Pakistan Womens Tour
An authentic journey that puts local experiences first.
Picture-perfect-Pakistan!
This is a country unlike any other, and the place I’ve called home for over four years.
A far flung land filled with the warmest people, the most incredible scenery, and rich cultures and traditions that stretch back to some of the earliest known civilizations.
Pakistan is an adventure traveler’s dream that I want to share with you.
May 2nd – 12th 2026
October 11th – 25th 2026
11 Days
15 days
3 – 10 women
$200 off through January 31st, 2026!
2200 USD
2500 USD
Why THIS Pakistan Womens Tour?
I first visited Pakistan in 2019 and have traveled extensively throughout the country. Unlike any other foreign tour leader, I live in Pakistan (Hunza to be exact!), and all of my travels have been completely independent. I’m also perhaps one of the only tour leaders legally allowed to work in the country based on my permanent residence status.
I’ve backpacked through every province and territory, and now I hope to share my love for this truly special land with you. These days, I can speak and understand Urdu (Pakistan’s national language) and have made it to an elementary level of Burushaski, one of the two unique languages primarily spoken in Hunza.
Visiting Pakistan with me offers the chance to get beyond the standardized tours available elsewhere… on an Intentional Detours Adventure, we shall peek way beneath the hood and explore some of Northern Pakistan’s most hidden gems.
After spending years exploring this country solo, with locals, and with other foreigners (all independently planned) I understand how the rawness of the landscapes, the poor media representation, and the admittedly challenging logistics of traveling here can seem intimidating.
Indeed, if you are short on time and want to make the most of this magical place, it is hard to get around efficiently.
But if you’re here, I know you’re probably looking for more than your average “bus tour.” You’re seeking authentic moments, genuine connections, and unparalleled experiences. You want to see the REAL Pakistan.
This Pakistan women’s-only tour spans many majestic mountains, but here at Intentional Detours, we focus on unique local experiences in the Hunza Valley, a mountainous and awe-inspiring part of the country that sits 2500 meters/ 8200 feet.
But why THIS Hunza valley tour?
This tour isn’t JUST going to show you the same Hunza Valley sites you see on every other itinerary that goes to Fairy Meadows, Rakaposhi Basecamp, and other mainstream sites.
NOPE, we’re getting well off the beaten path.
Think meaningful homestay experiences, spectacular hikes, and decadent eats in parts of the country that other tours do not visit, on account of not having the same network of local contacts that I have built over the last few years of literally becoming part of an Indigenous family and community.
We’re also not going to rush – the tour primarily focuses on Hunza to give you a deeper feel for this special part of the world.
Our itinerary PROUDLY and exclusively supports 100% LOCALLY OWNED hotels and businesses in Hunza, and only uses guides and drivers FROM Hunza, something no other Pakistan women’s tour does. These are indigenous lands, and you can rest assured that you’ll be fully supporting their communities whilst on your adventure.
Rather than working with Lahore-based facilitators and guides like many other tour companies, it’s very important to me that my tours do as much as possible to get money and opportunities into local hands.
And because we want to be affordable, our prices both cheaper and better value than other operators (just head to Google to see this is true).
We limit our trips to truly small groups of 10 women max, and have run tours with as few as 3 because we want this to be an immersive, intimate experience, not something reminiscent of a summer camp.
So what are you waiting for?
If you have an adventurous spirit, it’s time to strap in, pay the deposit, and prepare for mesmerizing sunsets over snow-covered peaks, truly special mountain walks that will surpass anything you’ve ever done at home.
This really will be the trip of a lifetime alongside a group of like-minded women (no men on this trip, sorry!) ready to experience and take home the very best of Pakistan with you.
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.
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Pakistan Women’s Tour Itinerary
It’s important to note that when traveling in Pakistan, 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 – flexibility is the name of the game!
Hunza Valley Women’s Tour Overview
Some highlights you can expect:
10+ Locations
11 Day Express Itinerary (May)
This Pakistan women’s tour is ideal for those with limited time off, it’s 11 days instead of 15 and still takes you WAY off the beaten path to places you just won’t find on other itineraries!
