Itinerary
- Day 1
Islamabad
You'll arrive at Islamabad airport and get transferred to your hotel. After settling in, your guide meets you at 2pm for an afternoon tour of the capital. You'll see the Faisal Mosque with its massive prayer hall, then head to the Pakistan Monument which symbolizes national unity. The Heritage Museum comes next, where you can walk through displays covering Pakistan's history and traditions.
Included Activities
- Faisal Mosque visit
- Pakistan Monument visit
- Heritage Museum visit
- Islamabad city tour
Landmarks Faisal Mosque Pakistan Monument Heritage Museum - Day 2
Islamabad to Naran
This morning you'll drive north into the hills along the scenic 160km Khagan Valley, with forested Himalayan peaks on both sides. You'll check out the ruins of Jaulian Buddhist monastery and Sirkup Old City, which dates back to the Kushan era. From there, you continue to Naran, one of Pakistan's popular summer destinations. Once you arrive, explore Naran Bazaar where vendors sell handcrafted souvenirs, local textiles, and street food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jaulian Monastery ruins visit
- Sirkup Old City ruins visit
- Naran Bazaar exploration
Landmarks Jaulian Monastery Sirkup Old City Kunhar River - Day 3
Naran to Fairy Meadows
This is a demanding day of driving and trekking. You'll navigate hairpin bends up to Babussar Pass at 4175m, then head down toward the Indus River. Stop at Lalusar Lake along the way, then continue on the Karakorum Highway to Raikot Bridge. After that, you take a narrow jeep track to Tato village. From there, trek steeply uphill for 2-3 hours (5km) to reach Fairy Meadows at 3300m with views of Nanga Parbat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Babussar Pass drive
- Lalusar Lake stop
- Raikot Bridge visit
- Fairy Meadows trek (2-3 hours, 5km)
Optional Activities
- Horse hire for trek to Fairy Meadows - around 3000Rs per person (approx. GBP 13 / USD 18)
Landmarks Babussar Pass Lalusar Lake Raikot Bridge Nanga Parbat - Day 4
Fairy Meadows
At Fairy Meadows you have several options. Take the easier 2-3 hour trek through dense forest and birch trees up to Beyal Camp at 3500m, a summer shepherd settlement with Nanga Parbat views, then return to camp for a campfire. Or tackle the tougher route that continues another 3-4 hours to Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 3967m for an 8-9 hour round trip. You could also enjoy a relaxed walk, spot wildlife, or spend time stargazing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Beyal Camp (2-3 hours)
- Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek option (8-9 hours round trip)
Optional Activities
- Relaxed stroll around Fairy Meadows
- Wildlife spotting (marmots, Himalayan ibex, birds)
- Star gazing
Landmarks Beyal Camp Nanga Parbat Base Camp - Day 5
Fairy Meadows to Tarashing
You'll hike back down from Fairy Meadows to Tato, which takes about 1.5-2 hours. After meeting your vehicles, you drive through the pine-forested Astore Valley toward Tarashing. This scenic 3-4 hour drive passes through landscapes that feel almost Austrian. You'll arrive at the remote Tarashing village, the last settlement on the jeep road that heads toward Nanga Parbat's Rupal face.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fairy Meadows to Tato hike (approximately 1.5-2 hours)
- Astore Valley drive
Landmarks Astore Valley Tarashing Glacier - Day 6
Tarashing to Herrligkoffer Base Camp
Drive into the Rupal Valley and trek through the Tarashing Glacier's lateral moraine to Rupal Village. You'll walk through small settlements past herds of yaks and cattle, heading toward Herrligkoffer Base Camp at 3550m, located at Nanga Parbat's foot. The overall trek covers about 8km and takes around 4 hours. Back in Tarashing, you'll have free time to meet locals and experience life in these remote glacial-fed villages.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rupal Valley drive
- Herrligkoffer Base Camp trek (approximately 8km, around 4 hours)
Optional Activities
- Time in Tarashing village to interact with locals
Landmarks Rupal Valley Tarashing Glacier Herrligkoffer Base Camp Rupal Village - Day 7
Tarashing to Skardu
