CLASSIC KARAKURAM AND HUNZA VALLEY

All about the CLASSIC KARAKURAM AND HUNZA VALLEY.

Hunza valley, well known for its snow covered mountains, lush green valleys, glacier stream and hospitable inhabitants, this tour will take you deep into all these beauties of Hunza valley.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

All private transfers by  AC car
Twin sharing room at hotels mentioned above with private facilities
Meals half board: Key (B) Breakfast (D) Dinner
All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees
Fully escorted by an experienced local English speaking guides
Visa support letters if required

What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Visa Fees.
Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.
Optional activities
Meals, not mentioned above
Personal expanses
Tips for Guides and drivers
Early check in hotels and late checkout

  1. Day 1: Arrival Islamabad

    On arrival at Islamabad International airport, you will be greeted by our guide later transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon city tour of Islamabad followed by the Damn-E-Koh (view point), which gives us a panoramic view of Islamabad before driving past various modern streets and buildings graceful with a touch of Islamic Architecture & Folk Heritage Museum. Our tour culminates at one of the world’s largest mosque – Shah Faisal Mosque.

  2. Day 2: Islamabad-Taxila- Naran or Besham

    In the morning we drive to Naran en-route we will stop at Taxila, Taxila has a well-planned museum and many historic sites of the Gandharan Buddhist civilization. The area flourished from the Sixth Century B.C until the Fifth Century A.D. Later continue driving via scenic Naran Kaghan valley. Overnight at Fire Crest hotel in Naran. (BD)
    ** Please note that between June till September we will be travelling via Naran Kaghan valley. **

  3. Day 3 Naran -Babusar pass - Gilgit

    In the morning we drive over the Babu Sar pass to Gilgit, En-route we will have few stops, our first stop will be at Chilas, rock carving which is dated back between 5000 and 1000 BC, showing single animals, triangular men and hunting scenes in which the animals sometimes are larger than the hunters. These carvings were packed into the rocks with stone tools and are covered with a thick patina that proves their age. Our next stop is the The Junction Point of 3 Greatest Mountain Ranges of the World, Pakistan.
    This place of interest is the unique venue where three great mountain ranges of world make a knot. Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush, with their famous highest peaks [in Pakistan, and top 2, 3, & 4th in the entire world], Nanga Parbat, K-2 and Tirich Mir, meet here and at almost on same place River Indus, flowing down from lofty mountains of Skardu, joins with river Gilgit, one its main tributaries. Continue driving to capital city of Gilgit Baltistan.
    Gilgit the administrative capital of Gilgit Baltistan and, perhaps, the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. Here world’s three mightiest mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas – meet. The whole of Gilgit Baltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and adventure lovers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the area have remained a flash point of political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule in the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region decided to join Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir.
    Overnight at Grand Continental or Riveria hotel in Gilgit. (BD)

  4. Day 4: Gilgit-Karimabad-Duiker

    In the morning, we drive to visit the Kargah Buddha carved on the rock dated from 7th century AD. After drive along the Karakorum highway to Karimabad Hunza valley. Next stop will be at Chalt Nagar which is the main Karakorum Thrust which is the collision point of Indo Pak and Eurasian plate. We will also make a tea stop at Rakaposhi peak (7788 m) view point for photography. Continue driving to Karimabad. Later proceed to Duiker village which is just above Karimabad village with stunning view over Karimabad and surrounding peaks. Overnight at Hardrock or Eagles Nest hotel in Duiker Hunza. (BD)

