Itinerary

1. Day 1: Islamabad- Pakistan

   • Fly to Islamabad- Pakistan

2. Day 2: Arrival to Islamabad and can have flight to Gilgit at the same day of arriva

   • Depending on the schedule we arrive between 1 and 4 am and have to wait a few hours (between 1 and 3 hours) before taking an internal flight to Gilgit, which allows you to have a spectacular view of the majestic Nanga Parbat massif (8,125 m). 
   • In Gilgit we take the time to settle into the hotel and meet the guide for our trek. 
   • Depending on the choices it is rest, and for those who want, with our guide we visit the city ideally located on the Silk Road for the caravans heading to Kashgar, the Shina language is still the vernacular language in Gilgit, unlike the Khowar spoken in Chitral. 
   • Yet, as in the Swat Valley, Buddhism has left its mark, and we thus have the opportunity to admire the Kargah Buddha, sculpted on a rocky cliff dating back to the 7th century, then the Gilgit bazaar, where we stay to sleep at the hotel. 

   By plane about 1 hour 15 minutes

   Meals: Meals will be in restaurants in Gilgit

   Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Gilgit

3. Day 3: Gilgit-Naltar

   • From Gilgit, we take the road parallel to the KKH to head north into Hunza, from where we can admire the imposing views of Rakaposhi (7,788 m) and Hunza Kunji (7,785 m). We enter the Naltar valley and go all the way to the top, to Bangla, formerly a mountain pasture for Gujar shepherds, the extension of the track has brought tourism and a few hotels. 
   • If time permits, we go for a short acclimatization walk around the village and can even go and see a snow leopard kept in captivity in the Naltar park. Night at the hotel in Naltar.By private vehicle, 2 hours drive from Gilgit at an altitude of about 2875 m

   Meals: breakfast at the hotel – lunch – dinner in the restaurant 

   Accommodation: overnight stay at the hotel

4. Day 4: Naltar

   • This morning you will walk around 3 hours to Lake from the main Naltar (zero point), on a jeepable road that will be our part, we took advantage of this day to go to the lakes on foot and perfect our acclimatization gently. 
   • Here you will meet with your staff, cook, preparing loads for the porters for the next day. You may hike around and overnight will be in a tent that will be the first camp on this trek. 
   • These lakes of altitudes with various shapes and different depths, offer magnificent contrasting colours. We extend our walk a little further and set up our camp in peace at the foot of the mountains announcing the atmosphere for the rest of our trek. 
   • 3-4 hours trek/hike with around ascent of 550 m and altitude of about 3270 m 

   Meals: breakfast at the hotel – picnic lunch – dinner at the bivouac 

   Accommodation: night in a tent

5. Day 5: Lake Naltar — Lower Shani

   • This time we start the trek proper to go to Lower Shani, a place where the Gujar shepherds reside in summer. 
   • We rise and can see behind us the beautiful lakes of Naltar. 
   • We continue our way between birch forests and mountain pastures, before reaching the Shani camp at the foot of the glacier of the same name. 
   • It is around 4-5 hours trek and distance is around 10KM and altitude is 3700M 

   Meals: breakfast in tent, picnic lunch – dinner in tent 

   Accommodation: night in a tent

6. Day 6: Lower Shani — Shani

   • Today, we follow the undulating moraine, by mountainside trails offering an impressive view of the glacier. 
   • Then, we continue our progression towards the pass and set up camp at Shani (3,960 m), facing the superb Shani peak (5,887 m). 
   • Once settled, we take a short hike to continue our acclimatization by climbing higher to see he superb valley that is offered to us and admire the majestic glacier and summit that overlooks us. 
   • A short day to better prepare for the next day when we will cross the pass. Night in Bivouac. 
   • It is about 3- 4 hours trek with a distance of 6 km and the ascent of 250M and altitude is around 3960M 

   Meals: breakfast in a bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in a bivouac A

   ccommodation: night in a tent

7. Day 7: Shani — Pakora Pass (4,630 M) — JUT/UTZ

   • Today, a big day awaits us with the crossing of the Pokhara Pass located at 4,630 meters above sea level. 
   • We take a route where the greenery gives way to rocky passages sometimes covered in snow, before arriving on the flat area. 
   • We reach the pass after a good three hours of walking. 
   • Once at the pass, we are rewarded with a superb view of the surrounding peaks. 
   • We continue down the moraine and scree following a snowy path that leads us to a beautiful glacier. 
   • After a few more technical passages we reach a peaceful and relaxing mountain pasture at 3,350 meters above sea level in the small hamlet of Utz, which means spring in Khowar. 
   • This is where we set up our camp for the night. It is about - 8 hours and distance is about 14 km and the altitude is 4630 M pass crossing with 780 assent and 1360M decent

