chicks and chai

The Journey... ​

DAY 01: ARRIVAL TO LAHORE

Arrival to Lahore, meet and greet with airport pickup. Welcome dinner overlooking Badshahi Mosque.

DAY 02: LAHORE

Together we experience old narrow streets, markets, mosques, shrines, authentic cuisine, chai and art amongst the old walled city. We visit Lahori iconic places such as Rafiq Sweets and Khalifa Bakers as well as some hidden gems, markets including Shah Alam, Delhi Gate, Mochi Gate, Bhatti Gate, Wazir Khan Masjid, Kashmiri Bazaar, the smallest street in Lahore, the secret garden and chowk Nawab Sahib. 

DAY 03: LAHORE

Food and culture immersion activity in the morning and lunch. In the afternoon we visit Shalimar garden and the border cermony. The border ceremony is one of our most requested cultural displays to experience while visiting Lahore. It is a lively and spirited display in good humour of the relationship of rival countries Pakistan and India. The drumming and motivational cries are a welcome distraction and the enthusiasm of the crowd is contagious. On the way to the border we also visit Shalimar gardens, a classic example of Mughal Empire architecture and artistry and a unesco world heritage site.

DAY 04: LAHORE TO ISLAMABAD

We take the highway out of Lahore leaving early morning and stop at Katas Raj enroute to Islamabad and in the afternoon visit the bustling old city of Rawalpindi. The story is told that the lake of Katas Raj is formed from a tear drop from Lord Shiva as he wept in giref over the body of his wife Sati. Now a ruin it remains one of the most important sites of Hindu significance. Rawalpindi is vastly diffent from tehorder of Islamabad, we wander narrow streets visitng the blue mosque and old haveli ruins.

DAY 05: ISLAMABAD TO GILGIT

Take a morning flight from Islamabad to Gilgit. In the afternoon we visit the old Kashmiri bazaar and buddha rock. If the flight is cancelled wre wil travel by road instead.

DAY 06: GILGIT TO KHIZERABAD

After a good rest and acclimatisation at our hometay in Danyor on the edge of Gilgit city we head out onto the Karakoram Highway to the village of Khizerabad. The fantastic road and easy ride are a good introduction and give us a chance to become familiar with the bikes. We enjoy a family stay with a hike in the local hills and home cooking. Some dancing and story sharing with the locals under the spectacular surrounds of Rakaposhi mountain amongst beautiful spring blossoms.

DAY 07: KHIZERABAD TO KARIMABAD

From Khizerabad we continue along the Karakoram Highway. Stopping at Rakaposhi view and the old silk route. Continuing the spectacular ride to the old hillside town of Karimabad. Stopping at Rakaposhi view and the old silk route along the way. We have the option to meander through villages, across fascinating bridges and ride sections of the southern spur of the old silk route that connected from Kashgar to Taxila. In the afternoon we visit Altit Fort and experience sunset at Duikar/Eagles nest.

DAY 08: KARIMABAD

After a delicious local breakfast we explore the market as we walk up to Baltit Fort, perched high upon the hill overlooking the valley and town. Delving into the ancient history of the silk route and the Mogul empire as well as the strong cultural and ethnic relations with Ladakh and Tibet. This region is steeped in rich cutural heritage with a diverse ethnicity over the entire Kashmiri Hunza Kingdom. Burusho, Xik, Tajik, Hunzakuts and Wakhi people all call this area home. You will likely pick up mutliple languages being spoken aside from the common Urdu. Our Hunza team speak Burushaski when conversing with each other and others who help and support our trips also speak Wakhi and Shina. We explore Baltit Fort gaining a greater understanding of the area and its historical place as a centre point of the region. 

DAY 09: KARIMABAD TO PASSU

Today we leave Karimabad after a morning visit to ild Ganish village and begin riding further north through the rugged peaks towards the spires of Passu Cones. Break points on our route are Attobad Lake, and Hussaini Bridge. We have the chance to test our fear of heights on the wobbly wooden planks of Hussaini suspension bridge and be mesmerised by the fast flowing waters below. It is a fun ride through the long mountain tunnels and beside the azure waters of Attabad Lake. We then ride to Borith Lake and take a short yet spectacular hike to Passu glacier viewpoint.

DAY 10: PASSU

We take an optional morning ride to experience the rugged gorge of Shimshal. Then spend the afternoon immersing in the local area of Passu surrounded by massive peaks and glaciers on all sides. Walking with village locals and sharing stories.

DAY 11: PASSU to GILGIT

Today we return to Gilgit and spend a relaxing night in the quiet of our home and garden in Danyor village on the edge of Gilgit city.

​DAY 12: GILGIT to SKARDU

Leaving Gilgit back south along the Karakoram Highway past the meeting point of the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush ranges we exit the highway and head toward Skardu. The road is at times narrow and rugged. The view as we ride along the carved out cliffs with a roaring Indus River below is truly wonderful. We pass through small oasis like villages in rich pockets of green. We follow the Indus all the way until we reach Skardu. We spend an afternoon visiting Upper Kachura Lake.

DAY 13: SKARDU to SHIGAR

After a morning visit to old Skardu fort and the buddhist heritage site we head off to Shigar through the cold desert. A quiet afternoon relaxing with spectacular views.

DAY 14: YUGO TO SKARDU

From shigar we ride beside the fast flowing river to the village of Yugo. Walking through the village that is perched on the slopes leading up towards glacial mountains we experience traditions that have been in use for many hundreds of years.

DAY 15: FLIGHT TO ISLAMABAD

Return to Islamabad via flight or if flight is cancelled we go by road in car/van.

DAY 16: ISLAMABAD BUFFER DAY

This is a buffer day, essential to allow for flight cancellations or road landslides.