Itinerary
- Day 1
Islamabad
You'll arrive at Islamabad International Airport and head to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to unwind and shake off the travel.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Day 2
Islamabad to Khaplu
A scenic 1-hour flight takes you from Islamabad to Skardu, then you drive through Ghanche district, passing small villages and stopping at Thorgo Pari and where the Shayok and Indus Rivers meet. After traditional lunch in Yugo village, you can either trek to Kharfaq Lake (5 hours round trip) or take a cultural walk and meet locals. Later you'll drive to Khaplu, check into your hotel, and have free time to visit Khaplu Fort Museum and the organic garden. If weather cancels your flight, you'll drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at Yugo village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Fly from Islamabad to Skardu (scenic flight)
- Drive through Ghanche district and small villages
- Stop at Thorgo Pari
- Visit Shayok and Indus Rivers meeting point
- Photography stops along the route
- Traditional lunch at Yugo village
- Drive to Khaplu
- Visit Khaplu Fort Museum (leisure time)
- Visit organic garden (leisure time)
Optional Activities
- Trek to Kharfaq Lake (5 hours trek both ways)
- Cultural walk through Yugo village streets and meet locals
- Drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway (if flight cancelled)
Landmarks/POIs Thorgo Pari Shayok River Indus River Khaplu Fort Kharfaq Lake - Day 3
Khaplu
Start early with a hike to Toqsikhar, an old fort with views where the Shyok, Hushe, and Saltoro rivers meet. You'll see the architecturally significant Chaqchan Mosque, then drive to Macholo Valley to photograph Masherbrum Peak (K-1). After a cultural walk through Sailing village where you interact with locals, grab lunch at the Sailing fish farm and return to Khaplu. In the afternoon, visit Khanqah-e-Maula and head to Hanjor Broq to watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Sailing fish farm), Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning hike to Toqsikhar (old fort)
- Visit Chaqchan Mosque
- Drive to Macholo Valley
- Leisure time viewing Masherbrum Peak (K-1)
- Photography time
- Meet local people
- Cultural walk through Sailing village streets
- Lunch at Sailing fish farm
- Visit Khanqah-e-Maula
- Sunset viewing at Hanjor Broq
Landmarks/POIs Toqsikhar Chaqchan Mosque Shyok River Hushe River Saltoro River Masherbrum Peak (K-1) Macholo Valley Khanqah-e-Maula Hanjor Broq - Day 4
Khaplu to Shigar
You'll drive from Khaplu to Shigar Valley with photography stops along the way. Check out the famous Sarfaranga Cold Desert and Shigar Fort for lunch. Explore the fort museum and gardens, learning about this 17th-century fort built by the Raja of the Amacha Dynasty. End the day hiking up to the old fort to watch the sunset over the Shigar River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Shigar Fort), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Shigar Valley with photography stops
- Visit Sarfaranga Cold Desert
- Visit Shigar Fort
- Lunch at Shigar Fort
- Explore Shigar Fort Museum
- Explore Shigar Fort gardens
- Short hike to old fort for sunset
Landmarks/POIs Sarfaranga Cold Desert Shigar Fort Shigar River - Day 5
Skardu
A full day exploring the Skardu area starts with Shangri-La resort and optional boating, then a 20-minute walk through local houses and fields to Upper Kachura Lake where you can explore and boat freely. Head to Soq Valley for fishing and lunch. Walk to Nansoq village (50 minutes), a small organic village of just 11 homes with centuries of history, and spend leisure time with a host family before hiking back to Skardu (50 minutes). Stop at Skardu Bazar to shop for local handicrafts, jewelry, and carpets, then drive back to Shigar for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Soq Valley), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Shangri-La resort
- Drive to Upper Kachura
- Walk through local houses and fields
- Reach Upper Kachura Lake
- Free time to explore Upper Kachura Lake area
- Drive to Soq Valley
- Fishing in Soq Valley
- Lunch in Soq Valley
- Hike to Nansoq village (50 minutes)
