8 Days Journey along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza Gojal Valley

8 Days Journey along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza Gojal Valley

Overland Tour Hunza Valley

Eight Day Journey along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza Valley with Day Treks, Seven Nights Hotels

The 800-year-old Baltit Fort in Hunza

Experience the confluence of the highest mountain ranges of the world: Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush as you travel along the Karakoram Highway, reputed as the 8th wonder of the world, through the dramatic, deep gorges of the Indus: the Lion River.

Spend a few days in Hunza, a region inhabited by Ismaili Muslims and renowned for the longevity of its inhabitants. Walk to the glaciers flowing down from the soaring peaks.

Itinerary

Day 1: 01 Arrive Islamabad Airport – Narran /Besham

Stop At: Taxila Museum, Taxila Pakistan
Morning flight to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city. At the airport you will be met by a “Rock Valley Tours” and begin the 28km drive to Taxila, the ancient capital of Buddhist Gandhara civilization which is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites on the sub-continent. Here we will visit the ruins of a former city (Sirkup), a hill-top former monastery (Julian) and the splendid site museum that contains artifacts excavated from the sites. Among these are gold and silver coins from the time of Alexander the Great (326 BC). After lunch we head towards the Karakoram Highway (KKH) via the beautiful lush green valleys of Mansehra District. The highway was a joint project between Pakistan and China and took 20 years to complete. During its construction 300 Chinese and 600 Pakistani workers lost their lives. Overnight at motel. (4-5 hour drive, 200 km)
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: *** hotel / GH

Day 2: 02 Besham/ Narran - Gilgit (Meet the Indus River)

Stop At: Karakoram Highway, Hassanabdal Pakistan From Hassan Abdal to China border, Gilgit Pakistan
the meeting point of the world’s three highest mountain ranges – the Karakoram , Himalayas and the Hindukush. At this amazing place the Gilgit River also joins the mighty Indus. We follow the Gilgit River to Gilgit and overnight at a
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: ***Hotel /GH

Day 3: 03 Gilgit - Hunza (Karimabad)

Stop At: Indus-Gilgit Confluence, Pakistan
Kargah and visit the 7th century Buddha carved into the rock. In ancient times the Kargah Valley
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: ***Hotel/GH

Day 4: excursion Hunza Karimabad

Stop At: Baltit Fort, Karimabad Pakistan
A free day in Karimabad with time for short walks to the Altit and Baltit forts, and for more exploration of the Hunza Valley. There are superb views of the Karakoram Range from here - Rakaposhi 7788m, Diran 7266m, Ultar 7400m, Golden Peak 7027m, along with glimpses of the Nagar Valley on the other side of the river. The friendly, long-lived people of the Hunza are almost self-sufficient, growing wheat, maize, apricots and walnuts and making their own clothes, shoes, and wooden and stone bowls. In the afternoon there will be time to walk to the Ultar Glacier by following the irrigation channel through the village, or to stroll through the single-lane bazaar to enjoy more spectacular views of the mountain peaks soaring around you. Overnight at Hotel.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: ***Hotel/GH

Day 5: Karimabad - Passu (Upper Gojal Valley)

Stop At: Khunjerab National Park, Islamabad Pakistan Pakistan
Today we take a short drive into the heart of Karakorams. We will stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of the unclimbed Gulmit Tower and walk through the village fields to visit the polo ground and historic houses and later take a short trek to the Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake. Our transport will meet us near Borit Lake to take us the 15km to Passu. Passu is a charming village set against a backdrop of the soaring Passu Cones, and the Passu and Batura glaciers within short walking distance. About 70 years ago Passu was the second largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad. However, the glacier upstream on the Hunza River began to advance, creating a dam which later broke, washing away houses and fertile fields. Now the river occupies the major share of the valley. There will be time for a walk through the village before overnight at a lodge. (1 hour, 50 km)
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: ***Hotel/GH

Day 6: Passu/Gulmit Gojal (Full-day excursion)

Stop At: Passu Glacier, Borith Gojal upper Hunza, Pasu 15750 Pakistan
Morning walk to the Passu Glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one-way). From the snout of the glacier there are spectacular views of Shispar ( 7611m) and Passu Peak (7478m). Walk back to Lodge for lunch and afterwards visit the famous suspension bridges of Passu. These 800 feet long bridges over the Hunza River are still used by the local people. Overnight at lodge.
Duration: 2 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: ***Hotel/GH

Day 7: Gulmit/ Passu – Narran/ Besham

Pass By: Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan
Gulmit/ Passu – Narran/ Besham

Drive back along the KKH following the Hunza River enjoying more amazing views of the Karakorams. We spend the night at Besham/ Narran on the banks of the Indus River. (6-7-hour drive, 260km)


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: ***Hotel/GH

Day 8: Besham/ Narran - Islamabad - Departure

Pass By: Islamabad Zoo, Pir Sohawa Road, Islamabad Pakistan
We start early for the 8-hour drive along the KKH to Islamabad, with a short stop at Abbotabad for lunch. Transfer to airport for the flight to home destination. ( 11-12-hours drive, 500 km)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.