NORTHERN PAKISTAN

SCHEDULE AND COST:

Dates: May 7 – May 18, 2025

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of Participants: 6 – 12

Cost of participation per person:
– 2,750 USD for 10–12 participants, or
– 3,050 USD for 8–9 participants, or
– 3,290 USD for 6–7 participants.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before January 7, 2025)

Everything is included (including domestic flight from Gilgit to Islamabad, participation in the Chilam Joshi festival, three meals a day throughout the route), except for:
– International flights to and from Islamabad,
– Pakistan visa (e-visa, $35 USD for 90 days, free for Russian citizens),
– Medical insurance.

Estimate cost of Moscow — Islamabad — Moscow flights: 700 – 900 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).

Single supplement: 520 USD (single accommodation is provided for all nights)

The program can be combined with Iran expedition from April 28 to May 6, 2025
The program can be combined with Upper Mustang expedition from May 19 to May 30, 2025



TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Pakistan

Day 1. May 7, 2025 (Wednesday). ISLAMABAD

Arrival at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Free time in Islamabad.
Dinner at a local restaurant and rest.
*Recommended flights:
— Etihad Airways, flight EY‑300, departure from Abu Dhabi on May 7 at 14:20, arrival in Islamabad at 18:35,
— Emirates, flight EK‑612, departure from Dubai at 03:20 AM, arrival in Islamabad at 07:30 AM,
— Any other flight arriving in Islamabad at any time on May 7.

Accommodation included: Hotel Hillview Islamabad
Meals included: dinner


Day 2. May 8, 2025 (Thursday). ISLAMABAD – RAWALPINDI – ISLAMABAD (30 km, 1-hour drive)

Today, we will continue our exploration of Islamabad and its satellite city Rawalpindi.
After breakfast, we will head to Rawalpindi to stroll through the city’s oldest market, Raja Bazaar.
Next, we will visit one of the most popular leisure spots for locals – Rawal Lake. The lake is surrounded by blooming trees and features gardens, secluded picnic spots, and a walking path around the lake. Boating is also available here. From the highest point of the garden surrounding the lake, there is a view of Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and the Murree Hills.
We will then return to Islamabad and visit the Lok Virsa Museum, which showcases a composition narrating the history of Pakistan from ancient times to the present day.
We will end our day with a visit to the Faisal Mosque, the largest mosque in Pakistan, and the Pakistan Monument.

Accommodation included: Hill View Hotel Islamabad
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 3. May 9, 2025 (Friday). ISLAMABAD – GILGIT – ATTAABAD LAKE – PASSU (150 km, 3-hour drive)
Early morning transfer to the airport and flight to Gilgit (1 hour).
On the way from the airport, we will stop at the most scenic spots, including the Rakaposhi viewpoint.
We will visit the unique Altit Fort (900 years old) and Baltit Fort (700 years old), where we will learn about the history of the Hunza Valley. We will stroll through the royal gardens and the Karimabad Bazaar.
To conclude, we will have tea at the famous Hunza De Café, known for its walnut cake.
Next, we will head to Attabad Lake to admire the view of this stunning blue lake.
Attabad Lake was formed in 2010 as a result of a massive landslide that blocked the flow of the Hunza River, creating a natural dam 2 km wide in the valley. Approximately 20 people lost their lives. The flow of the Hunza River was blocked for five months. The flooding that led to the formation of the lake and inundation forced about 6,000 people from villages in the Hunza River Valley to leave their homes. More than 25,000 people were cut off from transportation routes, as over 19 kilometers of the Karakoram Highway were submerged.
By evening, we will reach our hotel in the picturesque Passu Valley.

Accommodation included: Montvale Resort, Passu
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 4. May 10, 2025 (Saturday). PASSU – HUNZA – GULMIT – ALTIT (60 km, 1.5-hour drive)

Today's focus will be on exploring the culture and traditions of the Hunzakuts.
The Hunza Valley is home to a unique people – the Hunzakuts – who are distinctly different from the surrounding populations. Some researchers suggest they are descendants of Alexander the Great's warriors.
The Hunzakuts are also known for their longevity. Reaching an age of over 100 years is not unusual here. Legends tell of their remarkable endurance. It is said that men can walk 100 kilometers one way, return, and still work in the fields. Women also spend a lot of time working in the fields, then complete all household chores without showing any fatigue.
Another noteworthy fact: no one in Hunza struggles with excess weight. Even in 15-degree cold, they bathe in icy water. Women over 50 look like young girls, and at 65, they still bear children. They are not prone to strong emotional distress. They never get angry, complain, or show impatience. They do not quarrel and endure physical pain, noise, and other discomforts with complete inner calm.
We will visit the Hunzakuts in their traditional old houses and chat with them over a cup of aromatic tea with apricot jam. We will also visit the Bulbulik Music School, where we will see traditional Hunzakut musical instruments and listen to Wakhi music.
In the evening, we will stroll through the picturesque village of Gulmit and enjoy an unforgettable sunset among the majestic mountains.

Accommodation included: Eagle's Nest Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 5. May 11, 2025 (Sunday). HUNZA VALLEY – NALTAR – GAHKUCH (173 km, 3 hours 30 minutes drive)

Today we embark on a fantastically scenic journey. Our route will take us through the Naltar Valley, famous for its stunning landscapes and colorful lakes.
First, we will visit Sat Rangi Lake (the Seven-Colored Lake) and marvel at its vibrant hues against the backdrop of the mountains. Next, we will enjoy an easy trek in the Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its natural beauty and diverse fauna.
By evening, we will arrive in the Ghizer Valley and spend the night in a hotel in the beautiful historical town of Gahkuch, the main city of Ghizer.

