7-Day Hunza Valley and Passu Tour via the Karakoram Highway

• Take a morning flight to Islamabad, Pakistan's capital city.

• At the airport, you will be met by the tour representative and begin the 28 km drive to Taxila, the ancient capital of the Buddhist Gandhara civilization, regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites on the subcontinent.

• Here, visit the ruins of the former city of Sirkup, the hilltop former monastery of Julian, and the splendid site museum containing artefacts excavated from the area. Among these are gold and silver coins from the time of Alexander the Great (326 BC).

• After lunch, head towards the Karakoram Highway (KKH) via the beautiful lush green valleys of Mansehra District. The highway was a joint project between Pakistan and China and took 20 years to complete. During its construction, 300 Chinese and 600 Pakistani workers lost their lives.

Overnight at the motel. (4-5 hour drive, 200 km).

• Drive early in the morning to Gilgit, the capital of Pakistan's Northern Areas. Cross a Chinese-made bridge and enter the Indus River gorge.

• For centuries, this branch of the Silk Route was used by traders and Buddhist missionaries. There are many rock carving sites dating back to that time, including the carvings at Shatila.

• After lunch at Chilas, stop at Thalichi, the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8125 m), the 9th highest peak in the world and the second-highest in Pakistan after K2, also known as the Killer Mountain. There are also spectacular views of Rakaposhi (7788 m) and the Haramosh Range from the same spot.

• As you drive north, reach the meeting point of the world's three highest mountain ranges - the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush. At this amazing place, the Gilgit River also joins the mighty Indus. Follow the Gilgit River to Gilgit.

• After crossing a suspension bridge over the river, reach Kargah and visit the 7th-century Buddha carved into the rock. In ancient times, the Kargah Valley was used by Buddhist monks as a route to and from Taxila.

• The tour continues along the breathtaking Hunza Valley, where you will be able to see the original Silk Route used by both traders and monks.

• En route, make a short stop at the Rakaposhi (7788 m) viewpoint before arriving at Karimabad, the capital of the Hunza Valley.

Overnight at the hotel. (7-8 hour drive, 180 km)

• Enjoy a free day in Karimabad with time for short walks to the Altit and Baltit forts and for further exploration of the Hunza Valley. There are superb views of the Karakoram Range from here - Rakaposhi 7788 m, Diran 7266 m, Ultar 7400 m, and Golden Peak 7027 m - along with glimpses of the Nagar Valley on the other side of the river.

• The friendly, long-lived people of Hunza are almost self-sufficient, growing wheat, maize, apricots, and walnuts, and making their own clothes, shoes, and wooden and stone bowls.

• In the afternoon, there will be time to walk to the Ultar Glacier by following the irrigation channel through the village, or to stroll through the single-lane bazaar and enjoy more spectacular views of the mountain peaks soaring around you.

Overnight at the hotel.

• Today, take a short drive into the heart of the Karakorams.

• Stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of the unclimbed Gulmit Tower. Walk through the village fields to visit the polo ground and historic houses, and later take a short trek to the Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake.

• Your transport will meet you near Borit Lake to take you the 15 km to Passu. Passu is a charming village set against a backdrop of the soaring Passu Cones, with the Passu and Batura glaciers within short walking distance.

• About 70 years ago, Passu was the second largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad.

• However, the glacier upstream on the Hunza River began to advance, creating a dam which later broke, washing away houses and fertile fields. Now the river occupies the major share of the valley.

• There will be time for a walk through the village before your overnight stay at a lodge. (1 hour, 50 km)

• Take a morning walk to the Passu Glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way).

• From the snout of the glacier, there are spectacular views of Shispar (7611 m) and Passu Peak (7478 m).

• Visit Khunjerab Pass on the Pak-China border and return to the lodge for lunch.

• Afterwards, visit the famous suspension bridges of Passu. These 800-foot-long bridges over the Hunza River are still used by the local people.

Overnight stay.

• Drive back along the Karakoram Highway (KKH), following the Hunza River and enjoying the amazing views of the Karakorams.

Spend the night at Besham / Chilas on the banks of the Indus River. (6-7-hour drive, 260 km)

• Start early for the 5-hour drive along the KKH to Islamabad, with a short stop at Abbottabad for lunch.

• Transfer to the airport for the flight to your home destination. (5-6 hour drive, 195 km).