Complete Northern Pakistan – 23 Days

When you arrive at the airport in Islamabad, a member of our staff will be there to greet you and drive you to your hotel. Start your journey this afternoon by going to the Institute of Folk Heritage, also known as Lok Versa, a tiny ethnological museum that features a variety of costumes and artefacts from all over Pakistan. Then, move on to the Faisal Mosque. The largest place of worship in the world when it was constructed in the 1970s, this spectacular structure now houses an Islamic university with a focus on philosophy and law. Before having dinner at one of the many restaurants in old Islamabad, where Saidpur Village still exists despite modern design, you can visit the Marghalla Hills to take in stunning views of the city.

Taking a drive through the Northwest Frontier and into the picturesque Swat Valley, you will begin your journey north today. To get to Saidu Sharif, Butkhela, Chakdara, and Malakand Pass, take the GT Road. This area was formerly closed to foreign visitors, but it has just become accessible once more, giving you a fantastic opportunity to learn about the area's early Buddhist history. You will visit the neighborhood museum, which is filled with exquisite Gandharan antiques, as well as other Buddhist sites after you have checked into your hotel. Then go to Butkara, one of Ghandhara's earliest Buddhist stupas, a significant archaeological site.

After breakfast, you will set off on a breathtaking journey that will take you past Chakdara, where a young Winston Churchill witnessed battle in the 1890s, before crossing the Lowari Pass and into the old kingdom of Chitral. From there, continue on to Ayun. The farm and an orchard with seasonal fruits surround the fort. Take a stroll through the surroundings to take in the astonishing variety of roses. This is a wonderfully relaxed place to conclude your day because it is situated at the entrance to the Kalash Valleys and is surrounded by beautiful vistas.

Following breakfast, you will travel to the village of Balanguru in the Valley of Rumbor. You might also choose to walk the final several miles through this stunning valley. The smallest religious group in Pakistan is the Kalash, who number around 3,000. In contrast to other minorities in the nation, they are geographically restricted to the three valleys of Birir, Bumburet, and Rumbur. The Muslim community of Kalash is referred to as Kafirs (non-believers) and their region is referred to as Kafirstan. Both are located in the Hindu Kush between the Afghan Border and Chitral Valley.

Drive to the Bumburet Valley, the most scenic of the three, which has long, fertile areas of farmland and is dotted with communities. Spend as much time as you can with the Kalash families as soon as you arrive to learn about their culture, way of life, and gradual assimilation into contemporary society.

You will go from the lovely Kalash Valleys today. You will continue your journey to the tranquil and conservative mountain village of Chitral by traveling back down the steep rocky trails through the towering Hindu Kush mountains. If a match is being played, try to catch a game of mountain polo before spending the night in a motel.

After breakfast, you'll take a 4x4 jeep 110 kilometres northeast of Chitral town to Mastuj. As we weave our way up the Mastuj Valley, passing through Tirich Mir and BoniZong, before ultimately entering the Yarkhun Valley, at the top of which lies Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor, this is one of the most picturesque and spectacular drives you are ever likely to experience. You can explore the village after arriving before checking into your accommodation.

After breakfast today, you'll travel to the Shandur Pass, stopping along the way for tea at the pass's 3,800-meter summit. If you'd like, you may take a short stroll from here to the Langer, a lovely plain where yaks and dzos are fed, where you can have a picnic lunch before getting back in your jeep and continuing to Yasin Valley.

You will continue to Gilgit after breakfast, passing through some of Northern Pakistan's most breathtaking terrain.

After breakfast, take some time to stop in the town and visit the Christian cemetery before continuing on your incredible journey up the Karakoram Highway past the towering Mount Rakaposhi and into the stunning Hunza valley. You will undoubtedly be speechless when you see this enormous mountain, all 7,788 metres of it, basking in the sunlight next to the road. Before going on to Karimabad, the largest town in the area, you can stop for lunch en route at the Rakaposhi View Restaurant where you will experience the longest uninterrupted vertical view in the world.

