Tramping North Pakistan

At Islamabad – the Federal capital of Pakistan, transfer to hotel for fresh ups and drive to Besham/Narran. En route visiting Taxila, the capital of Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is reputed as one of the most important archaeological sites of the sub-continent. We visit the ruins of a former city (Sirkup), a former monastery (Julian) built on top of a hill, and the splendid site museum that contains the artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. Here one could also see the gold & silver coins of Alexander The Great (326 BC) and local kings. After Taxila, we proceed towards the Karakoram Highway passing through the lush green valleys of Mansehra District, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the valley. Karakoram High way is the joint effort of Pakistan and China. Its completion took 20 years. 300 Chinese and 600 Pakistanis sacrificed their lives for the completion of this road. Overnight stay at Motel. (4/5 hours, 200 km)

Besham/ Narran – Gilgit (Meet The Indus)
Morning drive on KKH to Gilgit. The capital city of the Northern areas of Pakistan. At Thakot, we cross Chinese-made bridge to enter the gorge of the Indus River. For centuries the traders and Buddhist missionaries used this branch of the Silk Route. There are many rock carving sites of that time: Spatial rock carving is one of them. Lunch in Chilas, we stop at Thalichi for the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8,125m) the 9th highest peak of the world and the second-highest after K 2 in Pakistan, also known as the killer mountain. Rakaposhi (7,788m) and the Haramosh range can also be viewed from here. As we drive north we arrive at the meeting point of the mountain ranges. The three highest mountain ranges of the world Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush meet where the Indus River is joined by Gilgit River. We continue along the Gilgit River, overnight at Hotel. (4/5 hours, 320 km)

We drive out from Gilgit to re-enter the town from the historic route, crossing a suspension bridge over the river. At Kargah to visit the rock-carved Buddha from 7th century AD. In ancient times the Kargah valley used to be the traveling route of the Buddhist monks, to go to Taxila. Stroll down the colorful Bazaars of Gilgit. The tour will continue to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza valley through a scenic route. On our way, we see the old Silk Route used by the Buddhist monks and traders. En route short stay at Rakaposhi (7,788m) viewpoint. Enter the Hunza valley and arrive at the capital Karimabad. Overnight at Hotel. (2/3 hours, 110 km)

Day free in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts, and for other explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives. You can also see some beautiful peaks of Karakoram rang from Karimabad; Rakaposhi 7788m, Diran 7266m, Ultar 7400m, Golden 7027m peak, and the Nagar valley on the left bank of 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. The people are very friendly and cheerful. In the afternoon you could walk to Ultar glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village or stroll through the single lane bazaar for better views of soaring peaks around you. Overnight at Hotel.

A short drive through the heart of Karakoram. We stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of virgin Gulmit tower. Walkthrough the village fields visit the Polo ground and old houses. Later take a short trek to Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake. As you end your trek near Borit Lake, the transport will pick for 15 km drive to Passu. Passu is a small charming village in the backdrop of soaring Passu Cones, with Passu and Batura glacier at short walking distance. Walkthrough the village to see the village life. Some 70 years ago Passu used to be the second-largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad. The glacier upstream on the Hunza river moved down to create a large dam, that later broke and destroyed the fertile fields and houses. Now the river occupies the major share of the valley with the village on its right bank. Walk to the Passu glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way). From the snout of the glacier, you have fascinating views of Shispar ( 7,611 m) and Passu Peak (7,478 m). Visit the famous suspension bridges of Passu; These 800 feet long bridges over the Hunza River are still in use by local people. Overnight at Lodge.

Driving back on the Karakoram Highway we shall reach Raikot Bridge over the Indus River. Here we leave our transport to shift in soft-top 4×4 jeeps for short but exciting jeeps safari on the narrow jeep track to small Tatto village. Here we leave our jeeps to start the trek for Fairy Meadows at the foot of Nanga Parbat (8125 m), the ninth highest peak in the world, also known as “The Killer Mountain” as many climbers have died while attempting to reach the top. It is a beautiful wide trek and after an hour’s walk on this fairly easy path, we will have the first view of Nanga Parbat. After a few turns, the trek is washed away due to landslides. After three hours’ walk, we shall reach the lush green Meadows of Fairies. Camp overnight. (9/10 hours – 3200 meters)

Day at Fairy Meadow with the option to trek to the Base Camp of Nanga Parbat after crossing the glaciers. We shall carry pack lunch from our camp at Fairy Meadow and have it at the Base Camp and then return to our camp. The view of the Mountain, the glacier flowing from it and the pine forests at foothills is just superb.

In the morning we will walk for about 2/3 hours to reach Tatto to catch the jeeps. From Tatto, we will drive down to Raikot bridge to on Karakoram Highway and continue our drive to Gilgit. Arrive in Gilgit and transfer to hotel. Evening free. Overnight at the hotel. (6/7 hours)

Jeep drive to Phander with occasional drop-offs from the jeep for interesting walks along the trek. As we drive, we bid farewell to the Karakoram range and enter the Hindukush range. Wild landscape meets us during the drive as this route is visited by much less people and is snow-covered during the winters so only nomads move with their flock of goats, searching the higher slopes for green pastures. Camp overnight. (4/5 hours – 3200meters

From Phander the Jeep-track passes over the Shandur Pass (3500m) to Mastuj. At Shandur top we leave the jeeps and walk over the pass to the highest Polo ground in the world. This is where every year a grand festival of Polo takes place where teams from all of North Paãistan meet together to decide the Champion of the year. Many enthusiasts attend the festival from every village, who camp here for days to see their team progress towards the glory. Then we will drive to Laspur village. After Laspur village a zigzag jeep track descends down towards Mastuj, We Continue drive to Mastuj for overnight camping. (6/7 hours – 3000 meters)

Morning drive from Mastuj village, along the Chitral River, which flows in
the main valley bed. The landscape of the Hindukush range appears much arid and dry, as this area is outside the reach of the monsoon and receives very little rain. We stop at a small village for lunch and then continue, now enjoying fascinating views of snow-clad peaks reaching 4,500 meters. Arrive Chitral and after some rest drive to Kalash valley. Visit Bumburet and Birir villages in Kalash valley. Here we will experience the unique landscape of Kalash valley, and meet the local population during their daily life. Overnight camping in Birir village. (6/7 hours – 3000 meters)

Morning drive to Peshawar. Proceed towards Lowari Pass (3,200 Meters). The ascend is very interesting as it encounters around 96 Hairpin turns to bring you to the top of Lowari Pass. Descend to Dir, Chakdara, and Malakand Pass and arrive Peshawar, Peshawar has always been important in the history of the sub-continent because of its location by Khyber Pass & Gandhara civilization. The city is now known more for its special feeling of being a frontier town than for its monuments. Arrive and transfer to the hotel overnight. (9/10 hours – 1350 meters)

In the morning we will visit the street of story-tellers: Kissa Khawani Bazaar, the street of Gold (Kasera bazaar), Karavan Serai, Mahabat Khan Mosque & Museum of Peshawar, known for its collection of Gandhara artifacts. Drive to Islamabad while traveling on the Grand Trunk Road laid down by the Pathan Emperor of the United Indian Empire: Sher Shah Suri. You may stop for a photo at the meeting point of Indus & Kabul Rivers just beyond Attock Bridge. Overnight Hotel. (170 km, 670 meters)

Last day in Pakistan goodby and see you next time