12 DAYS - CHERRY BLOSSOM IN SPRING
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
Spring season starts in March – April in Pakistan and during this blossom season, plants and trees acquire on fresh leaves in blossom and their irresistible and appealing colors provides an unforgettable panorama against the mighty snow capped peaks. This spring tour has been timed to coincide with the most beautiful time in the Hunza valley. Where all the blossom from the many apricot and apple trees is flowering, covering the fields and terraces with their white petals. You’ll find an abundance of fruits such as cherry, apricots, apples, pears and peaches. It is a sight not to be missed!
|
| Apart from this, we’ll travel through the KARAKORAM HIGHWAY, the greatest wonder of modern Pakistan and one of the most spectacular roads in the world. Completed in 1982, the Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan to China, twisting through three great mountain ranges - the Himalaya, Karakoram and Pamir. Following one of the ancient silk routes along the valleys of the Indus, Gilgit and Hunza rivers to the Chinese border at the Khunjerab Pass, it crosses into the high Central Asian plateau before winding down through the Pamirs to Kashgar, at the western edge of the Taklamakan Desert. By this route, Chinese silks, ceramics, lacquer-work, bronze, iron, furs and spices traveled West, while the wool, linen, ivory, gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones, asbestos and glass of South Asia and the West traveled East. |
 |
Visit the northern capital of CHILAS, GILGIT, and HUNZA. The dramatic and grand panorama of this region is simply splendid. Lush green fertile valleys with high quality delicious fruit are fed by springs and glacial streams flowing from the lofty snow capped mountains.
Day1: Singapore–Islamabad
TG 412 Sin / Bkk 1715 / 1835
TG 509 Bkk / Isb 1930 / 2245
Assemble at Changi International Airport for your flight Lahore via Bangkok. On arrival meet our local representatives and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Islamabad (B/L/D)
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of the twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Visit the Shakarparian and Daman-e-Koh viewpoint, perched halfway up Margalla Hills offering the best bird’s eye view of Islamabad. Next visit the largest mosque named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. (Women should cover their heads and wear long skirts or trousers to visit the Mosque). Take a walk through the Raja Bazaar at Rawalpindi, an interesting contrast with it’s narrow streets and colorful bazaar.
Day 3: Islamabad - Besham (B/L/D)
(Distance : 275 km 7-8 hrs)
Today we’ll proceed with our long drive to Besham via Taxila, world famous for its archaeological sites, dating back to the 5th century B.C.. The city flourished for a thousand years and was famous as a center of Gandhara art of architecture and sculpture, education and religion in the days of Buddhist glory. See the best-preserved archaeological remains of the cities, monasteries and the artistic stupas. Visit Taxila Museum, Sirkap City and Buddhist ruins. (Please be reminded today is a long and tiring day)
Day 4: Besham - Gilgit (B/L/D)
(Distance : 355 km 8-9 hrs)
We continue our journey through the famous Karakoram Highway connecting Pakistan and China. Enroute stop to see rock carvings at Shatial, viewpoint of the three beautiful mountains at Thalichi (Nanga Prabat at 8125m, Haramosh at 7350m and Rakaposhi at 7788m) and the meeting point of the three famous mountain ranges, the Karakoram, Himalayas and Haramosh. Gilgit was a prominent town for the times of early Tibetan and Ladakhi invasions.
|
Day 5: Gilgit – Gulmit (B/L/D)
(Distance : 140 km 5-6 hrs)
Morning sightseeing tour of Gilgit. Visit the Bazaar that's full of Central Asian traders, familiarize ourselves with the customs of the Gilgities and walk across Asia’s longest bridge at 600 ft long. Drive to Gulmit through the orchid villages of Hunza and Nagar valley enroute stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint to enjoy the breathtaking view of Rakaposhi as you take your lunch.
Day 6: Gulmit (B/L/D)
Spent the full day exploring this beautiful village. Take a short hike to Borith Lake to see the magnificent view of Gulmit towers and glacier, cross the famous rope suspension bridge and take a walk at the Gulkin village.
|
 |
Day 7: Gulmit – Khunjerab Pass - Karimabad (Hunza) (B/L/D)
(Distance: 307 km 8-9 hrs)
Today we’ll drive to Khunjerab Pass passing through the beautiful views of Passu Cathedral, Passu Glacier and the foot of Batura Glacier winding along one of the ancient silk route into China. The final town on the Pakistan side is Sost, which is also the border post. From here the valleys are narrow and barren until in reaches Khunjerab National Park where the valley widens and if we’re lucky we may catch a glimpse of the Marco Polo sheep. The Khunjerab Pass at 4733 m is the highest paved border crossing in the World where on the other side of the border is the province of Xinjiang, China. Next proceed to Hunza for overnight
|
|
Day 8: Karimabad (Hunza) (B/L/D)
This morning proceed for excursion to Hoper Glacier, driving through Nagar with the picturesque view of Hopar Glacier of 59km long in the distance. Afternoon tour of Karimabad includes Baltit Fort and the local Bazaar. Baltit Fort is the old place of the Mirs of Hunza and was inhabited until 1960, which reflects Tibetan influence. It is 400 years old, sturdily built of stones, sun-dried mud and timber. It is built on a cliff edge; behind it is a ravine with Ultar Glacier, glitering in the sunshine. Hunza has been ruled by the same family known as Mirs of Hunza for 960 years. Hunzakuts are believed to be the descendents of five wandering soldiers of Alexander the Great.
|
Day 9: Karimabad - Chilas (B/L/D)
(Distance : 245 km 6-7 hrs)
Today we’ll proceed to Chilas, standing under the shadow of the world famous Nanga Prabat, also known as the Killer Mountain at 8126km.
Day 10: Chilas - Swat (330km) (B/L/D)
(Distance: 315 km 8-9 hrs)
A full day drive today passing through fantastic scenery and over Shangla Pass to the beautiful green Swat Valley which is rich in it’s Buddhist archaeological sites and interesting museums.
Day 11: Swat – Islamabad (B/L/D)
Morning sightseeing of Swat including Swat Museum, the ancient Buddhist stupa at Butkara, where there are five stupas shell, each inside the other. Next drive back to Islamabad via Malakand pass. Thereafter transfer to airport for flight back to Singapore.
Day 12: Arrival Singapore
TG 510 Lhe / Bkk 0005 / 0645
TG 403 Bkk / Sin 0800 / 1115 |
