Hike to the Fairytale Meadow and visit Hunza-the valley of eternal youth

Our trip will start in the rich and stunning cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore to feast our eyes with beautiful Badshahi Mosque, Badshahi Fort, Lahore Museum, Shahi Hammam, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shalimar Gardens etc., The visit to Wagah border to witness the flag lowering ceremony is yet another attraction. While traveling to Islamabad the federal capital of Islamabad, we will visit Katas Raj Temple & Khewra Salt Mines. The fairytale meadows (3310 m), an idyllic place amidst lush coniferous forests. You will enjoy the great panoramic view of the Nanga Parbat (8125m), the second highest peak in Pakistan and 9th in the world. Our next destination is HUNZA, the valley of eternal youth. Guarded by Karakoram giants, Hunza Valley nestles itself in the lap of snow-capped mountains which makes it a tourist delight. The enchanting Hunza’s beauty reaches its peak in the apricot and cherry blossom in spring, the valley turns green in summer and leaves change their colours to red, yellow and orange in the autumn season. The magical Karimabad (Baltit), the formal capital of Hunza Valley has a charm of its own, encircled by breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped peaks, lush green fields, fruit orchards, and the singing Hunza River, the feeling of being here is unmatchable. Views from a fairytale like Baltit Fort, the old residence of the Mirs of Hunza standing atop Karimabad are incredibly beautiful. A walk along the Barbar irrigation channel with striking views of Rakaposhi, Diran Peak and Golden Peak add more essence to your journey. The beautiful Gulmit valley surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, and the Passu village known for Passu Glacier, Batura Glacier and Passu Cones are worth visiting. The smiling, welcoming and friendly inhabitants of Hunza truly make your stay at home.

Trip Facts

Trip Code: ATP-HMK-01

Route: Lahore-Khewra- Islamabad-Taxila-Naran-Babusar Pass-Chilas-Raikot Bridge-Meadows-Gilgit-Central Hunza-Upper Hunza-Gilgit-Islamabad

Best time: Late March till Mid-October

Duration: 13 days/12 nights (shorter & longer trip itineraries available)

Day To Day Itinerary

Day	Visiting Location	Overnight
01	Lahore	Arrival at Allama Iqbal Airport Lahore, transfer to hotel. After refreshment city tour of Lahore. KEY ATTRACTIONS Lahore’s walled city Lahore Fort-built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan Badshahi Masjid built between 1671 & 1673 by Mughal emperors Lahore Museum – Showcasing one of the largest and most representative collection of miniature paintings in the Subcontinent Anarkali Bazar – one of oldest surviving markets in the Lahore
02	Lahore	Full day city tour of Lahore. KEY ATTRACTIONS Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan in Lahore Visit Masjid Wazir Khan -Built by Wazir Khan, the viceroy of Punjab during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan Shahi Hamam – a Persian-style bath which was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Visit Shalimar Garden (optional) Experience the flag ceremony at the Wagah, the border between Pakistan & India.
03	Lahore-Katas Raj Temple-Khewra-Islamabad	Islamabad- Katas Raj Temple: 270 kms/ 4 hours’ drive Katas Raj – Khewra Salt Mines: 16 kms/ 40 minutes’ drive Khewra Salt Mines – Islamabad: 172 kms/3 hours’ drive Drive to Islamabad from Lahore visit Katas Raj Temple Complex & Khewra Salt Mines en-route KEY ATTRACTIONS Katas Raj Temple Complex Khewra Salt Mines
04	Islamabad	Full day city tour of Islamabad & Rawalpindi. 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 or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & Supreme Court of Pakistan
05	Islamabad-Naran	Islamabad-Babusar Pass-Naran: 282 kms/ 6 hours’ drive Islamabad – Besham- Chilas: 470 kms/10-11 hours’ drive Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route or drive to Chilas via Besham. KEY ATTRACTIONS Taxila Museum-showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery Dharmarajika complex and stupa OR Shatiyal rock inscriptions if KKH is taken
06	Naran-Fairy Meadows	Naran – Raikot Bridge: 155 kms /4.5 hours’ drive Chilas – Raikot Bridge: 58 kms/1.5 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 from a 3 hours’ hike will take us to Fairy Meadows. Or drive from Chilas to Tato via Raikot Bridge and hike to Fairy Meadows. KEY ATTRACTIONS Lulusar Lake Babusar Pass Note: Naran/Kaghan Road via Babusar Pass is open from June to October subject to snow conditions.
07	Fairy Meadows	Beyal Camp: 3500M/11650F Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 4000M/13135F The day is available for exploring the surroundings of the fairytale meadow. You can take a good rest at Fairy Meadows or hike to Nanga Parbat the 9th highest peak in the world known as the Killer Mountain. Overnight stay as the day before.
08	Fairy Meadows- Gilgit-Karimabad-Hunza	Fairy Meadows-Tato: 2 hours Tato-Raikot Bridge: 1 hour Raikot- Gilgit: 1.5 hour Gilgit- Karimabad Hunza: 2 hour Trek down to Tato and drive to Gilgit. After lunch drive to Karimabad Hunza. KEY ATTRACTIONS Stop at Thalichi – The Nanga Parbat View Point Stop at the Unique Place: Where three great Mountain ranges; the Karakoram, the Himalaya & Hindukush meet Stop at Ghulmet: The Rakaposhi View Point
09	Central Hunza & Nagar Valley	Full day for exploring the mesmerizing landscape and the unique culture of central Hunza & Nagar Valleys. KEY ATTRACTIONS Hoper Nagar Valley Stop at Ultar & Lady Finger View Point Optional Walk to Barpu Glacier Altit Fort Altit Cluster/Altit Village Sunset from the Eagle’s Nest View Point in Duiker
10	Karimabad-Upper Hunza	Karimabad-Atta Abad Lake: 30km/40 minutes’ drive Drive to Atta Abad Lake. Visit Gulmit, Hussaini Bridge, & Passu. KEY ATTRACTIONS Ganish Cluster- the oldest settlement in Hunza Dong Rock Inscriptions Atta Abad Lake Gulmit Village Hussaini Bridge Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals
11	Upper Hunza-Gilgit	Atta Abad-Khunjerab Pass-Atta Abad Lake: 294 kms/6 hours’ drive Atta Abad Lake-Gilgit: 135 km/2.30 hrs drive In the morning hike to Passu Glacier View Point. After lunch drive to Gilgit. Visit Kargah Buddha in the afternoon. KEY ATTRACTIONS Borith Lake Passu Glacier View Point Suspension Bridge Kargah Buddha Gilgit OR Visit Khunjerab Pass and drive back to Gilgit
12	Gilgit- Islamabad	Flight to Islamabad (1 hr.) or drive to Islamabad (12-14 hours).
13	Departure	Transfer to the Islamabad International Airport for the departure flight – End of trip

