Highlights of Pakistan's Northeast (15 days)

International flight: Depart London Heathrow Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK1986 to Istanbul Airport. 

The flight departs at 16:45 and arrives at 22:35.

International flight: Depart Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK750 to Islamabad International Airport.  The flight departs at 00:40 and arrives at 07:45.

Private transfer to your hotel: Welcome to Pakistan! You will be met on arrival in Islamabad by your private driver, who will take you to your city hotel to check in.

Guided tour of Islamabad: After some time to freshen up and relax you will be taken on a guided tour of Islamabad. The first stop will be at the impressive Faisal Mosque, the national mosque of Pakistan. Named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabi, the Faisal Mosque is the sixth largest mosque in the world and dominates Islamabad’s skyline. Continue on to the Pakistan Monument, another structure which dominates the skyline. The monument was constructed to symbolise the unity of the Pakistani people with its four large petals representing the four major cultures of the country - Punjabi, Baloch, Sindhi and Pashtun. End the day with a visit to the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, the largest museum in Pakistan.

Accommodation: Hotel Hillview (Standard Room)

Private transfer to the airport: At the locally advised time today you will be met and transferred to Islamabad International Airport in time for your onward flight.

Domestic flight: Depart Islamabad International Airport on Pan American flight PA702 to KDU.  The flight departs at 08:30 and arrives at 09:40.

Private transfer to Khaplu: On arrival in Skardu, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to Khaplu, a journey of around four hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way. On arrival you will check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Serena Khaplu Palace (Garden House Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Khaplu and the surrounding area: After breakfast you will enjoy a tour of Khaplu Palace. Known locally as Yabgo Khar, the palace served as the royal residence for the Raja of Khaplu and has today been carefully restored by the Serena Hotel group. You will then pay a visit to the Chaqchan Mosque. Dating from 1370 the mosque is one of the oldest in the region and has a unique architectural style blending Tibetan, Mughal and Persian styles. The more active can then end the day with a hike to the Thoqsi Khar viewpoint.

Accommodation: Serena Khaplu Palace (Garden House Room)

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred back to Skardu. En route you will make a sightseeing stop at Shigar Fort, the Amburiq Mosque and Sarfaranga Cold Desert. Total journey time today will be around five hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way.

Accommodation: K2 Greenpak Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day trip to the Deosai Plateau: Today you will be collected from your hotel and taken on a tour to the Deosai Plateau. En route you will make a stop at historic Buddha carving at the Manthal Buddha Rock and Sadpara Lake just outside Skardu. Continue to Deosai to enjoy the views of the Deosai Mountains from the plains until you reach Sheosar Lake, which at an elevation of 4,250 metres is one of the highest altitude lakes in the world.

Accommodation: K2 Greenpak Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Gilgit: After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to Gilgit. This will be a journey of around five hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way.

Accommodation: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Gilgit (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Karimabad: After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to Karimabad. En route a sightseeing stop will be made at the Rakaposhi viewpoint to enjoy some of the finest views of Mt Rakaposhi. This will be a journey of around three hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way. On arrival you will be shown around Karimabad bazaar and taken to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Hilltop Hotel Hunza (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Karimabad: After breakfast, you will be collected by your guide and taken on a tour of Karimabad.  First will be a tour of the Baltit Fort. Dating from the 13th century the fort was abandoned in 1945 and left to decay before being renovated in the 1990s. The fort now operates as a museum and in the company of a knowledgeable local guide you will learn about the lifestyles of the royal dynasty and their staff that lived here. Next you will travel along the Karakorum Highway to Ganish, the oldest settlement along the ancient Silk Road in the Hunza Valley. After ample time exploring the village, you will return to Karimabad to visit the Altit Fort, to learn more about the former rulers of the Hunza state and enjoy the panoramic views. You will finish the day enjoying the stunning sunset views from Duikar Hill.

Accommodation: Hilltop Hotel Hunza (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Karimabad: After breakfast, you will be collected by your guide and taken on a tour of Karimabad.  First will be a tour of the Baltit Fort. Dating from the 13th century the fort was abandoned in 1945 and left to decay before being renovated in the 1990s. The fort now operates as a museum and in the company of a knowledgeable local guide you will learn about the lifestyles of the royal dynasty and their staff that lived here. Next you will travel along the Karakorum Highway to Ganish, the oldest settlement along the ancient Silk Road in the Hunza Valley. After ample time exploring the village, you will return to Karimabad to visit the Altit Fort, to learn more about the former rulers of the Hunza state and enjoy the panoramic views. You will finish the day enjoying the stunning sunset views from Duikar Hill.

Accommodation: Hilltop Hotel Hunza (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Gilgit: After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to Gilgit. This will be a journey of around three hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way. On arrival into Gilgit you will check in to your hotel and relax. En route you have the option to make a sightseeing stop at either the Naltar Valley or the Hopar glacier. This can be discussed with your guide locally.

Accommodation: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Gilgit (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Naran: After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken on the long drive to Naran. This will be a journey of around 7 - 8 hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way. This journey will take you over the Babusar Pass, named after the Mughal emperor Babur who passed through the area in the 16th century. On arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel One Naran (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Islamabad: After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken on the long drive to Islamabad. This will be a journey of around 7 - 8 hours depending on road conditions and the number of refreshment or sightseeing stops on the way. On arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel Hillview (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer to the airport: At the locally advised time today you will be met and transferred to Islamabad International Airport in time for your onward flight.

International flight: Depart Islamabad Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK751 to Istanbul Airport.  The flight departs at 09:15 and arrives at 13:30.

International flight: Depart Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK1971 to Manchester Airport.  The flight departs at 14:50 and arrives at 16:40.