Day 1

Arrival-Islamabad Sightseeing

Arrival at Islamabad, transfer to hotel for a rest. If arrival is during the day, you will be taken for a short sightseeing trip around Islamabad. The new Capital City of Pakistan is lush green at the footsteps of Potohar hills. We will visit Faisal Mosque, Pakistan monument and Lok versa, institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Islamabad.

Day 2

Islamabad – Gilgit

Take an early morning flight to Gilgit – the capital town of Gilgit Baltistan. There will be ample time to explore bazaars of Gilgit and a visit to a Rock Carving Buddha from 5th century AD.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Gilgit

Day 3

Gilgit – Ghotulti / Ishkoman valley

Running north to south to join the Gilgit valley, the Ishkoman Valley divides the Karakoram Range from the Hindu Kush. It is an interesting 4-5 hours drive along the Ghizar River crossing through beautiful villages of Punial and Ishkoman of the Ghizar district. There is a beautiful camping site to rest at Ishkoman in a garden under the apricot trees. You will be able to pick and eat fresh apricots if you decide to visit in the months of July and August.

Overnight stay at a Camp

Day 4

Ghotulti to Dazjabuk

On the first day we will have a five to six hours easy day walking on a smooth path. The first one hour is a little steep but then gradually the trek takes you smoothly along the summer villages with some pleasing landscapes. We will go across other summer villages with the views of lush green meadows and jagged peaks along the birch and juniper trees to reach a summer village which is the campsite at 3300 meters with clear spring water and mesmerising views.

Overnight stay in a Camp

Day 5

Dazjabuk to Holojut

Today will be a short walk of 3-4 hours, the first hour is an easy walk along the River and then a gradual ascent for the remaining part. There is summer settlement at 3400 meters comprising of some shepherds’ huts by a small lake. The people here are friendly and invite travelers to their huts to offer milk tea and yoghurt which is the traditional hospitality of the mountain communities.

There are many possible campsites along the way under the shadows of the trees, but we prefer to continue and extend the length of hike until a place called Holojut at about 3,900 meters. This is a beautiful vast grassy field with some stone shelters for the porters.

Overnight stay in Camp

Day 6

Holojut across Darkut / Ishkoman Pass to Anisarbar

Today is last day in Thui valley. The path is as the previous day; easy and Today is the hardest day of the trek as we are going to ascend to the pass which is very steep and takes 3-4 hours to cover almost 700 meters vertical to the top. We will pack up and start early in the morning in order to reach the top and avoid sinking in the snow on the pass.

In late August, snow melts away and gets easier for trekkers to climb and cross the pass whereas in other months, snow remain on the top at 4650 m.

In approximate an hour we will get down to the base camp of the pass on Darkut side which is a good place to take a break, prepare lunch and enjoy the views of snowcapped mountains of the Hindu Kush. After lunch half an hour walk gets you down to the last summer settlement located at 3800 m.

Overnight stay in a Camp

Day 7

Anisarbar to Darkut

Today is the last day of the hike as we are making our way down to Darku valley within 5 hours through sparse pastures to the first summer settlement of the Darkot people surrounded by barley fields and occupied for three months in the summer. From here the view gets wider and we can see whole Darkot valley which is nestled in Hindukush Mountains. The view all the way down is magnificent and we can see many snowcapped peaks ahead.

Note: The historical Darkot pass trek can be combined with this trek if you have more time to explore and see the Broghi Valley that is located not far from the border of Afghanistan, in the Wakhan.

Darkot is a large village with many houses situated at 2900 meters in wide fertile bowl. Apart from a tranquil natural setting, this remote valley has played a leading role in the history of the region, continually fought over by the local rulers and then came under attention of the British Empire after murder of the British agent /explorer (George Hayward) in 1870 during espionage of the ‘Great Game.

Overnight stay in a Camp

Day 8

Darkut – Khalti Lake – Gilgit

After our breakfast, we will drive down to Gilgit via visiting the Khalti Lake in Gupis en-route, the lake has formed on Ghizer river due to a landslide.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Gilgit.

Note: You have a choice to return to Islamabad and take the flight back home in the next two days time. However, if you have time, a side tour to well-known Hunza valley and Khunjerab top (highest international border) between Pakistan and China) is highly recommendable as every visitor who visits Gilgit Baltistan doesn’t miss this trip.

Day 9-10

Hunza valley / Khunjerab Top / 4750m (OPTIONAL)

You will have two full days to explore the extraordinary Hunza valley, where you will be able to visit the ancient Baltit Fort, newly formed Attabad Lake, Hussaini Hanging bridge and Passu Glacier. You will have the choice of a spare one full day and drive all the way to Pakistan – China border; it is beautiful drive on a metal part of the highway through the mountains to highest international border.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Hunza valley.

Day 11

Hunza valley – Besham / Naran

Travel down the Karakoram highway and break the journey enroute at Besham or Naran, subject to condition of snow on Babusar top.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Besham / Naran

Day 12

Besham / Naran – Islamabad

Complete the road journey down to Islamabad towards Monal restaurant in Islamabad to wrap up the trip in a perfect ambience: good food, night view of the capital and live music.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Islamabad

Day 13

Transfer to airport three hours prior to homebound flight.

Day 14

Peshawar– Takht e Bhai –Islamabad

We head out to Islamabad today while visiting another UNESCO world heritage site en route. Takht e Bhai, an archaeological wonder, considered to be significant because of its unique design and well-structured Buddhist monasteries from the Ghandaran period when this region was a Greco-Buddhist kingdom. Resume drive back to Islamabad and transfer to airport 3 hours prior to your homebound flight’s departure.