The Amazing North
Vistas of mesmerising mountain scenery and exotic culture
Overview
Pakistan’s northern region is blessed with sky rising mountains and in their laps lays the fascinating mountainous valleys with exotic cultures whose people are warm-hearted, with smiling faces and friendly attitude. Settled in mountain gorges along mighty rivers these valleys’ landscape is equally alluring with thrilling road drives. With mesmerizing mountain scenery, awe-inspiring adventurous road along the mighty rivers and exotic cultures, this magical journey has been designed to thrill you, charm you. We embark on this spectacular cultural voyage at Islamabad, the political and administrative city of Pakistan.
Driving towards north, we stop at Taxila to visit ancient Buddhist Civilization’s remains, one of the alluring archaeological sites in the world. We drive through the beautiful Naran valley to Gilgit, the administrative town of Gilgit Baltistan. The smiling, welcoming and friendly inhabitants of Hunza truly make your stay at home. Views from fairy tale like Baltit Fort, the old residence of Mirs of Hunza standing atop Karimabad, the former capital of Hunza Valley are incredibly beautiful. A walk along Barbar irrigation channel with striking views of Karakoram Mountains adds more essence to your journey. The beautiful Attabad Lake with its unique blue colour, Gulmit valley surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, and the most scenic Phander valley and its mesmerizing Phander Lake is an experience of lifetime.
Crossing Shandur Pass, the highest polo-ground in the world, we will reach Mastuj and then Chitral. Chitral with the unique Kalash Valley (known as the Wearers of Black Robes) – a remaining minority of approximately 3500 people living in three isolated but beautiful valleys known as Bumburet, Rambur and Berir. The people of Kalash have a rich culture and are very headstrong about their identity. These people stand out from the remaining tribes, cultures and communities due to their distinct traditions, religious practices and festivals. After visiting Swat and Peshawar, our trip will conclude in Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan.
Vista Tour Facts
Tour Name: The Amazing North
Tour Code: ATP-AMN-01
Tour Duration: 20 days/19 nights
Route: Islamabad-Naran-Chilas-Fairy Meadows- Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza-Atta Abad–Gulmit-Passu-Borith Lake-Gilgit Phandar-Shandur Pass-Chitral-Kalash-Swat-Peshawar-Islamabad.
Best time: May to October
Tour Grade: Easy
Visa Category: Tourist Visit Visa
Gallery
Tour locations on map
Itinerary
Arrival in Islamabad, transfer to hotel. City tour of Islamabad.
Key Attractions:
Shah Faisal Mosque – the largest mosque in Pakistan
Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage) Museum
Pakistan National Monument
Daman-e-Koh (Islamabad View Point)
Golra Sharif Rail Museum or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum
External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Islamabad-Taxila-Naran: 282 kms/ 6 hours’ drive
Islamabad – Besham- Chilas: 470 kms/10-11 hours’ drive
Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route or drive to Chilas via Besham.
Key Attractions:
Taxila Museum-showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
Dharmarajika complex and stupa or Shatiyal rock inscriptions if KKH is taken.
Travel: Naran – Raikot Bridge (155 kms / 4.5 hours’ drive)
Raikot Bridge – Tato (12 kms / 1.5 hours’ drive)
Tato – Fairy Meadows (9 kms / 2-3 hours’ hike)
Altitude: Tato: 2560m/8448f, Fairy Meadows: 3310m/10800f
Drive to Raikot Bridge via Babusar Pass, change vehicle and take jeeps to Tato Village. A 3 hours’ hike will take us to Fairy Meadows.
Key Attractions:
Lulusar Lake
Babusar Pass
The Fairytale Fairy Meadows
Note: Naran/Kaghan Road via Babusar Pass is open from June to October and subject to snow conditions.
Day 4. Fairy MeadowsBeyal Camp Altitude: 3500m/11650f
Nanga Parbat Base Camp Altitude: 4000m/13135f
The day is available for exploring the surroundings of the fairytale meadow. A nice hike takes you closer to the ice giants in the direction of Nanga-Parbat base camp if conditions (little or no snow) allow. If you don’t feel like hiking, stay on the fairytale meadow and enjoy the day at the foot of the ninth highest peak on earth. Overnight stay as the day before.
