14-Day Northern Pakistan Tour to Hunza and Skardu with Village Life

• 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.

• 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.)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.)

• 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.

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