Gilgit-Baltistan is a territory of Pakistan formerly known as the Northern Areas. It is the northernmost political entity within the Pakistani-controlled part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It borders Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province to the west, Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor to the north, China to the northeast, the Pakistani-administered state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) to the south, and the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir to the southeast. The territory became a single administrative unit 1970 called “Northern Areas.” The amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, the Baltistan District of the Ladakh Wazarat, and the states of Hunza and Nagar formed it.
With its administrative center at the town of Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan covers an area of 72,971 km (28,174 miles) and has an estimated population approaching 1,000,000. Pakistan considers the territory separate from Kashmir, whereas India considers the territory as a part of the larger disputed territory of Kashmir that has been in dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947.
There are over 20,000 pieces of rock art and petroglyphs along the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan, concentrated at ten major sites between Hunza and Shatila. The carvings were left by various invaders, traders, and pilgrims who passed along the trade route, as well as by locals. The earliest dates back to between 5000 and 1000 BCE, showing single animals, triangular men, and hunting scenes in which the animals are more significant than the hunters. These carvings were pecked into the rock with stone tools and are covered with a thick patina that proves their age. The archaeologist Karl Jettmar has pieced together the history of the area from various inscriptions and recorded his findings in Rock Carvings and Inscriptions in the Northern Areas of Pakistan and the later released Between Gandhara and the Silk Roads – Rock Carvings along the Karakoram Highway.
| Departure/Return Location | International Airport, Islamabad | ||
| Departure Time | Mountain Range: Himalaya-Karakoram | ||
| Elevation: 2,228m | Best Time: Mid-May to End-October | ||
| Duration: 11 Days | Zone: Open |
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Day 01: Arrival At Islamabad
Arrive at the airport and then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Islamabad.
Day 02: Islamabad to Skardu
Arrival at Skardu airport, transfer to Jeep. Visit Shangri-La Resort, Lower Kachura Lake, and Upper Kachura Lake. Upper Kachura Lake has crystal clear water and has a depth of 70 meters. Visit to Lower Kachura and then to Upper Kachura. Lunch at Upper Kachura Lake. Evening: drive back to the hotel at Skardu. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Skardu.
Day 03: Skardu to Deosai
Early morning breakfast, Visit to Deosai. En route: Sadpara Lake for a photo session. In Deosai: Ali Malik top, Shathung Nala, Barda Pani, Kala Pani, and Sheosar Lake. Lunch: at Deosai.
Evening: back to Barda Pani for a night view. Drive back to Skardu. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Skardu.
Day 04: Skardu to Shigar Valley and driver back to Skardu
Early morning breakfast
Drive to Shigar Valley.
En route: Sarfaranga Cold Desert. We can do Paragliding and 4×4 Desert Safari (not included in service)
Visit: to Shigar Fort
Lunch: at Shigar
Evening: drive back to Skardu. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Skardu.
Day 05: Skardu to Kharmag and driver back to Skardu
Early morning breakfast
Drive to Kharmang Valley.
Visit the Manthoka Waterfall and, in the evening, drive back to Skardu. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Skardu.
Day 06: Skardu to Khaplu valley & back to Skardu
After breakfast, we will drive for a full-day excursion to Khaplu Valley. On the way, you will stop at the junction point of the Indus River and Sheyok River and continue moving to Khaplu Valley. Visit a 1000-year-old mosque, an ancient fort, and a viewpoint of Khaplu Valley. Evening: drive back to Skardu. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Skardu.
Day 07: Skardu to Hunza
After breakfast, we will drive for Hunza
en route to Rakaposhi viewpoint. Up on arrival transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Atta Abad Lake Hunza.
Day 08: Hunza to Khunjerab Pass
After breakfast, drive to Khunjarab Pass and have a short break at Atabad Lake for Photoshoot. Continue our drive to the Khunjarab Pass and visit the China Border. While returning, we will have Lunch at Sost and visit the Hussaini Suspension Bridge (if we have enough time). Dinner and overnight stay at Hunza
Day 09: Hunza to Naltar/Gilgit
Departure for Naltar Valley, Full day excursion to Naltar Valley and
Naltar Lakes, in the evening, drive back to Gilgit. Dinner and overnight stay at Gilgit
Day 10: Gilgit/Skardu
After breakfast, drive to Gilgit airport and fly back to Islamabad. OR
After breakfast, drive to Skardu airport and fly back to Islamabad.
Day 11: Islamabad to Flight out
Transfer to the airport for a flight back home.
Please Note: Gilgit Baltistan flights are subject to weather and backlog, in case of flight cancellation we will travel by road, and one night of Islamabad will be adjusted in overland travel.
Services included as follows:
- Hotel Accommodation on a sharing basis
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Air-conditioned luxury transport
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entry fees
- toll taxes
- Domestic flights tickets
- Tips for baggage handling at airports & hotels
Services not included in the given price
- Member international flight tickets
- Member personal insurance and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks,
- Helicopter emergency rescue fees
- Room service, personal services, items of a purely personal nature, and any unforeseen expenses (just like road block extra hotel stay) members will be paid according to the number of days basses.
