Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive Islamabad & drive to Besham / Narran

   • Arrive Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan. 

   • Transfer to hotel for fresh ups and drive to Sharkool. 

   • En route visiting Taxila, the capital of Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is reputed as one of the most important archaeological sites of sub-continent. 

   • We visit the ruins of a former city (Sirkup), a former monastery (Julian) built on top of a hill and the splendid site museum that contains the artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. 

   • Here one could also see the Gold and Silver coins ofAlexander The Great {326 BC} and local kings. 

   • After Taxila, we will proceed to drive towards the Karakoram Highway passing through the lush green valleys of Mansehra District, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the valley.

   • Karakoram Highway is the joint effort of Pakistan and China. Its completion took 20years. 300 Chinese and 600 Pakistanis sacrificed their lives for the completion of this road. 

   • Overnight at motel.

   (4/5 h, 200 km)

2. Day 2: Besham / Narran to Gilgit - Hunza

   • Early morning drive to Gilgit the capital city of Northern areas of Pakistan.

   • At Thakot, cross Chinese made bridge to enter the gorge of Indus River.

   • For centuries this branch of Silk Route was used by traders and Buddhist missionaries. There are many rock carving sites of that time: Shatial rock-carving is one of them. 

   • Lunch in Chilas; stop at Thalichi for the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8,125m) the 9th highest peak in the world and the second highest after K2 in Pakistan, also known as the killer mountain. Rakaposhi (7,788m) and the Haramosh range can also be viewed from here. 

   • As we drive north we arrive at the meeting point of the mountain ranges. The three highest mountain ranges of the world Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush meet here at this point and also Indus river is joined Gilgit river here. 

   • We continue along Gilgit river, to reach Hunza. 

   • Arrive Hunza and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

   (9/10 hours, 320 km)

3. Day 3: First day of camping (Hoper Valley )

   • We drive out from Gilgit to re-enter the town from the historic route, crossing a suspension bridge over Gilgit river. 

   • At Kargah visit the rock-carved Buddha from 7th century AD. 

   • In the ancient times, the Kargah valley used to be the traveling route of the Buddhist monks, to go to Taxila. 

   • Stroll down the colorful Bazaars of Gilgit. 

   • The tour will continue to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza Valley through a scenic route. 

   • On our way, we see the old Silk Route used by the Buddhist monks and traders. 

   • Enroute short stay at Rakaposhi (7,788m) viewpoint. 

   • Enter the Hunza valley and arrive at the capital Karimabad. 

   • After some rest at Karimabad continue drive to Nagar and Boroshal. 

   • From Boroshal we will take a short walk to Hoper. 

   • Overnight at camping in Hoper.

   (5/6 hours, 110 km)

4. Day 4: Trek to Shiskin

   • It is a hot walk so keep your water bottles full. 

   • First, we will cross Hoper glacier, then continue track along the lateral moraine for about an hour and arrive at Shishkin. 

   • We will have an extensive view back on the Hoper glacier. 

   • Shishkin campsite is between Hoper and Barpu glaciers. 

   • We will set our camps here for an overnight.

5. Day 5: Shiskin to Barpu Griam

   • Today we will climb a stony and hot gully to reach Barpu glacier, then in one hour we will cross the Barpu glacier, the crossing is again bit steep. 

   • After crossing Barpu glacier we will arrive at Barpu Griam. 

   • Here, camp a bit higher from the camping site for outstanding views of Golden Peak(7027meters). At sunrise the peak shines like gold that’s why it is named as the Golden Peak. It is one of the easier peaks above 7000 meters and was first climbed by Dr. William Hunter Workman in 1955.

6. Day 6: Walk to the Rash Lake

   • It is an easy zigzag path, at the top of this path we will have extensive views of Hispar Gorge to the high mountains like Lupghur, Momhil, Trivor and Bullarng, these all mountains are above 7000 meters. 

   • Now we will follow a grassy ridge up for Chiding Harai, from Chiding Harai we will take another one hour walk to reach at Rash Lake (4760meter). 

   • The valley is wide and flat here. 

   • Camp beside the lake.

7. Day 7: A day at Rash Lake

   • A free day at Rash lake for a climb of Rash Peak. It is an easy walk for superb views of Hisper Gorge and a 360-degree panorama of Golden Peak, Malubitin, Miar, all of Hunza with Ultar and Passu Peak, all of Nagar and mountains to the north of Hispar. 

   • If luckily we found very clear weather, then we can also have views of the biggest pyramid in the world, K2. 

   • Walk back to lake into the camps for overnight.

8. Day 8: Walk down to Datchugan

   • Today it is all descending more than 1200meters, but the trek offers superb views of Miar glacier and Rakaposhi (7788m) range. 

   • After three hours the valley narrows at a slight rise, forming a natural gateway known as Datchugan. Datchugan will be our today's camping site.

9. Day 9: Trek to Hamdar

   • After breakfast at camps, start our trek, first, we will cross Miar glacier with magnificent views of Miar Peak (6824 meter). 

   • After reaching Miar we will turn towards the north and start walking on the lateral moraine of Barpu glacier.

   • Arrive at Hamdar for overnight camping. Hamdar is a wide and fertile place with potato and wheat field around.

    

10. Day 10: Back to Karimabad (Hunza)

    • Hamdar to Hapakund takes one hour, with views of golden, Chukutans, Rash peaks. 

    • Arrive Hapakund, another fertile meadow like Hamdar. 

    • From Hapakund we will trek back to Shishkin, cross Hoper glacier and arrive Hoper. 

    • From Hopar we will take a short walk to reach to our jeeps. 

    • Our jeeps will then take us to Karimabad. 

    • Arrive Karimabad, capital of upper Hunza Valley and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.

11. Day 11: Drive to Upper Hunza (Passu)

    • Short drive through the heart of Karakoram. 

    • Stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of virgin Gulmittower. 

    • Walk through the village fields to visit the Polo ground and old houses.

    • Later take a short trek to Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake.

    • As you end your trek near Borit Lake, the transport will pick for 15 km drive to Passu. Passu is a small charming village in the backdrop of soaring Passu Cones, with Passu and Batura glaciers at short walking distance. 

    • Walk through the village to see the village life. Some 70 years ago Passu used to be the second largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad. The glacier upstream on Hunza river moved down to create a large dam, that later broke and destroyed the fertile fields and houses. Now the river occupies the major share of the valley with the village on its right bank.

    • Walk to the Passu glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way). 

    • From the snout of the glacier, you have fascinating views of Shispar (7,611 m) and Passu Peak (7,478 m). Walk back to Lodge for lunch. 

    • Afternoon visit to the famous suspension bridges of Passu. These 800 feet long bridges over Hunza river are still in use of local people.

    • Overnight stay at lodge.

12. Day 12: Drive back to Besham / Narran

    • Drive along the bank of Hunza river on Karakoram Highway, enjoying fascinating views of Karakoram Peaks from a different angle. 

    • We might stop at Gilgit town for lunch. 

    • Arrive Chilas on the bank of Indus river, overnight at hotel. (260 km, 6/7 hours drive.)

13. Day 13: Drive to Islamabad

    • Full day drive on Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. 

    • We start early in the morning, to cover the 12 hours long drive. 

    • Short stay in Abbottabad for lunch, by evening we shall reach Islamabad.

    • Transfer to hotel. (12 hrs,500km)

14. Day 14: Departure for sweet Home

    • Transfer to Airport for departure.