   Meals: Breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in bivouac

   Accommodation: night in a tent at an altitude of 3350M

8. Day 8: JUT — Pakora

   • In the morning, we descend to the village of Pakora by a superb path sometimes dug into the rock and used for centuries by the locals. 
   • We thus find the atmosphere of the middle altitudes and return to the valley of Ishkomen, populated by wakhis of Ismaili religion and whose main language is still Shina, but also Burushahki. 
   • A unique language, linked to no other, which was once spoken throughout Gilgit Baltistan, and which is no longer used today except by the inhabitants of the valleys of Yasin, Ishkomen and Nagar. 
   • Night in a guest house. 
   • It is about 5-6 hours trek and distance is 15 km with 130M ascent and 1300M decent and altitude is 2200M

   Meals: breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in guest house

   Accommodation: Night in guesthouse

9. Day 9: Pakora — Asumbar

   • Today, the day is dedicated to rest. 
   • We reach the neighboring village by the track. 
   • A jeep takes us to Asumbar located in the Ishkomen valley and prepares our trek the next day with this time donkeys and mules for the portage. 
   • We sleep if possible at the inhabitant's house or in a tent.
 
   • This day can also serve as a buffer day in case we need an additional acclimatization day or in case of bad weather during the first trek. 
   • In a 4x4 jeep, drive around 1 hour in the village and the altitude is 2200M 

   Meals: breakfast in the inn – picnic lunch – dinner in the bivouac 

   Accommodation: in a tent

10. Day 10: Asumbar — Lower Charinj

    • In the morning, we resume our walk with a long and gradual climb on a well-marked path that takes us higher in the shade of pines, birches, and cedars. T
    • hen, we walk along the river lined with rocks and large trees, revealing an atmosphere worthy of the great Canadian spaces! 
    • After a few hours of walking, we set up our camp in the large Charinj mountain pasture, where wood and water abound. 
    • This is where shepherds sometimes come with their flocks between May and October. 
    • If luck is on our side, we will be able to go and meet them and share a little time with them. Night in a tent. 
    • It is about a 6-7 hours trek with a distance of 15 km an ascent of 1200M and 50 M descent at an altitude of 3400M

    Meals: breakfast at a local’s house – picnic lunch – dinner in a bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent at 3400 M

11. Day 11: Lower Chirinj — Borta Borti

    • In the morning, we continue our gradual ascent along the river, on a pleasant path. 
    • We set up camp once again in a peaceful setting, surrounded by mountains, and potentially inhabited by shepherds and their yaks. 
    • It is about 4-5 hours trek and distance of 9 km with an accent of 760 M at an altitude of 4240M

    Meals: breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent

12. Day 12: Borta Borti — Mayur

    • Today, we cross a new pass, that of Asumbar located at an altitude of 4,440 meters. 
    • It is the only pass in the region that our mules and donkeys can take. 
    • Another path leads to the Borta pass, more accessible in appearance, but whose descent, often snowy, makes it impassable for our pack animals. 
    • From the Asumbar pass, the view is breathtaking on the peaks of Hunza on one side, and on the other, to the west, those of the Hindu Kush massif. 
    • It is sometimes possible to see its highest point, the Tirich Mir which peaks at an altitude of 7,708 meters. 
    • Finally, we descend to the camp where we pitch our tents at an altitude of around 3,600 meters. It is about 6-7 hours and distance is 11 km ant crossing Pass that is 4400M with 320 ascent and 920 M decent and camp is 3550M

    Meals: breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent at the altitude of around 3550M

13. Day 13: Mayur — Sandhi

    • In the morning, we resume our walk and continue our descent, long but pleasant this time, towards the Yasin Valley. 
    • Same population and same language spoken. 
    • The Yasin Valley is an isolated valley which, like that of Ishkomen, leads towards the north and the Darkot Pass. 
    • Beyond, it is the Broghil Valley and Afghanistan, a succession of passes often used by merchant caravans, but still closed and forbidden to tourism currently. 
    • We finish our journey by vehicle to go to sleep in a guesthouse in the neighbouring village of Thaus. 
    • It is about 5-6 hours trek and 1 hour by 4 x4 jeep that is 17 Km with 50M ascent and 1100M decent at altitude of 2600M

    Meals: breakfast at the bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner at the inn

    Accommodation: overnight stay in a guesthouse

14. Day 14: Sandhi — Tsigir

    • In the morning, we take the jeeps again to reach the start of our third trek which will allow us to reach the Hindu Kush and the province of KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). 
    • We begin our hike in the village of Nialthi, where Ismailis reside who are curious to meet us, and with whom we can have tea and chat while the team sets up for the trek. 
    • To reach our evening camp, we go back up the green valley and the mountain pastures before setting up our camp on a green and welcoming terrain, bordered by small houses delimited by stone walls, evidence of a local life still very much present. 
    • It is around 2 hours by jeep and 3-4 hours trek 11 Km with 300M ascent at the attitude is 3100M

    Meals: breakfast in the inn – picnic lunch – dinner in the bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent

15. Day 15: Tsigir — Gashuchi

    • Today, we gradually leave the houses and cross the Ramanch camp to find ourselves once again immersed in the wild beauty of the valleys of northern Pakistan. 
    • After about 1h30 of walking on a small path, we reach the Aghost glacier.
    • The passage of the glacier is not very technical but requires a great physical effort because of the climb between ice and moraines. 
    • We must progress in a group to be sure to follow the same route. 
    • If it is sometimes marked with cairns, the indications and directions given by our guide and our porters remain much more reliable. 
    • We set up our camp after the glacier on stony but flat ground, suitable for bivouac and offering a majestic view. 
    • It is about 8 hour trek, the distance is 15 km with 1220M ascent and 230 descent at an altitude is 4000M

    Meals: breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent at 4000M

16. Day 16: Gashuchi — Galpigol

    • Today, we start the day by crossing a long scree slope to the Thui pass (4,510 m), about a two-hour walk. 
    • This is the last pass to cross on this long 14-day trek. Once at the pass, we finally pass into the KPK province and the Hindu Kush region. 
    • From here we have very beautiful views of the surrounding massifs, that of Thui and other peaks in between which culminate between 6,000 and 7,000 meters above sea level. 
    • The descent is again in a scree slope, and after good passages between the rocky blocks, we enjoy a well-deserved break in the greenery. 
    • We set up our camp in Galpigol at 4,100 meters above sea level or a little lower. 
    • Night in a tent with a very beautiful view of the Gazin glacier. 
    • It is about 6-7 hours trek, distance 7km with accent of 350 M and 530 descent and cross the Pass 4510M and camp at 4000M

    Meals: breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent

17. Day 17: Galpigol — Nichagh

    • In the morning, we continue our descent along the moraine and cross the last sections strewn with stones, to finally find the mountain pastures and the valley that opens up before us. 
    • The first shepherds' camps appear and the first villages are not far away. 
    • In Nichagh, we finally set up our camp at an altitude of 3,100 meters, for our last night in a tent. It is about 4 hours trek for a distance of 12 km with 60 M ascent and 11M descent and altitude around 3000M camp

    Meals: Breakfast in bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner in bivouac

    Accommodation: night in a tent

18. Day 18: Nichagh — Mastuj

    • Today we finish our descent and after about 2 to 3 hours of walking we arrive at Sholkuch where we find our jeeps which take us to Mastuj. 
    • Night in a guesthouse in Mastuj or a little further in Parawak towards Chitral. 
    • It is around 3-4 hours trek 5 km with 280 m descent at altitude 2200 then by jeep 2 hours drive to Mastuj

    Meals: breakfast at the bivouac – picnic lunch – dinner at the inn

    Accommodation: overnight stay in a hostel

19. Day 19: Mastuj — Kalash Bomburet

    • In the morning, we continue our journey towards Chitral, the central city of the Hindu Kush. 
    • Then drive 2 hours to Kalash Valley of Bumburet, overnight at hotel in Bomburet

20. Day 20: Kalash— Islamabad

    • Early in the morning, we continue our journey back to Islamabad. 
    • On the way, we visit the historical site of Takht-e-Bahi, an ancient Zoroastrian complex converted to Buddhism under the art of Gandhara and registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 
    • At the end of the day we reach Islamabad. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. It is 8-9 hours drive

    Meals: breakfast at the hotel – lunch in the way in a restaurant– dinner at the restaurant 

    Accommodation: overnight stay at the Guest House in Islamabad

21. Day 21: Islamabad

    • The day is dedicated to visiting the city of Islamabad, including the Shah Faisal Mosque, Daman-e-Koh or the Lok Virsa Museum Heritage Museum which offers a very complete and magnificent collection of crafts from the country and Central Asia (entrance fees to be paid on site). 
    • In the evening, we meet for a last meal together at the Kabul restaurant (or similar), a must! 
    • This day also serves as a buffer day to compensate for any possible setbacks during the trip. 
    • In the event of a delay, the visit to Islamabad could not be assured. 
    • Meals: breakfast at the hotel – lunch on your own (not included) – dinner on your own (not included) 
    • Accommodation: overnight stay at the hotel

22. Day 22: Departure From Islamabad

    • Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport and flight to homeland.