If you are arriving on an early morning flight, our staff will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to the guest house, where you can check into your room, have breakfast, and catch up on sleep. The day is free to recover from your journey. In the afternoon and will offer an optional hike to the Margalla hills surrounding the capital. This will be a gentle, short hike giving you an opportunity to stretch your legs, get some sun to help recover from jet lag and enjoy the beautiful view overlooking the city with some chai and samosas. Later in the afternoon, the trek leaders will give a full trip briefing, this will also be an opportunity to review your gear and make any last-minute purchases required for the trip. We will conclude our evening with a group dinner, this will be an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, ask questions and enjoy a restful evening before our journey begins.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance approx. 377 km, time: 9 to 10 hrs, ending. altitude: 1265m(4150ft). We start after breakfast taking the scenic highway from Islamabad to Skardu. Our first stop is the UNESCO world heritage site of Taxila, located only 30km from Islamabad. The origins of Taxila as a city go back to 1000 BC and it was an important Buddhist Centre from the 5th century BC to the 6th Century AD. Taxila Museum is famous for its magnificent collection of Gandhara Art. After a few hours on site, we will be back on the road taking the Karakoram Highway aka the new Silk route. We will stop for lunch and tea as we continue our journey to Naran where we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance approx. 172 km, time: 4 to 5 hours, ending. altitude: 3507m(11505ft). We start early today and head to Raikot bridge from where we will travel to Fairy Meadows. As we travel we leave the lush foothills behind us and head to the arid high peaks. The green fertile meadows, lead to Alpine valleys and sights of Nanga Parbat Massif (the 9th highest peak in the world). Nanga Parbat is a colossal mountain, the peak can be seen from miles away and forms a glacial amphitheater at the head of Raikot Gah. It is here at Raikot bridge that we take Jeeps over a 17km steep and narrow dirt road to Tattu village, where the hiking trail to Fairy Meadows begins. This is a well-established trail and we walk through the forest on a gentle climb for about 2-3 hours. The trail levels off as we get to Fairy Meadows a summer pasture, surrounded by pine forests with views of the eastern peaks of the Nanga Parbat massif. Here we will camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance approx. 9 km, time: 6 to 7 hrs, ending altitude: 4000m(13127ft). Fairy Meadows is one of the more frequented tourists sites in Pakistan, however, as we travel to Nanga Parbat basecamp, we leave the crowds behind. The trail passes through pine and fir forest along a stream, for about 5km. This section of the trek is a steady gentle climb of about 200m(656ft). The vista finally opens up as we reach the small settlement of Beyal, there are great views of the Indus Valley and Rakaposhi. We will rest here for some time, have lunch and then continue onward to the basecamp. From Beyal we continue on an easy trail, there are close-up views of the ice falls from the Chongra (6830m), Raikot (7070m) and Nanga Parbat’s north face. The trail leads up to the moraine and reaches the Ganalo glacier where a ruble-covered track leads us to Nanga Parbat basecamp. The incredible peaks of Nanga Parbat form a sweeping panorama. After dinner we have time to enjoy the mountain, we turn off all lights and kindly request all guests to maintain silence so those interested can watch the unbelievable star-filled sky or just meditate in silence.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance approx. 176 km, hiking: 4-6 hrs, drive: 5 hrs ending. altitude: 2012m(6601ft). In the morning there is an option to trek to camp1 and return. The trek to camp1 is on a steep trail above the great moraine and takes about two hours, all along the trek the views are spectacular. If snow is on the ground, we will need light crampons for traction, however, no technical skill is required for the crossing. At camp1 you are directly underneath Silberzacken 75,97m(24,924ft). We return back to basecamp from an alternate route. Those who decide to stay will enjoy a leisurely morning enjoying the panoramic views and can explore the area. Later we retrace our steps, taking an easy descending path back to Fairy Meadows and then on to Jhel where we continue the drive to Raikot bridge. We stop in Gulmet for views of our next trek Rakaposhi, have a traditional chai, and then continue on to Nagar where we spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance 10.8km, hiking 4-5 hours, 510m ascent ending altitude: 3,330m (10,925ft) We drive from Hunza to Hoper, from where we start our trek. From Hoper (2790m), descend steeply to the Bualtar Glacier’s edge. The crossing is relatively short, but the constantly moving Bualtar Glacier is icy and broken and has no fixed route. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours to cross. At Lower Shishkin on the glacier’s opposite side, we take the trail along Barpu Glacier. We cross the glacier to the ablation valley with views of Diran to the west, Spantik to the south, and Ultar Peak and Bubulimating to the north. We finally get to the shepherd settlement of Baricho kor with large junipers and grassy meadow where we camp for the night. The ablation valley narrows and larger junipers and wild roses appear. One hour from Barpugram, reach the huts and pastures of Mulharai where tamarisks offer shade. Just beyond in the grassy campsite of Bericho Kor (3300m) where a porters’ shelter hugs a boulder, 5.5km from Tagaphari. Bericho are musicians, and Kor means ‘cave’. A trickle of water runs through the campsite, but its larger source is a few minutes above camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance 4.1km, hiking 41⁄2-51⁄2 hours,1140m ascent ending altitude: 4,440m(14,566ft) Check out 05:00 Camp at Bericho Kor Nagar Rd, Hopper Valley, Hopar, Bharpoo Hopar Nagar - We start early to avoid the sun during a steep climb towards Chindin Harai. The trail rises steadily, north of the scree gully descending from the ridge. We climb 21⁄2 to four hours through artemisia, thyme and scattered junipers to the ridge top (4020m). It takes another one to11⁄2 hours to Chidin Harai. Chidin Harai (4440m) has a goat pen, a few herders’ huts and grassy areas for camping. Chidin means a ’rounded cast-iron cooking pot’, named for the shape of this harai (pasture). Chidin Harai enjoys late afternoon light and is a perfect spot to enjoy sunset and sunrise on the imposing Hispar Muztagh to the north- east. This wall of peaks Includes: Lupgar Sar (7200m); Momhil Sar (7343m); Trivor (7728m); Mulungutti Sar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance 2.1km, hiking 1-2 hours,254m ascent ending altitude: 4,694m(15,400ft) After a leisurely breakfast, we head towards the top of the slope and reach Rush Lake. Rush is one of the highest alpine lakes in the world and the highest in Pakistan. Here you enjoy the views of the Miar Glacier, Spantik, Diran and Phuparash. Two unclimbed 6000m to 6200m peaks to the south are visible behind the rocky Rush Peak. Optional Climb to Rush Peak: 4 hours, 404m ascent, 404m descent We get to the lake with enough time for an optional clip to Rush Peak. Nowhere else in the Karakoram can you get such magnificent mountain views on such a short trek, sweeping from the nearby 7500m peaks of the Hispar Muztagh to the 8000m giants of the Baltoro Muztagh. On a clear day you can see K2, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum IV.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance 4.4 km, hiking 3-5 hours, 1244m descent ending altitude: 3,450m(11,381ft) The descent is very steep and relentless, we take our time enjoying the views of Sumayar Bar and Miar glaciers, and the Malubiting and Phuparash peaks. We continue to Datuchugan a beautiful grass meadow with juniper trees, where we have time to relax and enjoy our dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance 8 km, hiking 3-5 hours, 500m descent ending altitude: 2,950m(9,6780ft) We start our trek after a relaxed breakfast. We continue up the now-forested ablation valley with flower-filled meadows, we cross the Miar glacier with magnificent views of Miar Peak and follow a narrow path that leads us to the summer settlement of Hamdar. Another hour takes us to Hapakun with views of Golden, Chukutans, Rash peaks. We camp here and alongside the shepherds.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking distance 6 km, hiking 4-6 hours, 460m descent ending altitude: 2,490m(8,170ft) Drive to Hunza: 40km, drive time 90mins, ending altitude 2,438m (7,999 ft). We cross the white Bualtar glacier today, walking is tiring due to the rubble covering the glacier and hiking can take longer as glacier crossings shift and we have to find the right place. After crossing the glacier, we have to hike uphill until we reach hopper. Our transport will be waiting for us and we will head over to our Hunza to our hotel. A hot shower and a nap might get you in the mood for a walk around in the local market.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The next couple of days give us an opportunity to connect with the local culture. Eric Shipton called Hunza ‘the ultimate manifestation of mountain grandeur’ and at 2400m(7847ft) surrounded by towering peaks, Hunza is indeed a place of ‘ethereal beauty. The backdrop of Hunza is the Ultra peak 7388m(24,288ft); across the valley, we can see the Rakaposhi 7788m(25,551ft), and to the east lies Spantik (known as Golden Peak on this side of the valley). We will visit the 1100 years old Altit Fort, the original seat of the Hunza state and the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan. Our next stop is the 700-year-old Baltit Fort where the Mir (title of the Hunza ruler) resided until the 1950s. There will be an opportunity to hike behind the fort along an irrigation channel with views of Hunza Valley, the surrounding peaks, and terraced fields with views of

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trip Profile: distance approx. 85 km, drive: 2 hrs ending altitude: 1500m(4921ft). We will have the morning to ourselves and can relax, enjoy the views or do some shopping. After lunch, we will visit the nearby 1000-year-old Ganesh village. This village is the oldest settlement on the ancient Silk Road; the original layout of the village remains along with three of the original watchtowers and seven 500-year-old richly carved mosques. Later we drive towards Gilgit. Here we will have the chance to visit the famous Kargah Buddha, a 7th-century carving of a large standing Buddha. Later we will have an opportunity to look around the bazaar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Hostel Accommodation: Gilgit Serena Hotel

We will hopefully take the early morning flight to Islamabad. Our private bus will be waiting at the airport to transfer us to the hotel and once we have settled in it will be time to take lunch. After lunch, the rest of the day is free for independent sightseeing, shopping or to relax at the hotel. This evening we come together again for a celebratory meal at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Hostel Accommodation: Islamabad Serena Hotel

Transfer to Islamabad Airport is provided.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch