Style

Premium

From

$3000

Book This Tour
Home/Photography Voyages/Pakistan Autumn Tour (Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Shigar, Nagar and Gojal)

Gilgit Baltistan Autumn Tour (Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Kkaplu, Phander, Shigar) -16 days.

Trip Summary

Do you want to spend the colorful autumn in a remote, organic, and enchanted place having distinguishing natural features? You are in the right spot. Crossroads Adventure has planned an unforgettable trip for you in the beautiful natural setting of Gilgit Baltistan during the fall season. The unmatched beauty of the exhilarating valleys of Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Phander, Khalti, and Nagar is enhanced by the colorful falling leaves which are spread equally by the mesmerizing autumn winds. Apart from natural beauty, you would be able to witness the UNESCO enlisted sites like Altit, and Baltit Fort, the historically significant places like Karpochu Fort, the rock carvings, the majestic view of Himalayas, Hindukush, and Karakorum range, and much more.

How would you be Entertained on this Trip?
  • Wouldn’t it be relaxing to be Entertained by a unique, and multispectral natural setting? Get ready, and confirm your booking with our team. We will take you to the enthralling beauty of northern Pakistan. Enjoy the magnificent view of Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, Passu Cathedral, the Golden Peak, K2, Gasherbrum, and other mighty mountains of the world.

  • Explore the historic origin, and beauty of the Skardu valley by visiting the famous yet old masterpieces in the form of Karpocho Fort, the Khapulu Fort, Khapulo old mosque, the old Khapulu Bazar, Skardu City Bazar, and the Shigar valley. The beauty of the region increases to many folds when the multi-color leaves cover the entire land giving a rainbow look to the region. The unparalleled soothing experience in the famous cold desert, the Katpana desert, and the Sand dunes in Skardu recharge you with vitality.

  • Want to explore distinctive comeliness? The Hunza valley would be a top choice for this purpose. Experience the pleasing windy autumn in the enticing valleys like Gulkin, Gulmit, Karimabad, Hussaini, Sost, Kamaris, and Hisper. Explore the best sites for spending quality time like the Ondra Fort, Altit, and Baltit Fort, and the breathtaking viewpoints best suited for photography like the Shisper Peak view, Khunjerab National Park, Duikar sunset viewpoint. Thus, there is a complete package of exploring the unparalleled natural sites in the extreme north of Pakistan.

  • Are you an admirer of the far-fetching freshwater lakes? Image their beauty when their surroundings are carpeted by colorful leaves, herbs, and shrubs, the whistling of the wind through them presents a melodious setting. Spend precious moments beside the Upper, and Lower Kachura lakes in Skardu, the enriched Khalti lake, the enraptured Phander lake, and the chilled Lulusar lake on Babusar top.
Is it the Desired Trip for You?
  • Since we will be traveling in the Autumn, so there might be unexpected weather alterations, the travelers should be prepared for them.

  • We will travel the high attitudes, so be careful if you have relevant medical complexities.

  • The security situation of the region is good, however, self-care is required.
A Brief Upshot:
  • Starting Point
  • Ending point
  • Primary Destinations.

  • Theme
  • Group Size.

  • Group Age
  • Islamabad, capital of Pakistan

  • Islamabad, capital of Pakistan

  • Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Phander, Gahkuch
  • Walking & Culture experience

  • 5 to 15
  • 20 to 60

Trip Highlights
  • Explore the unrivaled beauty of Gilgit Baltistan during Autumn.

  • Experience unforgettable moments beside Shangrila resort, the Upper Kachura lake, the Lulusar lake, the enraptured Khalti lake.

  • Enjoy a delighted cultural exploration by visiting the centuries old Altit, and Baltit Forts which are enlisted in the UNESCO Tentative List.

  • Experience a windy, and colorful adventure in a memorable village walk in the enticing Gulkin, Gujal, and Gulmit Valleys.

  • Witness local hospitability, and explore the distinctive local artifacts in local bazaars of Karimabad, Skardu, Khapulu, and Gilgit.

  • Avail a golden chance of professional photography in the best view points of he skyrocketing peaks of Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, K2, Passu cones, the Golden Peak, and Gasherbrum.

Itinerary:

Islamabad

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

Arrival at Islamabad

Night stay at Hotel

Islamabad-Chilas

After early morning breakfast, the group will depart for Raikot bridge at 5:00 am sharp via Naran and Kaghan valleys. It is a full-day drive passing through natural splendors. Naran and Kaghan are among the most beautiful places in Pakistan which offers a spectacular view to the visitors. The group will stopover at Abbottabad which is an approximate three hours’ drive from Islamabad and at an approximate distance of 135km. The journey will continue passing through Mansehra for few hours then the group will reach Naran valley in approximately 05 hours from Abbottabad. After lunch at Naran valley, the group will stopover at Lulusar Lake for photography, then at Babusar top or Babusar Pass (el. 4173 m./13,691 ft.) which is a mountain pass at the north of 150 km. (93 miles) long Kaghan Valley. After about 04 hours drive, the group will reach Chilas at around 7:00 pm for dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Chilas.

Naran is one of the most beautiful parts of northern areas in Pakistan which is elevated 2500 meters above sea level. Its beauty captures a lot of people towards itself and thus it is a famous resort for tourists and trekkers. The weather in Naran is very cold. The ice on the mountain tops never melts, even in June and July there are glaciers, and mountains are covered with snow.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

⦁ Early morning departure to Chilas (5 am)
⦁ Stopover at Abbottabad for breakfast
⦁ Mansehra
⦁ Lunch at Naran
⦁ Stopover at Lulusar Lake
⦁ Babusar pass/ Babusar Top (Babusar pass/ Babusar Top gets closed, we will go Karakoram highway)
⦁ Stay in Chilas.

Gilgit-Skardu

It is a full day drive, so the group will have early morning breakfast and then depart for Skardu which is on average 9 hours’ drive. Gilgit – Skardu Road is a spectacular and dangerous mountain road located in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. The road is 167 km (104 mi) long. The road, called Strategic Highway 1 (S-1), starts on the Karakoram Highway, in Gilgit, the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan within the namesake district, at an elevation of 1.500m (4,900ft) above the sea level. It ends in Skardu, a town and capital of Skardu District, in Gilgit–Baltistan, at an elevation of 2.226m (7,303ft) above sea level.

The road runs along the River Indus. It’s an all-weather road but due to ongoing construction on the road, it takes more time on the road. Initially, the surface was gravel, but over the years some sections were paved. Gilgit-Skardu road is very important from the tourist and also a strategic point of view. The road is winding, in some places only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails.

Upon arrival to Skardu, the group will go to visit the Kharpocho Fort which gets closed at 5:00 pm, after the fort visit the group will go to the hotel for an overnight stay.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

⦁ Early morning breakfast 6:00 am
⦁ Early morning departure 7:00 am
⦁ View of Karakoram Mountains
⦁ View of Nanga Parbat 8126 m
⦁ Arrival in Skardu in approximate 4:00 pm
⦁ Visit Kharpocho Fort 4:30 pm
⦁ Free time for sightseeing
⦁ Overnight stay and relax

Skardu-Khapulu-Shigar

After early morning breakfast, the group will depart for Khapulu which is an approximate 2.5 hours’ drive from Skardu. The road is quite often shot in the rock wall. It is from Khaplu to Skardu still around a hundred kilometers. Along the way, you will pass the confluence of Shyok and Indus. The group will have a tour of the below mentioned places. After exploring Khapulu for few hours the group will then depart for shigar valley which again is an approximate two hours’ drive from Khapulu. There are several places to explore and some of them are mentioned below. Shigar is another mesmerizing destination in Baltistan to surprise you with its beauty. After reaching Shigar the group will explore the surrounding areas and then will drive towards sand dunes, and then drive back to Skardu for dinner and overnight stay.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

⦁ Early morning breakfast and departure for Khapulu
⦁ Khapulu fort
⦁ Khapulu old mosque
⦁ Khapulu Bazar
⦁ Khaplu village
⦁ The Shigar View Point
⦁ Sand dunes

Skardu

After early morning breakfast, the group will set out to explore Skardu. Skardu is in the extreme north of Pakistan, Skardu the central valley of Gilgit-Baltistan, is the epitome of beauty, serenity, and wilderness. Paths to some of the world’s highest mountains that include K2, K3, and Gasherbrum; all are connected through this valley. The group will visit the following main attractions.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

⦁ Early morning breakfast and departure for Shigar Valley
⦁ Day to explore around.
⦁ Shangri-la resort
⦁ Satpara Lake
⦁ Upper Kachura Lake
⦁ Katpana desert
⦁ Cold Desert

Skardu-Gilgit

It is a full day drive so the group will have early morning breakfast and then departs for Gilgit which is on average 9 hours’ drive. Gilgit – Skardu Road is a spectacular and dangerous mountain road located in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. The road is 167 km (104 mi) long. The road, called Strategic Highway 1 (S-1), starts on the Karakoram Highway, in Gilgit, the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan within the namesake district, at an elevation of 1.500m (4,900ft) above the sea level. It ends in Skardu, a town and capital of Skardu District, in Gilgit–Baltistan, at an elevation of 2.226m (7,303ft) above sea level.

