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6 - 20 April 2023 (15-days) Pakistan's Spring Hunza Skardu
RM7380 (16 pax & above)
(EXCLUDED Flight KUL-Islamabad-KUL)
(Note : Based on USD1 = RM4.60. We will make final adjustment on the cost based on the USD exchange rate in Feb-Mar 2023)

Update 16Dec22 - Trip is FULL.

Update 14Dec22 - Last 2 seats to fill up. Please register and confirm your seat by email rachelheng123@gmail.com or whatsapp Rachel 012-3520868. Flight revised IN OUT Islamabad and itinerary revised accordingly.

Update 29Nov22 - Trip is confirmed to run and have limited seats now. Please sign up before FULL.

Update 22Nov22 - Expected seats will fill up fast. Please register and confirm your seat by email rachelheng123@gmail.com or whatsapp Rachel 012-3520868

Update 15Nov22 - Yongo run Pakistan trip several times before year 2006 and had resume in 2022. We would like to re-promote Pakistan which known one of the beautiful place in the world! Beside Autumn trip, Spring Pakistan is the season one shouldn't miss it! :-)

Flight ticket is based on today's PIA airlines fare excluded taxes approximately Rm2500 and will be updated if there is any changes. (NOTE : Please DO NOT purchase air ticket until YONGO advise AFTER trip is confirmed to run). Expected seat will fill up quick, as such we shall base on 1st come 1st serve basis for seat confirmation. Please register and confirm your seat email rachelheng123@gmail.com or whatsapp whatsapp Rachel 012-3520868 before seat fill up.

  

Spring in Hunza Valley

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is meant to be a "free and easy" budget trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and case some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!

Pakistan has much to offer to traveler as evidenced by the comments and observations by our past travelers. The Hunza Valley lays claim to the famed "Shangri-La" with its lofty white peaks and beautiful green valleys. Besides the many wonderful villages visited, we also go up to the Pakistan Chinese border at the top of the famous Karakoram Highway, the highest navigable road in the world.

Spring in Hunza Valley

Day 1 KUL-Islamabad: Meet in KLIA for direct flight PK895 KUL to Islamabad 1330/1620hr. Reached Islamabad and check in hotel. Overnight (ON) Islamabad.

Day 2 Islamabad-Chilas : Drive to Besham 261 km, 6-7 hours, after lunch continue drive to Chilas on Karakorum highway 200 km, 4-5 hours. O/N Chilas. (Note : All meals included)

The Karakoram highway, extending for approximately 800 miles, is one of the world's most well-known roads. The construction of the road was undertaken by the Chinese and Pakistani governments to link the two nations. The road is also referred to as the Friendship Highway.

Day 3 - Chilas -Karimabad : Drive to Karimabad, en-route stop at junction point of 3 great mountain ranges meet, the Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush, at Thalichi for photography from Nanga Parbat 8,126m and at Rakaposhi view point for photography and refreshment. Evening walk around Karimabad bazaar to be closer with local people. You will see local people working in the fields during evening village walk. O/N Karimabad (Note : Lunch included)

The Hunza Valley is a mountainous valley, situated north/west of the Hunza River, at an elevation of around 2,500 m. The territory of Hunza is about 7,900 square km (3,100sq mi). Aliabad is the main town, while Baltit and Altit are popular tourist destination because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains. The people are cheerful and friendly, almost all speak Burushaski and in upper Hunza they speak Wakhi.

Day 4 - Hopper/Altit/Baltit Forts-Duiker Valley : Morning drive to Hopper valley, visit Barpu and Bualtar glaciers and view of Miar and Sumayar glaciers, after visit Altit and Baltit forts and drive to Duiker valley 30 minutes. Group members will have chance cook with local people and have Lunch at local house. O/N Duiker Valley (Note : Lunch included)

Hopper Valley is a cluster of villages around a natural bowl at a bend of Bualtar Glacier. Opposite Hopper the white Bualtar is joined by the Barpu Glacier. This is a base camp for treks into the high, glacier-draped peaks called the Hisper Muztagh. Whole population of this valley is Burushaski speakers. Burushaski has always been a mystery for linguists.

Baltit fort: One of the high valleys between China and Indian subcontinent. Facing Rakaposhi Peak, one of the highest mountain peaks in the world, Baltit Fort is poised majestically above Karimabad, the present day capital of Hunza (Baltit was the capital of the old state of Hunza and is now included in the Karimabad settlement area).

Altit Fort: It has been built on a sheer rock-cliff that falls 300 meters (1000 feet) into the Hunza River and is much older than the Baltit Fort. Altit is the birth place of the Hunza Kingdom and Altit fort is the first fort of the region. The fort has been constructed in six different stages by using various natural levels of the rock.

Duiker valley (Roof of the world), have a spectacular view down to Karakoram Highway and awesome views of Golden peak 7027m, Rakaposhi 7788m, Ultar Sar 7388m, Diran Peak 7266m, Lady Finger 6000m and Disteghil Sar 7885m.

