Quetta to Misgar Distance, Routes & Travel Duration

 Quetta to Misgar: Distance, Travel Options by Road, Train, and Plane

Misgar is a remote village nestled in the Gojal Valley of Upper Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, near the Pakistan-China border. Located at an altitude of over 9,000 feet, Misgar holds historical and strategic significance, once serving as a trade route and military post. It lies near the Mintaka and Kilik Passes—ancient Silk Road crossings into Central Asia. Reaching Misgar from Quetta is a long and challenging journey involving high-altitude travel through rugged terrain and limited-access roads.

Distance from Quetta to Misgar

• By Road: Approximately 1,650 kilometers (about 1,025 miles)

• By Air (to nearest airport) + Road: Varies depending on route, typically includes air travel to Gilgit or Islamabad followed by a long road journey

Travel Options from Quetta to Misgar

1. By Road

The full road journey from Quetta to Misgar is an adventurous expedition through various terrains—urban highways, river valleys, and remote mountain roads. The final portion from Sost to Misgar is a narrow road with steep ascents, only accessible by jeep.

• Suggested Route:
  Quetta → Dera Ghazi Khan → Multan → Islamabad → Abbottabad → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit → Hunza (Aliabad) → Sost → Misgar

• Total Distance: ~1,650 km

• Estimated Driving Time: 32 to 36 hours, excluding rest and stopovers

• Road Notes:

  • Roads until Gilgit are paved and widely used

  • Karakoram Highway up to Sost is mostly smooth

  • Final stretch from Sost to Misgar (~35 km) is a rugged jeep track requiring a 4x4

Due to the remoteness, travelers should carry fuel, food supplies, and be prepared for limited mobile network access. Overnight stays are usually planned in Islamabad, Gilgit, and Hunza before the final push to Misgar.

2. By Train

Since Misgar is far from any rail-connected city, the journey can be divided into a train and road hybrid.

• Step 1: Train from Quetta to Rawalpindi

  • Duration: 24 to 28 hours

  • Available Trains: Jaffar Express or Bolan Mail

• Step 2: Drive from Rawalpindi to Gilgit-Hunza-Sost

  • Distance: ~1,100 km

  • Estimated Road Time: 20 to 22 hours

• Step 3: Hire a local jeep or van for Sost to Misgar

  • Distance: ~35 km

  • Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on weather and road conditions

This method is more affordable but significantly more time-consuming. It is ideal for backpackers or adventurers with extended travel plans.

3. By Plane

There is no airport in Misgar. The most efficient way is to fly part of the route, followed by road travel.

Option A: Fly to Gilgit + Road to Misgar

• Step 1: Quetta to Islamabad by air – ~1.5 hours

• Step 2: Islamabad to Gilgit by air – ~1 hour

• Step 3: Drive from Gilgit to Misgar via Hunza and Sost

  • Distance: ~300 km (Gilgit to Misgar)

  • Travel Time: 8 to 10 hours

This is the fastest route if flights to Gilgit are operational (weather-dependent). The Gilgit to Sost section is on the Karakoram Highway, while the final Misgar stretch is a narrow jeep track.

Option B: Fly to Islamabad + Road to Misgar

• Step 1: Quetta to Islamabad – ~1.5 hours

• Step 2: Road journey: Islamabad → Gilgit → Sost → Misgar

  • Distance: ~1,100 km

  • Duration: 22 to 24 hours, including the final jeep road

This option provides flexibility, especially during seasons when northern flights are canceled.

Option C: Fly to Skardu + Road to Misgar

• Step 1: Quetta → Islamabad → Skardu by air (via connecting flights)

• Step 2: Skardu to Gilgit by road – ~7 to 9 hours

• Step 3: Gilgit to Misgar – ~8 to 10 hours via Hunza and Sost

Though scenic, this path is longer due to the indirect Skardu route and rougher roads in some parts.

Conclusion

Traveling from Quetta to Misgar is not for the faint-hearted—it’s one of Pakistan’s most rugged long-distance routes. With no direct train or flight access, the journey relies heavily on road travel, especially in the final mountainous stretches. But the reward is enormous: Misgar offers untouched wilderness, glacial streams, historical significance, and proximity to ancient trade routes that once connected South and Central Asia. The region is rich in culture and dramatic scenery, making it a dream destination for mountaineers, trekkers, and explorers who crave the unbeaten path.