Chitral & Hunza Sightseeing

Upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport, you will be welcomed by our Hunza Explorers representative and transferred to your hotel in Islamabad.

The remainder of the day will depend on your flight arrival time. If you arrive early enough, we can use the available time to explore selected attractions in Islamabad. If your flight arrives later, the evening will be kept free for rest and preparation for the journey ahead.

Depending on your arrival time, we may take a short orientation drive through the city and enjoy our first views of the Margalla Hills before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, we leave Islamabad and begin our journey towards Chitral, travelling through the changing landscapes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and gradually entering the spectacular mountains of the Hindu Kush.

The journey takes us away from the capital and into increasingly remote mountain scenery, passing rivers, valleys, traditional settlements and rugged mountain slopes. Along the way, we make suitable stops for photographs, refreshments and rest, depending on road conditions and available time.

As we approach Chitral, the surrounding mountains become increasingly impressive. The landscape changes from lower valleys to the dramatic mountain environment surrounding Chitral Valley, with opportunities for views of the surrounding peaks depending on weather and visibility.

Upon arrival in Chitral, we check in to our hotel and have time to relax after the mountain journey. If time permits, we may take a short walk around the town and explore part of the Chitral Old Bazaar.

After breakfast, we leave Chitral and drive towards Garam Chashma, travelling deeper into the spectacular mountain landscapes of the Hindu Kush.

The scenic road follows the valley through traditional villages, terraced fields, orchards and mountain settlements. Along the way, we make suitable stops to enjoy the scenery, photograph the surrounding mountains and observe the traditional way of life of the Chitral region.

Upon reaching Garam Chashma, we explore the mountain surroundings and visit the famous Garam Chashma Hot Springs, known for their naturally warm mineral-rich waters. Set against the rugged backdrop of the Hindu Kush, the springs are one of the best-known natural attractions of the valley.

We then explore the nearby settlement and surrounding landscapes, taking time to experience the peaceful atmosphere of this remote mountain valley.

After breakfast, we leave Garam Chashma and begin our journey towards Bumburet, the largest of the three principal Kalash Valleys, travelling through the spectacular mountain landscapes of the Hindu Kush.

We first retrace the scenic mountain route towards Chitral, passing traditional villages, terraced fields, orchards and rugged mountain slopes. We then continue towards Ayun, an important gateway to the Kalash Valleys. Here, the landscape becomes increasingly green, with orchards, cultivated fields and forested mountain slopes surrounding the valley.

From Ayun, we turn towards Bumburet Valley, following the winding mountain road deeper into the Hindu Kush. As we enter Bumburet, we encounter the distinctive cultural landscape of the Kalasha people, with traditional settlements, stone-and-wood houses, terraced fields and mountain streams set beneath dramatic peaks.

Upon arrival in Bumburet, we check in to our accommodation. Depending on our arrival time, we take a short introductory walk through the nearby settlement and enjoy our first views of the valley and its traditional way of life.

The remainder of the evening is free to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Bumburet. The following day will be dedicated to a full exploration of the valley and its unique Kalasha culture.

After breakfast, we spend a full day exploring Bumburet, the largest of the three principal Kalash Valleys in the Hindu Kush. The day is dedicated to discovering the valley's distinctive cultural heritage, traditional settlements, architecture and spectacular mountain environment.

We begin with a walk through the traditional villages of Bumburet, where locally built stone-and-timber houses, terraced fields, orchards and mountain streams create a distinctive cultural landscape. The valley remains a living community, so our exploration is carried out respectfully, with consideration for local customs, privacy and religious traditions.

We visit the Kalasha Dur Museum, also known as the Bumburet Museum, which preserves collections relating to the history, culture and traditional way of life of the Kalasha people. The visit provides valuable context for understanding the community and its distinctive cultural identity.

We continue through the valley, visiting traditional settlement areas and culturally significant places. Where access is permitted, we can see traditional Kalasha graveyards and other cultural features of the valley. These are living and culturally sensitive places, so we follow local guidance and do not disturb the sites.

The official tourism material also identifies Karkal, a traditional Kalasha hamlet in Bumburet known for its dancing hall, Madojaw cemetery and sacred deodar tree. If local access and conditions permit, we include this area in our exploration.

