UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Pakistan Tour

You will be greeted by the team of Tour De Rakaposhi at Karachi International airport then transfer along with your luggage to a centrally located hotel in Karachi. This afternoon we will begin our tour of the city with a visit to the Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi. Born in Medina in 720 AD and widely revered throughout Pakistan, he was considered the patron saint of Karachi. Later we will have an opportunity to visit Clifton Beach, the National Museum, and the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Departing Karachi after breakfast this morning, we’ll drive on to the city of Hyderabad. The journey takes us by way of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Makli Hill, home to one of the largest necropolises in the world, and the Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta, built during the golden age of Mughal architecture. Time permitting; we can also enjoy brief stops at the Chaukhandi tombs and the ancient port city of Bhanbore.

From Hyderabad, the adventure continues through the north-west regions of Sindh province, towards the historic city of Larkana. Stops en route at the shrines of the famous Sufi saints of Lal Shahbaz Qalander and Abdul Latif Bhittai provide a chance to discover more about these revered mystics, philosophers and poets, before continuing on to our overnight stop in Larkana, on the banks of the River Indus.

Larkana is home to one of the largest and oldest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. The site at Mohenjo-Daro (Mound of the Dead) was abandoned as far back as the 19th century BC. Here we will have the chance to visit this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue in the afternoon to the village of Ranipur to the archeological and historical site of Kot Diji Fort, formally known as Fort Ahmadabad. Built between 1785 and 1795 by Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur, founder of the Upper Sindh
Kingdom in 1783, the fort was strategically placed on the edge of the desert to intercept any enemies approaching from the east before they could refresh their supplies after a long journey through the desert. Our journey today ends in Sukkur where we can admire the impressive Sukkur Barrage, an engineering marvel of this region.

A full day’s drive takes us north on to Bahawalpur, once part of an independent princely state that was
founded in 1802 by Nawab Mohammad Bahawal Khan II. The road passes by the city of Uch Sharif, which was believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 325 BC at the confluence of the Indus and Chenab Rivers. Here we stop to visit the beautiful tomb of Bibi Jawindi, one of the five monuments in Uch village which today is a pilgrimage site for Muslims visiting Sufi shrines. From here we then complete the journey on to Bahawalpur. A full day’s drive takes us north on to Bahawalpur, once part of an independent princely state that was founded in 1802 by Nawab Mohammad Bahawal Khan II. The road passes by the city of Uch Sharif, which was believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 325 BC at the confluence of the Indus and Chenab Rivers. Here we stop to visit the beautiful tomb of Bibi Jawindi, one of the five monuments in Uch village which today is a pilgrimage site for Muslims visiting Sufi shrines. From here we then complete the journey on to Bahawalpur.

Following breakfast, we will drive into the remote landscapes of the Cholistan Desert to pay a visit to the imposing setting of Derawar Fort. With the increasing irrigation from the Indus, the desert has receded and been replaced by cultivated fields now quite close to the fort which is surrounded by scrubland. Built by the Rajput Bhati, the fortress dominates the desert around it, with 40 towering bastions that stand over 30 meters in height. A visit to the fort and the royal tombs of the Bahawalpur Nawabs is followed by a visit to a local village and also a bustling market, before returning to Bahawalpur for a second night.

A morning tour of Bahawalpur today provides an opportunity to discover a little something of its history and cultural highlights relating to the local Nawabs, along with modern-day local market. Departing the city after the visit, we’ll then head on towards Multan, locate on the banks of the Chenab River.

Multan (Madinat-ul-Auliya) is known as the City of the Sufis, or the City of the Saints, largely due to the abundant number of Sufi shrines that lie scattered across the city. Amongst the monuments that we will visit today are included the shrines of Shah Rukn-i-Alam, Bhahuddin Zikria, and Shams Tabraz. We’ll also have an opportunity to spend some time exploring the Old Bazaar.

From Multan, the journey next takes us on to the capital of Punjab, as we drive to Lahore, the largest Punjabi city in the world and the country’s cultural and artistic capital. Stopping en route at the famous archaeological site at Harappa, we’ll have a chance to discover the remains of a Bronze Age fortified city whose origins have been dated back to 2600BC. This afternoon we continue our journey to the colonial city of Lahore where we stay for the next three nights.

