Classic Karakorum & Hunza Valley Tour

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 (viewpoint), 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 mosques – Shah Faisal Mosque.

Hotel Options:
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burj-ul-Zaki
Meals Included: Dinner

In the morning we drive to Naran enroute 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 to Besham.
** During the summer month this trip can be done via Naran Kaghan valley.

Hotel Options:
• Comfort Class: North Retreat
• Tourist Class: North Retreat
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Drive along the Karakorum highway 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 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 Hindukush, 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 has 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.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Blossom Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning visit the Kargah Buddha carved on the rock dated from 7th century AD. Later visit Gilgit Bazar, British cemetery after lunch continue driving along the Karakorum highway to Karimabad Hunza valley. Our next stop will be at Chalt Nagar which is the main Karakorum Thrust; the collision points 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. Afternoon walk around Karimabad, including a water channel walk.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today, we spend our day visiting two incredible ancient forts – Altit Fort and Baltit Fort.
Altit Fort is spectacularly situated, overlooking the Hunza River valley, and was built almost a thousand years ago. The rectangular fort commands a view of the Hunza Valley and its tributaries, offering a strategic position for controlling the Trans-Silk Road trade route between South and Central Asia.
The rulers (Mirs) of Hunza knew that although Altit Fort commanded an impressive view and was difficult for invaders to attack, it was not impossible to conquer. Hence, the decision was made to create a fortress against the side of the glacier, providing the best vantage point and better defense strategies. As a result, Altit Fort was eventually abandoned in favor of the more than 700-year-old Baltit Fort.
Baltit Fort is a three-storey building constructed from wood and stone with mud plaster. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2004.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we drive to Borith Lake.  Our first stop is 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 hike toward the Passu glacier viewpoint.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

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. Return back to Passu village, walk around the village, later visit 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.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, we hike through Ghulkin glacier to Ghulkin village, after a picnic lunch with a local family, we continue our hike via Kamaris village to Gulmit. Gulmit is a peaceful and serene village that formerly served as a summer capital of the Hunza Kingdom. Here one will walk through the village, visit a 400-year-old house, and see local women weaving carpets and making several other traditional handicrafts. Visit local museum. (Those who do not wish to hike can drive to Ghulkin village instead)

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we drive along the Karakorum Highway toward Chilas from here we take a scenic route via Babusar pass to Naran Kaghan valley.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: North Retreat
• Tourist Class: North Retreat
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning drive to Islamabad and enroute 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 in the afternoon last minute shopping at local market. Evening farewell dinner at local restaurant.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burjul Zaki
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Our service will end with airport transfer.

Meals Included: Breakfast