Karakorum Jeep Safari

Arrive in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel. Today you will visit some of the famous sights of Islamabad including the Faisal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia and the 5th largest mosque in the world. You will also take time to visit the Lok Virsa Museum and Pakistan Monument. Islamabad replaced Karachi back in 1967 and is now the political and commercial heart of the country. Leafy green boulevards are home to modern buildings and shopping malls, but it’s also dotted with traditional homes and mosques.

After lunch, proceed to visit Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi is a lively, bustling city with crowded streets and colorful bazaars. 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.

This morning, you’ll drive to Naran (6-7 hours, 279km) via Mansehra- Naran-Jalkhad. After lunch, continue the drive to Chilas( 3-4 hours, 113km) via Babusar Pass. Babusar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,173m (13,691ft). The pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley and it’s one of the most famous hairpin roads in the world.

Drive to Tarishing and transfer to a hotel. Tarishing is situated at an altitude of around 2900m on the southern face of Nanga Parbat, and it is one of the most beautiful villages in Pakistan.

Tarishing village offers a picture-perfect view of the Rupal valley along the majestic Nanga Parbat base camp.

Today, drive to Shoucer Lake with a panoramic view of Astore valley, which is called little Kashmir. The lake used to be a Dhak bungalow for the ancient Silk traders in the past, and the drive will be totally on the rough Jeep road.

Upon arrival, transfer to the campsite and enjoy a walk around the lake; see a panoramic view of Deosai Plateau and Nanga Parbat as well.

Walk and drive tover the high Deosai Plateau (4,114m) at the west end of Himalayas. The Deosai Plateau offers a beautiful view of the Karakoram Mountains. After walking around a bit, you’ll continue to Kala Pani.

Overnight in tents with beautiful surrounding hills and snow-capped mountains. Enjoy and explore the area of Kala Pani.

A morning drive to Skardu (65km) starts the day. After refreshments, drive to the Shigar valley (35km), visit the Shigar Fort and The Cold Desert, also known as the Katpana Desert. You’ll take an evening hike to Kharpocho Fort from Skardu city, about an hour.

The Shigar Fort has been open since June 1, 2005 following an intensive six-year restoration undertaken by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan. Originally known as Fong-Khar, which in the local Balti language means "Palace on the Rock", this 400-year-old Raja fort-palace has been brought back to life following a careful strategy of adaptive re-use and restoration. The result is a combination of authentic original 17th century architecture together with the modern amenities and services of a luxury guesthouse.

Drive to Khaplu village (100km), En route, stop at various viewpoints for photos. After refreshments, visit Khaplu village and Khaplu Fort and enjoy walking and photography from the Khaplu village. In the evening you’ll drive back to Skardu (100km).

Khaplu is a handsome village of timber and stone houses. Painstaking irrigation has made it a shady, fertile oasis. As you climb its twisting track, the icy peaks of the Masherbrum Range rise on the other side of the valley. It’s hard to imagine a more majestic setting near a public road anywhere in Pakistan. The main attractions are the 2600m-high village itself, the old Royal Place and even older Mosque above it at Chakchun, and the heart-stopping views.

Drive to Gilgit (200km), after lunch in Gilgit visit the Gilgit Bazaar and Kargah Buddha. Next, drive to the Hunza valley (100km), en-route stop at various viewpoints for photography and snacks.

This morning you’ll 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 is in the Hunza valley near the town of Karimabad, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. Founded in the 8th century CE, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage 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, Altit Fort 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.

Drive to Passu via Attabad Lake (50km) and visit Borith Lake, Gulkin village, Gulmit village, Passu Glacier, Passu village, Hussani village and the Hussani suspension bridge. You’ll then take an evening drive to Sost for the night (50 km).

Gulmit used to be the second capital of Hunza kingdom in the year 960. It is one of the most important centers of the Wakhi inhabitants. with high mountains of 5500m to 7785m, this unique cultural place lies on the bank of Hunza River.

Today you’ll enjoy a full day excursion to Khunjerab Pass (4733m). Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass in the Karakoram Mountains in a strategic position on the southwest border of the Xinjiang region of China. 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 from Karimabad to Raikot Bridge, then take a Jeep transfer to Tato village. Here you’ll walk to Fairy Meadows for a spectacular view of Nanga Parbat. Fairy Meadow is a lush green plateau. Many people have called it "Heaven on Earth". These lush green meadows and forests lie at the base of Nanga Parbat at the western edge of the Himalayan range in Pakistan. Fairy Meadows is a very peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy the mountain atmosphere and hospitality of the local people. Hermann Buhl, the Austrian climber who made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1953, named it Fairy Meadow.

Today you’ll take a full day excursion to Nanga Parbat base camp at 3967m. Enjoy and capture the panoramic views of Nanga Parbat, Raikot Peak, Chongra-I and Ganalo Peak.

Head down to Tato village, then take a Jeep to Raikot Bridge and continue to drive to Naran via Babusar Pass at 4173m.

Drive from Naran to Islamabad (279km), and en route, visit the Taxila Museum and some historical sites. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around the Taxila museum. For over 1000 years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30km around Taxila.

It’s time to head home. Transfer to Islamabad airport for your return flight.