Itinerary
- Day 1
Islamabad
You'll arrive at Islamabad airport and get transferred to your hotel. Once you've settled in, your guide meets you at 2pm to show you around Pakistan's capital. You'll see the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, and the Heritage Museum during this afternoon tour.
Included Activities
- Afternoon tour of Islamabad
- Visit to Faisal Mosque
- Visit to Pakistan Monument
- Visit to Heritage Museum
Optional Activities
- Extra night in Islamabad before tour starts
Landmarks/POIs Faisal Mosque Pakistan Monument Heritage Museum - Day 2
Islamabad to Naran
Head north into the Himalayan foothills, driving through the 160km Khagan Valley. On the way, you'll see the ruins of Jaulian Monastery and Sirkup Old City, both from the Kushan era. By evening you reach Naran, a mountain resort town on the Kunhar River. There's time to walk around Naran Bazaar and pick up local crafts and street food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Khagan Valley
- Visit Jaulian Monastery ruins
- Visit Sirkup Old City ruins
- Exploration of Naran Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Jaulian Monastery Sirkup Old City Kunhar River Naran Bazaar - Day 3
Naran to Fairy Meadows
This day involves challenging mountain driving up to Babussar Pass at 4,175m/13,697ft with steep hairpin bends, then you head down toward Chilas on the Indus River. After breaking at Lalusar Lake, you continue on the Karakorum Highway to Raikot Bridge. From there, a narrow jeep track takes you to Tato village. Starting from Jhel Village, you hike 2-3 hours and 5km uphill to Fairy Meadows at 3,300m/10,827ft with views of Nanga Parbat. Horses are available to hire locally if you need them.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Babussar Pass
- Stop at Lalusar Lake
- Drive along Karakorum Highway
- Trek to Fairy Meadows
Optional Activities
- Horse hire for trek to Fairy Meadows
Landmarks/POIs Babussar Pass Lalusar Lake Raikot Bridge Nanga Parbat - Day 4
Fairy Meadows
You have several options from Fairy Meadows today. The easier trek takes 2-3 hours through forest and along streams to Beyal Camp at 3,500m/11,483ft, giving you views of Nanga Parbat and a campfire after dinner. If you're experienced, you can continue from Beyal Camp another 3-4 hours to Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 3,967m/13,012ft (8-9 hour round trip total). Or just relax around Fairy Meadows, watch for marmots and Himalayan ibex, or spend time stargazing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Campfire after dinner)
Included Activities
- Trek to Beyal Camp or Base Camp
- Wildlife spotting at Fairy Meadows
- Stargazing at Fairy Meadows
Landmarks/POIs Beyal Camp Nanga Parbat Base Camp Nanga Parbat - Day 5
Fairy Meadows to Tarashing
After breakfast, you hike back down to Tato village in about 1.5-2 hours, then pick up vehicles. You drive to Tarashing through the pine-forested Astore Valley. The roads get narrower as you reach this remote village at the head of the Rupal Face route to Nanga Parbat. Tarashing Glacier waters the valley, and during summer the area blooms with flowers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike down to Tato
- Drive through Astore Valley to Tarashing
Landmarks/POIs Astore Valley Tarashing Glacier - Day 6
Tarashing to Herrligkoffer Base Camp
Today's trek goes through Rupal Valley. You drive from Tarashing into the valley and cross the Tarashing Glacier's lateral moraine to reach Rupal Village. From there, hike through small settlements past herds of yaks and cattle to Herrligkoffer Base Camp at 3,550m/11,647ft. This 8km trek takes around 4 hours. The base camp is named after the German mountaineer who led the first successful Nanga Parbat expedition in 1953. Back in Tarashing later, you'll have free time to meet locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Rupal Valley
- Trek through settlements and pastures to Herrligkoffer Base Camp
Optional Activities
- Free time in Tarashing village to meet locals
Landmarks/POIs Rupal Valley Rupal Village Herrligkoffer Base Camp Tarashing Glacier Nanga Parbat - Day 7
Tarashing to Skardu
You drive through Deosai National Park, which is quite different from the steep valleys you've been in. Rolling flower-filled meadows sit at 3,800m/12,467ft and are surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Fresh water lakes dot the landscape and brown bears and markhor live here. Stop at beautiful Satpura Lake and visit the Manthal Buddha, an 8th-century granite rock carving. It's one of the most important Buddhist relics in the region. Then continue to Skardu, capital of Baltistan and known as 'Little Tibet'.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Deosai National Park
- Stop at Satpura Lake
- Visit Manthal Buddha
Landmarks/POIs Deosai National Park Satpura Lake Manthal Buddha - Day 8
Skardu
This day trip from Skardu takes you to the fertile Shigar Valley. Cross the Indus River and head up the Shigar River, surrounded by flat sand banks and lush green orchards. You'll explore Shigar, inhabited by Balti people of Tibetan descent. Check out the Amborik Mosque and have lunch at Shigar Fort. Back in Skardu, you take a late afternoon hike to Khorpocho Fort, built in the 8th century on a hill overlooking the town. The main fort was destroyed in 1840, but impressive boundary walls still stand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Shigar Fort), Dinner
Included Activities
- Day trip to Shigar Valley
