The Himalayan Kingdom
Hike to the Fairytale Meadows and visit Hunza–the valley of eternal youth
Overview
Our trip will start in the rich and stunning cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore to feast our eyes with beautiful Badshahi Mosque, Badshahi Fort, Lahore Museum, Shahi Hammam, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shalimar Gardens etc., The visit to Wagah border to witness the flag lowering ceremony is yet another attraction. While traveling to Islamabad the federal capital of Islamabad, we will visit Katas Raj Temple & Khewra Salt Mines.
The fairytale meadows (3310 m), an idyllic place amidst lush coniferous forests. You will enjoy the great panoramic view of the Nanga Parbat (8125m), the second highest peak in Pakistan and 9th in the world. Our next destination is HUNZA, the valley of eternal youth.
Guarded by Karakoram giants, Hunza Valley nestles itself in the lap of snow-capped mountains which makes it a tourist delight. The enchanting Hunza’s beauty reaches its peak in the apricot and cherry blossom in spring, the valley turns green in summer and leaves change their colours to red, yellow and orange in the autumn season. The magical Karimabad (Baltit), the formal capital of Hunza Valley has a charm of its own, encircled by breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped peaks, lush green fields, fruit orchards, and the singing Hunza River, the feeling of being here is unmatchable. Views from a fairytale like Baltit Fort, the old residence of the Mirs of Hunza standing atop Karimabad are incredibly beautiful. A walk along the Barbar irrigation channel with striking views of Rakaposhi, Diran Peak and Golden Peak add more essence to your journey. The beautiful Gulmit valley surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, and the Passu village known for Passu Glacier, Batura Glacier and Passu Cones are worth visiting. The smiling, welcoming and friendly inhabitants of Hunza truly make your stay at home.
Vista Tour Facts
Tour Name: The Himalayan Kingdom
Tour Code: ATP-HMK-01
Vista Duration: 13 days/12 nights
Route: Lahore-Khewra- Islamabad-Taxila-Naran-Babusar Pass-Chilas-Raikot Bridge-Meadows-Gilgit-Central Hunza-Upper Hunza-Gilgit-Islamabad.
Best time: Late March till Mid-October
Tour Grade: Easy
Visa Category: Tourist Visit Visa
Gallery
Itinerary
Arrival at Allama Iqbal Airport Lahore, transfer to hotel. After refreshment city tour of Lahore.
Key Attractions
Lahore’s walled city
Lahore Fort-built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Badshahi Masjid built between 1671 & 1673 by Mughal emperors
Lahore Museum - Showcasing one of the largest and most representative collection of miniature paintings in the Subcontinent
Anarkali Bazar - one of oldest surviving markets in the Lahore.
Full day city tour of Lahore.
Key Attractions
Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan in Lahore
Visit Masjid Wazir Khan -Built by Wazir Khan, the viceroy of Punjab during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Shahi Hamam - a Persian-style bath which was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Visit Shalimar Garden (optional)
Experience the flag ceremony at the Wagah, the border between Pakistan & India.
Islamabad-Katas Raj Temple: 270 kms/ 4 hours’ drive
Katas Raj–Khewra Salt Mines: 16 kms/ 40 minutes’ drive
Khewra Salt Mines–Islamabad: 172 kms/3 hours’ drive
Drive to Islamabad from Lahore visit Katas Raj Temple Complex & Khewra Salt Mines en-route.
Day 4. IslamabadFull day city tour of Islamabad & Rawalpindi.
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 OR
Islamabad – Besham- Chilas: 470 kms/10-11 hours’ drive
Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route OR drive to Chilas via Besham.
Key Attractions
Drive to Naran visiting Taxila en-route or drive to Chilas via Besham. Today’s attractions/places of interest include
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.
Naran–Raikot Bridge: 155 kms /4.5 hours’ drive
Chilas–Raikot Bridge: 58 kms/1.5 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 vehicles and take jeeps to Tato Village from where a 3 hours’ hike will take us to Fairy Meadows. Or drive from Chilas to Tato via Raikot Bridge and hike to Fairy Meadows.
Key Attractions
Lulusar Lake
Babusar Pass
Note: Naran/Kaghan Road via Babusar Pass is open from June to October and subject to snow conditions.
Day 7. Fairy MeadowsThe day is available for exploring the surroundings of the fairytale meadow. You can take a good rest at Fairy Meadows or hike to the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world known as the Killer Mountain. Overnight stay as the day before.
Altitude: Beyal Camp: 3500m/11650f, Nanga Parbat Base Camp: 4000m/13135f
Day 8. Fairy Meadows–Gilgit–Karimabad HunzaFairy Meadows-Tato: 2 hours’ hike
Tato-Raikot Bridge: 1 hour’ drive
Raikot- Gilgit: 1.5 hours’ drive
Gilgit-Karimabad Hunza: 2 hours’ drive
Trek down to Tato and drive to Gilgit. After lunch, drive to Karimabad Hunza.
Key Attractions
Stop at Thalichi – The Nanga Parbat View Point
stop at the Unique Place: Where three great Mountain ranges; the Karakoram, the Himalaya & Hindukush meet
Stop at Ghulmet: The Rakaposhi View Point.
Full day for exploring the mesmerizing landscape and the unique culture 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.
Karimabad-Hopar: 16km/1 hours’ drive
Hopar-Passu: 65km/2 hours’ drive
In the morning visit Nagar Valley and then proceed to upper Hunza. In the upper Hunza we visit Atta Abad Lake, Gulmit, Hussaini Bridge, and Passu.
Key Attractions
Ganish Cluster- the oldest settlement in Hunza
Hopar village
Dong Rock Inscriptions
Atta Abad Lake
Gulmit Village
Hussaini Bridge
Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals
Passu-Gilgit: 145 km/3 hours’ drive
In the morning hike to Passu Glacier View Point. After lunch, drive to Gilgit. Visit Kargah Buddha in the afternoon.
Key Attractions
Borith Lake
Passu Glacier View Point
Flight to Islamabad (1 hr.) or drive to Islamabad (12-14 hours).
Day 13. DepartureTransfer to the Islamabad International Airport for the departure flight – End of trip.