The road runs along the River Indus. It’s an all-weather road. Initially, the surface was gravel, but over the years some sections were paved. Gilgit-Skardu road is very important from the tourist and also a strategic point of view. The road is winding, in some places only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

⦁ Early morning breakfast 5:30 am
⦁ Departure for Gilgit 6:30 am (full day drive)
⦁ Karakoram Highway (KKH)
⦁ Arrival at Gilgit city for dinner and overnight stay

Gilgit-Phander valley

Phandar valley is also an attractive valley that is positioned in District Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and is about 61 km away from the valley of Gupis and 163 km away from Gilgit city. This valley is one of the most spectacular valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. A slanting road fleeting through verdant green meadows and forests with a vision of a flowing river and freezing peaks will direct you to this fascinating valley.

After early morning breakfast, the group will depart for Gahkuch which is on average two hours and forty-five minutes’ drive from Gilgit. The group will stopover at Gahkuch and will then depart for Phander valley which again is two hours and forty-five minutes’ drive. The group will visit pander valley, pander lake, and the surrounding area and will then leave for Gupis for an overnight stay.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

  • Breakfast
  • Travel to Gahkuch
  • Phander valley
  • Phander lake
  • Sightseeing and photography
  • Gupis village
  • Dinner and overnight stay at PTDC Gupis

Gupis-Kargah Gilgit-Hunza

After early morning breakfast, the group will depart for Khalti lake which is approximately half an hour’s drive from the Gupis. Khalti Lake is located in Khalti Village of Ghizar District (Gilgit-Baltistan), Pakistan about 7274 ft. (2217 m) from sea level. The lake is known for its habitat of trout fish. The lake is in a bend of the Ghizar River near the village of Khalti. All year round, Khalti Lake provides countless benefits to the region. During the summer, it is a source of freshwater while in winter the lake turns into a (high-risk) football pitch. As the temperature plummets 10 to 15 degrees below freezing point, tournaments are organized, and local players come together for an adventurous, if not extreme, the game of football. It is widely believed Khalti Lake is the region’s equivalent of Lac de Joux in Switzerland. However, it never became a popular tourist destination like its Swiss counterpart.

After the Khalti lake excursion, the group will depart for Gargah Budha which is located near Kargah Nallah, a ravine and is 10 kilometers from Gilgit Town. It’s a rock statue next to the Kargah Nala, It’s one of the most admired short outing places. The group will then leave for Hunza for dinner and an overnight stay at Hotel.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

  • Early morning breakfast
  • Khalti lake
  • Sightseeing and photography
  • Travel to Gahkuch
  • Kargah Budha
  • Hanging bridge of Danyor
  • Carved rock Gilgit
  • Rakaposhi viewpoint
  • Hunza valley

Hunza

After breakfast, the group will go to visit Baltit fort which is a fort in the Hunza valley, near the town of Karimabad, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. Founded in the 8th CE, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004.

After the fort, the group will depart for Altit village which is 10 minutes drive from Karimabad. The group will visit Altit fort which was founded in the 8th CE, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004. The group will then visit the Royal garden at Altit village. After spending some time at Altit village the group will then depart for Duikar (Eagle nest) for a sunset view. Eagle Nest is a place at Altit village from where you will be able to see almost the whole of Hunza and with a spectacular view of the snow-filled mountains. The group will have lunch at Duikar and then leisure time for relaxation. The sunrise and sunset view from the Duikar is matchless

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

  • Visit Baltit fort
  • Visit Karimabad Market
  • Visit Altit fort
  • Visit Baltit village
  • Royal Garden
  • Altit fort
  • Drive to Duikar for sunset view
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Hunza

Hunza-Khunjerab pass-Gulmit

Khunjerab pass is a four three hours’ drive from Gulmit village. After breakfast, the group will depart for Khunjerab pass again passing through small beautiful villages on the Karakoram highway. The villages the group will pass through are Attabad lake, Shishkat, Gulmit, Ghulkin, Hussaini, Khyber, Ghalapan, Moorkhun, Gircha, and Sost town. The group will stopover at Khunjerab pass where they will have the opportunity to see ibex. Viewing the ibex is not 100 percent sure but there is a good chance of seeing them. After the national park, the group will then go to the Khunjerab top/ China border. Khunjerab Pass is also part of the Khunjerab National Park, one of the highest altitude parks in the world, that provides the habitat for a number of endangered and threatened species like the Snow leopard, Marco Polo sheep, and Himalayan ibex. The Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. In the evening the group will drive back to Gulmit for dinner and overnight stay.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

