Hunza / Skardu Blossom tour

Transfer to Hotel Lahore, the ancient Mughal Empire Capital of thousand and one night tales of the ancient city of Lahore, Lahore is also known as the city of gardens and Churches of various religions, magnificent forts, ornate tombs, colorful markets and the hustle and bustle taken over the old city street of Lahore. Badshahi Mosque is the masterpiece of the Mughal Art. Badshahi Mosque is the 6^th largest mosque in the world, 2^nd biggest in Pakistan with the capacity of 60,000 people can pray at a time. Colorful, funny and full of emotions wagha Border between India and Pakistan closed the show at the sunset. Dancing, drumming and national slogans is very much common practice of this event. Overnight and dinner will be served in Lahore.

Following breakfast, we will start our tour on the way to Islamabad. We will stop at Rotas Fort or Khewra salt mine. Military architectural work of art – rotas fort within 10 – 18 m high wall and 68 bastions. Alexander the great discovered Khewra salt mine – 2^nd largest in the world, where 17 floor underground and salt mosque made of white & red salt bricks. Overnight and dinner will be served at Islamabad.

Following the breakfast, depart from Islamabad and arrive at besham, passing the town of Abbottabad and Mansehra. Later following the river indus, drive on the Karakoram highway (KKH) through the lush green valley of Hazara along the foothills of Himalaya. KKH was built by Pakistani and Chinese people from 1966 to 1978. The highway is an incredible as at the beginning was thought impossible to build such a road. 115 Chinese and 700 Pakistani workers gave their life in the building of this highway. The highway is 1200 km long, starting from Haripur town of Pakistan to the Xhingjian province of China. On the way, we will stop at 7 interesting places like shatial rock with ancient drawing. Lunch at PTDC Motel, Besham. After lunch we continue another 5 hour to chilas. Overnight stay and dinner will be served in chilas.

Following the breakfast, a great but light adventure in the base camp (5200 m) of Nanga Parbat (8125 m). Nanga Parbat is the 2^nd highest peak in Pakistan, the lonely giant of Himalayas. Drive to Raikot bridge on KKH and onwards to (TATTO) by jeep at the foot of Fairy Meadow. At the end of jeep track, we hike about 3 hour to the legendary place called fairy meadow where you can see Nanga Parbat. Overnight in the tents or wooden small cottages.

Following the breakfast, we will drive from Fairy Meadow to Raikot bridge and Heading towards to Karimabad in Hunza Valley. On the way, we will Rakaposhi view point and have a lunch. Overnight stay and hotel in Karimabad.

Following the breakfast, we will drive to Khunjerab pass (Pakistan – China Border). Today we will visit the China – Pakistan border at Khunjerab, Passing the village of Psssu and sust. On the way, Khunjerab is the highest point of KKH at 4734 m and is considered as highest trade rout in the world. Lunch break at sust, stop at passu, walk on Hussaini suspension bridge. Gulmit is a Gojal largest settlement located next to KKH at an altitude of 2703 m. it used to be a summer capital of the former Hunza kingdom. Visit the ruins of Andara Fort and Gulmat Museum. Gulmat museum is the local house, full of interesting traditional ethnic artifacts, wooden bowls, spoons, farm implements, woolen coats, embroidered hats, shawls and hand made things which last supper. Overnight stay and dinner will be served at Karimabad.

Following the breakfast, Morning visit Karimabad Bazaar, Baltit & Altit Fort (3km / 20 minutes’ drive). Afterwards, drive to nagar, the rival village of Karimabad with few tourists and less pollution. Next destination is a heavenly place, Duiker! Duiker is a beautiful place with marvelous views of Hunza and nagar valley and during the sunset and sunrises, the views is unforgettable. A day will be reserved to explore the surroundings and take the picture from ultar glacier and other high peaks including Rakaposhi, Deran peak, the golden peak. Overnight in Karimabad.

Baltit Fort: The old palace of Mirs of Hunza stands guard over the whole valley. This tibetan style fort was built 713 years ago, when a princess of Baltistan married with a prince of Hunza and brought with her some Baltistani Masons to build Baltit fort part of her dowry. The fort is made of muds and stones. The Aga Khan culture services rehabilitate in 1996 and converted it into a museum.

Altit Fort: This fort is even more impressive than Baltit fort and it is probably 1000 years older. It has a lot of intricate wood carving and better preserved rooms. From the roof, you can see the Hunza river, the ancient silk road, the Altit village and ultar glacier and Baltit.

Following the breakfast, we will drive back to Gilgit, where we enjoy free time to explore bazar and town. Gilgit river flowing through the town offers superb views and walk along the river than carry on the Skardu and enjoy the beautiful valleys, landscapes, Indus river and mountains. Lunch at PTDC Motel, Stak Roundu. Overnight stay at Skardu.

Following the breakfast, Khaplu village is located in Gilgit Batistan closed to Skardu. Khaplu is known for its fascinating and eye – catching culture, traditions, hospitality, kind & smiling people. After the lunch we will go to the viewpoint where Masherbrum (7821 m) can be see as well as there can be take the stunning photography. Also visit Yabgo palace, the royal palace situated in the heart of Khaplu and we will have an opportunity to explore an

Following the breakfast, In the morning back to Skardu and leave for a day trip to Shigar. Shigar is the gateway to hundreds of climbing peaks and trekking routs. For out of forty eight thousand meters peaks in the world are located here. The famous Baltoro Glacier, the 116 km long corridor of Bihafo Hispar Glacier making it is the longest glacial system outside the polar reign is located there. Karakoram mountain of a finest cluster of rocky and icy mountains on earth. In shigar, we will visit the shigar fort, the ancient palace of local raja (Ruler, King) of Shigar. The fort palace has been renovated and turned into a hotel as a shigar fort residence, under the management of serena chain of hotels. This old fort standing on a rock is the only fort of its kind in Pakistan. The renovation idea was initiated by the Aga khan trust for culture to preserve the Heritage of Baltistan. Our lunch will be at Shigar fort residence. After lunch, we stroll through the shigar stream. In shigar, we will visit shigar village, see the 14th century Amburiq Mosque. One of the most ancient mosque in shigar valley. Built by the Ameer Khabeer Sayad Hamdani, the first Islamic preacher in Baltistan who converted the majority of mass into Islam. The Kachura lakes are located at 2500 meters. This place is well known as a shangrila lake with its tourist resort named shangrila resort and it’s only one hour by jeep from skardu. In the evening, we visit sand dunes and old historic bazar. Overnight stay in skardu.

Following the breakfast, flight from skardu to Islamabad.

Following the breakfast, in the afternoon we will make the city sightseeing tour of Rawalpindi & Islamabad, which offers a great contrast of culture archeology & planning. Rawalpindi is an old city with a narrow lanes and bustling bazars while Islamabad is the modern and planned city of Pakistan serving as a capital of the state. Raja bazar, Murree road, Lok Virsa museum and Shah Faisal Mosque are the places of tourists interest included in the tour.
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