Pakistan’s Silk Road Journey | Karakoram, Nanga Parbat & Shimshal to Khunjurab Pass
(China Border)

Day 1 – Arrive Islamabad 540m
Welcome to Islamabad, on the Pothohar Plateau, the clean and well-planned capital of Pakistan and also one of the earliest sites of human settlement in Asia. You’ll be met at the airport by a representative of Shams Alpine and transported by private vehicle to our hotel in Islamabad, either the Margalla Hotel or the Hills View Hotel. Both are close to the local markets as well as Jinnah supermarket. (Hotel)

Note | Islamabad International Airport is located within the city of Rawalpindi.

Day 2 – Rawalpindi + Islamabad | Sightseeing
We’ll spend a day with a local guide seeing the sights of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the ‘sister city’ of Islamabad, an older city with strong colonial influences and bustling bazaars of which Raja Bazaar is the largest and most interesting. The National Art Council will be able to advise about various festivals and musical programs. (Hotel)

Rawalpindi Sightseeing |  Liaqat Bagh Gardens, Nawaz Sharif Park, Jinnah Park, Ayub Park, Eidgah Sarif, Shah Chun Charah

Islamabad Sightseeing | Pakistan Monument, Faisal Mosque (largest mosque in South Asia + 4th largest mosque in the world), Lok Versa Museum

Day 3 – Fly Skardu 2230m
The 1h 15m morning flight from Islamabad to Skardu, the capital of Skardu District in Gilgit-Baltistan (northeastern Gulam Kashmir) is about as spectacular as they come. Depending on the weather and our arrival time, will spend the rest of the day exploring Skardu. We’ll stay at either the Masherburm Hotel or the K2 Hotel.

Skardu is located in the scenic Skardu valley at the confluence of the Indus and the Shigar River; although the Karakoram range is just behind Skardu, it is hidden from sight by the surrounding dun-colored peaks. There are 3 lakes nearby: Upper Kachura Lake, Lower Kachura Lake and Sadpara Lake. An interesting aside: the Tibetan translation of the name means ‘star stone’, or meteorite. (Hotel)

Day 4 – Skardu | Acclimatization + Sightseeing
We’ve scheduled an extra day in Skardu to acclimatize and do some sightseeing of one of Pakistan’s most remote regions. (Hotel)

Day 5 – Drive Deosai Plains National Park | Day Hike Sheosar Lake 4115m
We have a scenic, 6-hour jeep safari on good back roads to reach the spectacular Deosai Plains National Park (3000 sq km), one of the highest plateaus in the world. The drive from Skardu goes around the edge of Satpara Lake through traditional villages, and winds up through narrow canyon to get to the Deosai Plateau, a scenic and interesting drive on the road which connects this region with Skardu and Gilgit. The Deosai is rolling open land with no trees but thousands of wild flowers, and a jeep track which goes to Sheosar Lake on the far side, a slow and interesting drive where we’ll meet Pakistanis enjoying picnics en route.

Occasionally we’ll encounter herders with their sheep, goats, cattle and polo ponies training at altitude. A lovely wide river runs through the middle of the plateau, and marmots pop out of their burrows. Although we’re driving to a high plateau, no high mountains are seen from here, just lovely open rolling scenic green land. 

Deosai Plains is renown for its fishing, wild flowers and animal life, and we’ve planned a long day-hike through this beautiful region. The rolling meadows of the park are devoid of trees and shrubs, and is covered in snow for much of the year. Spring comes late to the Deosai, when millions of wild flowers bloom all over the lush, green grasslands. This is a magical time of flowers blanketing rolling hills, crystal clear streams, lakes and snow-peaks. The largest lake in the park, Sheosar Lake (or ‘blind lake’), is located near the Chilim valley and is one of the highest in the world at 4115 meters. (Camp)

Other options | Fishing, wild flower photography + searching for wildlife (maybe even brown bears).

Day 6 – Drive Nanga Parbat (Tarishing) 2865m
The 5-hour drive from our campsite at Sheosar Lake down to Tarishing is a wild journey, passing through completely different scenery. Big open hills, trees returning as we descend through interesting Shia wooden home villages (most of the north has stone, rock or concrete homes), with sparkling rivers and diverse green farming countryside, the mountains slowly coming into view as we near Tarishing. Tarsihing is the jumping off point for the hike to Nanga Parbat’s Rupal base camp, and we’ll spent the night at a hotel before setting out on a a three-day return hike to one of the Himalaya’s most spectacular mountain regions. (Hotel)

Days 7, 8 + 9 – Tarshing to Rupal Base Camp Trek 
Our trek in the Nanga Parbat region begins. Shaheen, who has summited K2 amongst other peaks, will lead us to Ropal base camp on a 3-day (2-night) trek through the Nanga Parbat region.

Nanga Parbat (8126m), which translates as ‘naked mountain’ in Urdu, is the 9th highest mountain in the world and the westernmost end of the Himalayan chain. It’s been called the ‘killer mountain’ because of the dangers of climbing it, and along with K2 is one of the only peaks to not have been climbed in the winter season. The southern or Rupal Face rises 4600 meters above the base of the mountain. (Camp)

NOTE | Karakoram is actually a Turkic word which translates as ‘black gravel’, and was first coined by old traders to refer to the Karakoram Pass. Early European travelers the likes of Moorcroft and Hayward began to use ‘Karakoram’ to refer to the range of mountains to the west of the pass (they also used the term Muztagh). The range is now known as the Karakoram Range.

Day 10 – Drive Astore Valley 2600m
We’ll have another scenic drive towards Gilgit via Rama Lake, a lovely spot to explore, and then continue on to the Astore Valley, where people speak Shina. We’ll spend the night at a hotel and head out for some delicious Pakistani fare (Hotel)

Day 11 – Drive Gilgit 1500m
We’ll have an early start for our 5-hour drive along the Karakorum Highway to Gilgit, 10 kilometers off the KKH, where we’ll spend the afternoon doing some sightseeing and checking Gilgit’s colorful bazaars. Gilgit was once an important city along the ancient Silk Road, along which Buddhism was spread from South Asia to other parts of Asia and Central Asia. The original local inhabitants were Dards and Shinas and had a Buddhist heritage before Islam moved in.

NOTE | The 1300 kilometer Karakorum Highway, built jointly by China + Pakistan, was started in 1959 and completed in 1979, and only open to the public since 1986. It follows one of the ancient Silk Route routes, connecting the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan to the ancient Silk Road in Kashgar, China.

Day 12 – Gilgit | Sightseeing
An extra day to explore around Gilgit. Some highlights are Kargah Buddha, located near Kargah Nallah (ravine), about 10 km from Gilgit. The buddha is a rock statue carved in the 7th century which adjoins a monastery and three stupas (about 400 meters upriver from the buddha statue). The complex was discovered in 1938.

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OPTION | Fly back to Islamabad from Gilgit

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Day 13 – Drive Karimibad – Baltit (Hunza Valley) 2500m
Back in the jeeps, we continue for about 3 hours along the Karakoram Highway (KKH), newly reconstructed, to Karimibad, also called Baltit, the fabled Hunza Valley. En route, we’ll have views of Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, Poprush Peak and the junction of three great mountains ranges of the Karakoram, the Himalaya and the Hindu Kush. We’ll stop to see the sites at Nomal, Rakaposhi and Deram viewpoints and have views of the Hunza and Nagar valleys. Once in Karimabad, a cultural and scenic town, we’ll check into our hotel and head out for a bit of afternoon sightseeing.

Karimabad, on the west bank of the Hunza River, is in the Northern Areas of the Pakistan, a town of walled steep terraces, deep gorges, backed by snow peaks including Rakaposhi (7600m) and Ulter Nala glacier. Karimabad was once a caravan stop for traders (including the slave trade) traveling along the Silk Route through the Hindu Kush to Kashmir. Karimabad was originally ruled by the Mir of Hunza, with the Baltit Fort function as the Mir’s palace. Baltit was the capital of the Hunza valley for over 750 years until Pakistan’s independence in 1947, when Hunza, ruled by the Mir, voluntarily joined Pakistan. Karimabad is the newer and lower capital city.

