Classic Karakoram Tour - Luxury Package
About this tour
Karakoram Mountain Range is one of the largest mountain ranges in the world. It lies in South Asia and the highest peaks are located in Pakistan. Karakoram Highway or N-35 is a national highway connecting Pakistan & China via Khunjerab Pass (4700m ASL) and passes within the karakoram range mainly while, earlier parts of the highway passes through Himalayan & Hindukush mountain ranges.
During this 14 days journey through the north Pakistan, you would be experiencing the essence of this Karakoram Highway and the culture & cuisines of the areas it is connecting with the rest of the world.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Islamabad, Pakistan
Our professional guide/s would pick you up from the airport. Depending upon your arrival, you can explore the capital of Pakistan or can take a nap in a peaceful hotel. If you are arriving early from a short flight & are past the jetlag, you can explore some beautiful monuments including Faisal Mosque & Pakistan Monument.
Day 2: Islamabad, Pakistan to Gilgit
Today you would enjoying a 55 minutes flight from Islamabad to Gilgit exloring the beautiful valleys of Naran, Babusar as well as the Nanga Parbat(8,026m) from the flight. Incase you missed the flight due to weather or you don't want to fly in a small ATR airplane, we can go via private vehicle. You have to tell us prior to the trip about your choice and we would book a private vehicle for you. If we are going by road, it's a long journey of around 15 hours from islamabad to Gilgit and we have to depart early in the morning. You would exploring the Babusar & Naran Valleys on the journey and there would be frequent Chai or Photography stopovers during the journey.
Day 3: Gilgit to Hunza, Hunza Nagar
We would driving on the Karakoram Highway today on a private vehicle. Starting from Gilgit, we would explore the gilgit city and start our journey towards Hunza. We would enjoy stopovers at the Viewpoint of Old Silk Road, Collision Point of Australian & Eurasian Tectonic Plates & Rakaposhi Peak (7,788m) viewpoint. We would arrive at Karimabad, Hunza and would explore Altit Fort (1100 years old) and the Eagles Nest viewpoint. The journey from Gilgit to Hunza normally takes around 2 hours but we do it slowly today, so that you can enjoy all the beautiful landscapes, this area has to offer.
Day 4: Hunza, Hunza Nagar
Today, we would be exploring the serene Karimabad. Starting from visiting another beautiful fort, Baltit Fort(900 years old) and a walk in the narrow streets of Karimabad. We would also taste the local cuisine of the Hunza Valley. Later at night, we would be enjoying a walk in the Karimabad Market.
Day 5: Hunza, Hunza Nagar to Hopar
You would be exploring the Hopar Valley today. Hopar Village is the only village in the world lying above a glacier. It normally takes an hour to arrive at Hopar Village from Karimabad. We would walk down towards the Hopar Glacier and would enjoy local French Fries with Chai after our hike. Chai is the unofficial National Drink in Pakistan. It is basically Milk Tea cooked in style. During this whole tour you would be served with unlimited Chai. We would arrive back at the same hotel in Hunza for overnight stay.
Day 6: Hunza, Hunza Nagar to Passu
We would drive again on the Karakoram Highway from Karimabad to Passu. The first tourist attraction would be the Attabad Lake. Attabad Lake was formed in 2010 as a result of massive avalanche on the Hunza river thus blocking the Karakoram Highway. People used to cross the flooded road on boats till 2015. A series of tunnels were opened in 2015. The Attabad Lake is the largest lake in Pakistan with a length of 27.1 Km. We would enjoying boat riding in the lake and would continue our journey later on. We would explore the Gulmit village on our way towards Passu. We would also explore Hussaini Suspension Bridge, which is considered one of the most dangerous bridges in the world. After experiencing the landscapes and hike at Hussaini, we would take a turn towards Borith Lake. Borith Lake is the highest & second largest Salt Lake in Pakistan. It is home to the migrating pheasants from Siberia during the winters. We would stay at a beautiful hotel just under the world famous Passu Cones.
Day 7: Passu to Khunjerab Pass, Pakistan
We would start our journey towards the second highest border crossing in the world, Khunjerab Pass Border Crossing between Pakistan & China. The road here is around 4700m ASL and is the highest paved road in the world. The journey today would take us into the Khunjerab National Park. If we are lucky enough we would see Ibex Goats in the park. We would arrive back at Passu for an overnight stay in the same hotel.
Day 8: Passu to Naltar Valley
We would start our journey today from Passu towards the Naltar Valley. Naltar Valley is famous for its glacial lakes, lush green landscapes, alpine ski slopes and the only captivated Snow Leopard in Pakistan. We would explore the Shah Khan Ski Slope & the viewpoint of the Naltar Valley today.
Day 9: Naltar Valley
We would be enjoying a bumpy road from Naltar Bala village towards the Naltar Lakes. There are seven lakes in the valley and we would explore six of them today. Starting from the world famous Seven Colored Lake. We would enjoy the landscape of the Naltar Valley. First three lakes are on a jeep ride and the fourth & fifth lakes are on a hike of 30 mins. The sixth lake is at a hike of an hour. If you are not a hikinn person, we can skip these three lakes and only would visit first three lakes. We would come back to the same hotel for overnight stay and to enjoy bonfire with local dance performances and the live Bbq.
Day 10: Naltar Valley to Fairy Meadows Cottages
We would continue our journey on the Karakoram Highway from Naltar Valley to the Fairy Meadows. Fairy Meadows is a tourist destination and the road going from Karakoram Highway to the Fairy Meadows is considered one of the most dangerous rides in the world. We would leave our private vehicle at Raikot and would take private jeeps from Raikot to arrive at Tattu Village. Sometime, due to landsliding, we have to hike to arrive at the village. From Tattu, we would be hiking towards the Fairy meadows.
Day 11: Fairy Meadows Cottages
We would be hiking towards Nanga Parbat(8,026m) basecamp. The hike would be long. We may only visit the viewpoint of the Nanga Parbat glacier & peak.
Day 12: Fairy Meadows Cottages to Gilgit
If you opt the flight from Gilgit to Islamabad, we would arrive back at Gilgit from fairy Meadows or we would drive from Fairy Meadows towards Naran/Besham.
Day 13: Gilgit to Islamabad, Pakistan
We would fly from Gilgit to Islamabad today. If you are going by road we would go from Naran/Besham towards Islamabad today.
Day 14: Islamabad, Pakistan
The tour would officially end today. We would be dropping off you to the islamabad International Airport
What's included
The hotels would be the best available options in every place. In Islamabad, Gilgit & Hunza, the hotels would be Three or Four stars while in other destination, we would be staying in the best options available. You would be accompanied by professional driver/s & guide/s. Chai is the unofficial national drink in Pakistan. It is the milk tea made with love. You would enjoy unlimited Chai during your tour. This also includes Letter of Invitation and visa assistance.
Rescue incase of any emergency, personal beverages and anything not mentioned in "Included" section is excluded from the cost. The tips for guides/driver is also not included. Tips are a form of appraisal and are not compulsory.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me. We can also make it cheaper, if you opt for stays in economical yet good hotels,
Route & locations
Islamabad, Pakistan