Explore vast areas of high altitudes, whilst enjoying the unique food, crafts and culture.
The ultimate Karakoram holiday, this trip combines the best of Baltistan and Hunza into one grand tour of the incredible Gilgit Baltistan.
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 7000m high mountains, along with world-famous trekking routes, are also located in Baltistan. It is also home to several diverse 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.
Hunza is a famous valley in the Karakoram range and one of the top tourist attractions in Pakistan. This beautiful valley is around 100 km from Gilgit city and takes 2 hours to reach, and the famous Karakoram Highway is open throughout the year.
Each season is full of distinct features displaying a unique scenic atmosphere & cultural events. Blossom signals an exceptional display of a change of nature, welcoming new life. Summer is the most popular season, offering sunny days and pleasant temperatures. Green fields, beautiful trees with flowers, snow-capped high mountains, rivers and blue skies attract nature lovers to this beautiful valley. Autumn brings a vibrant colour palate as the whole valley remains colourful with splendid panoramic views of high mountain peaks.
Highlights of the Exploring the Karakoram in Hunza and Skardu Tour
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Exploring the Karakoram in Hunza and Skardu Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Islamabad
Arrival at Islamabad International airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will have free time to relax and recover from the journey on this day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 Islamabad – Skardu - 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. OR 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 Khaplu – Sailing – Macholo - Khaplu
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 Khaplu – 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 Shigar – Skardu - Shigar
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 Agha 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, jewelry, 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 Shigar – Deosai – Astore - Gilgit
Drive to Gilgit via Deosai 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). You will also travel through small villages of Astore valley and witness a different culture. While traveling on Karakoram Highway, You will have short stops including Nanga Parbat view point and the junction point of the three highest mountain ranges in the world. Check into the hotel in Gilgit and have free time in the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gilgit (1,500m / 4,920’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Gilgit – Hunza
After breakfast, drive to Hunza. On your way to Hunza, You will have a short stop to visit the Berano suspension bridge (one of the oldest suspension bridges in the region) and the Danyor tunnel. You will also have quick stops for photography at the collision point of two tectonic plates, the ancient silk route viewpoint and the Rakaposhi viewpoint. While passing through the small villages in Nagar and Hunza valleys, You will witness village life. Check into the hotel in Karimabad and have some free time. You will do an evening walk (40 minutes) at Samarqand kohl (water channel) through the apricot orchids in the village and explore the local culture. You will drive to Dongo Das (a 20-minute drive) for stargazing at night. Enjoy your precious time under the dark sky. Drive back to your hotel for the night stay.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hunza (2,400m / 7,880’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Karimabad – Altit – Duikar
Enjoying a full day in Hunza, You will visit 800 years old Baltit Fort (30 minutes walk), Karimabad Bazar (for shopping for Handicrafts, gemstones, dry fruits, etc.), Altit Fort (900 years old), and enjoy traditional Lunch at Kha Basi Café (a café owned by Serena hotels and run by local women). After lunch, You will visit the music school in Altit, where local children learn and play traditional music (guests can also practice playing regional musical instruments). Later in the afternoon, You will visit Ganish village (the oldest settlement in Hunza) and visit a local family home. You will drive to Duikar (2800 m) to enjoy the best view of the sunset. After a 15- minute beautiful hike, You will arguably reach one of the best sunset viewpoints in the world with a birds-eye view of the whole of Hunza and Nagar valleys and the splendid views of seven mountain peaks above 7000m. Drive back to your hotel in Karimabad for the night’s stay.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hunza (2,400m / 7,880’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Karimabad – Pasu - Karimabad
Today You will drive to Passu through numerous small villages in upper Hunza. After stopping at the Atabad Lake and enjoying boating, You will reach Gulmit village, where You will walk through the orchids and then visit the old house & music school. Enjoy a short hike, Pakistan’s highest & longest stairs, to Ondra fort (01-hour), a community-based tourism initiative in Gulmit village of Gojal Valley. Free time to enjoy the beautiful view of Passu cones and upper Hunza. Later in the afternoon, drive to Borith Lake (a beautiful lake in upper Hunza famous for migrating birds). After witnessing the magnificent migrating birds, You will proceed to Passu to enjoy leisure time in the afternoon; You can do an evening trek to Passu glacier beside the stream (2 hours trek both ways) – optional. Enjoy the sunset from glacier breeze restaurant with a cup of tea/coffee and the famous apricot cake. You may participate in a cultural event/spring festival in upper Hunza (if time matches). Drive back to your hotel in Karimabad for the night’s stay.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hunza (2,400m / 7,880’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Karimabad – Hoper – Minapin – Karimabad
After breakfast, You will drive to Hoper valley – for 1 hour (2800 m). En route, You will visit Nagar Khas (a village in Nagar valley) and meet locals to witness a different culture and Nagar fort. Then continue to travel to Hoper village where You can do a beautiful short hike to Hoper glacier (2 hours) and experience walking on the glacier. Then drive to Minapin village to enjoy leisure time and a famous traditional lunch (Gurkun karahi) while a local historian briefly explains the region’s history. After lunch, drive to KHO (a beautiful viewpoint) in local jeeps. Drive back to Karimabad in the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hunza (2,400m / 7,880’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Karimabad – Khanabad – Gilgit
Drive to Khanabad village in lower Hunza and spend most of the day here. You will witness village life with a host family and experience practical participation in village people’s routine activities. You will visit fruit orchids, walk through the streets, meet locals, including artisans/historians, and enjoy traditional lunch with a host family. You can also enjoy meditation/yoga in the village. Drive back to Gilgit in the afternoon and visit Kargah Budha (7th century Buddha).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gilgit (1,500m / 4,920’)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Gilgit – Islamabad
Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad (1-hour scenic flight). Transfer to hotel and after lunch sightseeing. OR Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway with short stops (in case of flight cancellation).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 Contingency day in case of delays
If You cannot fly due to the weather, You will travel down to Islamabad by road. If You fly from Gilgit to Islamabad, You will enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today. (Day excursion to the Taxila museum and archaeological sites will be one of the options).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Exploring the Karakoram in Hunza and Skardu 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.
Book NowAccommodation on the Exploring the Karakoram in Hunza and Skardu 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 Gilgit (Tourist Class)
Sleep under the stars in a comfy two-person alpine tent. You will be paired with another client of the same sex if you are a single traveler.
Hotel in Hunza
Hotel in Gilgit (Tourist Class)
Sleep under the stars in a comfy two-person alpine tent. You will be paired with another client of the same sex if you are a single traveler.
Hotel in Islamabad (Tourist Class)
Spend three nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel.
What’s Included in the Exploring the Karakoram in Hunza and Skardu Tour?
Meals
13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 13 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
- NOC/Trekking Permits/National Park permit fees
- 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
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