Gilgit Baltistan Tour

ARRIVAL DAY IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN Welcome to Pakistan. Most of the international flights arrive at Islamabad International Airport in the morning. Your Guide will meet and greet you at the airport, then transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to recover from your journey. Later in the day, when everyone has arrived, we will have a group briefing about the Gilgit Baltistan tour. Depending on the time available to us, there may be an option to do some sightseeing in Islamabad, a purpose-built City in 1961 as the new capital of Pakistan. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Dinner

ISLAMABAD TO NARAN/CHILAS (461 km) 8 HOURS DRIVE After breakfast, you will start your Gilgit Baltistan tour towards Naran town. You will travel on the famous Karakoram Highway and pass through some historic towns and cities to reach Mansehra. From Mansehra, You will leave Karakoram Highway and turn right to join Naran road along the Naran river to reach Naran town. Naran town lies along the Naran river, which is popular among domestic tourists because of its cooler temperature and greenery. Night stay in Naran, enjoy a good night’s sleep as the temperature here will be much cooler compared to Islamabad. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

NARAN TO GILGIT, (134 km) 6 HOURS DRIVE Today, you will continue your Gilgit Baltistan tour towards Gilgit. You will drive on Naran road, cross Babusar Pass and rejoin the Karakoram Highway. Driving on The Karakoram Highway along the mighty Indus River provides a beautiful experience; you will see magnificent peaks and valleys, rivers, and glaciers. Twenty-one of the world’s one hundred highest peaks are visible from the Karakoram Highway and the journey is a great introduction to the mountains as civilization slips away behind us. You will arrive in Gilgit early in the afternoon, the rest of the afternoon is to explore the city. Gilgit is the capital and the biggest city of the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

GILGIT TO KARIMABAD (102 km) 3 HOURS DRIVE After spending a night in Gilgit, today you will rejoin the Karakoram Highway to Hunza Valley. We pass through beautiful small villages with many happy faces. We will have quick stops and tea breaks along the way to Karimabad. Rakaposhi’s viewpoint on the side of The Karakoram Highway will be the highlight of the day. A quick stopover or a short tea break is possible at the viewpoint of Rakaposhi then continue to Karimabad. We will arrive in Karimabad around lunchtime, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the beautiful Karimabad town. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KARIMABAD (2,440 meters) Rise and shine early to experience a spectacular sunrise view over the Rakaposhi mountain. Karimabad is the ancient capital of Hunza valley, it is the gateway to many other mountain valleys, and a great place to unwind for a day. Wander the cobblestone streets, bargain for rubies and handicrafts, feast on Hunza cuisine, get to grips with the dark history of 700-year-old UNESCO listed Baltit Fort, take a peek at the Silk route from Altit Fort and watch the sunset over the river below. Later in the afternoon, you will travel to a place called eagle nest which provides a magnificent bird view of Hunza Valley. You have the option to have your dinner there so, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset view over the Rakaposhi mountain. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KARIMABAD TO KHUNJERAB PASS (4,880 meters) 3 HOURS DRIVE Today, you are off on an epic adventure. Traveling by minibus/Jeep, you will drive towards Khunjerab Pass. Khunjerab Pass is the trade border between China and Pakistan. The scenery from the road is truly incredible, and we will make frequent stops for photos and chai. Set in a craggy bowl of mountains and surrounded by the glaciers, this is a truly breathtaking landscape steeped in history. After visiting the pass, we will return to Passu for the night stay. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