- Cross Indus River
- Visit Amborik Mosque
- Lunch at Shigar Fort
- Late afternoon hike to Khorpocho Fort
Landmarks/POIs Shigar Valley Shigar River Amborik Mosque Shigar Fort Khorpocho Fort - Day 9
Skardu to Gilgit
Drive back to the Karakorum Highway and the town of Gilgit, following the Indus River with views of white water rapids. Stop at Katchura Lakes to see local wild apricot trees. Gilgit was part of the Kushan Empire during the 1st-3rd centuries. You'll see the Kargah Buddha, a 7th-century rock carving. The town sits surrounded by high peaks, most impressively Rakaposhi at 7,788m/25,551ft. You'll visit the old British cemetery and explore the lively bazaar. If you're lucky, catch a polo match.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive along Indus River to Gilgit
- Stop at Katchura Lakes
- Visit Kargah Buddha
- Visit old British cemetery
- Explore bazaar in Gilgit
Optional Activities
- Watch Polo match if available
Landmarks/POIs Katchura Lakes Kargah Buddha Rakaposhi - Day 10
Gilgit to Hunza Valley
Drive north on the newly reconstructed Karakorum Highway under the shadow of Rakaposhi to reach Hunza, a former kingdom surrounded by snow-capped peaks including Ultar, Lady Finger, Diran, and Rakaposhi. In Upper Hunza Valley, take a 2-hour walk from Borith Lake at 2,600m/8,530ft up to a viewpoint alongside the massive Passu Glacier. The saline waters are believed to be good for the skin. Return to your hotel for dinner with Indian and Chinese influences.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with Indian and Chinese influences)
Included Activities
- Drive north on Karakorum Highway
- Walk from Borith Lake to Passu Glacier viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Borith Lake
Landmarks/POIs Rakaposhi Hunza Valley Ultar Mountain Lady Finger Peak Diran Mountain Borith Lake Passu Glacier - Day 11
Hunza Valley
After breakfast, take a short drive and walk to the Hussaini Suspension Bridge, the second longest man-made hanging bridge, with widely spaced wooden boards stretching several hundred metres across the Hunza River. Head downstream to visit Gulmit village, Pamiri Musical School, and the KORGAH weaving center where women artisans create hand-woven textiles. In Karimabad, check out the 700-year-old Baltit Fort, the old palace of the Mirs of Hunza, perched on a cliff edge with views of Ultar glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk to Hussaini Suspension Bridge
- Cross Hussaini Suspension Bridge
- Visit Gulmit village
- Visit Pamiri Musical School
- Visit KORGAH weaving center
- Visit Baltit Fort
Landmarks/POIs Hussaini Suspension Bridge Hunza River Gulmit Village Pamiri Musical School KORGAH Weaving Center Baltit Fort Ultar Glacier - Day 12
Karimabad
Walk around Karimabad following the main water channels and browse the bazaar. If timing works out, watch a polo match in town. Visit the 900-year-old Altit Fort with its splendid defensive position overlooking the Hunza River valley. It was home of the Mir before power moved to Baltit. Explore Altit village and visit the CIQAM Project, which helps marginalized communities through traditional craftsmanship and skills training. Late afternoon, drive to the small village of Duikar at approximately 3,000m/9,843ft for sunset views of Hunza Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk around Karimabad and water channels
- Explore Karimabad bazaar
- Visit Altit Fort
- Explore Altit village
- Visit CIQAM Project
- Drive to Duikar village for sunset
Optional Activities
- Watch Polo match if available
Landmarks/POIs Karimabad Altit Fort Altit Village Duikar Village - Day 13
Hunza Valley to Besham or Naran
You have a long drive back down the Karakorum Highway, with different perspectives on the mountain views. Near Chilas, stop at Shatial to see over 700 petroglyphs and 1,000 inscriptions in multiple languages left by Buddhist missionaries, pilgrims, and traders. You have two route options depending on weather and security: the original westerly Karakorum Highway through the Indus Valley to Besham with steep gorges and river views, or return via Barbusar Pass through Kaghan Valley to Naran.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive down Karakorum Highway
- Visit Shatial petroglyphs and inscriptions
Landmarks/POIs Shatial Petroglyphs Indus Valley Kaghan Valley - Day 14
Besham/Naran to Rawalpindi
Your final descent out of the mountains crosses rolling hills on twisting roads to reach the historic Grand Trunk Road, built by the British to link Peshawar to Calcutta. Stop at Taxila, once an important centre of Oriental culture from the 6th century BC. Alexander the Great visited, and later Ashoka the Great developed it into an important learning centre. Finish at the Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi adjacent to Islamabad, exploring traditional silver and gold bazaars where craftsmen work, then pick up souvenirs from your Pakistan adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through lowlands to Grand Trunk Road
- Visit Taxila ruins
- Walking tour of Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi
Landmarks/POIs Grand Trunk Road Taxila Raja Bazaar - Day 15
Rawalpindi to Islamabad Airport
Your time is free until your transfer to Islamabad airport for your flight home. Relax and think back on your Pakistan adventure before you leave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Lahore Extension (Fort, Mosque, and Gardens)
- Extra nights in Islamabad or Rawalpindi
