Pakistan · Culture

12-Day Culture and History Tour of Pakistan via the Karakoram Highway

12 Days Round trip from Islamabad Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Drive to Hunza Valley and see the enchanting lush green Nagar and Hunza valleys
02 Explore Baltit Fort and Altit village, and shop at the traditional and colourful Bazaar of Karimabad
03 Wake up to the beautiful sunrise over Diran Peak with views of Golden Peak
04 Head to Gahkuch Valley for spectacular views of Gahkuch and Selfi village
05 Visit the heritage sites of the Taxila Museum and the Dharmarajika Stupa site

Sign up for a 12-day culture, history, and nature tour through Pakistan's highlights along the famous Karakoram Highway. Travel through Gilgit Baltistan and the Ghizer Valley, see the 800 m long Hindu Kush mountain ranges, and visit Shangri-la Resort and Satpara Lake. Explore heritage sites such as the Taxila Museum and the Dharmarajika Stupa site, and marvel at the architecture of Altit Fort and Baltit Fort.

Enjoy views of the Karakoram Mountains and Nanga Parbat, 8126 m.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Islamabad, Abbottabad, Taxila, Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas, Mansehra, Besham, Nanga Parbat

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Islamabad

Meet your tour guide upon arrival in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02

Islamabad to Chilas via the Karakoram Highway

Start your guided tour with a visit to Chilas from Islamabad.
Depart early in the morning for Chilas at 5:00 am.
Journey along the Karakoram Highway.
Stop over at Abbottabad.
Stop over at Mansehra.
Stay in Bisham.

Day 03

Chilas to Skardu with Karakoram Mountain Views

Have an early morning breakfast at 6:00 am.
Depart early in the morning at 7:00 am.
Enjoy views of the Karakoram Mountains and Nanga Parbat, 8126 m.
Arrive in Skardu at approximately 4:00 pm.

Enjoy free time for sightseeing and an overnight stay.

Day 04

Skardu, Shigar Valley, and Khaplu Valley

Start your guided tour with your Pakistani guide and visit the following attractions today:
- Shigar Valley and the Shigar viewpoint.
- Khaplu Old Mosque and Khaplu Bazaar.
- Khaplu village and the small villages along the way.

Day 05

Khaplu to Skardu via Lakes and Resort

Have breakfast early in the morning and use your day to explore the surrounding area.
Visit Shangri-la Resort and Satpara Lake.
Enjoy boating at Upper Kachura Lake.

Day 06

Skardu to Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway

Have an early morning breakfast at 5:30 am.
Depart for Gilgit at 6:30 am for a full-day drive.
Travel through the Karakoram Highway (KKH).
Arrive in Gilgit city for your overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07

Gilgit to Gupis via Gahkuch

Have breakfast and travel to Gahkuch.
Enjoy sightseeing and photography in Gupis Valley and at Khalti Lake.
Have dinner and an overnight stay at Phander.

Day 08

Gupis and Phander to Gilgit City

Depart for Gilgit and explore Gilgit city.
Visit Kargah Buddha and go on a Gilgit city tour.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09

Gilgit to Hunza via the Old Silk Road

Have an early breakfast and stop at the remaining Old Silk Road in Chalt.
Stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint, at 7788 m.
Stop at Nasirabad to take photographs of Rakaposhi.
Visit Baltit Fort and Altit Fort.
Explore Karimabad Bazaar and enjoy an overnight stay at Karimabad, Hunza.

Day 10

Hunza, Nagar, and Attabad Lake

Drive to Hopper Valley in Nagar.
Explore Nagar Valley and stop at the viewpoint of Hopper Glacier.
Drive to Attabad Lake for boating and sightseeing.
Visit Hussaini Suspension Bridge.
Visit Ghulkin and Passu villages.

Overnight stay at Gulmit or Passu.

Day 11

Attabad and Passu to Bisham

Drive back to Besham on the Karakoram Highway (KKH), the junction point of three great mountain ranges.
Explore Kohistan Valley and see the Indus River.

Overnight stay at Bisham.

Day 12

Gilgit to Islamabad with Taxila and Faisal Mosque

Drive to Islamabad, arrive in the city, and explore it.
Depart early in the morning for Islamabad.
Explore Abbottabad.
Learn about the history of the Taxila Museum.
Pay your respects at the Faisal Mosque.
Travel to the Margalla Hills.
Transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

End of the journey.

Where this trip takes you

Karakoram Highway, Hunza Valley, Baltit Fort, Satpara Lake

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Islamabad 9 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Invitation letter
Airport transfers
Accommodation
Breakfast
Transportation and fuel
Services of an experienced English-speaking Pakistani tour guide
All ground transfers
Expenses of the driver and guide
Boating at Attabad Lake
Entrance ticket to Altit and Baltit Forts
All toll taxes
All parking charges

What's Not Included

International flights
Meals
Extras at hotels such as drinks, laundry, phone calls, and room service
Mineral water
Insurance liability
Tips and items not mentioned above
Anything else not mentioned above

Know before you go

We also organise customised Autumn tours for solo travellers, families, and groups. Please feel free to ask for more details.
On this exciting 12-day journey through the natural splendours of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, the group has the opportunity to visit many of the region's beautiful landscapes, including Skardu, Khaplu, Shigar Valley, Hunza Valley, Nagar Valley, Ghizar Valley, Gojal Valley, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, Hussaini Suspension Footbridge, and many other exciting spots. The tour also includes visits to the most historical forts in each region, including Altit Fort and Baltit Fort.

Logistics