8 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:   CHILAS

We rise early 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, Shangrilla Hotel & Resorts

DAY 03:   CHILAS – HUNZA (Karimabad)

Leave for Hunza, driving on the Karakoram Highway which links China with Pakistan. The valleys of Hunza and Nagar are some of the most beautiful valleys in the northern parts of Pakistan. The people of this area are known for their legendary good health, longevity and hospitality. Rakaposhi accessible only by 4 to 5 hrs. Walk from the road, dominates the whole valley. This area is full of apricots, apples, grapes and peaches. After 6-8 hours drive through this beautiful valley, we will reach Karimabad, capital of Hunza, a lovely scenic center of Hunza

Drive: 6-8 hrs. 

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Darbar Hunza, Eagles Nest, Hill top Hotel

DAY 04:    KARIMABAD Excursion

Today we will visit Baltit and Altit fortS and then have short trek along the water channel of barbar, which is a source of watering to fields as well as household use. This trek gives marvelous views of Diran Peak and Golden peak and Rakaposhi just making them in front of you.
Today evening our next destination is a heavenly place, Duiker! Nestled at the top of Central Hunza, Duiker is a beautiful place with marvelous views of Hunza and Nagar Valleys. And the sunset and sunrise are the views one can remember forever.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Darbar Hunza, Eagles Nest, Hill top Hotel

DAY 05:  KARIMABAD – PASSU

Today’s drive will take us to Passu village. it gives some of spectacular sceneries for photographers. We will visit  Borit lake, Husaini bridge, Passu Glcaier and Gulkin glacier.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Passu Peak In, Marcopolo Inn

DAY 06:     PASSU -- KHUNJERAB NATIONAL PARK - MINAPIN

Today’s drive will take us to Khunjerab Pass, situated at a height of 4,733 is fascinating landscape at Khunjerab National Park. You will enjoy a trip up to Khunjerab Pass on Karakoram Highway passing through Khyber, Sost and few wildlife along the KKH.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Diran Guest House 

DAY 07   MINAPIN  - NALTAR -GILGIT

Day trip to Naltar, 3 hours drive, a lush green valley surrounded by Hindukush range, glaciers and pine trees. This place is known for its wild life like Markhor, Ibex and snow Leopards as well as the best skiing resort and two tranquil lakes.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Serena Gilgit, Riveria Hotel, Gilgit Gateway Hotel

DAY 08:   GILGIT - ISLAMABAD

Today morning flight will take 50 minutes to Islamabad.

Drive: 50 minutes.

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

End of Services & End of Tour

Possible Extension

DAY 09   GILGIT – FAIRY MEADOWS

Today after breakfast drive to Riakot on Karakoram Highway as it carves a swathe through the meeting points of world three largest congregation of mountains at Shigarpa before Juglot, is an adventure in itself. Then further drive by jeep to Tato & hike to Fairy Meadows.

Tato: The steep and difficult ascent on a rocky trail will lead the group to a small hamlet of Tato which is comprised of few clay lofts scattered around. This village is inhabited by the upright and fierce yet very hospitable Chilasi people whose origin is Kohistan.

Fairy Meadows: The traditional base camp of Nanga Parbat, known as Fairy Meadows. The local people believe that this beautiful place is an abode of fairies and ghosts. The lush green plateau presents some of the most spectacular sights one can ever witness. One forgets the tiring walk up to this magnificent site when one beholds a landscape of rushing torrents with a panoramic back - drop of the mighty Nanga Parbat.

Drive: 04-05hrs  Hike, 2-3 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Raikot Sarai, Fairy Meadows Cottages

DAY 10:  FAIRY MEADOWS  - FREE DAY

Free day for sightseeing, nature watching and hiking. Optional hike to Nanga Parbat BC and back to Fairy Meadows.

Meals provided:  Breakfast
Accommodation: Raikot Sarai, Fairy Meadows Cottages

    DAY 11:   FAIRY MEADOWS – ISLAMABAD

Today leave for Islamabad and travel on the Karakoram Highway through captivating and enthralling landscape. In places, sheer, snowcapped mountains ascending from deep valleys while elsewhere, lush alpine meadows are carpeted by colorful wildflowers and dazzling apple blossoms. Terraced villages dot this monumental terrain, supported by traditional farming methods and lifestyles that have changed little over the centuries.

Drive: 12-14 hrs

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

End of Tour