The Karakoram Experience - 14 Days
About this tour
The ultimate Karakoram holiday, this trip combines the best of Baltistan and Hunza into one grand tour of the incredible Gilgit Baltistan.
Baltistan is a beautiful valley in the Karakoram range and a famous destination for adventure and cultural travels. This region is known as the mountaineers' paradise. Four of the 14 peaks above 8000m high are situated in the Baltistan region, and hundreds of 7000 m high mountains, along with world-famous trekking routes, are also located in Baltistan. It is also home to several diversified cultures, ethnic groups and languages. Baltistan has colourful flowers, gushing streams, emerald lakes, lush green pastures, apricot orchids and the always smiling & welcoming Balti people.
Hunza is a famous valley in the Karakoram range and one of the top tourist attractions in Pakistan. This beautiful valley is around 100 km from Gilgit city and takes 2 hours to reach, and the famous Karakoram Highway is open throughout the year.
Each season is full of distinct features displaying a unique scenic atmosphere & cultural events. Blossom signals an exceptional display of a change of nature, welcoming new life. Summer is the most popular season, offering sunny days and pleasant temperatures. Green fields, beautiful trees with flowers, snow-capped high mountains, rivers and blue skies attract nature lovers to this beautiful valley. Autumn brings a vibrant colour palate as the whole valley remains colourful with splendid panoramic views of high mountain peaks.
• Experience the rich cultural heritage of secluded valleys.
• Witness the spectacular high mountain peaks such as Masherbrum, Nanga Parbat, Haldi Cones, Rakaposhi, Diran, Golden peak, Passu Peaks, Ultar Sar, and Ladyfinger.
• Visit the beautiful lakes, including Sadpara, upper Kachura, Sheosar, Attabad and Borith.
• Visit the Safranga cold desert and world-famous Deosai plains*
• Drive along the mighty Indus and Shayok Rivers.
• Karakoram Highway and ancient silk route
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: lslamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan
Arrival at Islamabad International airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will have free time to relax and recover from the journey on this day.
Day 2: Islamabad, Pakistan to Khaplu
Fly from Islamabad airport to Skardu (1-hour scenic flight) and then drive to the stunning Ghanche district of Baltistan. We will be passing through small villages to reach Yugo village. En route, we will have short stops at Thorgo Pari, the Shayok & Indus Rivers' meeting points and multiple photography spots. Enjoy traditional lunch at Yugo and. After lunch, two optional activities: trek to Kharfaq Lake (5 hours trek both ways) or a cultural walk in the village streets of Yugo to witness village life and meet locals. Later in the late afternoon, we drive to Khaplu and check into the hotel with leisure time to visit the Khaplu fort museum and organic garden. OR In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway with short stops.
Day 3: Khaplu to Machlu
Early morning hike up to Toqsikhar (old fort), a viewpoint of the confluence of rivers Shyok, Hushe & Saltoro. Visit & witness the architectural heritage of the famous Chaqchan mosque and then drive to Macholo valley (1 hour). Spend some free time enjoying the splendid view of Masherbrum Peak, also known as K-1, leisure time for photography, meeting local people and enjoying the pristine natural beauty. Drive back to Sailing and enjoy a cultural walk through the village streets and interact with local people—lunch at the Sailing fish farm and drive back to Khaplu. In the afternoon, visit Khanqah-e-Maula and then move to Hanjor Broq to witness the sunset.
Day 4: Khaplu to Shigar
Drive from Khaplu to Shigar valley with short stops at multiple points of interest for photography. Visit the famous Sarfaranga cold desert and Shigar fort for lunch. Visit the fort museum and garden, and spend time exploring the area. (The Shigar Fort- Fong Khar, which means The Fort on Rock, is an old fort built in the 17th century by the Raja of the Amacha Dynasty of Shigar). End the evening with a short hike up to the old fort to witness the sun setting over the Shigar river.
Day 5: Shigar to Skardu
We will spend a whole day in Skardu. Visiting Shangri-La resort (optional boating), drive to upper Kachura, and walk through the local houses, fields & trees. After 20 minutes beautiful walk, we will reach upper Kachura Lake, having free time to explore the area and enjoy boating. Then drive to Soq valley (a beautiful valley near upper Kachura), and enjoy fishing and lunch. Drive back to Skardu and hike to Nansoq village (50 minutes), a beautiful hike to the first organic village of Baltistan. 11 homes and 92 Inhabitants, visited by King Charles and Prince Agha Khan IV! This centuries-old tiny settlement is one of the most peaceful places in the region. Explore the area and enjoy leisure time with a host family. Hike back to Skardu (50 minutes) and visit Skardu Bazar for shopping (local handicrafts, jewellery, carpet etc.). Drive back to Shigar for an overnight stay.
Day 6: Deosai National Park to Astore
Drive to Gilgit via Deosai Plains, the second highest plateaus in the world. We will visit Manthal rock Budha, Sadpara Lake, Ali Malik top, Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake (4114 m). Enjoy leisure time to explore the area. The plains are a floral extravaganza of the summer months with a recorded number of 406 species (Nawaz et al., 2006). We will also travel through small villages of Astore valley and witness a different culture. While traveling on Karakoram Highway, We will have short stops including Nanga Parbat view point and junction point of three highest mountain ranges in the world. Check into the hotel in Gilgit and free time in the evening.
