Northern Pakistan
Rent a Tour Vehicle for Northern Pakistan
Sher Brothers rents cars, vans and coasters with an experienced driver for trips to the north. Pickup is from Lahore or Islamabad, and the vehicle stays with you for the whole trip, not just the drive up. We cover Murree, Naran and Kaghan, Swat and Kalam, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Babusar Top and the Khunjerab Pass.
Tour vehicles are priced per day and always come with a driver. Longer trips cost less per day.
Day rates start from PKR 5,500. Tell us your destination and how many days, and we will confirm the exact figure.
How it works
How a Tour Vehicle Booking Works
A tour rental is not the same as a one-way drop or a city rental. Here is what is different.
Priced by the day
You pay a day rate for as many days as the vehicle is with you, including the days you spend at the destination. The driver stays with the vehicle for the whole trip.
One rate per vehicle
Each vehicle has a single day rate, so the cost of a longer trip is simply that rate multiplied by the number of days. A Toyota Corolla is PKR 8,000 per day whether the tour runs three days or ten.
Start from Lahore or Islamabad
Most northern trips start from either city. Starting from Islamabad shortens the first day considerably. We can also arrange tours starting from Karachi.
You set the route
You decide where to go and when to stop. The driver handles the road, the parking and the mountain sections.
Rates
Tour Vehicle Rates Per Day
These are day rates. Multiply by the number of days the vehicle is with you.
| Vehicle | Seats | Per Day | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Wagon R | 4 | PKR 5,500 | Two or three people, Murree and short hill trips |
| Toyota Corolla | 4 | PKR 8,000 | The usual choice for a family of four |
| Changan Karvaan | 7 | PKR 8,000 | Budget seven seater with room for luggage |
| Honda Civic | 4 | PKR 10,000 | A more comfortable sedan for long motorway days |
| Honda BR-V | 7 | PKR 10,000 | Seven seats at close to sedan money, good for Naran and Swat |
| Kia Sportage | 4 | PKR 15,000 | Higher ground clearance on rough sections |
| Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin | 13 | PKR 18,000 | Large families and friend groups |
| Toyota Fortuner | 7 | PKR 22,000 | Seven seats plus real off-road ability |
| Toyota Prado | 7 | PKR 25,000 | Skardu, Khunjerab and the highest roads |
| Toyota Coaster 4C Saloon | 28 | PKR 28,000 | College trips, large family tours |
| Land Cruiser V8 | 7 | PKR 35,000 | The most comfortable option on long mountain days |
Each rate covers the vehicle and the driver. Fuel, tolls, the driver’s food and accommodation, and any entry fees are quoted separately for tour bookings, because they depend entirely on the route you choose. We give you the full figure before you confirm.
Peak season for the north runs from June to September, and the larger vehicles book out first. If you want a Grand Cabin or a Coaster for July, book early.
Choosing
Which Vehicle Suits Which Road?
This matters more in the north than anywhere else. A car that is fine for Murree is the wrong car for Skardu.
Sealed roads all the way
Murree, Nathia Gali, Naran in mid-season and the Karakoram Highway as far as Gilgit and Hunza are sealed and in reasonable condition. A Corolla, Civic or BR-V handles these comfortably.
Rough and steep sections
Kalam beyond Bahrain, the Kaghan valley early or late in the season, and side roads off the main highway are rough in places. A Sportage, Fortuner or Prado is the sensible choice.
High passes and remote valleys
Babusar Top, the Khunjerab Pass and the road to Skardu sit at serious altitude with long stretches between towns. We send a Prado, Fortuner or Land Cruiser on these routes.
Groups of eight or more
A Grand Cabin seats 13 and a Coaster seats 28. Both are used regularly in the north, but they are slower on the climbs, so allow extra time on the itinerary.
Where we go
Destinations We Cover
Any northern route can be arranged. These are the trips customers book most.
