Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour
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Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour Tour Highlights • Karakoram Highway –Old Silk Route • Eye-Catching Beauty of Nanga Parbat-8125m • Famous Indus River & visit Junction of Karakoram, Himalaya, Hindukush • Hunza Valley and views of snowcapped Rakaposhi 7788m • Explore Kalash valleys of Chitral • Famous Passes- Khunjerab, Shandoor and Lowari Explore All Provinces by driving through Besham,Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Sukkur 20 NIGHTS HOTEL, 21 DAYS US$1100/PAX FOR A GROUP OF 12 SIGHTSEEING US$ 1200/PAX FOR A GROUP OF 10 SOFT HIKING US$1350/PAX FOR A GROUP OF 8-9 MAX. ALTITUDE – 4733M / 15,528FT US$1450/PAX FOR A GROUP OF 5-7 Key Destinations: Lahore - Islamabad- Karakoram Highway - Gilgit- Hunza Khunjerab Pass- Ghizer Valley- Shandoor Pass-Chitral-Kalash Valley-Lowari Pass www.snowland.com.pk PK: +92(0)3335105022 [email protected] 2 | Page Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour TOUR BACKGROUND This exciting tour will take you to the dramatic and enchanting valleys of the Northern Areas (Gilgit-Baltistan & Chitral) of Pakistan. Lush green fertile valleys with high quality delicious fruit are fed by springs and glacial streams flowing from the lofty snow capped mountains. Karakoram Highway and River Indus is a constant Feature of the region. The best time of year to visit Hunza and Chitral is April to October. From spring to autumn the valleys are more attractive, all three fabulous seasons have their own unique charm, which cannot be described in words but can only be felt. TOUR OVERVIEW DEPARTURE DATES: April- November 2018 Date Day Activity Time Height Accommodation Day 1 Arrive Lahore 1 hours 217m Hotel Day 2 Explore Lahore Full day 217m Hotel Day 3 Rohtas Fort and Drive to Islamabad Full day 635m Hotel Day 4 Drive to Chilas (on KKH) 15 hrs 1280m Hotel Day 5 Travel to Fairy Meadows 7 hrs 3000m Huts Day 6 Trek to Nanga Parbat and 6 hours 3000m Huts Day 7 Drive to Hunza 9 hours 1500m Hotel Day 8 Hunza and Explore Town –Visit forts Full day 2500m Hotel Day 9 Eagle Nest/Duikhar Camping Full day 2500m Camps Day 10 Drive to Gulmit &trek to Borith Full Day 2500m Guest House Lake/Hussaini Day 11 Explore Gulkin Glacier Full Day 2500m Camps Day 12 Drive to Khunjerab Pass and Stay in Sost Full day 4800m Hotel Day 13 Travel to Gakuch Ghizer 6 hours 2500m Hotel Day 14 Drive to Chitral via Shandur 7 hours 1500m Hotel Day 15 Drive to Kalash Valley Bomburat Full day 1500m Hotel Day 16 Visit Rumbur Valley and back to Chitral Full day 1500m Hotel Day 17 Drive to Islamabad via Lowari Tunnel Full day 635m Hotel Day 18 Tour of Islamabad Full day 635m Hotel Day 19 Drive to Khewara Salt mine & back to Full Day 217m Hotel Lahore Day 20 Contingency Day for Road Travel Day 21 Fly Back to Home 3 | Page Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1: Arrive Lahore One of our guides will meet the group at the airport. After completing the formatlities the group will further drive to Hotel/Guest House. KEY DESTINATION DETAILS: Lahore is the capital city of the Pakistani province of Punjab. It is the second-most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi. The city is located in the north-eastern end of Pakistan's Punjab province, near the border with the Indian state of Punjab. Lahore is ranked as a beta-world city, and is one of Pakistan's wealthiest cities. Lahore is the historic cultural centre of the Punjab region and is the largest Punjabi city in the world. The city has a long history, and was once under the rule of the Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, and the Delhi Sultanate. Lahore reached the height of its splendour under the Mughal Empire, serving as its capital city for a number of years. The city was captured by the forces of Persian Afsharid Emperor Nader Shah during his invasion of the Mughal Empire. The city was then contested between different powers before it became capital of the Sikh Empire, and then the capital of the Punjab under British rule. Lahore was central to the independence movements of both India and Pakistan, with the city being the site of both the declaration of Indian Independence, and the resolution calling for the establishment of Pakistan. Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, Lahore became the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province. ACCOMODATION TIME 1 ELEVATION TEMPERATURE HOTEL DRIVING HOURS 217 M MEALS: NIL DISTANCE 20 KM 30°C 4 | Page Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour Day 2: Sightseeing Tour of Lahore Today is our journey into the cultural center of the Sub Continent. In just one corner of Lahore is a heterogeneous example of Mogul, Sikh, Colonial and Contemporary architecture. Sightseeing tour of Lahore starts with a visit to the Imperial and magnificent Badshahi Mosque. Built in 1674, it is an example of some of the most aesthetic Moghul architecture. Next is the Lahore Fort where we also see several pavilions, including Shish Mahal, the the Palace of Mirrors, which was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 as private apartments for his empress. Beside the mosque is the tomb of the philosopher and poet Iqbal, who infused the idea of Pakistan among the Muslims of British India. Another interesting complex of nearby buildings are the Samadh of Maharaja Ranajit Singh and Guru Arjun Dev, both solid gold tombs dating back to the Sikh era. In Old Lahore, the walled city of narrow, dimly lit alleys leading from Sarafa Bazaar (Jewelers Bazaar) to Kashmiri Bazaar, you’ll find bargains in the local handicrafts, including brass inlay work. You will also visit Shahi Hamam, Golden Mosque and Wazir Khan Mosque, which reflect the nobility of Persian design with floral designs, superb calligraphy and lofty minarets. ACCOMODATION DISTANCE 50 KM TIME 4 ELEVATION TEMPERATURE HOTEL DRIVING HOURS 217 M MEALS: BREAKFAST 30°C Day 3: Drive to Islamabad from Lahore Our destination today is Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, stopping en route at Rohtas Fort for sightseeing. KEY DESTINATION DETAILS: Rohtas Fort is a 16th-century fortress located near the city of Jhelum in the Pakistani province of Punjab.The fortress was built during the reign of the Pashtun king Sher Shah Suri between 1541 and 1548 in order to help subdue the rebellious tribes of the Potohar region of northern Punjab that were loyal to the Mughal crown. The fort is one of the largest and most formidable in the subcontinent. Rohtas Fort was never stormed by force, and has survived remarkably intact. The fort is known for its large defensive walls, and several monumental gateways. Rohtas Fort was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 for being an "exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of central and South Asia. Islamabad is new capital 47 years old well-planned city of Pakistan is lush green at the footsteps of Potwar hills. Visit one of the biggest Shah Faisal mosques in the world; also an interesting round trip combines a tour of Shakespearian Park with a visit to Lok versa, the institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage. Rawalpindi is a lively, bustling city with the crowded streets and colorful bazaars, thorough it lacks the grand monuments; nonetheless, the bazaar should appeal to anyone with the desire to see the real Pakistan. CCOMODATION A DISTANCE 375 KM TIME 5-6 TEMPERATURE ELEVATION MEALS: BREAKFAST HOTEL DRIVING HOURS 25°C 635 M 5 | Page Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour Day 4: Drive to Chilas on Karakoram Highway Leave early morning after an early breakfast for Chilas. We will drive by the Indus River on Karakoram Highway. At Juglot, there is the opportunity to stop to enjoy view of three Mountain Ranges (Himalaya, Karakoam and Hindukush) Junction. KEY DESTINATION DETAILS: Karakorum high way is eighth wonder of the world (KKH). KKH is the highest paved international road in the world. It connects China and Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain range, through the Khunjerab Pass, at an elevation of 4,733 m/15,397 ft. It connects China's Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Gilgit- Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions and serves as a popular tourist attraction. Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions in which it was constructed, it is also referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World. The route of the KKH traces one of the many paths of the ancient Silk Road. ACCOMODATION DISTANCE 480 KM TIME 15 ELEVATION TEMPERATURE HOTEL DRIVING HOURS 1280 M MEALS BREAKFAST 20°C 6 | Page Pakistan Autumn Sightseeing Tour Day 5: Travel to Fairy Meadows Today, we will travel to Raikot Bridge where we will transfer into 4x4s and traverse the legendary Fairy Meadows jeep track - think sheer drops and impossible hair-pin bends... In the distance, if the weather is clear, you will catch your first glimpse of Nanga Parbat; the most beautiful mountain in Pakistan and the ninth highest mountain in the world. This is the stuff adventure is made of! Arriving at the end of the jeep track we will then hike for two to three hours (porters and horses available for an additional fee). Arriving into The Fairy Meadows, we will spend the next couple of nights in comfortable log cabins with wood burners to keep us warm. The group can ride horses as an optional activity from Tatto to Fairy meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp ACCOMODATION DISTANCE 30 KM TIME 4 ELEVATION TEMPERATURE HUTS DRIVING HOURS 3000 M MEALS: BREAKFAST 10°C Day 6: Fairy Meadows-Nanga Parbat Base camp There are several optional treks available here ranging from two hours to eight hours however, the group will visit Nanga parbat base camp from Fairy Meadows.