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9 Day itinerary in Pakistan, Asia

Skardu Valley Cultural Tour

Baltistan is a beautiful district in the Karakoram range and a famous destination for adventure and cultural tours. This region is known as the mountaineer’s paradise, four of the 14 highest peaks in the worlds (above 8000m) are situated in the Baltistan region, and hundreds of 7000m high peaks. Aut... Read More

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Hina

By Hina

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
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Recommended Age

Minimum 12
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Maximum 70
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Operated in

English, Hindi

GUIDANCE

Tour Leader, Tour Guide

starting point

Skardu

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Hiking

Skiing/Snowboarding

Culture & History

Meet local people

Visit markets

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Culture & Heritage

Food & Culinary

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Enjoy Autumn colours with the experience of rich cultural heritage

2

Spectacular high mountains peaks such as Masherbrum, Nanga Parbat and many more

3

Beautiful lakes, including Sadpara, upper Kachura, Sheosar and Blind Lake

4

Safranga Cold desert

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Islamabad Arrival

Arrival at Islamabad International airport and transfer to Hotel in Islamabad. Our guide will receive you from the airport, and participants will be transferred to Hotel. Participants will enjoy leisure time to relax and recover from the journey on this day

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Hotel Islamabad
Day 2

place Islamabad – Skardu - Khaplu

Fly from Islamabad airport to Skardu (1-hour scenic flight) and then drive to the stunning Ghanche district of Baltistan. We will be passing through small villages to reach Yugo village. En route, we will have short stops at Thorgo Pari, the Shayok & Indus Rivers' meeting points and multiple photography spots. Enjoy traditional lunch at Yugo and. After lunch, two optional activities: trek to Kharfaq Lake (5 hours trek both ways) or a cultural walk in the village streets of Yugo to witness village life and meet locals. Later in the late afternoon, we drive to Khaplu and check into the hotel with leisure time to visit the Khaplu fort museum and organic garden. OR In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway with short stops.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Khaplu Palace
Day 3

place Khaplu – Sailing – Macholo - Khaplu

Early morning hike up to Toqsikhar (old fort), a viewpoint of the confluence of rivers Shyok, Hushe & Saltoro. Visit & witness the architectural heritage of the famous Chaqchan mosque and then drive to Macholo valley (1 hour). Spend some free time enjoying the splendid view of Masherbrum Peak, also known as K-1, leisure time for photography, meeting local people and enjoying the pristine natural beauty. Drive back to Sailing and enjoy a cultural walk through the village streets and interact with local people—lunch at the Sailing fish farm and drive back to Khaplu. In the afternoon, visit Khanqah-e-Maula and then move to Hanjor Broq to witness the sunset.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Khaplu Palace
Day 4

place Khaplu – Shigar)

Drive from Khaplu to Shigar valley with short stops at multiple points of interest for photography. Visit the famous Sarfaranga cold desert and Shigar fort for lunch. Visit the fort museum and garden, and spend time exploring the area. (The Shigar Fort- Fong Khar, which means The Fort on Rock, is an old fort built in the 17th century by the Raja of the Amacha Dynasty of Shigar). End the evening with a short hike up to the old fort to witness the sun setting over the Shigar river.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Shigar Fort
Day 5

place Shigar – Skardu - Shigar

We will spend a whole day in Skardu. Visiting Shangri-La resort (optional boating), drive to upper Kachura, and walk through the local houses, fields & trees. After 20 minutes beautiful walk, we will reach upper Kachura Lake, having free time to explore the area and enjoy boating. Then drive to Soq valley (a beautiful valley near upper Kachura), and enjoy fishing and lunch. Drive back to Skardu and hike to Nansoq village (50 minutes), a beautiful hike to the first organic village of Baltistan. 11 homes and 92 Inhabitants, visited by King Charles and Prince Aga Khan IV! This centuries-old tiny settlement is one of the most peaceful places in the region. Explore the area and enjoy leisure time with a host family. Hike back to Skardu (50 minutes) and visit Skardu Bazar for shopping (local handicrafts, jewellery, carpet etc.). Drive back to Shigar for an overnight stay.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Shigar Fort
Day 6

place Shigar– Deosai - Shigar

Day excursion to the famous Deo Sai plains, the second-highest plateaus in the world. We will visit Manthal rock Budha, Sadpara Lake, Ali Malik top, Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake (4114 m). Enjoy leisure time to explore the area. The plains are a floral extravaganza of the summer months with a recorded number of 406 species (Nawaz et al., 2006). Drive back to our hotel for a second night stay in Shigar.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Shigar Fort
Day 7

place Skardu – Islamabad

Fly from Skardu to Islamabad. Transfer to Hotel and after lunch sightseeing.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Hotel Islamabad
Day 8

place Contingency day in case of delays

If we cannot fly due to weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we pass from Skardu to Islamabad, you enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Main: Serena Hotel Islamabad
Day 9

place Departure Day

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

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Serena Khaplu Palace
  • Serena Shigar Fort
  • Serena Hotel Islamabad

Meals expand_less

  • Lunch (8)
  • Dinner (8)
  • Snacks (3)
  • Breakfast (8)

Transport expand_less

  • 4 x 4 Jeep Safari through out the Tour
  • Luxury Car for Pick & Drop to Airport
  • Domestic Flight to/from Islamabad-Skardu

Activities expand_less

  • Sightseeing
  • Cultural Heritage Visits
  • Interaction with Local Community
  • Short Day Treks

Extras expand_less

  • 24/4 local assistance

Not Included expand_less

  • Insurance
  • Any personal expense
  • Pakistani Visa is not included.
  • International Air Travel
  • Tips for Ground & Support staff

About Hina

TEAM LEAD

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Expertise: 

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Hiking

Skiing/Snowboarding

Culture & History

Meet local people

Visit markets

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Culture & Heritage

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,000.00 USD