Pakistan Expedition – 15 Days

Welcome to Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad. Islamabad, which translates to "City of Islam," was constructed in the 1960s to take Karachi's place as the nation's capital, despite the fact that there is evidence of human habitation in the region dating back thousands of years. If you arrive early, there are a number of attractions worth seeing, including the Shah Allah Dita caverns, Golra Railway Station, and the Lok Virsa Museum, which is devoted to the preservation, recording, and promotion of Pakistan's cultural history. Your excursion officially starts with a welcoming gathering at 6 p.m. The almost 400-year-old Saidpur settlement, which is only 20 minutes away by car and is located at the base of the neighboring Margallas, may also be of interest to you. An historic Hindu temple in the village serves as a reminder of the various cultures and religions that have previously called this area home. Get to know your group and local leader over an optional meal at your hotel after your welcome meeting.

Take advantage of the chance to tour Islamabad with other tourists. Your local guide will discuss the past of Islamabad and Pakistan with you and be ready to answer any queries you may have about this sometimes misunderstood location. There will be an opportunity to shop for regional attire, so splurge on a shalwar kameez—the traditional outfit of baggy trousers and a long shirt. Visit the Faisal Mosque, which at the time of its construction in 1986 was the biggest mosque in the world and can reportedly accommodate 10,000 worshippers, and then proceed to the historic site of Taxila. These ruins, which are a part of the World Heritage Site, are proof of more than 500 years of cultural development, influenced by Persia, Greece, and the spread of Buddhism. Enjoy a group dinner at Monal, arguably Islamabad's most well-known eatery, which is tucked away in the hills and offers breathtaking views of the city below.

This morning, take a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit before traveling north to the little town of Gulmit, which is encircled by mountains and glaciers. It is close to the renowned Karakoram Highway, which connects China and Pakistan, and is also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. There will be numerous opportunities to pause and admire the scenery, which includes Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, and the meeting point of the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalaya mountain ranges.

Spend the day taking it all in at Gulmit. Visit a carpet-weaving center managed by local women while strolling through the town; it is housed in one of the oldest traditional homes. Additionally, you'll walk to the Ondra Fort ruins. Although it's not a particularly lengthy climb, you'll want to go slowly to get used to the altitude (and all the steps!). Plan on taking between one and two hours to complete the hike each way. The fort overlooks Gulmit from atop a rocky outcrop and would have provided commanding views of many key passes in the region. As if the mediaeval remains weren't impressive enough, there are breathtaking views of the valley and the neighbouring peaks. It is thought that a monarch by the name of Qutlug Baig constructed it in the 16th century.

Visit the Hussaini Hanging Bridge today to view one of the world's most perilous bridges. The bridge is suspended above Borith Lake and surrounded by rough mountains, despite the bridge's poor state. Spend some time hiking out to the spectacular Passu Glacier and to the lake, which is located at an elevation of about 2600 metres. Take it easy; your guide will set a pace that is safe for the altitude. You'll have plenty of time to unwind while also getting to visit Passu Sar Mountain (7470 metres) and the picturesque Tupopdan (6106 metres), commonly known as Passu Cones or Passu Cathedral. Later on in the day, proceed to Passu, a settlement situated along the Hunza River. Visit a neighbor's house for tea and try the yak burgers and renowned apricot dessert. You'll be treated to a traditional performance this evening by a group of musicians who will play their native instruments, sing songs with you, and show you how to dance in the local style.

Travel in a 4WD to the isolated settlement of Shimshal, which was formerly off-limits to vehicles until 2003. The local population, who previously had to trek for several days to reach other sections of Hunza, built the road over the course of 18 years. Shimshal is so far away that it was originally used as a punishment to exile Hunzai state convicts. The inhabitants are tough and very diligent people. Given the challenging, hilly environment, it is not a surprise that several well-known Pakistani mountaineers were raised here. The Shimshali is to Pakistan what the Sherpa is to Nepal, and Samina and Mirza Ali Baig, a brother-sister climbing team, may be the most well-known Shimshali. Samina is the first and only Pakistani woman to summit Everest and all seven summits when she was 21 years old.

Spend the day touring Shimshal and discovering the difficulties associated with surviving in such a harsh setting. Meet the local families, learn about their challenges, and go on a walk for sweeping panoramas of the surroundings. Solar energy powers almost every home in Shimshal, as does the neighborhood school, which generates enough electricity to run an IT lab and illuminate 18 classrooms. Enjoy the alpine surroundings, take some time to unwind, and acclimatize to the altitude while keeping in mind that you are visiting a place that not many people will ever have the opportunity to see.

Spend the day exploring Shimshal's lovely walking trails by lacing up your hiking boots. Recall how the inhabitants once had to travel on paths that not even yaks could cross for days to reach the next settlement. The specific hike will depend on the group's desire and the accessibility of the location, but you can be sure that there will be breathtaking vistas and few if any, other hikers. The high altitude of the area makes the walk more difficult, but the vistas of the mountains and valleys make the effort worthwhile. If you'd rather skip today's walk, you can instead spend the day strolling in the community.

Bid the Shimshal residents farewell before taking a 4WD back to Passu. Visit the village of Ganish and Lake Attabad on the way. Under the glittering surface of Lake Attabad, there is a depressing tale. The lake was created in 2010 as a result of a major landslip that killed 20 people and left others homeless. The Hunza River was effectively blocked by the landslip for five months, resulting in a lake that is around 21 kilometres across. The lake is today a well-liked tourist site known for its crazily blue water because, thankfully, the dam held. Discover Ganish, a former Silk Road town that was honored by UNESCO for cultural conservation, after seeing it for yourself. Visit the Hunza region's commercial centre and capital, Karimabad, in the evening. Before going to your Aliabad lodging for the evening, take some time to explore the neighbourhood market.

You will go today to the forts at Baltit and Altit, which have been there for more than 700 years and are evidence of the valley's former strategic significance. These cities played a significant role in governing the ancient Asia trade routes, and the Baltit Fort commands a commanding vantage point above the settlement. The Aga Khan Foundation, which has also been working on various programmes to strengthen regional women's groups, repaired these well-kept forts. You'll go to one of these organizations, find out about their initiatives, and eat lunch in a cafe owned by neighborhood women. For a breathtaking perspective of the surrounding mountains, including Rakaposhi, Ultar, the Bublimotin, and Spantik on a clear day, ascend to the Eagle's Nest around dusk.

Drive to Gilgit from Aliabad before taking an aircraft back to Islamabad. The group will next travel by car to Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest metropolis and the provincial capital of Punjab. It is a rich city with a reputation for being somewhat cosmopolitan and emphasizing the arts and education. You'll stop at the breathtaking Katas Raj temples along the journey, a collection of Hindu temples situated in the Chakwal district.

Today, your guide will give you a tour of the 1865-founded Lahore Museum. The museum, which is regarded as one of Pakistan's best, was mentioned in the book "Kim" by Rudyard Kipling. John Kipling, Kipling's father, was one of the museum's early curators. From here, you can visit the Lawrence Gardens, also called Bagh-e-Jinnah, which features a botanical garden, an outdoor theatre, and a former cricket pitch. Consider spending some time relaxing in these expansive gardens and taking in the tranquil atmosphere.

Visit the Tomb of Jahangir, a mausoleum constructed in the 17th century for the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who ruled from 1605-27, to start your day. Continue on to the magnificent Shalimar Gardens, which contain waterfalls, ponds, and numerous garden pavilions. They were constructed in the 17th century by the Emperor Shah Jahan. Explore the complex, intended to be a natural utopia on earth, and then proceed to the Pakistan-India border at Wagah to see the flag-lowering ceremony. This spectacular show combines both groups of troops executing some seriously macho choreography, drawing both locals and tourists from around the world. Both flags are simultaneously lowered to signal the conclusion of the ritual, and the troops shake hands.

ou'll spend your final full day in Lahore touring some of the most well-known locations in the city. The Walled City of Lahore, which was built about the year 1000, comes first. The Delhi Gate, the Lahore Fort, which is recognised as a World Heritage Site, the enormous Badshahi Mosque, and the breathtakingly gorgeous Wazir Khan Mosque are all located inside its boundaries. The mosque's interior is embellished with beautiful mosaics and murals, and it has historical shops, Sufi saints' tombs, and Shahi Hammam baths. Additionally, you'll go to Allama Iqbal's grave, a poet and philosopher largely credited with inspiring the Pakistan Movement (and who also had a great mustache). You'll get time to browse the Walled City's markets as well. Take a stroll through the lively fish market at Delhi Gate or the Akbari Mandi, which is devoted to grains and spices. The Azam Cloth Market, one of the biggest in Asia, has almost 16,000 stores. Lahore, Pakistan's cultural centre, offers a wide variety of delectable foods to sample. Come together for one last group dinner on Lahore's renowned Food Street.

Today marks the end of your trip to Pakistan. After breakfast, you are free to check out at any time, however we do ask that you do so by 12 o'clock.