This 12-day grand tour stitches together Pakistan's headline experiences: the capital's viewpoints and the Gandhara heritage of Taxila, the Kaghan Valley and Babusar Top, Hunza's forts and the PakistanβChina border at Khunjerab Pass, an off-road jeep day in Naltar Valley, river rafting near Naran, the Khewra Salt Mines and Katas Raj temples, and a deep dive into Mughal-era Lahore before departure.
Itinerary
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Day 1 β Islamabad city tour
Meet and greet at Islamabad Airport and transfer to the hotel. After some relaxation, head out for an Islamabad city tour: Faisal Mosque, the Lok Virsa Museum and Shakarparian Hill Park. In the evening, take in the panoramic city view from Daman-e-Koh, followed by dinner at the Monal hilltop restaurant. Night stay in Islamabad.
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Day 2 β Islamabad to Kaghan Valley via Taxila
Depart for Naran (288 km, 6β7 hours). On the way, visit the Taxila Museum β home to one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of stone Buddhist sculpture β the Dharmarajika Stupa and other Gandhara-era archaeological sites, with a short stop at Khanpur Lake. Continue via the Motorway and Hazara Expressway, pausing at Mansehra (3,570 ft, Pakistan's 71st largest city), Balakot on the Kunhar River and the Kiwai waterfall. Arrive in Naran late evening β a lush green retreat at 7,904 ft where summer temperatures rarely exceed 15Β°C β and stroll Naran Bazaar with its restaurants, handicrafts and dry-fruit shops. Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 3 β Kaghan Valley to Hunza
After an early breakfast, resume the journey to Hunza (320 km, about 7 hours) via Batakundi and the hamlet of Besal. Visit the striking Lulusar Lake, headwater source of the Kunhar River, then climb to Babusar Top at 13,690 ft β the highest point in Kaghan Valley, linking Gilgit-Baltistan with KPK. Continue past Chilas on the Karakoram Highway, cross Raikot Bridge (gateway to Nanga Parbat base camp and Fairy Meadows), and stop at the viewpoint for Nanga Parbat β the Killer Mountain, the world's 9th highest at 26,660 ft. Near Jaglot, pause at the Three Mountains junction of the Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram, and again at the Rakaposhi View Point (25,551 ft, the 'mother of clouds', world's 27th highest). Arrive in Hunza and transfer to the hotel.
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Day 4 β Hunza Valley
After breakfast, visit Baltit Fort in Karimabad β built in the 16th century for a Baltistan princess who married the Mir of Hunza, with foundations 700 years old, the former seat of the Hunza kingdom and the valley's most iconic landmark. Continue to Hooper Valley in Nagar Khas and Hopar Glacier for a half-day excursion (50 km, about 1 hour each way), then return to visit the 1,000-year-old Ganesh Village and Eagle's Nest at 10,000 ft for a mesmerizing sunset over the whole valley, with Rakaposhi, Lady Finger and the Golden Peaks overhead. Back to the hotel late evening.
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Day 5 β Upper Hunza and the Pak-China border
After breakfast, drive to Khunjerab Pass, the PakistanβChina border at 15,397 ft (100 km, about 4 hours each way). Stop at Attabad Lake β formed by the 2010 landslide, up to 21 km long and 358 ft deep β Gulmit, the Hussaini Suspension Bridge (a hand-built community bridge on the old Silk Route, considered the world's second longest man-made hanging bridge), Passu Glacier, the cone-shaped Passu Cones and Sost dry port. Passing Dhee, the entrance to Khunjerab National Park, arrive at the pass and spend some time at the border β oxygen is thin at this altitude, so chewing gum is advised. Head back to Attabad Lake and transfer to the hotel for the night.
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Day 6 β Naltar Valley off-road adventure and Gilgit
After breakfast, head for Naltar Valley (95 km, about 2.5 hours including the off-road jeep trek). Change to 4WD jeeps at Rahimabad or Nomal for the off-road journey and explore beautiful Naltar. In the afternoon, drive back to Gilgit via Nomal and the KKH (45 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes), check in to the hotel, then visit Gilgit city including the NLI Market and the old suspension bridge. Night in Gilgit.
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Day 7 β Gilgit to Naran
After an early breakfast, visit Kargah Valley and the carved Kargah Buddha rock (7 km, about 25 minutes), then start the drive back to Naran via Babusar Top (235 km, about 5 hours 20 minutes). A free, relaxed day for families to enjoy Naran Valley's scenic points along the way. Overnight at a Naran hotel.
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Day 8 β Lake Saif ul Malook, rafting and back to Islamabad
After breakfast, ride 4x4 jeeps to Lake Saif ul Malook (about 3 hours return) β a heavenly turquoise lake immortalized in the Sufi poet's fairy tale of a Persian prince who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake. After the lake visit, enjoy river rafting, then leave for Islamabad via Balakot, Mansehra, the Hazara Expressway and the M-1 Motorway (282 km, about 6 hours) and transfer to the hotel.
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Day 9 β Islamabad to Lahore via Khewra and Katas Raj
Drive to Lahore via the M-2 Motorway (375 km, about 4.5 hours), exiting at the Kallar Kahar interchange to visit the Khewra Salt Mines β the world's second largest pink-salt deposit β and the ancient Katas Raj temples. Resume the drive and arrive in Lahore late evening, transferring to the hotel.
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Day 10 β Lahore: Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Shalamar and Wagah
After breakfast, visit Lahore Fort, including the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and the Sikh Museum, then the iconic Badshahi Mosque built by Emperor Aurangzeb (1671β73) and Minar-e-Pakistan, the landmark Tower of Pakistan. In the afternoon, drive to the Mughal-era Shalamar Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in the evening head to Wagah on the PakistanβIndia border for the fascinating flag-lowering ceremony and parade of the Pakistan Rangers and Indian BSF. Back to the hotel for the night.
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Day 11 β Lahore: museums, Jahangir's Tomb and food street
Visit the Lahore Museum and Wazir Khan Mosque, then drive to Shahdara to see the 17th-century mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Shop at the famous Anarkali Bazaar, and in the evening visit the Fort Road food street, built up through the Mughal and British eras. Night in Lahore.
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Day 12 β Departure
Free time for your own activities before drop-off at Lahore Airport for the flight home. End of the tour.