The High Road to Shangri-La (Kashgar and North Pakistan)

Duration

Meals

Activities

Accommodation

Trip Grade

Moderate

Tour Start

Kashgar China

Tour End

Islamabad Pakistan

Group Size

1-15

Guides

Tour Cost From

Difficulty

Destination

Transport

Min Age

18+

Tour Operates

Travel Style

Small group and customise tour

Departure

Route

Tour operates:  May until November
No of days: 19 nights 20 days
Tour cost from: TBA US Dollar
Route: Kashgar-Tashkurgan-Sost-Passu-Borith Lake-Gulmit-Gilgit-Fairy Meadow-Rama Lake-Desai Plain-Skardu-Shigar Valley-Khaplu valley-Duiker-Karimabad
Transport: Private Transfer, Except one way Tashkurgan to Sost Public
Accommodations: All comfortable accommodations with private facilities. one night basic accomodation at Borith Lake
Guide: Fully Escorted English speaking guides in each country
Tour starting and ending point:  Kashgar China
Guaranteed departure: Every Saturday- Minimum 2 people required

Day by day itinerary

Day 01: Kashgar Arrival (Saturday)

Upon arrival at Kashgar airport you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Qini Bagh Hotel new building (BD)

Day 02: Kashgar Sunday Market

This day is planned to coincide with the famous Sunday market in Kashgar where everything from carpets, blankets, foods, horses, donkeys, sheep and even camels are for sale. The population of the town swells by 100,000 and is truly one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia; and a photographer’s paradise! After the market, we visit the Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb and the old town.

Overnight in Qini Bagh Hotel new building (BD)

Day 03: Tashkurgan

Today we drive to Karakul Lake along the famous Karakorum highway. The scenery along the way is breath taking. We will be stopping at the lake where you can enjoy the view of Muztagh-ata mountains. Optional camel ride or walk around the lake. Later we continue to Tashkurgan the last Tajik Chinese town between China and Pakistan.

Overnight in Kay 2 Hotel (BD)

Day 04: Khunjerab pass- Passu (Pakistan)

After border formalities, we drive to the world’s highest paved border crossing, the Khunjerab pass (4750 m) between Pakistan and China. On the way, you will view the awesome mountain ranges of the Karakorum and Kunlun mountains. Upon arrival at Sost you will be met by our local Hunza guide and transfer to Passu Village. Welcome dinner at a local family home.

Overnight in the Ambassador hotel (BD)

Day 05: Gulmit- Borith Lake – Passu Glacier hike

This morning we visit Passu village and later drive Borith Lake where we enjoy the beautiful scenery. After lunch enjoy a hike to the Passu glacier.

Overnight Borith Lake Guest house (BD)
Day 06: Gulmit

A morning drive to Gulmit or hike over Ghulkin glacier to Gulmit.

Afternoon visit to the local community school, an opportunity to observe local ladies making handicraft and carpets.

Overnight in Hunza Marco Polo inn (BD) 

Day 07: Gulmit – Gilgit

In the morning, we board on boats with our jeep toward Karimabad. Midway we drive to Gilgit.

Gilgit is the administrative capital of Gilgit Baltistan. Here the world’s three mightiest mountain ranges, the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and the Himalayas meet. The Gilgit Baltistan region is a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and adventure lovers. The area has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the region was a flash point of political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule in the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region decided to join Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir.

After lunch visit the Kargah Buddha carved on the rock dated from 7th century AD.

Overnight in Riveria Hotel (BD)

Day 08: Gilgit-Fairy Meadow

Drive along the Karakorum to Raikot bridge where we transfer into 4×4 wheel and continue to Tato. From there we will start short trek to the lush green area of Fairy Meadows.

Overnight in Huts at Fairy Meadow (BD)

Day 09: Fairy Meadow

Today you have an opportunity to hike through the pine forest toward Bayal base camp or you can just relax at Fair Meadow and enjoy the beautiful view of Nanga Parbat mountain rage.

Overnight in Huts at Fairy Meadow (BD)

Day 10: Rama Astore valley

In the morning hike down to Tato where you board our jeeps and drive to Rama lake; a scenic afternoon walk around the area.

Overnight at PTDC Motel. (BD)

Day 11: Rama – Deosai National Park – Skardu – Shigar

In the morning we set off to Deosai National Park. It is one of the highest plateaus in the world with height over 4,000 metres above the sea level, covering an area of about 3,000 square kilo meters. It is snow-bound from November to May. This pass is only accessible from June to September. It is well known for its rich flora and fauna of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe ecoregion. In the spring season it is covered by sweeps wildflowers and a wide variety of butterflies.

Later continue driving to Shigar valley; the gateway to the world’s highest mountains including K2’s 8611 peak, the world’s second highest.

The highlight of tonight is a stay at the Shigar fort residence. This fort palace is standing on the bank of the Shigar stream, built upon a massive rock. This 350 years old fort has been renovated by the Agha Khan Trust for Culture and is the only one of its kind in Pakistan.