- Leisure time with host family in Nansoq
- Hike back from Nansoq to Skardu (50 minutes)
- Visit Skardu Bazar for shopping
Optional Activities
- Boating at Shangri-La resort
- Boating at Upper Kachura Lake
Landmarks/POIs Shangri-La Resort Upper Kachura Lake Soq Valley Nansoq Village Skardu Bazar - Day 6
Shigar to Gilgit
You'll drive to Gilgit via Deosai Plains, the second highest plateau in the world. Along the way, visit Manthal Rock Buddha, Sadpara Lake, Ali Malik Top, Bara Pani, and Sheosar Lake (4114 m) with time to explore. The plains showcase 406 recorded flower species during summer months. You'll travel through small villages of Astore Valley to see a different culture, stop along Karakoram Highway for views of Nanga Parbat and where three highest mountain ranges meet. Check into your Gilgit hotel with free evening time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Gilgit via Deosai Plains
- Visit Manthal Rock Buddha
- Visit Sadpara Lake
- Visit Ali Malik Top
- Visit Bara Pani
- Visit Sheosar Lake
- Leisure time exploring Deosai Plains
- Travel through Astore Valley villages
- Stop at Nanga Parbat viewpoint
- Stop at junction point of three highest mountain ranges
Landmarks/POIs Deosai Plains Manthal Rock Buddha Sadpara Lake Ali Malik Top Bara Pani Sheosar Lake Astore Valley Nanga Parbat - Day 7
Gilgit to Hunza (Karimabad)
Drive to Hunza with stops at Berano suspension bridge (one of the region's oldest), Danyor tunnel, the collision point of two tectonic plates, an ancient Silk Route viewpoint, and Rakaposhi viewpoint. You'll pass through small villages in Nagar and Hunza valleys to witness local life. Check into your Karimabad hotel with free time, then take a 40-minute evening walk through the Samarqand Kohl water channel via apricot orchards. Later, drive 20 minutes to Dongo Das for stargazing under the dark sky before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Hunza
- Stop at Berano suspension bridge
- Visit Danyor tunnel
- Stop at collision point of two tectonic plates
- Stop at ancient Silk Route viewpoint
- Stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint
- Evening walk (40 minutes) through Samarqand Kohl
- Walk through apricot orchards
- Explore local culture
- Drive to Dongo Das for stargazing
- Stargazing experience
Landmarks/POIs Berano Suspension Bridge Danyor Tunnel Rakaposhi Samarqand Kohl Dongo Das - Day 8
Hunza (Karimabad)
Spend your full day in Hunza. A 30-minute hike takes you to 800-year-old Baltit Fort, then explore Karimabad Bazar for shopping. Visit 900-year-old Altit Fort and enjoy traditional lunch at Kha Basi Cafe, run by local women through Serena hotels. After lunch, visit the music school in Altit where local children learn traditional music and try playing regional instruments yourself. Visit Ganish village, Hunza's oldest settlement, and call on a local family. Drive to Duikar (2800 m) for a spectacular 15-minute hike to one of the world's best sunset viewpoints with views of Hunza and Nagar valleys and seven mountain peaks above 7000m. Return to Karimabad for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at Kha Basi Café (run by local women through Serena hotels)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Baltit Fort (30 minutes walk)
- Visit Baltit Fort
- Visit Karimabad Bazar
- Visit Altit Fort
- Traditional lunch at Kha Basi Café
- Visit music school in Altit
- Play traditional musical instruments (optional participation)
- Visit Ganish village
- Visit local family home in Ganish
- Drive to Duikar
- Hike to sunset viewpoint (15 minutes)
- Sunset viewing
Landmarks/POIs Baltit Fort Karimabad Bazar Altit Fort Ganish Village Duikar - Day 9
Hunza to Passu
Drive to Passu through numerous small villages in upper Hunza. Stop at Atabad Lake for boating, reach Gulmit village to walk through orchards and visit an old house and music school. Take a short 1-hour hike to Ondra Fort with free time to enjoy views of Passu Cones and upper Hunza. In the afternoon, drive to Borith Lake famous for migrating birds. You'll proceed to Passu with leisure time and can optionally trek to Passu Glacier beside the stream (2 hours round trip) and watch the sunset from Glacier Breeze Restaurant with tea and famous apricot cake. You may participate in a cultural event or spring festival if timing allows. Return to your Karimabad hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through upper Hunza villages
