ALTAF HUSSAIN MOUNTAIN GUIDE
NORTHERN AREAS, Pakistan

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    Itineraries for Jeep Safaris

    The following Itineraries are suggested for maximum enjoyment. They are suggestions only and quotes may be gotten for shorter or longer safaris with route variations.

    Use the hyperlinks below to jump to the safari you are interested in or scroll down to view all.

    8 Days: Gilgit to Rama Lake, Tarashing, Rupal Face-Nanga Parbat, and Deosai Plains and Skardu

    9 Days: Gilgit to Chitral via Shandur Pass, Kalash Valleys, Swat to Islamabad or Peshawar

    6 Days: Gilgit to Islamabad via Fairy Meadows and the Kaghan Valley

    8 Days: Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass, Hunza and Naltar Valleys return.

    8 Days: Gilgit to Rama Lake, Tarashing, Rupal Face-Nanga Parbat, Deosai Plains and Skardu return.

    On this Safari we travel to the Astor and Tarashing Valleys. Rama lake is a short walk from Astor and is fed by the Sachen Glacier. Surrounded by green meadows and snowcapped mountains the lake offers superb reflections of cloud and surrounding peaks.

    In Tarashing we start at the village with the imposing Massif of Nanga Parbat (8000+ m) looming in front and cross the Tarashing glacier before heading up to Herlikopfer Base Camp and magnificent views of Nanga Parbat's South or Rupal Face.  This can be done on foot or horse. Often tremendous avalanches can be viewed from the safety of the base camp. 

    After Tarashing we head up to the 4200 metre Deosai Plain. Upon first reaching the plain their are distant views back to Nanga Parbat, and a fantastically clear Sheosar lake. Many peaks border the plain but are dwarfed by your elevation. Except at the very end of summer these peaks are snow capped. A short walk up a nearby "hilltop" will give you an even more impressive view of the vastness of the plain and surrounding peaks. Many people compare the area to Tibetan and Mongolian Plains. These are important summer pastures for local villages and horses, cattle and yak are bought here to graze. Occasionally colorful pack yaks can be seen crossing the plains with their owners. The wildflowers alone would make the visit worthwhile but Deosai Plains is abundant with wildlife to.  Golden Marmots are everywhere and if you are lucky you might see a Himalayan Brown Bear. The local park rangers know where to look and have a lot of information to share. It is possible to fish here on the Plain or at Satpara Lake on the way to Skardu. Another stop at a carved Buddha reveals that the area hasn't always been Islamic.

    Skardu lies in an impressive wide river valley. Local crafts and clothing make shopping in Skardu both interesting and rewarding. The drive back to Gilgit follows the Indus River and offers views of Haramosh Peak. The road itself is an amazing engineering feat and is right in amongst the towering Karakorum Range.

    Day 1 Gilgit to Rama by jeep (4 hrs)
               Stay at Rama in Hotel or camping at Rama Lake
               2 hrs walk Rama to Rama Lake

    Day 2 Walk back to Rama if camped at the lake(2 hrs)
               Walk to and back from Rama lake if in Hotel at Rama (4 hours)
               Rama to Tarashing by jeep (3 hours)
               Stay in Hotel or camping in Tarashing.

    Day 3 Tarashing to Rupal Face - Nanga Parbat Base Camp
               (4-5 hrs with Glacier crossing)
               Camping

    Day 4 camping again - day hikes around/on from base camp


    Day 5 Nanga Parbat Base Camp to Tarashing (3 hrs walk)
               Tarashing to Deosai Pass, Sheosar Lake by jeep (4 hrs)
               Camping at lake.

    Day 6 Sheosar Lake to Bara Pani (suspension Bridge 2 hrs by jeep)
               Himalayan Wildlife Park guided bear watching if available
               Camping at Bara Pani

    Day 7 Bara Pani to Satpara Lake to Skardu by jeep (4 hrs).
               Staying in a hotel in Skardu.
               Local Skardu tour.

    Day 8 Skardu to Shangri-La Hotel, Kachura Lake to Gilgit (6 hrs by jeep)

    If you have less time it is possible to do a truncated version of this tour in 4-5 days.

    Photographs and links for Deosai Plain

    Photographs and links for Tarashing - Nanga Parbat, Rupal Face

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    9 Days: Gilgit to Chitral via Shandur Pass, Kalash Valleys, Swat to Islamabad or Peshawar

    In the middle of summer escape the heat, or enjoy the winter with clear days and crystal clear blue streams and frozen lakes. The Pass is open most of the year and offers magnificent scenery whatever the season. The mountains of the Hindu Kush are somewhat less imposing than the Karakorum and offer lush green valleys to travel through- a stark contrast to the barren Rock on the Gilgit side. Most of the way the road follows the Gilgit river.