We continue with a scenic walk along the valley, following sections of the established Bumburet walking trails beside the stream and through the traditional settlements. There is time for photography, observing local life and enjoying views of the surrounding Hindu Kush mountains.

If our visit coincides with one of the major Kalasha festivals, the programme can be adapted to experience the celebrations respectfully, subject to the festival dates and community arrangements.

After a full day of cultural and scenic exploration, we return to our accommodation in Bumburet for a relaxed evening.

After breakfast, we leave Bumburet and travel north towards Rumbur, another of the three principal Kalash Valleys. Rumbur lies immediately north of Bumburet, and the two valleys are connected through the lower section of the Kalash region.

The journey between the two valleys is relatively short, allowing us to dedicate most of the day to Rumbur rather than spending the day on the road. As we enter the valley, the landscape becomes narrower and more secluded, with steep mountain slopes, forests, terraced fields and traditional Kalasha settlements.

We spend the main part of the day exploring Rumbur, visiting its traditional villages and observing the distinctive architecture and everyday life of the Kalasha people. The villages of Kalashgram, Batrik, Baladesh, Balankoro and surrounding settlements form part of this culturally distinctive valley, with walking required to reach some of the smaller and more remote areas.

We take time to explore the valley on foot, enjoying its peaceful mountain environment and learning about the traditional lifestyle and cultural practices of the Kalasha community. Photography opportunities are abundant, but we maintain respect for residents, private homes, sacred places and culturally sensitive areas.

Rumbur is also an excellent place to appreciate the natural environment of the Hindu Kush, with the valley rising towards high mountain passes leading towards Nuristan in Afghanistan.

After spending most of the day in Rumbur, we return to Bumburet in the late afternoon or evening, where we spend our final night in the Kalash Valleys.

After breakfast, we leave Rumbur and begin our journey back through the Kalash Valleys towards Chitral, before continuing east into Upper Chitral and onwards to Mastuj.

We travel through the dramatic landscapes of the Hindu Kush, passing traditional villages, cultivated fields, orchards and rugged mountain slopes. The route gradually leaves the Kalash valleys behind and follows the main Chitral Valley before turning towards Upper Chitral.

As we continue towards Mastuj, the landscape becomes increasingly open and mountainous. The journey follows the Chitral River and passes through settlements and agricultural areas characteristic of Upper Chitral.

Upon reaching Mastuj, we check in to our accommodation and have time to relax. Depending on our arrival time, we can take a short walk around the town and enjoy views of the surrounding Hindu Kush mountains.

After breakfast, we leave Mastuj and begin our journey towards Gupis, travelling through the spectacular landscapes of Upper Chitral and across the high mountains towards Ghizer Valley.

We travel through the Laspur Valley towards Shandur Pass, the high mountain pass connecting Chitral with Gilgit-Baltistan. At approximately 3,700 m (12,139 ft), Shandur Pass is famous for its spectacular alpine landscape and the world's highest polo ground. Subject to weather, road conditions and available time, we stop at the Shandur Polo Ground to enjoy the vast plateau and surrounding mountain scenery.

We then descend from Shandur towards Ghizer District, following the scenic mountain route through valleys, streams and traditional settlements. The landscape gradually becomes greener as we approach Gupis, with cultivated fields, orchards and the Ghizer River adding colour to the surrounding mountains.

Upon reaching Gupis, we check in to our accommodation and have time to relax. Depending on our arrival time, we take a short walk around the local area and enjoy the peaceful mountain setting.

After breakfast, we leave Gupis and continue east towards Hunza, travelling through the spectacular mountain landscapes of Ghizer and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The road follows the Ghizer River towards Gilgit, passing traditional villages, cultivated fields, orchards and dramatic mountain scenery. We continue through the Gilgit region before joining the legendary Karakoram Highway, one of the world's highest international paved roads.

As we travel towards Hunza, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with towering rock faces, deep gorges and snow-capped peaks surrounding the highway. We continue through Hunza Valley towards Ghulkin, Gulmit or Passu, depending on the accommodation selected for the tour.

Along the route, we may make suitable scenic stops to appreciate the changing landscape and photograph the spectacular Karakoram mountains.

Upon reaching the upper Hunza area, we check in to our accommodation. Depending on our arrival time, we can take a short walk around Ghulkin, Gulmit or Passu and enjoy the mountain scenery surrounding the valley.

