A vista of mesmerizing mountain scenery and exotic culture
Pakistan’s northern region is blessed with sky rising mountains and in their laps lays the fascinating mountainous valleys with exotic cultures whose people are warm-hearted, with smiling faces and friendly attitude. Settled in mountain gorges along mighty rivers these valleys’ landscape is equally alluring with thrilling road drives. With mesmerizing mountain scenery, awe-inspiring adventurous road along the mighty rivers and exotic cultures, this magical journey has been designed to thrill you, charm you. We embark on this spectacular cultural voyage at Islamabad, the political and administrative city of Pakistan. Driving towards north, we stop at Taxila to visit ancient Buddhist Civilization’s remains, one of the alluring archaeological sites in the world. We drive through the beautiful Naran valley to Gilgit, the administrative town of Gilgit Baltistan. The smiling, welcoming and friendly inhabitants of Hunza truly make your stay at home. Views from fairy tale like Baltit Fort, the old residence of Mirs of Hunza standing atop Karimabad, the former capital of Hunza Valley are incredibly beautiful. A walk along Barbar irrigation channel with striking views of Karakoram Mountains adds more essence to your journey. The beautiful Attabad Lake with its unique blue colour, Gulmit valley surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, and the most scenic Phander valley and its mesmerizing Phander Lake is an experience of lifetime. Crossing Shandur Pass, the highest polo-ground in the world, we will reach Mastuj and then Chitral. Chitral with the unique Kailash Valley (known as the Wearers of Black Robes) – a remaining minority of approximately 3500 people living in three isolated but beautiful valleys known as Bumburet, Rambur and Berir. The people of Kailash have a rich culture and are very headstrong about their identity. These people stand out from the remaining tribes, cultures and communities due to their distinct traditions, religious practices and festivals. After visiting Swat and Peshawar, our trip will conclude in Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan.
Trip Code | ATP-AMN-01 |
Duration | 18 nights/ 19 days (shorter & longer trip itineraries available) |
Best Time | May to October |
Route | Islamabad-Naran-Chilas-Fairy Meadows- Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza-Atta Abad –
Gulmit-Passu-Borith Lake- Gilgit Phandar-Shandur Pass-Chitral-Kailash-Swat-Peshawar Islamabad. |
Day To Day Itinerary
Day | Visiting Location | Overnight |
01 | Islamabad | Arrival in Islamabad, transfer to hotel. Half day city tour of Islamabad. Overnight stay in Islamabad.
KEY ATTRACTIONS
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02 | Islamabad-Naran | Islamabad-Taxila: 32 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Taxila – Peshawar: 156 kms/2.5 hours’ driver Islamabad-Taxila: 32 kms/45 minutes’ drive Taxila – Naran: 225 kms/ 5.5 hours’ drive Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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03 | Naran-Fairy Meadows | Naran – Raikot Bridge: 155 kms /4.5 hours’ drive
Raikot Bridge-Tato: 12 kms/1.5 hours’ drive Tato-Fairy Meadows: 9 kms/2-3 hours’ hike ALTITUDE Tato: 2560M/8448F Fairy Meadows: 3310M/10800F Drive to Raikot Bridge via Babusar Pass, change vehicle and take jeeps to Tato Village, a 3 hours’ hike will take us to Fairy Meadows. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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04 | Fairy Meadows | Beyal Camp: 3500M/11650F
Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 4000M/13135F The day is available for exploring the surroundings of the fairytale meadow. A nice hike takes you closer to the ice giants in the direction of Nanga-Parbat base camp if conditions (little or no snow) allow. If you don’t feel like hiking, stay on the fairytale meadow and enjoy the day at the foot of the ninth highest peak on earth. Overnight stay as the day before. |
05 | Fairy Meadows- Astore | Fairy Meadows-Tato: 2 hours
Tato-Raikot Bridge: 1 hour Raikot- Rama: 65 kms/2.5 hour Rama-Astore: 20 kms/1 hour drive Trek down to Tato and drive to Astore KEY ATTRACTIONS
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06 | Astore-Deosai Plateau-Skardu | Astore- Skardu: 160 kms/7 hours’ drive
Drive to Skardu via Deosai Plateau. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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07 | Skardu | Full day tour of Skardu. Overnight stay in Skardu
KEY ATTRACTIONS
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08 | Skardu– Gilgit Karimabad Hunza | Skardu– Gilgit Karimabad: 300 kms/ hours’ drive
Drive to Karimabad Hunza along the River Indus and Hunza River. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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09 | Central Hunza | Full day exploration of central Hunza.
KEY ATTRACTIONS
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10 | Nagar & Upper Hunza | Explore Nagar Valley and Upper Hunza.
KEY ATTRACTIONS
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11 | Upper Hunza-Gilgit- Gupis | Atta Abad Lake-Gilgit: 135 km/2.30 hrs drive
Gilgit-Gupis: 109 kms/4 hours’ drive Drive to Gilgit and then to Gupis visiting Kargah Buddha on the way. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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12 | Gupis- Mastuj | Gupis – Mastuj: 150 kms/7 hours’ drive
Drive to Mastuj via Phander & Shandur Pass. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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13 | Mastuj-Chitral | Mastuj- Chitral: 120 kms/4 hours’ drive
Drive from Mastuj to Chitral. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Half day sightseeing & overnight stay in Chitral. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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14 | Chitral-Kailash | Chitral – Bumburet Kailash: 22 kms/1 hour’s drive
In the morning visit Chitral Gol National Park. After lunch drive to Bumburet via Rambur. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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15 | Kailash | Full day for exploring the unique of Kailash Valley and its people. Short walks in the valley.
KEY ATTRACTIONS
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16 | Kailash-Mingora Swat | Bumburet Kailash – Mingora Swat: 246 kms/7 hours’ drive
Drive from Kailash to Swat. Upon arrival visit Swat Museum. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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17 | Mingora Swat-Takht-e-Bhai-Peshawar | Swat- Takht-e-Bhai-Peshawar: 184 kms/4 hours’ drive
Drive to Peshawar visiting Takht-e-Bhai and other Ghandhara sites on the way. KEY ATTRACTIONS
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18 | Peshawar-Islamabad | Peshawar- Islamabad: 186 kms/2.5 hours’ drive
KEY ATTRACTIONS
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19 | Deparature From Islamabad | Transfer to the Islamabad International Airport for home bound flight. |