Hunza Valley Cultural Tour
9 Days Starting and ending in Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Visiting: Islamabad, Gilgit, Karimabad, Passu Cones Viewpoint, Gojal, Hopper Valley, Minapin Glacier, Taxila Museum
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BTV004
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 12
Physical rating:
Low, Easy
Age range:
18-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Halal
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
From:
$1860
$1767 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$93
Tour Overview
Hunza is a beautiful valley in the Karakoram range and one of the top tourist attractions in Pakistan. This beautiful valley is around 100 km from Gilgit city and takes 2 hours to reach, and the famous Karakoram Highway is open throughout the year. Each season is full of distinct features displaying a unique scenic atmosphere & cultural events. Blossom signals an exceptional display of a change of nature, welcoming new life. Summer is the most popular season, offering sunny days and pleasant temperatures. Green fields, beautiful trees with flowers, snow-capped high mountains, rivers and blue skies attract nature lovers to this beautiful valley. Autumn in Hunza valley brings a vibrant colour palate as the whole valley remains colourful with splendid panoramic views of high mountain peaks.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Islamabad Arrival
Location: Islamabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Serena or Similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Arrival at Islamabad International airport and transfer to Hotel in Islamabad. Our guide will receive you from the airport, and participants will be transferred to Hotel. Participants will enjoy leisure time to relax and recover from the journey on this day.
Day 2 : Islamabad-Gilgit-Hunza
Location: Gilgit
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly from Islamabad airport to Gilgit (a 1-hour scenic flight); you can enjoy the scenic beauty of valleys and High Mountain peaks. On our way to Hunza, we will have a short stop to visit the Berano suspension bridge (one of the oldest suspension bridges in the region) and the Danyor tunnel. We will also have quick stops for photography at the collision point of two tectonic plates, the ancient silk route viewpoint and the Rakaposhi viewpoint. While passing through the small villages in Nagar and Hunza valleys, we will witness village life. Check into the hotel in Karimabad and have some free time. We will do an evening walk (40 minutes) at Samarqand kohl (water channel) through the apricot orchids in the village and explore the local culture. We will drive to Dongo Das (a 20-minute drive) for stargazing at night. Enjoy your precious time under the dark sky. Drive back to our hotel for the night stay.
OR
In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway with short stops at various touristic spots.
Day 3 : Karimabad – Altit – Duikar
Location: Karimabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Serena or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoying a full day in Hunza, we will visit 800 years old Baltit Fort (30 minutes walk), Karimabad Bazar (for shopping for Handicrafts, gemstones, dry fruits etc.), Altit Fort (900 years old), and enjoy traditional Lunch at Kha Basi Café (a café owned by Serena hotels and run by local women). After lunch, we will visit the music school in Altit, where local children learn and play traditional music (guests can also practice playing regional musical instruments). Later in the afternoon, we will visit Ganish village (the oldest settlement in Hunza) and visit a local family home. We will drive to Duikar (2800 m) to enjoy the best view of the sunset. After a 15-minute beautiful hike, we will arguably reach one of the best sunset viewpoints in the world with a birds-eye view of the whole of Hunza and Nagar valleys and the splendid views of seven mountain peaks above 7000m. Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay
Day 4 : Karimabad – Passu - Karimabad
Location: Passu Cones Viewpoint, Gojal
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Serena or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Passu through numerous small villages in upper Hunza. After stopping at the Atabad Lake and enjoying boating, we will reach Gulmit village, where we will walk through the orchids and then visit the old house & music school. Enjoy a short hike, Pakistan's highest & longest stairs, to Ondra fort (01-hour), a community-based tourism initiative in Gulmit village of Gojal Valley. Free time to enjoy the beautiful view of Passu cones and upper Hunza. Later in the afternoon, drive to Borith Lake (a beautiful lake in upper Hunza famous for migrating birds). After witnessing the magnificent migrating birds, we will proceed to Passu to enjoy leisure time in the afternoon; we can do an evening trek to Passu glacier beside the stream (2 hours trek both ways) - optional. Enjoy the sunset from glacier breeze restaurant with a cup of tea/coffee and the famous apricot cake. We may participate in a cultural event in upper Hunza (if the time matches). Drive back to our hotel in Karimabad for the night's stay.
