JEEP SAFARI THROUGH THE THREE GREAT MOUNTAIN RANGES HIMALAYA, KARAKORAM AND HINDUKUSH

Tour operates: June until September
No of days: 22 Tour cost from: 1580 US Dollar
Tour Route: Islamabad/Shogran/Naran/Chilas/Astore/Deosai pleateu/Satpara lake/Skardu/Shigarvalley/Karimabad/Gulmit/Phander/Shandurpass/Chitral/Kalash/Swat/ Peshawar/ Islamabad
Transport: Private busses 4x4 Jeeps
Tour starting point: Islamabad

Itinerary

Day 01 Islamabad
Airport pickup transfer, today we will have time for sightseeing and shopping in colorful old bazaars of Rawalpindi and new markets of Islamabad. We may also drive to the huge modern Faisal Mosque in Islamabad (LD)

Day 02 Shogran
We drive through Taxila and enter the foothills of the Himalayas near Abbottabad. The lush green terraced fields are a beautiful sight. Here we enter an alpine environment; not unlike Switzerland and The Rockies. From Abbottabad we drive to Balakot and enter the famous Kaghan Valley of stunning alpine forests, deep blue high altitude lakes, lush green meadows and distant snowy peaks with the ever present frothing and gushing Kunhar River right next to the road. It will take about 6 to 7 hours of driving from Islamabad to reach heavenly Shogran overnight hotel (BLD).

Day 03 Naran
This is a 2 hour drive into the heart of the Kaghan valley. Naran is the capital of the scenic Kaghan valley and has one of the best trout fishing in Pakistan. You can go on a side excursion to the legendary Saiful Muluk Lake (3,215 m.) for the day overnight at hotel (BLD).
Day 04 Naran free day
Today we can just take it easy and perhaps do some fishing in this beautiful valley overnight at hotel (BLD)

Day 05 Chilas
This is a long day's drive as we drive up to the Babusar Pass (4,529 m.) and descend into the hot, dusty and dry Indus Gorge. At the pass we try to climb an easy short slope towards our left for unbelievable views of the great Nanga Parbat (8,125 m.) and the high Karakoram peaks beyond. We will cherish this sight for a long time! This drive may take more than 8 hours. At Chilas we meet up with the Karakoram Highway (KKH) overnight at hotel (BLD)

Day 06 Astore
It takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive from Chilas and under Nanga Parbat as we enter Astore village. On the way the views of the 8,125 meters Nanga Parbat from an altitude of only 1,000 meters is breathtaking; it is the largest land escarpment in the world overnight at Guest house (BLD)

Day 07 Deosai Plateau
It takes about 14 hours to drive from Astore to Skardu. We will have to break our journey on the way at a wayside tent shelter put up by the local people. These shelters are equipped with beds and tents. Deosai plateau is a wildlife refuge and home to many animals such as the Himalayan Brown Bear. It is truly a fascinating place. Our staff will make sure that you are well provided for at this rugged stop (BLD).

Day 08 Skardu
Just before Skardu we will stop at this beautiful lake and have another chance to do some trout fishing. Later drive to Skardu overnight at hotel (BLD).

Day 09 Skardu
Today we will take some well needed rest in the capital of Baltistan; the gateway to the highest peaks of the Karakoram. If we are lucky there might be a polo game going on in the town. (BLD)

Day 10 Skardu Shigar valley excursion
Today we will drive to the beautiful side Shiger valley near Skardu. This is a good chance to see the old Balti culture still flourishing in such remote valleys. We will return the same day to Skardu. (BLD)

Day 11 Karimabad
It will take about 8 hours driving time; first along side the mighty Indus on the Indus Highway and then on the KKH next to the Hunza River to reach Karimabad the capital of Hunza. If there is heaven on Earth, then this must be it! The drive is guaranteed to knock your socks off!! The views of Rakaposhi, Haramosh, Nanga Parbat, Ultar and on and on, are incomparable and unforgettable. (BLD)

Day 12 Karimabad
Today is open as a rest day. One can just sip tea endlessly in the lovely flower strewn garden of your hotel and stare at Rakaposhi and Ultar and the terraced valley; and one will not get bored. Or one can make side visits to other valleys and glaciers. (BLD)

Day 13 Gulmit
Today we will drive to the legendary Khunjerab Pass (4,833 m.) and touch China! Here, at the pass, we will be in the Pamir Mountain Range. So, up till now we have traversed, the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Pamir mountain ranges. We will return back to Gulmit. This trip will take the whole day on the KKH. (BLD)

Day 14 Phander
We are now on our journey to the Hindukush mountain range and Chitral. We enter the Ghizer valley after leaving the town of Gilgit behind us. This will take more than 8 hours of driving from Gulmit to Phander. (BLD)

Day 15 Mastuj
Leaving early morning we proceed to the Shandur Pass (3,734 m.). Here we will leave the Northern Areas behind and enter the Chitral valley in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. We are now in the Hindukush mountain range. The drive takes about 6 hours. (BLD)

Day 16 Chitral
We descend the Chitral valley and arrive in the capital of this mountain region after about 8 hours of driving. On the way we have tremendous views of Tirich Mir (7,708 m.), the highest peak of the Hindukush range and the Buni Zom group in the Hinduraj range. (BLD)

Day 17 Chitral
Today we will visit one of the famous Kalash valleys. It is a unique experience to be with these pagan tribes and their ancient culture even in the third millennium! We will return to Chitral for overnight. (BLD)

Day 18 Saidu Sharif
Leaving Chitral valley we ascend the Lowari Pass (3,118 m.) with its many hairpin road bends. We descend the pass to enter Dir valley and proceed onwards to Swat. On the way we cross Churchill's Picket. From here the young Churchill dispatched reports to England describing the Pathan uprising. Swat is filled with Buddhist history. It takes about 8 hours from Chitral town to Saidu Sharif in Swat. (BLD)

Day 19 Peshawar
From Swat we cross the lower Malakand pass and leave the mountains behind to enter Mardan. The drive to Peshawar, capital of NWFP takes about 4 to 5 hours. While in the ancient city of Peshawar, we can visit the Kissa Khawani bazaar (the bazaar of story tellers) and roam the streets of this fascinating old tribal city. (BLD)

Day 20 Rawalpindi/Islamabad
Hotel, drive. In three to four hours of driving we are back in the capital of Pakistan. On the way we cross the River Indus at Attock. This is near where Alexander the Great crossed this mighty river also on his way to conquer this part of India. (B-L-D)

Day 21 Rawalpindi/Islamabad
Full day sight seeing and shopping in Islamabad (BLD)

Day 22 Fly Home The tour will end with airport transfer. (B)

Guarantee departures: Every Monday
Minimum 2 people

Tour cost

No of Pax.	2-5	6-9	10-15
Price in US Dollar per person	$2542	$1920	$1580

COST INCLUDES

• All domestic transportation and transfers
• Twin sharing accommodation at hotel with en-suite private facilities
• Meals full board (B breakfast-L Lunch-D-Dinner)
• All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees
• Fully escorted by our English-speaking guides
• Tips for hotel staff

COST EXCLUDES

• Visa Fees
• Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc
• Optional activities
• Meals not mention above
• Personal expanses
• Sleeping bag
• Single supplements
• Tips for Guides and drivers