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26 May - 6 Jun 2007 12-days
Pakistan's Hunza Valley & Karakoram Highway
Approx Rm3400 (per pax for group of 10 pax); Rm3200 (12 pax) & Rm3000 (14 pax and more)
Update 5Apr07 - We had 9 members last May. This year we now have 6. Trip is over th school hols. We require a min 10 pax group to run this trip. Click on the link above to see 110 pictures of the trip by Jamie Soon.
Update 15Dec06 - Trip will involve return domestic flights Islamabad-Gilgit.
This is the school holiday period and trip will cover Lahore, Islamabad, Hunza Valley all the up the Kakakoram Highway to the Pakistan China border. As usual please register your interest so that we can quickly firm up the trip.
Point Zero on the KKH / Flying over the Himalayas
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure 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! We had a couple of those before and
it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to
stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some
disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!
Pakistan has much to offer to the intrepid traveler as evidenced by the comments and observations by my 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. After experience nature at its best, we move back to Lahore, once the capital of the Mogul empire before it was moved to Delhi India. It is still the cultural centre of Pakistan with the Lahore Fort and an adjoining old market area.There will be two domestic flights to the Gilgit in the Northern Areas so that we can cover more places of interest. We will hire buses to transport us in Gilgit, Islamabad and Lahore. Note the warnings regarding the flights, highlighted on Day 2 below. As a last resort, we may even have to use public transport to make our way to and from Gilgit.
Khewra Salt Mines / View from Karimabad Hotel
Day 1 Islamabad: Meet in KLIA for TG416 KUL to Bangkok 1320/1430hr to connect to TG509 Bangkok to Islamabad 1950/2300hr. Arrive and perhaps a late night snack at a local eatery. Overnight (ON) Islamabad.
Day 2 Fly to Gilgit: Transfer to airport and fly PK0605 Islamabad to Gilgit 1035/1145hr. We lunch in the town center and walk about the local shops and bazaar. Gilgit is the administrative capital of the Northern Areas. ON Gilgit.
Warning: Flights between Islamabad & Gilgit are in small Fokker planes. Whilst expecting spectacular scenery, these flights are sometimes canceled due to poor visibility & bad weather. There are two daily flights and preference is given to foreign tourists who actually pay a higher rate than the locals. Participants have to be prepared for itinerary changes including going by land in the event we are not able to fly.
Day 3 Karimabad: After breakfast we bus on the famed Karakoram Highway to Karimabad 98km 3hr, the trekking capital of Pakistan. Along the way we will pass several scenic stops, including a tea-stop at the base of Mount Rakaposhi 7788m. After lunch in Karimabad, we will proceed on to Unesco listed Baltit Fort that involves a short but steep uphill walk. We will be able to view other small villages from this high fort, which served as the palace of the Hunza Kings. We also walk along centuries old water channels, that still carries life-giving waters from the high Ultar glaciers. ON Karimabad.
Day 4 Nagar Valley & Hope Glacier: Local jeeps will be used to transport the group to the Nagar Valley 3hr. This is a popular day-trip and also involves a walk down to the Hopa Glacier. Whilst most glaciers are usually an uphill affair, on this glacier, one has to walk down a steep rocky path. We should be back in Karimbad by early afternoon and we'll visit a carpet making concern, owned and operated by the local village cooperative. This is followed by a village walk back to Karimabad. ON Karimabad.
Day 5 Hussaini & Ghulkin Village: Our next destination is the village of Hussaini 35km 1hr located on the KKH to visit the 200m long suspension bridge. These "dangerous" hanging structures are a day-to-day activity for locals the Hunza Valley. We move on the Ghulkin Village, where we will "live" with the locals in their homes for the night. ON Ghulkin Village Homestay. Note that group will be split up to stay in the local houses. This is a unique experience but expect simple bedding/eating arrangements.
Near the top of KKH / Pakistan China Border Stone Marker
Day 6 Pakistan/China Border: Along the way to Sust 70km 2hr, we will stop to view the biggest alluvial flats in the world and the beautiful Passu Catherals, so named because the conical peaks resembles church spires. We stop at Sust for border formalities before going on to the top of Khunjerab Pass 4730m, also known as Point Zero. The scenery along what is known as the Khunjerab National Park is spectacular and takes 2.5hr up and 1.5hr down from Sust. We return to Gulmit, some 5km from Ghulkin village. ON Gulmit.
Day 7 Gulmit: We have a relaxing day in this pretty little town, visiting the local schools and chatting with the ultra-friendly villagers. There are also numerous village walks around the town that one can simply wander about. ON Gulmit.
Day 8 Back to Gilgit: We move back to Gilgit for our last night in the Northern Areas, revisiting many of the scenic places. ON Gilgit.
Day 9 Fly to Islamabad: Transfer to airport and fly PK0606 Gilgit to Islamabad 0845/0955hr. Arrive late morning and proceed to Unesco listed Taxila that was once a thriving centre for Buddhism. Overnight Islamabad.
Note that the Warning on flights between Gilgit & Islamabad on Day 2 applies here as well.
Day 10 Khewra Salt Mines & Lahore: Outside Islamabad we visit the second largest salt mines in the world. The colours of the salts range from pinkish to red and is a fascinating place to visit. In the afternoon we move on to Lahore, the cultural centre of Pakistan for sightseeing. ON Lahore.
Day 11 More Lahore & fly home: In the morning we visit the Unesco listed Lahore Fort, once the palace of the Mughal Sultans of present-day India/Pakistan. Other sights include the colourful local bazaar and the interesting museum. In the evening we adjourn to the Pakistan/Indian border at Wagah to "participate" in the closing of the border gate, a spectacle of egoism and patriotism. After dinner we transfer to the airport for TG506 Lahore to Bangkok 2350/0620+hr.
Day 12 Home: Arrive in Bangkok at 0620hr to connect to TG415 Bangkok to KL 0900/1210hr.
Hussaini Village suspension Bridge / Hopa Glacier in Nagar Valley
TERMS AND CONDITIONS