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Pakistan · Culture
The journey
This 12-day journey through Pakistan combines Mughal heritage, Buddhist archaeology, and dramatic mountain landscapes across Lahore, Islamabad, Hunza, Passu, Khunjerab, and Swat. Explore landmarks such as the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Faisal Mosque, Taxila, and the Kargah Buddha, then follow the Karakoram Highway into the breathtaking Hunza Valley and up to Khunjerab Pass, one of the world's highest border crossings. Along the way, enjoy views of Rakaposhi, Nanga Parbat, and the meeting point of the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush ranges. The tour also offers time in Swat Valley, with its orchards, rivers, mountain scenery, and glimpses of local culture.
This 12-day journey through Pakistan combines Mughal heritage, Buddhist archaeology, and dramatic mountain landscapes across Lahore, Islamabad, Hunza, Passu, Khunjerab, and Swat.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Transfer to the hotel and rest in the morning.
Drive to the tomb of Mughal Emperor Jehangir and his beloved Queen Noor Jehan, adjoining the Caravan Sarai, the resting place of Emperor Akbar.
Enjoy a welcome dinner at a typical Punjabi restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.
Pay homage at the shrine of the learned Sufi saint who came here in the 11th century, Daata Hajveri.
Witness one of Lahore's great landmarks, the historic Badshahi Mosque.
Enter Lahore Fort, a mosaic of Mughal architecture, with its Palace of Million Mirrors.
Choose the Delhi Gate to enter the old walled city of Lahore.
Take a walk through the crowded bazaar and enter the Wazir Khan Mosque.
Visit the historic Shalimar Garden in the evening, with its 414 fountains.
Overnight at the hotel.
Have breakfast and drive to Islamabad.
Visit the salt mines on the way and arrive in Islamabad.
Go on an afternoon sightseeing tour of the twin cities of Islamabad and Pindi.
Enter Faisal Mosque, the landmark of Islamabad.
Visit Daman-e-Koh on top of a hill for panoramic views of Islamabad.
Drive on Constitution Avenue and see the President House, Parliament, Supreme Court, and other state buildings.
Visit Pindi's colourful Raja Bazaar for bargain shopping.
Overnight at the hotel.
Drive to Besham and onward to Taxila, the capital of Buddhist Gandhara civilization, 28 km away.
Visit the ruins of a former city, Sirkup, a former monastery, Jaulian, built on top of a hill, and the splendid site museum that contains artefacts from the sites.
Have lunch and drive through the beautiful, lush green valleys of the Mansehra District towards the Karakoram Highway (KKH).
Take a 4-5 hour drive and stop for the night at Besham.
Drive to Gilgit, the capital of Pakistan's Northern Areas.
Cross a Chinese-made bridge at Thakot/Babusar Pass and enter the Indus River gorge.
Have lunch in Chilas and stop at Thalichi, the best viewpoint for Nanga Parbat (8,125 m), also known as the Killer Mountain. It is the 9th highest peak in the world and the second highest in Pakistan after K2.
Get a view of Rakaposhi (7,788 m) and the Haramosh range from here.
Stop at the point where the world's three highest mountain ranges - the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush - meet.
Follow the Gilgit River to Gilgit city.
Cross a suspension bridge over the river to reach Kargah and visit the Buddha carved into the rocks during the 7th century AD.
Drive on to the breathtaking Hunza Valley, again following the old Silk Route used by Buddhist monks and traders.
Make a short stop at the Rakaposhi (7,788 m) viewpoint.
Overnight at Hunza View Hotel in Karimabad.
Take a short walk to the Altit and Baltit forts and other parts of the valley, which is ringed with majestic peaks - Rakaposhi 7,788 m, Diran 7,266 m, Ultar 7,400 m, and Golden 7,027 m.
Catch glimpses of the beautiful Nagar Valley on the other side of the river. The friendly, long-lived people of Hunza are mostly self-sufficient, growing wheat, maize, apricots, and walnuts, and making their own clothes, shoes, and wooden and stone bowls.
Take an afternoon walk to the Ultar Glacier via the village irrigation channel.
Stroll through the single-lane bazaar for better views of the soaring peaks around you.
Overnight at Hunza View Hotel.
Travel further north into the Gojal Valley to Passu. About 70 years ago, Passu used to be the second largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad.
Take a morning walk to the Passu Glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way).
Enjoy the stunning views of Shispar (7,611 m) and Passu Peak (7,478 m).
Have lunch at the lodge and visit the 800 ft suspension bridges of Passu/Hussani that are still used by the local people.
Overnight at the lodge.
Drive overland to the highest border crossing in the world at 4,733 m - the Khunjerab Pass between Pakistan and China. The pass also marks the end of the Karakoram mountain range and the beginning of the Pamir Range.
Make a stop at Sost, the last check post in Pakistan for customs and immigration formalities.
Continue along the Karakoram Highway beside the Khunjerab River.
Visit Khunjerab National Park, where sometimes one can see ibex, Marco Polo sheep, and snow leopards.
Drive back to Passu.
Overnight at the lodge.
Drive back down the Hunza River valley on the Karakoram Highway.
Enjoy new views of the amazing array of mountain peaks.
Overnight at Besham on the banks of the Indus River.
Leave the KKH at Besham and drive towards Swat through the Shangla Pass. The valley of Swat, surrounded by the mighty Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges, is a land rich with fruit-laden orchards, flower-filled slopes, meandering rivers, and tumbling streams.
Visit the towns of Saidu Sharif and Mingora.
Overnight in a Mingora hotel.
Head to Kalam, 2000 m above sea level, in the Upper Swat Valley.
Visit Bahria on the way, a town beside the Swat River where trout fishing is a favourite pastime.
Drive back to Mingora to stay overnight at the hotel.
Begin early in the morning from Swat to Lahore.
Travel along the Grand Trunk Road, which was first constructed by the Pathan Emperor of the United Indian Empire, Sher Shah Suri.
Make a stop where the road crosses the Indus River at Attock to take a photograph of the meeting point of the Indus and Kabul rivers.
Reach Lahore by evening.
Transfer to Lahore Airport for departure.
Where this trip takes you
Badshahi Mosque, Hunza Valley, Passu Glacier, Khunjerab Pass
The route
The fine print
Accommodation on a twin-share basis at standard category hotels in towns.
Meals: half-board during the tour.
Air-conditioned transport on the Karakoram Highway, Hunza, Swat, and Lahore.
Tips and portage at the airport and hotels.
English-speaking local guide.
Domestic and international airfares and airport taxes.
Any expenses due to the cancellation of flights, landslides, other natural calamities, or acts of God.
Personal expenses.
Entrance fees at sites and museums.
Lunch and soft drinks are not included.
Warm clothes
Personal medicine
Valid visa with passport
PCR test report
Before travelling to Pakistan, check your flight and booking with the tour operator. If you need any assistance, please feel free to ask; our staff will help you in this regard.
Logistics
Your 12 days finish where they began, in Lahore.
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