Explore Baltistan region in Pakistan, the gateway to the magical Himalayas!
Baltistan is a beautiful valley in the Karakoram range and a famous destination for adventure and cultural travels. This region is known as the mountaineers’ paradise. Four of the 14 peaks above 8000m high are situated in the Baltistan region, and hundreds of 7000 m high mountains, along with world-famous trekking routes, are also located in Baltistan. It is also home to several diversified cultures, ethnic groups and languages. Baltistan has colourful flowers, gushing streams, emerald lakes, lush green pastures, apricot orchids and the always smiling & welcoming Balti people.
Highlights of the 9-day Best of Baltistan Tour
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9-day Best of Baltistan Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Islamabad
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will enjoy leisure time to relax and recover from the journey on this day. In the afternoon you can enjoy a city tour (visit Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa museum etc.)
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 Flight to Skardu and Drive to Khaplu
Fly from Islamabad airport to Skardu (1-hour scenic flight) and then drive to the stunning Ghanche district of Baltistan. You will be passing through small villages to reach Yugo village. En route, You will have short stops at Thorgo Pari, the Shayok & Indus Rivers’ meeting points and multiple photography spots. Enjoy traditional lunch at Yugo and. After lunch, two optional activities: trek to Kharfaq Lake (5 hours trek both ways) or a cultural walk in the village streets of Yugo to witness village life and meet locals. Later in the late afternoon, You drive to Khaplu and check into the hotel with leisure time to visit the Khaplu fort museum and organic garden.
In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway with short stops.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khaplu (2,500m / 8,200’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Visit Sailing and Macholo
Early morning hike up to Toqsikhar (old fort), a viewpoint of the confluence of rivers Shyok, Hushe & Saltoro. Visit & witness the architectural heritage of the famous Chaqchan mosque and then drive to Macholo valley (1 hour). Spend some free time enjoying the splendid view of Masherbrum Peak, also known as K-1, leisure time for photography, meeting local people and enjoying the pristine natural beauty. Drive back to Sailing and enjoy a cultural walk through the village streets and interact with local people—lunch at the Sailing fish farm and drive back to Khaplu. In the afternoon, visit Khanqah-e-Maula and then move to Hanjor Broq to witness the sunset.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khaplu (2,500m / 8,200’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Drive to Shigar
Drive from Khaplu to Shigar valley with short stops at multiple points of interest for photography. Visit the famous Sarfaranga cold desert and Shigar fort for lunch. Visit the fort museum and garden, and spend time exploring the area. (The Shigar Fort- Fong Khar, which means The Fort on Rock, is an old fort built in the 17th century by the Raja of the Amacha Dynasty of Shigar). End the evening with a short hike up to the old fort to witness the sun setting over the Shigar river.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Shigar (2,300m / 7,550’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Visit Skardu
We will spend a whole day in Skardu. Visiting Shangri-La resort (optional boating), drive to upper Kachura, and walk through the local houses, fields & trees. After 20 minutes beautiful walk, You will reach upper Kachura Lake, having free time to explore the area and enjoy boating. Then drive to Soq valley (a beautiful valley near upper Kachura), and enjoy fishing and lunch. Drive back to Skardu and hike to Nansoq village (50 minutes), a beautiful hike to the first organic village of Baltistan. 11 homes and 92 Inhabitants, visited by King Charles and Prince Aga Khan IV! This centuries-old tiny settlement is one of the most peaceful places in the region. Explore the area and enjoy leisure time with a host family. Hike back to Skardu (50 minutes) and visit Skardu Bazar for shopping (local handicrafts, jewellery, carpet etc.). Drive back to Shigar for an overnight stay.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Shigar (2,300m / 7,550’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Visit Deosai
Day excursion to the famous Deo Sai plains, the second-highest plateaus in the world. You will visit Manthal rock Budha, Sadpara Lake, Ali Malik top, Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake (4114 m). Enjoy leisure time to explore the area. The plains are a floral extravaganza of the summer months with a recorded number of 406 species (Nawaz et al., 2006). Drive back to Your hotel for a second night stay in Shigar.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Shigar (2,300m / 7,550’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Flight to Islamabad
Fly from Skardu to Islamabad. Transfer to Hotel and after lunch sightseeing. In case of flight cancellation, you might drive from Skardu via Karakoram highway with short stops.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Contingency day in case of delays
Drive from Shigar to Skardu airport (1 hour) and fly to Islamabad (1 hour). Transfer to hotel & sightseeing after lunch.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
9-day Best of Baltistan Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour is run as a scheduled group tour and you will be trekking with other travellers from around the world. In addition, you can book a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the number of members in your group.
Accommodation on the 9-day Best of Baltistan Tour
This tour is based in hotels while in towns and villages, and camping while trekking. Hotels on this trip are tourist class hotels, and accommodation will be based on twin-sharing with en-suite facilities.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplemental fee to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Islamabad (Tourist Class)
Spend three nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel.
Hotel in Khaplu (Tourist Class)
Stay in a tourist-class hotel on a twin-basis, with en-suite facilities.
Hotel in Shigar (Tourist Class)
Stay in a tourist-class hotel on a twin-basis, with en-suite facilities.
Hotel in Islamabad (Tourist Class)
Spend three nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel.
What’s Included in the 9-day Best of Baltistan Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 8 nights are included. Additional nights before and after the tour in Islamabad can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour.
Also Included
- Airport transfers (on the first and last day in Islamabad)
- All land transport involved in the itinerary
- Internal flights and associated airport transfers
- Licensed professional local guide
- Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
- Implementation of all sustainable tourism protocols
- All entry tickets (forts, parks)
Not included
- Travel Insurance
- Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipment (clothes, boots etc.)
- Tips for guiding and supporting staff
- Miscellaneous expenses – drinks and souvenirs etc.
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions about 9-day Best of Baltistan Tour
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