The High Road to Shangri-La (Kashgar and North Pakistan)

Upon arrival at Kashgar Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Today is designed to coincide with the famous Sunday market in Kashgar, where you can find everything from carpets and blankets to food, horses, donkeys, sheep, and even camels for sale! A vibrant mix of people from across the region makes the town swell by 100,000 people. This market is one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia and a photographer’s paradise. After exploring the market, we will visit the Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb, and take a walking tour of the old town.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Today, we drive along the famous Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan. Along the way, we will make several photo stops, including one at the stunning Karakol Lake. The scenery along the route is breathtaking, with a chance to enjoy views of the Muztagh-ata mountains. You may choose to take an optional camel ride or enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake. Later, we continue to Tashkurgan, the last Tajik town on the Chinese side of the border with Pakistan. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tashkurgan Fort, dating back to the 14th century, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding fields, mountains, and military complexes.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Chogri
• Tourist Class: Chogri
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Today, we drive to Gojal in Hunza, Pakistan. After completing border formalities, we will continue our journey to Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway (4750 m). Along the way, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife in Khunjerab National Park. Upon arrival in Sost, our local Hunza guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

This morning, we will hike towards the Passu White Glacier viewpoint, where you can capture stunning photographs. Then, we will drive to Hussaini Village, where you’ll have the chance to gingerly walk across the precarious rope bridge over the fast-flowing waters of the Hunza River. For a quicker crossing, an optional zipline is available. Lunch today will be a unique treat of healthy yak meat, which is lower in fat compared to traditional red meats and even salmon. After lunch, take a leisurely walk around Passu Village and capture photos of the iconic Passu Cones.

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 through Kamaris Village Ondra Poyga to Gulmit. Gulmit is a peaceful and serene village that once served as the summer capital of the Hunza Kingdom. Here, you can walk through the village, visit a 400-year-old house, and observe local women weaving carpets and crafting other traditional handicrafts. We will also visit a local museum.
Note: If you prefer not to hike, you may drive to Ghulkin Village by car

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

After breakfast, we will drive along the Karakoram Highway to the center of Hunza, Karimabad. Our first stop will be Attabad Lake, where you can take photographs or enjoy an optional boat ride. We will then visit Hopper Valley, which is visible from Duiker on the opposite, eastern side of the Hunza River. This fertile valley is home to a predominantly Shia Muslim population and is famous for the rapidly moving Hoper Glacier. We will also visit the 400-year-old Ali Gohar House in Ganish village, which was awarded the UNESCO Heritage Award in 2009. We will continue to Karimabad, where you will check in at the hotel and have a free afternoon to relax

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

Today, we will spend the day visiting two incredible ancient forts: Altit Fort and Baltit Fort.

Altit Fort is spectacularly situated above the Hunza River valley and was built nearly a thousand years ago. Its strategic location allowed the Hunza rulers to control the Trans-Silk Road trade route between South and Central Asia.

Baltit Fort, a three-story structure made of wood, stone, and mud plaster, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2004. The fort offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and was the ancestral home of the Hunza Mirs.

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

In the morning, drive to Tarashing Valley, with a stop in Gilgit City to visit the Gilgit Bazaar.
Gilgit is the administrative capital of Gilgit-Baltistan and has historically been a flashpoint of political and military rivalries between the Russian, British, and Chinese empires. After the British rule ended in 1947, the people of this region revolted against the Maharaja of Kashmir’s government and chose to join Pakistan. Later, we will visit the Kargah Buddha, a rock-carved figure dating back to the 7th century AD. Continue the drive to Tarashing in Astore valley.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Rupal Hotel
• Tourist Class: Rupal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Today, we will take a day hike toward Herrligkoffer Base Camp. The easy trail will cross a small Tarashing Glacier, leading us into Rupal Valley, which is a summer settlement for local people. We will continue our trek to Herrligkoffer Base Camp, named after a German doctor who attempted to summit Nanga Parbat from this side. You will be treated to stunning views of Nanga Parbat (8125 m). After a picnic lunch, we will return to Tarashing.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Rupal Hotel
• Tourist Class: Rupal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, we will set off for Deosai National Park, one of the highest plateaus in the world, situated over 4,000 meters above sea level and covering an area of about 3,000 square kilometers. The plateau is covered in snow from November to May and is only accessible from June to September. It is famous for its rich flora and fauna and is part of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe eco-region. In spring, the plateau blooms with wildflowers and is home to a wide variety of migrating butterflies. We will continue our drive to Skardu town.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: PC Legacy
• Tourist Class: Dynasty Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, we will drive to Shigar Valley, the gateway to the great Karakoram Mountain peaks and glaciers. Our visit will include Shigar Fort, which stands on the bank of the Shigar Stream and is built upon a massive rock. This 350-year-old fort has been renovated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and is the only one of its kind in Pakistan. Later, we will visit a 400-year-old wooden mosque and take a walk around the village.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Shigar Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, we will drive to the beautiful valley of Khaplu, a town on the banks of the Indus River. Here, we will visit the old fort and mosque, built in Tibetan architectural style. If time permits, we will also visit Machulu Village.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel Khapulu
• Tourist Class: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, we will drive back to Skardu. Skardu, the capital of Baltistan, is located 2,438 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Karakoram range. The Balti people, a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian descent, speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. Due to its cultural, architectural, and lifestyle similarities to Tibet, Baltistan is also known as “Tibet-e-Khurd” (Little Tibet).
Today, we will visit Kharpocho Fort, also known as the “King of Forts,” which overlooks the town. Built by Ali Sher Khan Anchan, who ruled Baltistan until the end of the 16th century, the fort offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Later, we will drive to visit the Lower and Upper Kachu.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: PC Legacy
• Tourist Class: Dynasty Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, we will transfer to Skardu Airport for a spectacular flight through the Pakistani Himalayas to Islamabad. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Islamabad, which will include a visit to the Daman-e-Koh viewpoint for a panoramic view of the city. Our tour will culminate with a visit to Shah Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world.
Note: Flights are subject to weather conditions. In case of bad weather, we will travel by road to Islamabad, with an overnight stay at Besham or Naran.

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

In the morning, we will drive to Taxila, which has a well-planned museum and several historic sites from the Gandharan Buddhist civilization. The area flourished from the 6th Century BC to the 5th Century AD. After visiting Taxila, we will head to Rawalpindi’s bustling Raja Bazaar. In the evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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

Our services will conclude with a transfer to the airport for your departure.

Meals Included: Breakfast