Karakorum Highway & Chitral Valley
21 days
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Group Tour
Discover Pakistan's beauty! Explore Islamabad's wonders, then journey north through ancient ruins and vibrant markets. Hike to legendary mountain camps, immerse in the unique Kalash culture, and traverse breathtaking passes.
From$3,595
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Overview
Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
What's this trip about?
Discover Pakistan's beauty! Explore Islamabad's wonders, then journey north through ancient ruins and vibrant markets. Hike to legendary mountain camps, immerse in the unique Kalash culture, and traverse breathtaking passes.
Details
Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 1 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityNorthern Pakistan
End CityNorthern Pakistan
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels, guesthouses and cabins
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Domestic Flight (Chitral-Islamabad)
- Transport in rugged 4x4 vehicles
- Visa invitation letter
- Sightseeing tours in Islamabad & Rawalpindi
- Various guided mountain hikes throughout the route
- Pakistani clothes (Shalwaar Chemise)
- Meals - 3 meals per day
- Tea & Coffee morning & afternoon
- Loca English speaking guide
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Islamabad, afternoon city tour
This morning we will welcome you to Pakistan at Islamabad airport and transfer you to your hotel. At 2pm your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you on an afternoon tour of Pakistan's modern capital. Our visits will include the huge Faisal Mosque, which is the 6th...
OVERNIGHT:
Islamabad hotel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
Extra night in Islamabad - pre-tour (EXPAIS)
Single Room Supplement (PASGHK)
Guide & Transport for extra day - Islamabad (EXPAGI)
DAY 2: Islamabad to Naran via the Jaulian Monastery & Sirkup Old City. Visit Naran Bazaar
We leave modern Islamabad this morning and start our drive up into the hills to the north. Our journey takes us along the photogenic, 160km-long Khagan valley, which is embraced by the forested peaks of the lesser Himalayan range. Along the way we visit the Jaulian Mona...
OVERNIGHT:
Hotel in Naran
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 3: Cross the Babussar Pass. Hike to Fairy Meadows
Prepare for some serious hairpin bends today as the road climbs up to the Babussar Pass (4175m) and then descends again towards Chilas, situated on the banks of the mighty Indus River. En-route we'll stop for a break at Lalusar Lake. We continue up the Karakorum Highway ...
OVERNIGHT:
Fairy Meadows Huts
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 4: Free time or treks in the mountains around Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows (3300m) is one of the most picturesque places in the world, and the start of some fantastic mountain trekking routes. There are two options today. The easier choice is a 2-3 hour trek through dense prime forest, and then through birch trees and along shallo...
OVERNIGHT:
Fairy Meadows huts
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 5: Hike down to Tato, drive to Tarashing
We'll leave Fairy Meadows reluctantly this morning and after breakfast hike back down to Tato (approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hours), pick up our vehicles again, and then drive on to Tarashing, through the magnificent, pine forested Astore Valley which feels reminiscent of Austrian ...
OVERNIGHT:
Tarashing guest house
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 6: Hike to Nanga Parbat-Herrligkoffer Base Camp
We have another stunning mountain trek today. We'll start by driving from Tarashing (2911m) into the the Rupal Valley, following the Tarashing (or Chhungphar) glacier's lateral moraine before crossing it and continuing to Rupal Village. From there we hike through small s...
OVERNIGHT:
Tarashing guest house
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 7: To Skardu via Desosai National Park
Our route today takes us through the Deosai National Park. These plains are a contrast to the steep valleys we've traversed so far, and lie between the Indus River and the souther extension of the Himalayas. The altitude averages 3800m, and the undulating green, flower-f...
OVERNIGHT:
Skardu hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 8: Day trip to the Shigar Valley
We take a day trip from Skardu to the fertile Shigar Valley today. We'll cross the Indus River, and head up the Shigar River which is surrounded by wide flat sand banks, deposited when the water levels are high. The lush green valley is a great contrast, and is well know...
OVERNIGHT:
Skardu hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 9: Skardu to Gilgit via Katchura Lake
After breakfast we'll drive back to the main Karakorum Highway and the town of Gilgit. The road hugs the banks of the Indus river all the way, and we can see various stretches of white water rapids. We'll make a stop on the way at the Katchura Lakes, and look out for the...
