12-Day Jeep Safari in Skardu and Hunza via Babusar Pass

1

Day 01

Arrival in Islamabad and Twin Cities Sightseeing

• Welcome reception on arrival in the federal capital of Pakistan, followed by a transfer to your hotel.
• In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Enter Faisal Mosque, the landmark of Islamabad.
• Visit Daman-e-Koh at the top of the hill for a panoramic view of Islamabad, then drive along Constitution Avenue to see the President House, Parliament, Supreme Court, and other state buildings.
• Also visit Rawalpindi's colorful Raja Bazaar for bargain shopping. Overnight at the hotel.

2

Day 02

Drive via Lalazar and Babusar Pass to Chilas or Rama Lake

• We follow the Kunhar River and head north, like the Gujjars, seeing their temporary summer settlements as we proceed to Basel (3,266 m), a highland pasture with a cluster of stone houses blending into the rocky hillside.
• At Lake Lulusar, just beyond Basel, jeep tracks lead to Babusar Pass (4,150 m), the source of the Kunhar River and the boundary between Kaghan Valley and the northern areas. The ride across the pass offers extensive views of flowers such as pink bistort, blue delphiniums, edelweiss, and other blooms reaching toward the white summits.
• We descend to the town of Chilas or Rama Lake on the bank of the mighty Indus River for meals and an overnight stay at the hotel. (6/7 hours)

3

Day 03

From Chilas or Rama Lake to Skardu

• From Chilas, we follow the Karakoram Highway, reputed to be the eighth wonder of the world. We travel along the Indus River toward the north and arrive at the place where the three highest mountain ranges of the world meet - the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush. The Indus and Gilgit rivers also meet here at this unique place.
• We then turn east toward Skardu. This exciting mountain road cuts through the deep and narrow gorge of the Indus River and offers many dramatic views. The landscape is mostly dry and wild, with fewer villages and settlements perched high on the steep mountain slopes.
• Just before Skardu, the valley suddenly opens up and becomes wide. The roaring and charging river becomes peaceful and calm.
• Arrive and explore Skardu town, the capital of Baltistan. Formerly Buddhist, Skardu was called Tibet Khurd (Little Tibet) and was an important stop on the old route to Tibet and the district of Ladakh.
• Here, the Indus River joins the Shigar River to form an enormous oval basin at 2,300 meters, enclosed by purple, red, gray, and ochre mountains.
• Stroll through the narrow bazaar, then climb the cliff to visit the historic Kharpocho Fort. Overnight camp at Satpara Lake, a deep blue shimmer just fifteen minutes' drive from Skardu.

4

Day 04

Explore Shigar and Khaplu Valleys

• The gentle, irrigated slopes with terraces of wheat, maize, and barley, along with orchards of apricot, mulberry, peach, plum, pear, apples, and nuts, all add to the charm of Shigar Valley, surrounded by snow-topped mountains. The town displays impressive carved wooden houses and mosques.
• After lunch in town, we drive to the adjoining Khaplu Valley. Khaplu, the largest kingdom in old Baltistan, stretches in a wide fan from the base of a semicircular wall of mountains, dropping some 300 meters to the river level. Paths and irrigation channels connect the scattered houses set amid terraced fields, and the friendly villagers welcome visitors.
• We shall visit the historic wood-carved mosque dominating the valley from the top end of the alluvial fan. Camp overnight at 2,600 meters.

5

Day 05

Excursion to Hushe Valley

• Board soft-top 4x4 jeeps for an exciting ride to the trek head for K2 Base Camp.
• En route, make a short stop in Machu village for views of Mashabrum Peak (7,821 meters).
• Arrive in Hushe, a small green village with many beautiful camping sites.
• It is the starting and ending point of many trekking and mountaineering parties coming from or going to Concordia. Overnight camp at 3,200 m.

6

Day 06

Lower and Upper Kachura Lakes

• Make a short stop in Skardu town, then continue the drive for another 30 km to the heart-shaped Lower Kachura Lake.
• Visit the Shangri-La resort around Lower Kachura Lake, one of the most beautiful resorts in northern Pakistan.
• Proceed a further four kilometers to Upper Kachura Lake. Overnight camping at Upper Kachura Lake.

7

Day 07

Drive from Skardu to Gilgit

• Say Khuda Hafiz to your camping staff, who have been pitching tents and preparing meals for you during the safari.
• Drive on the Skardu road through the deep gorge of the Indus River to Gilgit.
• Visit the rock-carved Kargah Buddha from the 7th century AD. In ancient times, Kargah Valley used to be the route traveled by Buddhist monks on their way to Taxila.
• Stroll through the colorful bazaars of Gilgit. (180 km, 5/6 hours drive)

8

Day 08

Scenic Drive to Hunza Karimabad

• We continue to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza Valley through a scenic route.
• On the way, we see the old Silk Route, perched precariously above the riverbank and once used by Buddhist monks, traders, and local people.
• As we drive north along the Hunza River, the view is suddenly overtaken by the towering summit of Rakaposhi (7,788 m).
• We stop for a while at a viewpoint to enjoy a grand view of the mountain.
• Enter Hunza Valley and arrive at its capital, Karimabad. Overnight at the hotel. (100 km, 2/3 hours drive)

9

Day 09

Free Day in Karimabad and Hunza Valley

• Enjoy a free day in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts and for further exploration in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives.
• You can also see beautiful peaks of the Karakoram range from Karimabad, including Rakaposhi, Diran, Ultar, Golden Peak, and the Nagar Valley on the left bank of the Hunza River. In Hunza, each family grows enough wheat, maize, apricots, and walnuts for its own use. The people are mostly self-sufficient, making their own clothes, shoes, wooden and stone bowls, and growing all their own food. They are very friendly and cheerful. In the afternoon, you could walk up to Ultar Glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village, or stroll through the single-lane bazaar for better views of the soaring peaks around you. Overnight at the hotel.

10

Day 10

Drive from Hunza to Besham or Naran

• Drive along the bank of the Hunza River on the Karakoram Highway, enjoying fascinating views of Karakoram peaks from a different perspective.
• We might stop in Gilgit town for lunch.
• Arrive in Besham or Naran on the bank of the Indus River for an overnight stay at the hotel. (260 km, 6/7 hours drive)

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Day 11

Return Drive to Islamabad

• Full-day drive on the Karakoram Highway to Islamabad.
• We start early in the morning to cover the 12-hour journey.
• Make a short stop in Besham for lunch, and by evening we shall reach Islamabad. Transfer to the hotel. (500 km, 12/13 hours drive)

12

Day 12

Departure from Islamabad

• Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your homeward destination.