Chitral and Hunza Valley Tour

On arrival at Islamabad International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Islamabad followed by the Damn-E-Koh (view point), which gives us a panoramic view of Islamabad before driving past various modern streets and buildings graceful with a touch of Islamic Architecture & Folk Heritage Museum. Our tour culminates at one of the world’s largest mosques – Shah Faisal Mosque.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burjul Zaki
Meals Included: Dinner

In the morning, we drive to Peshawar. Our city tour of Peshawar starts with a visit to the Peshawar Museum which was built in 1906-07 in the memory of Queen Victoria. The two-story building features an amalgamation of British, South Asian, Hindu, Buddhist and Mughal Islamic architectural styles. The Peshawar Museum has the most important and largest collection of Gandhara Art in the world. Later in the afternoon explore the old city and the atmospheric and unforgettable Qissa Khawani bazaar. The old city is a warren of bazaars, where samovars dispense green tea into tiny, enameled pots, which are raced by eager boys to reclining merchants through an air thick with the smell of kebabs, rickshaws fumes and the cacophony of an endless parade of humanity. Visit Mohobat Khan’s Mosque the only Mughal era mosque in Peshawar which survived the depredations of the Sikhs, though the Top domes of the minarets were destroyed by the Sikh rulers, which were later rebuilt by Britishers. It was built in the seventeenth century (1670 AD) and it is named after Mohobat Khan Mirza Lerharsib who twice governed Peshawar under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. It is a classic example of Mughal architecture with a central open courtyard and a prayer hall covered by the three fluted domes. Adjacent to the entrance to the mosque, an ancient doorway leads into a large courtyard surrounded by a three-storey gallery. You can climb to the roof of these three storied complexes to get a superb view down into the courtyard of the mosque. Its open courtyard has an ablution pool in the middle and a single row of rooms around the sides. The prayer hall occupies the west side flanked by two tall minarets. The interior of the prayer hall is sheltered beneath three low fluted domes and is beautifully painted with various floral and geometric designs. It is a worthy visiting place in Peshawar especially for the ones having interest in Mughul Architecture.
In the evening enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants at local Namak Mandi food street.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Shelton Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning drive to Swat valley enroute you will visit the world heritage site of Takht Bhai Buddhist Monastery. Later continue driving to Swat valley. The region full of dramatic scenery, Swat stands out as a particularly beautiful corner of northern Pakistan. A magnet for hippies in the 1970s it was known as the Switzerland of Asia due to its stunning mountain scenery.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Swat Palace Hotel
• Tourist Class: Swat Palace Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning visit the archeological sites and stupas of Butkara, Udegaram and Shingardar. Later, visit the excellent Swat Museum to learn about the history of the region, explore the bustling bazaar in Mingora. If time permits afternoon drive further toward the valley to enjoy beautiful scenery.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Swat Palace Hotel
• Tourist Class: Swat Palace Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we drive to Kalash valley.
The Kalasha Valleys are home to the waning and fascinating Kalasha people. They are known the world over for their pagan traditions and their love for dance and music.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Guest House
• Tourist Class: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Full day to explore around the beautiful villages of Kalash valley, Bamburet and Brir and learn about their unique culture.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Guest House
• Tourist Class: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we drive to Chitral town, visit Shahi Masjid and Chitral Fort and local bazar. Later continue to upper Chitral Mastuj.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Guest House
• Tourist Class: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today we drive over famous Shandur pass to Ghizer valley, along the way we stop at Shandur located between Chitral and Gilgit valley. It is famous for Polo match every year during the month of July there is completion held between Gilgit and Chitral valley teams. Our next stop will be at Phandar village which is popular spot for trout fishing, and beautiful landscape. Continue driving to Gupis.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Blossom Inn
• Tourist Class: Blossom Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, we drive to Gilgit city. Gilgit the administrative capital of Gilgit Baltistan and, perhaps, the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. Here world’s three mightiest mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas – meet. The whole of Gilgit Baltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and adventure lovers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the area has remained a flash point of political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule of the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region decided to join Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir.
Upon arrival visit the Kargah Buddha carved on the rock dated from 7th century AD. We visit Gilgit Bazar and after lunch continue driving along the Karakorum highway to Karimabad Hunza valley. Next stop will be at Chalt Nagar which is the main Karakorum Thrust; the collision points of Indo Pak and Eurasian plate. We will also make a tea stop at Rakaposhi peak (7788 m) view point for photography. Continue driving to Karimabad. Afternoon walk around Karimabad, including a water channel walk.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today, we spend our day visiting two incredible ancient forts – Altit Fort and Baltit Fort. Altit Fort is spectacularly situated, overlooking the Hunza River valley, and was built almost a thousand years ago. The rectangular fort commands a view of the Hunza Valley and its tributaries, offering a strategic position for controlling the Trans-Silk Road trade route between South and Central Asia.
The rulers (Mirs) of Hunza knew that although Altit Fort commanded an impressive view and was difficult for invaders to attack, it was not impossible to conquer. Hence, the decision was made to create a fortress against the side of the glacier, providing the best vantage point and better defense strategies. As a result, Altit Fort was eventually abandoned in favor of the more than 700-year-old Baltit Fort.
Baltit Fort is a three-storey building constructed from wood and stone with mud plaster. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2004.
After feasting on traditional Hunza food for lunch, immerse yourself in the lively local scene around Karimabad Bazaar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we drive to Borith Lake.  Our first stop is Ganish village, we visit Ali Gohar’s old house, this ancient house in Hunza had received the UNESCO’s Heritage Award in 2009. Ali Gohar House, a 400-year-old architectural masterpiece, formerly used by envoy of Mir of Hunza to Kashgar, and Xinjiang. Next, we will do a side trip to Hopper valley which can be seen from Duiker is on the opposite, eastern side of the Hunza River. This is another fertile valley and is predominantly Shia Muslim. This is one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers at Hoper. Later drive to upper Hunza Gojal, we will stop by Atta Abad Lake for photography, afternoon drive to hike toward the Passu glacier viewpoint.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today you will be driving to the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway Khunjerab pass (4750 M). Along the way you will be able to see some wildlife at Khunjerab national park. Return back to Passu village, walk around the village, later visit Hussaini village, where we try to cross the hanging bridge, here you have chance to test our fear of heights and wobbly wooden plank walks while be mesmerized by the fast-flowing waters below.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we hike through Ghulkin glacier to Ghulkin village, after a picnic lunch with a local family, we continue our hike via Kamaris village to Gulmit. Gulmit is a peaceful and serene village that formerly served as a summer capital of the Hunza Kingdom. Here one will walk through the village, visit a 400-year-old house, and see local women weaving carpets and making several other traditional handicrafts. Visit local museum.  (Those who do not wish to hike can drive to Ghulkin village instead)
Later return to Borith Lake.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning we drive along the Karakorum Highway toward Chilas from here we take a scenic route via Babusar pass to Naran Kaghan valley.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: North Retreat Naran
• Tourist Class: North Retreat Naran
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning drive to Islamabad and enroute we will stop at Taxila, Taxila has a well-planned museum and many historic sites of the Gandharan Buddhist civilization. The area flourished from the Sixth Century B.C until the Fifth Century A.D. Later in the afternoon last minute shopping at local market. Evening farewell dinner at local restaurant.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burjul Zaki
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Our service will end here.

Meals Included: Breakfast