Unlike other Pakistan women’s tours, this one starts in the lovely small mountain city of Skardu, not Islamabad. This is based on plenty of feedback – and a desire to make sure the entire trip only focuses on and financially supports the indigenous locals of Gilgit Baltistan.
It also saves us four days wasted in Islamabad or driving there (16+ hours that no one really enjoyed).
While I recommend flying into Skardu the day before day 1, it’s no problem – today is a chill, relaxed day as we wait for everyone to come together. We will also provide hands-on ground support in Islamabad with Hunzai team members to make things easy. Airport pickup will be provided to anyone who arrives in Skardu within 48 hours of the tour start date :)
As flights tend to arrive before noon, we’ll spend the day appreciating Skardu’s local sites and have a group dinner.
- Accommodation: Skardu guesthouse
Day 2 – Drive to Gaukuch
If anyone had any arrival issues, no worries! We won’t depart without you :)
Gaukuch is a nice in-between spot on our way to Yasin Valley. It will take about 6 hours to get there, where we’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
- Accommodation: Gaukuch hotel
We’ll spend just about 2.5 hours on the (absolutely stunning) road today. The Gilgit-Shandur Road will bring us to Taus, which is right in the middle of Yasin Valley. We should have some time to catch a sunset at an epic local viewpoint.
- Accommodation: Yasin guesthouse
We’ll start off the day bright in early with a short drive to Darkut, a magical village at the end of the valley.
We’ll spend time with a local family and you’ll have ample opportunities to meet girls and women from the area.
- Accommodation: Yasin guesthouse/homestay
Today we’ll gear up early for a fabulous day hike (an easy 2 hours each way) to a mesmerizing local lake that very few foreigners ever visit!
We’ll end the day back at the guesthouse for dinner.
- Accommodation: Yasin Guesthouse
After about 6 hours of driving, we’ll arrive to Central Hunza (where I live) in time for dinner at our comfy, boutique hotel with the best views of Rakaposhi!
- Accommodation: Aliabad hotel
Today is all about exploring the many villages that make up Central Hunza, Karimabad, Altit and some residential areas of Aliabad.
We’ll check out the majestic Altit and Baltit Forts, peruse the markets, and visit an amazing, locally owned cafe.
We’ll also aim to check out a few truly local spots that have never made it onto a Hunza Tour itinerary, along with dinner in a local home.
- Accommodation: Aliabad hotel
The scenery only gets better today as we head up the Karakoram Highway.
We’ll go on an incredible hike above the famous Attabad Lake, visit a women-owned carpet factory, and see a sunset from another short hike to a historical fort in Gulmit.
- Accommodation: Gulmit guesthouse
We’ll drive about 1.5 hours to a hidden valley at the far reaches of Hunza, which is the least visited place in the valley! Here we’ll stay with an incredible local family who are personal friends of ours.
Think remote village walks, immersive cooking experiences, and the opportunity to get a feel for what life was like all over Hunza decades ago!
- Misgar Homestay
We’ll get an early start after a home-cooked breakfast in Misgar and head to Passu, famous for the most insane mountain “cones” you’ve ever seen!
Then it’s time to head to Borith Lake and do a short hike (20 minutes) to an epic viewpoint of the Passu Glacier.
We’ll have one last group dinner at my favorite locally owned restaurant that fuses traditional Hunzai eats with a Western fave!
- Passu hotel
All amazing trips must come to an end, and today is departure day after one final group breakfast. We provide transportation back to Skardu today, so make sure to book your flight out for the FOLLOWING day, not today!
Accommodation is provided tonight, and our drivers will drop you off at the Skardu Airport tomorrow morning.
If you’d like to take the Karakoram Highway back to Islamabad, we can arrange that and deduct the value of the Skardu drop-off and hotel!
We do NOT recommend flying from Gilgit as the airport is woefully unreliable.
And if you’re down to continue the adventure anywhere else in Gilgit Baltistan, just ask! We can arrange any add-on :)
- Skardu hotel
15 Day Itinerary (October)
This itinerary dives DEEP into Hunza, my much-loved adopted home, and features numerous day hikes, homestay experiences, and some seriously EPIC roads!
