This eight-day circuit blends Pakistan's Buddhist heritage with its greatest mountain scenery: the UNESCO-listed Takht-e-Bahi monastery and the archaeological treasures of Swat, the legendary Karakoram Highway north to Hunza, picturesque Gulmit and Passu, and a return over the 4,173-metre Babusar Pass through Naran, finishing with the ancient remains of Taxila.
Itinerary
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Day 1 β Islamabad to Swat via Takht-e-Bahi
Breakfast, then drive to Swat via the Motorway and GT Road, stopping to visit the Takht-e-Bahi Buddhist Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Swat, arriving in the evening, and check in to the hotel for an overnight stay.
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Day 2 β Exploring Swat
Visit the Swat Museum to see some of the finest Buddhist art and ethnological displays, then tour archaeological sites such as Butkara I and the Saidu Stupa. Browse Mingora Bazaar for local handicrafts and visit the Murghazar White Palace before returning to the hotel for the night.
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Day 3 β Swat to Chilas
A long drive of 9β11 hours along the Karakoram Highway, considered one of the wonders of the world. Pass the Dassu and Diamer-Basha dam sites en route to Chilas, and see the rock carvings left by Buddhist monks along the route. Overnight at a hotel in Chilas.
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Day 4 β Chilas to Karimabad
Drive to Karimabad, passing Nanga Parbat, the Rakaposhi View Point and the confluence of the Indus and Gilgit rivers. Check in and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 5 β Karimabad, Gulmit, Passu and Attabad
Drive to Gulmit and explore this picturesque village, then visit Passu Village to enjoy views of Tupopdan Sar, the Passu Peaks and Shispare. Walk across the 'Indiana Jones' suspension bridge at Hussaini before returning to Karimabad for the night.
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Day 6 β Karimabad to Gilgit
Drive to Gilgit with a lunch stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint, followed by a city tour of Gilgit including the Kargah Buddha rock carving, Gilgit Bazaar and Chinar Bagh. Return to the hotel for the night.
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Day 7 β Gilgit to Naran via Babusar Pass
Drive to Naran over the 4,173-metre Babusar Pass, with scenic stops including Lulusar Lake, then check in to the hotel in Naran for an overnight stay.
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Day 8 β Naran to Islamabad via Taxila
Drive down through the Kaghan Valley and along the Hazara Motorway toward Islamabad, stopping at Taxila to explore its Buddhist remains, including the Dharmarajika Stupa and Julian Monastery, before the final drive back to Islamabad.