Itinerary

1. Day 1- Arrival in Islamabad

   • Connect with your tour guide, who will pick you up from the Islamabad International Airport and transfer you to the hotel.
   • Spend the day at leisure in Islamabad exploring Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, and Rawal Lake (Ramada Islamabad).

2. Day 2- Islamabad - Taxila - Narran/Besham

   • After freshening up, drive to Besham/Narran. 

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

   • See 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 of Alexander the Great (326 BC) and local kings. 

   • After Taxila, proceed towards the Karakoram Highway, passing through the lush green valleys of Mansehra District, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the valley. Karakoram High way is the joint effort of Pakistan and China. Its completion took 20 years. 300 Chinese and 600 Pakistanis sacrificed their lives for the completion of this road. 

   Overnight stay at Hotel. (5/6 hours, 200 km)

3. Day 3- Besham/Narran - Gilgit

   • Go for a morning drive on KKH to Gilgit. The capital city of the Northern areas of Pakistan. 

   • At Thakot, cross the Chinese bridge to enter the gorge of the Indus River. For centuries the traders and Buddhist missionaries used this branch of the Silk Route. There are many rock carving sites of that time: Shatial rock carving is one of them. 

   • Have lunch in Chilas and then, make a stop at Thalichi for the best views of Nanga Parbat (8,125m), the 9th highest peak of 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. 

   • Afterwards, arrive at the meeting point of the mountain ranges. The three highest mountain ranges of the world Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush meet where the Indus River is joined by the Gilgit River.

   • Later, continue along Gilgit River, overnight at Hotel. (9/10 hours, 320 km)

4. Day 4- Gilgit - Hunza

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

   • At Kargah, visit the rock-carved Buddha from the 7th century AD. In ancient times, the Kargah valley used to be the travelling route of the Buddhist monks to go to Taxila. 

   • Stroll down the colourful Bazaars of Gilgit. The tour will continue to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza valley through a scenic route. 

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

   • En route, take a halt at Rakaposhi's (7,788m) viewpoint. 

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

   Overnight at Hotel. (2/3 hours, 110 km)

5. Day 5- Hunza

   • Spend a day free in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts and other explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives. 
   • See some beautiful peaks of the Karakoram ranging from Karimabad; Rakaposhi 7788m, Diran 7266m, Ultar 7400m, Golden 7027m peak 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 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 you. 

   Overnight at Hotel.

6. Day 6- Karimabad - Passu (Gojal) Khunjerab Pass

   • Today, go for a short drive through the heart of Karakoram. 
   • Make a stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of the virgin Gulmit tower. 
   • Stroll through the village fields, visit the Polo ground and old houses. 
   • Later, take a short trek to Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake. As you end your hike 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 glacier 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 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 the Passu glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way). 
   • From the snout of the glacier, witness fascinating views of Shispar ( 7,611 m) and Passu Peak (7,478 m). 
   • Visit the famous suspension bridges of Passu; these 800 feet long bridges over the Hunza River are still in use by local people. 

   Overnight at Lodge.

7. Day 7- Passu - Gilgit - Phander Valley

   • Drive to Phander with occasional drop-offs from the jeep for exciting walks along the trek. 
   • Then, bid farewell to the Karakoram range and enter the Hindukush range. Wild landscape meets us during the drive as this route is visited by much fewer people and is snow-covered during the winters, so only nomads move with their flock of goats, searching the higher slopes for green pastures. 

   Guest House overnight. (6/7 hours – 3200meters)

8. Day 8- Phander - Mastuj/Chitral

   • From Phander the Jeep-track passes over the Shandur Pass (3500m) to Mastuj. At Shandur top, we leave the jeeps and walk over the pass to the highest Polo ground in the world. Every year, a grand festival of Polo takes place where teams from all of North Paãistan meet together to decide the Champion of the year. Many enthusiasts attend the festival from every village, who Camp here for days to see their team progress towards glory. 
   • Then, drive to Larkspur village. 
   • After Laspur village, a zigzag jeep track descends down towards Mastuj, 
   • Continue to drive to Mastuj for overnight camping. (6/7 hours – 3000 meters)

9. Day 9- Chitral/Mastuj - Chitral Kalash

   • Head for a morning drive from Mastuj village, along the Chitral River, which is flowing in the main valley bed. The landscape of the Hindukush range appears much arid and dry, as this area is outside the reach of the monsoon and receives very little rain. 
   • Stop at a small village for lunch and then continue enjoying fascinating views of snow-clad peaks reaching 4,500 meters. 
   • Arrive Chitral and after some rest, drive to Kalash valley. 
   • Visit Bumburet and Birir villages in Kalash valley to experience the unique landscapes and meet the local population during their daily life.

   Overnight Guest House in Birir village. (6/7 hours – 3000 meters)

10. Day 10- Chitral - Swat Mingora

    • Go for a morning drive to Swat.

    • Proceed towards Lowari Pass (3,200 meters). The ascend is very interesting as it encounters around 96 Hair-pin turns to bring you to the top of Lowari Pass. 

    • Descend to Dir, Chakdara and Malakand Pass.

    • Arrive Swat, a land that shines with fruit-laden orchards, flower-filled slopes, meandering rivers, rumbling streams, and is surrounded by the mighty ranges of the Hindu Kush and Karakoram. The valley is 3,250 feet above sea level, Saidu Sharif and Mingora are the towns that form the twin capital of this area.

    • Arrive and transfer to hotel for overnight in Mingora.

11. Day 11- Morning Swat - Peshawar

    • Visit museum, White Palace, some rock carvings from the Buddhist period, and in Upper Swat, explore Malam Jaba and Kalam. 
    • Then, drive to Peshawar. 
    • Proceed towards Lowari Tonal & Pass (3,200 Meters). The ascend is very interesting as it encounters around 96 Hairpin turns to bring you to the top of Lowari Pass. 
    • Descend to Dir, Chakdara, and Malakand Pass and arrive Peshawar, Peshawar has always been important in the history of the sub-continent because of its location by Khyber Pass and Gandhara civilization. The city is now known more for its unique feeling of being a frontier town than for its monuments. 
    • Arrive and transfer to the hotel overnight. (8/9 hours - 1350 meters)

12. Day 12: Visit Peshawar - Khyber Pass

    • In the morning, visit the street of story-tellers: Kissa Khawani bazaar, the street of Gold (Kasera bazaar), Karavan Serai, Mahabat Khan Mosque and Museum of Peshawar, known for its collection of Gandhara artifacts, Bab-e-Khyber, Jamrud Fort, Khyber pass if possible, otherwise more time in Peshawar. It is also possible that you would not be able to do Khyber Pass but still see Bab-e-Khyber and Jamrud Fort as they are before you enter the FATA.

    Overnight stay at Hotel.

13. Day 13: Peshawar – Islamabad - Departure

    • Head to Islamabad while travelling on the Grand Trunk Road laid down by the Pathan Emperor of the United Indian Empire: Sher Shah Suri. 
    • Stop for a photo at the meeting point of Indus and Kabul Rivers just beyond Attock Bridge.
    • Enter Faisal Mosque, the landmark of Islamabad. 
    • Visit Daman-e-Koh on top of the hill for a panoramic view of Islamabad.
    • Then, drive on Constitution Avenue looking at President's House, Parliament, Supreme Court & other state buildings. 
    • In the evening, proceed to Airport to board your return flight.