Drive along the Karakoram Highway, take a round trek to Nanga Parbat base camp and spend time in hunza taking day walks to Gulkin Glacier and Borit Lake. Travel over Khunjerab Pass to China and camp at Karakul Lake, a traditional camping place for Tajik people. Join a caravan of two-humped Bactrian camels for 3 days, following the Tajik nomads' traditional routes. Visit the Muztagh Ata base camp before catching a bus to Kashgar, the pearl oasis of the ancient Silk Route and famous for its legendary sunday markets. From here we fly to Urumqi and then drive to Lake Tianchi, home to Uygur nomads. Spend a day in Beijing before flying back to Pakistan.

Itinerary

DAY 01:-Arrive Islamabad, drive to Chilas
This morning we drive to Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan in the foothills of Himalayas. After freshening up at a hotel and enjoying breakfast we set off on a spectacular 12-hour drive to Chilas along the legendary 500-kilometre Karakoram (KKH) highway which winds its way through the Himalayas.. Meals and overnight at hotel. (500 km, 12-hour drive in air-conditioned bus)

DAY 02: -Drive to Tarshing village
In the morning we drive for two hours along the KKH to the viewpoint of the 8125m Nanga Parbat, the Killer Mountain and the world's ninth highest peak. From here we leave our bus and hop into open-top 4x4 jeeps. After passing through a deep gorge at the base of Nanga Parbat, we reach Astore village for lunch. From here it is a further two-hour drive to Tarshing village to enjoy the breathtaking alpine scenery and our first night under canvas. (160km, 6-7 hour drive)

DAY 03: -Trek to Bazin
In the morning we start our trek to Bazin. We pass through small settlements — the home of Balti and Shina-speaking Gilgaties. From the Bazin camp there is an impressive view of Nanga Parbat looming above us. Our campsite is on a meadow at 3800 metres. (4-5 hour trek)

DAY 04:-Day at Bazin
We have a full day at Bazin to walk to the Nanga Parbat base camp at 4100m where there are commanding views of the Rupal face of Nanga Parbat. Return to camp for dinner & overnight. (5-hour round trek)

DAY 05: -Trek to Tarshing & jeep to Rama Lake
Walk from Bazin camp to Tarshing village where we have lunch. Then a short drive on the narrow jeep track to Rama Lake. The shores of this beautiful alpine lake, at 3200 metres above sea level, offers a wonderful place to camp. (4-hour trek, 2-hour jeep ride)

DAY 06:-Drive to Hunza via Gilgit
From the lake we take our jeeps for a 50km ride to the Karakoram highway which follows the Gilgit River to the town of Gilgit, the capital of Pakistan's Northern Areas. After a stroll through the bazaar and lunch, we head north alongside the Hunza River through the fabled valley of Hunza. We stop for the night at Karimabad, the capital of Hunza with its spectacular views of 7788m Rakaposhi and 7388m Ultar Peak. (220km, 6-7 hour drive, not including stops)

DAY 07:-Hunza
The fascinating valley of Hunza is the home of the Ismaili Muslims, the followers of Prince Karim Aga Khan. There is graphic evidence here of the hard work carried out by the local people to bring life to the arid soil. Here, in the heart of Karakoram, where annual rainfall is very low the people have built irrigation canals to channel glacial waters down to their fields. We visit the historic Altit and Baltit forts, and then stroll along the water channels in the evening to meet the village people. Meals & overnight at hotel.

