Itinerary:

Islamabad – Besham – Gilgit – Bagrot –  Karimabad – Rest day to explore valley Hunza Nager Valleys – Passu – Khunjerab Pass – Gilgit – Skardu – Rest Day  to explore valley-  Khapulo – Skardu – Chilas –  Islamabad

Range:              Karakoram

Zone:                  Open

Duration:           16 Days

Best Time:        April – October

Tour highlights:

The tour will clearly make a difference in the magnificent regions of Gilgit-Baltistan as well as other northern parts of Pakistan in two different seasons. The blossom in spring attracts the travelers to catch a mouthful of air & varying the colors in autumn at the end of the season. These two distinctions have its own charm by changing of colors in the region.

The tour will commence in Islamabad and Drive to Besham, En-route lunch at local restaurant. Arriving at Besham we are at the base perimeter of Indus valley with fascinating view of the Indus River and the legendary road known as the Karakuram Highway (KKH) 8th wonder of the world. The widen of our traveling from Besham to Thakot (Shangla) is just a slight glance of the wonders and inspirational values that this road has in store for its travelers who take their journey with it on upstream path.

Gilgit is administratively capital city of Gilgit-Baltistan and business hub in the region. Its ancient name was  Sargin, later it is locally known as Gilit. Gilgit was an important city on the Silk Road, along which Buddhism was spread from south Asia to rest of the Asian countries

Bagrot valley is 35 kilometers away from Gilgit city, and is one of the antique villages in the region where the culture of the Shina people still remains as pure as the environment of majestic Karakuram. The village itself is situated near a spectacular glacier which links Bagrot Mountains with Rakaposhi. The local historians says that the culture of Gilgit start off here and then extended to other parts of the Gilgit valley. The people of Bagrot are very simple who welcome all guests with traditional hospitality.

Karimabad is the delightful old capital of the Hunza Kingdom. From Karimabad, with its souvenir shop, post office and tea shop, you can obtain a superb view of the valley laid out below you and of the peaks at the back. Karimabad area is

scattered with natural flowers and blossoming fruit orchards. Early morning proceed to Duiker to view Sunrise by Willy Jeep. Duiker is a small village which is 4-5 kms away from Karimabad, situated above Altit Village at a height of (9,327 ft / 2,850 m) approximately, from where one can get gorgeous view of whole Hunza valley and all adjoining peaks as well as Hoper Glacier from this view point. A short jeep traveling will take us to Nager Valley. The beauties of the village are fruit orchards, prolonged existence of local people and enjoy the many mountain flowers that point the scenery. A view of Ultar Peak and the Hunza Valley as seen from Nagar valley is admirable. Baltit fort (Now Museum after restoration by Aga khan Development Net work) ) was the old palace of the Mirs of Hunza and was settled until 1960. It is more then 700 years old. Baltit is a questioning long-winded old place and has four stories, strongly built of stones, sun-dried mud and wood. Baltit is built on a cliff edging at the back side; it is a gorge and then the Ultar glacier shining in the sunshine. The structural design here, as at Altit Fort, reflects a Tibetan influence. The local people says that a Princess of Baltistan get married a time in power Mir and brought with her Balti masons, carpenters and craftsmen to build Baltit and Altit as part of her gift/dowry. In the ‘museum room’ are coats of mail, weapons and the warning drums that sounded the alarm in an attack. The view from the top of the fort is well worth the climb.

During this magnificent tour you have an opportunity of a view Nanga Parbat 8126m (Killer Mountain) in Chilas thalichi, standing under the shadow of world famous Killer Mountain Nanga Parbat. Chilas was on the very old caravan track over the Babusar Pass into India and on the Indus trail of Besham, and many rock engravings / impressions were left by travelers in  this  area.

Baltistan, called Balti-yul by its inhabitants, is the eastern centre of the longest glaciers, highest peaks and towers of the Karakoram Rangewhere villages are oasis in a vertical wilderness of rock and ice. The mighty Indus River sweeps through the land, augmented by the glacial Shigar and Shyok rivers. Baltistan’s western border with Gilgit is at Shengus village, downstream from the Indus River’s Rondu gorge, to the east and the south is the line of control with India, and to the north, along the Karakoram’s crest, is the border with China. Baltistan is also known as “Little Tibet” and culturally contrasts sharply with areas to its west. The folklore of the Balti-pa is not that of shamans and fairies, but rather of the Tibetan king Kesar. Nagar and Hunza are much influenced by Baltistan, with certain music, apricots and polo both probably coming from Baltistan.

At the tale of this tour we shall visiting Taxila and sights. Taxila is 40 kms away from Islamabad the capital city of Pakistan, was once the seat of Oriental civilization. In 6th century B.C, It was first talked about as a satrapy of the Archemenian Empire. It was attacked by Alexander the Great (Sikandar-e-Azam) & passed along to other monarch until finally he reached the hands of Ashoka, who give the shape of the city into a learning and cultural centre. The original Gandhara era pursued in a while. After that Taxila remained the centre of learning, thinking and sculptures. It came to a devastating and pitiable closing stage when sacked by White Huns. Today, here is a well-maintained museum & eight sites sprinkled in the region of a very short radius. Amongst the best conserved are Sirkap, Jaulian (the University) and Mohra Moradu.