  • Early morning breakfast and departure
  • Passing through small villages
  • Stopover at Sost
  • Khunjerab National park
  • Pak-China border
  • Lunch
  • Sightseeing on the roof of the world, and photography
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Gulmit

Gulmit-Kamari’s-Ondra-Ghulkin (Gojal valley)

After breakfast the group will depart for a walk in the morning starting from the hotel in Gulmit. It would be a 3-4 hours walk covering a major part of Gulmit village and then the whole Kamari’s village. From the Kamaris village, the group will go to visit Ondra fort which is perched on the Ondra hill rock overlooking Gulmit kamaris and Ghulkin villages. This fort is believed to have been built by Qutlugh in the 16th century. He was the first Wakhi ruler who established his rule in Gulmit threatening the Mirs of Hunza. The fort offers a spectacular view of the Passu cones and several other mountains in the area. After the Ondra fort, the group will walk towards Ghulkin village passing through several amazing spots for photography. The group will also have a view of the Shisper peak. This trail covers almost the whole of Ghulkin village.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

  • Gulmit village walk
  • Kamaris village Walk
  • Ondra fort walk
  • Shisper peak view
  • Photography
  • Ghulkin village walk
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Ghulkin village (homestay)

Gojal- Gulmit-Ghulkin-Hussaini-Passu

The group will have breakfast and then will leave for Hussaini, on the way there will be a stopover at Ghulkin glacier viewpoint. The group will then move towards Hussaini village which is just five minutes drive from the viewpoint. The group will go to see the Hussaini suspension footbridge, the group will cross the bridge and will spend some time there. After this excursion, the group will go to Borith lake, from Borith lake the group will walk towards a white glacier. It will be an hour and a half trek from the lake. The group will spend some time at the viewpoint and then will walk down to the Karakoram highway at Hussaini from there the group will slowly move toward Passu by vehicle. There will be free time for sightseeing and photography of specially Passu cones. The group will then drive back and will go to Attabad for boating, sightseeing, and photography and then drive to Gulmit for dinner and an overnight stay.

Gojal Valley is a gorgeous place that offers a view of fascinating peaks, mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. After an hour’s drive, the group will reach Attabad lake for boating, sightseeing, and photography. Attabad lake was formed due to a landslide, which blocked the river at Attabad village and formed a lake in January 2010. After lunch at the hotel at Attabad lake, the group will move toward Passu village passing through gorgeous villages of Gulmit, Ghulkin, and then Hussaini. On the way, there will be a stopover at Gulmit, Ghulkin glacier point, and Hussaini suspension bridge for photography and sightseeing. In the late afternoon, the group will reach Passu village where the Passu cones standing tall mountains welcome you and the Batura glacier viewpoint. The group will have an overnight stay at Passu

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

⦁ Ghulkin village visit
⦁ Ghulkin glacier viewpoint
⦁ Hussaini suspension bridge
⦁ Borith Lake and white glacier walk (2 hours trekking).
⦁ Passu Cathedral
⦁ Shisper Peak 7611m
⦁ Boating at Attabad Lake (Must do)
⦁ Overnight stay at Passu

Gulmit-Nagar-Hunza

Early morning breakfast and departure for Nagar valley at 6:00 am. Hopper is the main village of Nagar valley and is an hour’s drive from Karimabad Hunza. The Hoper Valley is a scenic portion of the Nagar Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is about 10 km away from Nagar Khas, the principal city of the Nagar Valley. Hopar Valley is home to the Spantik and Hopar (Hopper) glaciers. The group will get to the viewpoints of the hopper glacier and golden peaks. After spending some time at Hopper. The group will explore the below-mentioned areas in Nagar valley. It will be a full-day excursion to Nagar valley. In the late afternoon, the group will drive back to Hunza to relax, have dinner and stay.

