Complete Northern Pakistan
Complete Northern Pakistan: Pakistan, enigmatic, edgy, and intriguing, frequently generates headlines for all the wrong reasons. It is, however, a colorful and contrast-filled region that offers the adventurous tourist a remarkable depth of culture, tradition, and natural beauty. As you travel from the streets of Islamabad deep into the valleys of the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayas, you will encounter everything from lonely mountain settlements and beautiful scenery to bustling bazaars and active cities.
Itinerary
The Itinerary for Complete Northern Pakistan is noticeable below
Day 02: Drive to Swat Valley
Today, you'll begin your adventure north by traveling across the Northwest Frontier and into the picturesque Swat Valley. The GT Road will take you to Malakand Pass, Butkhela, Chakdara, and Saidu Sharif. Until recently, this region was closed to foreign tourists, but it has since reopened, providing you with an excellent opportunity to learn about the region's historic Buddhist history. After checking into your hotel, you'll visit the local museum, which houses many magnificent Gandharan antiques, as well as other Buddhist sites. Then go to Butkara, a famous archaeological site with one of Ghandhara's earliest Buddhist stupas.
Day 03: Drive to Chitral then Ayun
After breakfast, you will continue on a breathtaking journey that will take you past Chakdara, where young Winston Churchill saw combat in the 1890s, before continuing over the Lowari Pass (or through the modern tunnel) and into the old kingdom of Chitral. You'll continue on to Ayun, enjoying the mesmerizing view. The farm and orchard that surrounds the fort grow seasonal fruits. Walk through the surroundings to observe the stunning variety of roses. This is a fantastic laid-back place to conclude your day, standing at the entrance to the Kalash Valleys and surrounded by beautiful vistas.
Day 04: Drive to Kalash Valley
After breakfast, you'll go to the Rumbor Valley and the village of Balanguru. You can also hike the final several miles through this beautiful valley. The Kalash are Pakistan's smallest religious minority, comprising around 3,000 people. Unlike the other minorities in the country, they are restricted to a certain geographical area: the three valleys of Birir, Bumburet, and Rumbur. The Muslim community of Kalash Kafirs (non-believers) and their area of Kafirstan are located in the Hindu Kush between the Afghan border and Chitral Valley.
Day 05: Explore Kalash Valley
Drive to the Bumburet Valley after breakfast, the most attractive of the three, with settlements and vast, lush expanses of farmland. Spend as much time as possible with the Kalash families upon arriving, learning about their culture, lifestyle, and how they are gradually integrating into the modern world.
Day 06: Drive to Chitral
Today you will depart from the lovely Kalash Valleys. You will continue your journey towards the peaceful and conservative mountain village of Chitral by returning down the steep rocky roads through the high Hindu Kush mountains. If a match is being played, you might be able to catch a game of mountain polo before checking into your hotel for the night.
Day 07: Drive to Mastuj
After breakfast, you will take a 4x4 jeep to Mastuj, which is 110 kilometers northeast of Chitral. As we weave our way up the Mastuj Valley, past Tirich Mir and BoniZong before finally entering the Yarkhun Valley, at the top of which lies Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor, this is one of the most gorgeous and spectacular drives you will ever take. When you arrive, take a tour of the village before retiring to your accommodation.
Day 08: Drive to Yasin Valley
After breakfast, you will drive to the Shandur Pass, pausing for tea at the pass's 3,800-meter summit. You can walk from here to the Langer, a magnificent plain used for grazing the yaks and dzos, where you can spend a nice picnic lunch before getting back in your jeep and driving on to Yasin Valley.
Day 09: Drive to Gilgit
After breakfast, you will journey to Gilgit through some of the most stunning terrain in Northern Pakistan.
Day 10: Explore Gilgit and Drive to Hunza
After breakfast, stop in town to visit the Christian cemetery before continuing on your incredible journey along the Karakoram Highway alongside the giant form of Mount Rakaposhi and into the picturesque Hunza Valley. The sight of this massive mountain, all 7,788 meters of it, basking in the sun alongside the road will undoubtedly leave you speechless. Before going on to the region's main town of Karimabad, you can stop for lunch at the Rakaposhi View Restaurant, which has the world's longest continuous vertical view.
Day 11: Explore Hunza
Today, climb above Karimabad for a water channel trek with wonderful views of the valley. Return to town and stop for lunch at one of the rooftop eateries. After that, you will have time to relax, shop, and roam before heading to the famed 15th-century Baltit fort, which was formerly the center of authority in the Hunza state and was recently restored to a wonderful standard by UNESCO. You'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 12: Explore Hunza
Spend the day relaxing in one of the most gorgeous spots on the planet. You may like to go further afield and drive out to Nagar Valley to have a brief walk on the Hoper Glacier or visit the lake at Attabad. A major landslip blocked the Hunza River in January 2010, submerging 22 km of the KKH and generating a stunning azure lake. From here, you can take a boat journey to the northern shore, where you can shoot the iconic cathedral peaks.
