What Is Better: Hunza or Skardu? The Honest Comparison You’ve Been Waiting For
There’s a question I’m asked every single summer: “If I only have time for one — should I visit Hunza or Skardu?”
I get it. Choosing between Hunza and Skardu is like being handed two masterpieces and being told to pick just one. I’ve stood beside the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake in Hunza and watched the golden sun rise behind the jagged spires of Skardu’s Cathedral Range — and I still find it hard to answer.
But if you’re planning your next adventure and want a clear, honest comparison, this blog is for you.
Drawing on first-hand experiences, detailed travel research, and insider tips, this guide will help you decide: What is better — Hunza or Skardu?
Table of Contents
Quick Overview: What Makes Hunza and Skardu Unique?
| Feature | Hunza | Skardu |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Organized, modernized | Raw, rugged, adventurous |
| Accessibility | Easier (Karakoram Highway) | Challenging but rewarding |
| Popular Spots | Attabad, Passu, Eagle’s Nest | Shigar, Deosai, Satpara |
| Ideal For | Families, first-time visitors | Hikers, off-road adventurers |
| Accommodations | Wide range of hotels, cafes | Luxurious to basic lodges |
| Culture | Burusho & Wakhi heritage | Balti culture & Tibetan roots |
Getting There: The Journey Itself
How to Reach Hunza:
By Road: From Islamabad or Lahore via the Karakoram Highway (KKH). It’s well-maintained and scenic.
By Air: Fly to Gilgit, then drive to Hunza (approx. 2–3 hours).
How to Reach Skardu:
By Road: A longer journey, passing through Chilas, Jaglot, and Skardu Road. Some parts are rough and narrow.
By Air: Direct flights to Skardu Airport from Islamabad. Weather often causes delays.
Verdict: Hunza wins on accessibility — easier for families, older travelers, or those on tight schedules.
Scenic Beauty: Glaciers vs Plateaus
Hunza’s Landscape:
Hunza is all about sharp contrasts — the turquoise water of Attabad Lake against the grey spires of Passu Cones, lush orchards with icy peaks of Rakaposhi in the backdrop.
Highlights:
Rakaposhi View Point
Hussaini Suspension Bridge
Passu Glacier
Altit & Baltit Forts
Skardu’s Landscape:
Skardu is surreal — golden deserts, high-altitude lakes, and vast alpine plateaus all in one region.
Highlights:
Deosai National Park
Sheosar Lake
Shigar Fort
Katpana Cold Desert
Verdict: Tie. Hunza offers cozy alpine beauty, while Skardu delivers raw, dramatic landscapes. Choose what suits your travel spirit.
Accommodations: Where to Stay?
Hunza:
Huge range of hotels from budget to boutique.
Popular picks: Serena Hunza, Luxus Hunza, Hard Rock Hunza.
Great for couples, solo travelers, and groups alike.
Skardu:
Growing rapidly in hospitality with some stunning hotels.
Top choices: Serena Shigar Fort, Shangrila Resort, Mountain Lodge Skardu.
Fewer budget options but improving fast.
Verdict: Hunza has a more established tourism infrastructure. If comfort matters — go Hunza.
Food & Cafes: Culinary Comforts
Hunza:
Full of trendy cafes and local eateries.
Must-try: Chapshuro, Dawdo Soup, and Yak Burgers.
Cafes like Yak Grill, Glacier Breeze, and Mountain Story add charm.
Skardu:
Simpler culinary scene but offers authentic Balti cuisine.
Must-try: Balay soup, Mamtu (dumplings), Apricot oil-infused dishes.
Verdict: Hunza is better for food lovers and café culture seekers.
People & Culture
Hunza:
Home to Burusho and Wakhi tribes.
High literacy rates.
Women participation in tourism and economy is more visible.
Skardu:
Dominated by Balti people, influenced by Tibetan culture.
Warm, hospitable, deeply spiritual.
Strong community ties, especially in rural areas.
Verdict: Skardu offers a deeper cultural immersion, especially for those curious about high-altitude traditions.
Activities: What to Do?
Hunza:
Hiking to Rakaposhi Base Camp
Boat ride on Attabad Lake
Sightseeing forts and historical villages
Jeep safaris to Khunjerab Pass
Skardu:
Trekking to K2 Base Camp or Snow Lake
Visiting Deosai Plains (second highest plateau)
Jeep rides to remote lakes like Sheosar or Satpara
Stargazing in cold desert areas
Verdict: Skardu is better for adventure seekers, while Hunza suits leisurely exploration.
