Ancient Silk Road Tour (Pakistan – Kashgar)

Details

Pakistan – a new nation and ancient land, Xinjiang – the age-old cradle of Central Asian Civilization. Between these two territories lies the most exciting stretch of the fabled Silk Route.

This is a legacy of unparalleled treasures meant for adventurous tourists. Since the days of Marco Polo, conquerors and travelers have embarked on this arduous journey on foot, on horse back or on camels. Today, there are modern means; carpeted/paved roads and air-conditioned luxury transport, good quality hotels and all those facilities that a traveler, away from home requires. And this is why, tour operators the world over are selling Silk Route tour packages featuring Pakistan and autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. Your Silk Route Tour awaits you-be it for eight days fifteen days, twenty days or even twenty-one days.

Itinerary

Day 01: ✈ Islamabad: Arrival at Islamabad international airport, transfer to centrally located hotel/guest house. In the afternoon site seeing of twin cities (Islamabad & Rawalpindi), visit modern mosque Shah Faisal, Doman-e-koh, Shakarparian hills, Lok Versa, Modern markets (Jinnah supper & super markets), Raja Bazaar, Cant area etc. O/N stay in hotel
Day 02: Islamabad – Taxila – Besham: This morning, we will start our journey (5-6 hrs drive) toward the mountain kingdom of North Pakistan on the famous Karakorum Highway/ancient silk route. En route visit Taxila Museum (1-hour drive). The modern town of Taxila is 35 km from Islamabad. Most of the Archeological Sites at Taxila (600 B.C-500 A.D) are located around Taxila Museum. For over 1000years, Taxila remained famous of as a center of learning in respect of Gandhara Art of Sculpture, education, and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 km around Taxila. Some of the most important sites include Dharmarajika, Stupa, and Monastery (300 B.C – 200 A.D), Bhir Mound (600-200 B.C) Sirkap (200 B.C – 600 A.D, Jundial Temple (250 B.C), and Julian Monastery (200-600 A.D). After our visit, we continue our drive, en route we will stop for a cup of Pakistani tea and toilet break. O/N stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Besham – Chilas – Gilgit: It is long day 12 hrs drive but the scenery en route more than makes up for it. Before reached to Gilgit en route we will face some interesting photogenic stops at the pre-historic rock carving inscription at Shatial, rocks with ancient graffiti’s at Chilas, viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (9th highest peak of the world) offers breathtaking panorama on behind, the unique point where three mountain ranges, Karakorum, Himalayas, and Hindukush meet and our next stop will be at confluence of River Indus & Gilgit.
Day 04: Gilgit: Full day sightseeing of Gilgit town. Tour includes, visit of famous Gilgit mountain bazaar, suspension bridges, Kargha Buddha and walk along the Gilgit River. After lunch, we will take some rest and in the evening, we will watch the “The Wild Polo” at Shahi Polo Ground Gilgit. O/N stay in the hotel.

Day 05: Gilgit – Karimabad, Hunza: For half a day, we will drive along the beautiful Hunza River, one of the most special parts of Pakistan, en route visit Chinise graveyard, monuments, Rakaposhi viewpoints. As we approach Karimabad the peak Rakaposhi (7788m) dominates the skyline to the east. Above Hunza stands the prominent rock spire Bublimating 6000m and the Impressive Ultar peaks. The former Mir of Hunza now lives in Modern Palace in Karimabad. We will have time to explore the shops and city of Karimabad. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 06: Hunza Valley: The tour will include meeting with local folks, understanding the secrets of their longevity and also visit some of the important historical sites including the recently renovated, simple yet overpowering, Baltit Fort and the Altit Fort.
Day 07: Karimabad, Hunza – Hopar: This morning we will drive by 4×4 jeeps to Hopar village (Nagar Valley) on opposite side of River Hunza for a walk on the Hopar Glacier. After lunch at Hopar, we will drive back to Duikar (The top village of Central Hunza) for sunset and sunrise photography.
Day 08: Karimabad, Hunza – Passu: Short an hour of driving on KKH along the river with the high peaks all around will bring us to Passu. But before reach to Passu we will stop en-route at Ganesh, (old village): The general belief, however, is that the original inhabitants are descendants of soldiers of Alexander the Great, further drive to Gulkin village and walk on glacier from Gulkin to Borit Lake and trek down to KKH , cross Passu suspension bridges. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09: Passu – Khunjerab Pass –Tashgurgan: Leave for Tashgurgan via Khunjerab Pass (16000 ft) – the first small town on Chinese side. This route is a beautiful drive, with views of the high mountains of the Karakoram and the distant Pamir Mountain Ranges. At Khunjerab, now declared a national park, one can see Marco Polo Sheep (ovis ammon poli) and we will have stop for an hour. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Tashgurgan – Karakole Lake – Kashgar ✈: leave for Kashgar en route enjoy the sceneries of two historic peaks of Pameer range Muztag Ata and Kongpur. Lunch will be served at Karakole Lake. Arrive at Kashgar (5 hrs drive). End of services.

Gallery

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Gilgit

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Tehsil & District Gilgit,
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

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Islamabad, Pakistan

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