Pakistan: Summer Mountain Explorer – 21 Days

Today's tour begins in Islamabad, also known as the "City of Islam," Pakistan's capital. The political and economic centre of the nation, it took Karachi's place in 1967. The Margalla Hills serve as a lovely background for this metropolis where the old and the new coexist. Modern structures and shopping centres can be found along leafy green boulevards, which are also interspersed with historic homes and mosques. We have the opportunity to visit some of Islamabad's well-known attractions after checking into our rooms, which are available from 14:00 or possibly earlier. These include the Faisal Mosque, the largest in South East Asia and one of the largest mosques in the world, which can hold up to 100,000 worshippers at a time. We'll also set aside some time to visit the Lok Virsa Museum, Pakistan's first official state museum of ethnology, which showcases the astonishing diversity of the nation's current living cultures. On the northern side of the city, in a hilltop garden called Daman-koh, we will also see the Pakistan Monument and enjoy the views of the city.

We leave early this morning for our lengthy trip through the Kaghan Valley to the north, stopping for lunch along the way, and then spending the overnight at the hotel in Naran. It will take six to seven hours to get there.

We will continue our early-morning journey today by driving through the wooded Kaghan Valley, across the breathtaking Babusa Pass, down to the Karakoram Highway (KKH), and then on to Raikot Bridge. After switching to jeeps, we'll make the brief but extremely dramatic drive to the road head and then hike up to the Fairy Meadows bungalows. It should take about three hours to complete the moderate mountain trail trek. The 8,100-meter peak and massif known as Nanga Parbat, also known as Naked Mountain, which marks the western terminus of the Himalayas, will be visible to us. Here, we'll spend the night in one of the charming log cabins, each with a commanding view of the enormous mountain. One of the most magical places on earth, this is.

We travel to the Beyal Camp today and back through the forested foothills of the massif. As opposed to running straight up, this will not be too taxing, but it will be breathtaking. The meadows, a beautiful spot to unwind, are available to anyone seeking a more leisurely experience. We'll eat lunch at a nearby campground before heading back to the cabins for dinner.

We'll walk back to the road head this morning after a leisurely breakfast, pick up the jeeps, and rejoin the KKH. After driving for a few more hours, we'll cross the Indus and continue on to Astore, where we'll spend the night.

We'll drive a short distance to Rama Lake following an early breakfast before continuing on to the magnificent Deosai Plateau National Park. At this time of year, the plateau is a gorgeous 4,000m-high natural habitat with a variety of wild flowers. Before moving on to Skardu, we'll savor a sumptuous picnic lunch with views of the Himalayas.

The old bazaar will be our first stop this morning before we leave to view the Manthal Buddha rock carving outside of Skardu. After that, we'll travel to Khaplu where we'll stay in one of the most exquisite heritage hotels in the entire subcontinent, which will be a true treat. The Aga Khan Cultural Development Trust recently converted this into a communal initiative.

As we follow the Shyok and Hushe Rivers into the heart of the Karakoram today, the journey continues. The Shyok and Hushe rivers carve a magnificent path into this easternmost region of Baltistan, draining a vast area of the eastern Karakoram, much of which is now in India. We'll travel up the Hushe Valley where we can stop at the isolated Baleygon school that is supported by our foundation. In Marzigone, where the beautiful 7,000-meter Mashabrum Mountain stands sentry, we will travel farther up the valley from here. We'll head back to Khaplu in the late afternoon while the sun is sinking.

We'll travel to Gilgit by car today for the entire day. This route is quite spectacular as it largely follows the Indus River. After stopping for lunch en route, we'll travel until early evening before reaching Gilgit.

This morning, we have the chance to explore this traditional frontier hamlet, which was formerly thought of as the empire's furthest outpost. Before taking the KKH north to Karimabad in the renowned Hunza Valley, we will visit the bazaar and the Christian cemetery. Even more so when you turn a corner and witness Mount Rakaposhi's colossal form lounging in the sun next to the road. We know we use a lot of superlatives, but this trip truly is epic. Before continuing on to Hunza, we will stop for lunch en route at the Rakaposhi View Restaurant. Before moving on to our hotel, which is located in a spectacular location at 2,850 metres above sea level and 500 metres above the valley floor with panoramic views of five 7,000-meter peaks, we will have the chance to explore the relaxed little town of Karimabad and admire the mountains that surround it upon arrival.