Photography Opportunities
Both regions are photogenic, but with different flavors:
Hunza: More colors, more infrastructure (perfect for drone shots and architecture).
Skardu: Wide open spaces, fewer people, pure landscapes (ideal for landscape photography).
Verdict: Skardu wins for natural raw photography, Hunza for curated beauty and people shots.
Best for Relaxation?
Hunza:
Modern comforts
Cozy lodges
Lots of cafes and Wi-Fi zones
Can be crowded in peak seasons
Skardu:
Quieter valleys like Khaplu, Shigar, and Basho
More disconnection from the world
Great for retreats and soul-searching
Verdict: Skardu wins if you want to disconnect, while Hunza is better for comfortable relaxation.
Family-Friendly?
Hunza:
Shorter drives between tourist spots
Child-friendly hotels and meals
Ideal for elderly travelers too
Skardu:
Longer, bumpier roads
Fewer cafes or playful spaces for kids
Ideal for older kids or teenagers who enjoy trekking
Verdict: Hunza is hands-down more family-friendly.
Final Breakdown: What’s Better for Whom?
| Traveler Type | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| First-time tourist | Hunza |
| Trekker or hiker | Skardu |
| Photographer | Tie |
| Cultural explorer | Skardu |
| Family with kids | Hunza |
| Digital nomad | Hunza |
| Solo backpacker | Skardu |
| Couple on honeymoon | Tie |
| Short trip (3-4 days) | Hunza |
| Long adventure (7+ days) | Skardu |
So… What’s Better?
Let me put it plainly:
Choose Hunza if you want comfort, ease, and rich culture with beautiful scenery.
Choose Skardu if you crave isolation, adventure, and the thrill of the unknown.
But here’s the real secret: The best trip is the one that matches your spirit.
I’ve had life-changing conversations in the cafes of Karimabad and felt humbled while camping under a billion stars in Deosai. Both experiences were unforgettable — for different reasons
The Takeaway
Traveling in Pakistan is both exciting and accessible because to its varied transportation system. Every type of traveler has an alternative, from the convenience of ride-hailing services to the affordability of buses and trains.
Metro busses, Careem, and Uber are the most convenient means of transportation for brief city excursions. Pakistan’s picturesque train routes and opulent bus services offer comfortable and reasonably priced long-distance travel. The quickest option to travel long distances is still by domestic flight, particularly when traveling to far-flung northern locations.
Are you prepared to travel to Pakistan? Plan your vacation now to take advantage of the amazing nation’s transportation infrastructure!
Explore carefully planned tours to see the best of this fascinating nation. Please get in touch if you would need more travel advice; we are happy to assist you in organizing your upcoming journey! Additionally, by completing this form, you can personalize your journey.
FAQs – Everything You Need to Know
1. Which is more beautiful: Hunza or Skardu?
Both are beautiful in different ways. Hunza has alpine charm and neat villages. Skardu offers vast wilderness and raw mountain landscapes.
2. Which is more developed?
Hunza is more developed in terms of roads, cafes, and accommodations.
3. Is Skardu more expensive than Hunza?
Skardu can be more expensive due to fewer budget options, especially for transportation and lodging.
4. Which is safer?
Both are extremely safe for tourists. Hunza feels more urbanized, while Skardu is more remote.
5. Where do you get better internet?
Hunza. Skardu still has connectivity issues in remote areas.
6. Which has better weather?
Hunza is cooler and less unpredictable than Skardu, where flights often get delayed due to cloud cover.
7. Which one is better for trekking?
Skardu. It’s the gateway to some of the world’s toughest and most rewarding treks, including the one to K2 Base Camp.
8. Is it possible to visit both in one trip?
Yes, but it’s ambitious. You’d need at least 12–14 days and a flexible plan due to the rough routes between them.
9. Where do foreigners go more often?
Hunza sees more foreign tourists due to better access and facilities.
10. Which has better historical sites?
Hunza has better-preserved forts and royal palaces. Skardu’s Shigar Fort is beautiful but fewer in number.
11. What about medical facilities?
Hunza has better emergency care and pharmacies available, especially in Aliabad and Karimabad.
Daniel loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations and making new friends. Writing blog posts since 2015, Daniel says it helps him to document his travels and cherish them. He loves the fact that what he writes might actually help someone have a better experience in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In his spare time, he loves listening to Tchaikovsky and spend time with his dog Coconut.
