Itinerary

1. Arrive ISB, Drive to Besham / Narran

   • Arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning.

   • Drive to Besham / Narran. 

   • Transfer to air-conditioned buses; proceed overland to Sharkul. 

   • On the way from Islamabad, drive on Grand Trunk Road leading to Afghanistan.

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

   • Visit ruins of a former city (Sirkup), a former monastery (Julian) built on top of a hill, and the splendid site museum that contains artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. Here, one could also see the gold and silver coins of Alexander The Great (326 BC) and local kings. 

   • After Taxila, turn north to head towards Karakoram Highway. The highway, often referred as the eighth wonder of the world - was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers, took 850 lives, and 20 years to complete. 

   • Arrive at Sharkool and transfer to hotel for meals and night stay. (5/6 hours, 200 km)

2. Drive to Gilgit (Meet The Indus)

   • For the second half of the journey, drive through the Indus gorge. 

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

   • For centuries, this branch of Silk Route was used by the 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).

3. Gilgit - Hunza Karimabad

   • Drive to Hunza Karimaba from Gilgit to re-enter the town from the historic route, crossing a suspension bridge over Gilgit river. 

   • Visit Kargah to see the rock-carved Buddha, dating back to the 7th century.

4. At Hunza Karimabad , full day excursions

   • Spend free day in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts, and for other explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives. 

   • Also see some beautiful peaks of Karakoram range from Karimabad; Rakaposhi 7788m, Diran 7266m, Ultar 7400m, Golden peak 7027m, and the Nagar valley on the left bank of Hunza river.

   • In Hunza, each family grows enough wheat, maize,apricots, and walnuts for its own use. The people are mostly self-sufficient, making their own clothes, shoes, wooden and stone bowls and growing all their own food. The people are very friendly and cheerful. 

   • In the afternoon, walk to Ultar glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village or stroll through the single lane bazaar for better views of soaring peaks around. 

   • Overnight at hotel.

5. Drive & Trek Fairy Meadows

   • Drive back to Gilgit on Karakoram Highway.

   • After crossing Gilgit, arrive at Raikot. 

   • At Raikot, board on 4x4 soft top jeeps. After one hour drive, arrive at Jaile, a small village inhabited by Shina speaking Chilasis, and trek commencement point. As loads are distributed among the porters, leave the jeeps and start walking. 

   • Ascend gradually, walking through the dry lunar landscape of this meeting point of Hindukush and Himalayan range. 

   • Soon, enter the narrow, barren gorge of Tato river, the track clings high on its left bank. 

   • Crossing through the green juniper and pine trees, arrive at Fairy Meadows for overnight camping.

6. Short Walks around Fairy Meadows

   • Morning light brings the surprise view of Nanga Parbat massif from the campsite. 

   • After breakfast, meet at dining tents at camp.

   • Commence short walks around Fairy Meadows. The route followed by the locals, climbs rather steeply, from the campsite, through the jungle of pine trees to emerge at Fairy Meadows. 

   • Take the slightly longer, wide trek that ascends gradually through the jungle. The view of Nanga Parbat (8,125meters) soon fills the horizon in the south-east. 

   • Walk fairly close to the crystal clear streams flowing through the pine trees.

   • Fairy Meadows at 3,200 meters, is an idyllic campsite - perched above the Raikot glacier flowing from the massif of Nanga Parbat. Nature lovers call it one of the most magical and scenic spots in all of Pakistan. 

   • Meals and overnight at camp.

7. Trek to Base Camp of Nanga Parbat (4000 meters)

   • An ideal day’s walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat. 

   • We walk through the pine tree-covered valley with Raikot glacier flowing on the left side and the summit of Nanga Parbat straight ahead. 

   • After about two hours, traverse the lateral moraine of glacier and then arrive at a flat meadow of Biale camping site. 

   • From here, turn right for a short patch to arrive at the Old base camp of Nanga Parbat. The meadow here is normally filled with Himalayan flowers and shouting marmots. Half an hour from here is German mountaineer, Drexel’s monument. 

   • Lunch at 4,000 meters. 

   • Enjoy thrilling views of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding peaks.

   • Later, walk back to the camp at Fairy Meadows camp.

8. Trek & drive back to Besham/ Narran

   • Three hours downhill walk from Fairy Meadows along Tato river to Jaile. 

   • At Jaile, board jeeps once again and arrive at Raikot bridge on KKH over Indus river. 

   • At Raikot, transfer into air-conditioned van and drive to Besham / Narran  for overnight at PTDC Motel (8/9 hours trek).

9. Drive to Islamabad Continue drive on KKH

   • Towards Islamabad bypass, see the important archaeological site of Taxila,

   • By afternoon, arrive Islamabad, and transfer to hotel. 

   • Evening free for exploring bazaars and sightseeing in the capital city. 

   • Overnight stay at hotel.

10. Depart for home

    • After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for international departure flight.