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Approximately 2509 meters above sea level, Nathia Gali is a mountain resort at the end of the Galiyat chain of hill stations, starting from Murree and traveling along Ghora Gali, Barian, Changla Gali, Dunga Gali, and Ayubia. Located 80 kilometers from Islamabad, these are some of Pakistan’s highest peaks accessible via a short drive. Your journey takes you through pine forests, along winding roads through the hill stations, and you can even step out for hikes to the peaks.
There are plenty of tourists who visit Islamabad and load up their schedule with a visit to Murree, but there are way fewer who have actually spent enough time in Galiyat to do the Pipeline Track and hikes to Mushkpuri or Miranjani. A good Galiyat package will ensure you get the hotel, the walk, the trail, and an early start to actually experience what the mountains have to offer.
We organize Nathia Gali and Galiyat packages from Islamabad.
HospitalityTours.com.pk organizes Galiyat and Nathia Gali packages from its Islamabad offices. We offer private transport, name-brand hotels, confirmed rooms, the Pipeline Track, and your choice of Mushkpuri or Miranjani, all based on your requested schedule. We time your return journey based on the weekday traffic to avoid the worst of the commute rather than taking it against the traffic. For further details, please send your requested dates and the number of travelers to us via WhatsApp on +923411113777.
Abbottabad District, KPK, makes up the Galiyat region, in contrast to Murree, which is part of Punjab and is also covered by a separate administration. The commercial density of the Mall is a reflection of this. The Galiyat region, administered by the Galiyat Development Authority, is quieter and more serene, as well as a better region for walking compared to other regions. The road from Murree continues to Ghora Gali, and most travelers who go beyond the Murree chairlift find a forest and a hill station that brings back the nostalgia of the old Murree.
The chain continues with: Ghora Gali; Barian; Changla Gali; Dunga Gali or Dungagali; Ayubia; and, at the top, Nathia Gali at 2,509 meters. All are distinct and separate entities. The road links them all, and the routes through them are the reason to stay for more than one day.
Ayubia National Park was established in 1984 and encompasses 3,312 hectares of the Galiyat hills between 1,700 and 2,750 meters. It has all the forest cover, paths, chairlifts, and the two main peaks that characterize an active Galiyat visit.
The Dunga Gali to Ayubia track is about 3.5 to 4 KM and takes about 40 minutes to an hour. It is a track through a dense pine forest at an altitude of about 2500 meters. The track is well paved and follows a flat route through a continuous pine forest, with misty mornings. The track is the backbone of Galiyat in terms of accessibility. The paved track ends in the middle with a few cafes, making it a great track for everyone. The track is also great for a morning outing or afternoon walk.
At 2,800 meters, Mushkpuri is the second-highest peak in the Galiyat, and it is accessible via the Ayubia chairlift from the park, followed by a short trek to the peak. The chairlift carries visitors to a point above the treeline, and the walk from there to the peak takes about 20-30 minutes.
The Mushkpuri peak gives great views of the Galiyat and Kashmir hills from its peak, and is especially great for views early in the morning.
From December to February, Mushkpuri has a completely different character. At times the chairlift shuts, and you have to make the cold weather call on the hike to the top. Strap on traction and bring waterproofs, as snowy wind and cold summit temperatures can be a problem.
At 2,992 metres, Miranjani is the highest peak in Galiyat, Namli Maira, and all of Ayubia National Park. Arguably the most accessible and famous summit in the region is visited in Passu via the Governor House. The trail steadily climbs through forest. Partway up, the path separates; one path is motorable, and the other is steep and for hiking. The summit offers sweeping views of the Galiyat and many surrounding regions.
Miranjani Peak shouldn't be confused with a longer version of the Mushkpuri Peak hike. Limit your time there to half a day. Go early, take plenty of food and water, and wear the correct shoes. Return before dark if you plan to get back that day, or you'll have to hike it in the dark.
A cable chairlift in the Ayubia National Park running from the Ayubia base to the treeline and towards Mushkpuri. It is one of the more handy chairlifts in northern KPK, and weather-dependent, of course, if it's running. Check that it's running before making plans to hike it.
The view overlooking the pine canopy and the Galiyat village below, as you ride on the chairlift, is one of the best views on a chairlift ride in Pakistan.
This church, built in the British colonial period, is an example of Victorian architecture that features a striking combination of pine trees, a stained glass window, and a wooden frame. The church grounds and the internal church area welcome visitors. A short and convenient stop on your Nathia Gali circuit.
While Thandiani is not actually part of the Galiyat chain, if you are looking for a quieter destination to enjoy the same pine forest experience with a smaller number of visitors, then Thandiani is approximately 2,748 meters, located on the ridge and above Abbottabad. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes on a rough road.
You can depart for Nathia Gali at 8 am and be there before 10 am, plus you have time to do the Pipeline Track before lunch, and the afternoon can be spent riding the Mushkpuri Chairlift. This makes a full day from Islamabad on a weekday in spring or fall. Not recommended for summer weekends.
This package takes the minimum number of days for the trek to include the summit properly. Reach Nathia Gali in the afternoon and take an evening stroll in the forest. This is followed on day two at an early hour with the Miranjani trek, followed by a return trip to Islamabad.
Two nights, three days. Nathia Gali on day one, Pipeline Track and Mushkpuri chairlift. Miranjani summit on day two. Forest walk, St. Matthew's Church, and the drive down on day three. Galiyat package includes both peaks and main trail walks.
Winter Snow Package. December to February, depending on snowfall. Nathia Gali under snow, Mushkpuri if the chairlift is open, Pipeline Track in winter forest. Two nights; the second day's plan is dependent on conditions. The right package communicates this and has a contingency.
Galiyat and Murree Combined. Two nights. One side is Murree Mall and Patriata; the other side is Galiyat. The drive between Nathia Gali and Murree takes under an hour. This is a single hill station circuit that combines the trail nature of Galiyat with the heritage and commercial nature of Murree.
PTDC Motels at Nathia Gali, Ayubia and Dungagali are the sole government-run hotels in Galiyat. As these hotels are run by the government, they are also well maintained. Confirm your booking directly for season availability.
Private hotels in Nathia Gali range from small family-run properties to newly opened mid-range hotels. Chinar Family Resort is one of the named properties listed in verified hotel listings. The private hotels in Galiyat vary greatly in quality, and the room-facing-the-forest versus room-facing-the-road difference matters the same as in Naran.
For the Bhurban section of the hills, that property is reviewed on the Murree hotels page. It is catered to five-star resort guests. On the other hand, Nathia Gali and the Galiyat are geared towards hiking.
For winter travel, confirm that heating and backup generators are available. It gets cold at 2,509 meters in January, and many Galiyat properties curtail their services in the shoulder months.
The Galiyat is one of the most family-friendly hill station areas near Islamabad. The Pipeline track is suitable for children who can walk about 4 kilometers. The Mushkpuri chairlift is enjoyed by most children. The Park at Nathia Gali near Paradise Point has some play equipment and horse riding.
Miranjani is not recommended for young children. The two- to three-hour climb is too arduous for young children, and the trail becomes very steep in places.
The climate is important for families; at 2,500 meters in July, Nathia Gali is ten to fifteen degrees cooler than Islamabad. A two-night family stay avoids the hot plains and offers children a different environment from the long drive to Naran and the Galiyat traffic of Murree.
The Galiyat in the shoulder months, spring and autumn, is quiet enough for the peace of the hiking trails. A Miranjani summit with no other hiking trail users in October is a very different experience from the same hike in July.
The classic Galiyat couple’s getaway comprises a 1-night stay at a property overlooking the forest, an early morning hike to Miranjani, and a trek along the Pipeline Track in the afternoon. 2 nights is perfect.
Avoid the Galiyat and Murree on summer weekends and long holidays. The trip from Islamabad gets long and traffic jams form, filling the forest and wrecking the trip. The same trip on a Tuesday in July is actually a pleasant trip.
Be sure to check the status of the Ayubia Chairlift before planning your day trip around it, as it can unexpectedly close for maintenance or weather-related issues.
Be sure to ask for a Forest-facing room in any of the hotels in the Galiyat region, whereas road-facing rooms can be misleading when choosing these hotels, since the view is the most important part of staying overnight.
For the Miranjani trek: ensure you hike before 8:00 am. The summit from the 2-hour climb is not pleasant in summer.
Be sure to confirm if the hotel has heating in November through March, and if they provide hot water for the morning.
Do not plan a day trip to both the Galiyat and Murree Regions. The best route is to take a 2-night trip covering both.
What is the distance from Islamabad to Nathia Gali? It's approximately 80 km via Murree, and around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
What is the highest peak in the Galiyat? Miranjani Peak at 2,992 meters.
How long is the Pipeline Track? It is around 3.5 to 4 kilometres and takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour to connect Dunga Gali to Ayubia.
What is the Mushkpuri chairlift? This is a cable chairlift in Ayubia National Park that takes you from the Ayubia base to the treeline. Here, you also get Galiyat views and access to Mushkpuri Top.
How many days do you need for the Galiyat package? This depends on which hikes you want to do. You only need one night for tracks like the Pipeline Track and Mushkpuri. Two nights are needed if you're hoping to adequately do Miranjani as well.
How is the Galiyat in winter? Although it is a good time to visit to get the snow, and even quieter than usual, make sure the chairlift is in operation and the hotel is heated before you book.
How does the Galiyat compare to Murree? The Galiyat is much quieter and better for walking compared to Murree, which is much more crowded and commercial. While the Galiyat is well worth the visit, it's easy to do together in one trip.
Do you need a guide? For the Pipeline Track and Mushkpuri, no guide is needed. For Miranjani, it is useful to hire a local guide since the summit, rather than Namli Maira, is not clearly marked.
Give us your dates and the group size, and we will put your trip together around either casual walks, Mushkpuri, a winter snow trip to the Miranjani summit, or the combined Murree and Galiyat circuit. We will arrange the hotel with the right room, a car from Islamabad avoiding rush hour, and set the start of the trail in the morning to match the timing of the day.
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