 Day 5 Visit Duiker Valley & Holy Shrines : Morning enjoys Sunrise from Duiker view point, afternoon walk through the village to Holy shrines, today will have opportunely to visit local people working in the fields. Enjoy the bird eye view of Hunza Valley and panoramic views of many more snow caped peaks around. After dinner enjoy Musical program. O/N Duiker Valley (Note : Lunch included)

    

Day 6 Karimabad - Passu :Drive to Passu, en-route visit Attaabad Lake, after refreshment visit Borith Lake, Gulking village, Gulmit village, Passu Glacier, Passu village, Hussani village and Hussani suspension bridge. O/N Passu.

Attabad Lake is a lake which is located in the Gojal district of Hunza Valley in Gilgit- Baltistan, Pakistan. This lake was formed in the year 2010 after the major landslide in Attabad. Attabad Lake has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gilgit- Baltistan.

Borith Lake, a large brackish lake that attracts a number of migratory birds in February, June, September and November, from Ghulkin a footpath crosses the grey Ghulkin glacier to Borith Lake, two hours away. It’s a tricky 1.25km across the glacier. Over the years the lake has grown swampy and brackish. Ghulkin villagers have organized themselves to keep hunters from threatening migratory waterfowl, mainly tufted.

The Hussaini Suspension Bridge, over the Hunza River, connects Zarabad hamlet to Hussaini village. Hussaini is located at about 45 kms from Aliabad Hunza and 132 kms from Gilgit. This bridge is known as a dangerous bridge due to the massive gaps between the planks and the wild swing.

Hussaini Bridge

Day 7 Excursion to Khunjerab Pass - Karimabad: Full day excursion to Khunjerab Pass 4,733m, en route cross serval small villages, evening drive back to Karimabad for overnight. O/N Karimabad. (Note : Lunch included)

Khunjerab Pass elevation (4,733m) is a high mountain pass in the Karakoram Mountains in a strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region and on the southwest border of the Xinjiang region of China. Its name is derived from Wakhi 'Khun' means Home and 'Jerav' means spring water/water falling. The Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.

 

Top KKH

Day 8 - Karimabad- Skardu: Drive from Karimabad to Skardu (340km, 8-9hours), en route stop at various viewpoints for photography. O/N Skardu

Skardu/Baltistan valley: The rising of Indus stretches down to Baltistan valley from Tibet to Gilgit and down to the Arabian Sea, which cuts the Indian sub-continent from Asia; Baltistan valley is called a little Tibet in the North of Pakistan. Baltistan is situated at the last end of Himalaya, beside Deosai Plain and Satpara Lake.

Day 9 Visit Shigar Fort & Katapana Desert : Full day visits of Cold /Katapana Desert, Kharpocho Fort (1 hour walk on hill Area, from where, will see a bird eye view of Skardu valley, later we will visit Shigar valley, Shigar Fort and Satpara Lake. O/N Skardu.

Katapana Desert is the world's most elevated cold desert with a Hight of roughly 7303 feet. being at such a rise from ocean level makes the climate of this desert incredibly cold. the tall white sandhills stand radiantly to make the desert look more wonderful moreover, the Katapana desert is known as the world's highest desert since its situated at the highest point of gigantic mountains.

Kharpocho fort is the ancient architecture of Skardu. Most importantly the whole of Skardu city can be seen from the top of Kharpocho. The Kharpocho Fort also known as Skardu Fort is situated in Skardu city, Gilgit Baltistan. Kharpocho means “King of Forts” in Balti and is an amazing sight for tourists.

Satpara sar Lake is a natural lake near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, which supplies water to Skardu Valley. It is fed by the Satpara Stream. Satpara Lake is situated at an elevation of 2,636 meters above sea level and is spread over an area of 2.5 km².

Shigar Fort, The Fort on Rock is an old fort of Baltistan and Pakistan located in the town of Shigar. It was built in the 17th century by the Raja of Amacha Dynasty of Shigar.

Day 10 Excursion to Khaplu Village: Drive to Khaplu village 100 km, En-route stop at various viewpoints for photography, visit Khaplu Fort and Chaqchan Mosque, evening drive back to Skardu 100 km. O/N Skardu.

Khaplu Palace, locally known as Yabgo Khar (meaning "The fort on the roof"), is an old fort and palace located in Khaplu. The palace, considered an architectural heritage and a tourist attraction, was built in the mid-19th century, replacing an earlier fort located nearby. It served as a royal residence for the Raja of Khaplu.

Khaplu village: This handsome village of timber-and-stone houses and precision-made dry walls climbs up a wide alluvial fan beneath an arc of sheer granite walls. Painstaking irrigation has made it a shady, fertile oasis. As you climb its twisting track, the icy peaks of the Masherbrum Range rise on the other side of the valley.

Day 11 Fly Skardu to Islamabad or Drive to Naran or Besham :Morning fly to Islamabad, afternoon city tour of Islamabad, Faisal Mosque, Margalla Hills, Pakistan Monument and National Museum. O/N Islamabad OR Besham

In case of flight cancellation drive to Naran, en route visit junction point of three great mountain ranges meet, the Karakorum Himalaya and Hindukush, afternoon visit Saiful-Muluk Lake.

