12 Days
Chitral Valley is one of the very few places in the world which offers exotic cultural retreats as well as stunning mountain sceneries. Deep inside the mighty Hindu Kush range (which has 40 peaks above 6,000m, including Tirich Mir (7,726m) the highest peak of Hindu Kush), Chitral Valley is beaming with culture and heritage. You will visit the famous Kalash Valley and experience first-hand the culture and rituals of the people of Kalash, who are descendants of the five lost soldiers of the army of Alexander the Great and are well-known for their own religious beleifs, identity, way of life and language.
We will visit the serene Shandur Pass (3,700m), often known as the ‘Roof of the World’ due to its massive lush green plateau. Shandur Pass is also home to the wolrd’s highest Polo Ground, where the Shandur Polo Festival takes place in July every year. Camping overnight at Shandur Pass will surely be an unforgettable experience!
Chitral Valley has to offer everything a tourist can ask for. From the rich culture and hospitality of the people of Kalash to the mesmerizing sceneries of Chitral Valley and Shandur Pass, you will witness the best of both worlds. Visiting this crown jewel of the Hindu Kush will surely be an experience of the lifetime!
However, this tour still has much more to offer. Hunza Valley is one of the most incredible and stunning places to visit not only in Pakistan, but anywhere in the world. Hunza Valley is known as the earthly paradise, and is the inspiration behind Shagri La in James Hilton’s book ‘Lost Horizon’. Duikar Top in Hunza Valley offers some incredible panoramic view of five +7,000m peaks – Rakaposhi (7,788m), Ultar (7,388m), Diran Peak (7,266m) and Spantik (7,027m). Perhaps this is the only such place in the world! Hunza Valley is also very rich in culture. It is home to 600 year old forts of Altit and Baltit. A legend exists, common to many parts of the western Himalaya, that the Hunzakuts (as the people of Hunza are known), are the descendants of the five lost soldiers of the army of Alexander the Great.
We will visit Pakistan-China border at Khunjerab Pass (4,693m), which is the world’s highest paved international border crossing and also the highest point on Karakoram Highway. Other attractions include the shimmering Attabad Lake, Hussaini Suspension Bridge, Passu Cones (6,106m), the hanging Passu Glacier and the mighty Batura Glacier.
Hunza Valley is truly an earthly heaven. Describing it as nature at its very best would not be wrong. Travelling to Hunza Valley will fascinate you to your very core.
We can customize the itinerary according to your needs, giving you the option to choose where you want to go, what you want to see and when you want to do it. Be it adding a few more days to the tour for visiting more places (e.g. Fairy Meadows or Naltar Valley), combining a short trek with the tour, or taking the one of its kind Islamabad-Chitral and Gilgit-Islamabad flight, just let us know. We will be more than happy to provide you with a tailor-made itinerary.
Nationals of 50 countries can now get Visa on Arrival for Pakistan. Your Visa on Arrival will be processed at your arrival airport in Pakistan. However, you will need Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) 48-72 hours before your travel. Click here for more details.