Explore the valleys of Hunza, Nagar & Baltistan

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.

In the second part of the trip, we will explore Baltistan. In the extreme north of Pakistan, Skardu is an epitome of beauty, serenity, and wilderness. It is located amidst an impressive landscape; towering mountains, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, creeping glaciers, and quiet lakes constitute this rugged beauty. This tour takes us to heaven on earth. Skardu is the gateway to the world’s highest peaks, which include K-2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and hundreds of peaks over 6000 metres high. Encircling the heart-shaped Kachura Lake is surrounded by fruit-laden orchards and flower-filled gardens, and the breath-taking view presents a heavenly atmosphere. The Kharpocho Fort looking down the hills, the crystal clear water of Satpara Lake, the impressive Shigar and Khapulo Forts, and the Deosai, which is the second highest plateau in the world: let’s explore beautiful Baltistan, also known as “Little Tibet.”

Trip Highlight

Trip Code:	ATP-SLT-05
Duration:	11 nights/ 12 days (shorter & longer trip itineraries available)
Best time:	Late March to Early Mid November
Colors of autumn:	Mid October till Mid November
Apricot/Cherry Blossom:	Late March – Mid April
Trip Route:	Islamabad- Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza-Atta Abad – Gulmit-Passu-Borith Lake- Skardu-Deosai Plateau Khapulo-Skardu Islamabad.

Day To Day Itinerary

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	Islamabad-Gilgit: 1 hour’ drive OR Chilas A morning flight to Gilgit. Upon arrival & transfer of luggage to the hotel, we will take sightseeing of Gilgit. KEY ATTRACTIONS Visit the unique place near Juglot, where three great Mountain ranges; the Karakoram, the Himalaya & Hindukush meet Kargah Buddha Gilgit Suspension Bridge British Graveyard (optional)
03	Gilgit-Karaimabad Hunza	Gilgit – Karimabad Hunza: 104 kms/2 hours’ drive Drive from Gilgit to Karimabad Hunza. KEY ATTRACTIONS Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet Baltit Fort Karimabad Bazaar Walk Along Barbar Water Channel
04	Central Hunza & Nagar	Full day for exploring 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
05	Karimabad- Upper Hunza	Karimabad-Atta Abad Lake: 30km/40 minutes’ drive Drive to Atta Abad Lake. Visit Gulmit, Hussaini Bridge, & Passu. Overnight stay at Atta Abad Lake. KEY ATTRACTIONS Ganish Cluster- the oldest settlement in Hunza Dong Rock Inscriptions Atta Abad Lake Gulmit Village Hussaini Bridge Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals
06	Atta Abad-Gilgit – Skardu	Atta Abad-Skardu: 310 kms/6.5 hours’ drive Drive to Skardu visiting Kargah Buddha en-route KEY ATTRACTIONS Drive to Gilgit along Hunza River and then towards Skardu along the Indus River Kargah Buddha Gilgit Visit the Unique place in the world where three great mountain ranges; the Himalaya, the Karakoram and Hindu Kush meet. Stop at Nanga Parbat View Point
07	Skardu	Full day tour of Skardu. Overnight stay in Skardu KEY ATTRACTIONS Upper Kachura Lake Visit Katpana Desert Manthal Buddha Kharpocho Fort Sarfaranga Cold Desert
08	Visit Deosai Plateau	Day excursion to Deosai Plateau and back to Skardu for overnight stay. KEY ATTRACTIONS Deosai plateau Sadpara Lake Chota Pani Bara Pani Sheosar Lake Great spot for photography of flora and fauna
09	Skardu-Khapulo-Skardu	Skardu-Khapulo (Khaplo): 110 kms/2.5 hours’ drive Day Excursion to Khapulo. Visit Khapulo Fort, Chaqchan Mosque, Shyok River. KEY ATTRACTIONS Khapulo Fort Chaqchan Mosque Indus Shyok rivers meeting point
10	Skardu-Islamabad	Flight to Islamabad (1 hr.) or drive to Naran (10 hours) or drive to Besham (12 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 Taxila Truck Painting Workshop Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi (dependent on the availability of time)
11	Islamabad	Full day tour of Peshawar or drive from Naran to Islamabad if no flight yesterday. KEY ATTRACTIONS Buddhist Monastery in Takht Bhai Peshawar Museum-collection of Buddhist art work 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 Note: A day trip to Peshawar is subject to Skardu/Islamabad flight operation.
12	Departure	Transfer to Islamabad airport for the departure flight – End of trip

Standard Itinerary

(Shorter & Longer Itineraries Available)

DAY 1: ISLAMABAD

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

Islamabad-Gilgit: 1 hour flight OR Chilas
A morning flight to Gilgit. Upon arrival, we will visit Gilgit. Today’s attractions include:
Kargah Buddha
Gilgit Suspension Bridge
British Graveyard (optional)

DAY 3: GILGIT-KARIMABAD HUNZA

Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza: 104 km / 2 hours drive
Drive from Gilgit to Karimabad Hunza. Today’s attractions include:
Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet
Baltit Fort
Karimabad Bazaar
Walk along Barbar Water Channel

DAY 4: 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 5: 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 6: ATTABAD-GILGIT – SKARDU

Atta Abad-Skardu: 310 km / 6.5 hours drive
Drive to Gilgit along Hunza River and then towards Skardu along the Indus River. Today’s attractions include:
Visit the unique place where three great mountain ranges; the Himalaya, the Karakoram, and Hindu Kush meet
Stop at Nanga Parbat View Point

DAY 7: SKARDU

Full day tour of Skardu. Today’s attractions include:
Upper Kachura Lake
Soq valley
Katpana Desert
Manthal Buddha
Kharpocho Fort
Sarfaranga Cold Desert

DAY 8: VISIT DEOSAI PLATEAU

Day excursion to Deosai Plateau and back to Skardu for overnight stay. Today’s attractions include:
Deosai Plateau
Sadpara Lake
Chota Pani
Bara Pani
Sheosar Lake
Great spot for photography of flora and fauna

DAY 9: SKARDU – KHAPULO-SKARDU

Skardu-Khapulo (Khaplu): 110 km / 2.5 hours drive
Day Excursion to Khapulo. Drive along the beautiful villages. Stop at the meeting point of River Indus and Shyok River. Visit Khapulo Fort and Chaqchan Mosque.

DAY 10: SKARDU – ISLAMABAD

Flight to Islamabad (1 hr.) or drive to Naran (10 hours) or drive to Besham (12 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

DAY 11: ISLAMABAD

Full day tour of Peshawar or drive from Naran to Islamabad if no flight yesterday. Today’s attractions/places of interest include:
Buddhist Monastery in Takht Bhai
Peshawar Museum – collection of Buddhist artwork
Mahabat Khan Mosque built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Qissa Khawani Bazar (The bazaar of storytellers)
Saithi House – The Mughal Central Asian Architecture
The historic Qila Bala Hissar (Bala Hissar Fort) from outside
Note: A day trip to Peshawar is subject to Skardu/Islamabad flight operation.