ahtishambuttBefore you go searching for tickets and hotels, keep in mind that two weeks are not enough to see all of Pakistan, or even half of it. With this itinerary you would be able experience a small portion of the country’s top travel destinations which are mostly on the Northern and North eastern region.
Day 3: Islamabad
Depending on when you arrive you may want to catch dinner at the incredible Monal restaurant, with the view of the entire city or head on to catch a good night’s sleep. When you wake up, pay a visit in the morning-noon hours at the Shah Faisal mosque and the Pakistan Monument for some Instagram-worthy pictures and then head towards Daman-e-Koh to explore the greenery of the city. Islamabad should only be a short stop over so try to book a flight to Gilgit on the same day if possible.
Shah Faisal mosque © SyedBilalJaviad
Day 4 and 5: Gilgit Valley and Fairy Meadows
Gilgit is your gateway to the picturesque and wonderful north of Pakistan where the world’s mightiest three mountain ranges, namely the Himalayas, the Hindukush and the Karakoram lie. Gilgit Valley and its surrounding areas are absolutely breathtaking. You could visit the sublime Fairy Meadows which is a lush green grassland at a two-hours distance, beside the steller Nanga Parbat of the Himalayan range which reaches the height of 8,125 meters.
Day 10: Karimabad to Skardu
On day 10 take a six-hour drive on the fascinating route of Karakorum Highway from Karimabad to reach Skardu. Skardu is again an unbelievably beautiful town located at the confluence of River Shigar and Indus, which separates the Karakoram mountain range from the Himalayas. Skardu is very popular with tourists as it features four of the world’s 14 highest eight-thousander peaks including K2, attracting trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world.
Skardu Fort is one of the main attractions here as it dates back to the 8th-century and was built by the the Moqpon dynasty rulers of Baltistan. Another spot worth visiting is the Shigar Fort, located on the trek to K2. Shigar Fort is around 400-years-old also known as Fong Khar, which translates in the local language to the Palace on the Rock. The Royal living areas of the Raja of Shigar are renovated and used a magnificent guest house and a museum of Balti culture. If you can, try to spend a night here and imagine what it was like to be a royal 400-years ago.
Day 11: Skardu and nearby areas
Take a drive in a 4×4 to head outside Skardu towards the plains of Deosai and lakes like Shangrilla, Satpara and Kachura. The journey to Deosai plains take around three hours one-way through paved and dirt roads. Satpara Lake is on the way here, at about 45 mins distance.
Once in Deosai you can take some rest by Schesoar Lake and just enjoy the view with some snacks. Later when you head back to Skardu try to visit the famous Shangri La or Lower Kachura Lake, which is about 32 kms from Skardu.
Lower Kachura/ Shangri La Lake © Hasanijaz
Day 12 and 13: Fly from Skardu to Islamabad (and luckily) to Chitral
There is a one-hour flight that goes daily from Skardu to Islamabad and if you are lucky, or plan accordingly you may land in the capital on one of the two days when the flight to Chitral is scheduled. If so, you can head over to Chitral through this hour-long flight and avail the chance to drive to the mysterious valleys of Kalash directly which are about three hours drive from Chitral.
If you are not able to catch a flight to Chitral you could explore Rawal Dam and the Lake view park or head to the nearby archaeological site of Taxilla.
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