The historic capital of both the Moghul and Sikh empires, the city also played a significant part in the British governance of Punjab. Home to a remarkable collection of cultural and historic highlights, our tour over the next two days includes visits to the Lahore Museum, the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort along with several local shrines and mosques. Along with visits to the old town, we will also head out east to the Wagah Border to witness the dramatic flag-lowering ceremony.

In the morning after breakfast, we will drive toward Islamabad en route we will visit the Himalayan pink rock salt mine the further drive to Islamabad arrive in Islamabad check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

It is an early start this morning to make our long drive north, through the Kaghan Valley, stopping for
lunch en route and then for the evening at the hotel in Naran. The journey will take about six to seven
hours.

Departing early this morning we will continue through the forested Kaghan Valley and over the spectacular Babusa Pass, before driving down to the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and on to Raikot Bridge. Here we’ll transfer to jeeps for the short, but wildly dramatic, drive to the road head before walking up to the cabins at Fairy Meadows. The walk is of a moderate nature on a good mountain path and should take around 3 hours. We will enjoy the views of Nanga Parbat – or Naked Mountain (the 8,100m peak and massif that marks the western end of the Himalayas). Here we will stay in the rustic log cabins, all of which have commanding views of the great mountain. This is truly one of the most magical places on earth.

Today we walk through the forested foothills of the massif to the Beyal Camp and back. This will not be too strenuous, as we will run along the contours rather than straight up, but it will be spectacular. Anyone wanting a more relaxed time can stay at the meadows, which is a lovely place to unwind. We will take lunch at a local camp and return to have dinner back at the cabins.

This morning after an early breakfast we’ll walk back to the road head, pick up the jeeps, and re-join the KKH. We’ll drive for another couple of hours, before heading right over the Indus and on to Astor. From here we’ll drive the short distance to Rama Lake where we’ll stay for the night.

After an early breakfast, we’ll take a short drive to Rama Lake before continuing our journey to the amazing Deosai Plateau National Park. This plateau is a stunning 4,000m high wildlife wilderness complete with an array of wildflowers at this time of year. We’ll enjoy a hearty picnic lunch with views of the Himalayas before continuing on to Skardu.

This morning we’ll visit the old bazaar, and then head out to see the Manthal Buddha rock carving just outside Skardu. After this, we’ll drive to Khaplu for a real treat as we stay in one of the most wonderful heritage hotels in the whole subcontinent. This has been recently converted by the Aga Khan Cultural Development Trust and run as a community project.

Today the adventure continues as we follow the Shyok and Hushe Rivers into the heart of the Karakoram. Draining an enormous area of the eastern Karakoram, much of which is now in India, the Shyok and Hushe rivers cut a spectacular trail into this easternmost part of Baltistan. We’ll drive up the Hushe Valley to visit a local school in upper Hunza. From here we’ll continue right up the valley to the end of the road where the magnificent 7,000m Mashabrum Mountain stands sentinel. In the late afternoon, as the sun
is setting, we’ll return to Khaplu.

Today we will take a day-long drive to Gilgit. Following the Indus most of the way, this is a hugely impressive journey. We will take lunch along the way before arriving in Gilgit in the early evening

This morning we have a chance to take a look around this classic frontier town, once considered the furthest outpost of the empire. We will see the Christian graveyard and the bazaar, before heading north on the KKH to Karimabad in the famed Hunza valley. We know we use a lot of superlatives in this dossier but this trip really is epic, particularly as you round the corner and see the titanic form of Mount Rakaposhi basking in the sun, right beside the road. We will take lunch on the way – at the Rakaposhi View Restaurant – before continuing on to Hunza. On arrival, we will have the chance to explore the laid back little town of Karimabad and admire the mountains that surround it before continuing on to our hotel for our first night situated, as the name suggests, 2,850m above sea level, 800m above the valley floor with panoramic views of seven 7,000m peaks!

In the morning after breakfast then we will visit Baltit Fort Karimabad local bazaar, Altit Fort, Altit old village and in the afternoon visiting Hopper Valley after lunch then we will drive to Attabad Lake boating in Attabad Lake then further drive to Gulmit arrival in Gulmit check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Gulmit Upper Hunza Valley.

This day is very interesting, as in the first nearly half an hour we will drive to Hussaini Village and we will visit Hussaini suspension bridges, then we will drive up to Upper Borith walking up to the viewpoint of Passu white glacier then drive to Passu village after lunch we will have a village visit after completing the visit then we will drive back to Gulmit. Overnight Stay in Gulmit Upper Hunza Valley.

