The best of trekking in the mountains of Pakistan and the cultural visit of the Hunza Valley.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Islamabad

  

  Arrival in Islamabad: a member of the Adventure Pakistan team will welcome you and take you to a hotel or guesthouse to rest after the long flight. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi: the Faisal Mosque, government buildings on Constitution Avenue, Shakar Parian Park with its rose and jasmine garden, as well as an excursion to Damn-e-Koh to admire the twin cities (and more if time permits). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Islamabad.

• day 2

  Chilas

  

  After breakfast, we head to Chilas by bus or air-conditioned car on the famous Karakoram Highway, or via the Kaghan Valley through the Babusar Pass. Chilas is a small bazaar town where you can see petroglyphs dating back to the 1st century BC. Overnight at the hotel in Chilas. Option: it is also possible to take a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit, then drive to Chilas.

• day 3

  Fairy Prairies

  

  From Chilas, we will go to the Raikot Bridge, where we will transfer to 4x4 jeeps before heading towards the village of Tatto. After arriving at the village of Tatto, there will be a 3-hour hike to Fairy Meadows. Overnight stay in huts.

• day 4

  Fairy Prairies

  

  Full rest day at Fairy Meadows. Visit of Beyal, Raikot, facing the Nanga Parbat base camp. Exploration around the base camp. Night in huts.

• day 5

  Skardu

  

  We say goodbye to the magnificent Fairy Meadows and return to the village of Tatto, from where we will take 4x4 jeeps to the Raikot bridge. Transfer by air-conditioned bus or car and continue towards Skardu. If time permits, we will do some small visits in Skardu: the bazaar district and/or Sadpara Lake. Overnight at the hotel in Skardu.

• day 6

  Shigar

  

  A day of sightseeing to discover the incredible diversity of nature and the beautiful villages in and around the Skardu & Shigar region, including Skardu Fort, the ecological village of Nansoq, Kachura Lake, the cold desert of Katpana, and Shigar Fort. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Skardu or Shigar.

• day 7

  Ghanche

  

  Early in the morning, we will head towards Khaplu, from where our first day of trekking will begin: Khaplu to Ghanche Camp - 4 to 5 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

• day 8

  K2 viewpoint camp

  

  3 hours of walking. From here, you have a splendid view of K2, Masherbrum, and the peaks of the Karakoram. Night in a tent.

• day 9

  Skardu

  

  5 hours of walking to Khaplu. If the weather permits, we can make some small visits in Khaplu to see the Khaplu Palace and the old mosque. From Khaplu, we return to Skardu for dinner and overnight at the hotel. optional: add 1 night in Khaplu.

• day 10

  Gilgit

  

  From Skardu, we will head towards the capital of the Gilgit-Baltistan region, called Gilgit. Here, we will be able to visit: the Gilgit bazaar, the suspension bridge, the Chinese market, and the Kargha Buddha. Overnight in Gilgit.

• day 11

  Minapin

  

  From Gilgit, we leave early and head further north, making a stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint before reaching our destination: Minapin. Here, we will do a day hike in the Hapakun meadows, where you will have a northern view of the Hachindar and Maiun peaks. If we are lucky, it is possible to spot ibex on the cliffs above the Minapin glacier. The trek totals 3 to 4 hours of ascent and 2 hours of descent. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse in Minapin. (We can extend this one-day trek to a multi-day trek if you wish to visit Rakaposhi BC and/or Diran BC.)

• day 12

  Karimabad

  

  It will only be a short drive from the capital of Hunza, Karimabad. We will visit the Karimabad bazaar, the Baltit Fort, and the Altit Fort. In the late afternoon, we will head to Duikar to enjoy the magnificent sunset at the viewpoint above the Eagle's Nest hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Karimabad or Duikar.

• day 13

  Karimabad

  

  Rest day to relax and enjoy Karimabad by yourself. If you wish, our guide can take you for a hike to Ultar Meadows, or you can visit the village of Ganish, an ancient settlement on the Silk Road. Overnight in a hotel in Karimabad.

• day 14

  Gulmit

  

  In the morning, we will visit the Hopar glacier and the Nagar valley. In the afternoon, we will head towards Gulmit, stopping on the way at Attabad Lake. We will have a guided tour in the surroundings of Gulmit, including: the Gulmit museum, the polo ground, the old house, the local handmade carpet center, and the Hussaini suspension bridge. It is also possible to hike to the village of Kamaris (1 hour each way). Overnight in a hotel in Gulmit.

• day 15

  Lake Borith

  

  A very beautiful day trip: we will walk from the Passu glacier to Lake Borith. The afternoon can be devoted to your leisure time in Gulmit and meeting the locals. Night in a hotel in Gulmit.

• day 16

  Khunjerab Pass

  

  From Gulmit, we drive further north to the top of the Khunjerab Pass, which is located at the border between Pakistan and China. The area around the Khunjerab Pass is a national park where, if you are lucky, you may see Siberian ibex, Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon poli), a snow leopard, or other wild animals. After visiting the border, we will head to Gilgit to spend the night there. (The border post is closed from November 30/December to April 1/May each year. If you are traveling during a period when it is not possible to visit the border, we will arrange an alternative program for that day.)

• day 17

  Islamabad

  

  We leave early for the airport to catch our flight to Islamabad. The afternoon can be devoted to leisure, or we can visit the Lok Virsa Folk & Heritage Museum and/or Saidpur Village. If our flight is cancelled (or if you prefer to travel by road), we will drive from Gilgit via the Babusar Pass to Naran, or via the Karakoram Highway to Besham.

• day 18

  Taxila

  

  From Islamabad, we take a day trip to Taxila to visit the Taxila Museum and various archaeological sites. Farewell dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Islamabad. (from Naran or Besham, we will stop on the way in Taxila for sightseeing and then continue to Islamabad) The city of Taxila dates back to the Gandhara period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takṣaśilā, which was an important Hindu and Buddhist center. It is still considered a place of religious and historical sanctity in these traditions. In 1980, Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several locations.

• day 19

  Return flight

  

  Your last day in Pakistan, it's time to say goodbye! Depending on your flight schedule, we will take you to the airport 3 hours before the scheduled departure time. If you still have time today, we can arrange additional visits in Islamabad or nearby.