Details

On its 1,300 kilometers journey from Islamabad, Pakistan’s modern capital on the plains of the Punjab, to Kashgar, the Central Asian market town in China’s most westerly province, the Karakorum Highway (KKH) threads its way through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world.

As the KKH weaves its way between the peaks, the modern travelers come across the villages and communities that less than hundred years ago were independent principalities, where the main source of income was relieving pass travelers of their possessions. Nowadays tourism is replacing looting as a key sector of the economy. Yet the modern day tourist is just the latest in a long line of visitors passing this way. The armies of the Alexander the Great, early pilgrims taking Buddhism to China, caravans on a strand of the famous Silk Road, and mysterious explorer-cum-spies playing out the “Great Game” of imperial rivalry between the Russian and British Empires have all trod this path.

In 1967, China and Pakistan announced an agreement to build a highway linking Gilgit to Kashgar. Seven Battalions of army engineers from Pakistan Army and 10,000 men from the frontier works organization (FWO) worked on the road, with having heavy machinery having to be airlifted in after the construction of improvised airstrips. This road was formally inaugurated on 16 February 1971. The decision to convert the existing routes into an international highway was taken in 1973. At the peak of construction 25,000 people were at work on the highway, with over 9000 Chinese employers between Thakot and Hunza alone. The road was fully completed in 1978 and opened to third-country travelers in May 1986. The chief engineer on the project, stated that “no road and where have been more difficult to build than the Karakorum Highway”, and the construction details are impressive: 24 major bridges 70 smaller ones; 1708 high class culverts; eight million kilos of dynamite to move 30 million cubic meters of earth and rock; 80 million kilos of cement used; 1000 trucks consumed in the endeavor; 400 dead and 314seriously injured amongst the workforce.

We go upstream the Indus on the Karakorum Highway to Gilgit, Hunza & Khunjerab Pass and then coming back with turning with South West into the Punial Valley, we follow the footsteps of the British Colonel W. Lockhart, who lead an expedition in 1895. He and his contingent went across the 3734m high Shandur Pass in the awesome Hindukush Mountain Range to rescue a British outpost under attack. Shandur Pass is lately more known for its annual Polo Tournament between Gilgit and Chitral teams, as this being one of the highest Polo ground of the world.

Itinerary

  • Day 01: ✈ Arrival at Islamabad international airport, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
  • Day 02: A pleasant drive to Besham with en route visiting of Taxila archeological ruins.
  • Day 03: Long but another pleasant drive to Gilgit en route stops at photogenic points.
  • Day 04: Morning local visit of Gilgit town and afternoon drive to Hunza Valley.
  • Day 05: Full day reserved to explore the charm of Hunza Shangri-la (roof of the world).
  • Day 06: Following the breakfast drive to Sost, en route visiting of Gulkin, Pass glacier and Borit Lake.
  • Day 07: Day excursion to Khunjerab Pass (border between China & Pakistan).
  • Day 08: Drive to Gilgit, en route visit of hopar village and walk on Hopar glacier.
  • Day 09: Following the breakfast, we will inter into Hindukush mountain to Phandar Lake
  • Day 10: Drive over Shandur pass to Mastuj via Laspur valley.
  • Day 11: Morning drive to Chitral, local visit, forts and bazaars.
  • Day 12: Drive to Bamburet, Kalash Valley and local visit.
  • Day 13: Drive to Peshawar over Lowari Pass or through tunnel.
  • Day 14: Morning drive to Islamabad and rest of half day local visit & shopping.
  • Day 15: ✈  Transfer to airport to embark home flight. End of services.

Testimonials

From the start and right through the planning stage, the company owner, Mr. Karim Uddin was incredibly helpful, promptly replying to my many emails and addressing all of my concerns. Mr. Karim assisted with the visa process and invitation letter and everything ran very smoothly...

Chris Bentley & LisaUnited Kingdom

Dear Friends Karim & Shahzad, our drivers, boatmen, horsemen and lots of others, whom we met in Pakistan! Thank you for your heartiest welcoming, friendly and helpful attitude to us for your unselfish job for guarding us. We felt at home in your country and brought back to Latvia the warmest memories about Pakistan...

Alda, Konstantins, Dzintra, Nadina & all other members.GROUPUP Members

I have been on many tours in different parts of the world. I have to say that Active Tours Pakistan has the best customer service of all companies I have traveled with. They make sure every detail of your trip is taken care of and they are open and honest about what is going on in the country to make sure you are fully aware of what is going on. Northern Pakistan is incredibly beautiful. The people are so friendly. I loved my experience in Pakistan!!

Mary WalkerNurse

My trip to Pakistan could only have been possible with the help of Active Tours Pakistan. The company gave me very professional and personal treatment - and made sure I was safe for the entire duration of my stay. Throughout your journey with Active Tours, you are likely to become great friends with their guides, just as I have through our shared experiences of this incredible country.

James FreeAustralia

I want to thank you with all my heart for showing me the beauty of , The country, the people and its culture. I have had a wonderful 2 week in your company and I am sad for this trip to end. But, Inshallah, I will come back to enjoy more of what has to offer.

Maarten PeetersBelgium

We got so many impressions about this lovely country – you can’t put them in few words. Very friendly people, heartily hospitality, breath taking landscape. Besides all the good wishes, we wish you special the pleasure of the Lord, He wants to live with you, He loves you!!!

Heidi BenjiminAustria

Thank you so, so much for your very good services! We enjoyed the time with you and with your company team members. We like the way you showed us your lovely country and its amazing part of the world. We take a lot of good & nice impression with us.

Patrick & RahelSwitzerland

Words can’t fully describe how pleased we were with Active Tours. Thanks to management & especially to Mr. Kareem who made our trip so fantastic & happy. You provided pleasant, personal and professional service and quickly accommodated our travel and media related task. We appreciated your personal approach in making our travel arrangements....

Ms. Sarah ShareIerland

7 Agosto 27 Agosto 2014 Baltoro trek con ATP : Bellissima e Straordinaria Vacanza! Grande professionalità e cordialità! Un ringraziamento particolare alla nostra guida Ghafoor, al cuoco Alam e al suo aiutante Ali. Tutti voi avete contribuito a rendere indimenticabili quei giorni... grazie di cuore mary e sebastiano

Mary NassiniBrescia, Italy

The Germans, always for something special to see or to buy ….. You did a great job to handle all our families. For you and Pakistan wish all the best. We will see you again in next few years. You were not only a very good tour organizer, but you were a good guide and very good friend, fellow to us. You and Raza (Mountain Guide), we thank you very much both for you're caring.

Dela & SiegmorGermany

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