After breakfast, we begin our full-day exploration of Gojal (Upper Hunza), travelling through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes of the Karakoram.

We first drive to Zero Point at Upper Borith, the starting point for our hike towards Passu Glacier. From here, we trek through the dramatic mountain landscape towards the glacier, enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding Passu Cones, rocky peaks and glacial terrain.

After exploring the area around Passu Glacier, we hike back towards Upper Borith. On the return journey, we stop at Borith Lake, a peaceful high-altitude lake surrounded by the rugged mountains of Gojal. We take time to enjoy the scenery and photograph the lake and surrounding landscape.

We then continue towards Husseini Suspension Bridge, one of the most famous pedestrian bridges in Upper Hunza. From the bridge, we enjoy dramatic views of the Hunza River and the surrounding Karakoram mountains.

Our journey continues to Old House Gulmit, where we explore this traditional historic house and gain an insight into the architectural heritage and traditional lifestyle of Gojal.

We then spend time exploring Gulmit, one of the important traditional settlements of Upper Hunza. We walk through the village and experience its distinctive Wakhi culture, traditional houses, narrow lanes and mountain surroundings.

Our exploration continues to the traditional villages of Kamaris and Ghulkin, where we experience the quieter side of Upper Hunza and observe traditional village life, agricultural landscapes and the distinctive architecture of the Wakhi communities.

After completing our sightseeing, we return to our accommodation in Gojal and enjoy the evening surrounded by the spectacular mountains of Upper Hunza.

After breakfast, we set out on a full-day excursion to Khunjerab Pass, travelling along the spectacular Karakoram Highway through the upper reaches of Gojal (Upper Hunza).

We follow the Hunza River northwards through the dramatic landscapes of Gojal, passing towering mountain walls, glaciers and traditional Wakhi settlements. We continue through Sost, the principal town and trading centre of Upper Hunza, and then towards the high-altitude border region.

Our journey continues towards Khunjerab Pass, situated at approximately 4,693 m (15,397 ft) above sea level on the Pakistan–China border. We spend time at the pass, taking in the extraordinary high-altitude landscape and panoramic views of the surrounding Karakoram mountains. The area is part of Khunjerab National Park, an important habitat for wildlife including the Marco Polo sheep, Himalayan ibex and other high-altitude species.

After spending time at Khunjerab Pass, we begin our descent back through Upper Gojal.

On the return journey, we make dedicated stops in the traditional villages of Moorkhun, Khyber and Passu. These settlements provide an opportunity to experience the traditional Wakhi way of life, local architecture, cultivated fields and the distinctive mountain landscapes of Upper Hunza.

We take time to explore and photograph the villages before returning to our accommodation in the evening.

After breakfast, we leave Gojal (Upper Hunza) and drive towards Karimabad, the historic heart of Central Hunza.

We travel south along the spectacular Karakoram Highway, following the Hunza River and passing through dramatic mountain scenery. Our first major stop is Attabad Lake, the famous turquoise-blue lake formed following a massive landslide in 2010. We take time to enjoy the scenery and photograph the lake surrounded by the towering Karakoram mountains.

We continue towards the Sacred Rocks of Hunza, an important archaeological site containing ancient rock carvings and inscriptions that provide evidence of the movement of travellers, traders and pilgrims through the ancient mountain routes of Hunza.

From here, we leave the main Hunza Valley and drive towards Hopper Valley, one of the spectacular side valleys of Nagar District. We travel through the mountain landscape towards Hopper, where we explore the valley and enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

We visit Hopper Glacier, one of the major natural attractions of the valley, and take time to appreciate the dramatic glacial landscape. The surrounding mountains, glaciers and rugged terrain provide excellent opportunities for photography.

After exploring Hopper Valley, we return towards Hunza and continue to Ganish Village, one of the oldest settlements in the Hunza Valley. We explore its historic village lanes and traditional architecture, gaining an insight into the early settlement and cultural heritage of Hunza.

After visiting Ganish, we continue to Karimabad and check in to our hotel. The evening is free to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this historic mountain town.

After breakfast, we spend a full day exploring Karimabad and the surrounding villages of Central Hunza, discovering the area's historic landmarks, traditional settlements and spectacular mountain viewpoints.

