Baltistan, Deosai & Hunza: Mountain Kingdoms — 15 Days

Arrival at Islamabad International Airport, where a guide meets travellers and transfers them to their hotel. Depending on flight arrival time and preference, the first day may include rest or sightseeing around Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Optional sites include the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa heritage museum, Saidpur village, and Daman-e-Koh viewpoint over the twin cities. Early arrivals may choose to fly directly to Skardu on Day 1 to maximize time in the north. Overnight in Islamabad.

Morning transfer to Islamabad airport for a domestic flight to Skardu. Upon arrival in this high-altitude valley, the day unfolds across two distinct heritage sites. Begin with sightseeing in Skardu town: the Bazaar area, the Polo grounds, and Kharpocho Fort, which commands the eastern face of Khardrong hill, 15 meters above the valley floor. The fort dates from the 8th century CE and contains an old mosque likely dating to the 16th century, when Islam arrived in Baltistan. Built by rulers of the Ramkoon dynasty, Kharpocho was designed on principles similar to Leh Palace and the Potala in Lhasa, Tibet—the name itself means "the great fort" in Tibetan. From its heights, the panoramic views encompass Skardu town, the surrounding valley, and the Indus River below. In the afternoon, drive to Shigar, where the focal point is Shigar Fort Palace. This 400-year-old royal residence has been transformed into a 20-room heritage guesthouse, preserving its architectural and cultural significance. The complex includes the original Fort and Palace, the Old House, and the Garden House. The grand audience hall now functions as a museum dedicated to Balti culture, displaying fine wood-carvings and heritage objects that reflect the region's artistic traditions. You may choose to overnight in either Shigar or Skardu, depending on your preference. (Note: should the flight be cancelled, overland travel to Chilas proceeds, with onward travel to Skardu the following day.)

A day trip around Skardu and Shigar exploring the region's diverse terrain. The itinerary includes the Katpana Cold Desert, a high-altitude sand formation, and Kachura Lakes. Lunch at Shangrila resort overlooks the lakes. An optional hike to Nansoq village offers a view of traditional Balti architecture and settlement patterns. (If the Day 2 flight was cancelled, the drive from Chilas to Skardu concludes on this day.) Overnight in Skardu or Shigar.

A 2.5-hour drive brings us to Khaplu, a valley historically known by several names—Shyok Valley, Ghangche, and Little Tibet. The day begins with a hike to Thoqsi Khar, an old mosque perched on a hilltop commanding views across Khaplu Valley and beyond. The ascent takes approximately one hour, with built-in stops for photographs and rest. Those unable or unwilling to hike can visit the village at the trailhead instead. In the afternoon, we tour Khaplu Palace, the last and finest Tibetan-style palace remaining in Pakistan. The region holds deeper historical layers: the Chaqchan Mosque dates back 700 years, and the Khaplu Khanqah, attributed to Mir Mukhtar Akhyar, was built in 1712 AD. Optional extensions are available for those with additional time. Day trips to Machulu village or Hushe Valley reveal more of the Ghangche District's character. Hushe, the highest village in this once remote and impoverished valley, has undergone quiet transformation. Beginning in the 1960s, Hushe men worked as cooks and porters for mountaineering expeditions. Their sons have now developed a strong reputation as guides, cooks, and high-altitude porters, making the area excellent for hiking. Overnight in Khaplu.

Morning drive from Khaplu back to Skardu. Optional stops may include Manthoka waterfall or additional sightseeing near Skardu, such as a hike to Mansur Rock or a visit to Nansoq Organic village. Overnight in Skardu.

The route climbs to the Deosai Plateau, one of the world's highest plains at an average elevation of 4,114 metres, covering 3,000 square kilometres and protected as a national park. Before reaching the plateau, stops include Manthal Buddha Rock and Sadpara Lake. On the plateau, golden marmots inhabit the high-altitude steppe, and Sheosar Lake—a glacial lake at 4,142 metres—lies in a basin of sparse vegetation. The landscape transitions through sweeps of wildflowers in spring and supports diverse alpine flora and fauna. Descending eastward, the route enters Astore Valley, a lush green expanse at 3,300 metres surrounded by pine, cedar, fir and juniper forest. Small traditional villages dot the valley, which remains snow-covered for 7 to 8 months annually. An optional late-afternoon or early-morning excursion visits Rama Lake, requiring a one-hour hike. (The Deosai Plateau is accessible from approximately June to September; alternative programs are arranged outside this season.) Overnight at a hotel in Astore Rama. (Deosai plateau can only be visited from approx. June to September; alternative programs will be arranged outside this period.)

