Stand at the end of the traditional bazaar and the Gilgit River runs beneath you on a suspension bridge wide enough for a single jeep. That crossing, with the noise of the water and the bazaar behind you, is as good a first hour in Gilgit as any.
Gilgit suits travellers using it as a base rather than a single-stop destination: trekkers and mountaineers heading into the Karakoram, drivers working their way along the Karakoram Highway, and anyone content to spend a few days on valley walks, side trips by jeep and the town's own sights.
This guide covers the places worth your time in and around Gilgit, followed by a plan for a single day and answers to the questions that come up most often when planning a visit.
Top things to do in Gilgit
1. Gilgit Bridge
The bridge over the fast-flowing Gilgit River sits at the end of the traditional bazaar. It is a suspension bridge long enough and wide enough for one jeep to cross at a time, and walking it gives you the river, the valley and the town's daily traffic in one go.
Pair it with a wander back through the bazaar, since the bridge is the natural end point of that street. Go on foot rather than in a vehicle if you want to stop and look.
2. Kargah Buddha
A rock engraving of Buddha, carved in the 7th century, on a rock near Kargah Nullah. It is the clearest surviving trace in the immediate area of the Buddhism that once flourished here along the Silk Road.
It sits about 10 km from Gilgit town, so treat it as a half-day outing by jeep or car. Combine it with a visit to Chilyli Kargah while you are in the same ravine.
3. Naltar Valley
Roughly a two-hour jeep drive from Gilgit along a link road, Naltar Valley offers lush green alpine forest with small lakes and glaciers, plus a ski slope. Government rest house and private hotels are available if you want to stay rather than day-trip.
Trout fishing is possible in the lake, and trekking routes link the valley with Iskoman, Chalt and Punial. If you are heading up, the Kargah Buddha is on the way and worth stopping for.
4. Old British Cemetery
The old British cemetery, known locally as گورا قبرستان, is a quiet, walled reminder of the colonial period in Gilgit. It is a short, undemanding stop that pairs well with time in the town itself.
Keep your visit brief and respectful, and combine it with the bazaar and Gilgit Bridge on the same outing.
5. Sher Qilla
Sher Qilla lies 38 km from Gilgit and is a base for trout fishing in Sher Qilla Nullah and a small lake. A trekking route links it with Naltar Valley, so it works either as a day trip or as a stage on a longer walk.
If you are combining it with Naltar, plan the trekking link in advance rather than assuming you can arrange it on arrival.
6. Monument of Taj Mughal
A victory monument of Taj Mughal, built 700 years ago, reached by a jeep drive of about 30 km from Gilgit town. It is a straightforward excursion for anyone interested in the region's pre-modern history.
Because it is a jeep drive rather than a walk, arrange transport for the day and treat it as your main outing rather than a quick add-on.
7. Singal
About 61 km from Gilgit, Singal is a starting point for a trekking route that links with Chilas and the Kohistan valley. It rewards travellers who want a walk rather than a viewpoint.
This is a trekking objective, so sort out permits and a guide before you commit to it, and allow more than a single day.
8. Gahkuch
Gahkuch is the headquarters of Ghizer District, 73 km from Gilgit, and the gateway to Iskoman Valley. It is an ideal place for trekking, with good fishing and duck shooting in season, and there are archaeological sites in the village and in nearby Hatoon.
Government rest house and private hotels are available, so it can work as an overnight stop. If you want to see the archaeological sites, ask locally for directions rather than relying on signposts.
9. Trekking, hiking and mountaineering
The area around Gilgit is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking, and the town functions as a hub for expeditions into the Karakoram. This is the reason many visitors come at all.
Permission for mountaineering and trekking in restricted zones is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Islamabad. Arrange that paperwork before you travel, not after you arrive.
10. Fishing for trout
Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department, and the icy water of the region is known for its trout. It is one of the most local ways to spend a day outside the town.
Get your permit sorted through the Fisheries Department first, then choose your water: the lakes and nullahs around Naltar and Sher Qilla are the obvious options.
11. Flowers and fruit in the valleys
Cherry blossoms turn the valley through shades of pink in spring, from March to April. Roses, lilies, pansies, willow, pine and fir grow here too, and from June to October you will see apples, apricots, peaches, plums, mulberry, walnuts, persimmon, grapes and pomegranate.
Almond trees blossom in white and baby pink between October and March, depending on whether the variety is sweet or bitter. Time your visit to the season you actually want to see.
12. Boating and rafting
Boating is possible on the Gilgit River and the Indus, and you can try rafting as well. It is a way to see the valleys from water level rather than from the road.
Treat this as a seasonal activity and confirm locally what is running when you are there, rather than assuming a fixed schedule.
13. Camping
Almost all hotels and inns allow camping and provide basic facilities and security, with staff ready to help. It is a practical option if you are travelling on a budget or want to stay closer to the valleys.
Ask your hotel directly whether camping is permitted on their grounds before you pitch anything.
14. Paragliding
People visit the area for paragliding, and there is a local association for the sport. It offers a different view of the valley from the one you get on foot.
Contact the local association rather than arranging it independently, and check conditions on the day.
15. Mountain biking and cycling
You can ride some of the most exciting tracks along the famous Silk Route, taking in both the history and culture and the Buddhist sites along the way. The route allows you to enter China through Khunjrab.
This is the same corridor along which Buddhism spread from India to China and on to Korea and Japan, so the riding comes with context. Plan the Khunjrab crossing well in advance, as it involves border formalities.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Gilgit Bridge at the end of the traditional bazaar, walking across before the day's traffic builds up, then spend an hour in the bazaar itself. Continue to the Old British Cemetery for a quiet stop before heading out of town.
Afternoon: Take a jeep or car to Kargah Buddha, about 10 km from town, and combine it with Chilyli Kargah in the same ravine. If time allows, continue towards Naltar Valley, roughly a two-hour jeep drive, for the alpine forest and lakes.
Evening: Return to Gilgit and eat in the bazaar area near the bridge. If you have arranged a permit through the Fisheries Department, save the following morning for trout fishing; otherwise use the evening to plan a longer trek or a jeep trip to Sher Qilla or Gahkuch.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms?
The valley turns to shades of pink in spring, starting March to April. Almond trees blossom in white and baby pink from October to March, depending on whether the variety is sweet or bitter.
Do I need permission to trek or climb in the area?
Yes, for restricted zones. Permission for mountaineering and trekking is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Islamabad.
Can I fish while I am in Gilgit?
Yes. Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department, and the icy water of the region is known for its trout. Trout fishing is also possible in the lake at Naltar Valley and in Sher Qilla Nullah.
Can I camp rather than stay in a hotel?
Almost all hotels and inns allow camping and provide basic facilities and security. Ask at your accommodation before you plan around it.
Sort out your permits and pick your season, then start mapping the bazaar, the bridge and the valleys onto the days you have.