Day 1 – Skardu
Unlike other Pakistan women’s tours, this one starts in the lovely small mountain city of Skardu, not Islamabad. This is based on plenty of feedback – and a desire to make sure the entire trip only focuses on and financially supports the indigenous locals of Gilgit Baltistan.
It also saves us four days wasted in Islamabad or driving there (16+ hours that no one really enjoyed).
While I recommend flying into Skardu the day before day 1, it’s no problem – today is a chill, relaxed day as we wait for everyone to come together.
We will also provide hands-on ground support in Islamabad with Hunzai team members to make things easy. Airport pickup will be provided to anyone who arrives in Skardu within 48 hours of the tour start date :)
Today is a chill day to give people time to settle in and get over jet lag. We’ll head out for a sunset escapade and a nice dinner to kick off the trip!
- Accommodation: Skardu guesthouse
Day 2 – Sights Around Skardu
We’ll spend another day in Skardu today, taking a nice leisurely day hike to an organic village, checking out the bazaar, and ending the day at an epic sunset viewpoint that has incredible views over the valley!
- Accommodation: Skardu hotel
Day 3 – Drive to Minapin
Today’s a bit of a long driving day (6 hours) but rest assured that the views will be fantastic! We’ll head out on the Jaglot-Skardu Road before eventually hitting the world-famous Karakoram Highway to Minapin in Nagar Valley.
Just across the river from Hunza, we’ll spend the night at a truly iconic locally-owned guesthouse well off the main road!
- Accommodation: Minapin guesthouse
Day 4 – Miacher Kho to Central Hunza
Today, we’ll head to what’s truly one of the most amazing viewpoints in the entire region. After hiking for about 20-30 minutes, we’ll reach a meadow that’s more beautiful than some multi-day hikes.
After carefully crossing some WILD roads, we’ll make our way to Aliabad, my adopted home, and settle into our cute boutique hotel with a hearty dinner :)
- Accommodation: Aliabad Hunza hotel
Day 5 – Aliabad
Unlike every other Hunza tour that only focuses on Karimabad, today is all about the place I’ve called home for the past 4+ years.
We’ll take a stroll all around town and check out some spots that are truly locals-only places you won’t find on any other itineraries or in any guidebooks.
There are a ton of cool second-hand shops and mountaineering stores we’ll wander in, and the day will be ended with a traditional dinner at my family’s home!
- Accommodation: Aliabad Hunza hotel
Day 6 – Karimabad + Altit
Today is all about exploring the historical “highlights” of Central Hunza: Karimabad and Altit!
We’ll check out the majestic Altit and Baltit Forts, peruse the markets, and visit an amazing, locally owned cafe. The day will be polished off with a short hike (15 minutes) to a local-only viewpoint free of crowds or commercialization :)
- Accommodation: Aliabad hotel
Day 7 – Upper Hunza Valley (Gojal)
The scenery only gets better today as we head up the Karakoram Highway. We’ll check out the famous Attabad Lake, visit a women-owned carpet factory, and settle into an epic boutique hotel at Borith Lake, one of my favorite places in the world!
- Accommodation: Borith Lake hotel
Day 8 – Borith Lake + Passu Glacier
The Passu Glacier is one of the easiest accessible glaciers on the planet, and we’ll get up close and personal with it today.
This isn’t a trek per se compared to our other journeys, as it only takes about 30 minutes to reach! We’ll also relax a bit by Borith Lake, a saltwater beauty at 2600 meters / 8600 feet, where the opportunity to kayak (or even cold plunge!) awaits.
Then we’ll continue on to a Gojali village, which positions us well for our full-day trek tomorrow :)
- Accommodation: Gojal guesthouse
Day 9 – Avgarch Valley Trek
We’ll get off to an early start to make it to another stunning village. Today, we’ll make our way to Avgarch Valley, which is at least 900 years old and said to be the very first settlement of Hunza.
No cars or bikes go this way, so we’ll be able to fully enjoy the trek in complete peace.
The trek takes about 3 hours on an easy-to-follow trail, and it isn’t very steep. Several families stay in Avgarch year-round, so we’ll hopefully be able to meet them!
