It is amazing that a kind of a fabric i.e., Silk, has played a vital role in the history of world. Its trade became the link between the East and West around 100 BC through land route, which lasted until the 15th century, when ships were invented and traveling through the sea became possible. Traders used to export and sell several exotic products but Silk was the most important thus giving its name to the whole route, which is still remembered as The Silk Route and much of which has survived even to this day. The original track started from Xian in China and skirting Gobi Desert to Dunhuang, where it leads to two destinations; via Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar and through Yarkand to Kashgar. From Kashgar it bifurcated in different directions to Samarkand in Central Asia crossing the Pamirs and to the sub-continent crossing savage Karakoram Mountains. As it became popular, the route was used by the invaders, raiders, explorers, hunters, missionaries and philosophers as well. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity came to this region through the Silk Route.
Karakoram Highway (KKH)
After a long interval of centuries, in 1966, Pakistan and China had an agreement to construct a road for mutual benefits. Though the new route does not follow exactly the old route but the track follows mostly the same region so it can be said as the relive of the old Silk Route. The Silk Route once connected famous landmarks, which are now lost to time, however many are still existent and KKH offers the opportunity to visit these sites to capture some of the magic of old times as historical figures like Alexander the Great, Marco Polo, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane were all familiar with this legendary Silk Route. After the independence of Central Asian states, this splendid region is open for general tourists without unnecessary formalities and restrictions. The great Silk Route oases of Uzbekistan are more accessible than ever and a journey in this region is not mere travel, but in fact, exploration. From the legendary place, Kashgar, one may select his route either to China or to Central Asian States. The Silk Route and Karakoram Highway are one of the most popular routes in the world among epic travelers, which can be made while sitting in a temperature-controlled vehicle winding through the scenic and changing vistas. Here is a complete program but you are free to select your priority destination.
Tour Itinerary
Day 01: Welcome in Pakistan at Islamabad and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon we will make a city sightseeing tour Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which offers a great contrast of culture, archaeology and planning. Rawalpindi is an old city with narrow lanes and bustling bazaars while Islamabad is a modern and the only planned city of Pakistan serving as the capital of the state. Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Lok Virsa Museum and Shah Faisal Mosque are the places of tourist interest included in the tour.
Day 02: Following the historic Grand Trunk Road, we make a detour to Taxila and visit Jaulian Monastery and Archaeological Museum later on drive to Peshawar crossing River Indus at Attock Bridge on G.T. Road.
Day 03: In the morning, visit Khyber, the famous route of invaders. In the afternoon a visit to Peshawar Museum, Masjid Mahabat Khan, Qissa Khawani bazaar and a drive by Bala Hisar Fort is our main activity.
Day 04: We depart from Peshawar to the Buddhist site of Takht-e-Bahi and later on cross Malakand Pass to enter in to Swat Valley, making a stop at Churchill’s Picket and Shingerdara Stupa en route.
Day 05: After visiting Swat Museum and Butkara, an excavated site, we start driving for Besham on KKH crossing picturesque Shangla Pass at 2134m.
Day 06: Following the upstream course of River Indus, we will make photo stops at Shatial and Chilas rocks with ancient graffiti on it. Nanga Parbat viewpoint offers breathtaking panorama while our next stop will be at the unique point where three mountain ranges, Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet and then the last viewpoint is the confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers before arriving at Gilgit.
Day 07: Gilgit has been the most important garrison town since ages. Now it is the largest and most important commercial center of the region, settled on the banks of Gilgit River.After making a brief tour of the town, we depart for Hunza driving on KKH and make a spectacular stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint. Crossing several villages of Nagar and Hunza states, we arrive at Karimabad, the capital town of Hunza Valley.
Day 08: Ultar, Hunza Dome, Bublimating, Spantik and Diran are famous peaks surrounds us at Karimabad, while Rakaposhi at 7788m dominates the whole panorama. At Karimabad, we visit Baltit Fort Museum and Altit Fort. Rest of the day is free for walking around villages and famous terraced fields of Hunza.
Day 09: This is a leisure day to enjoy the superb landscape of Hunza Valley. We depart for Gulmit, a serene place in upper Hunza to enjoy the mountain vistas uninterruptedly and stay in this calm and quite village for overnight.
Day 10: We drive to Sost and after immigration formalities at Sost border post, we climb the world’s highest border trade route at Khunjerab Pass (4733m) and descend into China territory to arrive Taxurgan, a small village in Xinjiang province of China and stay for overnight.
Day 11: After departure from Taxurgan, we make a stop at Karakol Lake offering excellent views of Muztagh Ata peak in the Pamirs. We continue our drive to Kashgar, where time seems to stand still.
Day 12: The colorful Sunday Market of Kashgar is famous since ancient times and people still use barter system for their trade. At Kashgar, we also visit Eid Gah Mosque and tomb of Abakh Hoja the Muslim Saint who spread Islam in Xinjiang Province.
End of the services.
