Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
Vaccinations
Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information
Singles
A single supplement is not always possible on this trip. In many instances campsite size is limited and it will be necessary to share with another team member. This also applies to mountaineering expeditions. Single supplement in hotels is available. Please contact Shams Alpine Mountaineering & Trekking Pvt Ltd for specific detail, relevant to your trip.
Entry points
Chitral can be reached from Islamabad by plane to Gilgit city or else by via Lowari Tunnel to Chitral. Another way is by road from Tashkurgan, China on the Karakoram Highway through Khunjerab National Park and the Old Silk Route to Gilgit and it goes through Shandur Pass to Kalash valley.
Leader
Discover the spectacular hidden Karakoram with English speaking, world renowned Shimshali mountain guides
Adventure travel
By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you contact us with any concerns. We are happy to answer any questions.
Responsible travel
The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact of our presence.
Deosai Plains – Nanga Parbat- Hunza – Khunjerab Pass –Tour
Trip Duration: 18 days
Season: June – October
Grade: Entry level Light and exploratoryTour
Activities: exploring the traditional valleys of Gilgit – Baltistan l
Accommodation: 18 days trip, 01 day trek 16 nights hotel, 02 nights camping
About this tour
Shams Alpine offers, a unique, and ‘best-of’ Pakistan trip following much of the ancient Silk Road from Islamabad, Skardu, Hunza Valley up the Khunjerab Pass, and flight back to Islamabad.
The trip starts with a breath taking flight past Nanga Parbat and down into Skardu, followed by a Jeep ride through the beautiful villages of Baltistan and picturesque farming countryside to Deosai Plains National park, is renowned for its fishing, wild flowers and animal life, where we will camp near the largest lake in the park, Sheosar Lake (or ‘blind lake’).
The next morning we begin another scenic drive towards Gilgit via Tarashing, Rupal Nanga Parbat and Rama Lake, a lovely spot to explore to have the closeup view of Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat 8128m the second highest peak in Pakistan.
On your drive/tour from Gilgit to Karimabad, Hunza and onto Passu (along the KKH and a section of the ancient Silk Road) you will enjoy some of the most outstanding scenery in Northern Pakistan. The Gilgit river and terraces of farmland will be beside you as you drive north. You will stop and enjoy the views of the junction of the Western edge of the Himalayas with the Karakorum and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. You will stop at the base of Rakaposhi (7,788m) and gaze up the Ghulmet Glacier at the highest unbroken slope on earth 5,838m above you. You will explore beautiful Karimabad with its delicious apricots (in the right season) and the famous Baltit Fort. The ancient roadside sacred rocks at Haldeikish and the drive north through picturesque villages and farmland and along the Khunjerab river; then to Passu with the amazing granite cathedral mountain tops before you head up to the Khungerab tops, the highest pass in Pakistan can app be reached by 4 wheels Drive.
Short itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Islamabad (600m) and met at airport by Shams Alpine guides – Hotel
Day 02 Excursion sites & shopping in Islamabad city – Hotel
Day 03 Flight Islamabad – Skardu (2,450m) explore Skardu town & surroundings or drive to Chilas – Hotel
Day 04 Excursion Skardu city or second day drive from Chilas to Skardu – Hotel
Day 05 Sheosar Lake – Tarashing – Hotel
Day 06 Tarashing – walk to Rupal Face Nanga Parbat mountain view point – Hotel
Day 07 Walk back to Trashing – Drive to Rama Lake – Hotel
Day 08 Rama Lake – Gilgit City (1,450m) – Hotel
Day 09 Gilgit City – Karimabad, Hunza (2,400m) – Hotel
Day 10 Excursion Hunza Valley – Hotel
Day 11 Karimabad, Hunza – Khunjerab Pass(4,693m) – back to Sost (3048m ) – Hotel
Day 12 Sost – Passu (2,450m) visiting Passu suspension bridge and Batura Glacier – Hotel
Day 13 Sost – Shimshal Village (3000m) – Guest House / Hotel
Day 14 Shimshal – Passu (2,500m) – Hotel
Day 15 Passu – Gilgit city (1,450m) – Hotel
Day 16 Gilgit – Fly Islamabad or Drive to Narran Valley -hotel
Day 17 market visit in Islamabad or second day drive from Narran to Islamabad – Hotel
Day 18 Departure from Islamabad
Optional extra trips before and after your tour, please discuss with us. We have lots more of our beautiful Karakoram to share with you.
Our Services Include
An experienced English speaking high altitude Guides.
Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking and eating utensils and mess tent.
Wages for guides, cook and porters.
Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.
Internal Jeep and Land Cruisers transport by private vehicle.
Tented camps on shared basis while Camping.
Porters will carry your large pack – one waterproof kit bag per client, – weight not to exceed 15kgs.
Excess baggage will incur extra porter wage.
National Park, camping and bridge Fees.
Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application.
Assistance on your arrival and departure
Our Service does not include
Bottled water, aerated drinks, alcohol, laundry and other items of personal nature
Meals except where indicated in the itinerary
Personal snacks, energy bars, energy gels, sweets
Personal gear, sleeping bags, ice axe, crampons, and harness
Personal phone calls and laundry
Tips
International airfares, Travel Insurance, Airport and departure taxes.
Cost of helicopter or other means of evacuation and you should cover in your trip insurance.
Single supplement
Guides and porters
Our local guides and porters are all experienced, handpicked and trained by Shaheen Baig (director of Shimshal Mountaineering School) and Qudrat Ali (Manager of Shimshal Mountaineering School) to ensure that our clients have the best opportunity for success with comfort. A porter will carry your kit bag and you will be expected to carry your own day pack which should be large enough to carry all you will need throughout the day e.g. sunscreen, raincoat, water bottle, camera, spare long sleeved clothing, snow protection glasses, sun protection gloves, hat and scarves, snack food, etc.