| DAY |
ITINERARY |
| 01 |
ISLAMABAD/CHILAS:
Drive by airconditioned vans to the incredible mountains of
the Northern Pakistan. This exciting drive will take you to
the ancient town of Chilas on the famous Karakorum Highway
via the beautiful Hazara Plateu and the Indus river gorge
passing through the beautiful and wild Kohistan region. Upon
arrival in Chilas transfer to the Shangrila Midway House.
All meals included. (Drive time 10-11 hours) |
| 02 |
CHILAS/GULMIT:
After an early breakfast drive to the beautiful Hunza valley
passing right below the incredible masif of Nanga Parbat the
nineth highest in the world (8125m), and beautiful Rakaposhi
(7788m). Stop in the old town of Gilgit for lunch at the Serena
Hotel. Visit the ancient forts at Altit and Baltit which ruled
the Hunza valley for over nine hundered years. Upon arrival
in Gulmit transfer to the Silk Route Lodge. Evening walk tour
of the peaceful village of Gulmit and a visit to the small
museum and the old Hunza house. Overnight at Silk Route Lodge.
All meals included. (Drive time 6-7 hours) |
| 03 |
GULMIT/SUST/PIRALI/TAXKERGAN:
After an early breakfast drive throughthe beautiful upper
Hunza valley to the Pakistani checkpost at Sust passing the
huge glaciers of Passu and Batura (5th largest in the world)
and with incredible views of numerous 7000m peaks. After clearing
customs and immigration drive by the border transport over
the famous Khunjarab pass (4700m) to the Chinese province
of Sinkiang. In this high altitude desert landscape you will
see marmuts and semi wild yaks. Visit a Yurt (round mongol
tent covered with felts) dwelling and see the lifestyle of
the free nomad herdsmen. Upon arrival at Taxkergon clear the
customs and immigration and transfer to the Pamir hotel. Evening
walk tour of Taxkergan and the old stone fort that gave the
name to this city. Overnight at Pamir hotel. All meals included.
(Drive time 8-9 hours) |
| 04 |
TAXKERGAN/KASHGAR:
After breakfast drive through the exciting landscape of the
high passes, vast dry lakes, deserts and snow covered peaks
to the ancient city of Kashgar which is the meeting point
of all the Silk Roads for over two thousand years. Upon arrival
transfer to the Semans Hotel. Afternoon tour of the old city
and bazars with interesting traditional handicrafts. (Drive
time 7-7.5 hours) |
| 05 |
KASHGAR CSS:
After breakfast take a full day sightseeing excursion of this
ancient city. Visit Hajakoba Tomb, Eidgah mosque, Moor Pagoda
and the old city (In case of sundays visit sunday market).
Have a lunch in an orchard under grape wines in the traditional
manner. Overnight at Semans Hotel. All meals included. |
| 06 |
KASHGAR/TORUGART
PASS/KIRGHIZ STEPPE:
After an early breakfast drive by four wheel vehicles to the
Tien Shan mountain range. Passing the oasis on the edge of
the Takla Makan desert we ascend through narrow valleys and
dry gorges to the top of the Turugart pass. After clearing
customs and immigration formalities drive to the otherside
of pass and meet the Kirghiz guide and transport. After clearing
the customs and immigrations drive through the lush Kirghiz
steppes in Tienshan range to the campsite with views of the
Farghana range. Overnight in tents. All meals included. (Drive
time 8-9 hours) |
| 07 |
CARAVAN SARAI
TASH-RABAT:
After breakfast drive through the beautiful steppes with herds
of wild horses and yurt dwelling nomads to the ancient caravans
sarai of Tash-Rabat which was an important landmark on the
Silk Road. Camp at the caravan sarai and explore this beautiful
area full of wildlife. Overnight in tents. All meals included.
(Drive time 3-4 hours) |
| 08 |
TASH-RABAT/ISSYKUL
LAKE:
After breakfast drive to Narin which is the first small city
in Kyrghizstan. Continue your journey through the Tienshan
mountains and beautiful valley of Cho river to the lovely
region of Issykul lake. This 80 miles by 40 miles lake is
nestled between the Tienshan range and the Allatu range and
is considered the second deepest lake in the world. Upon arrival
transfer to the Issykul Health resort which is the most popular
resort hotel in this region. Evening walk to the lake. Overnight
at the health resort. All meals included. (Drive time 7-8
hours) |
| 09 |
ISSYKUL LAKE
EXCURSION:
After breakfast drive along the shore of the lake and see
the ancient rock drawings and inscriptions left behind by
Sakis (Scythians) who were the first along with Parthians
to ride horses, invent riding armour and trousers and developed
a kind of small bows which were used while riding the horse
back (Parthian shot). This region was also the favourite of
Tamerlane who had a pleasure palace on one of the islands
in the lake which is now submerged. Enjoy the afternoon by
the shores of the lake. Overnight at the health resort. All
meals included. |
| 10 |
ISSYKUL/BURANA
TOWER/BISHKEK:
After an early breakfast drive to Bishkek (formaly called
Fronze) which is a modern city and is the capital of Kyrghizstan.
Upon arrival transfer to the Bishkek Hotel. All meals included.
(Drive time 08 hours) |
| 11 |
BISHKEK/TASHKENT:
After breakfast drive to Tashkent which is the capital of
Uzbekistan. Upon arrival transfer to the Government Rest House.
Evening excursion of the city center. All meals included. |
| 12 |
TASHKENT/SAMARKAND:
After breakfast drive to Samarkand. This is the magnificient
region of Oxus and Syrdirya. Upon arrival at the magnificient
town of Samarkand transfer to the Government Guest House.
Evening excursion of the old city including a thorough tour
of the Rajestan Square. Overnight at Guest House. All meals
included. (Drive time 6-7 hours) |
| 13 |
SAMARKAND:
After breakfast have a full day sightseeing tour of this great
city including a visit to the famous Madrasas, the Gur Amir
or Topmb of Tamerlane, Urlug Beg's observatory and many other
monuments dating between 12th and 17th century. Overnight
at Guest House. All meals included. |
| 14 |
SAMARKAND/BOKHARA:
After breakfast drive to the great city of Bokhara which was
once the capital of this region. Upon arrival visit the Minerat
square, the Madrasas, and the ancient mosques. Overnight at
Government Guest House. All meals included. |
| 15 |
BOKHARA/TASHKENT/ISLAMABAD
(BY PK-262):
After breakfast visit the ancient covered bazars dating back
to the 12th century and the Bokhara fort. Transfer to the
airport for flight back to Tashment and connect to the PIA
flight to Islamabad leaving in the late afternoon. Breakfast
and lunch included. |