OVERVIEW

(April – Nov)

Day                              To                           Mode               Time                Distance           Stay

Hour’s             km

1          Arr. Sost   via Khunjerab pass  Bus                         1                      40                   Hotel

2          -Karimabad                                 Bus                              2                      50              Hotel

3          Karimabad                                   Bus/Jeeps                                                            Hotel

4          -Gilgit                                            Bus                              3/4                   110          Hotel

5          - Chilas                                          Bus                              3                      110           Hotel

6          -Swat                                              Bus                              8/9                   305        Hotel

7          -Peshawar                                     Bus                              3/4                   140         Hotel

8          -Islamabad                                   Bus                              3/ 4                  180         Hotel

9          Islamabad                                     Bus                                                                       Hotel

10        Departure

DETAIL ITINERARY:        

 Day  01 Arrive at Sost

First Pakistani Custom and immigration post after Khunjerab Pass border. Here you will complete the border formalities and say good bye to your Chinese Guide and Driver. Transfer to the Pakistani bus with Pakistani Guide. After lunch at Sost we start our drive to Passu. As we drive South from Sost the museum of landscape starts unfolding its secrets. Karakoram, meaning black - rock, gets very little rain fall and is dry. Stop at the charming village of Passu in the backdrop of Karakoram cones. Enjoying thrilling views of challenging Peaks rising 7000 meters and above. Overnight in Passu Tourist Lodge. (40 km,1hr drive )

Day 02, Passu -Karimabad  (Hunza)

Drive to Karimabad the capital of Hunza, with beautiful  views over Passu peak, Shisper Peak and  Virgin Gulmit Tower. Stop in Gulmit village to visit the local museum of Gulmit, experience the Suspension bridge over Hunza river, visit the Sacred  Rocks of Ganish near Ganish village the early settlement in Hunza valley .While in Hunza we are never short of views of soaring peaks. Small patches of sharp green fields irrigated by water from glaciers, provide a very sharp contrast to the mountains. Rakaposhi, (7,788m) greets us as we enter this Shangri-La on earth. Arrive Karimabad and transfer to hotel for fresh ups and lunch. Afternoon visit of Altit & Baltit forts. Overnight stay in hotel. (50 km 2 hours  drive )

Day 03 Explore Nagar Valley 

Board on 4x4 soft top jeeps in the morning and drive to Hoper  valley to see the most fast moving Glacier of the world .The beauty of Golden Peak (7027 meters) Lady finger and Ultar peaks around you .The fascinating view of the Nagar village. The former independent kingdom of Hunza valley. The beauty of fields and terraces will definitely fascinate you. Lunch in hotel and afternoon leisure in Hunza .

 Day 04  Hunza  - Gilgit

Morning drive towards Gilgit. Search for some precious stones along the Road near the last village of Hunza, as the area is famous for its precious stones production. Enjoy the closest view from the Karakoram Highway of Rakaposhi 7788m.  See the clear impact of continental collision near Chalt. Arrive Gilgit (1600m) for lunch. Visit Gilgit, its suspension bridge, the rock carving Kargha Buddha and stroll down its bazaars filled with people from remote mountain valleys. Gilgit is a big market these days of Chinese and Paksitani goods. Overnight hotel   (110 km ,3 hours drive ).

  Day  05   Nanga Parbat

Morning leisure at Gilgit. After lunch drive to Chilas. The view of Haramosh Peak 7409m from Karakoram Highway. Arrive at the meeting place of the world’s three highest mountain ranges: Karakoram in north, Himalayas in east and Hindokush in west. It is also the meeting point of Lion river Indus with Gilgit river, enjoy thrilling views from this unique place of  Nanga Parbat (8,125 M). Nanga Parbat is the 9^th highest mountain in the world and second to K2 in Pakistan .The most beautiful view over Nanga Parbat in the South, Stop at Chilas rock carvings from the Buddhist period .Overnight in  hotel           (130km  3hr Drive ).                                                                                                                                                              

 Day 06 Chilas -Swat Valley

Today we will leave the Karakoram Highway and enter into Swat valley. Karakoram Highway is reputed as the 8^th wonder of the world and this vital connection to North Pakistan & China cost 850 lives and took 20 years to complete. Driving along the Indus river through the Indus Gorge first we will stop near Chilas to visit the centuries old rock carvings of Buddhist period. After that stop at Besham for lunch and from Besham turn west and ascend to cross over Shangla Pass (2100m) leading to Swat Valley. We pass through the alpine landscape of Swat, with snow covered peaks, rice & barley fields perched along the steep slopes and arrive the twin capital cities of Swat Valley Mingora and Saidu Sharif.  Arrive and transfer to hotel for meals and overnight stay. (305 km, 8/9 hours drive)

Day  07 Swat -  Peshawar    

Morning visit Swat museum with a very good collection of Gandhara period. Swat valley is the part of Gandhara Buddhist civilization for us during this tour. Visit Butkara excavation site with its interesting Stupa near the museum. Drive to Peshawar, en route  stop at Takht-e-Bahi monastery the best preserved monastery from Gandhara Buddhist times in Pakistan. Continue drive to Peshawar centuries old town lies at confluence of Indian subcontinent with central Asia, currently capital of Frontier Province of Pakistan. Evening visit the Peshawar museum, the color full Bazaar of Peshawar. Mahabat Khan Mosque, Karavan Sarai, Qissa Kowani bazaar (Bazaar of story tellers) and the bazaar of Gold and Silver (Kasera bazaar). Overnight Hotel. (140 km,5/6 hours drive)

Day 08  Peshawar -Islamabad

Morning Excursion to Khyber Pass, border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the most important historic and strategic land route leading to Indian sub-continent. All the historic invaders including Alexander, the Macedonian, had used this (Grand Trunk Road) route to explore the wonders of fertile land that lies south of this Pass. Lunch at Peshawar. Later drive to Islamabad. En route  visit Taxila, former center of Gandhara Buddhist civilization. The splendid site museum and archeological site of former cities & monasteries. Provide an impressive insight to this civilization. Arrive Islamabad and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (180 km 3/ 4 hours Drive )

Day 9  Twin Cities

Full day city tour of the twin cities Rawalpindi  & Islamabad. Visit Lok Virsa museum in the federal Capital of Pakistan. Raja bazaar in Rawalpindi an interesting place to visit. Shakar Parian and Damn-e-Koh the view points of Islamabad. Overnight hotel.

Day 10   International Departure    

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