Full-day excursions to Khunjerab pass (The border between Pakistan and China). In the olden days, there were few highs passes leading from China that were suitable for travel. Today the Khunjerab Pass, which at an altitude of 4733 m the highest point in the world on the Karakorum highway, provides an easy all-weather entry from Pakistan to the famous Sinkiang province of the people‟s Republic of China. This route is a beautiful drive, with views of the high mountains of the Karakoram & the distant Pamir mountain ranges. At Khunjerab, now declared a national park, one can see Marcopolo Sheep, Snow leopard, Himalayan Ibexes. In the evening return back to the hotel.

In the morning after breakfast, we will visit the sites in Gulmit the Old house 700 years old, the cultural museum, the Gulmit Old town, and the Community based school and in the evening we will visit the Local traditional house of Upper Hunza Valley for the local dinner. Overnight Stay in Gulmit Upper Hunza.

After breakfast drive to Gilgit en-route short stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint for photography then further drive to Gilgit, we will visit the bazaar in order to familiarize ourselves with the customs of the Gilgit’s, a stop at the cooperative store, where Chinese goods are bought on the barter system will allow us to glance at Chinese treasure, we will then take a hair raising drive across Asia’s longest suspension bridge – 600 feet long and wide enough only for one car at a time arrival in Gilgit after lunch then drive to Gilgit
arrival in Gilgit check-in at hotel. Overnight stay in Gilgit.

Wake at around 05.30 to have your last chance to watch the rising sun over the surrounding peaks if you want! After breakfast, we will then drive back to Phander. Once again, it is a stunning trip through some of northern Pakistan’s most dramatic scenery. If time allows we will walk down to the lake before dinner.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Shandur Pass. At the last village of Barsat we’ll alight and walk across the stunning langer – or flat plain – where local shepherds graze their yaks, cattle, donkeys, and sheep. We will then arrive at the top of the stunning scenic pass and make our way to the camping area where we will stay for the next two nights to enjoy the festival. Today we will enjoy some high-paced polo matches which demonstrate the passion and color that this sport brings to Pakistan in an unrivaled location with stunning views. Please note that a camp crew will be on hand to put the tents up and assemble the mess tent and toilet tent

Today we will continue to enjoy the colorful spectacle of the fiercely contested polo matches being played at a frenetic pace in the festival atmosphere. We will also partake in some of the additional entertainment available such as traditional music, folk dances, bonfires, and some local hikes in the area. All of these activities are set against the crystal clear lakes, snow-covered mountains, and meadows of alpine flowers amongst swathes of green grass – a magical location.

This is going to be a long day’s drive but one of the most beautiful and dramatic drives you are ever likely to take. We will wind our way down the Mastuj Valley, passing the northern face of Boni Zong and the eastern flank of Tirich Mir, leaving through the Yarkand Valley at the top of which lies Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. On arrival we will have a good look around this sleepy hill town, taking in the famous fort and the bazaar.

After breakfast, we will drive into the Kalash Valley of Rumbor and the village of Balanguru where we stay with our good friend Saifullah Jan, the chief spokesperson for the colourful Kalash people. The journey takes about two hours, though if people prefer we can walk the last few miles through the gorgeous valley. After lunch, we will meet the Kalash and go for walks around the village, or further afield to visit some of our friends in Grum or Kalash.

Today we maximize our time by walking in and around the valley to enjoy the local scenery and experience the local hospitality. This morning we should be able to take a walk-up in the direction of the Afghan frontier to visit some small villages. We return to Balanguru for lunch and then for those who wish to we head out on another walk around the valley to understand more of the lifestyle of the Kalash people. These walks are optional, and you may wish to spend your time relaxing in the village.

Today we will drive to Ayun and check into the wonderful resort. We can spend time having a look around his amazing garden and also take some wonderful village walks in the local area.

This morning we’ll leave very early toward Swat Valley spectacular journey, through the Lowari Tunnel and down through the frontier, towards Swat Valley. This is a full day’s drive and we will reach our hotel in the evening. Overnight stay in Swat Valley

Today we will drive to Islamabad en route we will visit Taxila to explore this fascinating Buddhist university town, dating back to the Gandaharan era of Alexander the Great. We’ll then return to Islamabad where there may be time for some last-minute shopping close to the hotel before a grand farewell dinner then we will drop you at the airport to take the flight back home.