Today, ascend above Karimabad town for a water channel trek with breathtaking valley views. Return to the centre of town and have lunch at one of the rooftop eateries. Following this, you will have some free time to unwind, browse, and roam before going on a sightseeing tour to the renowned Baltit fort from the fifteenth century, which served as the Hunza state's administrative center until it was recently meticulously restored by UNESCO. You'll get back to your lodging in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a leisurely day in one of the world's most stunning locations. Instead, you might like to continue exploring and head to Nagar Valley to take a quick walk on the Hoper Glacier or take in the sights at Attabad Lake. A significant landslip blocked the Hunza River in January 2010, submerging 22 km of the KKH by creating a stunning lake of azure. From here, visitors may take a boat journey up the northern shore, which provides a fantastic opportunity to get pictures of the well-known cathedral peaks.

You'll start your adventure to Gilgit today by heading south along the renowned Karakoram Highway. Your path will pass through the Rakaposhi viewpoint, giving you a wonderful opportunity to see this enormous mountain soaking up the sun. As you stop for breaks along the route, the trip should only take you about 4 hours.

Enjoy a quick tour of Gilgit this morning with your guide, stopping at the well-liked polo grounds and the incredibly typical mountain market. Following the path of the untamed Indus River, depart Gilgit and go via the little gorge known as Northern Pakistan's "Grand Canyon" to Shigar.

After breakfast, go on a walking tour of the Khanqah, which has been repaired, and the Amburiq Mosque, which was built in the 14th century and won a UNESCO prize. After that, keep driving to Khaplu and check into your accommodation. Explore the village, the Khanqah (a place of spiritual refuge that also housed journeymen), and Khaplu Palace in the afternoon.

You are free to unwind and take use of the hotel today, or you can participate in one of the numerous activities the hotel offers. Why not take in a polo match, explore the Saling rock carvings, tour the Khaplu Khanqah mosque from the 18th century, ride a horse through the stunning Baltistan countryside, stroll through Khaplu or check out some of the hotel's many projects, like the Bara Wool Spinning Centre and the Khaplu Women's Vocational Training Centre.

You will travel by car for around two hours from the former kingdom of Khaplu, which is located 105 km to the west, to Skardu. At the base of Kharpocho Fort, there is an old trail that you can use to reach the "organic village" while taking in the town's main bazaar. Visit the K2 exhibit at the K2 Motel and try to catch a Polo match at the town's main field. This is a great opportunity to see Baltistan's capital and learn about both local culture and mountaineering visitors' way of life.

Continue on to the Deosai Plateau National Park after an early breakfast. This plateau is a breathtaking 4,000-meter-high nature habitat with a variety of wildflowers blooming at different times of the year. Before going to the alpine meadows of Astore and Rama Lake, have a sumptuous picnic lunch with views of the Himalayas.

Today, keep travelling the road to Chilas. You will enter the Astore Gorge, one of the world's most stunning and impressive vistas, after leaving the alpine meadows of Rama and Astore. When you eventually get at Raikot Bridge, change to a local 4x4 jeep and proceed up the winding, arduous mountain route to Fairy Meadows. The journey is definitely an adventure, but it's worth it.

A lush pasture next to one of the base camp locations of the formidable Nanga Parbat Mountain (8126m) is known as Fairy Meadows, also known as Jut locally. Today's walk will take you through pine forests and beautiful green meadows as you make your way to Nanga Parbat base camp, taking in some of the most breathtaking landscapes.

Today, bid farewell to this tranquil oasis and begin the journey back down to Naran. Before continuing to Naran, pause for a moment at the summit of the 4100-meter-high Babusar Pass to take in the breathtaking panorama of the Himalayan, Karakorum, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

You will continue your journey today, stopping in Taxila, a fascinating university town that dates back to Alexander the Great's Ghandaharan era and is home to Buddhism. You will travel a short distance from Taxila to Islamabad for your final night.