Peaks of Pakistan

On arrival in Islamabad, independently make your way to your hotel. Your first night in Pakistan is at leisure.

Islamabad - Skardu - Deosai National Park - Skardu. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Islamabad Airport for your included domestic flight to Skardu. On arrival, we check in at Glamp Pakistan before heading out to visit Deosai National Park.

We explore this remarkable high-altitude plateau, one of the highest in the world at around 4,114 metres. Known in Balti as the place of flowers, Deosai covers more than 400 square kilometres and is home to over 100 species of mountain flora. Its wide, open landscapes also support wildlife such as the Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Ibex, Ladakh Urial, and, on rare occasions, the elusive Snow Leopard.

After some time spent exploring the park, we head back to our accommodation for the night, which is in a glamping park.

Skardu - Gilgit - Hunza Valley. Today we have a long drive from Skardu, past Kachura Lake to the Hunza Valley, with a stop in Gilgit for lunch. It is a scenic journey, with views of several high peaks along the route. We spend the night in the mountainous Hunza Valley.

Today, we take in several of Hunza’s most significant historic sites before finishing the day with one of the valley’s best viewpoints.

We begin at Baltit Fort, which stands above Karimabad and was once central to the feudal regime of Hunza. Although its foundations date back around 700 years, the fort contains much older structural elements. Abandoned by the Mirs in 1945, it later fell into disrepair until a major restoration supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture was completed in 1996.

From here, we continue to the 1,000-year-old Ganesh Village, the oldest settlement on the ancient Silk Road in the Hunza Valley. You will see parts of the original village layout, along with three historic watchtowers and several centuries-old carved mosques.

We then visit Altit Fort, the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan. Over 1,100 years old, it was the original home of the Mirs of Hunza before the royal family moved to Baltit Fort three centuries later. Its Shikari Tower is a striking reminder of the valley’s early defensive architecture.

In the late afternoon, we drive up to Eagle’s Nest View Point, around 20 to 30 minutes from Hunza. From this high perch, we can take in sweeping views of terraced fields, traditional villages, and the winding Hunza River. On clear days, the panorama includes some of the Karakoram’s most iconic peaks, including Rakaposhi, Golden Peak, Diran Peak, Ultar Sar, and Ladyfinger Peak. We head back to our accommodation for the evening.

Hunza Valley - Gulmit - Attabad - Hunza Valley. Today begins with a visit to Ondra Poygah. This community-led project sits above Gulmit village in the Gojal Valley. The name combines Ondra, referring to the hill and the ancient fort that once stood here, with Poygah, meaning stair or step in the local Wakhi language. The stone steps we climb today were built by the community to link Gulmit with the remains of the 16th-century Ondra Fort, a strategic lookout that once offered views across the valley. Only the walls and ruins survive, but the site still provides a strong sense of its former importance.

From Gulmit, we continue to Attabad Lake, the newest lake in Hunza. Formed in 2010 when a major landslide blocked the Hunza River for several months, it now stretches for around 12 miles. The disaster submerged the original village of Attabad and displaced more than 6,000 people. The vivid blue water is striking, and its unusual origin makes it one of the region’s most talked-about landmarks.

We also stop at the Hussaini Suspension Bridge, a narrow, hanging footbridge that offers dramatic views and a glimpse into the traditional way communities once crossed the valley. After our day of exploring, we return to our hotel in the Hunza Valley.

Hunza Valley - Gilgit. After breakfast at the hotel, we check-out and head to our first stop, Borith Lake in upper Hunza. This alpine lake is known as a sanctuary for migrating wildfowl. It is a peaceful spot often enjoyed by bird-watchers. From here, you have the option to take a one-hour trek each way to Ghulkin Glacier, or follow the jeep track beyond the lake to reach a trail leading towards Passu Glacier. An hour or so of hiking brings you to the glacier’s snout, with the option to continue up a steeper path for closer views of the ice.

We then get back on the road, continuing to the striking Passu Cones. We then return briefly to Attabad Lake for further views of its vivid blue waters. From here, we drive back to Gilgit to visit the Kargah Buddha, a 50-foot-high image carved into the cliff face of Kargah Nala. Probably dating to the 7th century, the carving is similar in style to those found in Baltistan and is surrounded by the post-holes of a former wooden structure that once protected it. Our last visit was a brief lunch stop, but we're staying in Gilgit tonight so you have time to head out and explore.

Gilgit - Islamabad. We aim to take the early morning flight to Islamabad. If the flight is unavailable or cancelled, we will instead drive the Silk Road back to the capital. On arrival, our private bus will meet us at the airport and transfer us to the hotel. Once checked in, we take lunch together, after which the rest of the afternoon is free for independent sightseeing, shopping, or simply relaxing at the hotel.

You will also have the option to visit Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site around 35 kilometres from Islamabad. Once a major centre of the Gandhara civilisation, Taxila flourished between the 6th century BCE and the 5th century CE and became an important hub of Buddhist learning that attracted scholars from across Asia.

This evening, we meet again for a celebratory farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and check-out. Independently transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward flight.