Epic roads and DIVERSE HUMANITY
SEPTEMBER 01 ⇾ SEPTEMBER 15
In addition to our regular group departures to Pakistan, we also offer tour services for private travel parties and lone wolves alike. As a traveller-oriented boutique operator, tailored trips and bespoke adventures are our bread and butter. Get in touch for more info on our customised journeys to Pakistan!
DAY 1 TO DAY 2 – Islamabad AND Rawalpindi
Meet-and-greet at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to our hotel of choice in Islamabad.
Introductory briefing about the region, the route and the set of rules to observe while travelling in Pakistan.
We'll spend our first two days in Northern Pakistan exploring the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area, a densely populated megalopolis where the country's past, present and future bump into each other amidst exotic bazaars, traditional architecture, and modernist shapes.
Overnights in Islamabad.
DAY 3 TO DAY 4 – Peshawar
After an early breakfast, we'll drive north to Peshawar, a fascinating frontier city of fading colonial grandeur, ancient Pashtun traditions and tumultuous existences.
Besides touring Peshawar’s top sights – such as the Mahabat Khan Mosque and the Qissa Khawani Bazaar – we’ll also take some time to truly go off the beaten path (as if the mere fact of being a tourist in Peshawar wasn’t offbeat enough) and visit the notorious Badaber neighbourhood, the dramatic theatre of a heroic Soviet-led prison riot in 1985.
Overnights in Peshawar.
DAY 5 – Swat Valley
We’ll leave Peshawar in the morning and move north towards the picturesque Malakand Pass, visiting the magnificent Buddhist monastery of Takht-i-Bahi en route.
We'll then travel amidst the enchanting slopes of the Swat Valley and stop at the world-famous Churchill's Picket along the way.
Overnight in the Swat Valley.
DAY 6 TO DAY 7 – Chitral
We'll start early in the morning and head for Chitral, a lively Pakistani market town and the gateway to access the almost mythical land of the Kalash.
We'll devote two days to the exploration of the Rumbur and Bumburet valleys: impervious roads, towering mountains, and secluded hamlets inhabited by the Kalash people, also known as kafiri (infidels), an animistic Indo-European ethnicity rumoured to share the same blood with the brave soldiers of the Ancient Macedonian Army.
Overnights in Chitral.
DAY 8 – Mastuj
In the morning we'll transfer to the transit townlet of Mastuj enjoying breathtaking glimpses of the Hindu Kush along the way: the scenic route leading to Mastuj carves its way through starkly gorgeous mountainscapes and has been used for centuries by traders travelling between Chitral and Gilgit.
Late afternoon arrival in Mastuj and dinner at a local chaikhana (tea house).
Overnight in Mastuj.
DAY 9 – Gupis
We'll continue our odyssey across North Pakistan's untamed borderlands and enter the realm of the Karakoram, a mountain range spanning the borders of China, India, and Pakistan, with the northwest extremity of the range extending to Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
We’ll cross the awe-striking Shandur Pass, home to the highest polo ground in the world, and then reach the leafy settlement of Gupis on the southern bank of the Gilgit river in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Gupis.
DAY 10 to DAY 12 – Hunza AND NAGAR
Today we’ll driver further east and head for the lovely town of Karimabad in the Hunza-Nagar Valleys, with excellent views of the Rakaposhi and Ultar peaks along the way.
Once in Karimabad, we’ll take a short tour around town and then spend the following days exploring the areas inhabited by the Burusho people, an isolated Indo-Aryan ethnic group mostly adhering to the Ismailitic branch of Shia Islam.
Highlights of our three-day sojourn in the valleys will include: the ancient Hunza forts of Baltit and Altit, the old stone houses and watchtowers of Ganish, the otherworldly sight of the Hopper Glacier and the spectacular Passu Cones, also known as the “Cathedral”.
During our time in the valley we'll also have the unique chance to meet with Burusho farmers and herders, who will share with us their food, their home, and the secrets of their endangered culture.
Overnights in Karimabad.
DAY 13 – Gilgit
Today we’ll drive back south to the ancient Silk Road city of Gilgit, home to a photogenic mountain bazaar and impressive Buddhist rock carvings.
Free afternoon in Gilgit at your own leisure to explore the market or relax at the pool of our hotel (or both).
Overnight in Gilgit.
DAY 14 – Skardu
From Gilgit we’ll travel southeast and enter Kashmir, the famously disputed territory that has long been at the core of the seemingly endless conflict between India and Pakistan.
Our final destination will then be the much-celebrated town Skardu, a beloved mountain retreat of crystal-clear lakes and mystic altitude deserts.
Overnight in Skardu.
DAY 15 – FAREWELL TO THE MOUNTAINS
After sharing a last Pakistani meal together, we'll take care of your transfer to Skardu Airport for your flight back home via Islamabad.
End of the tour.
3995 €
INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast included), private transport in Pakistan (jeeps), all entrance fees, English-speaking guiding service, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance.
EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement, international flights, main meals (lunches and dinners), extra drinks, visa fees (if required), tips, travel insurance.
Located in the stunning mountains of northern Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan is a paradise for travelers seeking breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural experience. This remote region offers an unrivaled natural beauty, with towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and lush green valleys. Whether embarking on a challenging trek in the Karakoram Range, exploring ancient Buddhist and Tibetan monasteries, or immersing oneself in the vibrant local markets, there is something for every adventurer. The warm hospitality of the locals, coupled with the region's diverse cuisine, adds an extra layer of charm to this enchanting destination. Gilgit-Baltistan truly allows travelers to reconnect with nature, delve into history, and create unforgettable memories amidst its awe-inspiring surroundings.