Early departure from Astore Valley toward Raikot Bridge, where the group transfers into 4x4 jeeps for the drive to Tatto village. From Tatto, a 3-hour trek through pine forest ascends to Fairy Meadows at 3,300 metres, the base camp for expeditions on Nanga Parbat's north face. Overnight in mountain huts.

A full rest day at Fairy Meadows allows acclimatization and recovery. Alternatively, a day hike visits Beyal or the Raikot face base camp of Nanga Parbat for closer views of the mountain. Overnight in mountain huts.

Trek descends from Fairy Meadows to Tatto Village over the morning. The 4x4 jeeps then transfer the group to Raikot Bridge, where the drive onto the Karakoram Highway begins. The highway winds through high mountain terrain, initially passing peaks of the Himalayas before crossing into the Karakoram ranges. A stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint offers close views of Rakaposhi Peak at 7,788 metres. The drive continues for approximately one hour to Karimabad in Hunza Valley. Weather and time permitting, a brief walk through Karimabad bazaar before dinner. Overnight in Karimabad.

A full day of sightseeing in and around Karimabad immerses you in the layered history and landscape of Hunza Valley. The day centres on three major historical sites—Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, and Ganish Watch Tower—interspersed with time to meet local residents and absorb the region's character. Baltit Fort commands a prospect point high above the valley, offering sweeping views across Hunza and into neighbouring valleys. Built over 700 years ago by porters who accompanied a Balti bride to marry the Mir of Hunza, the fort reflects Ladakhi architectural traditions. Its interior is a maze of rooms—living quarters, administrative offices, storerooms—detailed throughout with indigenous woodwork. For centuries it served as the seat of Hunza's rulers, a semi-autonomous dynasty that governed for more than seven centuries. The Aga Khan Foundation undertook its careful restoration, returning the structure to its original grandeur. Today it functions as a fort museum, housing a collection of regional artifacts and traditional musical instruments that illuminate life in this mountain realm. From Baltit, the itinerary moves to Ganish, a small and ancient village situated on the Karakoram Highway in central Hunza. What was once a single compact cluster of houses has grown into seven distinct dwelling clusters, yet Ganish retains its historical character. The village's significance lies in its strategic position on the Silk Road branch that once led traders out of the Karakoram into Uighur China (Xinjiang). The Aga Khan Cultural Service has restored three key structures here: Pharee, a historic water pond that once served communal needs; Sawab Ha, a two-storey house with two rooms, distinguished by its carved wooden elements; and Jataq, an open space used for common and shared community activities. These restorations maintain the village's living heritage. Notably, an ancient house in Ganish—a 400-year-old architectural masterpiece that once housed an envoy of the Mir—received UNESCO's Heritage Award in 2009, recognition of its significance as a preserved example of traditional Hunza building craft. From Ganish, a footbridge crosses the road to the sacred rocks, located some 400 metres beyond, positioned between the Karakoram Highway and the Hunza River below Altit Fort. Archaeologist A.H. Dani, one of Pakistan's foremost scholars, termed these rocks "the guest book of the Silk Route." The designation is apt: carved into the stone surface are inscriptions spanning 2,000 years of travel along this ancient corridor to and from China. The texts appear in multiple scripts—Kharoshthi, Brahmi, Gupta, Sogdian, and Tibetan—each layer marking a different era and culture. Human and animal figures are carved alongside the inscriptions, evidence of Buddhist influence in the region. To stand before these rocks is to stand before a tangible record of movement, trade, and cultural exchange across one of the world's most storied routes. The day concludes at Duikar, where you watch sunset paint the Hunza Valley in amber and rose light. The mountains shift colour as daylight fades, and the scale of the landscape becomes palpable in the growing shadows. For those wishing to linger, Karimabad offers optional extensions: walks along the irrigation channels that have sustained this valley for centuries, or a more ambitious hike up to Ultar Meadows. Alternatively, a leisurely day spent at your hotel allows time simply to absorb the views and the quality of light that has long drawn comparisons to Shangri-La. Overnight in Karimabad or Duikar.

After breakfast, a 1.5-hour drive on a recently constructed road carries you through the Hunza Valley to Gulmit, passing Attabad Lake along the way. This striking body of water was formed by a massive landslide in 2010, an event that swept away an entire village and destroyed the main highway. The new road represents a significant engineering achievement in this remote region. Gulmit sits at approximately 2,703 metres on the Karakoram Highway, positioned equidistant—135 kilometres—from both Gilgit and Khunjerab Pass. As Gojal's largest settlement, it served as the summer capital of the former Hunza state and remains a picturesque base for exploration. The village is known for its fine walks along irrigation channels that crisscross the surrounding area. The day's sightseeing encompasses several notable sites. The Gulmit Museum houses a compelling collection of traditional ethnic artifacts: wooden bowls and spoons, farm implements, woolen coats, embroidered hats, shawls, and a mix depicting the Last Supper. The Old House, an aristocratic residence at the north end of the polo ground, offers insight into local history. Once the Mir of Hunza's winter residence, it later became his summer retreat. British officers were famously entertained here during early expeditions. Today, the building functions as a carpet-weaving training centre for women. Other highlights include the polo grounds themselves, the Passu Glacier viewpoint, and the Hussaini suspension bridge. Optional activities provide deeper immersion. A one-hour walk each way leads to Kamaris village, the highest settlement in the area and an excellent vantage point for views of the jagged Passu spires. From Kamaris, a further 30-minute detour reaches Andra Fort, a 17th-century collective fortification positioned on a spectacular mount above old Gulmit. Built during the Hunza-Nagar wars, its archaeological ruins speak to the region's strategic defensive history and offer dramatic panoramic views. For those interested, boat rides on Attabad Lake can be arranged. Nearby Ghulkin and Passu villages are also accessible for those wishing to extend their exploration. Overnight accommodation is in Gulmit or Passu.

A full day visits the upper Hunza region's most distinctive landscapes. Begin at Passu Glacier, accessed from Passu village. The glacier appears white and deeply creased across a distance of 56 kilometres, a striking contrast to many regional glaciers covered in rock and gravel. Passu village holds grazing rights along the glacier's north side, which support large herds of yaks, cattle, sheep and goats, though the village has limited agricultural land. Above the glacier to the left, the jagged line of the Passu and Batura peaks forms a dramatic skyline; seven of these peaks exceed 7,500 metres in elevation. Some remain unclimbed and are identified by number rather than name on maps. Borith Lake occupies the afternoon portion of the day. One of the highest lakes in Gilgit Baltistan, this oval-shaped, glacier-fed basin sits without an outlet, surrounded by some of the world's greatest mountains and largest glaciers, along with meadows and wetlands. Water levels fluctuate considerably due to expansion and contraction of the nearby Ghulkin and Passu glaciers. The lake's defining quality is its silence and solitude, a subtle beauty that draws trekkers and nature lovers. Views encompass Ultar Peak at 6,735 metres and Borit Sar. From Upper Borith, perspectives extend across to Passu Glacier and the village below. Borith hosts thousands of migratory birds during spring (February to June) and autumn (September to November) migrations. These species provide both observational and educational interest for visitors. Hiking options vary according to fitness and interest. Routes proceed around the lake only, from the lake to the glacier, or from Gulmit village to Borith Lake. If a hike to Kamaris village and Andra Fort was not completed on the previous day, it may be undertaken today. At the end of the afternoon, the group drives back to Gilgit for overnight stay. Optional Extensions Several optional single or multi-day alternatives extend this itinerary from Passu or Gulmit. A Shimshal Valley day trip journeys northeast of Passu into a valley where inhabitants retain many traditional customs and rituals that are disappearing elsewhere in the region. The Shimshalis complement irrigated agriculture with extensive herding of sheep, goats, cattle and yaks. Shimshal was once a penal colony where the Mir of Hunza exiled criminals and troublemakers. The valley now contains dozens of high peaks including Destughil Sar (7,885 metres), Kunyang Chhish (7,852 metres), Kanjut Sar (7,760 metres), Tiliver (7,728 metres), Yukshin Garden (7,641 metres), Yazghil Dome (7,324 metres), Momhil Sar (7,343 metres), Lupgar Sar (7,200 metres), Pamiri Chhish (7,492 metres) and Adver Sar (6,500 metres), part of the Hispar Muztagh range that separates Shimshal from Nagar and Baltistan. Overnight remains in Gulmit or Passu. An alternative extension visits Khunjerab Pass, reached by driving to Sost and continuing to the border at 4,733 metres—the world's highest paved border crossing. The pass marks the continental watershed; water on the Pakistani side flows to the Indian Ocean, while on the Chinese side it enters the Taklimakan Desert, which literally means "if you go in you don't come out." The scenery shifts dramatically on either side of the pass. Sost, the last Pakistani village on the Karakoram Highway, sits at approximately 2,700 metres, 206 kilometres from Gilgit, and functions as the Sost Dry Port and immigration and customs post. The area around Khunjerab Pass operates as a national park where observers may spot Siberian Ibexes, Marco Polo sheep and, with luck, snow leopards. The group returns to Gilgit for overnight stay. Another alternative stops at Minapin village (2,012 metres) while driving towards Gilgit. The village offers great views of Rakaposhi mountain and provides options for a short or longer hike to a nearby viewpoint, walks around the village to meet locals, or trials of traditional stone pot meals. Those interested may extend their stay at Minapin with multiple-day hikes to Rakaposhi Base Camp or Diran Base Camp. Overnight concludes in Gilgit. A final optional extension visits Nagar Valley and Hoper Glacier, a region opposite Hunza Valley. Nagar was formerly an independent principality for 1,200 years until 1974, when it ceased to exist as a state. The British gained control during battles at Nilt between 1889 and 1892; the Tham (Chief) at that time, Azur Khan, was exiled to Kashmir. Historically, Hunza and Nagar were collectively called Buroshall with capital at Capal Dongs, until the reign of Miyor Khan, when his sons divided the principality and declared the river as the border: Muglot became king of Nagar and Kirkis became king of Hunza. Today, terraced orchards and crops characterize the Nagar landscape. Hoper Glacier offers fine views of some of the highest peaks in Hunza and Nagar Valley. A one-hour hike (one way) descends to the glacier, offering views of Kapal and Golden Peaks. Overnight concludes in Gilgit.

Morning domestic flight from Gilgit to Islamabad (approximately 1.5 hours), arriving mid-morning. The afternoon remains flexible for leisure or additional sightseeing within Islamabad and Rawalpindi, or an optional day trip to Taxila. Overnight in Islamabad. (If the flight is cancelled, overland alternatives proceed: a drive from Gilgit to Naran via Babusar Pass during summer months, or via the Karakoram Highway to Besham, with overnight stay in Naran or Besham. A direct drive from Gilgit to Islamabad spans approximately 600 kilometres in 12-14 hours via Besham, or 515 kilometres in 10-12 hours via Naran during summer.)

A flexible day allows leisure time in Islamabad or an optional full-day sightseeing trip to Taxila, the ruins of the Gandharan city of Takṣaśilā. Taxila dates to the Gandhara period and served as an important Hindu and Buddhist centre; it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The city lay at the crossroads of three major ancient trade routes: the uttarāpatha (the northern or Grand Trunk Road connecting Gandhara in the west to Magadha and Pāṭaliputra in the Ganges valley to the east), the northwestern route through Bactria, Kāpiśa and Puṣkalāvatī, and the Indus River route from Kashmir and Central Asia through Śrinagara, Mansehra and the Haripur valley—the ancient pathway across Khunjerab Pass to the Silk Road. (If Day 13 included an overland drive from Naran or Besham to Islamabad, this day covers the remaining 6-hour journey to Islamabad, with Taxila visitable en route.) Overnight in Islamabad.

Your final day in Pakistan. We'll arrange your transfer to Islamabad International Airport, departing 3 hours before your scheduled flight. If your departure time allows, we can organize additional sightseeing in or around Islamabad to make the most of your remaining time. Our services conclude with your airport drop-off. We hope you've enjoyed your time exploring Pakistan.