Standard Itinerary

(Shorter & Longer Itineraries Available)

DAY 1: LAHORE

Arrival at Allama Iqbal Airport Lahore, transfer to hotel. After refreshment, city tour of Lahore. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Lahore’s walled city, Lahore Fort (built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan), Badshahi Masjid (built between 1671 & 1673 by Mughal emperors), Lahore Museum (showcasing one of the largest and most representative collections of miniature paintings in the Subcontinent), and Anarkali Bazar (one of the oldest surviving markets in Lahore).

DAY 2: LAHORE

Full day city tour of Lahore. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan in Lahore, Visit Masjid Wazir Khan (built by Wazir Khan, the viceroy of Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan), Shahi Hamam (a Persian-style bath which was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan), and Visit Shalimar Garden (optional). Experience the flag ceremony at the Wagah Border, the border between Pakistan & India.

DAY 3: LAHORE-KATAS RAJ TEMPLE-KHEWRA-ISLAMABAD

Islamabad- Katas Raj Temple: 270 kms/4 hours’ drive
Katas Raj – Khewra Salt Mines: 16 kms/40 minutes’ drive
Khewra Salt Mines – Islamabad: 172 kms/3 hours’ drive
Drive to Islamabad from Lahore, visiting Katas Raj Temple Complex & Khewra Salt Mines en-route.

DAY 4: ISLAMABAD

Full day city tour of Islamabad & Rawalpindi. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; 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 or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum, and external views of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

DAY 5: ISLAMABAD – NARAN

Islamabad-Taxila-Naran: 282 kms/6 hours’ drive
Islamabad – Besham- Chilas: 470 kms/10-11 hours’ drive
Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route or drive to Chilas via Besham. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Taxila Museum (showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization), Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery, Dharmarajika complex, and stupa or Shatiyal rock inscriptions if KKH is taken.

DAY 6: NARAN-FAIRY MEADOWS

Naran – Raikot Bridge: 155 kms /4.5 hours’ drive
Chilas – Raikot Bridge: 58 kms/1.5 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 vehicles, and take jeeps to Tato Village from where a 3 hours’ hike will take us to Fairy Meadows. Or drive from Chilas to Tato via Raikot Bridge and hike to Fairy Meadows. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Lulusar Lake, Babusar Pass.

DAY 7: FAIRY MEADOWS

Beyal Camp: 3500M/11650F
Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 4000M/13135F
The day is available for exploring the surroundings of the fairytale meadow. You can take a good rest at Fairy Meadows or hike to the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world known as the Killer Mountain. Overnight stay as the day before.

DAY 8: FAIRY MEADOWS-GILGIT-KARIMABAD HUNZA

Fairy Meadows-Tato: 2 hours hike
Tato-Raikot Bridge: 1 hour’ drive
Raikot- Gilgit: 1.5 hours’ drive
Gilgit- Karimabad Hunza: 2 hours; drive
Trek down to Tato and drive to Gilgit. After lunch, drive to Karimabad Hunza. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Stop at Thalichi – The Nanga Parbat View Point, stop at the Unique Place: Where three great Mountain ranges; the Karakoram, the Himalaya & Hindukush meet, Stop at Ghulmet: The Rakaposhi View Point.

DAY 9: CENTRAL HUNZA

Full day for exploring the mesmerizing landscape and the unique culture of central Hunza. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; 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: KARIMABAD –NAGAR VALLEY-UPPER HUNZA

Karimabad-Hopar: 16km/1 hour’s drive
Hopar-Passu: 65km/2 hours’ drive
In the morning visit Nagar Valley and then proceed to upper Hunza. In the upper Hunza we visit Atta Abad Lake, Gulmit, Hussaini Bridge, and Passu. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Ganish Cluster (the oldest settlement in Hunza), Hopar village, Dong Rock Inscriptions, Atta Abad Lake, Gulmit Village, Hussaini Bridge, Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals.

DAY 11: UPPER HUNZA – GILGIT

Passu -Gilgit: 145 km/3 hours’ drive
In the morning hike to Passu Glacier View Point. After lunch, drive to Gilgit. Visit Kargah Buddha in the afternoon. Today’s attractions/places of interest include; Borith Lake, Passu Glacier View Point.