The amazing North(1)
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 Facts

Trip Code: ATP-AMN-01

Route: Islamabad-Naran-Chilas-Fairy Meadows- Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza-Atta Abad –

Gulmit-Passu-Borith Lake- Gilgit Phandar-Shandur Pass-Chitral-Kailash-Swat-Peshawar Islamabad

Best time: May to October 

Duration: 18 nights/ 19 days (shorter & longer trip itineraries available)

Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1: ISLAMABAD

  • Overnight: Islamabad
  • Arrival in Islamabad, transfer to hotel. Half-day city tour of Islamabad.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Shah Faisal Mosque – the largest mosque in Pakistan
    • Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage) Museum
    • Pakistan National Monument
    • Daman-e-Koh (Islamabad View Point)
    • Golra Sharif Rail Museum

DAY 2: ISLAMABAD – NARAN

  • Travel: Islamabad-Taxila (32 kms/45 minutes), Taxila-Naran (225 kms/5.5 hours)
  • Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Taxila Museum showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
    • Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
    • Dharmarajika complex and Stupa

DAY 3: NARAN – FAIRY MEADOWS

  • Travel: 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:
    • Lulusar Lake
    • Babusar Pass
    • The Fairytale Fairy Meadows

DAY 4: FAIRY MEADOWS

  • Beyal Camp Altitude: 3500M/11650F
  • Nanga Parbat Base Camp Altitude: 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.

DAY 5: FAIRY MEADOWS – ASTORE

  • Travel: Fairy Meadows – Tato (2 hours)
  • Tato – Raikot Bridge (1 hour)
  • Raikot – Rama (65 kms / 2.5 hours)
  • Rama – Astore (20 kms / 1 hour drive)
  • Trek down to Tato and drive to Astore.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Stop at Thalichi – The Nanga Parbat View Point
    • Rama Meadow
    • Rama Lake hike (optional)

DAY 6: ASTORE – DEOSAI PLATEAU – SKARDU

  • Travel: Astore to Skardu via Deosai Plateau (160 kms / 7 hours drive)
  • Drive to Skardu through scenic landscapes.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Sheosar Lake
    • Bara Pani
    • Deosai Plateau
    • Chota Pani
    • Great spot for photography of flora and fauna
    • Sadpara Lake
    • Manthal Buddha (optional)

DAY 7: SKARDU

  • Full-day tour of Skardu with an overnight stay.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Upper Kachura Lake
    • Kachura Choq
    • Visit Katpana Desert
    • Kharpocho Fort
    • Sarfaranga Cold Desert

DAY 8: SKARDU – GILGIT – KARIMABAD HUNZA

  • Travel: Skardu – Gilgit Karimabad: 300 kms / hours’ drive
  • Drive to Karimabad Hunza along the River Indus and Hunza River.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Travel along the Indus River
    • Stop at Nanga Parbat view point
    • Visit the unique place where three great mountain ranges; the Himalaya, the Karakoram, and Hindu Kush meet
    • Stop at Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet

DAY 9: CENTRAL HUNZA

  • Full day exploration of central Hunza.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Baltit Fort
    • Karimabad Bazaar
    • Walk Along Barbar Water Channel
    • Altit Fort
    • Altit Cluster/Altit Village
    • Sunset from the Eagle’s Nest View Point in Duiker

DAY 10: NAGAR & UPPER HUNZA

  • Explore Nagar Valley and Upper Hunza.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Ganish Cluster – the oldest settlement of Hunza Valley
    • Hopar Nagar – excellent view of Golden Peak, Ultar Peak, Hunza Peak & Lady Finger
    • Dong Rock Inscriptions
    • Atta Abad Lake
    • Gulmit Village
    • Hussaini Bridge
    • Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals

DAY 11: UPPER HUNZA-GILGIT-GUPIS

  • Travel: 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:
    • Kargah Buddha
    • Drive along Ghizer river
    • Beautiful villages along the road

DAY 12: GUPIS – MASTUJ

  • Travel: Gupis – Mastuj: 150 kms / 7 hours’ drive
  • Drive to Mastuj via Phander & Shandur Pass.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Phander Lake
    • Shandur Pass – the highest polo ground in the world

DAY 13: MASTUJ – CHITRAL

  • Travel: 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:
    • Chitral Bazaar
    • Shahi Mosque
    • Tirich Mir View Point

DAY 14: CHITRAL – KAILASH

  • Travel: 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:
    • Chitral Gol National Park
    • Rambur Valley Kailash

DAY 15: KAILASH

  • Full day for exploring the uniqueness of Kailash Valley and its people. Short walks in the valley.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Kailash Museum
    • Traditional House to explore the way of life
    • Sacred places

DAY 16: KAILASH – MINGORA SWAT

  • Bumburet Kailash to Mingora Swat: 246 kms / 7 hours’ drive
  • Drive from Kailash to Swat. Upon arrival visit Swat Museum.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Swat Museum – showcasing collections of Gandhara Art

DAY 17: MINGORA SWAT – TAKHT-E-BHAI – PESHAWAR

  • Swat to Takht-e-Bhai to Peshawar: 184 kms / 4 hours’ drive
  • Drive to Peshawar visiting Takht-e-Bhai and other Gandhara sites on the way.
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • The Buddhist sacred Area of Butkara
    • Shingardar Stupa
    • Amluk Dara Stupa
    • Najigram Stupa
    • Buddhist Monastery in Takht Bhai

DAY 18: PESHAWAR – ISLAMABAD

  • Peshawar to Islamabad: 186 kms / 2.5 hours’ drive
  • KEY ATTRACTIONS:
    • Peshawar Museum – collection of Buddhist artwork
    • Mahabat Khan Mosque – built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
    • Qissa Khawani Bazar (The bazar of story tellers)
    • Saithi House – The Mughal Central Asian Architecture
    • The historic Qila Bala Hissar (Bala Hissar Fort) from outside

DAY 19: DEPARTURE FROM ISLAMABAD

  • Transfer to the Islamabad International Airport for homebound flight.
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WILL BE UPDATED SOON
WILL BE UPDATED SOON
WILL BE UPDATED SOON