STAY 

Rooms at Gupis PTDC Motel are basic but generally clean and serviceable, with simple beds, a small table and private bathrooms in most units. Some look towards the river or nearby fields, reminding you you’re deep in Ghizer rather than in a city hotel. Heating and hot water can be variable, so warm layers and flexible expectations help. It’s a straightforward place to sleep between long drives, with the bonus of fresh air and big skies.

CHILDCARE 

The motel suits practical, outdoorsy families more than those seeking facilities. There is no kids’ club, playroom or organised activities, and the riverbank and uneven ground mean children need close supervision. However, the open spaces, village surroundings and mountain backdrop can be very appealing for older children. Staff are usually happy to adapt meal times, offer simpler dishes and provide extra blankets, which helps parents keep younger travellers comfortable on a simple road journey.

DINE 

Meals focus on straightforward Pakistani home-style cooking: lentils, vegetable curries, rice, chapatis and basic chicken dishes, with plenty of tea. Breakfasts typically include eggs, bread and jam or parathas to set you up for the next leg of the drive. Menus aren’t long, but food is hot, filling and welcome after rural roads. When the weather is pleasant, eating outside with river views adds a touch of atmosphere to otherwise simple, functional dining.

RELAX 

Between driving days, Gupis PTDC Motel offers a chance to switch off for a while. Guests often sit outside to watch the river, listen to birds and see evening light on the hills. Indoors, you can rest with tea and a book or chat with fellow travellers. There is no spa, gym or nightlife, but many people appreciate the quiet, early nights and the feeling of being somewhere small and unhurried on the way to Phander or Gilgit.

EXPERIENCE 

Staying at Gupis PTDC forms part of the classic overland route between Gilgit and Phander or further into Ghizer. From here you can wander into the village, walk short distances along the river or simply watch everyday life in the valley. The motel itself is modest, but its location helps you feel the scale of the landscape and the rhythm of local travel, breaking up the journey in a way large towns simply cannot.