Hindu Kush & Karakorum Pakistan

We will catch a scenic flight over the heart of the Hindu Kush to the remote Chitral valley. Chitral is cut off from the rest of Pakistan for six months of the year and feels very different from the Punjabi plains of Islamabad. The afternoon in Chitral can be spent visiting the fort, Shahi Mosque and the local bazaar.

Overnight in Chitral.

(If the flight is delayed then we will take a full day to drive to Chitral)

We will spend 3 days visiting Rumbour and Bumboret valleys staying with locally owned guesthouses, eating locally grown food and drinking the locally made wine. The days will be spent relaxing, walking or jeeping to the Kalasha villages of these isolated valleys. We will ensure that the accommodation is with Kalasha families so that you get a chance to immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Kalasha.

Overnight in Chitral or the Kalasha valleys.

The road between Chitral and Gilgit crosses through the Hindu Kush. The mountains get bigger and the road condition deteriorates. We take three days to make the journey. The first night, we break the journey in Mastuj, which is less of a town than a collection of small holdings linked by winding lanes. It is a perfect place to do nothing except drink in the views.

Overnight in Mastuj.

We continue our drive through the Hindu Kush, crossing the 3700 metre Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo ground. In the afternoon, we break the journey at Phandur to relax by the lake.

Overnight in Phandur.

We join the famous Karakorum highway at Gilgit and head to the fabled Hunza valley. We then use Hunza as a base for exploring the surrounding area.

Overnight in Hunza.

We have three days of exciting trips planned in Hunza. However, you may want to do nothing more than sit under an apricot tree, watch the mountains and read a book.

On one day, we will pass the newly formed Attabad Lake to Passu. The 30 km long lake was only formed in 2010 after a massive landslide dammed the mighty Indus river. The second day we will visit the ancient forts of Baltit and Altit, the traditional residences of the Mirs of Hunza. For the fit, on the final day, we will take a walk on the high irrigation channels cut into the rock, giving tremendous views and an insight into how the people of Hunza created their Shangri-La

Overnight in Hunza.

A long day’s drive from Hunza to Naran.

The first section will be on the Karakorum highway where we pass the point where the 3 great mountain ranges meet. After passing between the Himalayas, the Karakorum and the Hindu Kush we leave the Karakorum Highway and cross the 4000-metre high Babasur Pass before breaking our journey in Naran in the Kaghan valley.

Overnight in Naran.

(Note that if the Babasur Pass is not yet open for the season we will drive the Karakorum highway via Besham)

Another day spent enjoying the scenery of the Kaghan valley and the final section of the Karakorum highway. We will arrive in Islamabad early enough for a final meal together.

Overnight in Islamabad.

(Note that if the Babasur Pass is closed we will drive from Besham to Islamabad via the Karakorum Highway)

Transfer to airport and fly home.

End of Trip.