OVERNIGHT:
Gilgit Hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 10: Hunza Valley, Borith Lake, Passu Glacier View
We drive north again today on the newly reconstructed Karakorum Highway. Passing under the shadow of Rakaposhi, our two hour journey leads us to the former kingdom of Hunza, called “the epitome of mountain grandeur” by Eric Shipton. It is a fairy tale land surrounded by ...
OVERNIGHT:
Passu Hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 11: Passu to Karimabad
A short drive and walk after breakfast this morning brings us to the world famous Hussaini Suspension Bridge. Considered the second longest man made hanging bridge in the world, this stretches for several hundred metres across the Hunza River, with widely spaced wooden b...
OVERNIGHT:
Karimabad hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 12: Drive to Gupis
We head south and then west in to the Hindu Kush Mountain Range. The road from Gahkuch to Gupis has breathtaking views along the Gupis valley where people go about their everyday lives farming the fertile land. Our hotel offers an amazing view down the valley to Phander Lake, which is famous for trout fishing
OVERNIGHT:
Gupis Guesthouse
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 13: Drive to Mastuj via the Shandur Pass
Our journey continues through alpine meadows, weaving our way through turquoise rivers and streams to take us over the mighty Shandur Pass (3720m), which is also home to the highest Polo ground in the world. Here every July, Chitralis and Gilgities fight it out on the Po...
OVERNIGHT:
Mastuj Guesthouse
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 14: Drive to Chitral
This traditional route has been used for centuries by the traders between Chitral and Gilgit. After lunch we explore the streets and alleyways of Chitral town. The bazaar, overshadowed by the icy ramparts of Tirich Mir (7708m) up valley, has a really interesting atmosphe...
OVERNIGHT:
Chitral hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 15: Day trip to Garam Chashma
After breakfast we drive to Garam Chashma, famous for its hot sulphur springs and well known for their healing abilities and attract many people who wish to be cured from varied ailments ranging from migraines to sterility. Drive back to Chitral in the afternoon where you'll have some free time.
OVERNIGHT:
Chitral hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 16: Drive to the Rumbur Valley. Learn about the Kalash People
Today, we will visit the fascinating Kalash people who inhabit the nearby valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. The exact origin of these people is lost in antiquity - some believe they are the descendants of Alexander the Great’s soldiers left behind when he retreated ...
OVERNIGHT:
Rumbur guesthouse
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 17: Nuristani village & Bumburet Valley
Today, we'll walk to Nuristani village and back to Rumbur, before we drive on to the Bumburet Valley. We visit Bumburet village and Kalash Museum.
OVERNIGHT:
Rumbur guesthouse
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 18: Summer Palace visit, Birmoghlasht
Today we'll return to Chitral, where we visit the Summer Palace on the hilltop (2743 meters) above the town at Birmoghlasht. The Mehtar, former rulers of Chitral used to stay there during the summer season. We'll have a short hill walk, where we'll have lunch with views. Then we drive back to Chitral and visit Old Mosque.
OVERNIGHT:
Chitral hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 19: Chitral to Islamabad flight
We intend to fly back to Islamabad today, however due to the mountainous region, weather may not allow us this luxury. If this is not possible, we shall make the journey by road. Payment for the flight would be made locally if this upgrade is necessary.
OVERNIGHT:
Islamabad hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 20: Visit Taxila and Islamabad
After a short drive we visit Taxila Museum and the remains of Jaulian monastery. Taxila, was once the seat of Oriental culture. It was first mentionned as a satrapy of the Achemenian empire in 6th century BC. It was invaded by Alexander the Great, and passed along to oth...
OVERNIGHT:
Islamabad hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
DAY 21: Departure from Islamabad
Your time is free today until we transfer you back to Islamabad airport for your flight home.
Extra nights and additional guiding and transport are available in Islamabad or Rawalpindi if you would like to extend your stay, perhaps to add on a visit to Lahore to see the Fort, Mosque and Gardens. Please contact us for details.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Lahore Extension
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Dates & Availability
Price From $3,595
Price per day$171
Last Updated: 4/19/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Occupancy Per Person
Single Occupancy Per Person
Triple Occupancy Per Person
Spaces Remain
08 Jun 2025
28 Jun 2025
$3,595
06 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
$3,595
03 Aug 2025
23 Aug 2025
$3,595
31 Aug 2025
20 Sep 2025
$3,595
21 Sep 2025
11 Oct 2025
$3,595
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Encounters Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Drinks, snacks & tips
- Other personal expenses (eg. laundry)
- Optional excursions
Accommodation
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
Encounterstraveltourcms-PASGKC
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