Itinerary

1. Arrive at islamabad

   • Arrive at Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan. At the airport, you will be met and assisted by the local guide. Transfer to hotel.

   • In afternoon have the city tour of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

   • Overnight at the hotel.

2. Drive Islamabad to BEsham/ NARAN

   • Start the journey from Islamabad along Karakoram Highway. Just 34 km from the modern capital of Pakistan Taxila, the former capital of Gandhara Buddhist civilization awaits.

   • Visit the splendid site Museum and the archaeological site. Continue to drive on Karakorum highway, passing through the lush green alpine landscape of Hazara.

   • Arrive at Besham/ Narran in a lovely setting. 

   • Overnight at the hotel. (200 km, 5/6 hours)

3. Drive Besham / Naran - Hunza on KKH

   • Continue driving on Karakoram Highway to Gilgit. As we descend down from Besham or Narran, we will emerge on the bank of Indus river at Thakot.

   • From here we enter the narrow rocky gorge of Indus. The Highway was a joint venture between Pakistan and Chinese army engineers and it took 20 years and 850 lives to complete this 8th wonder of the world.

   • In the afternoon have a fascinating view of Nanga Parbat (8,125 M), as we reach near Hunza Karimabad. 

   • Overnight at the hotel. (430 km, 10/11 hours)

4. Drive Gilgit/ Hunza - Passu on KKH

   • Early in the morning visit the town, Hunza Karimabad at 1,800 M. It is the administrative capital of Northern areas of Pakistan and a traditional staging post on historic Silk Route from Kashgar.

   • From the bazaar, we could walk to the suspension bridges over Gilgit river.Continue driving on Karakoram Highway to the charming village of Passu in the heart of Karakoram mountains. We have fascinating views of soaring peaks all around us, including Rakaposhi (7,788 M). 

   • Overnight in Passu (2,500 meters) at the lodge. 

5. Trek from Passu - Yunz

   • Start the trek from the Passu village, after a short walk along the road we fork west towards Batura glacier. Near the snout of the glacier, after about an hour’s walk, we would be greeted by our companions for the trek YAKS. These champions of the glacier would be carrying our loads during the trek.

   • During the next hour, we would be gradually gaining height, walk through the barren rocky landscape.

   • Arrive at Yunzibin, our campsite at 2,800 m. It will take 3-4 hours.

   • From the camp, have fascinating views of Passu Peak.

   • Overnight stay in tents 

6. Trek - Kirgas Washik

   • Trek to Kirgiz Washik. It is possible to cross Batura glacier from our campsite, but we will continue straight keeping glacier on our right side and walk along the lateral moraine to Kirgiz Washik campsite. This route is followed mostly by the villagers on their way to upper pastures, so it is well marked and easier to walk on. As we walk on the crest of lateral moraine of the glacier.

   • Have excellent views of Batura massif straight ahead and the peaks of Shimshal valley to our east. We pass a small lake and a couple of shepherds huts before we arrive at Eagle’s nest (meaning of Kirgiz Washk) campsite for overnight.

7. Trek - Yashpirt

   • Trek to Yashpirt. As the glacier changes it re-adjusts its crevasses each season, so the safe place to cross to the other side also changes. We will take the option of crossing just beyond Kirgiz Washik, involving about an hour. The crossing is made safe by the fact that same route is used by the shepherds and goats throughout the year, so the route is clearly marked. Yashpirt is at 3,300 meters and is an ideal summer settlement set between rocky and grassy ridge on one side and low moraine of Batura glacier on the other side.

   • Have a commanding view of massive Batura icefall just ahead of us. Every household in Passu village keeps one house in this settlement, and just 30 years ago they use that house to farm Barley and wheat here during the summer months. Now it is the best-housed summer settlement.

   • Overnight in the camp.

8. Day Free

   • An ideal place to have a free day, as we have many opportunities to explore the settlement.

   • Meet the locals in their house and learn more about their corporate style of life. It is also exciting to take a short walk from the camp.

9. Trek - Gutesham

   • Start our trek for Gutasham in the soft morning light. Walk all the way on the north side of Batura glacier. For the first part of the trek, the view is dominated by the shimmering white ice of Batura Ice Wall just across the glacier. We will get plenty of opportunities to photograph this outstanding feature of mountain landscape in different settings.

   • Walk in the ablation valley of the glacier, and twice would have to cross the streams of cold water. Have lunch at Kukhil summer pasture approached after crossing a wooden log bridge over the rushing stream.

   • Later we would walk past juniper, willow, ash and alpine flowers by the stream.

   • Overnight camping at Guteshem.

10. Day Free at Guteshm

    • Visit Gutesham, the last permanent settlement along the Batura glacier and has more than a dozen summer huts, used by the locals in the middle of the season.

    • On our free day, take a short walk to Lupdor, ahead on Batura, with commanding view of Batura glacier as it sweeps its way through the soaring peaks. From here onwards the glacier completely fills the available space on its sides with mountains, so walk on ice to proceed. Have great views of Sanpakush and Kuksar Peaks deep in the west from where the glacier originates.

    • Overnight in the camp.

11. Trek - Yashpirt

    • Return to Yashpirt from Gutesham walking on the same route.

12. Trek - Yunz

    • Walk on the crest of lateral moraine all the way keeping the glacier to our south, and cross the glacier near the Yunzbin campsite. The crossing is fairly easy for the first 30 minutes but demands careful walking in the last half an hour.

    • Arrive Yunz for overnight camp.

13. Trek - Passu

    • An easy two hours downhill walk from Yunz to Passu. Alternately one could take the more demanding and rewarding route of Yunz Pass to Passu glacier.

    • Be free in evening at Passu. Overnight at the lodge/hotel.

14. Passu (Optional Excursion to Khunjerab Pass)

    • Go on a full day excursion to Khunjerab Pass, the highest metal road border crossing in the world at 4,733 m. We take the Silk Route heading north from Passu, cross the immigration post of Sust to enter the incredible Khunjerab National Park.

    • Here in the beginning and end of summer, it is possible to watch Ibex with a naked eye. The marmots are everywhere as soon as we cross over 4,000 meters. The pass marks the boundary between Pakistan and China, as well as between Karakoram and Pamir ranges. We stop at the windy pass for a while, then return to Passu.

    • Overnight at the lodge/hotel.

15. Drive to Karimabad Hunza

    • A short drive to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza valley.

    • Visit the Altit and Baltit fort. Walk through its bazaar.

    • Overnight in the hotel.

16. Drive to Besham/ Naran

    • Drive to Gilgit, the capital of North Pakistan, while stopping on the route for views of high summits.

    • At Gilgit, take an excursion to the statue of Kargha Buddha, just outside the town.

    • Overnight at the hotel.

17. Drive besham/Narran - Rawalpindi

    • Drive on the greener part of Karakorum Highway to Islamabad.

    • At Islamabad, have time to hunt the colorful bazaars of Rawalpindi for better bargains.

    • Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant, overnight at the hotel.

18. Islamabad - departure

    • Transfer to airport for international departure flight.