Accommodation included: Green Palace Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 6. May 12, 2025 (Monday). GAHKUCH – GHIZER VALLEY – PHANDER VALLEY – BOONI (220 km, 8 hours drive)

Don’t forget to charge your cameras, as they will be in constant use today. We will drive through what are likely the most beautiful places in Pakistan – the Ghizer Valley, where unreal blue rivers flow into lakes with picturesque shores lined with pyramidal poplars, creating idyllic scenes of Pakistan.
Along the way, we will also explore the equally scenic Phander Valley, known as the Valley of Lakes. We will pass through Shandur Pass, renowned for hosting the highest polo ground in the world.
We will spend the night in Booni.

Accommodation included: Best Western Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 7. May 13, 2025 (Tuesday). BOONI – BUMBURATE VALLEY. CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL WITH THE KALASH (115 km, 5 hours drive)

Today we will rise early to head to the festival of the ancient Kalash people. Our journey will take us through the Chitral Valley. In ancient times, one branch of the Great Silk Road passed through this region, connecting Central Asia, China, and India to the Mediterranean. From mid-spring to mid-autumn, caravans carried silk, tea, wool, cotton, paper, precious stones, clay, copper, and bronze goods. During the rest of the year, the area became impassable, and the trade route ceased to function. Even today, from early December to late March, this region is completely cut off from the rest of the world.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in the Bumburate Valley to attend the Chilam Joshi Spring Festival.
The Chilam Joshi Festival serves both spiritual and social purposes. The Kalash pray for the well-being of their livestock, invoking their deity Gosidai. The festival also simplifies the process of matchmaking for young people.
The main activities of the festival are songs and dances performed by the entire community, calling for spring to arrive. Women wear new traditional outfits.
Although the Kalash celebrate the festival in all three valleys they inhabit, the celebrations in Bumburate are the largest.
Today, we will have the opportunity to visit traditional Kalash houses and interact with their residents.

Accommodation included: Bibi Rani Guest House
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 8. May 14, 2025 (Wednesday). CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL WITH THE KALASH. BUMBURATE VALLEY – RUMBUR VALLEY – CHITRAL (15 km, 1-hour drive)

After breakfast, we will head to Rumbur Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Pakistan.
Here, we will once again immerse ourselves in the festive atmosphere.
The culture of the Kalash people is unique and stands in stark contrast to many modern Muslim ethnic groups surrounding them in northwestern Pakistan. Nature plays an extraordinarily important and spiritual role in their daily lives. Their religious traditions involve sacrifices and festivals to give thanks to their gods.
It is remarkable that this small community has managed to preserve its traditional religion despite being surrounded by a predominantly Muslim environment.
To conclude the day, we will spend the night at a hotel with a lovely garden and breathtaking views of the valley, surrounded by mountains!

Accommodation included: Ayun Fort Inn
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 9. May 15, 2025 (Thursday). CHITRAL – PESHAWAR (350 km, 7-hour drive)
After breakfast, we will drive to Peshawar.

The main attraction of Peshawar is its Old City, home to the famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the largest bazaar in South Asia. This vibrant marketplace has retained its traditional eastern charm, with vendors shouting to sell everything from jewelry to firearms. Here, you’ll find vases, blankets, blades, saddles, and horse gear, as well as various handicrafts.
We will also visit the beautiful Mohabbat Khan Mosque.

Accommodation included: Shelton's Rezidor Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 10. May 16, 2025 (Friday). PESHAWAR – GYPSY COMMUNITY – PESHAWAR

Today we will visit a local gypsy community near Peshawar. Here, we will interact with community members, observe their way of life, art, and traditional customs.
In the afternoon, we will return to Peshawar to visit the Peshawar Museum, known for its artifacts from the fascinating Gandhara civilization and Buddhist relics.
We will also visit a weapons workshop where local craftsmen handcraft pistols and rifles.

Accommodation included: Shelton's Rezidor Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 11. May 17, 2025 (Saturday). PESHAWAR – TAXILA – ISLAMABAD (200 km, 4-hour drive)

Today, on our way from Peshawar to Islamabad, we will visit the ruins and museum of the ancient city of Taxila.
Taxila was the capital of the ancient Indian Gandhara people and the residence of King Taksha, after whom the city is believed to be named. The city emerged at the crossroads of three major trade routes. In the "Ramayana," Taxila's founder is said to be Bharata, Rama's younger brother, and the city was named after Bharata's son, Taksha. It is believed that the "Mahabharata" was first performed here at the great snake sacrifice festival.
To Ptolemy and other classical writers, the city was known as Taxila, and its king as Taxiles. Arrian described Taxila as a large, prosperous city, the most populous among those between the Indus and Hydaspes rivers. In Buddhist literature (Fa-Hsien, Xuanzang), Taxila is mentioned as a major university center where prominent Buddhist thinkers taught and studied. Some of the earliest depictions of the Buddha were discovered here.
In the evening, we will celebrate the successful completion of our tour at one of Islamabad's finest restaurants.

Accommodation included: Hotel Hillview Islamabad
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 12. May 18, 2025 (Sunday). ISLAMABAD — RETURN FLIGHT

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.
International return flight.

Recommended flights:
— Turkish Airlines, flight TK-751, departure from Islamabad at 09:25 AM, arrival in Istanbul at 12:55 PM.
— Air Arabia, flight 9P-740, departure from Islamabad at 06:00 AM, arrival in Sharjah at 08:15 AM.
— Any other flight departing from Islamabad at any time on May 18.

Accommodation included: No
Meals included: Breakfast