Itinerary

1. Day 01 – Arrival in Islamabad

   • Arrival at Islamabad International Airport.
   • Meet and greet by our guide, followed by transfer to hotel for check-in.
   • Free time to relax and recover from the journey.
   • Lunch at hotel.
   • Tour briefing and orientation by tour leader.
   • Visit Lok Virsa Museum to explore Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
   • Visit Shah Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in South Asia.
   • Evening visit to a local market for essential shopping and currency exchange.

   Overnight stay at hotel in Islamabad.

2. Day 02 – Islamabad to Skardu & Khaplu

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Morning transfer to Islamabad Airport for a scenic flight to Skardu (weather permitting).
   • En route, enjoy aerial views of Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram Range.
   • On arrival, drive to Khaplu (3 hours) via charming Baltistan villages.
   • Stop at Thorgo Pari (10 min) and Shyok–Indus confluence point (20 min) for photography.
   • 10–20 min walks across Keris suspension bridge for a local experience.
   • Visit Yugo village for 2-hour guided exploration of agriculture, fruit picking, water mills, and interaction with locals.
   • Traditional Balti lunch with a host family.
   • Continue drive to Khaplu and check in at hotel.
   • Late afternoon drive to Hanjore Broq (30 min drive + 30–40 min hike) for sunset view.

   Overnight stay in Khaplu.

   (In case of flight cancellation: drive from Islamabad to Chilas via Karakoram Highway, 10–12 hours.)

3. Day 03 – Hushey Village & Dumsum Hike

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Drive to Hushey village (2 hours) passing through Saling and Machulo.
   • Scenic drive through Baltistan’s rural landscape.
   • Explore Hushey village, the gateway to Masherbrum Peak and Gondogoro La trek.
   • Refreshment stop at a local restaurant.
   • Begin 3–4 hour round-trip hike to Dumsum, passing through fields and scenic valleys.
   • Return to Hushey, stroll through village streets, and interact with locals and climbers.
   • Visit Hushey Khanqa to learn about local religious culture.
   • Drive back to Khaplu for overnight stay.

4. Day 04 – Khaplu to Shigar

   • Early morning hike to Thoqsi Khar (Yabgo Khar), “Fort on the Roof,” offering panoramic views (1.5 hrs round trip).
   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Visit Khanqa Mulla Bala and walk through Banpi and Hundli villages.
   • Visit Astana Mir Muhammad, a UNESCO-recognized site (1 hour).
   • Drive to Kharko village (45 km / 1 hour) passing Saling and Sogha villages.
   • Meet a local host family and enjoy a traditional Balti lunch.
   • Explore agricultural sites and buckwheat fields.
   • Continue to Shigar via Skardu–Khaplu road (3 hours).
   • Visit Sarfaranga Cold Desert at sunset; leisure walk on dunes.
   • Drive to Shigar and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

5. Day 05 – Shigar Fort & Chutron Hot Springs

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Morning leisure time in Shigar Fort garden and visit Fort Museum & Ambriq Mosque.
   • Scenic drive to Chutron Hot Springs (4–5 hours) via Gulabpur, Tisar & Basha villages.
   • Explore Basha village, interact with locals and mountaineers.
   • Relaxing hot spring bath at Chutron, surrounded by Khusar Gang Peak.
   • Drive back to Shigar for overnight stay.

6. Day 06 – Skardu City & Upper Kachura Lake

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Drive to Skardu city (40 min).
   • 40-minute hike to Kharpocho Fort for panoramic views of Skardu and Indus River.
   • Drive to Upper Kachura Lake, walk through local houses and fields (20 min walk).
   • Free time for boating and photography at the lake.
   • Lunch and fishing activity at Soq Valley.
   • Afternoon hike to Nansoq Village (50 min), Baltistan’s first organic village.
   • Meet host family and explore local lifestyle.
   • Return to Skardu and visit Skardu Bazaar for handicraft and jewelry shopping.
   • Drive back to Shigar for overnight stay.