DAY 08: -Day trek, drive to Passu
In the morning, as we leave Karimabad, we visit the sacred rock carvings which date back to 2nd century AD and the early days of the Silk Route. After following the Hunza River for 45km (1 hour), we leave our jeeps at Gulmit, a picturesque village by the river. We trek for five hours through the valley to arrive at Passu on the KKH. After walking through the village fields, we cross Gulkin glacier and arrive at Borit Lake for lunch and then on to the Passu glacier. From here it is 45 minutes down to Passu village. Meals and overnight at lodge. (1-hour drive, 4-5 hour trek)

DAY 09:-Day trek from Passu
The small village of Passu (population 600) is located on the bank of Hunza River, in the shadows of the towering Passu Cones to the north and the snouts of the Passu & Batura glaciers to the west. From here we take a 5-6 hour walk to climb Yunz Pass where there are superb views of the valley and the surrounding peaks, many of which are above 7000 metres. We return to the village and spend the evening there meeting local people. Dinner in a private house in the village. (5-6 hour round trek)

DAY 10:-Passu to Karakul Lake, via Khunjerab Pass
A one-hour early morning drive from Passu to Sost, the customs and immigration post that serves the Pakistan-China border. Here we leave our transport, complete the customs & immigration formalities and board an official bus provided by the Pakistan government (as part of an agreement between Pakistan and China, only government transport can cross the border on the Khunjerab) We drive over the 4730m high Khunjerab Pass (the highest asphalt road & border crossing in the world), stopping for photos and to see the meeting of the Karakoram and Pamir ranges. After 4-5 hours' drive from Sost we arrive at Tashkorgan (3180 m) — China's customs & immigration post and the fiirst settlement on this side of the border. Here we board Chinese transport for short ride to Karakul Lake, where we will camp for our first night in China. (315 km, 9-10 hour drive)

DAY 11: -Trek to Jangbulak
Karakul Lake, a shallow blue mirror of water, is flanked by the massive shoulders of the Pamir Range, including the 7545m Muztagh Ata. In summer the lakeside pastures are home to the Uygur nomads. Compared to the dry, rugged Karakorams, the Pamir Ranges of this region are very gentle and green and here we form a camel caravan and embark on a three-day trek. This is a world where massive, impassive, hairy yaks and nomadic riders roam freely. We end our first day's 5-6-hour trek at the Jangbulak campsite. (5-6 hour trek)

DAY 12: -Trek to 4000m
Early morning departure from Jangbulak to trek to Qultumak at 4000m. (5-6 hour trek)
DAY 13: -Base camp excursion, drive to Kashgar
We start our day with a short but rigorous excursion to the base camp of Muztagh Ata at 4300m where we may get to talk to mountaineers of many nationalities. After spending about an hour here we descend to the Karakoram Highway where our transport is waiting to take us to Kashgar with lunch en route at Karakul. Overnight in Kashgar Hotel. (4-5 hour trek, 5-6 hour drive)

DAY 14: -Sunday Market
We spend most of the day at the Kashgar Sunday market where the Uygur people come from far afield to sell and buy their sheep, donkeys, horses and camels. The hotel is only 10 minutes away for lunch but we can also try nan bread, kabaab and other local delicacies in the market. Overnight in the hotel

DAY 15:-Kashgar, fly to Urumchi
We visit the Abakh Hoja mausoleum, the Eid gah mosque and the old town. If time permits we may visit a school or kindergarten Lunch in an Uygur house will give us more opportunities to understand the local people. We fly to Urumqi at 1840hrs. Overnight in Urumchi hotel.

DAY 16:-Heavenly Lake
This morning we visit the Heavenly Lake and hike across mountain pastures. This area is populated by the Kazak people who we can visit in their yurts when we stop for a picnic lunch.

DAY 17:-Arrive Beijing
After breakfast we fly to China's capital city, Beijing, at 1005hrs and visit the Forbidden City, the largest and most well preserved of all the ancient buildings in China and later check into our hotel.

DAY 18: -The Great Wall
Morning excursion to the less touristed Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, where we will walk along some of its 5000km length. During the rest of the day we will visit Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven) with its ancient altars, vaults and temples. We end the day with a leisurely stroll around the Emperor's summer palace, an immense park containing royal architecture, lakes and gardens. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 19:-Fly to Pakistan
Morning sightseeing in Beijing and after lunch fly to Karachi.

DAY 20:-Arrive Home
Early morning arrival at Karachi international airport, and board connecting flight for home destination.

Send An Inquiry