Itinerary

1. DAy 1: Arrive in Islamabad – Naran / Besham

   • Drive on the Karakoram Highway to Besham - Naran in air-conditioned transport. (6-7 hours drive)

   Overnight stay in the hotel. 

2. Day 2: Gilgit - Hunza Karimabad

   • Drive through the gorge of the Indus and Hunza rivers. (8-9 hours drive)

   • Visit the meeting point of the world's three highest mountain ranges; the Himalayas, Hindukush and Karakoram. Enjoy views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) and Rakaposhi (7,788 m). 

   Overnight stay in the hotel. 

3. Day 3: Passu village - Karakoram

   • Start the day with a short ride on soft-top 4x4 jeeps from Passu village towards Shimshal valley. 

   • Pass through the gorge of Shimshal river with ascent and traverse in the gorge along the right bank of the river. 

   • Arrive at the ‘travellers hut’ of Ziarat. Some 600 years ago, a Sufi Saint (Shah Shams) from central Asia arrived here and stayed here for several nights. He also preached Islam in this region. 

   • See Karoon 1 (7,164 m) Peak from here.

   • Cross two suspension bridges and few small streams joining the river from side valleys.  After a four hour trek, we will be at Kuk, opposite Mulungudi glacier, with hot springs.

   • Enjoy beautiful views of Dastagil Sar (7,885 m).  It is an easy descent to the central valley and an hour and a half to the main village. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of Karakoram. 900 years ago, Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi Saint who settled here. It is believed by the local population that all Shimshali people are his descendants.

   Camp overnight.

   Duration of the Trek: 7-8 hours.

4. Day 4: At Shimshal Village

   • Take rest. This day is for acclimatization.

5. Day 5: Shimshal – Zardgurdbin

   • Take a 5-6 hours steep walk to reach the plateau of Zardgurdbin from Shimshal.

6. Day 6: Zardgurdbin - Shapodin

   • Begin the trek and cross a big plateau between Zardgurbing and Shapodin.

   • Arrive at the camping place in Shapodin, which is also a summer settlement.

   Camp overnight. 

   Duration of the Trek: 2-3 hours.

7. Day 7: Shapodin - Mandik Shlaq

   • Cross Boisam Pir Pass (5,090 m) this day. It is an easy trek up to the Pass. Kanjut Sar (7,760 m) Peak is visible from the Pass. 

   • See a beautiful lake of blue water. 

   • Make a short stop on the way and have lunch at Pachodewashk. 

   • Proceed towards Mandik Shlaq.

   Camp overnight.

   Duration of the Trek: 5-6 hours.

8. Day 8: Mandik Shlaq

   • Explore Mandik Shlaq and camp overnight.

9. Day 9: Mandik Shlaq - Werbin

   • Begin the trek after breakfast.

   • Stay at Havdiji on the way, which is a settlement having seven houses. Have lunch.

   • Proceed towards Werbin. 

   Camp overnight.

   Duration of the Trek: 4-5 hours.

10. Day 10: Werbin - Chafchingol Pass

    • Cross three small rivers in this day's trek, which will be great fun and adventure. The place is also famous for ibex. 

    • Camp overnight. (5-6 hours) This base camp will be our base camp for the Sonia Peaks. There are three peaks in the Sonia group- the highest one is 6,400 metres, and the lowest is around 6,000 metres. 

11. Day 11: Trek Over Chafchingol Pass - KKH

    • Trek from the base camp up to Chafchingol Pass (5,151 m). See Dastagil Sar (7,885m) Peak from the pass.  

    • Reach on KKH at Kuksil (4,150 m), which is just 15 km from Khunjerab Pass. The area is in Khunjerab National Park. (7-8 hours trek and 2-3 hours drive).

    • Proceed to Hunza. 

    Overnight at the hotel.

12. Day 12: Hunza Karimabad (Leisure Day)

    • Explore the valley in Karimabad and take an excursion to Passu and Batura glaciers. Visit the Altit and Baltit forts that are the landmarks of the times when Hunza was a well sought-after staging post on the Karakoram Branch of the Silk Route. 

    • See Hunza cultural dance in the evening.

    Meals and overnight at the hotel.

13. Day 13: Besham / Naran

    • Go on an early morning drive in air-conditioned transport on the Karakoram Highway towards Besham - Narran. 

    • Have lunch and proceed towards Besham. 

    Overnight at the motel. 

14. Day 14: Naran - Islamabad

    • Drive on Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. 

    • Stop at Taxila to visit the archaeological site of the Gandhara Buddhist civilization, dating from 500 BC to 500 AD. 

    • Go for half-day sightseeing in Islamabad after lunch.

    • Spend a free evening. (5-6 hours)   

    • Get transferred to Islamabad airport for an international departure flight in the morning.