14 Jeep Safari Baltistan & Hunza Gojal Pakistan

OVERVIEW

(June – October)

Day To Mode Time Height Stay

0 Depart for Pakistan flight

1 Arrive Islamabad Van/ bus full day 570 hotel

2 Shogran Van/ bus 5/6 2400 hotel

3 Naran Van/jeep 5/6 2800 hotel

4 Babusar – Chilas /Astor Van/jeep 6/7 1200 hotel

5 Skardu Van/jeep 7/8 2287 hotel

6 Shigar – Khaplu Van/jeep 5/6 2350 Hotel

7 Hushe Van/jeep 2/3 3000 Hotel

8 Kachura Lake Van/jeep 6/7 2300 Hotel

9 Gilgit Van/jeep 7/8 1600 hotel

11 Karimabad Van/jeep 4/5 2250 hotel

11 Karimabad Van/jeep full day 2250 hotel

12 Besham / Narran Van/jeep 5/6 1200 hotel

13 Islamabad Van/jeep 11/12 570 hotel

14 Depart for home flight

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 00 Fly to Pakistan

Day 01 Arrive Islamabad

Welcome reception on arrival at federal capital of Pakistan and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the twin cities of Islamabad & Pindi. Enter Faisal Mosque - the landmark of Islamabad. Visit Daman-e-Koh on top of hill for panoramic view of Islamabad, drive on Constitution Avenue for looking at President House, Parliament, Supreme Court & other state buildings. Also visit Pindi’s colorful Raja Bazaar for bargain shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 Islamabad - Shogran – Sari Paya

Drive to Kaghan Valley. 34 km from Islamabad is Taxila, the archaeological site of former capital of Gandhara Buddhist civilization dating from 500 BC to 500 AD. We visit the splendid site museum, a former monastery and the city of Sirkup. Later we head north into the Himalayan foothills and pass through Abbotabad, a garrison town, and at Balakot enter the Kaghan Valley. The 92 mile long Kaghan valley is one of the loveliest Green-Himalayan areas in Pakistan. (180 km, 7/8 hours)

Day 03 Shogran - Saiful-Maluk Lake, Naran (3200 m)

As we travel through Kaghan, we pass hamlets with stone and wood homes surrounded by rice fields. We follow the Kunhar River and may encounter the caravan of handsome Gujjar nomads with their loaded horses until we reach the village of Naran (2,427 m), backed by the river. We visit Saiful-Maluk Lake, where the peak of Malka Parbat (5390 m) is mirrored in the deep blue waters. This lake was named after Prince Saiful-Maluk who fell in love with a fairy whom he saw bathing in the lake! Camp overnight. (70 km, 5/6 hours)

Day 04 Drive Lalazar – Basel, Across Babusar Pass to Chilas/ Astor Rama Alke

We follow the Kunhar River and head north, like the Gujjars, and see their temporary summer settlements as we proceed to Basel (3,266 m), a highland pasture with a cluster of stone houses that blend into the rocky hillside. At lake Lulusar, just beyond Basel, jeep tracks lead to the Babusar Pass (4150 m) with the source of the Kunhar River and also the boundary of Kaghan valley with northern areas. The ride across the pass offers extensive views of flowers like pink bistro, blue delphiniums, edelweiss and other flowers reaching white summits. We descend to the town of Chilas /Rama Lake on the bank of mighty Indus River, meals and overnight at hotel. (6/7 hours)

Day 05 Chilas - Astor Rama Lake/ Skardu

From Chilas we follow Karakoram Highway reputed as the eight wonder of the world. We follow Indus River towards north and arrive at the place where the three highest mountain ranges of the world meet - Karakoram, Himalayas & Hindukush. Indus and Gilgit River also meet here at this unique place. We turn east from here for Skardu. This exciting mountain road that cuts through the deep & narrow gorge of Indus River, offers many challenging views. The landscape is mostly very dry and wild, villages and settlements along the way are fewer and perched high on the steep mountain slopes. Just before Skardu, the valley suddenly opens up and becomes wide. The roaring & charging river becomes peaceful and clam. Arrive and explore the capital of Baltistan, Skardu town. 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 become an enormous oval basin at 2,300 meters enclosed in purple, red, gray, and ochre mountains. Stroll down the narrow bazaar, climb up the cliff to visit the historic "Kharpocho" fort. Overnight camp at Satpara Lake, a deep blue shimmer just fifteen minutes drive from Skardu.

Day 06 Skardu - Shigar & Khaplu Valleys.

The gentle, irrigated slopes with terraces of wheat, maize and barley, and the 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 at town, we drive to adjoining Khaplu valley. Khaplu, the largest kingdom in old Baltistan, stretches in a wide fan from the base of a semicircular wall of mountain, 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 alluvial fan. Overnight hotel at 2,600 meters.

Day 07 Khaplu (Excursion to Hushe valley)

Board soft-top 4x4 jeeps for exciting ride to the trek head for K2 base camp. En route short stay in Machlu village for view of Mashabrum Peak (7821 meters). Arrive Hushe, a small green village with many beautiful camping sites. It is the starting and ending point of many trekking and mountaineering parties coming or going to Concordia. Overnight hotel at 3200 m.

Day 08 Drive to Upper Kachura Lake

Drive back to Skardu. Short stay in Skardu town and continue drive for another 30km for heart shape lower Kachura Lake. Visit Shangri-La resorts around lower Kachura Lake one of the most beautiful resorts in northern Pakistan. Proceed further four kilometers to upper Kachura Lake. Overnight camping at upper Kachura Lake.

Day 09 Drive to Gilgit

Enjoy your last breakfast at safari camp, and say Khuda Hafiz to your camping staff who had been pitching tents for you and preparing meals for you during the safari. Drive on Skardu road through the deep gorge of Indus River to Gilgit. Visit rock-carved Kargah Buddha from 7^th century AD. In the 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. (180 km, 5/6 hours drive).

Day 10 Gilgit to Hunza Karimabad.

We continue to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza Valley through a scenic route. On our way we see the old Silk Route, perched precariously above the riverbank, used by the Buddhist monks, traders and the locals. As we drive north along the Hunza River, the view is suddenly overtaken by the towering summit of Rakaposhi (7,788m). We stop a while at the view viewpoint to have a grand view of the 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 range from Karimabad; Rakaposhi, Diran, Ultar, Golden 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. 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 soaring peaks around you. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11 Karimabad - Passu (Upper Hunza Valley)

Short drive through the heart of Karakoram. We stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of virgin Gulmit tower. Walk through 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. Walk through 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 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 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 Hunza River are still in use of local people. Overnight at Lodge.

Day 12 Hunza – Besham/ Narran

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

Day 13 Besham / Narran - Islamabad

Full day drive on Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. We start early in the morning, to cover the 12 hours long drive. Short stay in Besham for lunch, by evening we shall reach Islamabad. Transfer to hotel. (500km, 12/13 hours drive)

Day 14 Departure Morning transfer to airport for departure flight to homeward destination.