Major city · Pakistan
Gulmit
Half a day to one night: walk the glacier, see the museum and old tombs, then move on to Passu or Karimabad.
Gulmit is the administrative centre of Upper Hunza, a quiet village on the Karakoram Highway with views of the Shatabar glacier and the Hunza River. It works as a short stop for walks, the small Gulmit Museum and the tomb of Salim Khan III. Most travellers stay one night or pass through on the way to Passu or Sost.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PKR
- Best months
- May–October
- avoid December–February (cold, some roads may close)
- Airport
- GIL
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan befo…
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Pakistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Pakistan ↗Get the visa only through the official online system (visa.nadra.gov.pk); some areas need a separate permit (NOC) or police registration.
- Pakistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to the provinces you will visit before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gulmit15 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gulmit, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Pakistani rupee (PKR, Rs) in cash for almost everything outside big-city hotels and malls; carry US dollars as backup.Pakistan-wide
- SIM or eSIMJazz, Zong, Telenor and Ufone sell SIMs with passport and biometric registration at franchise shops (not usually at the airport).Pakistan-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled water everywhere.Pakistan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10%.Pakistan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Pakistan-wide
- SafetyGulmit is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; squat toilets with a water jug or hose elsewhere.Pakistan-wide
- Emergency numbers15 police · 1122 Rescue · 115 Edhi ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday midday prayers close many shops for 2–3 hours; government offices close at weekends; Ramadan shortens hours.Pakistan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGIL Gilgit Airport (About 2.5 h by road; flights are weather-dependent).
- Getting aroundGulmit is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketGulmit Museum entryRs 200–500 (check)
- Budget bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomPKR 3,000
- Mid-range bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomPKR 5,000
- High-end bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomPKR 7,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PKR 3,000 · Mid PKR 6,000 · High PKR 10,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GIL Gilgit Airport (About 2.5 h by road; flights are weather-dependent)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Apr (6 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gulmit: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
1 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Gulmit is walkable. For longer walks or to reach Borith Lake, hire a local jeep or driver.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Local bus or jeep along the KKH, about 20 min
Walk the Passu glacier and see the famous cones.
Borith Lake
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Walk or jeep from Gulmit, about 1 h on foot
Salt lake with views of the Passu cones; best in late afternoon.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Local bus or jeep along the KKH, about 1 h
Border town; dry port and access to Khunjerab Pass (check if open).
Karimabad
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Local bus or jeep along the KKH, about 1.5 h
Baltit Fort and Altit Fort; a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along the Karakoram Highway
Most hotels and guest houses are on or just off the KKH; easy access, views of the peaks.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rs 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room (e.g. Gulmit Continental)1 × 1 night × PKR 7,000 | PKR 7,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PKR 6,000 | PKR 12,000 |
| Local jeep to Borith Lake (one way)1 × PKR 1,500 · check | PKR 1,500 |
| Meal at a guest house (per person)2 × PKR 500 | PKR 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PKR 2,150 |
| Trip total≈ PKR 11,830 per person per day, bed included | PKR 23,650 |
2026 estimate in Pakistani rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a guest house | Rs 400–800 |
| Local bus Gulmit → Passu | Rs 100–200 |
| Jeep hire to Borith Lake (one way) | Rs 1,500–2,000 |
| Gulmit Museum entry | Rs 200–500 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The ATM at the National Bank does not accept foreign cards: bring cash from Aliabad or Gilgit.
- Last reliable transport on the KKH passes before dark; arrange onward rides in advance.
- Walks on the glacier require a local guide: crevasses are not marked.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 15
- Rescue
- 1122
- Edhi ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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GulmitGulmit
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
اس پتے پر، براہ کرمTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police15
- Rescue1122
- Edhi ambulance115
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gulmit → Passu (local bus): about Rs 100–200, 20 min (check)
- Gulmit → Karimabad (local bus): about Rs 300–500, 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- السلام علیکم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شکریہ — Thank you (shukriya)
- کتنا ہے؟ — How much? (kitna hai?)
- بس کہاں ہے؟ — Where is the bus? (bus kahan hai?)
Urdu is widely understood; Burushaski and Wakhi are local languages.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gulmit. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–October · avoid December–February (cold, some roads may close)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialGulmit Continental Hotel
- officialSarai Silk Route Hotel
- secondaryWikivoyage: Gulmit, revision 5204255 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Gulmit
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