19 DAYS  ITINERARY (Day by Day)

DAY 01:   ARRIVAL ISLAMABAD          

Arrival Islamabad today. A member of the Vertical Explorers staff will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Today either you can relax or you can enjoy an exploratory walk in the old part of Rawalpindi; wander past the vegetable and spice markets, beautifully carved old houses and trucks, cows pestering the vegetable vendors, catch traditional craftsmen at work in silver and gold bazaars .You will then continue on the main street linking the Twin cities - Murree Road - before arriving at the gleaming new capital, Islamabad. You pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas - a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks. You will then stop at the Shakar Parian to catch a bird's eye view of Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque which is the landmark of Islamabad.

Meals provided: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel, Pearl Continental Hotel, Sunrise Hotel, Civic Hotel, Regency Hotel

DAY 02:   SKARDU OR CHILAS

We rise early to be at the airport in time for our flight to Skardu. If the weather is good, we'll be treated to one of the finest views available in the world of aviation, as we thread our way up the largest congregation of mountains of Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalaya and Indus River gorges, third longest in Asia  and one of the deepest in the world. To our east is K2 (2^nd highest in the world and Nanga Parbat (killer mountain) and countless peaks and glaciers. It is sometime possible to catch a glimpse of K2 in the distant before our dramatic landing at Skardu. On arrival we are met by our local staff with jeeps and make the short transfer to the hotel. SKARDU is the administrative capital of Baltistan and gateway to the high peaks of Northern Pakistan. We have some time to explore the town and enjoy the hustle and bustle in peak season of tourists here. Sightseeing in Skardu and surrounding areas during the day. For those seeking a good overview of Skardu, or a place from which to photograph the sunset, Kharfocho Fort is an ideal spot.If the flight is unable to operate because of bad weather, we will resort to travel by road on Karakoram Highway (KKH) to Chilas. The drive is compensated by the beautiful scenery along the Karakoram highway and Indus gorges. The journey on the Karakoram Highway is most exciting and thrilling. It is a monument to the engineering feast and one of the most spectacular roads and the world’s highest metalled border crossing. It connects Pakistan and China stretching over a distance of 1300km between Islamabad and Kashgar, winding through three mountain ranges and following the ancient Silk route along the Indus Valley to the Chinese border at Khunjerab Pass. We pass through the historical town of Taxila, beautiful hill station of Abbottabad, quake affected lush green towns of Mansehra, Shinkiari and finally meet the great Indus on Thakot Bridge. From there onward the road snails along the bank of the Indus with contrasting landscape after every two kilometers. We pass through Besham, Dassu, Komila and Shatial to arrive at Chilas with many rocks carving and inscriptions along the way left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient travelers of 5^th century A.D. CHILAS was on the ancient caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India. The drive through the Indus Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off! The view after crossing the Rai kot Bridge of Nanga Parbat is without any parallel. Standing at around 1,000 m. you see a mountain which rises to above 8,000 m! This is the largest land escarpment in the world. This is also where the three greatest mountain ranges meet; Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram.

Flight: 45 Minutes Drive: 10-12 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chilas In Hotel/ Mashabrum Hotel, Karakoram Hotel

DAY 03:   SKARDU / CHILAS – SKARDU

This day may be needed to complete the KKH road journey from Chilas to Skardu.

Drive: 10-12 hrs. 

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Masha Brum Hotel, Explorers Inn

DAY 04:    SKARDU  - SHIGAR

Today after breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Shigar vally, which lies at the trail heads of world five top walks.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Home Stay

DAY 07   SHIGAR  - SKARDU

Today morning we will drive back to Skardu. Excursion includes tranquil lakes of Kachura, Foq zhou, Upper Kachura. Kharfochou fort and Budha rock are the archeological sites to visit.

Distance:80 Km Drive: 03-04 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Masha Brum Hotel, Explorers Inn

DAY 08:    SKARDU - DEOSAI - Shaucer Lake

Today early morning departure for Deosai for fishing and wildlife encounters over there, drive through Sadpara lake .

Drive: 06-07 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile camp

DAY 09   DEOSAI – Free day

Whole day at Deosai for fishing of trout and experiencing the nature in its wilderness.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile camp

DAY 10: DEOSAI - ASTOR

Today’s drive will take us to Astor and then to Rama lake, one of the pictures lake in Northern Areas nestled in the backdrop of spectacular mountains and pastures.

Drive: 04-05 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: PTDC Motel

DAY 11:   ASTOR - BESHAM / GILGIT

Today we will either travel to Besham on KKH towards Islamabad or travel to Gilgit for flight back to Islamabad next day depending upon the weather and aptitude of the travelers
 

Walk: 05-10 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Besham Continental, PTDC Motel / Serena Gilgit, Riveria Hotel

DAY 12:   BESHAM / GILGIT - ISLAMABAD

Today either drive back on KKH towards Islamabad from Besham or fly for Gilgit to Islamabad.

Drive: 06-07 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

End of Service