Murree and the Galiyat
The shortest hill trip and the one most families start with. Often booked as a two or three day tour, or as a one-way and same-day return from Lahore.
Naran and Kaghan
The classic summer valley. Reachable in a sedan through the main season, though the last stretch to Lake Saiful Muluk needs a jeep, which is hired locally at Naran.
Swat and Kalam
Green valleys and a shorter drive than Gilgit-Baltistan. The road as far as Bahrain is fine for any car; beyond that towards Kalam it gets rough.
Gilgit and Hunza
On the Karakoram Highway, usually a seven to ten day tour from Lahore. Most people break the drive at Naran or Chilas rather than doing it in one go.
Skardu
The longest and most demanding of the standard tours. We send a Prado, Fortuner or Land Cruiser and plan the days around daylight driving only.
Babusar Top and Khunjerab Pass
Two high passes that are only open part of the year. See the season table below before you fix your dates.
Timing
When the Mountain Passes Open
Both of the high passes close for winter. Booking a trip for a date when the pass is shut is the single most common planning mistake we see.
| Pass | Height | Usually open | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babusar Top | Over 13,000 ft | Late May to October | Closed through winter for snow. In 2026 it reopened on 25 May after snow clearance. Sharp turns and steep sections; daylight travel only. |
| Khunjerab Pass | 15,397 ft (4,693 m) | April to December | The highest point on the Karakoram Highway, at the China border. All vehicles are normally stopped from about 30 December to 1 April. |
Dates move every year with the snow. If your trip depends on either pass being open, tell us when you enquire and we will check the current position before you commit to hotel bookings.
When Babusar is closed, Gilgit and Hunza are still reachable on the Karakoram Highway through Besham and Chilas. The drive is longer, so allow an extra day.
With a driver
Why We Recommend a Driver in the North
Inside Lahore, self drive is available and plenty of customers take it. For northern tours we strongly recommend a driver instead, and these are the reasons.
Who carries the risk
With our driver at the wheel, responsibility for the vehicle sits with us. You still choose where to go, but you are not left holding the cost of damage on a mountain road far from the nearest workshop.
The roads are not signposted
The main highways are fine. Once you leave them, signage is poor and surfaces change without warning, particularly in rain. This is where visiting drivers get into trouble.
Parking in tourist towns
Murree, Naran, Kalam and Hunza in season are crowded, and parking takes real time. Your driver deals with it while you get on with the day.
Drivers who know the routes
Our northern drivers have made these trips many times. They know where to break the journey, which sections to avoid after dark, and where the fuel stops are.
Included
What Is Included in a Tour Booking
Included
- The vehicle for every day of the trip
- An experienced driver who stays with you
- Pickup from your address in Lahore or Islamabad
- Return to your pickup point at the end
Quoted separately
- Fuel for the trip
- Motorway and road tolls
- Driver’s food and accommodation
- Park entry fees and local jeep hire, where needed
Full rental terms are on our rental information page.
Booking
How to Book a Tour Vehicle
1. Send your plan
Destination, travel dates, number of days, number of passengers, and whether you start from Lahore or Islamabad.
2. We suggest the vehicle
We tell you which vehicles suit that route, and flag anything about the season or the passes that affects your dates.
3. We confirm the full cost
You get the day rate plus the separate items, so you know the whole figure before you book hotels.
4. Confirm and travel
The vehicle and driver are reserved for your dates, and we send you the driver’s details before you travel.
Questions
Tour Vehicle FAQs
How much does it cost to rent a tour vehicle for northern Pakistan?
Day rates run from PKR 5,500 for a Suzuki Wagon R to PKR 35,000 for a Land Cruiser V8. A Toyota Corolla is PKR 8,000 per day and a Honda BR-V is PKR 10,000 per day.
Is the tour vehicle priced per day or per trip?
Per day. You pay for every day the vehicle is with you, including the days you spend at the destination rather than driving.
Does the day rate change on a longer tour?
