Karakorum Explorers Islamabad to Kashgar

Duration

13 Night 14 Days

Meals

For included meals
Please see key
B - Breakfasts
L - Lunches
D - Dinners

Activities

Culture, History, Food, Art and Craft
Music, stunning scenery

Accommodation

Hotels and Guest houses

Trip Grade

Moderate

Tour Start

Islamabad Pakistan

Tour End

Kashgar China

Group Size

2-15

Guides

English speaking local Guides

Tour Cost From

00

Difficulty

Moderate

Destination

Pakistan, China

Transport

Private transfers

Min Age

18+

Tour Operates

May - October

Travel Style

Small group and customise tour

Departure

2 Pax Every Tuesday

Route

Islamabad → Taxila → Naran → Gilgit →Hunza Karimabad →Gulmit Gojal →Borith Lake → Passu →Sost →Khunjerab pass →Tashkurgan China →Kashgar

Day 01: Arrival Islamabad
On arrival at Islamabad International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Islamabad followed by the Damn-E-Koh (view point), which gives us a panoramic view of Islamabad before driving past various modern streets and buildings graceful with a touch of Islamic Architecture & Folk Heritage Museum. Our tour culminates at one of the world’s largest mosque – Shah Faisal Mosque. Later visit hustling bustling Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi. Evening welcome dinner at local food street. Overnight at hotel in Islamabad. (BD)
Day 02: Islamabad-Taxila-Naran or Besham
In the morning we drive to Naran and stop at Taxila en-route. Taxila has a well-planned museum and many historic sites of the Gandharan Buddhist civilization. The area flourished from the Sixth Century B.C until the Fifth Century A.D. Later drive to Naran. Overnight at hotel in Naran. (BD)
** Besham route we use during off season when Babu Sar Pass is closed**
Day 03: Naran-Fairy Meadow
Today we drive through the scenic route over Babusar pass to Chilas joining the Karakorum highway. We continue driving to Raikot bridge where we change into 4×4-wheel drives to Tato. From Tato we will start a short trek to the lush green area of Fairy Meadows.
Overnight in Huts at Fairy Meadow (BD)
Day 04: Fairy Meadow
Today we 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 range. Overnight in Huts at Fairy Meadow (BD)
Day 05: Gilgit- Karimabad Hunza
In the morning, trek down to Tato, short jeep ride to Raikot bridge from where we join our car and drive to Gilgit City.
Gilgit the administrative capital of Gilgit Baltistan. Here world’s three mightiest mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas meet. The whole of Gilgit Baltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and adventure lovers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the area have remained 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, Later visit British cemetery.
Continue driving along the Karakorum highway toward Hunza, en-route we will stop at Rakaposhi Peak (7788m) view point, with stunning view of the Mountain while enjoying your tea stop.
Overnight at hotel in Karimabad. (BD)
Day 06: Karimabad visit
In the morning, visit Altit village and Altilt fort. Afterwards we visit Baltit Fort which is approximately 700 years. 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 at hotel in Karimabad. (BD)
Day 07: Karimabad (Duiker)
Early morning wake up and drive to Duiker village, above Karimabad village. 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 Ultar glacier. Overnight at hotel in Karimabad. (BD)
Day 08: Karimabad  – Ganish village, Hoper valley – Atta Abad Lake – Passu glacier
In the morning we drive to Borith Lake.  Our first stop is Ganish village, we visit the Ali Gohar’s old house, which has received the Unesco’s Heritage Award for 2009. Next we will do a side trip to Hopper valley which can be seen from Duiker is on the opposite, eastern side of the Hunza River. This is another fertile valley and is predominantly Shia Muslim. This is one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers at Hoper. Later drive to upper Hunza Gojal, we will stop by Atta Abad Lake for photography, afternoon drive to hike toward the Passu glacier viewpoint. Later drive to Borith Lake and hike toward Passu glacier view point. Overnight at Borith Lake hotel & Resort. (BD)
Day 09: Hussaini – Passu Suspension Bridge – Passu village
In the morning we drive down to Hussaini village, to attempt to cross the hanging bridge, here you have chance to test our fear of heights and wobbly wooden planks whilst be mesmerized by the fast-flowing waters below. We walk through Zarabad summer pasture and back from another bridge to Passu village, after lunch drive back to Borith Lake. In the evening you will be invited to a local family for Hunza traditional dinner. Overnight in Borith Lake hotel & Resort. (BD)
Day 10: Hike Ghulkin Glacier – Ghulkin village – Gulmit
In the morning we hike through Ghulkin glacier to Ghulkin village, after a picnic lunch with a local family, we continue our hike via Kamaris village to Gulmit. Gulmit is a peaceful and serene village that formerly served as a summer capital of the Hunza Kingdom. Here one will walk through the village, visit a 400 year-old house, and see local women weaving carpets and making several other traditional handicrafts. Visit local museum.  (Those who do not wish to hike can drive to Ghulkin village instead)
Later return to Borith Lake for overnight. Overnight at Borith Lake hotel and Resort. (BD)
Day 11: Sost-Khunjerab pass-Tashkurgan (China)
In the morning drive to Sost, after border formalities, we will drive by private transport to Tashkurgan via Khunjerab border (4750 m) crossing which is to the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. Along the way you will be able to see some wildlife at Khunjerab National Park where you will meet our Chinese guide and transferred to you hotel. Overnight at hotel in Tashkurgan. (BD)
Day 12: Kashgar
In the morning, we visit Tashkurgan Fort, dating back from 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. The scenery along the way is breathtaking. We will be stopping at the Karakul Lake where you can enjoy the view of Muztagh-ata Mountains. Optional camel ride or walk around the Lake. Later continue to Kashgar.
Overnight at hotel in Kashgar. (BD)
Day 13: 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’s and even camels are for sale! Wonderful assortments of people come from all over the region, and the population of the town swells by 100,000! This is truly one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia, and a photographer’s paradise! After the market visit Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb and the old town.
Overnight at hotel in Kashgar. (BD)
Day 14: Depart Kashgar
Our service will end with the airport transfer. (B)

*** Onward arrangements can be arranged upon request you may wish to join our mainland China tours and Central Asia***

** PS.. Day hikes are optional if you do not wish to hike you can just explore around the villages**

 

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 Comfort Class Accommodation
No of Pax.
2
3-5
6-9
10-14
Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar
per person
$3280
$2850
$2300
$1950
$630
Tour Cost Tourists Class Accommodation
No of Pax.
2
3-5
6-9
10-14
Single Supplement
Price in US Dollar
per person
$2700
$2300
$2000
$1600
$445

Hotels

Places
Comfort Class Hotels
Tourist Class Hotels
Islamabad
Serena hotel
Guest house or Grace Crown
Naran
Roomy or Hotel One
Snow Crest
Fairy Meadow
Hutsl
Huts
Karimabad Hunza
Serena or Offto
Himalayan Tiger or similar
Borith Lake
Borith Lake hotel and Resort
Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Tashkurgan China
Crown Hotel
Grassland Hotel
Kashgar
Qini Bagh New wing
Radisson Blu
*** Please note that all above hotels are subject to availability or we will arrange alternative hotels of a similar standard.

Tour departures 2023 – 2024

Includes

 

All private transfers by Cars, Van, Busses depend on the group size except one way public bus from Tashkurgan to Sost if tour starts in Kashgar, if the tour start in Islamabad in that case all private transfers
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

Excludes

 

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

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