Day 5. Fairy Meadows–AstoreFairy Meadows – Tato (2 hours)
Tato – Raikot Bridge (1 hour)
Raikot – Rama (65 kms / 2.5 hours)
Rama – Astore (20 kms / 1 hour drive)
Trek down to Tato and drive to Astore.
Key Attractions:
Stop at Thalichi – The Nanga Parbat View Point
Rama Meadow
Rama Lake hike (optional)
Astore to Skardu via Deosai Plateau (160 kms / 7 hours drive)
Drive to Skardu through scenic landscapes via the Deosai Plateau.
Key Attractions:
Sheosar Lake
Bara Pani
Deosai Plateau
Chota Pani
Great spot for photography of flora and fauna
Sadpara Lake
Manthal Buddha (optional)
Full-day tour of Skardu with an overnight stay.
Key Attractions:
Upper Kachura Lake
Kachura Choq
Visit Katpana Desert
Kharpocho Fort
Sarfaranga Cold Desert
Skardu–Gilgit Karimabad: 300 kms / hours’ drive
Drive to Karimabad Hunza along the River Indus and Hunza River.
Key Attractions:
Travel along the Indus River
Stop at Nanga Parbat view point
Visit the unique place where three great mountain ranges; the Himalaya, the Karakoram, and Hindu Kush meet
Stop at Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet
Full day exploration of central Hunza.
Key Attractions:
Baltit Fort
Karimabad Bazaar
Walk Along Barbar Water Channel
Altit Fort
Altit Cluster/Altit Village
Sunset from the Eagle’s Nest View Point in Duiker.
Explore Nagar Valley and Upper Hunza.
Key Attractions:
Ganish Cluster – the oldest settlement of Hunza Valley
Hopar Nagar – excellent view of Golden Peak, Ultar Peak, Hunza Peak & Lady Finger
Dong Rock Inscriptions
Atta Abad Lake
Gulmit Village
Hussaini Bridge
Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals
Atta Abad Lake – Gilgit: 135 km / 2.30 hrs drive
In the morning hike to Borit Lake and then to Rakaposhi glacier viewpoint. After lunch drive to Gilgit for overnight stay.
Day 12. Gilgit–PhanderGilgit-Phander: 165 kms/7 hours’ drive
Drive from Gilgit to Phander visiting Kargah Buddha on the way.
Key Attractions:
Kargah Buddha
drive along Ghizer river
the beautiful villages along the road
Phander Lake
Gupis–Mastuj: 96 kms/5-6 hours’ drive
Drive to Mastuj via Shandur Pass (3719m) a scenic drive which connects the province of Gilgit-Baltistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Key Attractions:
Shandur Pass- the highest polo ground in the world.
Mastuj-Chitral: 120 kms/4 hours’ drive
Drive from Mastuj to Chitral. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Half day sightseeing & overnight stay in Chitral.
Key Attractions:
Chitral Bazaar
Shahi Mosque
Tirich Mir View Point
Chitral – Bumburet Kalash: 22 kms/1.5 hours’ drive
Drive to Bumburet via Rambur valley.
Key Attractions:
Rambur Valley Kalash
Full day for exploring the uniqueness of Kalash Valley and its people. Short walks in the valley.
Key Attractions:
Kalash Museum
Traditional House to explore the way of life
Sacred places
Bumburet Kalash to Mingora Swat: 246 kms / 7 hours’ drive
Drive from Kalash to Swat. Upon arrival visit Swat Museum.
Key attractions:
Swat Museum – showcasing collections of Gandhara Art
Swat to Takht Bhai to Peshawar: 184 kms / 4 hours’ drive
Before leaving for Peshawar, visit Budkara. En-route visit Barikot and Takht Bhai and other Gandhara archaeological sites.
Key Attractions:
The Buddhist sacred Area of Butkara
Barikot archaeological site
monastery in Takht Bhai
Peshawar- Islamabad: 186 kms/2.5 hours’ drive
Explore Peshawar today.
Key Attractions:
Peshawar Museum – collection of Buddhist artwork
Mahabat Khan Mosque – built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Qissa Khawani Bazar (The bazar of story tellers)
Saithi House – The Mughal Central Asian Architecture
The historic Qila Bala Hissar (Bala Hissar Fort) from outside
If the departure flight is from Islamabad, drive to Islamabad for overnight stay.
Day 20. Departure from Islamabad/PeshawarTransfer to the Islamabad International Airport for home bound flight. Or transfer to Peshawar airport for the departure flight.