- Stop at Atabad Lake
- Reach Gulmit village
- Walk through orchards in Gulmit
- Visit old house in Gulmit
- Visit music school in Gulmit
- Hike to Ondra Fort (1 hour)
- Free time at Ondra Fort
- View Passu Cones
- Drive to Borith Lake
- Witness migrating birds at Borith Lake
- Leisure time in Passu
- Sunset experience from Glacier Breeze Restaurant
- Tea/coffee and apricot cake at Glacier Breeze Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Boating at Atabad Lake
- Trek to Passu Glacier beside the stream (2 hours trek both ways)
- Participate in cultural event/spring festival in upper Hunza
Landmarks/POIs Atabad Lake Gulmit Village Ondra Fort Passu Cones Borith Lake Passu Glacier - Day 10
Hunza (Hoper Valley)
Drive to Hoper Valley (1 hour, 2800 m). En route, visit Nagar Khas village in Nagar Valley to meet locals and see different culture, then visit Nagar Fort. Continue to Hoper village for a beautiful 2-hour hike to Hoper Glacier to experience walking on the glacier. Drive to Minapin village for leisure time and traditional lunch (Gurkun Karahi) while a local historian explains the region's history. After lunch, drive to KHO, a beautiful viewpoint, in local jeeps. Return to Karimabad in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch (Gurkun Karahi) in Minapin village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Hoper Valley
- Visit Nagar Khas village
- Meet locals at Nagar Khas
- Visit Nagar Fort
- Hike to Hoper Glacier (2 hours)
- Walk on glacier
- Drive to Minapin village
- Leisure time in Minapin
- Traditional lunch (Gurkun Karahi) in Minapin
- Local historian explanation of region's history
- Drive to KHO viewpoint in local jeeps
- Visit KHO viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Hoper Valley Nagar Khas Nagar Fort Hoper Glacier Minapin Village KHO - Day 11
Hunza to Gilgit
Drive to Khanabad village in lower Hunza and spend most of the day here. Live with a host family and participate in their routine activities. Visit fruit orchards, walk through streets, and meet locals including artisans and historians. Enjoy traditional lunch with your host family and can participate in meditation or yoga in the village if interested. In the afternoon, drive back to Gilgit and visit Kargah Buddha from the 7th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch with host family in Khanabad village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Khanabad village
- Experience village life with host family
- Participate in village people's routine activities
- Visit fruit orchards
- Walk through village streets
- Meet locals, artisans, and historians
- Traditional lunch with host family
- Visit Kargah Buddha
Optional Activities
- Meditation in the village
- Yoga in the village
Landmarks/POIs Khanabad Village Kargah Buddha - Day 12
Gilgit to Islamabad
Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad for a scenic 1-hour flight, then transfer to your hotel. After lunch, enjoy sightseeing in the capital. If weather cancels your flight, you'll drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad
- Transfer to hotel
- Sightseeing in Islamabad
Optional Activities
- Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway (if flight cancelled)
- Day 13
Islamabad
If you travelled by road yesterday because flights were cancelled, you'll arrive in Islamabad today. If you flew yesterday, today is for sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise on available options. One option is a day trip to Taxila Museum and archaeological sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Islamabad
Optional Activities
- Day excursion to Taxila Museum and archaeological sites
- Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway (if not completed on Day 12)
Landmarks/POIs Taxila Museum - Day 14
Islamabad to Airport
After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the airport for your international flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