No. Each vehicle has one day rate, so a longer trip is that rate multiplied by the number of days. Ask us when you enquire if you are planning an unusually long tour.
Does the price include a driver?
Yes. Every tour vehicle comes with a driver, and the driver stays with you for the whole trip.
Is fuel included in the tour rate?
No. For tour bookings, fuel, tolls, the driver’s food and accommodation and any entry fees are quoted separately, because they depend entirely on the route. We give you the full figure before you confirm.
Where does the trip start?
Lahore or Islamabad. Starting from Islamabad makes the first day considerably shorter for most northern destinations.
Can I book a tour vehicle from Karachi?
Yes. Tours starting from Karachi, including Karachi to Islamabad, can be arranged. Call us and we will confirm the vehicle and the rate.
What is the rent of a Toyota Corolla for a three day tour to Naran?
PKR 8,000 per day, so PKR 24,000 for three days, plus fuel, tolls and the driver’s expenses.
What does a Honda Civic cost for a northern tour?
PKR 10,000 per day. A Honda BR-V is the same rate and seats seven, so it is worth comparing if you have a larger group.
Which vehicle should I take to Naran and Kaghan?
In the main season a Corolla, Civic or BR-V is fine on the sealed road. Early or late in the season, or if you want to go further up the valley, take a Sportage, Fortuner or Prado.
Which vehicle do I need for Skardu?
We send a Prado, Fortuner or Land Cruiser to Skardu. It is the longest and most demanding of the standard tours, with long stretches between towns.
Can a normal car go to Hunza?
Yes. The Karakoram Highway is sealed as far as Gilgit and Hunza, so a sedan manages it. Most people still prefer an SUV for the comfort over a seven to ten day trip.
Do you have a vehicle for a large group?
The Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin seats 13 and the Coaster 4C Saloon seats 28. Both are used in the north regularly, though they climb more slowly, so allow extra time in the itinerary.
When is Babusar Top open?
Usually from late May until October. It closes through winter for snow. In 2026 it reopened on 25 May after snow clearance. The exact date moves every year.
When is the Khunjerab Pass open?
Roughly April to December. All vehicles are normally stopped from about 30 December to 1 April. It is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway at 15,397 feet.
Can I still reach Hunza when Babusar is closed?
Yes. Gilgit and Hunza remain reachable on the Karakoram Highway through Besham and Chilas. That drive is longer, so allow an extra day.
Can I drive myself on a northern tour?
Self drive is available for rentals inside Lahore. For northern trips we strongly recommend taking a driver, because of the road conditions, the poor signage beyond the main highways and where the liability sits if anything happens.
Is it safe for a family to hire a car with a driver?
Yes. Sher Brothers is a registered car rental company and has been running these trips for years. Our northern drivers have made the routes many times.
Do I decide the route, or do you?
You do. You set the destinations and the stops. The driver handles the road, the parking and the mountain sections.
How far ahead should I book?
For June to September, as early as you can. Peak season fills up and the larger vehicles go first. A Grand Cabin or Coaster for July should be booked well in advance.
What if the weather closes a road during my trip?
Your driver will know the alternatives and will not attempt a pass that is unsafe. Tell us at the enquiry stage if your plan depends on one particular route so we can build in a fallback.
Related
Other Rentals and Routes
If a northern tour is not what you need, these pages cover the rest.
Rent a Car Lahore
Daily, weekly and monthly rates for the full fleet inside Lahore, with a driver or self drive.
Lahore to Murree
The shortest hill trip, priced one way or as a same-day return.
Rent a Car Islamabad
Start your northern trip from Islamabad and save several hours on day one.
Lahore to Islamabad
Motorway or GT Road, one way or same-day return.
Book a Tour Vehicle for the North
Send us your destination, your dates and the number of passengers. We will tell you which vehicle suits the route, flag anything about the season, and confirm the whole cost before you book.
Day rates from PKR 5,500. Driver included. Pickup from Lahore or Islamabad.