Pakistan – Hindu Kush & Karakoram

Arrive in Islamabad.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Islamabad.

Fly to Skardu.
Assuming the flight is a morning flight, we will the have time to drive
out of Skardu town to visit the Shigar, famous for it’s wonderful rock
built fort.
Overnight in Skardu.

From Skardu, we join the famous Karakoram highway and head to the
fabled Hunza valley.
The morning drive will stop at various viewpoints as giant 7500m+
peaks tower over the valley, as well as in Gilgit for lunch.
Once in Hunza we will visit the fort of Baltit.
We then use Hunza as a base for exploring the surrounding area.
Overnight in Hunza.

This day we will visit the ancient forts of Altit and Baltit, the traditional
residences of the Mirs of Hunza. Giving tremendous views of the valley
and an insight into how the people of Hunza created their Shangri-La
high in the Karakorum mountains.
Overnight in Hunza.

Today 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. At Passu we can visit the glacier and the famous
Husseini rope bridge.
Overnight in Passu.

Departing Passu, we will drive to the highest point of the trip, the
4693m high Khunjerab Pass, were Pakistan borders China. The road
takes you through the Khunjerab National Park and you may be lucky
enough to see Ibex or Markhor en route. You will be sure to see Golden Marmots near the pass.
Then we will return all the way to Gilgit.
Overnight in Gilgit

A morning in Gilgit to visit the Kargah Buddha statue and see a little of
this frontier city.
Then start the three day drive from Gilgit to Chitral. The road between
Gilgit and Chitral crosses through the Hindu Kush.
Overnight in Gupis.

We continue our drive through the Hindu Kush, stopping at Phandur
and crossing the 3700 metre Shandur Pass, home to the world’s
highest polo ground.
Overnight in Mastuj.

The final section takes us from Mastuj to Chitral.
Overnight in Chitral.

After an hour or so exploring Chitral, we drive to the Kalasha Valleys
where we will spend 2 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.
This day will be spent in the quieter Rumbour Valley.
Overnight in the Kalasha valleys.

This day we will visit the busier Bumburet Valley including the museum
to Kalasha culture.
Overnight in the Kalasha valleys.

A long days drive from the Kalasha valleys down to Peshawar.
This will be a full day driving including passing through the 10km long
Lowari tunnel that links the region of Chitral with the rest of Pakistan.
Overnight in Peshawar.

A full day in Peshawar.
The city was the gateway between the subcontinent and Central Asia
and when visiting the old city you can see in the faces and the smells
that you have reached the edge of India. Pashtuns, Hazara, Tajik,
Chitrali and Uzbek faces all mingle and business is conducted over
endless cups of Qawa (cardamon flavoured green tea).
Overnight in Peshawar.

Return to Islamabad.
Transfer to airport.
End of Trip.