Hunza Cultural Tour 9 days

Day 1:

Arrive at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will enjoy leisure time to relax and recover from the journey on this day. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a city tour (visit the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, etc.)

Accommodation: Hotel
Altitude: 540m
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 40 minutes

Day 2:

Fly from Islamabad airport to Gilgit (a 1-hour scenic flight) to enjoy the scenic beauty of valleys and high mountain peaks. On our way to Hunza, we will have a short stop to visit the Berano suspension bridge (one of the oldest suspension bridges in the region) and the Danyor tunnel. We will also have quick stops for photography at the collision point of two tectonic plates, the ancient Silk Route viewpoint, and the Rakaposhi viewpoint. We will witness village life while passing through the small villages in the Nagar and Hunza valleys. Check into the hotel in Karimabad and have some free time. We will do an evening walk (40 minutes) at Samarqand Kohl (water channel) through the apricot orchids in the village and explore the local culture. We will drive to Dongo Das (a 20-minute drive) for stargazing at night. Enjoy your precious time under the dark sky. Drive back to our hotel for the night.ORIn case of a flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via the Karakoram Highway with short stops at various touristic spots.

Accommodation: Hotel
Altitude:2400m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 2 Hours

Day 3:

Enjoying a full day in Hunza, we will visit the 800-year-old Baltit Fort (30-minute walk), Karimabad Bazar (for shopping for handicrafts, gemstones, dry fruits, etc.), Altit Fort (900 years old), and enjoy traditional Lunch at Kha Basi Café (a café owned by Serena hotels and run by local women). After lunch, we will visit the music school in Altit, where local children learn and play traditional music (guests can also practice playing regional musical instruments). Later in the afternoon, we will visit Ganish village (the oldest settlement in Hunza) and visit a local family home. We will drive to Duikar (2800 m) to enjoy the best sunset view. After a 15-minute beautiful hike, we will arguably reach one of the best sunset viewpoints in the world, with a birds-eye view of the whole of the Hunza and Nagar valleys and the splendid views of seven mountain peaks above 7000m. Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.

Accommodation: Hotel
Altitude: 2400m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 2 Hours

Day 4:

Today, we will drive to Passu through numerous small villages in upper Hunza. After stopping at the Atabad Lake and enjoying boating, we will reach Gulmit village, where we will walk through the orchids and then visit the old house and music school. Enjoy a short hike, Pakistan's highest and longest stairs, to Ondra Fort (01 hours), a community-based tourism initiative in Gulmit village of Gojal Valley. Free time to enjoy the beautiful view of Passu cones and upper Hunza. Later in the afternoon, drive to Borith Lake (a beautiful lake in upper Hunza famous for migrating birds). After witnessing the magnificent migrating birds, we will proceed to Passu to enjoy leisure time in the afternoon; we can do an evening trek to Passu glacier beside the stream (2-hour trek both ways)—optional. Enjoy the sunset at Glacier Breeze Restaurant with a cup of tea or coffee and the famous apricot cake. We may participate in a cultural event or spring festival in upper Hunza (if time matches). Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.

Accommodation: Hotel
Altitude: 2400m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 5 Hours

Day 5:

After breakfast, we will drive to Hoper Valley for 1 hour (2800 m). En route, we will visit Nagar Khas (a village in Nagar Valley) and meet locals to witness a different culture and Nagar fort. Then continue to travel to Hoper village, where we can do a beautiful short hike to Hoper glacier (2 hours) and experience walking on the glacier. Then drive to Minapin village to enjoy leisure time and a famous traditional lunch (Gurkun karahi) while a local historian briefly explains the region's history. After lunch, drive to KHO (a beautiful viewpoint) in local jeeps. Drive back to Karimabad in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Altitude: 2400m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 6-7 Hours

Day 6:

Drive to Khanabad village in Lower Hunza and spend most of the day here. We will witness village life with a host family and experience practical participation in village people's routine activities. We will visit fruit orchids, walk through the streets, meet locals, including artisans and historians, and enjoy traditional lunch with a host family. We can also enjoy meditation or yoga in the village. Drive back to Gilgit in the afternoon and visit Kargah Budha (7th-century Budha).

Accommodation: Hotel
Altitude: 1500m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 2-3 Hours

Day 7:

Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad (1-hour scenic flight). Transfer to the hotel, and after lunch, go sightseeing. OR Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway with short stops (in case of flight cancellation).

Accommodation: Hotel
Altitude: 540m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Driving Duration: 1 Hour

Day 8:

Contingency Day: If we cannot fly due to the weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we pass from Gilgit to Islamabad, we will enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today. (A day excursion to the Taxila museum and archaeological sites will be one of the options.)

Accommodation: HotelAltitude: 540mMeals included: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerDay 9:

After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.

Altitude: 540m
Meals Included: Breakfast
Driving Duration: 40 Minutes