SHANDAAR SHANDUR

No. of days : 08
Range : Karakoram & Himalayas
Best Season : May to October

Polo at one of the highest play ground in world and in its roughest form, is an unforgettable and thrilling experience to watch. The tour is blended with a trip to Hunza Valley, driving up Khunjerab Pass, with a different experience to travel through Ghizer Valley to wards Shandur Pass. It’s a shandaar opportunity enjoy a romantic trip to Karakorams and Hindu mountain ranges.

ITINERARY

Day 01 Islamabad - Besham - Chilas

We depart early and drive to Besham via Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra. After a short break at Besham, we resume our drive on Karakoram Highway, along River Indus. We will make photo stops at Shatial Rocks with ancient graffiti's on it.
vernight in hotel - Chilas

Day 02 Chilas – Karimabad ( Hunza Valley )

We depart for Hunza and en-route some interesting carvings can be seen on the rocks at Chilas, even from the window of your vehicle. Next to Chilas is the Nanga Parbat viewpoint offering breathtaking views. The next stop will be at the Unique Point where three mountain rages, Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet, near the confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers. We bye passes the Gilgit Town and continue our drive on KKH. En route, we cross several villages of Hunza & Nagar valleys and make a photo stop at Rakaposhi view point. We take off from KKH and on arrival in Karimabad, transfer to hotel.
Overnight in hotel - Karimabad

Day 03 Hunza - Excursion Khunjerab Pass

Today we will make an excursion to the Sino-Pak border at Khunjerab, crossing the villages of Gulmit, Passu and Sost en route. Khunjerab is the highest point on KKH at 4734 meters and considered as the highest trade route in the world. The route to Sost and to Kuksil is easy and then the road rises to Khunjerab Pass. Likely to see Wild Asses, Yaks and Marmots en route.

Once, we reach the pass, we will make a photostop at cool and thin air as we are almost equal to the height of the highest peak of Europe. Driving back to Sost, we make a tea stop and later drive back to Karimabad.

Day 04 Karimabad - Sightseeing

Getting up early in the midnight will enable us to witness unique natural phenomena of sunrise at Rakaposhi and other peaks. The day is free at Karimabad, the capital town of Hunza Valley. Ultar, Hunza Dome, Bublimating, Spantik and Diran are famous peaks surrounds us at Karimabad, while Rakaposhi at 7788m dominates the whole panorama. We visit Baltit Fort Museum and walk around villages and famous terraced fields of Hunza.
Overnight in hotel - Karimabad

Day 05 Karimabad - Gilgit – Phander

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to Gilgit, where we make a brief visit of bazaar. Gilgit River flowing through the town, offers superb views. We drive onwards to Ghizer valley and make an overnight stay at Phander, a picturesque place with lake, river and fields.
Overnight in hotel / tents

Day 06 Phander – Excursion Shandur Pass

We depart early morning to Shandur Pass at 3734m, crossing the scenic area of Langar. At Shandur, we enjoy the inaugural ceremony of the Polo Festival and after spending a day on Pass, we return to Phander.
Overnight in hotel / tents

Day 07 Phander – Gilgit – Chilas

We make an early departure from Phander and drive back to Gilgit, where we will spend half free day to explore bazaars, filled with handicrafts, souvenirs, Chinese goods and particularly Chinese Silk, dry fruit and electronic items. Later on we drive to Chilas and transfer to hotel on arrival.
Overnight in hotel – Chilas

Day 08 Chilas - Besham - Islamabad

Making an early departure for Islamabad, we make a stop for lunch at Besham and crossing Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur, we reach Islamabad and drop at a designated place.

End of the Tour

Natural North | Fantasy Fairy Meadows | Shandaar Shandur | Kool Kashmir & Kaghan | Hitch Hike Himalayas | King of Karakorams