Meals

All meals throughout the holidays

Guide

Licensed professional local guide

Accommodation

During the holiday, the group will spend 3 nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel. The group will also spend 2 nights in Khaplu (Serena Khaplu fort Residence or similar) and 3 nights in Shigar (Serena Shigar fort residence or similar). In case of flight cancellation, the group will be accommodated in a tourist-class hotel (the best available option) on the way. Rooms will be twin sharing basis, and the single room will be available at a supplementary cost.

Flights

Skardu airport is weather-depended. Since high mountains surround the valley, the plans only land here in good visibility. The plans do fly more than not, but cancellations can occur, and in these circumstances, we will travel by road.

Transport

Airport transfers (on the first and last day in Islamabad) All land transport involved in the itinerary Internal flights and associated airport transfers

Others

Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary Implementation of all sustainable tourism protocols All entry tickets (forts, parks) Host family’s participation to involve group members in their daily routine activities Cultural lunches

Not included:

Others

Travel Insurance Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered) International airfare Personal equipment (clothes, boots, etc.) Tips for guiding and supporting staff Miscellaneous expenses (drinks and souvenirs, etc.)

Insurance

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Day 1 Islamabad Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Islamabad Arrival

Arrive at Islamabad International airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will have free time to relax and recover from the journey on this day.

Accommodation: Hotel

Altitude: 540m

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Driving Duration: 40mins
Day 2 Islamabad-Skardu-Khaplu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Islamabad-Skardu-Khaplu

Fly from Islamabad airport to Skardu (1-hour scenic flight) and then drive to the stunning Ghanche district of Baltistan. We will be passing through small villages to reach Yugo village. En route, we will have short stops at Thorgo Pari, the Shayok & Indus Rivers’ meeting points and multiple photography spots. Enjoy traditional lunch at Yugo and. After lunch, two optional activities: trek to Kharfaq Lake (5 hours trek both ways) or a cultural walk in the village streets of Yugo to witness village life and meet locals. Later in the late afternoon, we drive to Khaplu and check into the hotel with leisure time to visit the Khaplu fort museum and organic garden. OR

In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway with short stops.

Accommodation: Hotel

Altitude: 2500m

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving duration: 5-6 hours
Day 3 Khaplu – Sailing – Macholo - Khaplu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Khaplu – Sailing – Macholo - Khaplu

Early morning hike up to Toqsikhar (old fort), a viewpoint of the confluence of rivers Shyok, Hushe & Saltoro. Visit & witness the architectural heritage of the famous Chaqchan mosque and then drive to Macholo valley (1 hour). Spend some free time enjoying the splendid view of Masherbrum Peak, also known as K-1, leisure time for photography, meeting local people and enjoying the pristine natural beauty. Drive back to Sailing and enjoy a cultural walk through the village streets and interact with local people—lunch at the Sailing fish farm and drive back to Khaplu. In the afternoon, visit Khanqah-e-Maula and then move to Hanjor Broq to witness the sunset.

Accommodation: Hotel

Altitude: 2500m

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving duration: 3-4 hours.
Day 4 Khaplu-Shigar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Khaplu-Shigar

Drive from Khaplu to Shigar valley with short stops at multiple points of interest for photography. Visit the famous Sarfaranga cold desert and Shigar fort for lunch. Visit the fort museum and garden, and spend time exploring the area. (The Shigar Fort- Fong Khar, which means The Fort on Rock, is an old fort built in the 17th century by the Raja of the Amacha Dynasty of Shigar). End the evening with a short hike up to the old fort to witness the sun setting over the Shigar river.

Accommodation: Hotel

Altitude: 2300m

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving duration: 3-4 hours
Day 5 Shigar-Skardu-Shigar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shigar-Skardu-Shigar

We will spend a whole day in Skardu. Visiting Shangri-La resort (optional boating), drive to upper Kachura, and walk through the local houses, fields & trees. After 20 minutes beautiful walk, we will reach upper Kachura Lake, having free time to explore the area and enjoy boating. Then drive to Soq valley (a beautiful valley near upper Kachura), and enjoy fishing and lunch. Drive back to Skardu and hike to Nansoq village (50 minutes), a beautiful hike to the first organic village of Baltistan. 11 homes and 92 Inhabitants, visited by King Charles and Prince Aga Khan IV! This centuries-old tiny settlement is one of the most peaceful places in the region. Explore the area and enjoy leisure time with a host family. Hike back to Skardu (50 minutes) and visit Skardu Bazar for shopping (local handicrafts, jewellery, carpet etc.). Drive back to Shigar for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Altitude: 2300m

Driving duration: 4 hours
Day 6 Shigar-Deosai-Shigar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shigar-Deosai-Shigar

Day excursion to the famous Deo Sai plains, the second-highest plateaus in the world. We will visit Manthal rock Budha, Sadpara Lake, Ali Malik top, Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake (4114 m). Enjoy leisure time to explore the area. The plains are a floral extravaganza of the summer months with a recorded number of 406 species (Nawaz et al., 2006). Drive back to our hotel for a second night stay in Shigar.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Altitude: 2300m

Driving duration: 7-8 hours
Day 7 Skardu-Islamabad
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Skardu-Islamabad

Fly from Skardu to Islamabad (1-hour scenic flight). Transfer to hotel and after lunch sightseeing. OR

Drive from Skardu via Karakoram highway with short stops (in case of flight cancellation)

Accommodation: Hotel

Altitude: 540m

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Driving duration: 1 hour
Day 8 Contingency In Case Of Delays
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Contingency In Case Of Delays

If we cannot fly due to the weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we fly from Skardu to Islamabad, we will enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today. (Day excursion to the Taxila museum and archaeological sites will be one of the options)

Accommodations: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Altitude: 540m
Day 9 Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure

After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Altitude: 540m

Driving duration: 40mins.

9 days tour

Skardu Valley Nature & Walking Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Skardu Valley Nature & Walking Tour

Islamabad Arrival

Islamabad-Skardu-Khaplu

Khaplu – Sailing – Macholo - Khaplu

Khaplu-Shigar

Shigar-Skardu-Shigar

Shigar-Deosai-Shigar

Skardu-Islamabad

Contingency In Case Of Delays

Departure

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

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