The Shangrila (Hunza Valley)

Embark on this spectacular voyage at Islamabad, the political and administrative city of Pakistan. 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. The trip can be combine with a visit to Lahore the cultural capital of Pakistan.

Trip Highlight

Trip Code:	ATP-SNG-02
Trip Duration:	06 nights/ 07 days (shorter & longer trip itineraries available)
Best time:	Late March to Early Mid November
Colors of autumn:	Mid October till Mid November
Route:	Islamabad- Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza-Atta Abad – Gulmit-Passu-Borith Lake- -Gilgit Islamabad.
Apricot/Cherry Blossom:	Late March – Mid April

Day To Day Itinearary

Day	Visiting Location	Overnight
01	Islamabad	Arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, transfer to hotel. 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 or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & Supreme Court of Pakistan
02	Islamabad-Gilgit-Karimabad	Islamabad-Gilgit: 1 hour’ flight Gilgit – Karimabad Hunza: 104 kms/2 hours’ drive A morning flight to Gilgit. Upon arrival drive to Karimabad Hunza. After lunch half day sightseeing. KEY ATTRACTIONS Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet Baltit Fort Karimabad Bazaar Walk Along Barbar Water Channel
03	Central Hunza	Full day for exploring 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
04	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
05	Upper Hunza-Gilgit	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
06	Gilgit-Islamabad	Flight to Islamabad (1 hr.) or drive to Islamabad (12-14 hours). Upon arrival visit Taxila & Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi. KEY ATTRACTIONS Taxila Museum-showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery Dharmarajika complex and stupa Truck Painting in Taxila Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi
07	Departure	Transfer to Islamabad airport – End of trip

Standard Itinerary

(Shorter & Longer Itineraries Available)

DAY 1: ISLAMABAD

Arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, transfer to hotel. 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
External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

DAY 2: ISLAMABAD – GILGIT – KARIMABAD

Islamabad-Gilgit: 1 hour flight
Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza: 104 km / 2 hours drive
A morning flight to Gilgit. Upon arrival, drive to Karimabad Hunza. After lunch, half day sightseeing. Today’s attractions include:
Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet
Baltit Fort
Karimabad Bazaar
Walk along Barbar Water Channel

DAY 3: CENTRAL HUNZA & NAGAR

Full day for exploring central Hunza & Nagar valleys. Today’s attractions include:
Hoper Nagar Valley
Stop at Ultar & Lady Finger View Point
Altit Fort
Altit Cluster / Altit Village
Sunset from the Eagle’s Nest View Point in Duiker

DAY 4: KARIMABAD – UPPER HUNZA

Karimabad-Atta Abad Lake: 30 km / 40 minutes’ drive
Drive to Atta Abad Lake. Visit Gulmit, Hussaini Bridge, & Passu. Today’s attractions include:
Ganish Cluster – the oldest settlement in Hunza
Dong Rock Inscriptions
Atta Abad Lake
Gulmit Village
Hussaini Bridge
Passu Cones / Passu Cathedrals

DAY 5: UPPER HUNZA – GILGIT

Atta Abad Lake-Gilgit: 135 km / 2.30 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 include:
Borith Lake
Passu Glacier View Point
Suspension Bridge
Kargah Buddha Gilgit

DAY 6: GILGIT – ISLAMABAD

Flight to Islamabad (1 hr.) or drive to Islamabad (12-14 hours). If flight operates, visit Taxila & Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi.
Today’s attractions include:
Taxila Museum – showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
Dharmarajika complex and stupa
Truck Painting in Taxila
Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi