Pakistan
Northern Pakistan is an undiscovered gem for adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers, and cultural explorers alike. Known for its rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and picturesque valleys, this region offers some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. Home to towering peaks like K2, Nanga Parbat, and the Karakoram Range, it’s a paradise for trekkers and mountaineers, drawing adventurers from around the world.
Beyond its natural beauty, northern Pakistan is steeped in history and culture. The region is famous for its warm hospitality, where local tribes have preserved their ancient traditions and customs. Visitors can explore the vibrant cultures of Hunza, Skardu, and Swat, each offering a unique experience with traditional music, cuisine, and handcrafts that highlight the rich heritage of this region.
Northern Pakistan is a dream for photographers, trekkers, and anyone seeking an off-the-beaten-path travel experience. Whether it’s the tranquil shores of Lake Saif ul Malook, the breathtaking views of Rakaposhi, or the unique Kalash valleys with their distinct cultural practices, Northern Pakistan is a place where adventure, beauty, and culture come together.
For those seeking an unforgettable escape into nature, northern Pakistan offers a diverse range of activities: trekking, camping, exploring ancient forts, and even cultural festivals that provide a deep dive into the local way of life. Whether you’re after a tranquil retreat or an adrenaline-filled journey, this region promises an experience like no other.
Let northern Pakistan be the next destination on your travel list, where you’ll witness landscapes that will leave you in awe and meet people whose stories are as rich as the lands they inhabit.
- Trip dates: 23 May, Friday - 04 June, Wednesday
- 13 days
- 12 nights
Arrival Information
- Date: [23 May, Friday]
- Airport: Islamabad airport
Departure Information
- Date: [04 June, Wednesday]
- Airport: Lahore airport
Departure Details
- Duration: 13 days and 12 nights
- English speaking guide
- Islamabad/Gilgit/Fairy Meadows/Nanga Parbat/Hussaini bridge/Besham/Peshawar/Lahore
Itinerary
Day 1
23.05.2025 , Friday
Arrival to Islamabad
Flight to Islamabad. Arrival in the evening/night. Transfer to hotel, sleep.
Night in the Islamabad.
Day 2
24.05.2025 , Saturday
Islamabad
Day tour of Islamabad. Visit Faisal Mosque, built in 1976-1986 and named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Holds about 300,000 people. White polished marble reflects the surface like water. Impressive in its location.
Then, we will climb to the top of the hill with a panoramic view of Islamabad. We will visit the Museum of Arts and Culture, where traditional crafts, music and dance are presented. We will walk through many parks and bazaars. We will visit the Pakistani Moment – a monument dedicated to the feat of the participants of the Pakistan movement.
Night in Islamabad.
Day 3
25.05.2025, Sunday
Gilgit – Rakaposhi peak – Altit/Baltit fort – Karimabad
We start our day with a flight to Gilgit. 07:00-08:15. This flight is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, from here in clear weather you can see the summit of Mount K2 – the 2nd mountain in the world after Everest.
Arriving in Gilgit, our tour begins with a visit to Rakaposhi, the 27th highest peak in the world (7788 m). Next, we visit the 1000-year-old Altit Fort and the 700-year-old Baltit Fort, which are among the oldest surviving monuments in the region and evidence of the feudal regime of the valley. But do not forget to look around – the north of Pakistan is very picturesque. We will end the day by arriving in the city of Karimabad.
Night in Karimabad.
Day 4
26.05.2025, Monday
Attabad Lake – Hussaini/Passu/Rainbow Bridges – Chinese Border
The China-Pakistan border is 596 km long and runs from the tripoint with Afghanistan to the disputed tripoint with India. The border goes through the Karakoram Mountains, one of the highest mountain ranges in the world! The Khunjerab Pass is the only open border crossing between the two countries and the highest paved border crossing in the world at 5,000 m.
Travel in this region includes rope and plank bridges that cross mountain streams and rivers. The Hussaini Suspension Bridge is a long rope bridge.
However, despite its appearance, the Hussaini Bridge is one of the most famous tourist places where every tourist wants to walk on it. After it was washed away by the monsoon in 2011, it was completely reconstructed and now rests on steel cables and strong wooden planks.
We also have Lake Attabad on our program, the basin of which was formed because of a strong landslide in January 2010. Here we will take a boat.
Night in Karimabad.
Day 5
27.05.2025 , Tuesday
Fairy Meadows
Fairy Meadows is one of the most enchanting destinations in northern Pakistan, and it’s worth visiting for a variety of reasons. Nestled at the base of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain, this serene spot offers breathtaking views of the towering peak, often referred to as the “Killer Mountain” due to its challenging climbing history.
We will spend the whole day in here. We need to hike for 2-3 hours but it’s worth it.
Night in Fairy Meadows.
Day 6
28.05.2025 , Wednesday
Gilgit – Nanga Parbat – Tectonic Plates – Old Silk Road – Chilas
Today we will spend a bit more in Fairy Meadows, where Nanga Parbat is visible – the 9th highest mountain on Earth with a peak of 8126 m!
Pakistan is divided between the Eurasian and Indian plates, and we will visit this unique place.
The Old Silk Road in Pakistan is part of a historic trade route that connected Asia, Europe and Africa for centuries. The modern Karakoram Highway, also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, is a paved road that follows the route of the Old Silk Road.
Overnight in Chilas.
Day 7
29.05.2025 , Thursday
Chilas – Basha Dam Dam – Rainbow Waterfall – Besham
After breakfast we will walk around the city of Chilas, which is located at an altitude of 1300 m above sea level and is part of the Silk Road.
Then we will visit the Basha Dam Dam – the highest concrete dam. We will see the very picturesque village of Sumar Nala and look at the waterfall that reflects the rainbow.
In the evening, we arrive in Besham. The town serves as a major crossroad on the Karakoram Highway, which connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab with Gilgit-Baltistan and crosses into China’s Xinjiang.
Overnight in Besham.
Day 8
30.05.2025 , Friday
Besham – Swat – Buddhist Stupas
After breakfast we will walk around the town of Besham. Historically this place was home to many Buddhist hermits as well as ancient historical sites. The shops in the town are open 24 hours due to its location on the famous Silk Road connecting Pakistan with China. Famous for its porcelain and international goods.
Then, we visit the Swat region. It is covered with high mountains, green meadows and clear water lakes. Until 1969, Swat had the status of a princely state. Due to its geographical location, Swat is sometimes called the “Switzerland of Pakistan”. There are many archaeological sites and excavation sites in the Swat Valley. Archaeological finds from the Buddhist period are sculptures and architecture.
Overnight in Swat.
Day 9
31.05.2025 , Saturday
Takht-e Bahi – Peshawar
After Takht-e Bahi is a Buddhist monastery complex dating back to the 1st century BCE. The hilly terrain protected the monasteries from military invasions and devastation. According to local belief, the place got its name from two wells on the hill or springs nearby. In Persian, Takht means “summit” or “throne” and bahi means “spring” or “water”. When put together, they mean “spring from above” or “high spring”, referring to the two springs on the mountain tops. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Overnight in Peshawar.
Day 10
01.06.2025 , Sunday
Peshawar
After breakfast we will go for a walk around this interesting city. It is the most important center of the Pashtun population of the country. The population is 3.6 million people and located 50 km from the border with Afghanistan.
Peshawar has been famous since the time of Alexander the Great. During the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s, the city served as a political center for the CIA and intelligence-trained mujahideen groups based in Afghan refugee camps.
We will visit the bazaars, Seti Mohalla – an old and traditionally organized area in the old city of Peshawar. The mohalla contains 7 South Asian mansions built by the Seti family, which were built in a style reminiscent of Central Asia, with elaborate wood carvings. The houses were completed in the late 19th century.
Overnight in Peshawar.
Day 11
02.06.2025 , Monday
Taxila Museum – Lahore
Today we will be moving towards Lahore. En route visit the Taxila Museum. The museum is home to a significant and comprehensive collection of Gandharan art dating from the 1st to 7th centuries CE. Most of the items in the collection have been excavated from the ruins of ancient Taxila. There are many historical sites near the museum. Ancient stupas and other ruins are nearby.
The construction of the Taxila Museum began in 1918, with the foundation stone laid by Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India in 1918. The Taxila Museum has its origins in the Archaeological Survey of India, which was established during the British Raj.
Overnight in Lahore.
Day 12
03.06.2025 , Tuesday
Lahore – Wagah
We will dedicate the whole day to the city of Lahore. We will visit the famous Badshahi Mosque. It is considered one of the most significant monuments of Indo-Islamic sacred architecture of the Mughal era. The 2nd largest mosque in Pakistan after the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.
We will visit the Lahore Fort, which attracted the attention of foreign conquerors and was destroyed many times, since this strategically located point was the intersection of the routes between Persia, Tibet and India. We will visit the Lahore Museum.
We will visit the Shalimar Gardens and Wagah, the only settlement through which you can cross the border between India and Pakistan. The border at Wagah is often called the “Berlin Wall of Asia”, and every evening a ceremony called “lowering of flags” takes place here, the first of which was held in 1959. The border is monitored by the Indian Border Force and Pakistani Rangers.
Night in Lahore.
Day 13
04.06.2025 , Wednesday
End of the tour, your flight home
TOTAL PRICE PER PAX
-
Trip Lenght - 13 days
-
Double room (Twin bed + breakfast)
-
Accommodation in 3-4 * hotels
Services Included
All transfers along the route, including to/from the airport,
3 – 4 * hotels on double based occupancy,
Breakfasts
Professional local English-speaking guide (I am your translator into russian) and driver,
All permits and entrance fees, boat rental on the lake,
Domestic flight Islamabad – Gilgit.
Services NOT included
International flight to Islamabad (Islamabad ISB) and back from Lahore (Lahore LHE),
Visa on arrival $35-$60: you need to apply for an electronic visa YOURSELF via this website: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/tourist-visa/
Lunches and dinners (the guide suggested that it is easier for everyone to choose “their own dish” because some people like it very spicy)
International travel insurance,
Personal expenses, souvenirs, tips,
Single occupancy – 450 euros.