You'll drive through Deosai National Park, which sits at an average elevation of 3800m. The landscape changes from high-altitude green meadows to snow-capped peaks. Take a break at beautiful Satpura Lake and visit Manthal Buddha, an 8th century Buddhist relic with an engraved Buddha image. From there, continue to Skardu, the capital of Baltistan, which people call 'Little Tibet' because it sits in one of the world's highest mountain clusters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Deosai National Park drive
- Satpura Lake visit
- Manthal Buddha visit
Landmarks Deosai National Park Satpura Lake Manthal Buddha - Day 8
Shigar Valley
This day trip takes you to the fertile Shigar Valley. Cross the Indus River and follow the Shigar River past wide sand banks to reach the lush green valley, famous for its fruit orchards. Visit the Amborik Mosque in this community of Tibetan-descended Balti people and have lunch at Shigar Fort. Later, you'll return to Skardu for a late afternoon hike up to the 8th century Khorpocho Fort on a hill overlooking the city, where impressive boundary walls still stand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Shigar Fort), Dinner
Included Activities
- Shigar Valley drive
- Amborik Mosque visit
- Shigar Fort lunch
- Khorpocho Fort hike
Landmarks Shigar Valley Indus River Amborik Mosque Shigar Fort Khorpocho Fort - Day 9
Skardu to Gilgit
Drive back to the Karakorum Highway, following the Indus River with views of white water rapids. You'll stop at Katchura Lakes and see local wild apricot trees. Arrive in Gilgit, an important historic town from the Kushan Empire. See the 7th century Kargah Buddha rock carving, explore the old British cemetery and the eclectic bazaar. If the timing works out, you might catch a polo match, which is extremely popular throughout the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Katchura Lakes stop
- Kargah Buddha visit
- Old British cemetery visit
- Gilgit bazaar exploration
Optional Activities
- Polo match viewing (subject to match schedule)
Landmarks Katchura Lakes Kargah Buddha Rakaposhi - Day 10
Gilgit to Passu
Drive north on the Karakorum Highway under Rakaposhi's shadow to reach Hunza, a valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks. From Borith Lake at 2600m, take a 2-hour walk up to a viewpoint beside the huge Passu Glacier. The saline waters here are said to be good for skin, and the site serves as an important sanctuary for migrating wildfowl. Return to your hotel for dinner featuring Indian and Chinese influences.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with Indian and Chinese influences)
Included Activities
- Passu Glacier hike (approximately 2 hours from Borith Lake)
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Borith Lake's saline waters
Landmarks Borith Lake Passu Glacier Ultar Lady Finger Diran Rakaposhi 
- Day 11
Passu
A short drive and walk bring you to the Hussaini Suspension Bridge, the second longest man-made hanging bridge in the world. It stretches several hundred metres across the Hunza River with just wooden boards and wire ropes between you and the rushing water below. Follow the river downstream to Gulmit village and visit the Pamiri Musical School and local museum. Then check out the KORGAH weaving center where traditional weavers create hand-woven textiles supporting rural women artisans. End at Baltit Fort in Karimabad, a 700-year-old palace perched on a cliff with views of Ultar glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hussaini Suspension Bridge visit
- Gulmit village visit
- Pamiri Musical School visit
- Local museum visit
- KORGAH weaving center visit
- Baltit Fort visit
Landmarks Hussaini Suspension Bridge Hunza River Gulmit Baltit Fort 
- Day 12
Karimabad to Gupis
Head south and west into the Hindu Kush Mountain Range. Drive from Gahkuch to Gupis through the Gupis Valley, where locals go about their everyday farming lives. Your guesthouse offers nice views down the valley to Phander Lake, which is famous for trout fishing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hindu Kush Mountain Range drive
- Gupis Valley drive
Optional Activities
- Trout fishing at Phander Lake
Landmarks Hindu Kush Mountain Range Gupis Valley Phander Lake 
- Day 13
Gupis to Mastuj
Journey through alpine meadows, winding past turquoise rivers and streams over the mighty Shandur Pass at 3720m, home to the world's highest polo ground. Every July, Chitralis and Gilgities compete here for the trophy. Catch a glimpse of snow-capped Tirich Mir mountain as you reach the quiet village of Mastuj for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Shandur Pass drive
