14-Day Rash Peak Trek in Pakistan with Hunza and Taxila

• Arrive in Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan.

• Transfer to the hotel for freshening up and then drive to Sharkool.

• En route, visit Taxila, the capital of the Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is reputed to be one of the most important archaeological sites of the subcontinent.

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

• Here, you can also see the gold and silver coins of Alexander the Great (326 BC) and local kings.

• After Taxila, we proceed towards the Karakoram Highway, passing through the lush green valleys of Mansehra District and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the valley.

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

• Overnight at a motel.

(4/5 h, 200 km)

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

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

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

• Lunch in Chilas, then stop at Thalichi for the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m), the 9th highest peak in the world and the second highest after K2 in Pakistan, also known as the Killer Mountain. Rakaposhi (7,788 m) 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 in the world - the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush - meet here, and the Indus River is joined by the Gilgit River at this point.

• We continue along the Gilgit River to reach Hunza.

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

(9/10 hours, 320 km)

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

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

• In ancient times, the Kargah Valley used to be the travelling route of Buddhist monks on their way to Taxila.

• Stroll through the colorful bazaars of Gilgit.

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

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

• En route, enjoy a short stay at the Rakaposhi (7,788 m) viewpoint.

• Enter the Hunza Valley and arrive at the capital, Karimabad.

• After some rest in Karimabad, continue the drive to Nagar and Boroshal.

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

• Overnight camping in Hoper.

(5/6 hours, 110 km)

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

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

• We will have an extensive view back over the Hoper Glacier.

• Shishkin campsite lies between the Hoper and Barpu glaciers.

• We set up our camp here for an overnight stay.

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

• After crossing Barpu Glacier, we arrive at Barpu Griam.

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

• It is an easy zigzag path, and at the top we will have extensive views of Hispar Gorge and high mountains such as Lupghur, Momhil, Trivor, and Bullarng, all of which rise above 7000 meters.

• We then follow a grassy ridge up to Chiding Harai. From Chiding Harai, we take another one-hour walk to reach Rash Lake (4760 meters).

• The valley is wide and flat here.

• Camp beside the lake.

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

• If we are lucky and find very clear weather, we can also have views of the biggest pyramid in the world, K2.

• Walk back down to the lake and the camp for an overnight stay.

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

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

• After breakfast at camp, start the trek. First, we cross Miar Glacier with magnificent views of Miar Peak (6824 meters).

• After reaching Miar, we turn 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 fields around it.

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

• Arrive at Hapakund, another fertile meadow like Hamdar.

• From Hapakund, we trek back to Shishkin, cross Hoper Glacier, and arrive at Hoper.

• From Hoper, we take a short walk to reach our jeeps.

• Our jeeps then take us to Karimabad.

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

• Short drive through the heart of the Karakoram.

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

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

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

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

• Walk through the village to observe village life. Some 70 years ago, Passu used to be the second largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad. The glacier upstream on the 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 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 the lodge for lunch.

• In the afternoon, visit the famous suspension bridges of Passu. These 800-foot-long bridges over the Hunza River are still used by local people.

• Overnight stay at the lodge.

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

• We might stop in Gilgit town for lunch.

• Arrive in Chilas on the bank of the Indus River for an overnight stay at the hotel. (260 km, 6/7 hours drive.)

• Full-day drive on the Karakoram Highway to Islamabad.

• We start early in the morning to cover the 12-hour drive.

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

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

• Transfer to the airport for departure.