    At Las Pur the impressive Tirich Mir Peak can be seen from deep within your valley. Yaks abound here and at night they can keep you awake sometimes.

    Chitral again offers a variety of local handicrafts and traditional cloth and dress. From Chitral a trip to the Kalash Valleys is an interesting respite from Islamic culture. The Kalash women wear highly decorated clothes and for a change, the villages are full of women openly going about their work. The men are up in the high pastures with the goats for most of the summer. Many tourists including domestic tourists travel to Kalash to learn about and experience the difference in culture. It is important to respect the women and ask if you want to take any photographs of people.

    Traveling from Chitral to Swat the tour crosses the Lowari Pass on many switchbacks. This area is densely forested and offers distant mountain views. 

    Takht -e- Bahi is an impressive ruin of a Buddhist monastery with much of it intact or painstakingly restored. 

    Peshawar your destination can be enjoyed over a week/few days or if you would like a day tour this can also be arranged.

    Islamabad offers more relaxed shopping and western style restaurants as well as classy local cuisine.

    Day 1 Gilgit to Gupis (6 hrs by jeep)
               Stay at Kalte Lake Hotel.

    Day 2 Gupis to Phundar (2.5 hrs by jeep)
               Phundar to Shandur Pass (4.5 hrs by jeep)
               Shandur Pass to Laspur (2 hrs by jeep)
               Stay at Hotel

    Day 3 Laspur Valley to Chitral (4.5 hrs by jeep)
               Stay at Hotel

    Day 4 option Garam Chasma (4 hrs return by jeep) swimming in Hot Spring

    Day 5 Chitral to Kalash Valley (Bomboret Valley) (2 hrs by jeep)
               Stay in Hotel Bomboret

    Day 6 Bomboret to Rambur Valley(2 hrs by jeep)
               Rambur Valley to Chitral (2 hrs by jeep)
               Stay in hotel Chitral

    Day 7 Chitral to Dir over the Lowari Pass (6.5 hrs by jeep)
               Stay in Hotel in Dir

    Day 8 Dir to Takht-e-Bhai
               Stay in Hotel at Takht-e-Bhai

    Day 9 Takht-e-Bhai to Islamabad/Peshawar
               Drop at your hotel

    This jeep Safari can end in Chitral or Swat if you have a short time.

    Photographs and links for Shandur, Chitral, Kalash

    Photographs and links forSwat

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    6 Days: Gilgit to Islamabad via Fairy Meadows and the Kaghan Valley

    Depending on the weather this trip can be done between April and December.

    Fairy Meadows offers awesome views of Nanga Parbat's North Face from a large green Meadow with a small lake. The meadow has a hotel for restaurant meals or we can self cater if you'd prefer.

    It is possible to ride from Tato, at the end of the jeep road to Fairy Meadows on horseback.

    In Chilas we can make a short trip to see ancient rock carvings dating from many periods. Ibex feature heavily in these carvings. The journey from Chilas travels through narrow green valleys with fortressed villages to Babusar Top. Here  most local men appear to travel armed and keep aloof though are usually helpful if approached. 

    When approaching Babusar Top it is disappointing to see that much of the forest has been harvested. Babusar top is above the tree-line and is cold at night even in the middle of summer. Lichen covered rocks, green grass and wildflowers can be stunningly beautiful or eerily beautiful depending on the weather conditions.

    The drive down from Babusar Pass travels through wide green valleys with summer villages, pastures and crystal clear streams. Lalusar Lake is very long and aqua in color. Bordered by stunning wildflowers and snow glaciers and fed by a permanent glacier it is enchanting and makes an excellent camping spot.

    The drive further down the Kaghan Valley brings us to Naran and a side trip to Saiful Maluk (fairytale lake) and Malika Parbat. This area is popular with domestic tourists  and is famed for its' large trees and forest. It is in stark contrast with the sparsely populated upper valley. The houses on the way are  often  wooden and some are massive with Pagoda styled roofs.

    Before long your back on the KKH and heading towards Islamabad. 

    Day 1 Gilgit to Fairy Meadows (3 hrs jeep)(3 hrs walk)
               Camping Overnight at Fairy Meadows

    Day 2 Fairy Meadows to Chilas(2 hrs walk) (3 hrs Jeep)
               Overnight in Hotel at Chilas

    Day 3 Chilas to Babusar Pass to Lulasar Lake (5 hrs by jeep)
               Camping

    Day 4 Lulasar Lake to Naran (5 hrs)
               Hotel in Naran

    Day 5 Naran to Balakot (4-5 hours)
               + 3 hour (walk and jeep) side journey To Lake Saful Mulk
               Hotel in Balakot

    Day 6 Balakot to Islamabad (6 hours)
               Drop at your hotel.