Peaks surrounding the Hunza Valley are Ultar Sar, Rakaposhi, Bojahagur Duanasir II, Ghenta Peak, Hunza Peak, Passu Peak, Diran Peak & Bublimotin (Ladyfinger Peak), all at least 6000 meters. Peaks surrounding the Hunza Valley include Ultar Sar, Rakaposhi, Bojahagur Duanasir II, Ghenta Peak, Hunza Peak, Passu Peak, Diran Peak + Bublimotin (Ladyfinger Peak), all at least 6000 meters. (Hotel, 104 km)

NOTE | Karakoram is actually a Turkic word which translates as ‘black gravel’, and was first coined by old traders to refer to the Karakoram Pass. Early European travelers the likes of Moorcroft and Hayward began to use ‘Karakoram’ to refer to the range of mountains to the west of the pass (they also used the term Muztagh). The range is now known as the Karakoram Range.

Day 14 – Karimibad | Day Hike Baltit Fort + Sightseeing
We have ta full day to hike around Karimibad, and explore the fantastic sites of Hunza, the most famous being the Baltit Fort. Don’t miss picking up handfuls of garnets just behind the fort! We’ll spend the second day on a Hopar Glacier trek to Nagir village, during which we’ll have stunning views of the Hispar valley, south to the Rakaposhi Range, of Diran (known locally as Golden Peak) and north to the Shimshal Mountains.

Day 15 – Drive Passu 2500m | Day Hike Passu Bridge + Batura Glaciers
An exciting drive as we head up the Karakoram Highway, broken up by a 2-hour boat ride on a newly formed at Gulmit-Aliabad. Passu, a small village which follows the Ismaili sect of Islam, sits next to the Khunjerab River and next to the Batura and Passu glaciers. The locals here speak Wakhi, and Indo-European language from Iran. We’ll spent the day in Passu hiking along the beautiful and unique Batura and Passu glaciers. A 4WD jeep will drop us at Boruit Lake to start our explorations.we’ll stay at the Passu Ambassador Hotel, the best in town. (Hotel)

Day 16 – Drive ‪Khunjerab Pass‬ (4693m) + Sost
Into the jeeps for the drive to the Khunjerab Pass‬, the historic border between Pakistan and China. The name of the pass comes from the Wakhi term for ‘khun’, meaning ‘home’ and ‘jerav’,‘falling water’. After a look around the border of Pakistan and the fabled Silk Road city of Kashgar, home of the Uighers, on the China side, we return down the KKH to Sost, the major customs clearance port on the Pakistan side. (Hotel)

Day 17 – Drive Shimshal
We’ll drive 3-hours on a jeep road to Shimshal, the home village of our host, Shaheen and Majeed, and spend a few days exploring the idyllic high Pamirs and Shimshal village. En route to Shimshal we’ll see Manlangutti Glacier, Dastagir Sar (7885m), Dastagir Corner l, ll + lll and Malangutti Sar peaks. (Camp)

Days 18 + 19 – Shimshal
We have 2 days to explore the remote, stunning Shimshal valley. Some of the highlights of the Shimshal area are viewing Whitehorn, Korun and the surrounding peaks, and several short day walks during which we can explore the high Pamirs, the high, green pastures, lakes and incredibly beautiful scenery. Nearby is Shuijerab, the high altitude summer pastures of the people from Shimshal. (Camp)

NOTE | Some year Kamzang Journeys will offer longer an epic trek (8-9 days) over the Shimshal Pass and back to Shimshal village.

Day 20 – Drive Karimabad
Returning down the KKH, we return to our hotel in Karimabad.

Day 21 – Karimibad | Drive + Explore Hopper Valley
A free day to explore the sublimely beautiful Hopper valley. 

Day 22 – Drive Gilgit 
Driving south, we eventually reach our hotel in Gilgit. We have the option to fly back to Gilgit the same evening if needed.
+ Option to fly Islamabad

Day 23 – Fly Islamabad – Trip Ends
An early morning flight to Islamabad, where we either check into our hotel (extra charge), or head to the airport for an evening international flight. We will do some sightseeing and go out to lunch in the afternoon if our morning flight from Gilgit arrives on time. 

Travel Note | Chitral – Gilgit Polo Festival
Every year between July 7-9 there is a polo festival at Shandhur, between Chitral + Gilgit, the highest polo ground in the world. Shandhur is almost 200 km from Gilgit; en route from Gilgit you can see the traditional villages of Gahkuch, Gupis, Phandar as well as many beautiful lakes. The drive takes approximately 6 hours, and accommodation is in tents. Inquire if you are planning a private trip in July!

TripAdvisor Reviews!
   

Client Highlights + Reviews
Travelers’ Comments

“I have spent a lot of time with Shams Alpine, is based in Hunza, Shimshal, Gilgit and Baltistan, I have found them to be delightful, safety conscious guides and drivers and the huge variety of magnificent scenery that they take you through is truly amazing. You will see the everyday city and village bazaars and life, the lush green fertile farming areas, high altitude National Parks with their flora and fauna in some of the most remote locations in the world. Add to that the spectacular mountains, glaciers and wild rivers of the Karakoram, Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. I have travelled with Shams Alpine a number of times, each tour in Northern Pakistan has been a delight of magnificent vistas, friendly locals, new tastes and experiences with clean, quiet accommodation.
– Private Pakistan Trip (Shams Alpine)

Trip Highlights

• Exploring Rawalpindi + Islamabad
• Spectacular flight to Skardu
• Tarshing to Rupal Base Camp trek (Nanga Parbat)
• Deosai Plains National Park hike
• Passu & Batura glacier hikes
• Humza & Karimabad (Baltit) Fort
• Gilgit
• Shimshal & High Pamirs exploration
• Karakoram Highway (KKH)
• Crossing the Khunjerab Pass to Kashgar (China)
• Traditional villages of Pakistan
• Expert local guides

Photo Gallery | Trip + Trek Photos
Kim Bannister Photography

Travel Reading
Travel Books

Articles on Pakistan
The Pakistan Village with a Unique System of Philanthropy | BBC

Pakistan’s Most Wild & Beautiful Places | National Geographic

The Motorcycle Woman of Pakistan | AFAR

Pakistan’s First Social Media Star & the Forces that Enabled her Murder | NY Times

At Border of 2 Nuclear-Armed Nations: Machine Guns, Anxiety and Dancing | NY Times

Ustam Saami’s Album ‘God is Not a Terrorist: It’s Superhuman | The Guardian

Special Episode: The Jungle Prince | NY Times

Asia Bibi: I Always Believed I Would be Freed | BBC

Who are the Taliban | BBC

Dates
June (23 Days)

+ Custom Departures Available – Inquire

Cost – $
International flights NOT included (meet in Islamabad)
Single supplement $250

Includes

• Hotels in Pakistan + China
• Airport transfers
• Group transportation by private vehicle
• All trekking/hiking arrangements (including meals)
• Pakistani (local) guide

Safety & Health Precautions

• Thuraya satellite phone
• Helicopter evacuation services (excuding cost of evacuation)
• Oxygen saturation monitoring system
• PAC bag (portable oxygen chamber)
• Full medical kit & stretcher
• Kayadyn filtered water
• Safe, sanitary, delicious & plentiful food and drinks

Excludes

• International flights
• Domestic flights (if returning via Islamabad – We can arrange)
• Some meals in Pakistan
• Pakistan + Chinese Visas
• Travel or travel medical insurance
• Helicopter Rescue Service Cost
• Equipment rental
• Boiled drinking water
• Alcohol & soft drinks
• Showers
• Laundry
• Tipping & other items of a personal nature

Tips & Extra Cash
Allow approx $300 for meals (while not on trek), drinks (on trek) and tips. We recommend $200 per trekker thrown into the tips pool for the crew.

Kamzang Journeys Contact
Kim Bannister
kim@kamzang.com
kamzangkim@gmail.com
Mobile: +(977) 9803414745 (WhatsApp), 9863196743
On-Trek Satellite Phone: +88216 21277980 (Nepal)

Kathmandu Contact
Khumbu Adventures
hiking.guide@gmail.com
Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa Mobile: +(977) 9841235461, 9705235461
Doma Sherpa Mobile: +(977) 9841510833, 9705510833
Nuru Wangdi Sherpa Mobile: +977 9803633783 (WhatsApp)

Pakistan Contact
Shams Alpine
Shaheen Baig
info@shamsalpine.com.pk
Tel: +92 5813 480258
Mobile: +92 3445000341

Kathmandu Contact
Khumbu Adventures
hiking.guide@gmail.com
Office: +(977) 01 5146152
Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa Mobile: +(977) 9841 235461 (WhatsApp), 9823 905461
Doma Sherpa Mobile: +(977) 9841 510833, 9803 675361

Satellite Phone
NOTE: Mobile phones + wifi work throughout much of the Everest region.We carry a satellite phone with us for emergencies. Send us a free message at the online Thuraya link below. We can call you back or email you back. If you want a return call or email include your contact info. You can send this in two SMSs if needed.

