THE NORTHBOUND COLLECTIVE 13 MARCH 2018 HunzaOnFoot Your Travel Itinerary and Information Pack Day 4 GOJAL Transfer to Misgar Khunjerab National Park Day 5 GOJAL Sost Discover Hunza Khunjerab Pass Hunza - Gojal - Khunjerab National Park Day Six night all inclusive tour 6 Day 1 – Group leaves Islamabad for Hunza valley at approximately 6am (approximate drive time 45 minutes), transfer to Passu via Karakoram HUNZA Highway (drive time 2 to 3 hours, depending upon number and duration of stops) and checks into the Serena Hotel in Karimabad, Hunza. Transfer to Hunza Ganish Fort Today, participants will have some spare time to themselves in order to Duikar Sunset Hike acclimate to the higher altitudes. Group leader will be available to walk them Day 7 Day Day Day 1 2 3 GILGIT Hunza Hunza Gojal Transfer to Gilgit Transfer to Hunza Nature Walk Explore Gulmit Acclimate Baltit Fort Hike Borith Lake Return to Explore Karimabad Transfer to Passu Hike to Passu Glacier Islamabad 1 DISCOVER HUNZA 13 MARCH 2018 through Karimabad to soak in the sights in this vibrant mountain community. Day 2 – After breakfast, group explores Hunza valley on foot all the way to the serene Hyderabad village (excellent nature photography here) and then heads back to Karimabad through the downtown area which is when they get their chance to do some good souvenir shopping and a fresh cup of coffee at Café de Hunza. Once group has had some time to themselves, we hike up to the Baltit Fort for a guided tour through history followed by lunch in a beautiful garden restaurant next to the fort. Group then heads back to the hotel to freshen up and check out. Transfer to Passu, Gojal and check into the Passu Ambassador Hotel. Once the group has soaked in the sights of this magnificent white glacier, it heads back to Our tours take you off the beaten path. Borith Lake Café for a delicious hot lunch by the Have dinners with local families, lake. After lunch the group heads to the Ambassador Hotel. disconnect from the outside world and listen to nothing but the serenity of Participants are on their own upon arrival at the water canals and the mountain breeze. hotel. We encourage everyone to do their own thing every now and then, but we will always be Day 3 – Our first stop will be at the beautiful right around the corner to advice. Gulmit village to check out the Gulmit Old Home and Carpet Centre as well as the Gulmit Palace (if allowed access). After a hot cup of tea the group proceeds on to Borith Lake and hikes Instagram: @hunzaonfoot up to the Passu Glacier viewpoint. YOUR TOUR GUIDE In 2014, I quit my job as a High Risk Advisor at the BBC World News and launched HunzaOnFoot with the belief that other travellers would share my desire to experience authentic adventures in a responsible and sustainable manner. We've grown from a one-man show to a company of over two dozen team-members. From a handful of trips in Hunza to more than 20 adventures spanning the country! What hasn't changed is our passion for making sure you get behind the scenes to experience the real outdoor world in an authentic and sustainable manner. Naveed Khan, CEO - HunzaOnFoot 2 Day 4 – Group starts early and after their breakfast, heads back up to Misgar, a tiny village located on the edges of the ancient Wakhan Corridor, famous for its’ pristine river, lush green landscape and the little Pamir mountain range that becomes visible all of a sudden. We will leave our vehicles behind at the start of the village and enjoy this easy, fun walk through the settlement and up to the fresh water spring where our team will meet us with hot tea and snacks. Once we’ve rested, the group continues its’ walk on to the Misgar Post Office, established by the British military when they still occupied the region. We encourage everyone to bring a postcard here and mail out from this historic post office, it’s something you’d look back at and remember later. Group returns to their hotel and after an hour break to rest and freshen up, we walk/drive to the Passu village and enjoy a traditional dinner with a local family and learn about the cuisine, the people and their history. Day 5 – Group gets an early breakfast and heads up to the Khunjerab Pakistan-China Border. We will make a few stops along the way at key landmark sites such as Sost, the customs point for China-Pakistan, then at the beginning of the Khunjerab National Park and eventually at the border post. This will be the highest point we will reach on our tour and we recommend participants to bring along any altitude medication they prefer or have been recommended to them by their doctor(s). Our guides always have a team med-pack with them which also includes medication for altitude sickness but we do recommend participants consult their general physicians and bring the medicine recommended by their GP. The drive to the border takes approximately three hours (one-way) depending upon the number and duration of stops we make. Boxed lunches will be provided. 