    This trip can be done in 3 long days if you miss out fairy Meadows and Lake Saful Maluk.

    Photographs and links for Fairy Meadows

    Photographs and links for Kaghan Valley

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    8 Days: Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass, Hunza and Naltar Valleys return.

    This Jeep safari starts with a leisurely drive up the KKH. A few stops just near Gilgit include some petroglyphs of Ibex and the Chinese cemetery where the Chinese KKH builders who died during construction are buried. This is a beautiful garden with pines and rambling roses. In the summer it is used buy village women as an afternoon rest and picnic spot to escape the heat and recover from a mornings hard work in the fields. Getting to Danyor, where the cemetry is, we cross as amazing suspension Bridge which ends in a tunnel on the Danyor side.

    The drive up the KKH reveals views of Naltar Peak, Nomal Village, Chalt Valley and Rakaposhi. The open top of a jeep provides uninterrupted views and exposes the immensity of the landscape. At any opportunity we can stop for photographs or just the enjoyment of a spectacular view. Each new corner reveals bigger mountains and greener valleys. A stop at Ghulmet for tea allows us time to view Rakaposhi and it's glacier from Zero Point. Not far down the road and a sweeping view across the river to Minapin, Minapin Glacier and Rakaposhi. 

    Just before Karimabad at Aliabad there are more excellent views of Rakaposhi. The jeep takes a scenic drive from Aliabad to Karimabad. Karimabad has commercialized tourist shops where you can get Pakistan and Afgan handicrafts from all areas as well as local Hunzakut handicrafts. Second hand trekking gear and outdoor clothing is available here if you are feeling the cold or need some small item.

    From Karimabad and Eagle's nest Viewpoint you can see about 10 peaks including Rakaposhi, Diran, Golden Peak, Shispar Peak, Ultar I and Ultar II, and Lady Finger. 
    Baltit Fort in Karimabad has been restored to it's former beauty and has a commanding view. Altit fort in nearby Altit is unrestored, has a great deal of rustic charm and has fantastic views into Altit village and down the Hunza Valley. Karimabad hotels often have musical evenings and you can see the traditional instruments being made in a local workshop.

    The day trip to Hopper allows you an opportunity to get really close to a glacier and time permitting-cross one. The Hopper Glacier is beautiful and from Hopper you can also see the tops of the Passu Cathedral Peaks.

    Further up the KKH and there is an opportunity to cross the Hussaini Suspension Bridge and visit a women's carpet making group.

    The trip to Passu and walk from Borith Lake gives you great views of Passu Glacier and Peak, Ultar and Shispar Ranges, and the Batura Glacier.

    On the way to Khunjerab pass it is possible to see Golden Marmots, Ibex and Yak although the latter two are more likely to be spotted in winter. The pass itself is quite wide open and usually snow covered and cold at anytime of the year.

    The trip to Naltar offers some easy walking and spectacular alpine views. The walk to the crystal clear lake follows  a fast flowing stream that is a torrent in Summer and clear and aqua in places in winter. Naltar Valley is quite wide and has spectacular veiws of several peaks and glaciers.

    Day 1 Gilgit to Karimabad, Hunza
               Hotel in Karimabad

    Day 2 Karimabad to Hopper Glacier to Hunza
               Stay at Eagles Nest Hotel

    Day 3 Eagle's Nest to Gulmit to Burit Lake (by jeep2 hrs)
               Burit Lake to Pasu Glacier to Pasu (2.5 hrs walk)
               Hotel in Pasu

    Day 4 Pasu to Khunjerab Pass return to Sost (6 hrs by jeep)
               Hotel in Sost

    Day 5 Sost to Gulmit (suspension bridge) (2 hours by jeep)(1-2 hours walk)
               Village tour/carpet workshop
               Hotel in Gulmit

    Day 6 Gulmit to Gilgit (4 hrs by jeep)

    Option

    Day 7 Gilgit to Naltar (2 hrs by jeep)
               Walk to Naltar lake (3-4 hours)
               Camping

    Day 8 Walk from Naltar lake to Naltar (3-4 hours)
               Naltar to Gilgit by jeep (2 hrs)
               Drop at your hotel.

    If doing day 7 and Day 8, Day 6 includes a local Gilgit Tour.

    Photographs and links for Hunza

    Photographs and links for Naltar

    Photographs and links for Passu

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