Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is a very sparsely populated high-mountain area in the north of Pakistan. Its natural environment is usually described with superlatives – the longest glaciers outside of the polar region, home of the world’s second highest peak (K2), and four more eight-thousands. GB is largely a high-mountain desert; geologically, it spreads over three high mountain systems: Himalaya, Karakorum, and Hindukush. The society of GB is diverse in terms of language, religion, and ethnicity.
Skardu is the capital of Baltistan. The Balti people are a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. Due to the similarity of its culture, lifestyle and architecture with Tibet, Baltistan is also known as the «Tibet-e-Khurd» (Little Tibet).
Gilgit-Baltistan covers an area of over 72,971 km² and is highly mountainous. Its capital city is Gilgit. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to five of the eight-thousands and to more than fifty peaks above 7,000 meters (23,000 ft).
Tourism is usually in trekking and mountain climbing and this industry is growing in importance. The climate of Gilgit-Baltistan varies from region to region encompassing mountain ranges and creating sharp variations in weather. The eastern part has the moist zone of the western Himalayas however going toward Mustagh and the Hindukush the climate dries significantly.
Itinerary | 05 Nights 06 Days
Day 01: Islamabad – Naran
Pick up from Islamabad. Departure for Naran (approx. 07 hrs drive). En-route suggested lunch at Balakot.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Naran.
Day 02: Naran – Hunza
Early morning departure at 06 00 hrs for Karimabad/Hunza via the Babusar Pass (approx.10-hour drive) with a stopover at the Rakaposhi View Point.
Mount Rakaposhi is a mountain in the Karakoram mountain range and means “shining wall” in the local language. It is ranked the 27th highest mountain in the world and the 12th highest in Pakistan but is better known for its beauty rather than its rank as one of the world’s highest peaks. At 7788 m high, Rakaposhi is said to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Rakaposhi was first climbed in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of a British-Pakistani expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. The Minapin glacier sweeps down through the 16 km long flooded snowy ridge that connects Rakaposhi (7788M) and Diran (7265 M).
On arrival at Karimabad check in at the hotel and the rest of the day is planned for leisure. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hunza.
Day 03: Hunza
After breakfast be transported back 700 years and explore the royal seat of the ancient rulers of Hunza – the Tibetan-influenced UNESCO award-winning Baltit Fort and walk the cobbled streets of the old settlement of Baltit.
Later visit Altit Fort – wander around the historical village of Altit & explore this beautifully restored fort.
Visit the oldest settlement in the Hunza Valley – Ganish, some 1000 years old and the recipient of many UNESCO awards due to the superb heritage conservation & development work completed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture through their Historic Cities Program.
See the Sacred Rocks of Hunza – a famous archeological site containing stone etchings recording 2000 years of travels along the Silk Road to and from China. The inscriptions are in Kharaoshti, Brahmi, Gupta, and Sogdian & Tibetan and depict many an Ibex.
In the evening visit Duiker for a breathtaking sunset view.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Hunza.
Day 04: Hunza
After breakfast, departure for Attabad Lake – created in 2010 by a devastating landslide, the lake now offers an amazing boating experience with breathtaking scenery. The lake is located approximately 2 hours away from Hunza, through the newly built tunnels to Gulmit.
Later visit the village of Gulmit and the famous Bulbulaik music school. Later departure for the Khunjerab Pass (03 ½ hrs drive). En-route visit the amazing Passu Glacier and Passu Cones.
The Khunjerab Pass is the world’s highest border crossing and a mountain pass in the Karakoram Mountains in a strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan’s Gilgit–Baltistan Hunza – Nagar District, located on the southwest border of the Xinjiang region of China
Drive back to Hunza. Overnight stay at the hotel in Hunza
Day 05: Hunza – Naran
After breakfast departure for Naran (approx. 07 hrs. drive). En-route suggested lunch at Chilas.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Naran.
Day 06: Naran – Islamabad
After breakfast departure for Islamabad (approx. 07 hrs drive). En-route suggested lunch at Balakot or Marnsehara on arrival drop to a designated location in Islamabad.