  5. Day 5: Duiker village Sunrise – Karimabad visit

    Early morning wakeup for sunrise enjoy stunning view of surrounding Mountains, enjoy the stunning sunrise over the snow-capped mountains of Ultar (7388m), Rakaposhi (7788m) and Diran (7266m). Optional hike up toward Ultar glacier base camp. After breakfast return down to Altit village to visit Altit fort, Altit Fort is a spectacularly sited defensive work overlooking the Hunza river valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. Altit Fort was the first of these strongholds to be built with Altit Khun and the Fort being renowned as the original capital and birthplace of Hunza. However later as a result of a conflict between the two sons of the Mir of Hunza, Shah Abbas and Ali Khan, they shifted the capital to Baltit Fort.
    Ayasho II, Tham / Mir of Hunza in the early 15th Century married Princess Shah Khatoon from Baltistan. As part of her dowry she brought with her architects and tradesman from Kashmir and Tibet. At the time Baltistan (previously known as ‘Little Tibet’) had very strong cultural and ethnical relations with Ladakh in Northern India. The structure of Altit Fort was therefore influenced by the Ladakhi/Tibetan architecture, resembling elements of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
    Altit Fort was originally built as a palace, yet some time after its construction, in 1548 A.D a defensive watch tower was added transforming it into a fort. It is believed that the Fort was built in 6 different phases making the most of the various different levels of natural rock from the very high cliff top it is positioned on.
    Altit Fort was surrounded by the settlement of Altit Khun, once a bustling town for traders and caravans travelling along the Silk Route. The historic village forms an integral part of the core cultural enclave of Hunza.
    In the aftermath of far reaching socio-political changes in and since 1972 the Fort lost its glory of being the centre of traditional cultural festivals and village life. After this time the ruling family no longer had the power to collect taxes to support the up keep of the fort and it was abandoned and left to deteriorate.
    In the late 1990’s a prince of the former ruling family of Hunza donated Altit Fort to the Aga Khan Foundation who through the Aga Khan Cultural Services, Pakistan spent the arduous task of restoring and rehabilitating both the fort and the surrounding settlement of Altit Khun. In 2007 the Fort opened as a tourist museum and culture centre for the community.
    Later visit Baltit Fort which is 700 years, but there have been rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the Mir (King) married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time.
    Overnight at Hunza Embassy hotel in Karimabad. (BD)

  6. Day 06: Karimabad-Ganesh village, Hopper Valley, Borith Lake

    In the morning we drive to Borith Lake, our first stop will Ganish village we visit the world heritage site Ali Gohar’s old house, next we will do a side trip to Hopper valley which can be seen from Duiker is on the opposite, eastern side of the Hunza River. This is another fertile valley and is predominantly Shia Muslim. This is one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers at Hoper. Later drive to upper Hunza Gojal, we will stop by Atta Abad Lake for photography, afternoon drive to Borith Lake. Enjoy the beauties scenery. Overnight at Borith Lake hotel & Resort. (BD)

  7. Day 07: Day trip to Pak China border Khunjerab (4700 m)

    Today you will be driving to the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway Khunjerab pass (4750 M). Along the way you will be able to see some wildlife at Khunjerab national park.  After picnic lunch return to Borith Lake en-route we stop at small villages, Sost, Khyber and Passu. After fresh up short drive to Ghulkin village where you will be invited to local home for family dinner. Later drive to Borith Lake.
    Overnight at Borith Lake Hotel & Resort. (BD

  8. Day 08: Passu Glacier - Hussaini Bridge – Gulmit village

    In the morning we hike toward Passu glacier view point, after photography, drive down to Hussaini village, where we try to cross the hanging bridge, here you have chance to test our fear of heights and wobbly wooden plank walks while be mesmerized by the fast flowing waters below, next stop Gulmit village where you have a chance to visit Gulmit old house, walk around the village. In the evening you will be invited to a local family for local dinner.
    Overnight at Borith Lake Hotel & Resort. (BD)

  9. Day 09: Borith Lake – Naran or Besham

    In the morning we drive back along the Karakorum Highway to Naran or Besham.
    Overnight at Fire Crest hotel in Naran. (BD)

  10. Day 10: Naran – Islamabad

    In the morning we drive to Islamabad. Afternoon City tour of Rawalpindi.
    Overnight at hotel in Islamabad. (BD)

  11. Day 11: Depart Islamabad

    Depending on your flight schedule transfer to the airport for onward flight. (B)

Hotels and Guest Houses

Accommodations are arranged as per client request.