Gilgit-Baltistan · Pakistan
Where to stay in Gilgit
Gilgit is a city in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, home to about 261,000 people.
- Best months
- June to August
- Nearest airport
- GIL2 km · Gilgit Airport
- Currency
- PKRPakistani rupee
- Time zone
- Asia/Karachi
- Language
- English, Urdu
About
About Gilgit
Gilgit is the capital and most-populous city in Pakistani-administered territory of Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region. It is located in the broad Gilgit Valley near the confluence of Gilgit and Hunza rivers.
The best season to visit is from May to mid October. The local dialect is Shina, however, Urdu and English are also spoken and understood.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Gilgit
See
- Gilgit Bridge
- Kargah Buddha
- Sher Qilla
- Naltar Valley
- Old British Cemetery
Do
- Mountain Biking and Cycling
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Gilgit
3 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Gilgit Serena Hotel | 4.3 km | |
| Naveed Tourist Inn | 3.3 km | |
| Riveria Hotel | 1.0 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Gilgit
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Gilgit are June to August. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C; April is the wettest, with about 50 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Gilgit: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Gilgit Airport (GIL), about 1.7 km from the city centre in a straight line; Skardu International Airport (KDU, 128 km) is also within reach.
Getting in
Gilgit is just off the Karakoram Highway between Chilas and Karimabad, and most people arrive by road. The bus journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours, costs between Rs.3020 and Rs.4180 and departs three times a day from the Pirwadhai Bus Terminal in Rawalpindi. The official government bus company (which also allows foreigners for passengers) operating between Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Gilgit is NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corporation).
Getting around
Private vehicles are normally used as local transport. Renting jeeps is also a common way of moving around. You can go to nearby cities on buses and by air. To get around inside the city of Gilgit you can either hire taxis or hop on one of the many commuter minivans. If you happen to see such a minivan, just hail it by waving, get on, and knock on the driver's cabin whenever you want to hop off. You could also think about renting a car, or for the more adventurous, a motorbike to discover the wonders of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
GIL · Gilgit Airport
KDU · Skardu International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Gilgit
Eat
You can try local fruits like apples, cherries, apricots and a variety of nuts rich in omega 5 like almonds, chestnuts, walnuts etc. Restaurants offer all sorts of Western breakfast to local ones - like salted tea and bread as well as Chinese food, Tanduries, and local dishes. In this region, people do not eat spicy food like the rest of the country. Local food consists of special baked breads (different varieties), handmade-noodle soups, salted meats, roasted meat, vegetables, fruits & dairy products. All the products are organic as they believe in traditional farming without the use of chemical fertilizers and sprays.
Drink
Most of the high end hotels have their own bars but at some areas they have their local alcohol too.
Stay safe
Gilgit is fairly stable and safe compared to other regions. Travelers both local and foreign still visit the area and enjoy the beauty and nature.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Gilgit: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Gilgit?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Gilgit are June to August. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C; April is the wettest, with about 50 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Gilgit?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Gilgit Airport (GIL), about 1.7 km from the city centre in a straight line; Skardu International Airport (KDU, 128 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Gilgit?
Pakistani rupee (PKR).
Nearby
Destinations near Gilgit
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.