Baltistan Tour

9 days / 8 nights

OVERVIEW

Baltistan, also known as Little Tibet is a mountainous region in the north of Pakistan, bordering with China and India. People of this region speak Balti language (Tibetan) and they are called Balti people. Baltistan has the biggest glacier outside the polar region and home to some of the tallest mountain of the world, including k2 (8,611m) Broad Peak (8,047m), Gasherbrum-4 (7,925m), Gasherbrum-3 (7,952m), Hrnami Ka Peak (6,325m), Tchogho Lingsa Peak (6,325m), Gasherbrum-2 (8,035m), K6 (7,281m) and K7 (6,934m). Baltistan tour combines the thrills of touring in the Glacial mountains of the Karakoram and Himalayan region with the pleasure of exploring the culture, History and traditions of this ancient Himalayan kingdom

TYPE OF TOUR	DURATION	GROUP SIZE	ACCOMMODATION	BEST PERIOD	START / END POINT
Trekking/Tour	9 days / 8 nights	2-12	Hotel/Tent	Summer	Islamabad/ Islamabad

1 DAY:

Arrival

Pick up from Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Islamabad is the purpose built green capital of Pakistan. A possibility of sightseeing tour of Faisal mosque, Parliament House and supreme court Building.

2 DAY:

ISLAMABD TO SKARDU/NARAN, 280 km, 8 Hours:

Take a spectacular 45 min Mountain view flight to Skardu. Islamabad to skardu flight is weather dependent. In case flight is cancelled then drive on KKH to Chillas. We will pass through historical town of Taxila and Hassan Abdal to reach Naran town. We will stop en-route for Photography and lunch.

3 DAY:

NARAN TO SKARDU, 360 km, 9 Hours:

Today you will continue travelling on the famous Karakoram Highway then take Skardu road along the Indus River to Skardu town. Skardu is the capital of Baltistan. En-route, we will stop at the view point of Nanga Parbat and the junction point of three great mountain ranges ( Karakoram, Himalaya, Hindukush). If we had taken the flight yesterday then today will be sightseeing tour of local bazars and other places. We will have dinner with a local family in their house.

4 DAY:

SKARDU TO KHAPULU, (100 km) 3 hours:

Today you will continue your Tour towards Khaplu along the Indus then Shyok River. You will pass through some lush green Balti Villages to arrive in Khapulu. Khapulu was the second-largest kingdom in old Baltistan of the Yabgo dynasty. It guarded the trade route to Ladakh along the Shyok River. We will have dinner with a local family in their house in Khaplu.

5 DAY:

KHAPLU SIGHTSEEING , (2,600 m):

After breakfast, you will head out to visit the local bazar, explore the town and see the Chaqchan Mosque. Chaqchan Mosque, Dating from 1,370, is one of the oldest in the region, it dates from the time when the area’s populace converted en mass from Buddhism to Islam. Chaqchan Mosque remains open (except Friday prayer time) 24 hours and seven days a week. Night stay in Khaplu and dinner with a local Balti family in their house.

6 DAY:

KHAPLU TO SKARDU via SHIGAR, 6 Hours:

Today you will head back to Skardu via Shigar Valley. You will follow the Shyok, Indus than Shigar River to reach Shigar. Shigar is a lush green Valley and it is the getaway to K2 and many famous treks and peaks. In Shigar, you will visit the historical Shigar fort, which is now turn into a museum and Luxury hotel (Serena Hotel). You will have a nice lunch here before driving to Skardu. Dinner with a local family in their house.

7 DAY:

SKARDU TO ISLAMABAD/NARAN,360 km 9 Hours Drive:

We will take the spectacular mountain view flight to Islamabad (weather dependant).If flight is cancelled then we will travel on the famous Karakoram Highway to Naran. Naran valley has its own beauty and charm, very popular among domestic tourist.

8 DAY:

NARAN TO ISLAMABAD,280 km, 7 Hours Drive:

Drive back to Islamabad. We will have few stops for short breaks and lunch. If we had taken the flight yesterday then today will be sightseeing tour of Islamabad.

9 DAY:

DEPARTURE DAY-FLY BACK HOME:

Breakfast in the Hotel. Check out and transfer to Islamabad Internationale airport.

BALTISTAN TOUR, 9 DAYS

9 days, 8 nights hotel, 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners, max group size: 50, max altitude - 4,000 metres.

KEY FACTS

•• Flight is weather dependent from Islamabad To Skardu and back to Islamabad
• Not Required Any Trekking Permits
• Hotel rooms and tents are twin base sharing

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Professional English speaking Culture/Mountain Guide (Government requirement)
• Airport transfers for domestic & international flights.
• All land transport involved in the itinerary
• Accommodation as described
• All meals (3 times a day)
• All permit fees, Road tax, Parking fee etc
• Full trekking service including food and all equipment (excluding personal equipment)
• Visa documents and assistance

WHATS’S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel insurance
• Travel insurance
• Pakistan Visa Fee
• Tips for local guides and support staff
• Miscellaneous expenses drink and souvenirs etc
• PLEASE NOTE: an airport departure tax of Rs1500 is sometimes payable

PLEASE NOTE

• Optional Extra activities are paid on spot according to the price list.
• The program can be changed according to your wishes.
• In case of additional services, besides the ones listed in the program, the price is subject to additional discussion.

YOU MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

• Hiking boots
• Waterproof over trousers
• Fleece jacket or warm jumper
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm jacket (e.g. down)
• Scarf or buff
• Sunhat
• Warm hat
• Sunglasses
• Daypack 30 to 40 litres
• Head-torch and spare batteries
• Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
• Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
• Water purification tablets
• Sleeping bag (comfort rated -15°C)
• Thermarest or similar sleeping mat
• Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters, blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

Packing Checklist:

• Socks
• Trainers for camp use
• Spare laces
• Trekking trousers
• Underwear
• Base layer shirts
• Shirts or T-shirts
• Thermal underwear
• Trekking poles
• Insect repellant
• Washbag and toiletries
• Sleeping bag liner
• Travel clothes
• Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
• Antibacterial hand wash
• Small towel
• Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
• Camera
• Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry)

We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts