Alive And Free - Discover Hunza In Spring
About this tour
Take the beautiful Karakoram Highway and ride with us along the ancient Silk Route. Have your first breakfast with us under the Tupopdan mountain. Strap on your hiking boots for fun nature trails through the sleepy village of Khyber and a day hike to the true white Passu glacier.
This carefully crafted journey is the perfect blend of wellness,
and a mild-tempered adventure that takes you across the Hussaini hanging bridge, upwards to one of the most majestic white glaciers of Pakistan, and an overnight experience in the silent, spellbound lakeside resort of the Borith Lake. This adventure is led by a professional explorer, Naveed Khan. Sign up now for all this off-the-beaten-path mountain adventure, spots going fast!
* Please note that some of the activities such as roundtrip flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and back are only applicable for the comprehensive package and does not apply to budget travel packages. Please read page 4 for more details on what is included in your package. Flights can only be guaranteed after your initial deposit is made and if there are still seats available on that days’ flights.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Passu Ambassador Hotel, Hunza Gilgit
Group meets at the Islamabad airport and departs for Gilgit on their respective flight (flight details will be shared once you’ve paid and your ticket has been issued) and after approximately 50-75 minutes, group arrives in Gilgit. We begin our transfer to the Passu Ambassador Hotel via the Karakoram Highway (drive time 2 to 3 hours, depending upon number and duration of stops) and check into the hotel in Passu, Gojal. After checking into our rooms and a quick brunch, we head out to the quiet and sleepy village of Old Khyber where our vehicles drop us off at the main Karakoram Highway and we cross the old wooden bridge to start our nature trail, along a narrow water channel. This trail is wild, with a few sections that are lined with Sea Buckthorn so please make sure you wear something that covers your arms and legs. Follow your guide’s lead at all times. This is an easy hike to start your adventure with and get you in the right frame of mind for the trails to come. Once we reach the end of the village and the new bridge where our vehicles are standing by for us, we drive back to the hotel in time for you to get cleaned up and meet for a group dinner, where we discuss the next day’s activities. Please have your day packs ready to go for the next morning to save time and avoid delaying group- departure. Overnight at the Passu Ambassador Hotel. Bunch and Dinner served. Bonfire, hot chocolate under the stars and in front of the gigantic Passu Peaks. * In case flight is canceled due to inclement weather, we would have the option to either wait for the next flight which departs the following morning (in which case participants will have to pay for extra night hotel stay in Islamabad, not covered in tour cost), or drive to Hunza that same morning (approximate drive time 13 – 15 hours if we don’t overnight, 20 – 23 hours if we break the journey – overnight during transfer to Hunza is not covered in tour cost and will be charged as billed).
Day 2: Passu Ambassador Hotel, Hunza Gilgit to Misgar Road, Hunza Nagar
Day starts with a silent walk along the Passu village at 8 am, followed by a two-hour vehicle transfer to the beautiful mountain village of Misgar (2.5-hour journey by cars). This village is at the extreme edge of the North, bordering Afghanistan as well as the original China border crossing and where the British military finally entered this region from back in 1915. Once at the beginning of the village, we get out of our vehicles and walk the rest of the way, a 30 to 45 minutes easy walk through a beautiful pastural settlement of this village that. On the way we stop at the glacial river of Misgar, where we are served tea, local breads and jams, while we soak in the beauty that surrounds us. We head to the oldest Post Office of the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region where we are given a tour by the postmaster himself, followed by a quick stroll to our local hosts residence for a lunch prepared by his lovely family. Once done, we start our walk back towards the start of town where our vehicles are standing by and we start our transfer down towards Passu with a stop in Sost, the dry port for trade between Pakistan and China, and then the Batura Glacier viewpoint where we take a quick hike from the Karakoram highway to the top of the hill from where you get majestic views of the entire range. We then head back to the hotel where you’ll have about an hour and a half to freshen up, rest and then meet for a drive to the Yak Grill (passu) for dinner. Overnight at Passu Ambassador Hotel, Passu - Gojal. Breakfast, river-side picnic, lunch and dinner served. Additional activities: Bonfire, hot chocolate, live traditional music (tip for performers encouraged).
