MARCOPOLO SPLENDID JEEP SAFARI
16 NIGHTS / 17 DAYS
16 NIGHTS / 17 DAYS
TOUR PLAN:
Day 01: Islamabad
Arrive at Benazir Bhutto International airport Islamabad. Meet, assist & transfer to the hotel. AM at leisure. PM Islamabad city tour.
Our sightseeing tour will start from, Faisal Mosque, Shakar Parian & National monument with a trip to Damn-e-Koh, to catch an eye bird view of the twin cities.
Overnight at the hotel. (No meals).
Day 02: Islamabad-Swat
After breakfast drive to Swat. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. PM. Visit of Butkara & Mingora.
Butkara the ruins one of the most vital Buddhist memorials in the valley. This spot consists of a main stupa around which put 215 votive stupas seems that splendid hysteria. It is intricate to visualize it must have been once, all decorated and painted with gold and topped by stone umbrellas. You can still see the effigy of lions bend down on their haunches. They most likely knock down the tops of the high columns which once stood near the stupa.
Mingora bazaar, which is the commercial hub, has high importance visiting, for there you will find emeralds for which Swat is famous. Continue to Murghazar where you will observe the old white palace built from white marble and decorated with elaborated carvings.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 03: Swat – Kalam Excursion
After breakfast full day excursion to Kalam.
We will drive to the end corner of Swat valley via Madyan & Bahrain. The lofty peaks which welcome us on our arrival really superb and the quiet whisper of the trout laden Ushu River let us to whilst the time away, not knowing and helpful about our tasks.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 04: Swat-Dir-Bamboret
After breakfast drive Bamboret enroute Dir.
Bamboret is the main valley of three valleys, away from Chitral of 2 hours drive. Inhabitants of Kalash valley exist in two unique types of Kafirs (Infidels) the red and the black until the ending of the last century. The Red Kafirs (Infidels) were subjugated by Amir of Afghanistan and converted to Muslims. The Kalash were however not debilitated till to day and preserve their pagan rites.
Overnight in tents. (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 05: Bamboret-Mastuj
After breakfast explore local area and then drive to Mastuj.
Mastuj is a gorgeous valley 122 kms to the Northeast of Chitral. The jeep road covers all the way through the barren and jagged mountains. This traditional route has been used for centuries by the traders to do business between Chitral and Gilgit. The dangerous jeep road links to a large flat terrain with a Lake and a Polo ground. At the famous Shandur Pass at 12,250 feet, annual polo tournament (from 07 – 09 July each year) played between the Chitral and Gilgit teams.
Overnight in tents. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 06: Mastuj-Phandar
After breakfast drive to Phandar.
Phandar is a peaceful place; Phandar Lake is the beautiful picnic spot good looking from GBPWD rest house which is located on the edge overlooking the flat meandering river on one side and down a rock face into the bottomless blue of the lake on the other side. Phandar’s other name is “Angler’s Paradise”. This trout laden tranquil Lake allows one to forget the rough and exhausting jeep ride.
Overnight in tents. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 07: Phandar-Punial
After breakfast jeep drive to Punial via Yasin.
Punial is now headquarter of district Ghizer and Punial was a semi autonomous kingdom. The locals without over statement say that Punial is a place where heaven meets earth. The Capital of Punial is dominated by Sher Qila (Lion’s Fort). The villagers took protection in its tower whenever attacked. Singal is another important village. Punial is full of orchards and terraced fields. A visitor may proceed to walk around the village, a farmer’s home, the old mill, the school or house.
Overnight in tents. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 08: Punial-Karimabad
After breakfast drive to Karimabad. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Explore local area.
Karimabad is the collective name for all the little villages around Baltit Fort. Named for His Highness, Prince Karim, Aga Khan, the town has a lengthy bazaar with souvenirs, bookshops, clothing stores and restaurants. Of note is the Café de Hunza, possibly the only place for a cappuccino in Gilgit/Baltistan. The view changes as one wanders up and down and one can choose to start hiking to nearby villages along water channels and trails. Baltit, with its Fort was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Hunza, until 1974.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Karimabad. (Breakfast only).
Day 09: Karimabad-Borit
After breakfast transfer to Attaabad Lake. Cross the Lake by motor boats. Then drive to “Borit Lake”. The lake spot was the duck hunting ground for the Mir of Hunza and is a point bordered by lofty peaks with excellent panoramic views. Camp by nearby to the Lake.
Overnight in tents. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 10: Borit-Khunjerab-Karimabad
After breakfast excursion to Khunjerab Pass.