HUNZA TO SKARDU (286 km) 7 HOURS DRIVE After breakfast you will continue your Gilgit Baltistan tour by following the famous Karakoram Highway with the view of Rakaposhi in the background. The road gradually gains height, but one does not feel it until you reach Alam Bridge. After 3 hours drive, at Alam Bridge, you will leave Karakoram Highway behind, and follow the Indus River to reach Skardu. Along the Indus River, many small villages are laden with fruits like apricot, cherries, and apple trees. You will be doing a few stops along the way for tea breaks and purchases some fresh fruits from the locals. Night stay in Skardu. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SKARDU (2,230 meters) Skardu is the administrative capital of Baltistan Valley. Baltistan was one of the oldest Himalayan kingdoms before being incorporated into Pakistan. After breakfast, you will take a half-hour drive to Sadpara Lake to enjoy the breath-taking scenery of this natural, crystal clear water lake surrounded by the pillars of The Karakoram mountains. Sadpara Lake is the main source of drinking water for the whole of Skardu town. After visiting Sadpara Lake, you will explore the historical Manthal Buddha Rock. A large picture of Buddha was engraved in big granite rock in the 8th century. This is the evidence of Buddism in the area before the arrival of Islam in the 17th century. You will have lunch at the famous upper Kachura Lake then visit the lower Kachura Lake before driving back to your hotel. Dinner will be served in your hotel restaurant. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SKARDU TO KHAPLU, (103 km) 2-3 HOURS DRIVE Today, you will continue your Gilgit Baltistan tour towards Khaplu. You will travel along the Indus and Shyok river, passing through some lush green balti villages to arrive in Khaplu. Khaplu was the second-largest kingdom in the old Baltistan of the Yabgo dynasty. It guarded the trade route to Ladakh along the famous Shyok River. In Khaplu you will be staying at the ex-royal palace (now Serena Hotel). The ex-Royal Palace, Khaplu fort has now turned into a Luxury Hotel. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KHAPLU (2,600 meters) After spending the night in the ex-Royal palace, you will head out to visit the local Bazar, explore the town and see the 700 years old Chaqchan Mosque. Chaqchan Mosque, Dating from 1,370, is one of the oldest in the region, it dates from the time when the area’s populace converted en masse from Buddhism to Islam. Chaqchan Mosque remains open (except Friday prayer time) 24 hours and seven days a week. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KHAPLU TO SKARDU VIA SHIGAR 2-3 HOURS DRIVE Follow the Shyok, Indus than Shigar River to reach Shigar. Shigar is a lush green Valley and it is the getaway to K2 and many famous treks and peaks. In Shigar, you will visit the historical Shigar fort, which is now turned into a museum and Luxury hotel (Serena Hotel). It belongs to the same brand of Khaplu Palace hotel. You will have a nice lunch in the royal garden before driving to Skardu. You have the option to spend the night in Shigar Fort or in the same hotel in Skardu. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SKARDU TO ASTORE (265 km) 7 HOURS DRIVE Get ready for the most adventurous day of your Gilgit Baltistan Tour. You are traveling in a jeep to Astore via Deosai Plateau. Deosai is the world’s second-highest Plateau which is home to the Himalayan brown bear, and snow leopards. Spot a brown bear, and other species along the way. You will stop in Deosai for a lunch break and some sightseeing then drive to Astore for night Stay. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

ASTORE TO ISLAMABAD (461 km) 9 HOURS DRIVE Wake up early to witness a breathtaking sunrise view over the Karakoram mountains and Nanga Parbat. Enjoy your last breakfast in this mountain valley and continue your Gilgit Baltistan tour towards Islamabad. Drive on Astore road along the Astore river to the junction point of Karakoram Highway. Cross the bridge and turn left to join the famous Karakoram highway for a short while, then turn left to take Naran Road towards Naran. Naran Road will take you through Babusar Pass and Naran valley to Mansehra. You will rejoin the Karakoram Highway in Mansehra and continue your journey to Islamabad via some culturally rich and historical towns of Abbottabad, Hasan Abdal, and Taxila. Taxila is an important archaeological site of ancient India, situated about 32 km north-west of Islamabad. The origin of Taxila as a city goes back to c.1000 BCE. Some ruins at Taxila date to the time of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. You will arrive in Islamabad late in the afternoon. Dinner will be served in your hotel restaurant, make sure to treat yourself with traditional Pakistani cuisine to celebrate the last evening of your Gilgit Baltistan tour in Pakistan. ACCOMMODATION Hotel MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

ASTORE TO ISLAMABAD (461 km) 9 HOURS DRIVE Wake up early to witness a breathtaking sunrise view over the Karakoram mountains and Nanga Parbat. Enjoy your last breakfast in this mountain valley and continue your Gilgit Baltistan tour towards Islamabad. Drive on Astore road along the Astore river to the junction point of Karakoram Highway. Cross the bridge and turn left to join the famous Karakoram highway for a short while, then turn left to take Naran Road towards Naran. Naran Road will take you through Babusar Pass and Naran valley to Mansehra. You will rejoin the Karakoram Highway in Mansehra and continue your journey to Islamabad via some culturally rich and historical towns of Abbottabad, Hasan Abdal, and Taxila. Taxila is an important archaeological site of ancient India, situated about 32 km north-west of Islamabad. The origin of Taxila as a city goes back to c.1000 BCE. Some ruins at Taxila date to the time of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. You will arrive in Islamabad late in the afternoon. Dinner will be served in your hotel restaurant, make sure to treat yourself with traditional Pakistani cuisine to celebrate the last evening of your Gilgit Baltistan tour in Pakistan. ACCOMMODATION Hotel MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DEPARTURE DAY-FLY BACK HOME