Hunza and Naltar Valley Tour: 9 Days Tour

Arrive in Islamabad, where our amiable company representative will warmly welcome you at the airport and escort you to the hotel for a restful overnight stay. If your group arrives during the day, we’ll treat you to sightseeing in Islamabad and the captivating old city of Rawalpindi.

The tour will start from the Hotel after breakfast.  The route will be along the Islamabad Motorway to the breathtaking Hill Station of Balakot via Hazara Motorway. Stop here for tea and a short rest. We will witness the blooming meadows flush with orange, pink, and purple wildflowers, breathtaking sceneries, and bucolic landscapes while traveling to Naran. One can feel the brisk forest air filling the lungs, the captivating clouds sliding over the bright blue sky, and the rising Sun hitting the mountains and Kunar River in a dazzling way. It is all awe-inspiring and captivating. The sparkling morning dew lit up the grassy green mountain slopes like a colony of fireflies and the sight of the endless conifers forest before us will be spectacular. The stunning waterfall cascaded down the jagged mountain rocks making an enchanting view. We will check into a hotel for a night’s stay. Evening free to visit Lake Saiful Muluk (optional) and dinner will be served in the hotel.

Our 3rd Day starts with the breakfast in Naran.  Departure for Hunza at 0900hrs. The Sunrise will paint the sky with pink and change weather from cool to warm as we move forward toward the lake Lalusar.  As the great Photographer Destin Spark says Photography is the story I fail to put into words   and so we will stop anywhere in way on the demand of our valued clients to take photographs.  Babusar top is another 15 kilometers from here which is 13700 ft high. The next is Chilas where we stop for lunch and our next journey is on Karakoram Highway the eighth wonder of the World and included among the twelve world most scenic road. A short stop we will make at Nanga Parbat view point which is the ninth highest mountain of the World and also known as killer mountain. The other point of interest is the junction point where three highest mountain ranges of the World meet namely Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush. A photo stop at World 21st highest Mount Rakaposhi which is also known as color changing steepest mountain. Check-in the hotel for overnight stay and dinner.

Departure for Nagar Valley and onward to Hopper Moving Glacier after breakfast. The transport will be four by four Jeep / PRADO and it is an hour’s journey. The road runs almost in the center like a dreamy stream with high-punching mountains soaring up on the sides including Spantik 7027 meters, Bawalter, Rush Peak, and Miar Peak. A few famous glaciers in the area include Geentur, Daranci, Mair, Barpu, and Hopper. The abundance of fruits grows in these valleys especially apricots because of the favorable climate and the grass is lush and springy. Walk for ten minutes to observe the moving Glacier Hopper covered with black gravel. It is moving with a speed of 3 to 4 feet per day and a marked stone can indicate that. After a hot cup of tea at this 8000-foot-high Glacier, we will move back to Hunza for lunch. Evening visit to Eagle Nest located at Duikar Viewpoint at a height of 10,000 feet connected by jeepable road. It is a famous tourist resort where Sunset and Sunrise give fantastic views. As the Sun sets below the horizon, creating romantic shades of red and orange across the sky we have a chance to breathe in and rejuvenate. The place has magnificent views of Golden Peak, Ultar Peak, Rakaposi Peak, and countless other peaks. Move back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.   

Hunza is a unique city on this planet surrounded by four peaks above 7000 meters nowhere in the World. The glacial water of Ultar is said to have therapeutic distinctiveness which is a reason of Hunza people have no heart disease and the longest life on the planet. There are two distinct languages Wakhi and Shina spoken here and both have very interesting historical backgrounds. The group will depart for a full-day excursion to Khunjarab Pass after breakfast. The first stopover would be the guestbook of Silk Road some 5000 years old petroglyphs tell the history of the area. A second long stop will be at mesmerizing Attabad Blue Lake and boating in this blue water at 8,396 feet which is a lifetime experience. The group will stop at Passu Cones and Hussaini Glacier for a photo session. The group will visit the 700-year-old last mosque which was in use by travellers and preachers going over to China. Khunjarab Pass the World’s highest paved border between Pakistan and China at a height of 4,733 meters is our last destination to turn around. Hundreds of Chinese in colorful dresses and flags can be seen on the other side of the border gate. We will stop for lunch at Sust and do some shopping for Chinese stuff being the last dry port with China. Some time we would spend in Karimabad bazaar beautifully decorated with handicrafts, jewelry, rugs, souvenirs, etc. Move back to the hotel for an overnight stay and dinner.

On Day 6th members gear up for the next beautiful destination which is Naltar Valley is Situated 34 km from the main Gilgit Valley and at an elevation of 15,348 ft. After Breakfast at 8 am, members will move back on Karakoram Highway to Nomal and Naltar Valley on Jeep and Spend 6 to 7 Hours in the dramatic mountain Valley. There are three lakes in Naltar Valley known as Naltar Lakes or Bashkiri Lakes at elevations going from 3,050-3,150 meters (10,010-10,330 ft). The first lake on the way up is Satrangi Lake (Lake of Seven Colors) or Rainbow Lake because of grasses or algae developed inside the lake.  As the name indicates the lake perfectly reflects many colors, particularly blue, green, and yellow. Rainbows are often spotted near the lake while the second adjacent to this lake has a blue color as its water is bright blue and free of all pollution at a distance of 1 km from Rainbow Lake this is the deepest and is also larger than the previous one.  This lake has no apparent source of water like rivers or streams and is probably connected to some underground source. The forests surrounding the lakes are mostly pine trees. The third lake in the valley is Bodlok Lake not accessible via vehicles, to reach one has to trek for a duration of 45 to 55 minutes but trekking to the third one is optional. The valley is also home to wildlife including Markhor, Ibex, Snow Panther, etc, and birds including chakra, partridge, and ducks. The leopard, who has been in the custody of wildlife conservationists ever since it was a cub three years ago, had recently been shifted from Dhee in Khunjerab to Naltar. Members will be able to see this cub of leopard on the way to Naltar. After spending time at the lake and then returning from the Naltar Valley by jeep, members will head back to Gilgit for dinner & overnight Stay in a Hotel.

Today we start back our journey on the same route and depart for Naran at 0900hrs after breakfast. The same route will give a different view of landscapes and mountains as the direction of the Sun has changed. We will take a short stop at Jaglot for tea and will continue to Chilas for lunch stop. The Babusar Top will give a different view this time as we climb to the height of 13,700 feet through a zigzag road. Check-in at a hotel and evening is free to explore the bazaar of Naran. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Departure for Islamabad at 0900hrs after breakfast and stop for tea at Balakot. Soon we will join Hazara Motorway one of the most scenic roads in Pakistan and frequently listed among the best road trips. The second stopover will be at the service area of the Motorway before turning into Rawalpindi. 

It’s time to wrap up your journey. Complete the check-out process from your hotel and organize your departure arrangements. Over these 9 days, you’ve experienced the natural wonders, cultural richness, and heartfelt hospitality of this remarkable region, crafting enduring memories. As we conclude our detailed guide to Northern Pakistan’s treasures, we trust your adventure was filled with awe and excitement, fostering a profound admiration for the region’s stunning beauty and diversity