Saiful Muluk is a lake which is situated in the middle of mountains, which throughout the year are covered with snow. One of the renowned mountains is Malika Parbat which is placed on the left of the heel. Saiful Muluk is named after a folk tale.


Faisal Mosque

Faisal Mosque, the largest in South East Asia, and 5th largest mosque in the world. We will also take time to visit the Lok Virsa Museum and Pakistan Monument.

Islamabad, it replaced Karachi back in the 1967 and is now the political and commercial heart of the country. Situated against the lush backdrop of the Margalla Hills it is a city where old and new collide. Leafy green boulevards are home to modern buildings, and shopping malls, but also dotted with traditional homes and mosques.

Day 12 Taxila Visit or Drive Naran to Islamabad : After breakfast drive to Taxila to Visit Taxila Museum, Jaulain, and Sirkap. Afternoon drive back to Islamabad. (Note : In case of flight cancellation drive from Naran to Islamabad, en route visit Taxila). O/N Islamabad

Drive to Islamabad 321km 6-7 hours, en route visit Taxila. Taxila, which included Taxila Museum, Jaulian, Mohra, Moradu and Sirkap.

Dinner will be at Saidpur Village. Saidpur is a village and union council located in a ravine in Pakistan in the Margalla Hills, near the Daman-e-Koh overlook, in the Islamabad Capital Territory. It is a Mughal Era village hosting a wide spectrum of religious and cultural heritage, and serves as a tourist spot for locals as well as foreigners

Taxila: Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila museum. For over one thousand-year Taxila remained famous as a center of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 km around Taxila.

Taxila museum: A museum comprising various sections with rich archaeological finds of Taxila. It is one of the best and well-maintained site museums of Pakistan. 


Taxila

Day 13 Islamabad - Lahore : Drive to Lahore 380km and will check in hotel for rest. Evening will heading to Wagah Border for the closing ceremony which connects India & Pakistan. O/N Lahore.

Day 14 Lahore : Todays visits start with Delhi Gate, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shahi Hammam, Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque, Delhi Gate, one of the thirteen gates of Lahore then walk to the old Spice Market from the Mughal Empire era, to experience the mesmerizing colors and aromas of the spices. O/N Airport Fly Home.

We proceed for lunch and then to Wazir Khan Mosque which is built with a beautiful mosaic. We will stop at Shahi Hammam, designed hundreds of years ago as a public bathhouse to service both the visiting travelers as well as the inhabitants of the city.

We continue to enjoy the majestic Lahore Fort citadel which is a Unesco World Heritage Monument. Inside here we will take a look at the citadel Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). It was built by Shah Jahan for the empress in the 1630s and showcased incredible interior stucco decorations. After the Citadel Shish Mahal, we will cross over to the Badshahi Mosque. The mosque was constructed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb between 1671 and 1673 and was the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986. It was built with red sandstone with white marble inlay and can accommodate 100,000 worshippers.

When visit Badshahi Mosque will have chances to witness area of prayer the place and also lot of bride and grooms that take their Nikkah (the contract of marriage in Islam) in the Masjid. The Hazuri Bagh and the mosque will provide an experience that is unforgettable! From here we can see Minar-e-Pakistan.

The Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort, Hazuri Bagh Baradar, Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Mughal era original Roshnai Gate, Tomb of Allama Iqbal, British era Roshnai Gate and tomb of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan are all enclosed in the same area as Badshahi Mosque, guaranteeing an experience like no other. The Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is an example of the religious harmony that exists in this city full of culture and history.

We will proceed to the Unesco World Heritage site of Shalamar Garden covering 16 hectares and is arranged in three terraces descending from the south to the north. After dinner will drive back to Islamabad airport catch up mid-night OR early flight (20th April). O/N Flight Lahore to KUL.

Day 15 Fly Home : Take early morning flight PK894 0245AM. Reached home 1130AM (5hr45m) (20 April 2023)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. Cost cover one way domestic flight (Skardu-Islamabad), accommodation, English speaking guide, transport (minibus & Jeep) and entrance fees.
  2. Accommodation will be in budget hotels and guesthouses.
  3. Airport transfers and inter-town travel by chartered bus is covered.
  4. Not covered international flight (approximately RM2500 included airport taxes), meals (except breakfast and stated in itinerary), visa fees (USD8.18), travel insurance.
  5. Not covered helicopter charges in case of use for rescue; Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour.
  6. A deposit of Rm1030 is payable to confirm your place.
  7. Guide/driver/porter accompanying group do expect tips. Yongo encourages group members to be generous but should commensurate with services rendered.
  8. Cost is subject to change if there's a significant changes in foreign exchange rates and airfares.

Email:rachelheng123@gmail.com or yongo123@gmail.com
Phone: Rachel 012 352 0868
Phone: Lee Min: 016-220 9033 or 603-4031 6225
Address: No 19 Lorong Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur

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