The Journey... ​

DAY 01: ISLAMABAD

Arrival to Islamabad, meet and greet with airport pickup. Welcome dinner. 

DAY 02: ISLAMABAD to NARAN

Heading out of the capital taking the motorway until Manshera where we leave the highway and head into the forested hills towards our night stop of Naran.

DAY 03: NARAN to GILGIT 

From Naran we cross Babsuar pass and make our way down to the Karakoram Highway arriving at our homestay in Danyor Gilgit. Enjoy a delicious bbq dinner in the relaxing surrounds of our tree covered garden.

DAY 04: GILGIT to KARIMABAD

After a delicious early breakfast we head out on the Karakraom Highway to the hillside fort town of Karimabad passing the old silk orute and rakaposhi viewpoints. In Karimabad we explore the old market as we walk up towards 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 05: HOPAR - TREK START

Hopar Valley 2743m to 1st Campsite Barichakor 3300m - distance 14 kms

Heading out of Hopar Village we traverse two glacier crossings, Hopar and Barpu, uneven terrain but without crevasses. After the glacier crossings the trek opens up to a straight patch of dry and turns green before the Barichakor Campsite. Days are hot during summer.

DAY 06: TREK

Bari Chakor 3300m to Chadan Harar 4440m - distance 4.3 kms

A tough day of ascent. We hike higher up the range via a zigzagging muddy track along with loose gravel patches over an elevation gain of 700m of switchbacks. The spectacualr scenery of surrounding 7000m plus peaks with Miar and Sumyar Glaciers frame the view.

DAY 07: TREK 

Chedan Harar 4440m to Rush Lake 4694m and Rush Peak 5098m 2km to lake + 2 km to rush Peak

Easy day to reach the lake. A further couple of hours trekking to the Lake. Option to hike to Rush Peak with another couple of hours needed to view the Hisper Glacier, K2 and Broad Peak on clear day.

DAY 08: TREK

Rush Lake 4694 to Hapakun (not to be confused with rakapshi trek Hakapun) 3300m - distance 13kms

Morning around rush lake. The descent from the other side of the mountain is relatively a bit long compared to the ascent. We begin the journey down as we move from rush lake and head straight to Phahi Phari campsite befor the Miar Glacier. After a rest break we continue across the moraine of the glacier which extends to Miar white glacier. Then we will cross small glacial streams and avoid crevasses to reach the other side of the trek, a tiny path along a straight drop underneath where you will see the glacier. Finally one last stream crossing and we reach Hapakun camp. A delcious hot diiner waitng for us afetr this longer but exhilerating day.

DAY 09: TREK out then to KARIMABAD

Hakapun 3300m to Hopar valley 2743 - distance 8 kms

On this day we will trek back down towards Hopar valley and head towards hopar Glacier, the trek is relatively easy and scenic. After a well earned chai or lemon malt :) we drive back to Karimabad. In the evening we visit Altit Fort and experience sunset at Duikar/Eagles nest with spectacualr views along the Hunza Valley and surrounding Peaks.

DAY 10: KARIMABAD to PASSU

Today we leave Karimabad and begin travelling further north through the rugged peaks towards the spires of Passu Cones. Break points on our route are Attobad Lake, Hussaini Bridge, Borith Lake and Short Hike to Passu glacier viewpoint and Gulmit rug weavers. We have the chance to test our fear of heights on the wobbly wooden planks of Hussaini suspension bridge and be mesmerised by the flowing waters below.

​DAY 11: PASSU to KHUNJERAB return to PASSU

Onwards to Khunjerab Pass, the China/Pakistan border and the highest paved border crossing in the world, surrounded by majestic peaks and glaciers around every turn! The silence and aura of this place is in a whole other world... we may be lucky to hear the roar of a Snow Leopard across the valley. After visiting the border we return to Passu.

DAY 12: PASSU to GILGIT

Return directly back to Gilgit.

DAY 13: FLY to ISLAMABAD or reach NARAN

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

DAY 14: EXPLORE ISLAMABAD or reach ISLAMABAD

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