Overnight in Shigar Fort Residence (BD)

Day 12: Shigar – Khaplu

In the morning we drive to another beautiful valley of Khaplu, beautiful town on the bank of Indus river. Visit the old Fort and Mosque built by in Tibetan architectural style.

Overnight in PTDC Motel. (BD) 

Day 13: Skardu

In the morning drive to Skardu. Skardu is the capital of Baltistan is perched 2,438 metres above sea level and is surrounded by the great peaks of the Karakoram’s. 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).

Today you will visit Kharpocho Fort: Kharpocho Fort (King of Forts) situated on a hill overlooking the town. It was constructed by Ali Sher Khan Anchan, who ruled over Baltistan till the end of the 16th century. The mighty Indus snaking along just a few yards beneath your feet among the silvery white sands is an awesome sight. Afternoon walk through the local market.

Overnight in Concordia Hotel (BD)

Day 14: Skardu – Karimabad-Duiker (Hunza)

In the morning we drive along the Indus River and join the Karakorum highway, continue driving to Duiker.

Duiker village,  just above Karimabad village, has a stunning view of Karimabad and surrounding peaks

Overnight in Eagles Nest hotel (BD)

Day 15: Duiker Free day or Hike toward Ultar glacier

Early morning wake up enjoy the stunning sunrise over the snow-capped mountains of Ultar (7388m), Rakaposhi (7788m) and Diran (7266m) and other peaks.

Afternoon free at leisure or if you are energetic hike up toward Ular glacier.

Overnight in Eagles Nest hotel (BD)

Day 16: Karimabad

In the morning drive down to Karimabad en-route visit Altit village and Altilt fort. Later visit Baltit Fort which is 700 years, but there have been rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the Mir (king) married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time. The rest of the day is free time at leisure for shopping.

Overnight in Hill Top Hotel (BD)

Day 17: Karimabad-Gulmit Gojal

Free morning for shopping and visit, later in the afternoon transfer to Attabad Lake, where we board on boat to Gulmit.

Overnight in Marco Polo Inn (BD)

Day 18: Tashkurgan (China)

In the morning we drive to Sost which is the last border village with China, after border formalities, we will drive by private transport to Tashkurgan where you will meet our Chinese guide and transfer to you hotel

Overnight in Kay 2 Hotel (BD)

Day 19: Tashkurgan – Kashgar

In the morning, we visit Tashkurgan Fort, dating back to the 14th century. You can enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding fields, mountains, and military complexes from the old walls. Afterwards we continue driving to Kashgar.

Overnight in Qini Bagh Hotel new building (BD)

Day 20: Kashgar

In the morning transfer to the airport for China Southern Air flight CZ6885 EDT 11:15 am. (B)

Notes will be coming soon.
 
Map will be coming soon.
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Tour costs and Dates

We guarantee all tour departures for a minimum of 2 passengers. In order to confirm your booking we will need a non-refundable deposit of 400 USD per person. The final invoice will be sent to you 4 weeks before the tour departure, the final cost dependent on the final group size. If the following dates or the described itinerary does not meet your travel needs, please write to us, we can arrange a customized tour for you.

 Tour cost 

No of Pax. 2 3-5 6-9 10 Above Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar per person $TBA $TBA $TBA $TBA $TBA

Tour departures 2018 – 2019

Starting Date Ending Date Availability  
11-May 29-May AVAILABLE Enquire Now
25-May 13-Jun AVAILABLE Enquire Now
1 -JUne 20-Jun AVAILABLE Enquire Now
13-Jun 02-Jul AVAILABLE Enquire Now
04-Jul 23-July AVAILABLE Enquire Now
18-Jul 06-Aug AVAILABLE Enquire Now
25-Jul 13-Aug AVAILABLE Enquire Now
01-Aug 20-Aug AVAILABLE Enquire Now
15-Aug 03- Sep AVAILABLE Enquire Now
29-Aug 17-Sep AVAILABLE Enquire Now
05-Sep 24-Sep AVAILABLE Enquire Now
19-Sep 08-Oct AVAILABLE Enquire Now
10-Oct 29-Oct AVAILABLE Enquire Now
17-Oct 05-Nov AVAILABLE Enquire Now
24-Oct 12-Nov AVAILABLE Enquire Now
07-Nov 26-Nov AVAILABLE Enquire Now
 

TOUR COST INCLUDES

All private transfers by Cars, Van, Busses depend on the group size except one way public bus from Tashkurgan to Sost..
Twin sharing accommodation at hotels mentioned above with private facilities
Meals half board: Key (B) Breakfast (D) Dinner
All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees
Fully escorted by an experienced local English speaking guides in each country
Visa support letters if required

TOUR COST EXCLUDES

Visa Fees.
Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.
Optional activities
Meals, not mentioned above
Personal expanses
Single supplements
Tips for Guides and drivers
Early check in hotels and late checkout
Khunjerab national Park entrance fees

Includes

Excludes

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