Day 3: Passu Ambassador Hotel, Hunza Gilgit to Gojal The Beatiful Valley Of Hunza, Hunza Nagar
Today starts with breakfast served at 8am and the group has an hour to eat and get packed up to start their transfer back to the the ancient Wakhi settlement of Boybar. Once there, we park our vehicles at our local host’s residence and start our five-hour roundtrip hike into the wild. We will be hiking along a narrow water canal that leads to an opening where we cross the river over a wooden bridge and hike along the trails to Boybar. This trail is somewhat remote and we will need updated information on trail conditions closer to the trip. If it is still open, we will reach Boybar and have a picnic style lunch. If it is closed, we will get as far as we can and then start hiking back towards our local host’s residence for a traditional home-cooked meal of the Wakhis. Once done with lunch/picnic and we are back in our vehicles, we start our transfer back to the Passu Ambassador Hotel where participants will have free-time to do their own thing. This is a great time to chill, meditate, or you can hop in one of our vehicles to do some sightseeing on your own until dinner is served at approximately 730pm. Overnight at Passu Ambassador Hotel, Passu - Gojal. Breakfast, lunch/picnic and dinner served.
Day 4: Passu Ambassador Hotel, Hunza Gilgit to Borith Lake Hotel & Resort, Hunza Nagar
Group wakes up early this morning, at around 530am in order to get their breakfast and an early check-out in order to start our day with a 45 minute transfer to the Borith Lake and then a four/five hour roundtrip hike from Borith to the Passu glacier. Please make sure you purchase snap-on spikes for your hiking shoes if you’d like to actually get on the glacier without the risk of slipping (we recommend the brand Yaktrex easily available on Amazon/Alibaba websites). Once done, we start our return hike to where our vehicles dropped us off and transfer to the Lake View resort at the Borith Lake. We check into our lakeside rooms and while you’re freshening up and getting changed, the resort prepares a hearty lunch. We meet in the dining room for lunch and then you’re on your own for the day. You’re welcome to use one of our vehicles to do your own sightseeing in nearby locations, or just chill by the lake/go canoeing if you’d like. Our dinner tonight will be a barbecue served with the view of the lake, and hopefully a blanket of stars and the Milky Way above if the clouds steer clear. Overnight at Borith Lake Resort in Borith, Gojal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served.
Day 5: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort, Hunza Nagar to Mountain Story Resort Hunza, Ali Abad
Following breakfast at about 8am (this time might change based on weather conditions on the day), we get packed up and ready to check out of the Borith Lake. Our first stop is the Hussaini suspension bridge. Once done we head straight to the Attabad lake where our boat takes us beyond the point where they normally stop so that we are away from the crowds. Once there, we cut off the engine and wait for the absolute silence to set in. This is a great place for photography, filming, or just reflecting.. Once done, we carry on towards Karimabad where you have about two hours on your own. You can walk around the Karimabad downtown area and shop for local souvenirs, dried fruits and nuts, or go hang out at Café de Hunza and grab a cup of coffee. We meet at the Café at about 1 pm and start our transfer to Aliabad where we check into the Mountain Story Hotel. You have free time until we meet at 730pm for our last group dinner. Overnight at the Mountain Story Hotel, Aliabad – Hunza Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner served Since this is our last night together in the mountains, let's have a few drinks by the fireplace and swap photos from our time together!!
Day 6: Mountain Story Resort Hunza, Ali Abad to Gilgit Airport, Gilgit
Group gets an early breakfast at the Mountain Story before heading off to the Gilgit airport for their onward return flight/drive to Islamabad (timing will be confirmed once group flights are booked).
What's included
Pretty much everything is included except any personal clothing/gear. This itinerary does not include any overnights in a campsite but if you'd like to detach from the rest of the group and camp instead (highly recommended), we can arrange camping equipment for you, billed as charged separately. This does not include any flights that are not directly related to the itinerary itself so if you're flying in from out of Islamabad, that roundtrip is not covered. All meals are included but these are group meals, on a set menu. In case you'd like to order extras, that's not covered in your price package. Room service/laundry not included.
Room service Laundry Food and beverage that is not part of your group dining on our pre-set menu International and out of city flights Hotels and meals in Islamabad before and after your journey Tips (usually all our participants pitch in about $75 to $100 per person at the end of their stay Excess baggage costs or preferred seat charges by airlines.
What to know
In case you would like to add days to this trip, or customise sections of the journey, please write to me and I'll do my best to help. There are currently two departures, one on the 25th of March and one on the 1st of April, 2021 and these are both 6-day trips. We charge a 60% deposit in order to confirm your spots, balance is due no later than one month prior to trip departure.
Route & locations
Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Passu Ambassador Hotel, Hunza Gilgit