen.
One of the highlights was getting to know Samantha and learning more about her life in Hunza. Her passion for the area and its culture is so genuine, and it added so much depth to the trip. Would highly recommend!
What a unique and wonderful trip!
In May 2024I found myself with a close friend spending two weeks in Gilgit Baltistan with the Intentional Detours women’s tour. It was full of so many special moments Samantha our host her husband Fareed and our driver Moeen took great care of us. The mountains, valleys and glaciers are spectacular and travelling with these local knowledgeable and helpful guides gave us insight into the history and culture of these places. Some of the highlights include visiting the ancient forts of Balit and Altit close to 1000 years old, being invited to attend a local wedding, a fun filled all-day event. Lots of laughter at the ladies' carpet workshop, having fun playing a bit of cricket with kids after school, and sharing meals with local families - the food was delicious and it being cherry season we were definitely in luck! In short, I highly recommend this amazing adventurous trip. I hope to get back again someday to this most beautiful part of the world. I highly recommend traveling with Samantha and Fareed.
I found Samantha and her blog/website via Instagram. I was really happy that I came across because it was quite hard to find reliable information. Because Samantha is from the US the communication was so much easier (compared to Pakistanis I found online) because she really understood what we wanted and needed.How hard is the hike (how many days it will take), what can we expect from it etc. Before it was super hard to judge how reliable the information was.
Together we made an itinerary. Communication was super easy and Samantha helped us also in the visa process. When we went to Pakistan we felt super relaxed and confident in the adventure that we were taking on.
About the trip. What can I say. It was just amazing. Fareed is a super relaxed and an easy going guy that speaks very good English. The hikes were absolutely stunning. The rest of the crew was also great fun. A BIG shout out to the cook is in place here. We hiked for 5 days, I am used to noodles. We ate so good. Imagine a whole fried BBQ chicken at 4000 meters after 3 days of hiking and then a whole fresh watermelon as desert. INSANE! I have never eaten so well during a hike.
Between the 4 hikes we did private transportation was arranged, we slept in good hotels/motels. We just had to relax. Because Fareed is local he also has a lot of knowledge about the history of Hunza and it’s people, which is also a big plus.
In short: I highly recommend traveling with Samantha and Fareed. People who really have the travel/backpack and a passion for nature, the Hunza nature/culture and people.
I would do a tour with Samantha again in a heartbeat!
Our tour through Hunza with Samantha Shea was a wonderful experience. Samantha, along with her husband Fareed want to show visitors the spectacular scenery of the Karakoram Mountains and its valleys, while also sharing the unique character and history of this land and its people. We felt very looked after and safe.Their tour business strives to have low impact on the environment and to support locally-owned businesses. We felt that we learned a lot about the incredible history of this area; a gateway from China through the mountains to Central Asia; an ancient Silk Road, a unique local language and mountain culture, with a gentle, polite, educated population.
I would do a tour with Samantha again in a heartbeat and recommend to all who are genuinely interested in and respect other cultures and regions of the world. A shout out to Moeen also, who was our very careful, safe driver throughout.
More Epic Itinerary Photos
Is This Pakistan Tour For You?
This trip is not for beginner hikers. We will reach high altitudes, and trek for up to 6 hours per day. You should have experience with both. While we have porters to carry the bulk of our luggage, expect to carry a day pack with your essentials.
Obviously, there won’t be signal on our treks but you can expect connection on our hotel/guesthouse days. You should be prepared to go without showers for days at a time, and should be used to what camping in the outdoors brings.
What to Expect Everywhere
- Incredible people
- Delicious food
- Vetted drivers and experienced local guides
- Off the beaten path treks
- Immersive experiences
What Not to Expect Everywhere
- Wifi/mobile data
- Hot water
- Western toilets
- Western food
- 24/7 electricity
Click Here to Sign Up!
Payment, Insurance + Cancellation Policy
Secure your spot with a $400 deposit via Stripe. (Credit cards accepted!) We’ll then get in touch with you via email with more details including the detailed information packet.
If you prefer to pay the rest on Stripe, that can easily be arranged but there will be an additional fee of about ~$40 to account for the company’s fees.
Wise, Zelle (Americans), Venmo (Americans), or direct bank transfer is preferred for the rest of the payment(s). PayPal is not accepted unless you use “Family and Friends” due to exorbitant fees.
Once confirmed, the remainder of the payment (and your passport copy) MUST be sent no later than 2 MONTHS before the first day of the tour, so April 6th, 2026.
Cancellation Policy
This is the tour cancellation policy that’s in place.
- If you cancel 2+ months in advance: Full refund minus your deposit.
- If you cancel at least 1-2 months in advance: 50% refund minus the deposit.
- If you cancel less than one month in advance: Sorry that’s too late! Arrangements will have been made and vendors secured. You’ll be able to move your payment to a future trip, minus the deposit.
- If we have to cancel: You will be refunded in full minus the deposit.
COVID-19 Policy
- If you have definitively tested positive for Covid (or other illnesses) before the trip you can move your payment minus the deposit as credit for a future tour.
Travel Insurance
To come on this tour, you MUST take out travel insurance and provide a copy before your flight. The company must cover both Pakistan and basic trekking/traveling up to 6000 meters.
For most travel insurance companies, this will be considered “mountaineering” insurance but rest assured that we will just be trekking, these mountains are just huge!
Basic medical care in Pakistan is cheap and good, however, it’s important to be prepared in case of emergency. Samantha Shea, Intentional Detours, and all of our local guides or vendors, and are not liable for any accidents and losses that may occur before, during or after the tour.
Click Here to Sign Up!
Pakistan Hiking Tour FAQ
Get In Touch
Fill out the form below with any questions! You can also email me at samantha@intentionaldetours.com as well :)