We begin with Baltit Fort, the centuries-old historic fort overlooking Karimabad. We explore its traditional architecture, courtyards and exhibits while learning about the history of the former rulers of Hunza.

We then continue to Altit Fort, another of Hunza's most important historic landmarks. Perched above the Hunza River, the fort offers impressive views across the valley and provides an insight into the history and architectural heritage of the Hunza Kingdom.

We also visit the Royal Garden, associated with the historic royal heritage of Hunza, before exploring the traditional streets and atmosphere of Karimabad Bazaar. Here, we have time to browse local handicrafts, traditional products and other items produced in the surrounding communities.

We continue exploring the villages and landscapes around Central Hunza, with opportunities to see traditional houses, terraced fields, orchards and the distinctive mountain lifestyle of the valley.

In the late afternoon, we drive up to Duikar, one of the finest viewpoints in Central Hunza. From this high mountain village, we enjoy expansive views across Hunza and Nagar Valleys, with a spectacular panorama of the surrounding Karakoram peaks.

We stay at Duikar to watch the sunset as the changing light falls across the mountains and valleys. After sunset, we return to Karimabad for the evening.

After breakfast, we leave Karimabad and begin our journey towards Besham or Naran, depending on the season, road conditions and the accessibility of the Babusar Pass.

We continue south along the spectacular Karakoram Highway, following the Hunza and Indus river valleys through some of northern Pakistan's most dramatic mountain scenery. Along the way, we make suitable stops to appreciate the landscapes and photograph the surrounding peaks.

One of our important stops is the Junction Point of the Three Great Mountain Ranges, where the Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet. We pause here to appreciate the geographical significance of this remarkable mountain region.

We continue towards viewpoints overlooking Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world and one of the most impressive peaks visible from the route. Weather and visibility permitting, we stop for photographs and enjoy views of the mountain.

If the Babusar Pass is open and the route is accessible, we take the Babusar Pass route instead of continuing via the lower Indus Valley route. We travel through the spectacular landscapes around Lulusar Lake and cross Babusar Pass, reaching an elevation of approximately 4,173 m (13,691 ft).

If Babusar Pass is closed or inaccessible, we continue via the Karakoram Highway towards Besham.

Upon arrival in Besham or Naran, depending on the selected route and seasonal road conditions, we transfer to our hotel and relax after the long mountain journey.

After breakfast, we leave Naran or Besham and begin our journey towards Islamabad, following the route through the mountains and plains of northern Pakistan.

Depending on our starting point and road conditions, we make suitable stops along the way before continuing towards the historic Taxila region.

Upon reaching Taxila, we visit the Taxila Museum, which houses an important collection of Gandharan Buddhist art, sculptures, coins and archaeological artefacts from the ancient civilisation of the region.

We then explore selected archaeological and heritage sites of Taxila, depending on the available time and opening hours. The ancient city and surrounding archaeological remains provide an insight into one of the most important centres of learning, culture and trade in the ancient Gandhara region.

After exploring Taxila, we continue to Islamabad and begin sightseeing in the capital. Depending on our arrival time, we visit some of the city's major landmarks, such as Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument, before checking in to our hotel.

The evening is free to relax or explore the surroundings of Islamabad.

Today marks the end of our Chitral & Hunza Sightseeing Tour. The day's programme will depend entirely on your international or domestic flight departure time.

If your flight is scheduled for the evening or night, we will use the available time to explore the Twin Cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, visiting some of the attractions not covered on the previous day.

We begin with Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi, one of the city's oldest and busiest traditional markets. Here, you can experience the lively atmosphere of the historic city, explore local shops and observe everyday life in one of the region's major commercial centres.

We then continue to the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum in Islamabad, where we explore Pakistan's diverse cultural heritage through traditional crafts, costumes, music, art and displays representing different regions of the country.

Depending on the available time and weather conditions, we also drive towards the Margalla Hills to enjoy views over Islamabad and the surrounding landscape.

After completing our sightseeing, we have time for refreshments before driving to Islamabad International Airport. We recommend arriving at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled international flight departure.

We say goodbye to Pakistan with unforgettable memories of the Hindu Kush, Kalash Valleys, Phandar, Gupis, Hunza and the Karakoram Highway.

Thank you for travelling with Hunza Explorers. We hope you return home with wonderful memories of Pakistan and look forward to welcoming you again on another journey through the mountains.