16 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 CHOUTRON

Today after breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Shigar vally, which lies at the trail heads of world five top walks. After a small break at Gulab pur  we explore through several small villages to Choutron (hot spring).

Distance: 120 Km Drive: 06-07 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Guest House, Home Stay

DAY 05:  CHOUTRON – FREE DAY

Today is a free day to bath in hot spring and explore the local culture. Hiking or rock climbing in the surroundings is optional. 

Drive:

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Rest House

DAY 06:     CHOUTRON -- SHIGAR

Drive to Shigar , enroute visit Hashopi Farm.This area is full of apricots, apples, grapes,pears, mulberry, cherries and peaches. It is well known for its sixty four varieties of apricots in the world. Visit Shigar Fort, Khanqah Moalla, Amborik mosque, Kaniskar and Sharba, summer pasture of Shigar and an amazing place having spectacular views of Shigar valley.

Distance:80 Km Drive: 03-04 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rest House, Home stay 

DAY 07   SHIGAR  - SKARDU -EXCURSION

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

Distance:80 Km Drive: 03-04 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Explorers Inn, Baltistan Continental

DAY 08:    SKARDU - GILGIT

Today early morning departure for Gilgit, drive through Indus Gorge. Enroute short breaks at Taloo and Stak streams.

Drive: 06-07 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jamal Hotel, Park Hotel, Serena Hotel 

DAY 09   GILGIT – PASSU

Leave for Passu Hunza, driving along the Hunza river 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 4 hours drive through this beautiful valley, we will reach Gulmit Village, a lovely remote village of Hunza, overnight at Gulmit

Drive: 05-06 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast,
Accommodation: Passu Inn, Marcopolo  

DAY 10: PASSU - KHUNJERAB PASS - KARIMABAD

Today’s drive will take us to Khunjerab Pass, situated at a height of 4,733 is fascinating landscape. You will enjoy a short trip up to Khunjerab Pass on Karakoram Highway; it gives some of spectacular sceneries for photographers. Enroute visit Borit lake, Husaini bridge, Passu Glcaier and Gulkin glacier.

Drive: 04-05 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hunza View Hotel, Darbar Hotel

DAY 11:   KARIMABAD - DUIKAR

Today we will visit Baltit and altit fort and then have short trek along the water channel, 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! Nestles at the top of Central Hunza, Duiker is a beautiful place with marvelous views of Hunza and Nagar Valleys. And the sun set and sunrise are the views one can remember forever.
 

Walk: 05-10 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation:Hunza View Hotel, Eagle Nest Hotel, Hunza Darbar Hotel 

DAY 12:   HUNZA  – 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.

Drive: 06-07 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jamal Hotel, Park Hotel, Serena Hotel 

    DAY 13:    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 14:  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 15:   FAIRY MEADOWS – BESHAM

Today leave for Besham travelling 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: 09-10 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Besham Continental, PTDC Motel,

DAY 16:   BESHAM -  ISLAMABAD

After breakfast we drive on KKH towards Islamabad through amazing lush green terraced fields and meadows.  

Drive: 02-03 hrs 

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

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