The journey is along the legendary Silk Road. Our drive along the Karakorum Highway gives us a view of the glacier Passu and its nearby lush green fields, onward up to the Khunjerab Pass (4800 Meters high) the entry point to China. Here you will have a glance of the Chinese terrain. On return transfer to Attaabad Lake. Cross the Lake by motor boat to reach Karimabad. Upon arrival in Karimabad transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 11: Karimabad
After breakfast full day city tour of Hunza including Baltit Fort & NagarValley.
Baltit fort was the old palace of the Mirs of Hunza and was inhabited until 1960s. It is about 400 years old. Baltit is an interesting old place, four stories high, strongly constructed of stones, sun dried mud and wood. Baltit is built on a rock face edge behind it is a narrow valley and then the Ultar glacier sparkly in the sunlight. The structural design of Baltit Fort reflects a Tibetan influence. The view from the top of the fort is well worth to go up. Baltit Fort has been restored by Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan. Now it is opened for all visitors.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 12: Karimabad-Gilgit
After breakfast drive to Gilgit via Naltar excursion.
Taking a jeep able road that twists its way to the top of the Gilgit valley, we arrive at Naltar located at an altitude of 10,000 feet, 53 km away from Gilgit city. The heavily forested spot divulge an attraction not confined by the other adjacent areas, and cover up a skiing resort used by the Pakistan Army. We will lunch among the trees and with a few of the inhabitants before drifting around this paradise for a final time. Return from Naltar and continue drive to Gilgit. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 13: Gilgit-Chilas
After breakfast visit Kargah Buddha. Afternoon drive to Chilas.
Driving to Kargah is a jeep bumps and stagger in a wild dry site that is spread with large piece of rocks. We are at our destination when rapidly around a bend, we find ourselves in front of a huge monument of Buddha on a rock. It is not accurately known when the carving comes into view, but its workmanship disclosure of a brilliant master. We will then resuming our traveling back to Gilgit.
Chilas was on the very old convoy trail over the Babusar Pass into India and on the Indus trail up to Besham, and many rock prints were left by travelers in this area. Chilas is standing under the shade of world famous Nanga Parbat (The killer Mountain).Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 14: Chilas-Naran via Babusar Pass
After breakfast drive to Naran via Babusar Pass.
Enroute visiting Lulusar Lake Naran which is 85 Kms from Balakot. Situated at a point where the valley extends, but it is rarely attractive, with stones and rocks scattered around it. The river is wider and become quiet here, and there is a good view down flow of the river, with some tree -covered islands in the front. People visit Naran, however, for its fishing, and as a initial point for an outing to Lake Saiful Muluk. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in Naran.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 15: Naran-Saiful Muluk Excursion
After breakfast excursion to Lake Saiful Muluk.
It is situated at a distance of 10 Km from Naran at an elevation of 3500 meters. It gives a brilliant view of the 5290 m high Malika Parbat (Queen of the Mountain). The lake and its surroundings have a feel of illusive pleasant but mouthful of air. The short journey there takes you all the way through the top of the charming valley and passing thousands of water fall down to the lake. A charismatic celebrity about a prince called Saiful Muluk who fell in love with a fairy of the lake. The lake is named after the prince. The best way to reach the lake is to walk but you may also take a pony or a Jeep.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast only)
Day 16: Naran-Taxila-Islamabad
After breakfast drive to Islamabad. Enroute visiting Taxila.
Taxila is a Tehsil in Rawalpindi District of Punjab province situated just off the Grand Trunk Road about 35 kms northwest of Islamabad the capital city of Pakistan. It is an imperative archaeological site. Taxila accurately claims to be the confluence of the immense civilizations of the world. It came to celebrity when it was under enemy control by Mouriyans, Kushans, Greeks, Scythians and Parthian. Taxila is the region from where Buddhism traveled to the Far East and Persians, Greeks and Hindus all later left their mark. View the sun set from the ruins of a Buddhist monastery or stroll all the way through streets of a dug up Persian city in the information that there are two older ones buried underneath. In 1980, Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many locations. Now it has been given a status as the top tourist destination in Pakistan.
Continue drive to Islamabad. Arrive and transfer to the hotel in Rawalpindi or Islamabad.
Farewell dinner after all the exciting activities, it is time to say good bye to each other with a wish to meeting again in future.
Overnight at the hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 17: Islamabad
Transfer to Benazir International airport Islamabad for your homebound flight.
(Breakfast only).
TOUR ENDS
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