HINDUKUSH, KARAKORAM & HIMALAYAS

The following day, you’ll leave the city and travel to Taxila, one of the sub-continent’s most important archaeological treasures. Explore the remains of three great cities and dozens of Buddhist monasteries dating back to 600 BCE to AD 600. Visit the Taxila Museum to see some of the finest examples of Gandharan sculptures and art, as well as other important artifacts and discoveries about ancient civilizations.

After lunch, continue the drive to Mansehra and check in at the Hotel One for dinner and overnight. The next day, drive to Behsam, also known as Besham Qala, the largest town and commercial center in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Stop for lunch at Rakaposhi viewpoint before continuing the drive to Gilgit, where you’ll check in at the Serena Hotel.

The next day, drive to Hunza, making stops at various historical monuments, including a newly restored monument related to the recent history of the Gilgit Baltistan region, Chinar Bagh, Karga Budha, and George Heyward Grave. Visit the Gilgit Bazar before arriving at the Serena Hotel Hunza for check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Explore the Hunza valley the following day with a visit to Baltit Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage tentative site since 2004. Visit the local handicraft center by Karakoram Area Development Organization and have lunch at a local restaurant to experience traditional cuisine and the warmth of the people. Visit Karimabad Bazaar for some free time before returning to Serena Garden for a BBQ dinner (weather permitting) and overnight stay.

The following day, visit a small, centuries-old settlement with old Wooden Mosques and a small Watchtower, which Aga Khan Trust for Culture has restored. Visit Haldekish sacred rock carving and pictograms and enjoy an excursion to Hopper in Nager Valley before returning to Karimabad and continuing to Duikar for a sunset and mountain panorama. Check-in at Hunza Eagles Nest Hotel Duikar for dinner and overnight.

On day eight, embark on an excursion to Khunjerab Pass, boarding with China, before returning to the hotel. The next day, enjoy a free day at leisure in Hunza, exploring the area on your own. On day 12, drive to Skardu and check-in at Shangrila Resort for dinner and overnight.

The next day, visit Kachura Lake and Shangrila Resort, also known as the “Heaven on Earth.” Take a boat ride on the lake before having lunch at the resort. Visit the nearby Upper Kachura Lake before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Following the former, leave Skardu and drive to Chilas, making stops at the Nanga Parbat viewpoint and the junction point of three mountain ranges. Check-in at the Panorama Hotel for dinner and overnight. The following day, drive to Besham and check in at the PTDC Motel for dinner and overnight.

The next day, continue the drive to Islamabad, making stops at different viewpoints for photos and lunch. Check-in at the Roomy Hotel for dinner and overnight. Enjoy a free day in Islamabad the following day before departing the country the next day. This tour provides a comprehensive and fascinating look into Pakistan