09 Days – Gilgit & Hunza Tour

Upon arrival transfer to hotel for dinner & overnight.

Chilas was on the ancient caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India and on the Indus trail of Besham, and many rock engravings were left by travelers in this area.   

Gilgit is an old tribal town that acted as a rest stop for weary travelers on the silk route- the famous road from China to the Arabian Sea. It is located in the heart of the Karakorum Range, surrounded by lofty peaks, the most majestic being Rakaposhi.  

Arrive and transfer to the hotel for dinner & overnight.

Hunza – Duikar

It is west valley from Gilgit, toward Shandoor pass to Chitral and one way 60KM drive. The landscape is really beautiful. It can be done on Micro bus. Lunch at local restaurant at Gahkuch. After lunch drive back to Gilgit. 

Continue to Karimabad – Duikar It is summer village, which is located at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. From the crest of the hill, we have panoramic views of lower Hunza Valley, Nagar Valley, Rakaposhi, Hoper Glacier and Ultar among the others.  

Upon arrival transfer to hotel for dinner & overnight.

Karimabad

Breakfast at hotel then drive to Nagar was an autonomous principality in close association with neighboring Hunza. The British gained control of both states between 1889 and 1892. The British retained Nagar’s status as a ‘principality‘ until 1947. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south and west, and the former princely state of Hunza to the north and east. The state capital was the town of Nagar. The area of Nagar, now forms three Tehsil of Hunza–Nagar District.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon drive back to Karimabad. Visit Altit / Baltit Fort and Karimabad bazaar.

Upon arrival at Karimabad, visit Altit Fort, this is recently renovated. 

The majestic Altit Fort is about 3 km above from Karimabad. It has been built on a sheer rock-cliff that falls 300 meters (1000 feet) into the Hunza River. It was originally home to the ruler of the Hunza State, who carried the title Mir. It is said that the present language Brushaski was brought here by the white Huns in 47 A.D. After lunch visit to Baltit Fort and Karimabad Bazaar.  

Baltit Fort- was the old palace of the Mir of Hunza and was inhabited until the 1950. The Fort is about 800 years old. The local people say that a princess of Baltistan married with reigning Mir and brought with her some Balti masons, carpenters and craftsmen to build Baltit as part of her dowry. It stands on a cliff edge and now is a museum and cultural centre. For a spectacular view of Fort, walk along the irrigation channel that comes from Ultar Glacier. You can also climb the steep path to the hill on the other side of the ravine behind Baltit and walk down to Altit village. 

Return to hotel for dinner & overnight.   

 Chilas. On the way you can view the Rakaposhi & Nangaparbat.  

Rakaposhi View Point: It is on the way (about 30 minutes) before Hunza. It is a sort of picnic spot and exceptionally attractive, forcing the traveler to halt for a while.  

Nangaparbat View Point – is the most wonderful view point of great Nanga Parbat. It is a unique place as one can see a perfect view of 8,000m mountain peak 

Rock carving at Chilas: Buddhist rock carvings and inscriptions along the Indus river near Chilas, Typical Buddhist images with stupa or meditating Buddha’s engravings of animals ibex, Markhor, etc various motifs related to Shiva, Vishnu or Zoroastrian influences and inscriptions in various languages scribbled into a stone. Interesting carvings can be seen on the rocks at Chilas, even from the window of the vehicle.  

Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for dinner & overnight.

Lunch on the way at local restaurant.  

Arrive and transfer to hotel for dinner & overnight. 

Abbottabad – is located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. 50 km northeast of the capital Islamabad and 150 km east of Peshawar. Abbottabad has been attracting tourists to the city since the colonial era, as it is a major transit point to all major tourist regions of Pakistan such as Nathiagali, Ayubia and Naran. The Karakorum, Himalayas and the Hindukush ranges can be approached from Abbottabad and it continues to be a transit city for tourists. After Abbottabad we will pass through the lush green village.  

Continue drive to Taxila, which is the main centre of Gandhara. It is over 3,000 years old. Taxila had attracted Alexander the great in 326 BC, and Greek culture came to this part of the world. Taxila later came under the Mauryan dynasty and reached a remarkable level of development under the great Ashoka. During the year 2 BC, Buddhism was adopted as the state religion, until the year 10 AD. During this time Taxila, Swat and Charsadda became three important centers for culture, trade and learning.  There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila. Some of the most important sites are: Dharmarajika Stupa and Monastery, Bhir Mound, Sirkap, Jan dial Temple and Julian Monastery (200 – 600 AD).

After visit transfer to Islamabad Airport for return International Flight