16 nights from
£5795
Discover all that Northern Pakistan has to offer on this amazing journey, from an astonishing mix of traditional cultures to awe-inspiring untouched natural beauty: home to ancient civilisations, imbued with the mysticism of the Sufi tradition, its history encompasses the armies of Alexander the Great, the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. Lahore, the country’s cultural, intellectual and artistic hub, where Kipling’s Kim roamed the bazaars and Mughal Emperors once held court, is perhaps the greatest of all the Mughal dynasty’s cities. Modern Islamabad is surprising and the nearby remnants of the Gandharan Buddhist civilisation at Taxila give us a further glimpse of ancient times. In the north, where the mountains of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Mighty Karakoram meet, peaks soar above the clouds and desert forts dot the incredible mountain landscapes. Visit Skardu an amazingly isolated and beautiful region, gateway to the some of the highest mountains in the world including K2. See the beautiful alpine lakes at Kachura and explore The Hunza Valley; boasting the most incredible scenery imaginable, with its own rhythm, culture and tradition, where hospitality is a way of life.
5th April 2024 – On day 6, afternoon is at leisure in Islamabad and the Truck Art visit will be done on day 16 in the morning.
This is a full and busy itinerary with most visits on foot including several sites with inclines or steps, comfortable walking shoes or boots are recommended, and a good general level of fitness is required. However, the efforts you need to put in are more than compensated for by the experience and hospitality you will encounter, in this land where the mountains are as big as the hearts of the people that live there.
Tourists from the West have only recently been re-introduced to Pakistan and thus tourism infrastructure is not as well developed as in other Asian countries, you will on occasion need a little patience. Some accommodation is in heritage properties, it is their charm, location and heritage that make them an integral part of the experience. Travel by road is the classic way to experience the country and while most roads are well-surfaced, it is worth noting that between cities and in the rural North some roads will be better than others, and at times a little patience, humour and flexibility may be required! We do have some longer drives, but the diverse scenery more than makes up for time spent on the bus. We break up our road journeys with stops at villages, to take photos and to stretch our legs.
Air travel and taxes, 15 nights' in specially selected hotels, breakfast daily, 14 lunches and 15 dinners, itinerary as described, services of expert local guides and representative. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, visa, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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