18 Day Northern Pakistan Tour

Spend the morning touring Baltit Fort, perched above Karimabad with commanding views across the valley. The afternoon is free to wander Hunza's bazaar and take in the pace of daily life in the valley. Overnight: Hunza

Cross the river into Nagar Valley, noticeably wilder and less cultivated than Hunza, and walk to Hoppar village at the edge of the glaciers for a lunch stop with views of several 7,000m peaks. In the afternoon, continue up to Duiker (2,850m/9,350ft), the highest overnight stop of the trip, where the sparse landscape opens into wide panoramas — capped off with a short sunset walk to a viewpoint. Overnight: Duiker

Head north along the Karakoram Highway to Attabad Lake, a striking turquoise stretch of water; a boat trip across it offers a different perspective on the surrounding peaks. There's an optional stop at the quieter Borith Lake before continuing to Sost, the last town before the Chinese border. Overnight: Sost (~2,900m/9,514ft)

A full-day excursion into Khunjerab National Park, climbing steadily to Khunjerab Pass (4,700m/15,420ft), right on the China border. It's stark, high-altitude terrain, home to Marco Polo sheep and Himalayan ibex, with an outside chance of a snow leopard sighting. Return to Sost for a second night. Overnight: Sost

A scenic 3–4 hour drive retraces the highway south to Gilgit, with a stop en route at Kargah to see a Buddha figure carved into the cliff face. In Gilgit, browse the bustling bazaar, stocked with everything from dried fruit to mountaineering gear. Overnight: Gilgit

The drive to Skardu follows the Indus River through dramatic mountain scenery, with views of Nanga Parbat's sheer west face along the way. Beyond Skardu, the road passes through an unusual "cold desert" of sand dunes set against snow-capped peaks before opening into the fertile, orchard-lined Shigar Valley. Overnight: Shigar Fort (2,230m/7,316ft)

A relaxed day exploring Shigar on foot, walking past orchards of apricot, apple, and walnut, and visiting the beautifully carved wooden interior of the Amburiq Mosque. An optional 4WD excursion climbs into the surrounding hills for wide views over the valley. Overnight: Shigar Fort

A short transfer to Skardu's airport for a scenic morning flight to Islamabad, weaving between peaks for much of the hour-long journey. In the afternoon, visit the Pakistan National Council of Art Museum for a look at contemporary painting and traditional crafts. (If the flight is cancelled, the group travels back by road instead, over today and tomorrow.) Overnight: Islamabad

A day trip to Peshawar, exploring the old walled city on foot — narrow lanes and bazaars still organised by trade, selling everything from spices to jewellery. Return to Islamabad by evening. (Runs only if the Day 13 flight operated as planned.) Overnight: Islamabad

The drive to Lahore includes a stop at the Katas Raj temple complex, built around a sacred pool, with a narrow stairway leading up to rooftop views across the Salt Range. Continue on to Lahore, arriving in the evening. Overnight: Lahore

A full day inside Lahore's historic walled city. Visit the Shahi Hammam, a restored bathhouse near Delhi Gate, then wander deeper into the old streets to the Wazir Khan Mosque, known for its elaborate tiled facade. The Badshahi Mosque, with its vast courtyard and three marble domes, is one of the largest mosques in the world, and Lahore Fort's carved sandstone halls and mirrored chambers close out the day. Overnight: Lahore

Visit the Lahore Museum for its coin and sculpture collections, then the Shalimar Gardens, a formal garden with terraced lawns and fountains. In the evening, join the crowds at the Wagah Border for the theatrical flag-lowering ceremony, complete with high-stepping drill and cheering crowds on both sides of the gate. Overnight: Lahore

Transfer to the airport for departure from Lahore, closing out a journey that ran from Islamabad's planned streets, up through the Karakoram to Khunjerab Pass on the China border, and back down to the Mughal grandeur of Lahore.