7. Day 07 – Shigar to Hunza

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Drive from Shigar to Hunza via Skardu–Juglot road and Karakoram Highway.
   • Stop at Astaq Nala and Three Mountain Ranges Junction (Karakoram, Himalaya, Hindu Kush).
   • Visit Karga Valley Buddha rock carving (7th century AD) in Gilgit.
   • Continue drive to Hunza via Berano suspension bridge and Danyor tunnel.
   • Photography stops at Silk Route viewpoint and Rakaposhi viewpoint.
   • Visit Nasirabad village (Lower Hunza); walk along Bari Yap water channel.
   • Pick organic fruits, meet storytellers, and interact with locals.
   • Lunch at a local host family home.
   • Drive to Karimabad and check in for overnight stay.

8. Day 08 – Karimabad & Hunza Valley

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Morning walk along Samarqand Kohl water channel (1 hour).
   • Visit Baltit Fort (800 years old) with 30-min approach walk.
   • Explore Ganish village (40 min), Hunza’s oldest settlement.
   • Drive to Altit village for lunch at Kha Basi Café (Serena-run).
   • Visit Altit music school (if open) to see children learning local instruments.
   • Explore Altit Fort (900 years old).
   • Drive to Duikar (2800 m) for sunset view over Hunza and Nagar valleys.
   • 15-minute hike to viewpoint for panoramic mountain scenery.
   • Dinner at a local restaurant in Karimabad Bazaar, followed by shopping.

   Overnight stay in Karimabad.

9. Day 09 – Upper Hunza & Passu

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Drive towards Upper Hunza via Gulmit and Passu.
   • Stop at Haldikish rock carvings for historical briefing.
   • Enjoy boating at Attabad Lake.
   • Visit Gulmit village – explore old houses, carpet center, and Bulbulik Music School (if open).
   • Hike to Ondra Fort (1 hour) for panoramic valley views.
   • Visit Borith Lake and take a 1-hour hike to Passu Glacier.
   • Explore Passu village, visit host family, and enjoy tea with locals.
   • Sunset tea and apricot cake at Glacier Breeze Restaurant.
   • Optional: attend local cultural event or dine at Yalk Grill Restaurant.
   • Drive back to Karimabad for overnight stay.

10. Day 10 – Minapin & KHO Meadows

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Drive to Minapin (Nagar Valley), gateway to Rakaposhi & Diran Peaks.
    • Interact with locals and enjoy scenic views.
    • Jeep ride to KHO Meadows (2 hours) for panoramic vistas and nature walk.
    • Return to Minapin for lunch at Osho Thang Restaurant, famous for Gurkun Karahi.
    • Drive back to Karimabad.
    • Visit Haiderabad Khun and KADO Hunar Khun (NGO craft center) if time allows.

    Overnight stay at hotel in Karimabad.

11. Day 11 – Hoper Valley & Hoper Glacier

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Drive to Hoper Valley (1.5 hours) at 2800 m elevation.
    • Stop at Hunza–Nagar confluence viewpoint.
    • Visit Nagar Khas village to interact with locals.
    • 2-hour hike to Hoper Glacier for stunning views.
    • Visit local gemstone and handicraft shops in Hoper.
    • Drive to Khanabad village (Lower Hunza).
    • Participate in local life: orchard visit, artisan meeting, and lunch with a host family.
    • Afternoon drive to Gilgit and check in for overnight stay.

12. Day 12 – Gilgit to Islamabad

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Morning flight from Gilgit to Islamabad (1 hour).
    • Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and lunch.
    • Afternoon visits to Pakistan Monument and Saidpur Village.
    • Dinner at Monal Restaurant overlooking Islamabad.

    Overnight stay at hotel.

    (If flight cancelled, drive via Karakoram Highway with short stops.)

13. Day 13 – Reserved / Taxila Visit

    • Reserved day for weather-related flight delays.
    • If flight proceeds on schedule, visit Taxila Museum and archaeological sites (Dharmarajika & Sirkap).
    • Evening return to Islamabad hotel for overnight stay.

14. Day 14 – Departure

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for international departure.