Thrill-packed trekking amongst snow-capped peaks, delicious Pakistani food at campsites, and the sound of cascading glacial lakes! If reading this tickles your fancy, let us introduce you to our Trek the Patundas Ridges package. It’s a trek and treats time across the mountainous region of the famous 3 (Karakorum, Himalaya, and Hindukush) made more memorable with piping hot food and comfortable conveyance every step of the way. Devour on local delicacies at our meticulously selected premium campsites and gaze at the stars without worrying about your next move. Explore the buzzing bazaars of Karimabad, indulge in retail therapy, and strike conversations with locals to truly experience the multi-faceted culture of this region. Moreover, our Trek the Patundas Ridges package transports you to the Gandharan Civilization and guides you through ancient Buddhist trajectories, majestic visuals, museums, and monasteries. All of this in three simple steps: 1) Book this tour, 2) book a ticket to Islamabad, and 3) relax. We take it from there to carve the best experience for you. Here’s an end-to-end itinerary of the 9-day trip to make things easier for you.
The trip starts with the guests getting picked up from the Islamabad Airport. After a quick check-in at Serena Hotel, the guests will leave for a guided tour to the Lok Virsa Cultural Museum an archive of the diverse cultures brewing in the heart of Pakistan. The next stopover will be at Faisal Mosque. The mosque is a treat for architecture lovers as it boasts a marriage of Islamic and modern architectural influences. If you love history, you can ask the tour guide to give you a tour of the Pakistan Monument and its adjoining heritage and wax museum. The national monument that is approximately 13 minutes away (by car) from Faisal Mosque was constructed as a symbol of unity of Pakistani people and a must-visit for guests. You will then leave just in time to witness the awe-inspiring view of the sun setting behind the green mountains at Daman-e-Koh a hilltop garden located in the middle of Margalla Hills. Margalla Hiking on Trail 5 is another activity to look forward to in Islamabad. This particular trail can lead to Daman-e-Koh with a 90 minutes trekking. While we are in the area, don t forget to grab a quick bite at Monal Restaurant an eatery located on top of Margalla Hills. Dinner will be served at Dawat in Serena. Witness chefs live in action preparing piping hot delicacies for you at this spacious fine dining restaurant. Savor the taste of local dishes while being swooned by live Pakistani music.
After early morning breakfast, you will leave for your road trip to Gilgit. The travel time for this journey is approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes which gives you enough time to admire scenic views and iconic landmarks on your way. A stopover at Ashoka Rock Inscriptions will add a dash of history to this trip. Get transported to the Mauryan Civilizations through a collection of more than thirty engravings on cave walls, pillars, and boulders that are accredited to Emperor Ashoka. Next, you will stop at the first glimpse of River Indus at Thakot for a brief photo capturing session. From Thakot, you will continue your journey for approximately 40 minutes to Besham, a small town just next to the flowing Indus River for a delicious local lunch. After lunch, the guests will continue their journey along River Indus to Chilas. Chilas a small town in Gilgit - is a traditional halting point for most of the journeys towards Northern areas of Pakistan. The travel time from Besham to Chilas is approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes which gives you ample time to soak in the vibe of the region. And a stopover at the Diamer Bhasha dam site will show you the potential raw power of this aspirational megaproject. You will spend the night in Chilas at Shangrila Hotel. The hotel has become a major tourist attraction on its own because most of its rooms overlook River Indus and for the lush greenery around it. The day will end with a hearty dinner replete with local specialties, after which, you can either call it a day or go for a nighttime walk in the area.
After breakfast, you will depart for Gulmit a centuries-old historic town in the district of Hunza with a stopover at the meeting point of 3 mountain ranges (Karakorum, Hindukush, and Himalaya). We travel for another 2 hours to Rakaposhi Viewpoint. Lunch will be served at this vantage point with an unhindered view of the 7788m Rakaposhi rising from its base to peak in all its glory. After a soul-stirring experience at these viewpoints and a delicious meal, you will arrive at Gulmit late afternoon. A quick check-in at Serena Inn, Hunza will give the guests a chance to rest at leisure and get ready for dinner. The artistically decorated rooms are equipped with personal TV, temperature settings (heater and geyser), and large beds for your comfort. Enjoy a luxurious stay amidst the mountains with 24-hour security and efficient room service that includes free laundry. Buckle up to meet Gulmit hospitality and savor the taste of local delicacies at Serena Inn s in-house restaurant, Osho Marak. Savor local Hunza cuisine such as Tumoro Soup and Chopshoro (local spin on pizza) at this cozy, cottage-like resort.
After breakfast, you will be driven from Gulmit to the small road that goes off from the main highway and over a ridge to Borith Lake. Prepare to experience an adrenaline-pumping ride on the rocky route of approximately 2 kilometers that goes straight to the lake. Nestled between two glaciers, the Passu Gar Glacier and the Ghulkin Glacier, Borith Lake is one of the most scenic water bodies Pakistan has to offer. Next we start an adventurous trek from the side of Passu Gar Glacier. At Passu Gar, the guests will come to cross the white glacier. They will then trek to the Luzdar camp at the Patundas base meadow. You can stop at any point during this trekking activity to satiate your hunger pangs with packed lunch snacks. Once we arrive at the campsite replete with basic facilities, the guests will be served hot dinner. End the day by sharing stories with your fellow trekkers or enjoy stargazing in the calm of the valley.
We have added an adventurous trek session up steep slopes so that you can truly unleash the daredevil in you. After morning breakfast, the tour guide will take the guests for a steep climb to Patundas Ridge. The vantage point of Patunda Ridge offers a view of seven 7000m+ peaks namely Ultar, Shispar, Passu, Destaghil, Golden Peak, Diran Peak, and Rakaposhi. Let the mountaineer in you savor every moment of this once in a lifetime trek. Rest at leisure here at Passu Peak and recover from the hardcore trek by feasting your eyes on the cluster of hills and mountains embracing the area. After a short stay, the guests will return to Patundas camp to witness the sunset. Piping hot local food and tea will be served at your premium campsite.
After morning breakfast, the guests will descend to Karakorum Highway which connects Western China and Pakistan. From here, the guests will drive to Karimabad where they will check-in into Hunza Serena Inn Hotel and rest at leisure. The hotel is an experience on its own and offers guests fully equipped rooms as well as chalets! You will be staying in Luxury Tents that come with a private veranda overlooking the Ganish village, Nagar valley, Rakaposhi & Diran Mountains. Prepare to be spoiled here with free wireless Internet, flat-screen TVs with cable and satellite programming, and bathrooms with Penhaligon s bath amenities. The siesta would be followed by a light walk in Karimabad bazaar. Enjoy delicious snacks from roadside stalls, buzzing shops brimming with hand-made arts and crafts from the valley, and conversations with locals. You will then head back to the hotel to enjoy a buffet of barbecued delicacies at Diran Terraces BBQ before calling it a day.
After breakfast, you will depart for Islamabad stopping at several photos stops to capture the beauty of the region and take Instagram-worthy shots. The journey will end at Chilas a popular halting point for journeys to and from the northern areas of Pakistan. A quick check-in at Shangrila Chilas will be followed by an extravagant local dinner on property. Guests will experience true serenity at this hotel with scenic views of the River Indus and local delicacies of the valley served with fresh spring water. Warm bedding with clay pot lamps and brightly colored interiors give you a semi-rural experience without compromising on quality or comfort. After dinner, guests can take a stroll in the surrounding areas embraced by rivers and lakes. Let the sound of cascading river bodies and the cold wind from the mountains calm your sense. After a quick meditative walk, return to your Deluxe Room to recharge for an eventful day ahead.
The guests will continue their journey towards Islamabad with a stopover at Taxila. Visit a string of archeological landmarks here such as the Julian Monastery (a crumbling Buddhist monastery) and Sirkap (an archeological site associated with a Greco-Bactrian king). You will also get the chance to visit the Taxila Museum that hosts a collection of artifacts from the Gandhara Civilization, stone Buddhist sculptures, and other objects representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. After exploring the trajectories of some of the most influential religions in the region, we will continue our journey to Islamabad. Check-in at Serena Hotel, Islamabad and take the rest of the day to explore the valley. The tranquility of the region and the cool winds from the mountains will put you in the right mood for your next activity. We have procured special Maisha Spa passes for our guests so you can experience luxury right till the end. Maisha spa offers treatments with the Khewra Salt crystals boasting therapeutic properties. The crystals are specially procured from Khewra Salt Mines - world s second-largest salt mine - and mixed with Maisha Spa s exclusive treatments for the ultimate sensory experience. It s time to unwind and let the professional masseurs take care of those knots and cranks.
After breakfast, the guests will be transported to Islamabad Airport where they would catch their flights back home. Our adventurous road trip through the Patunda Ridges comes to an end here. Packed with scenic views of the Hindukush, Karakorum and Himalayas, a thrilling 2-day trekking experience and luxury hotel stay, this trip is the break you need from life s daily grind. Chalo Pakistan! *This leisurely trip can be extended upon request. The itinerary can be added on and customized to your fit.
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