Pakistan – Hindu Kush & Karakorum

A long days drive from Islamabad to the Kalasha valleys.
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. Once in the Chitral region we will head straight to the Kalasha Valleys.

Overnight in Kalasha valleys.

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 in a very simply guesthouse.

We try and time this trip to coincide with a little know festival called “Marachwaki Joshi”, which is to do with the mulberry harvest in Bumboret valley.

Overnight in the Kalasha valleys in a very simple guesthouse.

A morning drive to the town of Chitral. Lunch in own and then an afternoon in Chitral which can be spent visiting the fort, Shahi Mosque and the local bazaar.

Overnight in Chitral.

The road between Chitral and Gilgit crosses through the Hindu Kush. The mountains get bigger, and the road condition deteriorates. We take three days (days 6,7 & 8 to make the journey). In 2024 this road is being redeveloped and so drive times and conditions could vary.
The first night, we will 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.

Drive from Phandur to Gilgit, the largest town in the far North of Pakistan. At the entrance to Gilgit we will visit the Kargah Buddha carving.

Overnight in Gilgit.

From Gilgit, we join the famous Karakorum highway and head to the fabled Hunza valley. The morning drive will stop at various viewpoints as giant 7500m+ peaks tower over the valley.
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.

We have two 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. At Passu we can visit the glacier and the famous Husseini rope bridge.

Overnight in Hunza.

This day we will visit the ancient fort of Altit, one the traditional residences of the Mirs of Hunza. For the fit, 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.

End of trip.