Capital of the region and gateway to the valleys
View of Gilgit from the lawns of Gilgit Serena Hotel. Photo: Aamir Fawad / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan and the place where most journeys begin. The city sits on the Gilgit River close to the point where the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges meet.
Within a short drive are the forests and coloured lakes of Naltar, the quiet villages of Bagrote, the rock-carved Kargah Buddha and the Haramosh valley.
Popular Activities
- Polo matches in season
- Day trips to Naltar and Bagrote
- Bazaar walks
- Forest and lake treks
Places to Visit in Gilgit
6 places chosen by our local guides.
Naltar Valley
A pine-forested valley near Gilgit with coloured lakes in summer and a ski slope in winter.
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Naltar Lakes
A chain of small lakes known for their green and blue colours, above Naltar village.
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Bagrote Valley
A quiet farming valley close to Gilgit, with glacier views and the meadows of Gargoo.
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Gilgit City and Bazaar
The capital of the region: a busy bazaar, a riverside setting and polo in season.
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Junction of Three Mountain Ranges
The point near Jaglot where the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges meet.
More detailsWhere to Stay in Gilgit
Gilgit Serena Hotel
Well-known hotel in Gilgit city with 43 rooms, a restaurant and views of Rakaposhi and the river valleys.
Bagrote Sarai Hotel and Restaurant
Simple hotel and restaurant in Bagrote Valley with views of Diran Peak and the Hinarche Glacier.
Madina Hotel 2, Gilgit
Simple, friendly budget hotel near Gilgit airport, popular with backpackers, with a garden and restaurant.
Treks in Gilgit
Naltar Lakes Trek
Easy walking through pine forest to the coloured lakes of Naltar, close to Gilgit.
Gargoo Meadows Trek
Green meadows, a glacier walk and quiet villages in Bagrote Valley, a little-visited valley close to Gilgit.
Kutwal Lake and Haramosh Valley Trek
A trek to the meadows and lake of Kutwal, below the huge north face of Haramosh (7,409 m).
