Adventure Tour- Forgotten Jeep Trails of Northern Pakistan

This 10 day tour includes visits to different valleys like Chitral - an isolated valley among the Hindu Kush Mountains. Little is known about the history of Chitral. Alexander the Great marched through here in 326 BC, leaving behind Greek Traditions, which to this day are reflected in the customs of the indigenous population. Along the way experience spectacular glaciers and mountain scenery.

Chitral's prime attractions are the Kafir Kallash Valleys, home to the 3000 non-Muslim Kafir Kalaash people who live in 20 small villages in the valleys of Birir, Bumburet and Rumbur - southwest of Chitral Town and close to the Afghan Border. Gilgit is located in the heart of the Karakoram Range, surrounded by lofty peaks, the most majestic being Rakaposhi.

Day 1: Islamabad - Arrival at Islamabad airport, where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Skardu - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Skardu. On arrival proceed for sightseeing tour of Skardu valley. Perched at a height of 7500 feet, Skardu is located amidst an impressive landscape with towering mountains, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, creeping glaciers and quiet lakes constitute this rugged beauty. Skardu is in the heart of a dangerous frontier land. To its north lies the Xinjiang province of China; to the south Kashmir, to the West Gilgit, and to the east the district of Ladakh in India. Skardu is a trekker and mountain climbers' paradise. Nowhere in the world can you find such a collection of lofty peaks and glaciers. The Baltoro Glacier, the best known, is the spectacular conjunction of the Godwin Austen and Baltoro glaciers called Concordia, lying in the heart of the most heavily glaciated region outside the polar areas. Within a radius of twelve miles rise six peaks over 20,000 feet. This is the centre of the densest concentration of lofty peaks on earth. Some of these magnificent mountains in the Karakoram Range are: Masherbrum 25,600, Mustagh Tower 23,690, K2 28741, Broad Peak 26,400, Gasherbrum IV 26,810, Sia Kangir 24,350, Golden Throne 23,989, Mitre Peak 19,718, Chogolisa 25,110 and Hidden Peak 26,470. The PIA flight from Islamabad takes you through this beautiful range of mountains and lands you at 8000 feet in the middle of desert. In Skardu, one is immediately struck by a position of sand dunes and snow-capped peaks. Could this be the famed Shangri-La? Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Skardu - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast take the Khapulo Excursion to the beautiful valley of the Shyok River. A large village of that name is perched on the slopes of the hills by which the river is hemmed in. It has the concentration of many famous mountains like Masherburm, K-6, K-7, Sherpi Kangh, Sia Kangri, Saltoro Kangri and many others. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4: Astore - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Astore, visiting Deo-Sai en-route. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Duiker - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Duiker via Karimabad. Take a day hike to Dhuikar summer village, which is located at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. We begin the trek by going through Baltit Village to the Imam Yari water channel which feeds Lower Altit Village. We walk parallel to the water channel for approximately 45 minutes, before branching off on a local trail up to Dhuikar. The Dhuikar summer village was established to supplement the food supply of Altit village, and is habited only from April to October. From the crest of the hill which dominates the village, we have panoramic views of lower Hunza Valley, Nagar Valley, Rakaposhi, Hoper Glacier, Ultar II and Bubliting, amongst others. From the Dhukar Summer Village we can take an optional 1-1.5 hour round trip excursion to the Shrine of Hazrat Abbass, locally renowned for his spiritual powers to heal and cure infertility. The return trail follows the jeep track to Altit village, before returning to Karimabad. The day's journey would be 5-6 hours, and is easy hiking. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Day 6: Duiker - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast enjoy a full day Passu excursion. Drive to Passu Village (approx. 1 hour), and begin the day's hike on the moraine paralleling Passu Glacier for about 1 hour. We will then branch off towards Younz Shephard huts, which are at the crest of a ridge separating the Passu and Batura Glaciers, and situated at an altitude of approx. 12,000 feet. From here we have good views of Passu Peak, Passu Glacier Ultar I, Ultar II, Shispare Peak, Ghulkin Peak, Passu Cathedrals and Dasteghil Sar amongst others. We then descend to Younz Bin, at the edge of Batura Glacier, and follow a sandy trail to Batura Bridge. We will hike to Passu village for a stroll through the village before driving back to Karimabad. The day's total journey includes 2 hours of driving plus 6-7 hours hiking and is moderate in difficulty. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: Phunder - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Gupis via Gilgit. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Bombaret - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Bombaret via Chitral. Muslims used the word Kafir to denote infidels or nonbelievers. Two distinctive types of Kafirs used to exist, the Red and the Kalash (Black). Up until the end of the last century, the Red Kafirs were estimated to number 7,000 and they occupied the upper valley of the Hindu Kush along the Afghan border. In 1895, the Amir of Afghanistan conquered the tribe, who previously had been able to even repulse the attacks of the great Tamerlane. They were then forcibly converted to Islam, and their land called Naristan (light of God). The Kalash, however, were not harmed, and to this day maintain their pagan rites. At Bomboret, the second of the three Kalash valleys, we will be able to observe some of the dances and ceremonies performed by the people. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Swat - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Swat via Dir. The Greeks fought for its beauty, the Buddhist inhabited it because of its eternal beauty and peace, the Moghals envied its lush green valleys and fast flowing rivers; and today it is coveted by the Pathans, the Kohistanis and the Gujars. Over 2000 years ago, this prosperous valley of Swat - originally known as Udyana - was the home of well-settled people, living within magnificently planned towns. In 327 BC, Alexander the Great fought his way to Udigram and Barikot and settled a good part of his army here. Later, the Buddhists came, they preached, converted, fought and stayed to worship. Graphic remains of the Buddhist culture date back to the 2nd century. In the 11th century Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Swat after having advanced through Dir, and defeated Gira, the local ruler, near Udigram. After him followed the Moghals, under Babar and his grandson Akbar, yet they were unable to conquer the valley. There is evidence that by then the Yusufzai Pathans - fierce, proud and resolute warriors - defended their soil against all invaders, including the British. Winston Churchill, in his account of the Malakand campaign, narrates a colorful tale. Swat, a land that shines with fruit-laden orchards, flower filled slopes, meandering rivers, tumbling streams and is surrounded by the mighty ranges of the Hindu Kush and the Karakoram. The valley is 3250 feet above sea level and Saidu Sharif and Mingora are the towns that form the twin capital of this area. Kalam, 64 miles from Saidu Sharif, is the last town accessible by road. It is at a height of 6800 feet, and is surrounded on all sides by the snow-covered peaks of the Hindu Kush, dense forests of pine, fir deodar and wild flowers, dotted with orchards of walnut and borders the Ushoo Stream. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Islamabad - Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Islamabad. En-route visit Taxila. Situated 35 miles from Rawalpindi, Taxila was once the seat of Oriental culture. It was first mentioned as a satrapy of the Archemenian empire in 6th century B.C. It was invaded by Alexander the Great and passed along to other rulers until finally reaching the hands of Ashoka the Great, who moulded the city into a center of learning. The creative Gandhara period followed shortly thereafter and Taxila remained the centre of learning, philosophy and art. It came to a disastrous and pathetic end when sacked by the White Huns. Today, Taxila is an archaeologist's paradise: there is a well-maintained museum here and eight sites scattered around a very short radius. Amongst the best preserved are Sirkap, Jaulian (the University) and Mohra Moradu. In the evening transfer to the airport for flight to home.