Baltistan Culture Tours
Baltistan has a rich culture which depicts in the living pattern and social life of people in the region. Skardu and Ghanche were part of Baltistan and now these two are separate districts. Skardu, being the headquarters of the region is home to a variety of people from different cultural backgrounds. The major language of Skardu is Balti with few exceptions of Shina and Brushaski. Baltistan is home to some of the historic places and remnants of old rulers of the area. Khaplu has called many names like “ Shyok Valley”,” Ghangche” and Little Tibet. Khaplu is Head Quarter of Ghangche District. In Khaplu there are many historical places like Chaqchan Mosque a most beautiful mosque in Asia (700 years old founded by Syed Ali Hamdani, the first Islam preacher in this area), Raja Palace is a beautiful building, is the last &best Tibetan style palace in Pakistan, and Khanqah of Khaplu, is attributed to Syed Muhammad Shah S/O Syed Mukhtar “ Peer Norbaksha “ &was built in 1712 AD / 1124 AH,. and so many other historical and Architectural building placed in Khaplu.
Khaplu Valley:
Khaplu is the gateway to Masherbrum Peak, K7, K-6, Namika, Chogolisa for mountaineers and Gondogoro la, Gondogoro Peak, Saraksa Glacier, Gondogoro Glacier, Masherbrum Glacier, Aling Glacier, Kandey Nangma, Machlu Broq, Thaely La, Daholi lake, Kharfaq Lake, Ghangche Lake and Bara Lake for trekkers, Khaplu is a very beautiful place for hiking like Khaplu Braq, Khaplu Thung and Kaldaq. One most grade opportunity for rafting on Shyok River, as well as the rock climbing places like Biamari Thoqsikhar and DowoKraming ( Hot Spring ). At 2555 meters, Khaplu is cooler than Skardu, with the friendly character of the people and superb walks along irrigation channels; Khaplu is well worth visiting and the nicest place to stay in Baltistan.
Itinerary
Day 1 |
Arrival in Islamabad. |
Day 2 |
Fly to Skardu or drive to Chilas in case of flight cancellation. |
Day 3 |
Free day at Skardu or drive from Chilas to Skardu. |
Day 4 |
Drive to Khaplu via Shigar Valley. |
Day 5 |
Drive to Hushe & back to Khaplu. |
Day 6 |
Drive back to Skardu. |
Day 7 |
Excursion Satpara Lake &Deosai Plains. |
Day 8 |
Fly to Islamabad or drive to Chilas in case of flight cancellation. |
Day 9 |
Day free or complete road journey from Chilas to Islamabad. |
Day 10 |
Destination Flight. |
Jeep Safari Gilgit Baltistan
GilgitBaltistan is, perhaps, the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. Here world’s three mightiest mountain ranges:
the Karakoram, the Handukuch and the Himalayas – meet.
The whole of GilgitBaltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and anglers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the area ha remained a flash point of political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule in the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region decided to join Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir.
Five out of the fourteen mountain peaks with height of over 8000 meters including the K-2 (world’s second heights peak) and some of the largest glaciers outside polar regions are located in GilgitBaltistan.
Acknowledging the vast potential of tourism and its effects on downstream industries, the Government of Pakistan as well as the GilgitBaltistan Administration are focusing on tourism for increasing the number of tourist to thre area. Beautiful landscape, unique cultural heritage and rich biological diversity given the GilgitBaltistan a competitive advantage in attracting tourists from all over the world.
ITINERARY:
Day 01 |
Islamabad-Taxila.
Arrival at Islamabad. Meet and assist transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the Taxila archeological museum, Julian Monestry and archeological sites of Sircap and Bhirmound. Drive back to Islamabad. Overnight at Hotel Shalimar. |
Day 02 |
Islamabad-Skardu.
Fly to Skardu. (subject to weather conditions) an impressive 50 minutes fly over Babusar pass and mighty Nanga Parbat (8125m). Transfer to hotel Shangri-La. |
Day 03 |
Skardu - Shighar.
Drive to Shigar valley, the gateway to Baltoro glacier. Visit the 16th century old mosque and lacal tibeten style old houses and village. After lunch drive back to Skardu. Overnight at Shangri-La Resort. |
Day 04 |
Skardu - Khaplu.
Drive to Kaplu a beautiful town at the bank of River Indus. Visit the old Fort and Mosque built by the Tibetan Architect style overnight at Khaplu or Return to Skardu hotel. |
Day 05 |
Deosai National Park.
Full day Excursion to Deosai National Park to explore the endangered wild life species, Brown Bears, Brown marmots and Migratory Birds and wild flowers. Meals and overnight at Camp. |
Day 06 |
Deosai - Tarishing.
Drive to Tarishing via Chachor Pass. Visit the Sheosor Lake there are different kind of birds species in this lake and a magnificent views of Nanga Parbat. After a brief visit continue drive to Tarishing, a village at the foot of south side of Nanga parbat is surrounded by high peaks and gives views on the valley. Meals and overnight at local Sarai. |
Day 08 |
Tarishing - Rama.
Drive to Rama Lake a beautiful resort situated in thick pine forest. After lunch drive to Rama lake and local shaped huts. Meals and overnight at PTDC Rama. |
Day 09 |
Rama - Gilgit.
Drive to Gilgit by the Astor gorge and at Thalichi the road joins KKH. A magnificent view of Nanga Parbat appear the immaculate summit of the Killer Mountain. Overnight at Riveria Hotel. |
Day 10 |
Gilgit - Karimabad.
Drive to Karimabad. Perched on the bank of the Hunza River the town is shadowed by Ultar, Lady Finger and Rakaposhi peaks. On way stop to admire the view on Rakaposhi (7788m). Visit the Baltit and Altit Forts. After noon drive to Duikar view point for sun set photography of many countless peaks above 7000 m in Karakoram and enjoy the birds eye view of Hunza and Nagar valleys. overnight at Hilltop Hotel. |
Day 11 |
Karimabad - Hoper.
Day Excursion to Hoper village at Nagar valley dominated by Rakaposhi Peak (7788m). Views on Malubiting (7266m), and Diran peaks. Overnight at Hilltop Hotel. |
Day 12 |
Gulmit - Gilgit.
Drive to Gilgit an important market place on the Silk Road. Visit the Buddha carved in rock at Kharga and exploration of the town. Many shops show the precious stones, which are found in all the area. Overnight at Riveria Hotel. |
Day 13 |
Gilgit - Fairy Meadow.
Early morning drive to Raikot Bridge and walk on the narrow gorge of the Raikot valley jeep road up to Tato village which has damaged by the earth quake last year takes 5-6 hours to Tato village. another 3 hours walk leads to Fairy Meadow. Overnight at Raikot Sarai. |
Day 14 |
Fairy Meadow - Chilas.
Trek back to Raikot bridge. Drive to Chilas. Visit Rock carving at Thalapen famous for the petroglyphes. Overnight at Shangri-La Chilas. |
Day 15 |
Chilas - Islamabd.
Drive to again on KKH towards Islamabad trvelling almost 12-13 hours.. |
Day 17 |
Departure.
Transfer to airport for your onward journey. Assistance at departure and bon voyage. |