3 DISCOVER HUNZA 13 MARCH 2018 Day 6 – After an early breakfast, group walks down to Ganish, a village settlement right on the ancient silk route. Our favourite local guides, children of Ganish take over the responsibilities of tour guides and show us around their beautiful fort village. Once done, group sets off to the sacred rocks of Hunza, famous for inscriptions and carvings left behind by monks and traders of the ancient silk route. Vehicle transfer to Altit Fort for a hot traditional lunch in the beautiful Royal Gardens outside the Altit Fort. through a very colourful and vibrant settlement, followed by a visit to the local ladies at their wood-shop and a chance to buy hand- carved items straight from the source. Once done we make our way to Duikar, the highest point of lower Hunza, for a magnificent golden sunset over the Karakoram Range. Dinner at the Serena Hotel. Day 7 - Group wakes up at approximately 330am and has an quick breakfast before heading off to the Gilgit airport for their onward return flight to Islamabad. Transfer time 2.5 hours. *Please note that the order of our daily itineraries may change due to weather or road conditions and/or availability of logistics at time of booking. Rest assured that all sights mentioned in this itinerary will be covered as long as weather and road/security conditions allows. **Apart from this planned itinerary, the schedule is flexible to allow for changes due to road and weather conditions. 4 Cost: $950/person We highly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect *Please note that confirmations to fly are based yourself against any losses/injury during on availability of flights/seats at the time of your travel to the mountains. your payment, same as stays at preferred hotels such as the Serena, which we suggest to make What is covered in your package: as much in advance as possible to secure your space. • Transport from Islamabad to Islamabad based on your preference (or availability **Following group discounts are available: at time of registration), of mode of travel 6 to 9 persons - 10% • All (two person shared) hotel and camp 10 to 14 persons - 15% stays within the duration of your tour 15 or more - 20% • Breakfast, lunch and dinner, on a set menu, during your planned tour dates Deadline: For custom tours, you need to register • All forts/national park entrance charges via making a complete payment as soon as • Camping equipment including tents, possible in order for us to ensure we are able to crockery and mattresses book your logistics and avoid any last minute • Guide and porter charges surprises. Spots are only guaranteed once • Guide hotel stays and meals payment is received. Contrary to rumours, Gilgit-Baltistan has quickly become the top destination for tourism in Pakistan while limited What is not covered in your package: in its’ infrastructure and transportation. This results in unavailability of logistics to those who take their time to register. • Travel and transfers from other cities/ countries into Islamabad, Pakistan. Departure point: All our tours start from and • Hotel stays in Islamabad for participants end in Islamabad but the timing and exact meet- that are arriving from out of Islamabad or up point varies from tour to tour and will be are waiting for their return flights/drives confirmed 48 hours prior to departure date. from Islamabad to their place of residence. • Vehicle pick/drop service for participants Refunds and Cancellations: that are arriving from out of Islamabad/ Pakistan. However, this can be arranged Once payment is received, participants only at an extra cost. have five days to cancel their participation with • Personal shopping (water/tea/groceries/ a 15% deductible. In case of cancellations 31 hygiene products/souvenirs) that are not days (or more) prior to departure date, there is part of your hotel stay or planned group a 35% deductible applied. meals/activities such as breakfasts, lunches and dinners on our set-menus. In case of registrations/cancellations 30 days or • Hotel stays during your journey that less prior to departure date, there is no refund extend beyond the set tour itinerary in offered. In case tour is delayed/cancelled due to case of delays that may be caused due to bad weather/road conditions/flight changes, the inclement weather/road conditions/flight tour will be rescheduled to the first available changes.