Quetta to Passu Distance, Routes & Travel Duration

 

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

Passu is a breathtaking village in the Gojal Valley of Upper Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. Famous for the iconic Passu Cones (also known as Passu Cathedral), hanging glaciers, and its location along the Karakoram Highway, Passu is a bucket-list destination for adventure seekers and photographers. Traveling from Quetta to Passu is a long but rewarding journey through diverse landscapes, offering multiple travel options involving road, train, and air combinations.

Distance from Quetta to Passu

• By Road: Approximately 1,560 kilometers (about 970 miles)

• By Air (to nearest airport) + Road: Varies depending on the chosen airport (e.g., Gilgit, Skardu, or Islamabad)

Travel Options from Quetta to Passu

1. By Road

The full road journey from Quetta to Passu is a long and adventurous one. It involves traveling through several cities and mountain towns.

• Recommended Route:
  Quetta → Dera Ghazi Khan → Multan → Islamabad → Abbottabad → Mansehra → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit → Hunza → Passu

This route follows a combination of highways including N-70, M-4, and the legendary N-35 Karakoram Highway (KKH).

• Total Distance: Around 1,560 km

• Estimated Duration: 30 to 34 hours of driving, depending on weather, road conditions, and stopovers

• Road Conditions:

  • Good highways in Balochistan and Punjab

  • Mountain roads with potential landslides or blockages in Kohistan and Gilgit-Baltistan

  • 4x4 vehicle recommended beyond Chilas, especially in winters

Travelers often break the journey into 2 or 3 days, staying in cities like Islamabad, Chilas, or Gilgit.

2. By Train

Passu has no railway access, but you can take a train for the first major leg of your journey and then switch to road transport.

• Step 1: Train from Quetta to Rawalpindi

  • Duration: 24 to 28 hours

  • Common train: Jaffar Express

• Step 2: Drive from Rawalpindi to Passu

  • Route: Rawalpindi → Abbottabad → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit → Hunza → Passu

  • Road Distance: ~1,080 km (671 miles)

  • Travel Time: Around 20 to 22 hours by road

This option is economical and allows travelers to rest during the long rail journey, but it still requires a full day of road travel afterward.

3. By Plane

Passu does not have an airport, but nearby airports make the journey more manageable when paired with road travel.

Option A: Fly to Gilgit + Drive to Passu

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

• Step 2: Islamabad to Gilgit by air (~1 hour, weather dependent)

• Step 3: Gilgit to Passu by road (~140 km / 87 miles)

  • Travel Time by Road: Around 3 to 4 hours

This is the fastest and most comfortable option if flights to Gilgit are operational. However, flights are often delayed or canceled due to weather.

Option B: Fly to Skardu + Drive to Passu

• Step 1: Quetta to Islamabad by air

• Step 2: Islamabad to Skardu by air (~1 hour)

• Step 3: Skardu to Passu by road via Gilgit (~300 km / 186 miles)

  • Road Duration: About 8 to 10 hours

Skardu flights are generally more frequent than Gilgit, and the road to Passu offers dramatic views, especially along the Indus River and Karakoram Highway.

Option C: Fly to Islamabad + Full Road Journey

• Flight Time: Quetta to Islamabad – ~1.5 hours

• Road from Islamabad to Passu: ~1,080 km (671 miles)

  • Travel Time: 20–22 hours

Though longer by road, this is the most flexible air-road combination and is often preferred by tourists due to frequent flight availability.

Conclusion

The journey from Quetta to Passu is an unforgettable experience that takes travelers from the arid plateaus of Balochistan to the majestic mountains of Hunza. While there is no direct train or air route to Passu, smart combinations—such as flying to Gilgit or Skardu followed by scenic drives—can significantly cut down travel time. For road enthusiasts, the drive along the Karakoram Highway is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, full of breathtaking vistas, historic sites, and cultural richness. Proper planning, especially during winter or monsoon seasons, is crucial for a safe and comfortable journey.