Day 7: Gilgit to Hunza, Hunza Nagar
After breakfast, drive to Hunza. On our way to Hunza, we will have a short stop to visit the Berano suspension bridge (one of the oldest suspension bridges in the region) and the Danyor tunnel. We will also have quick stops for photography at the collision point of two tectonic plates, the ancient silk route viewpoint and the Rakaposhi viewpoint. While passing through the small villages in Nagar and Hunza valleys, we will witness village life. Check into the hotel in Karimabad and have some free time. We will do an evening walk (40 minutes) at Samarqand kohl (water channel) through the apricot orchids in the village and explore the local culture. We will drive to Dongo Das (a 20-minute drive) for stargazing at night. Enjoy your precious time under the dark sky. Drive back to our hotel for the night stay.
Day 8: Karimabad to Eagle's Nest Hotel, Gilgit
Enjoying a full day in Hunza, we will visit 800 years old Baltit Fort (30 minutes walk), Karimabad Bazar (for shopping for Handicrafts, gemstones, dry fruits etc.), Altit Fort (900 years old), and enjoy traditional Lunch at Kha Basi Café (a café owned by Serena hotels and run by local women). After lunch, we will visit the music school in Altit, where local children learn and play traditional music (guests can also practice playing regional musical instruments). Later in the afternoon, we will visit Ganish village (the oldest settlement in Hunza) and visit a local family home. We will drive to Duikar (2800 m) to enjoy the best view of the sunset. After a 15-minute beautiful hike, we will arguably reach one of the best sunset viewpoints in the world with a birds-eye view of the whole of Hunza and Nagar valleys and the splendid views of seven mountain peaks above 7000m. Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.
Day 9: Karimabad to Passu
Today we will drive to Passu through numerous small villages in upper Hunza. After stopping at the Atabad Lake and enjoying boating, we will reach Gulmit village, where we will walk through the orchids and then visit the old house & music school. Enjoy a short hike, Pakistan's highest & longest stairs, to Ondra fort (01-hour), a community-based tourism initiative in Gulmit village of Gojal Valley. Free time to enjoy the beautiful view of Passu cones and upper Hunza. Later in the afternoon, drive to Borith Lake (a beautiful lake in upper Hunza famous for migrating birds). After witnessing the magnificent migrating birds, we will proceed to Passu to enjoy leisure time in the afternoon; we can do an evening trek to Passu glacier beside the stream (2 hours trek both ways) - optional. Enjoy the sunset from glacier breeze restaurant with a cup of tea/coffee and the famous apricot cake. We may participate in a cultural event/spring festival in upper Hunza (if time matches). Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.
Day 10: Hoper Hilton, Hunza Nagar to Minapin, Hunza Nagar
After breakfast, we will drive to Hoper valley – for 1 hour (2800 m). En route, we will visit Nagar Khas (a village in Nagar valley) and meet locals to witness a different culture and Nagar fort. Then continue to travel to Hoper village where we can do a beautiful short hike to Hoper glacier (2 hours) and experience walking on the glacier. Then drive to Minapin village to enjoy leisure time and a famous traditional lunch (Gurkun karahi) while a local historian briefly explains the region's history. After lunch, drive to KHO (a beautiful viewpoint) in local jeeps. Drive back to Karimabad in the evening.
Day 11: Khana Abad to Gilgit
Drive to Khanabad village in lower Hunza and spend most of the day here. We will witness village life with a host family and experience practical participation in village people's routine activities. We will visit fruit orchids, walk through the streets, meet locals, including artisans/historians and enjoy traditional lunch with a host family. We can also enjoy meditation/yoga in the village. Drive back to Gilgit in the afternoon and visit Kargah Budha (7th century Budha).
Day 12: Gilgit to Islamabad, Pakistan
Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad (1-hour scenic flight). Transfer to hotel and after lunch sightseeing. OR Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway with short stops (in case of flight cancellation)
Day 13: Gilgit to Islamabad, Pakistan
If we cannot fly due to the weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we fly from Gilgit to Islamabad, we will enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today. (Day excursion to the Taxila museum and archaeological sites will be one of the options)
Day 14: Islamabad Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan to lslamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.
What's included
• Airport transfers (on the first and last day in Islamabad) • All land transport involved in the itinerary • Internal flights and associated airport transfers • All hotel accommodations (twin sharing) • All meals throughout the holidays • Licensed professional local guide • Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary • Implementation of all sustainable tourism protocols • All entry tickets (forts, parks) • Host family's participation to involve group members in their daily routine activities • Cultural lunches • Cultural evening with traditional music and dance
• Travel Insurance • Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered) • International airfare • Personal equipment (clothes, boots etc.) • Tips for guiding and supporting staff • Miscellaneous expenses – drinks and souvenirs etc
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
lslamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan