Skardu Tour 9 Days

Arrive at Islamabad Airport where you will be received by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. With some flights arriving in the afternoon, guests can get some rest and relaxation in anticipation of the busy and active itinerary ahead. In the evening, we will have a briefing ahead of the trip ahead during the welcome dinner. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

Today, we will begin our journey towards Mansehra making a brief stop at the Lulusar Lake to take in the crystal clear waters of this natural unspoilt landscape. Making our way through the lush green valleys of Kaghan, our next stop will be at the elevated Babusar Top, which we will reach via one of the famous hairpinned roads in the worlds. Later, we will check into our hotel in Chilas in the early evening. Overnight stay in Chilas

After breakfast, we will take the road to Skardu tour, driving parallel to the Indus River and across the famous hanging Alam Bridge before we reach our hotel. Overnight stay in Skardu.

Today, we will be taking a trip to Shangrila, a resort that encircles a heart shaped lake with fruit laden orchards of apples, pears and cherries set in perfectly manicured gardens. Nestled amongst some of the highest peaks in the world, we will witness the raw beauty of the Lower and Upper Kachura Lakes which make for some captivating scenes of the rustic surroundings. Next, we will make our way through the Cold Desert, the highest desert in the world and one where temperatures can reach as low as -25C before reaching the Shigar Fort, a 17th century restored fortress-palace that was previously home to the Raja of Baltistan. Guests will also have the option of taking a hike to the mighty Kharpocho Fort, which offers stunning views across Skardu and has a history that dates back to the Mughal era. Overnight stay in Skardu.

This morning, we will set off for Ghanche, a district in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is filled with high summits, flowing blue waters and beautiful valleys. In the villages below we will have the opportunity to see the locals first hand and experience the famous hospitality of Pakistanis. As we leave Khaplu Valley, we will travel across narrow paved roads lined with yellow poplar trees; a welcoming entrance to a region that was previously under the influence of Buddhism, remnants of which can still be found today. Next, we will head to Khaplu Fort, an architectural heritage and tourist attraction, which was once home to the Raja of Khaplu and has now been restored to its former glory. A visit to Chaqchan Mosque is on the itinerary and is one of the oldest mosques in the region with locals claiming that it can be traced back to the 1st century. Perched on a small hill and built in a combination of Persian, Tibetan and Mughal styles, the silence inside this mosque is delightfully charming. We will be finishing off the day’s events with a final visit to the waterfall at Manthoka which will prove to be a scenic and refreshing sanctuary. Overnight stay in Skardu. 

After breakfast, we will venture out to Deosai National Park otherwise known as the “Land of the Giants,” a high altitude alpine plateau elevated at 4,000m above sea level and with views of the Himalayas. With its unexplainable beauty, we will be exploring the flora and fauna of this wildlife wilderness and keeping an eye out for the many endangered species of animals, which call this park home such as the Himalayan Brown Bears, Golden Marmots and Tibetan Wolves. After a quick stop at Sheosar Lake, Kala Pani and Bara Pani to enjoy the breathtaking views, we will head back to Skardu. Overnight stay in Skardu.

Today, we will leave for Besham/Naran. If the route to Besham is clear, we will explore the towns of Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra on the way whilst riding parallel to the Indus River on the Karakoram Highway. And if the route to Naran is clear, we will end our tour by exploring the glaciers, lakes and lush green Alpine forest of the Kaghan Valley. Overnight stay in Besham/Naran

Following breakfast, we will continue the remainder of our journey to Islamabad whilst taking in the staggering mountain scenery, the rough terrains of the road and the welcoming people in the neighbouring villages. We will check in to our hotel in Islamabad where guests will have the opportunity to rest and recover. Soon after, we will head into Islamabad to see some of the sights the capital has to offer such as the Faisal Mosque, which is nestled at the foot of the Margalla Hills and inspired by strong Islamic cultural characteristics. In the evening, we will finish the days events by heading to Pir Sohawa to enjoy a farewell dinner at the famous Monal restaurant which offers the finest views of Islamabad from a stunning vantage point. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

After a hearty breakfast and a bittersweet farewell, you will be transferred to Islamabad Airport where our trip will come to an end.