PAKISTAN SHANGRILA HUNZA TOUR - Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 01 Thursday: Arrive Peshawar
Khush Amdeed - Welcome to Peshawar. Transfer to the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 Friday: Peshawar
Morning visit to the Khyber Pass is like walking back into history. The Khyber Pass has been the silent witness to countless great events in the history of mankind. The historic pass begins 18 km (11 miles) west of Peshawar and runs up to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham, 57 km / 35 miles from Peshawar. It has been conquered by the Greeks, ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins and still later invaded by the great Moguls. The Sikhs and Afghans also left their mark here before the Pass fell to the British. Today the Khyber Pass is the site of famous forts such as Jamrud and Shangai. Some of the forts are still occupied by the Khyber Regiment of the Pakistan Army. The "Smuggler's Bazaar" at Landi Kotal, situated en route to the Khyber Pass, is also covered in this tour. (Excursion to Khyber Pass is subject to permission from local authorities.) An afternoon tour of Peshawar city includes: The Peshawar Museum that houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture and historical relics dating from the Gandhara period (300 BC to 300 AD) to modern times. Visit to the Yadgar Square and the Mahabat Khan Mosque, a beautiful towering structure with lofty minarets. The Qissa Khawani Bazaar (storyteller's bazaar), the Peshawar Pottery Works, Bater Bazaar (street of partridge lovers) and Mochi Lara, famous for it's exquisitely embroidered sandals. Peshawar is a colorful and cosmopolitan city and many different people gather here; Afghans, Iranis, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afridis and Shinwaris all add to the excitement.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 Saturday: Peshawar / Swat
Driving along the picturesque Malakand Pass you will first visit the magnificent ancient Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi dating back to 1st to 7th Century AD. Takht-e-Bhai consists of numerous chapels and stupas sticking to the high, rocky spurs. Next continue to the enchanting Swat Valley visiting the famous Churchill's Picket en route. Later a city tour of Saidu Shariff, the capital of Swat Valley. You will see the small, but well preserved Swat Museum and Mingora known for its very colorful bazaar and Marghazar.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Sunday: Swat / Chilas
In the morning ascending north, you cross the 2134m Shangla Pass, which gives a breathtaking and panoramic view of the Swat Valley before getting along side the Indus River on your way to the Gilgit Valley. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 Monday: Chilas / Hunza
Driving on the world famous Karakoram Highway to Hunza you will see spectacular scenery with high lofty mountain, first from the Himalayan and later from the Karakoram ranges. En route stops at various scenic spots and local villages. The exalting scenery en route does not prepare you enough for the majesty and serenity that Hunza Valley will behold on you. On arrival to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza Valley, you are welcomed by the Hunzakuts. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Tuesday: Hunza
Full day tour of Hunza. Very few places in the world compare with this small mountainous region, which was a semi-autonomous state until very recently but is now fully unified with Pakistan, the ruling dynasty of Hunza having lasted for over 600 years. The scenic beauty of this area, with its greenery and snow-capped mountains, makes it a true paradise. During the summer there is an abundance of apricots, peaches, pears and grapes. Hunza lies on the ancient trade route to Kashgar in the Chinese province of Sinkiang. Today the Karakoram Highway runs along this route with Karimabad being the main town of Hunza. Hunza is probably most famous for the longevity of its people, due to their simplicity and natural diet, along with the unpolluted mountain air. Tibetan traders referred to the beauty of this humble paradise as "Shangri-La". The tour will include meeting with local folks, understanding the secrets of their longevity and also visit some of the important historical sites including the recently renovated, simple yet overpowering, Baltit Fort and the Ganesh watch Tower. Visit to Nagar Valley and Hopper Glacier are also included. Visit to the Baltit Fort is of immense interest. For many years the fort served as an administrative headquarter and home to the former Mirs (rulers) of Hunza. The porters who accompanied the Balti bride for the then Mir of Hunza built it more than 700 years ago. The style of construction originates from Ladakh. A maze of rooms serving as living and administrative offices were added periodically, designed with indigenous woodwork. It is strategically located on a prospect point, which gives it an immense overview of Hunza and neighbouring valleys. Currently it serves as a Fort Museum with a good collection of exhibit of artefacts and musical instruments from Hunza. The fort is now administered by the Aga Khan Foundation Cultural Board, which undertook the reconstruction and reestablishment to its original grandeur. Later visit to Hoper offers a fine view of some of the highest peaks in Hunza and Nagar.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 Wednesday: Hunza / Gilgit
Driving southwards you reach the ancient silk route town of Gilgit, the administrative center of Northern Pakistan. Afternoon city tour of Gilgit includes visit to a local school, the home of a Gilgiton, the popular polo grounds and the very typical mountain bazaar. Also visit the impressive rock carvings of the Buddha near Kargah.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 Thursday: Gilgit / Besham
Today we will drive to on KKH to Besham. It is a stopover developing rapidly into a busy commercial town. Following the down stream course of River Indus, we will make photo stops at the confluence of River Indus & Gilgit, our next stop will be at the unique point where three mountain rages, Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet, Nanga Parbat viewpoint offers breathtaking panorama on behind. We will also stop at Chilas & Shatial rocks with ancient graffiti's on it before reaching at Besham. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 Friday: Besham / Islamabad
Morning drive to Islamabad with visit to Taxila, enroute. A fallen world of glories now, Taxila was once the seat of oriental culture. Situated only 32 km from Rawalpindi, Taxila is famous for the rare specimens of stucco from the Gandhara period excavated from Sirkap, as well as various Buddhist Stupas and Monasteries. Taxila is first mentioned as a territory of the Great Achaemenian Empire of Persia in the 6th century BC in inscriptions of Darius the Great at Beghistun. It was invaded by Alexander the Great to assert his claim over the lost provinces of the Achaemenian Empire, and then ruled by Mauryas such as Ashoka the Great, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and the Kushan kings. It came to an undignified end around 450 AD when it was ransacked by hordes of White Huns. The museum here houses various objects and sculptures dating from the 4th century BC to the 5th century AD. The excavations are spread out over an area of 8 km. Later drive to Islamabad.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Saturday: Depart Islamabad
From peace and serenity of Hunza to the hustle and bustles of "modern" trends, you say Khuda Hafiz, the typical farewell, as you depart after a tour into Shangri-La.

End of the tour.

Extensions:
If you wish to extend your stay in Central Asia we recommend...

Turkmenistan Tour
Uzbekistan Tour
Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Tour
Silk Road China & Pakistan Tour
Pakistan - Afghanistan Tour
Pakistan: Kalash to Khyber Tour
Pakistan: Ancient Cultures Tour

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PAKISTAN: SHANGRILA HUNZA TOUR DETAILS - 2008

2008 PAKISTAN: SHANGRILA HUNZA TOUR PRICES IN EURO (€)
Tour	Cost (€)	Single Sup (€)	Domestic Air (€)
Pakistan: Shangrila Hunza Tour	659	89	n/a

2008 Stopover packages. Cost Per Night Per Person in EURO (€)
City	First Night (€)	Add. Night (€)	Single Sup. (€)
Islamabad	54	38	16
Karachi	68	47	27
Lahore	68	42	21
Peshawar	46	21	7
Cost Includes
Accomodation for one night. Meals half board: Breakfast and Dinner daily. Private air-conditioned transport for transfer airport to hotel or vice versa. Porter charges at airports and hotel.

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