Optional Activities
- Polo match viewing at Shandur Pass (July only)
Landmarks Shandur Pass Tirich Mir - Day 14
Mastuj to Chitral
Travel on a traditional trade route that traders have used for centuries between Chitral and Gilgit. After lunch, explore Chitral's streets and alleyways. The bazaar sits under the shadow of icy Tirich Mir at 7708m. Browse an eclectic selection from merchants of the Punjab and Afghanistan, including semi-precious stones, locally woven cloth, and famous chitrali caps. Have dinner at Kabuli Restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at Kabuli Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Chitral bazaar exploration
- Dinner at Kabuli Restaurant
Landmarks Tirich Mir 
- Day 15
Garam Chashma
Drive to Garam Chashma, famous for its hot sulphur springs. Many visitors come seeking relief from various ailments ranging from migraines to other conditions. The springs are popular for their healing properties. Return to Chitral in the afternoon with free time to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Garam Chashma hot springs visit
Optional Activities
- Bathing in hot sulphur springs
Landmarks Garam Chashma - Day 16
Chitral to Kalash Valleys
Visit the Kalash people inhabiting the nearby valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet, and Birir. Their exact origins are lost in antiquity, though some believe they descend from Alexander the Great's soldiers. They've inhabited these valleys for at least 1500 years. See their distinctive black gowns, hand-spun wool, and woven wool headgear adorned with cowry shells and buttons. Visit Rumbur village and stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kalash valleys visit
- Rumbur village visit
Landmarks Rumbur Valley Bumburet Valley Birir Valley - Day 17
Kalash Valleys
Walk to Nuristani village and back to Rumbur, then drive to the Bumburet Valley. Visit Bumburet village and the Kalash Museum to learn more about the unique culture and traditions of the Kalash people.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nuristani village walk
- Bumburet village visit
- Kalash Museum visit
Landmarks Nuristani Village Bumburet Village Kalash Museum - Day 18
Kalash Valleys to Chitral
Return to Chitral and visit the Summer Palace at Birmoghlasht at 2743m on the hilltop above town. The Mehtar, former rulers of Chitral, stayed here during the summer season. Enjoy a short hill walk with lunch and valley views. Drive back to Chitral and visit the Old Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with views during hill walk), Dinner
Included Activities
- Summer Palace visit
- Birmoghlasht hill walk with lunch
- Old Mosque visit
Landmarks Summer Palace Old Mosque - Day 19
Chitral to Islamabad
You're scheduled for a flight back to Islamabad today. However, mountainous terrain and weather may prevent flights from operating. If flights aren't possible, you'll return by road instead. Any payment for a flight upgrade would be made locally.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Flight to Islamabad (subject to weather conditions, payment made locally if necessary)
- Day 20
Rawalpindi
After a short drive, visit Taxila Museum and the remains of Jaulian monastery. Taxila was once the seat of Oriental culture and learning under Ashoka the Great, reaching its height during the Gandhara period. In the afternoon, do half-day city sightseeing: explore old Rawalpindi at Raja Bazaar and its silver and gold bazaars to see traditional craftsmen. Continue on Murree Road linking the twin cities, then to new Islamabad. Visit Daman-e-koh viewpoint at 1100m for bird's-eye views. End at Shah Faisal Mosque before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Taxila Museum visit
- Jaulian monastery remains visit
- Raja Bazaar exploration
- Silver and gold bazaars visit
- Daman-e-koh viewpoint visit
- Shah Faisal Mosque visit
- Rawalpindi city sightseeing
Landmarks Taxila Museum Jaulian Monastery Raja Bazaar Daman-e-koh Faisal Mosque 
- Day 21
Islamabad
You have free time today until your transfer to Islamabad airport for your flight home. If you'd like to extend your stay, extra nights and additional guiding and transport can be arranged in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. You could also add a visit to Lahore to see the Fort, Mosque, and Gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Lahore extension with Fort, Mosque, and Gardens visit