Day 13: Drive back to Gilgit
Today, you'll start your drive south to Gilgit over the famed Karakoram Highway. Your path will take you through the Rakaposhi viewpoint, where you will have a fantastic glimpse of this massive mountain bathing in the sun. The trip will take about 4 hours if you stop along the way.
Day 14: Explore Gilgit and Drive to Shigar
Enjoy a short tour of Gilgit with your guide this morning, stopping at the popular polo grounds and the very typical mountain bazaar. After leaving Gilgit, drive through the tiny ravine known as Northern Pakistan's "Grand Canyon" to Shigar, following the flow of the untamed Indus River.
Day 15: Explore Shigar and Drive to Khaplu
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the 14th-century Amburiq Mosque, which was awarded a UNESCO repair prize, and the renovated Khanqah. After that, continue driving to Khaplu to check into your accommodation. Explore Khaplu Palace, the town, and the Khanqah (a spiritual retreat that also housed journeymen) in the afternoon.
Day 16: Explore Khaplu
Today is your day to relax and enjoy the hotel, or to participate in one of the hotel's various activities. Witness a polo match, visit the Saling rock carvings, explore the 18th-century majestic Khaplu Khanqah mosque, ride on horseback through the beauty of Baltistan, stroll through Khaplu, or see the hotel's many projects, such as the Bara wool spinning center and the Khaplu Women's Vocational Training Centre
Day 17: Drive to Skardu
You will be transported for around 2 hours from the ancient kingdom of Khaplu, 105 km west of Skardu. A trip through the town's main bazaar to the 'organic village' through an old trail at the foot of Kharpocho Fort is recommended. Visit the K2 Motel and see if you can catch a game of Polo at the town's main field. This is an excellent way to see the capital of Baltistan and learn about the lives of the inhabitants and mountaineers who visit.
Day 18: Drive to Deosai Plateau then Rama Lake
Continue your travel to the Deosai Plateau National Park after an early breakfast. At certain times of the year, this plateau is a spectacular 4,000m high animal habitat, filled with an abundance of wildflowers. After a substantial picnic lunch with Himalayan views, continue on to the alpine meadows of Astore and Rama Lake.
Day 19: Drive to Chilas then drive to Fairy Meadows
Today, continue your journey towards Chilas. After leaving the alpine meadows of Rama and Astore, you will approach the Astore Gorge, one of the world's most stunning and impressive vistas. After reaching Raikot Bridge, transfer to local 4x4 jeeps and continue up a narrow and steep mountain route to Fairy Meadows. The drive is an adventure, but it is well worth it!
Day 20: Explore Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows, also known as Jut in local parlance, is a green field near one of the base camp sites of the majestic Nanga Parbat (8126m). Today you will climb to the base camp of Nanga Parbat, passing through lush green meadows and pine woods and surrounded by some of the most breathtaking landscapes.
Day 21: Drive to Naran
Today, bid farewell to this tranquil retreat and begin your journey back down to Naran. Before continuing to Naran, make a brief halt at the 4100-meter-high Babusar Pass to take in the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Karakorum, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.
Day 22: Drive to Taxila then Drive to Islamabad
Today you will continue your journey, stopping en route in Taxila, a fascinating Buddhist university town that dates back to Alexander the Great's Ghandaharan era. After leaving Taxila, you'll travel the short distance to Islamabad for your final night.
Day 23: Fly back to Home country
You will be transported to the airport this morning in time for your connecting flight.
Holiday Overview
This is our most thorough tour of Northern Pakistan, and you will see everything! Beginning in the capital, you will go through the Swat Valley to the harbor on Ayun and then to the Kalash tribe. Crossing to the northeast of the country, you will continue to Mastuj, then up over the Shandur Pass and over to Gilgit before continuing north for a few days to the lovely Hunza. Then you'll return along the Karakoram Highway to Gilgit before heading east to Shigar, Khaplu (to stay in a WF favorite house), and Skardu. The final leg of your journey takes you up to Deosai Plateau, then Fairy Meadows to experience more stunning mountain scenery before returning to Islamabad via Naran.
Pakistan is a country near and dear to our hearts... and for a good cause. We have been running trips here for over two decades and understand the political complexities of visiting this fascinating country. By leveraging this unparalleled depth of knowledge, we are confident in providing the most innovative and authentic trips to the region, utilizing the best guides, transportation, and accommodation.