Baltistan is known little Tibet since its life style reflects that of the roof of the world and the land of lamas. It borders on the Chinese province of Sinkiang and Indian occupied Kashmir. The tourist season is from April to October. apart from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers, Baltistan’s five valleys Shigar, Skardu, Khaplum, Rondu and Kharmang-are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears Shigar valley is the gateway to the mountain peaks of Karakorum’s.
Skardu has a historic fort atop a ridge known as Mindoq khar castle of queen Mindoq and two lovely lakes Karpachu and Satpara lake are ideal for fishing. polo is a favorite sport in Skardu besides hiking, trekking and mountaineering etc.
Skardu, capital of Baltistan, is perched 2450 meters above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the Karakoram Mountain range. skardu is linked to the national capital of Islamabad by PIA which operates regular Boeing and Fokker flights. The air journey is full of thrills and would itself be regarded as the highlight of the visit. after following the same air route which connects Gilgit to Islamabad, the plane turns right and flies over the gorge of the Indus River. Enormous rock faces rise on either side and at times it seems as if the wingtips of the plane would almost scrape against them. they never do.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: We depart early and drive to Besham via Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra. After a short break at Besham, we resume our drive on Karakoram Highway, along River Indus. We will make photo stops at Shatial Rocks with ancient graffiti on it. We reach Chilas and transfer to hotel for night stay.
Day 2: From Chilas we travel on towards Skardu and on the way make a stop at Nanga Parbat View Point and confluence of the world’s 3 highest mountain ranges (Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush) including the confluence of Gilgit River into the Indus. Shortly after this point we turn right to follow the Indus River towards Skardu. This is the most breath-taking part of the journey where you see villages on both sides of the mighty Indus and there are rope bridges connecting the two sides. We reach the Kachura Lakes for a brief stay before continuing on to Skardu where we will stay for night.
Day 3: From Skardu, we move towards Deo-Sai stopping briefly at Satpara Lake. Then it is a constant climb to more than 4000 metres to reach the plateau. We shall stop at Bara Pani Bridge for tea break and try to reach Shausar Lake (depending upon weather conditions) before returning to Skardu.
Day 4: we leave for Shigar valley, a contrast of greenery as well as desert known as the Cold Desert Shigar. Crossing the River Indus and driving through a sandy land, we reach in green and fertile Shigar Valley. At Shigar, we will visit the old mosque and Shigar Fort residence. We return back to Skardu in evening and stay there for night.
Day 5: we start our return journey following the Indus River. We reach the KKH and drive to Chilas for a rest and lunch break. After lunch we continue our journey towards Besham for night stay.
Day 6: From Besham we resume our journey towards Islamabad passing through Mansehra, Abbottabad and Havelian we will reach Islamabad at our designated drop off place.
End of the Tour.
Tour Itinerary (Hunza-Skardu Tour)
Day 01: Pick up from Islamabad airport and transfer to hotel. overnight Islamabad
Day 02: We depart early and drive to Besham via Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra enrote visit Taxila which is one of UNESCO heritage of Pakistan. After a short break at Besham, we resume our drive on Karakoram Highway, along River Indus. We will make photo stops at Batagram. We reach besham and transfer to hotel for night stay.
Day 03: From Besham we travel on towards Gilgit and on the way sightseeing at Nanga Parbat View Point and confluence of 3 mountain ranges (Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush) including the confluence of Gilgit River into the Indus. From here we reach Gilgit. there for night.
Day 04: We shall continue drive towards Hunza valley following Hunza River. We will have stopover at Rakaposhi viewpoint and then will move on to reach Karimabad, the capital of Hunza valley. We will check in to hotel in Karimabad and stay
Day 05: Morning Drive to hoper glacier, 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 will visit Baltit Fort Museum and Altit Fort and in the afternoon drive to Gilgit and make brief trip to the bazaar on arrival. Night stay Hunza Karimabad.
Day 06: Today we will make an excursion to the Sino-Pak border at Khunjerab, crossing the villages of Gulmit, Passu and Sost en route. Khunjerab is the highest point on KKH at 4734 meters and considered as the highest trade route in the world. In the evening we will return to Karimabad and stay there for night.
Day 7: From Karimabad we travel on towards Skardu and on the way make a stop at Nanga Parbat View Point and confluence of the world’s 3 highest mountain ranges (Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush) including the confluence of Gilgit River into the Indus. Shortly after this point we turn right to follow the Indus River towards Skardu. This is the most breath-taking part of the journey where you see villages on both sides of the mighty Indus and there are rope bridges connecting the two sides. We reach the Kachura Lakes for a brief stay before continuing on to Skardu where we will stay for night.
Day 8: From Skardu, we move towards Deo-Sai stopping briefly at Satpara Lake. Then it is a constant climb to more than 4000 metres to reach the plateau. We shall stop at Bara Pani Bridge for tea break and try to reach Shausar Lake (depending upon weather conditions) before returning to Skardu.
Day 9: we leave for Shigar valley, a contrast of greenery as well as desert known as the Cold Desert Shigar. Crossing the River Indus and driving through a sandy land, we reach in green and fertile Shigar Valley. At Shigar, we will visit the old mosque and Shigar Fort residence. We return back to Skardu in evening and stay there for night.
Day 10: we check out and start our return journey following the Indus River. We reach the KKH and drive to Astak Nala. After lunch we continue our journey towards Astak for night stay.
Day 11: we will drive towards our destination, Fairy Meadows, which is a great but soft adventure. Fairy Meadows is located at the base camp of Nanga Parbat – 8125m, the lone giant of Himalayas and the second highest in Pakistan after K-2. We drive to Raikot Bridge on KKH and onwards to Jail (Tato), by jeeps at foot of Fairy meadows. From the end of jeep track, it is a hike of about three hours to the legendary place Fairy meadows, which is truly named with unsurpassed views of Nanga Parbat. At fairy Meadows tents or log cabins are available for accommodation.
Day 12: A soft trek of two to three hours, walking through the dense pine forest and later through birch trees and along shallow streams, takes us to Beyal, a summer settlement of shepherds with stunning views of Nanga Parbat – 8125m.
Optional hike to Nanga Parbat base camp crossing tails of glaciers with well identified track. At base camp, a monument had been erected in the memory of climbers died on the mountain. After a packed cold picnic lunch at base camp, we will return to our campsite at Fairy Meadows and enjoy a unique and memorable night at the foot of Nanga Parbat and in the land of fairies with bonfire
Day 13: In the morning after breakfast, we checkout and move back down the mountain to Tato village where our jeeps await to take us to Raikot Bridge. Upon reaching the bridge, we transfer to our vans and travel down along the KKH. We will spend the night in either Chilas or at Besham.
Day 14: From Besham we resume our journey towards Islamabad passing through Mansehra, Abbottabad and Havelian we will reach Islamabad. Overnight Islamabad.
Day 15: City tour capital city Islamabad and transfer to airport in the evening.
End of the Tour.