Kim Satellite#1: +88216 (21277980) – Nepal
Lhakpa Satellite: +88216 (87710076)
Thuraya

Islamabad Arrival Hotel
Margalla Hotel or Hills View Hotel

Visas
You’ll have to have your Pakistani visa in your passport before arrival in Islamabad. If you’re planning on exiting via Kashgar & China, you’ll also need a Chinese visa before you arrive in Pakistan.

Health Information 
Pakistan Health Information
CDC

We also recommend bringing probiotics with you to help prevent infections while on trek. Doctor’s recommendation!

Travel Medical Insurance
Required for your own safely. We carry a copy of your insurance with all contact, personal and policy information with us on the trek and our office in Kathmandu keeps a copy. Note that we almost always trek over 4000 meters (13,000+ feet) and that we don’t do any technical climbing with ropes, ice axes or crampons.

Global Rescue Insurance
We recommend that our trekkers also sign up for Global Rescue services as a supplement to your travel medical insurance. You can book this directly through our Kamzang Journeys site:
Global Rescue

Medical
We have a full medical kit with us including Diamox (for acclimatizing), antibiotics, inhalers, bandages, re-hydration, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs etc. but please bring a supply of all prescription and personal medications. Kim has First Aid, CPR and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications as well as many years of experience with altitude in the Himalaya but is NOT a qualified medic or doctor, so please have a check-up before leaving home, and inform us of any medical issues. This is for YOUR OWN safety.

DO bring all prescription medications and good rehydration/electrolytes. We advise bringing your own Diamox, Ciprofloxin, Azithromyacin & Augmentin. We have all of these with us but the Western versions are always better than the Indian equivalents.

PAC Bag + Oxygen
We carry a Portable Oxygen Chamber, or Gammow Bag, with us on many treks. There is no charge for use of the PAC bag but oxygen is $300 per canister (cost price, pass on to insurance company).

Notes on Itinerary
Although we try to follow the itinerary below, it is ONLY a guideline based on years of experience trekking in the Himalaya. At times local trail, river or weather conditions may make a deviation necessary; rivers may be impassible, snow blocks passes, and landslides wipe out trails. The trekking itinerary and campsites may also vary slightly depending on the group’s acclimatization rate or sickness.

The Himalaya are our passion, and we take trekking seriously. Although everyone is here on vacation, please come with a dollop of patience and compassion added to your sense of adventure …

Islamabad Arrival Hotel
Margalla Hotel or Hills View Hotel

Visas
You’ll have to have your Pakistani visa in your passport before arrival in Islamabad. If you’re planning on exiting via Kashgar & China, you’ll also need a Chinese visa before you arrive in Pakistan.

Early Arrival in Pakistan
You’ll be met at the airport in Islamabad by a representative of Shams Travels and brought to either the Margalla Hotel or the Hills View Hotel in Islamabad. If you arrive early take an extra day to explore Rawalpindi before the group arrives; there is much to see!

Note: Islamabad International Airport is located within the city of Rawalpindi.

Extra Days in Islamabad + Rawalpindi
If you arrive a few days early, consider getting a car and driver and venturing just outside of Islamabad to see some of Pakistan’s most interesting sites. It’s an hour’s drive to Taxila, the historic capital of the Gandara school of Budhism, were the ruins date back to the 8th century and there is an interesting museum and archeological site to explore. Another option is a day trip to the Murree hills, with its neogothic and Tudor architecture dating from the colonial period if it’s unbearably hot in Rawalpindi. Murree was the British Raj’s summer capital in Punjab until 1864 and is now a popular tourist spot in the western Himalayan foothills (2300m). Summers are much more pleasant here than in the steamy capital …

Other options are a 3-hour drive  to the Khewra salt cave or a 2-hour drive to visit Peer Sohawa, a fantastic viewpoint to look down on the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.