- Accommodation: Gojal guesthouse
Day 10 – Drive to Chapursan Valley
And so begins the journey to one of the most incredible places in all of Gilgit Baltistan. The Chapursan Valley is home to the Wakhi people and borders the Wakhan Corridor. But don’t worry – it’s always been incredibly peaceful, and is home to some truly fantastic people. The drive will take 3-4 hours, and we’ll spend some time in a local home.
- Accommodation: Chapursan homestay
Day 11 – Chapursan Valley
It’s all about exploring this stunning side valley today – we’ll drive to the very end where we’ll get to see a historical Sufi shrine that is perhaps the most mystical place in Hunza.
- Accommodation: Chapursan homestay
Day 12 – Drive to and Stay in Misgar
We’ll say our goodbyes to Chapursan early and head back to Misgar for a lovely chilled-out afternoon and evening with a family in a local home.
- Accommodation: Misgar Homestay
Day 13 – Passu
After a lovely last morning in Misgar with our hosts, we’ll drive about an hour to Passu to a comfortable hotel where you can enjoy all the modern amenities we’ve missed in the remote valleys!
We’ll check into our rooms and drop off our stuff before going to check out the Passu and Hussaini suspension bridges, which are a bit touristy but are also a right of passage here in Hunza!
- Accommodation: Passu hotel
Day 14 – Sights Around Passu
We’ll back track a bit to one of my favorite villages in Hunza: Ghulkin! This place is hidden well off the KKH and is extremely walkable. Which is exactly what we’ll do.
We’ll spend the day walking through it and then back over to Gulmit (which it connects to) where we’ll end up at an ancient fort that has epic views over the entire valley.
As today is our last full day together, we’ll end things with a bang at my favorite restaurant ever, which is off course locally owned :)
- Accommodation: Passu hotel
Day 15 – Departure day to Skardu
All amazing trips must come to an end, and today is departure day after one final group breakfast. We provide transportation back to Skardu today, so make sure to book your flight out for the FOLLOWING day, not today!
Accommodation is provided tonight, and our drivers will drop you off at the Skardu Airport tomorrow morning.
If you’d like to take the Karakoram Highway back to Islamabad, we can arrange that and deduct the value of the Skardu drop-off and hotel.
We do NOT recommend flying from Gilgit as the airport is woefully unreliable.
And if you’re down to continue the adventure anywhere else in Gilgit Baltistan, just ask! We can arrange any add-on :)
- Accommodation: Skardu Hotel
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More Epic Itinerary Photos
Is This Pakistan Tour For You?
This isn’t a luxury tour – the ideal traveler will be excited about off-the-beaten-track, authentic experiences in remote communities. But this means we may sometimes have to do with comforts like hot water, Western toilets, and Wifi.
Driving days will be long (but stunning), and accommodation may be simple in more rural areas. But you can rest assured that for the most part, internet signal that can at least handle Whatsapp will be available daily.
What to Expect Everywhere
- Incredible people
- Delicious food
- Vetted drivers and local male guides
- Off the beaten path destinations
- Immersive experiences
What Not to Expect Everywhere
- Wifi
- Hot water
- Western toilets
- Western food
- 24/7 electricity
What’s Included
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Payment, Insurance + Cancellation Policy
Secure your spot with a $300 deposit via Stripe. I’ll then get in touch with you via email with more details. Wise, Zelle (Americans), Venmo (Americans) or direct bank transfer is preferred for the rest of the deposit. PayPal is not accepted unless you use “Family and Friends” due to exorbitant fees.
If you’d like to pay the remainder of your balance on Stripe, a 4.9% upcharge will be added on to cover the platform 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 for 2026 that will be March 2nd, 2026 or August 11th, 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. You’re also welcome to move your spot to another trip.
- If you cancel at least 1-2 months in advance: 50% refund minus deposit, or the opportunity to move to a future tour
- 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 and be able to move to a future trip at a discounted price.
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 3000 meters.
Basic medical care in Pakistan is cheap and good, however, it’s important to be prepared in case of an emergency. I, Samantha Shea, any of our local guides or vendors, and Intentional Detours are not liable for any accidents and losses that may occur before, during or after the tour.
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Pakistan Women’s Tour FAQ
Get In Touch
I also organize private trips for couples, men or other types of groups besides this women-only itinerary! Feel free to get in touch about them too: