The Gilgit Valley lies at an elevation of 1,454 metres. The picturesque small town of Gilgit has stunning scenic splendor to offer. The peak tourist season is from May to mid-October though the tourist season is round the year. The maximum temperature in May is 33 C and the minimum 16 C and in September Maximum 28 C and minimum 11C.

At a distance of 10 Kms. from Gilgit town is a beautiful rock engraving of Buddha of 7th century A.D.at the mouth of the Kargah Nullah. A victory monument of Taj Mughal , built 700 years ago, is 30 kms. Jeep drive from Gilgit town. The bridge over the fast flowing Gilgit river is the largest suspension bridge in Asia (182 metres long and 2 metres wide) permitting enough room for one jeep at a time to cross.

The streams and lakes of Gilgit are full of trout. These are at kargah Nullah 10 kms. from Gilgit, Singal 56 kms. Gakuch 73 kms. and Phandar 117 kms. from Gilgit. Permits for fishing are issued by the Assistant Director, Fisheries, Government of Pakistan , Gilgit.

Trekking and hiking in the rugged mountains and verdant valleys of Gilgit are allowed only in the "open zone" which extends up to 16 kms. short of the control line on the Kashmir border and up to 50 kms. short of the Afghan border.