⦁ Nagar Khas valley
⦁ Hoper Glacier
⦁ Hopper valley
⦁ Enroute to Hisper
⦁ View of Golden Peak
⦁ Rakaposhi view from Nagar
⦁ Sunset on Ultar peak from Nagar
⦁ Overnight stay at Karimabad Hunza

Hunza-Gilgit-Naran/Bisham

After breakfast, the group will depart for Naran valley which is an approximate eight hours drive from Hunza. On the way, there will be a stopover at Rakaposhi viewpoint, Raikot bridge, and then to Babusar top for photography. Going further the group will stop at Lulusar lake and then will reach Naran for an overnight stay. The group will have time for sightseeing and photography. The group will then have dinner and an overnight stay at Naran.

In case the Babusar top is closed then the group will drive to Besham for dinner and overnight stay.

If by Naran Valley

⦁ Babusar Pass
⦁ Lulusar Lake
⦁ Naran valley
⦁ Saif-ul-Malook Lake

Things to see/do: if by Besham

⦁ Karakoram Highway (KKH)
⦁ The junction point of Three great mountain ranges
⦁ Kohistan valley
⦁ Indus River

Bisham/Naran-Taxila-Islamabad

After early morning breakfast, the group will depart for Taxila city which is an average 6 hours’ drive from Naran. Taxila is one of the most important archaeological sites in Pakistan and the world. 18 of its sites are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the region from where Buddhism traveled to the far east – and Persians, Greeks under Alexander the Great, Central Asians, and Hindus all subsequently left their mark. Taxila is the center of Pakistan’s engineering industry.it is home to a vast network of ancient ruins, connected by road. The main ruins of Taxila are divided into three major cities, each belonging to a distinct time period.

  • Early morning breakfast and departure
  • Kaghan valley
  • Mansehra
  • Stopover in Abbottabad for lunch
  • Stopover in Taxila
  • Taxila Museum
  • Travel to Islamabad
  • Islamabad city tour

Airport transfer for international departure

Description of Significant Areas:
GILGIT

A land where the three extravagant mountains of the Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu-Kush greet each other, the home to rare flora and fauna, beautiful valleys, and dazzling lakes, is Gilgit-Baltistan; yet another eye-catching region of Pakistan and a popular tourist destination.

The amiable citizens, celestial landscapes, and enthralling cascades make this province a favorite destination for tourists from all across the world. Moreover, the simplicity and harmony of the province are a treat for the mind and soul. The region is known to be surrounded by the highest and greatest number of mountains around the world. Although the area is dry and rugged, as the clouds are blocked by the huge mountains but the labor of the strong and willing local population has even claimed the hard mountains for cultivation resulting in beautiful green orchids of many fruits in the valley. This makes a spectacular contrast in the green fields and ruggedness of the mountains topped with white snow.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE KARAKORAM HIGHWAY

Your journey with us along the Hindukush & Karakorum is full of excitement and thrill. The Karakorum highway is one of the highest paved roads in the world, passing through Hindukush & Himalaya mountain ranges, it provides the pathway to expeditions for almost all peaks in Gilgit–Baltistan, The region includes some of the world’s largest glaciers like the Baltoro and Siachen Glaciers, Five of the Eight thousand (mountains taller than 8,000 meters of the world that are in Pakistan are accessible by the highway.

BALTISTAN

Baltistan, also known as Baltiyul or Little Tibet (Balti), is a mountainous region on the border of Pakistan and India in the Karakoram mountains just south of K2 (the world’s second-highest mountain). Baltistan borders Gilgit to the west, Xinjiang (China) in the north, Ladakh on the southeast, and the Kashmir Valley on the southwest. Its average altitude is over 3,350 meters (10,990 ft). Baltistan is home to more than 20 peaks of over 20,000 feet (6,100 m), including K2 (the second-highest mountain on earth. Other well-known peaks include Masherbrum (also known as K1), Broad Peak, Hidden Peak, Gasherbrum II, Gasherbrum IV, and Chogolisa (in the Khaplu Valley). The following peaks have been scaled: The Himalayas advance into this region from India, Tibet, and Nepal, and north of them are the Karakoram range. Both ranges run northwest, separated by the Indus River.

Skardu has several tourist resorts and many natural features, including plains, mountains, and mountain-valley lakes. The Deosai plain, Satpara Lake and Basho also host tourists. North of Skardu, the Shigar valley offers plains, hiking tracks, peaks, and campsites. Other valleys in the Baltistan region are Khaplu, Rondu, Kachura Lake and Kharmang. The region is inhabited primarily by Balti people of Tibetan descent. Millennia-old Tibetan culture, customs, norms, language, and the script still exist, although the vast majority of the population follows Islam.

Reviews:
Book Tour Now:

Starting from

$3000

$3000