Wake up at around 5:30 in the morning to observe the pinking of Rakaposhi's flamingo peak by the rising sun. In order to see the Hoper Glacier, we will first go to the opposite side of the valley after breakfast. We'll next stop for lunch in a charming garden café before continuing on the KKH for another hour and a half to explore the recently constructed lake at Attabad. A significant landslip blocked the Hunza River in January 2010, submerging 28 kilometers of the KKH and creating a stunning lake of turquoise water. We stop by a carpet weaving studio managed by warm and welcoming Wakhi ladies in Gulmit. Later, as we go further north, we stop at the fifth-longest glacier in the world, Batura Glacier, where we can take in the breathtaking views of the Passu Cones, the white Passu Glacier, and other peaks over 7000 metres. The late afternoon finds us travelling back to Karimabad.

After breakfast, we tour the renowned Baltit Fort, which the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has rebuilt. Currently, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, we'll get lunch in town. Those who desire can take a stroll along Karimabad's waterways in the afternoon before shopping at the nearby shops, where there will be plenty to choose from. The greatest coffee and walnut cake in town are served at Café De Hunza.

We will travel to the Ghizer Valley from Gilgit after breakfast and return afterward. It is once more a breathtaking journey across some of northern Pakistan's most spectacular terrain. Following the path of the Ghizer River, we go on to the Ghizer Valley, where the water is colored and there is a lovely view of greenery and trees.

As we go through the Phander and Laspur valleys and cross the Shandur Pass, today's drive is likely the most breathtaking of the entire trip. At the top of the pass, at 3,800 meters, we make a tea stop. The top teams from Gilgit and Chitral compete there in frantic, violent bouts on the highest polo pitch in the world. The beautiful reflections of the surrounding lofty Hindu Kush mountains are what make the nearby Shandur Lake so well-known. We'll have a delicious picnic lunch on The Langer, a lovely plain where yaks and dzos graze, and then continue on to Mastuj, where we'll spend the night.

We'll take a quick walk up to the main road after breakfast to get a better look at the Tirich Mir Peak. We can also make out the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan, which is located at the top of the Yarkhun Valley. We wind our way along the Mastuj Valley, passing Tirich Mir and Boni Zong, in another stunning and captivating journey. We'll continue on to Chitral National Park in the late afternoon to witness the markhor, a type of mountain antelope that snow leopards prefer to feed upon, before checking into our charming neighborhood hotel and enjoying dinner.

After breakfast, we'll drive into the picturesque Kalash region of Rumbor Valley and the village of Balanguru. The trip takes around two hours, but if everyone wants, we may walk the final few miles through the breathtaking valley. Following lunch, we'll gather with the Kalash and go for walks about the community or travel further to see some of our friends in Grum or Kalashagrum.

Today we make the most of our time by exploring the valley on foot in order to take in the local scenery and warmth. We might be able to go on a stroll this morning toward the Afghan border to check out several tiny communities. After returning to Balanguru for lunch, those who want to go on another stroll around the valley to learn more about the Kalash way of life can do so. These strolls are optional; otherwise, you might spend the afternoon lounging around the village.

Today, we'll travel to Ayun. We may take some time to explore his magnificent garden and go on some lovely village strolls in the neighborhood.

We'll go very early this morning to make the final breathtaking trip over the Lowari Tunnel and the border crossing into Islamabad. We will not get to our hotel in Islamabad until the evening for a well-earned relaxation after a busy day of driving.

Today will begin leisurely before we travel a short distance to Taxila, a remarkable Buddhist university town that dates back to Alexander the Great's Gandharan era. After that, we'll head back to Islamabad for a final round of shopping and our farewell meal.

After breakfast today, the excursion comes to a close in Islamabad.