Border Information: If joining in Lahore, you will most likely enter Pakistan at Allama Iqbal International Airport (IATA code: LHE).There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10.00am - please look out for a note from your leader at the reception of the joining hotel upon arrival with more details about this important meeting.After the meeting we will visit the Old Walled City with its narrow, dimly lit alleys. Here you should be able look at all the local handicrafts and jewellery through the Bazaars. In the late afternoon we will drive to Wagah border to watch the flag lowering ceremony. The lowering of the flags is a daily military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have jointly followed since 1959.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Lahore before the start of your trip with us - please contact your sales agent if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Lahore.
After breakfast we will have a full day city tour of Lahore. Some of the highlights will include a visit to Lahore Fort the Badshahi Mosque, Jahangirs Tomb and the Lahore Museum.
Today we will have a full drive day to Islamabad. En route we will stop at the Rohtas Fort where we will have time to explore this historic, imposing monument. In the late afternoon we will reach the old city of Rawalpindi and the Raja (king) Bazaar. A stop in the silver and gold bazaars will give us an insight into watching the traditional craftsmen at work.
Today we have a full drive day along the Karakorum Highway to the village of Besham. Depending on road conditions and if we have time we hope to visit Taxila en-route, an archaeologist's paradise.
Today we will continue on the Karakoram Highway making our way past the small town of Chilas. Eventually we will leave the truck behind and continue on in jeeps making our way to Tarashing in the Astore Valley. The scenery is absolutely stunning as we follow the Karakorum Highway and along the Indus river. We will travel through beautiful gorges, beneath high rock walls and over the rushing river!
Over the next two days we will have a chance to stretch our legs as we will start our hike to Nanga Parbat - Herrlikoffer Base Camp. The village of Tarashing is watered by the Tarashing Glacier which allows the route to the base camp where you have unsurpassed views of Nanga Parbat ( 8126m ). The fields around the village offer picturesque scenery and the flower blossom in summer is superb!Our walk today will take us approximately 3 - 4 hours depending on fitness and we will reach an altitude of 3,600 metres. Tonight we plan to camp at the Herrlikoffer Base Camp.
After an early breakfast at the base camp we will follow our steps back down to Tarashing Village to meet our jeeps again and then continue on to the town of Skardu. On the way we will travel through Deosai National Park which is the second highest plateau in the world after Chang Thang Plateau in Tibet.
After a leisurely breakfast and a good nights sleep, we will take a short drive to the fertile Shigar Valley. Here we will visit the impressive Amborik Mosque and the Shigar Fort. Once we are finished exploring here we will head back to Skardu where we will have the option to go to the Bazaar in the afternoon or hike to the Khorpocho Fort where we can get an impressive view over the town.
This morning we have another big drive through the Karakorum Range to the city of Gilgit. It is located in the heart of the Karakorum, surrounded by lofty peaks, the most majestic being the Rakaposhi which stands at 7788 metres.
We will rejoin our overland truck today and continue our journey north stopping at the Rakaposhi view point for lunch where we will hopefully get a good view of the snowy peak. We should arrive in Karimabad in the afternoon and have a chance to stretch our legs before we take jeeps to the small village of Duikar, here we will have a stunning panoramic view of the Hunza Valley at sunset before sitting down for dinner.
This morning we will jump in the jeeps back down to Karimabad and visit Baltit Fort which was the old palace of Mirs of Hunza. In the afternoon we will walk along the main water channels which will give us the chance to see Hunza at its best.
We will have an early start today as we make our way to Borit Lake where we will have the chance to hike to Passu Glacier viewpoint. The walk takes about 3 - 4 hours. On the way we will visit the picturesque Gulmit Village. Here we will take some time to look around the local museum and the Pamiri Music School if it is open .This afternoon we will make our way back to Karimabad where we will stay for the night.
Today we will have an early start as we have a full day's drive back down along the picturesque Karakoram Highway. Depending on road conditions we will hope to cross over the Babusar Pass at 4173metres and make our way to Naran where we will overnight.
This morning we will complete our drive back to the bustling city of Islamabad. Once we have arrived and checked into our hotel you will have free time to relax or explore the city and one of its many local bazars.
Border Information: If finishing in Islamabad, you will most likely exit Pakistan at Islamabad Gandhara International Airport. (IATA code: ISB)Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trips in Islamabad. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore the city.
