Gilgit-Baltistan Discovery Tour

Welcome to Islamabad! Today you will visit some of the famous sights of Islamabad, including the Faisal Mosque, the largest in this region of Asia and the 5th largest mosque in the world. You will also take time to visit the Lok Virsa Museum and Pakistan Monument.

After lunch you will proceed to visit Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi is a lively, bustling city with the crowded streets and colorful bazaars that should appeal to anyone with the desire to see the real Pakistan. The buzzing Rajah Bazaar is a kaleidoscope of people and merchandise spreading in every direction from chaotic Fowara Chowk. You could spend hours exploring the colorful, crowded streets and buy anything from batteries to a new set of teeth. Dotted around are crumbling stone towers marking old Hindu temples.

Drive to Chilas via Babusar Pass or by the Karakorum Highway to Chilas. Babusar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4173m above the sea level. The pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley. The pass connects the Kaghan Valley via the Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. It’s one of the most famous hairpinned roads in the world.

Drive to Skardu and en-route, stop at the junction point of three great mountain ranges, the Karakorum, Himalaya, and Hindukush mountains, for photography. Snap photos of Nanga Parbat (8,126m) then enjoy some refreshments.

In the morning, visit Shigar fort, Shigar valley,and the Cold Desert/Katpana Desert, then in the evening visit Skardu bazaar and walk to Karpocho Fort.

Shigar Fort is an old fort of Baltistan and Pakistan located in the town of Shigar. It was built in the 17th century by the Raja of Amacha Dynasty of Shigar. The fort has been restored by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP-P), the Pakistan arm of the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme. After restoration, the Fort was converted to a museum and luxury hotel managed by Serena Hotels. The restoration process took place from 1999 to 2004 and cost approximately US$1.4 million.

Drive to Khaplu village, stopping at various viewpoints for photography. Arrive in Khaplu and visit Khaplu village. Evening enjoy walking and photography in Khaplu village. Khaplu Palace, locally known as Yabgo Khar (meaning "the fort on the roof"), is an old fort and palace located in Khaplu. The palace, considered an architectural heritage and a tourist attraction, was built in the mid-19th century, replacing an earlier fort located nearby. It served as a royal residence for the Raja of Khaplu.

In the morning, visit Chaqchan Mosque and in the afternoon drive back to Skardu.

Khanqah-i-Chaqchan, the Noorbakhsi mosque, was built in 1381 by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (783 Hijri), in 1438 by Shah Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh Qahistani Sufi (842) and in 1505 by Mir Syed Shamsuddin Iraqi (911), a preacher who came from Iraq and help spread Islam. The religious history of Khaplu highlights how Islam came to the region in successive decades and that the mosque was at the centre of the spread of Islam.

Drive to Gilgit, and after lunch in Gilgit visit the Gilgit Bazaar and Kargah Buddha and drive to the Hunza Valley. The Hunza Valley is a mountainous valley situated northwest of the Hunza River at an elevation of around 2,500m. The people are cheerful and friendly, and there are panoramic views of Rakaposhi, Diran Peak, Spantik Peak, and more.

This morning you visit the famous Baltit Fort, recently restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to a fantastic standard. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Baltit Fort was founded in the 8th century CE, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004.

In the past, the survival of the feudal regime of Hunza was ensured by the impressive fort, which overlooks Karimabad. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the local prince married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry.

Later you will visit Royal Garden and go for a walk along the water channels around town to absorb the local atmosphere and have a glimpse of the lifestyles of the local people.

This morning, visit Hopper and Hopper Glacier, then drive to the Duiker valley to see the sunset. This spot is known as the “Roof of the World” and has a stunning view of the mountains around you. You’ll walk through the village to the Holy shrines, then visit local women and men working in the fields.

Drive to Passu, visit Attabad Lake, Borith Lake, Gulkin village, Gulmit village, Passu Glacier, Passu village, Hussani village and the Hussani suspension bridge. After lunch, drive to Sost for the night. The Hussaini Suspension Bridge, over the Hunza River, connects Zarabad hamlet to Hussaini village. This bridge is known as a dangerous bridge due to the massive gaps between the planks and the wild swing. In 1960, the President of Pakistan Ayub Khan visited Zarabad for hunting purposes and directed the authorities to construct a suspension bridge which was finally completed in 1967-68. In the winter season the locals of Hussaini construct temporary bridges to gain access to Zarabad.

Enjoy a full day excursion to Khunjerab Pass (Pakistan- China Border). Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass in the Karakoram Mountains in a strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region and on the southwest border of the Xinjiang region of China. Its name is derived from Wakhi 'Khun' means Home and 'Jerav' means spring water/water falling. The Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. The roadway across the pass was completed in 1982, and has superseded the unpaved Mintaka and Kilik Passes as the primary passage across the Karakoram.

Drive to Naran via Babusar Pass or by Karakorum Highway to Besham. En route, stop at various viewpoints for photography and refreshment.

Drive to Islamabad, stopping on the way to visit the Taxila museum and historical sites. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around the Taxila museum. For over one thousand years Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30km around Taxila.

The tour ends with a drop off at the airport for your flight home.