Day 5 : Karimabad – Hoper – Minapin - Karimabad
Location: Hopper Valley, Minapin Glacier, Karimabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Serena or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive to Hoper valley – for 1 hour (2800 m). En route, we will visit Nagar Khas (a village in Nagar valley) and meet locals to witness a different culture and Nagar fort. Then continue to travel to Hoper village where we can do a beautiful short hike to Hoper glacier (2 hours) and experience walking on the glacier. Then drive to Minapin village to enjoy leisure time and a famous traditional lunch (Gurkun karahi) while a local historian briefly explains the region's history. After lunch, drive to KHO (a beautiful viewpoint) in local jeeps. Drive back to Karimabad in the evening.
Day 6 : Karimabad – Khanabad – Gilgit
Location: Karimabad, Karimabad, Gilgit
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Serena or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Khanabad village in lower Hunza and spend most of the day here. We will witness village life with a host family and experience practical participation in village people's routine activities. We will visit fruit orchids, walk through the streets, meet locals, including artisans/historians and enjoy traditional lunch with a host family. We can also enjoy meditation/yoga in the village. Drive back to Gilgit in the afternoon and visit Kargah Budha (7th century Budha).
Day 7 : Fly From Gilgit To Islamabad
Location: Gilgit, Islamabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Serena or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad (1-hour scenic flight). Transfer to hotel and after lunch sightseeing. OR
Drive from Gilgit via Karakoram Highway with short stops (in case of flight cancellation)
Day 8 : Contingency Day In Case Of Delays)
Location: Gilgit, Islamabad, Taxila Museum
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
If we cannot fly due to the weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we fly from Gilgit 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)
Day 9 : Departure Day
Location: Islamabad
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer from Hotel to the airport for international flights.
What's Included
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Accommodation
During this trip, the group will spend three nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel. The group will also have two nights in a tourist-class hotel in Skardu. Accommodation at each of these hotels is twin-sharing with en-suite facilities. Whilst on the trek, there will be a total of 05 nights spent camping in 2-person tents. If you are traveling by yourself, you will be paired with another single client of the same sex. It is possible to hire a single tent while on the trek for an additional cost. Please note single tent hire does not include single rooms in hotels. Single rooms are available for a supplementary fee for the hotel nights. Additional hotel nights in Islamabad can also be booked.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Entrance Fees
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Full Board
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All Trekking items
What's Not Included
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Country Entry Visas
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Drinks with Meals
Accommodation
During this trip, the group will spend three nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel, one night in a tourist class hotel in Skardu & one night in Khaplu. Accommodation at each of these hotels is twin-sharing with en-suite facilities. Whilst on the trek, there will be a total of 04 nights spent camping in 2-person tents. Solo travellers will be paired with another person of the same sex.
Mode of Transport
Airport transfers (on the first and last day in Islamabad)
All land transport involved in the itinerary
Internal flights and associated airport transfers
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Please check Pakistani Visa Policy for your Country
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Face masks are required for travelers in public areas Face masks are required for guides in public areas Face masks provided for travelers Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas Gear/equipment sanitized between uses Transportation vehicles are regularly sanitized
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
• We specialize in small group travels, keeping our impact to a minimum. • Employ local people and use small or family-owned restaurants and hotels. • O set of carbon emitted on services provided by BTV. • Abide by a strict environmental 'Leave No Trace policy. • Promote the use of reusable bottles to reduce single-use plastic. • Provide the highest standards of animal and child welfare. • We aim
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You can join us at Skardu Airport
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel Advice
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Two Years
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Depending on departure dates, you can shift your tour to the next trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are traveling by yourself, you will be paired with another single client of the same sex. It is possible to hire a single tent while on the trek for an additional cost. Please note single tent hire does not include single rooms in hotels.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our certifired Lead Guide
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
We are sponsoring local students for their Higher Education.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Dates & Availability
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Friday - Saturday
May 31, 2024 - Jun 08, 2024Friday - Saturday
Jun 21, 2024 - Jun 29, 2024Friday - Saturday
Jul 26, 2024 - Aug 03, 2024Friday - Saturday
Aug 23, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024Friday - Saturday
Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 14, 2024Friday - Saturday
Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Beyond the Valley LLP allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 30 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Beyond the Valley LLP allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform beyond the valley llp, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Beyond the Valley LLP requires a minimum deposit of 50% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of beyond the valley llp charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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