TRAVERSEING THE HINDU KUSH
PAKISTAN
Ride the Hindu Kush, the Himalayan Foothills & Hike to Nagar Parbat Basecamp, the killer mountain
In conjunction with TRAVERSE Magazine (https://traverse-magazine.com), We visit some incredibly unique areas of Pakistan that very few people visit. If you want to be immersed in spectacular scenery, explore unique local cultures, and ride challenging roads with a lot of dirt under your tyres, this tour is for you.
This is a high-altitude tour. We spend a lot of time at altitude and cross multiple passes that are over 3,000m. If you have breathing difficulties such as Asthma, then maybe this particular tour is not for you.
QAQLASHT MEADOWS, CHITAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Our journey takes us to some of the more remote, challenging, and beautiful areas that few people see.
On the first day of riding we leave Skardu and cross the Deosai National Park, described as a mini Mongolia. With an average altitude of around 4,100m and an area of 853 square kilometers, you may see a Himalayan Wolf, a Snow leopard, or a Himalayan Brown Bear. We visit Fairy Meadows for a trek to Nanga Parbat Basecamp if you are up for it, if not, simply chill out or take a short stroll to one of the local high-altitude villages
Following the mighty Indus River we ride the incredible Shangla Pass, used by Alexander the Great in 350bc, and explore the Swat Valley, think of Sgangla as being like Pakistan's dirt road version of the Transfăgărășan.
We explore the more interesting offshoot valleys of Swat for a few days before we head over to the incredible Kalash Valley, populated by the Kalasha tribe, who have a unique Animism-based belief system. We spend a couple of days here to allow you time to explore the 3 Kalasha valleys of Bumburet, Acholgah, & Rumbur.
Next, we visit the high-altitude meadows around Booni before heading over the Shandur Pass at 3,700m, locally known as the "Roof of the World" and the world's highest Polo Ground. After visiting the Phandar valley we finish by visiting Gilgit, the capital of the region with its Bazaar before returning to Skardu for a well-earned farewell feast.
ROUTE
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Skardu
When you land at Skardu on the morning flight from Islamabad, we will be there to meet you and transport you to your hotel where your bike will be waiting for you at the hotel. Feel free to jump on one of the bikes and take it for a spin around town. If your up for it, we may go and hit the desert to play in the sand dunes.
In the evening we all have dinner together to get to know each other a little, go through a few do’s and don’ts and answer any last-minute questions you may have.
Day 2 - Deosai Plains National Park (~140km)
We cross the Deosai National Park, also nick-named “Little Mongolia” at an average altitude of 4110m it is the second-highest plain in the world, populated by Himalayan Brown Bears, Himalayan Wolves, Snow Leopards, Ibex, Marmots, and a bewildering array of migratory birds..
Day 3 - Fairy Meadows (~60km)
We take the road to Fairy Meadows, this road was classified by the World Health Organisation in 2014 as being the second deadliest road in the world, but we are not going to ride it, in fact, the government will not let us ride it, we take a jeep.
The jeep gets us close, but we have to walk the final 4.5km to our accommodation, or if you don’t want to walk, you can hire a horse to ride up
Day 4 - Nanga Parbat (The Killer Mountain)
Free day today to optionally take the 17km round trip hike to Nanga Parbat (>8,000m) basecamp, or just go for a gentle stroll to Bayal Camp for lunch and back.
The Trek to Nanga Parbat has been described as one of the most spectacular treks in the world. It is fairly easy to do with a moderate level of fitness, although it does feel more strenuous as you climb the 700m to above 4000m. The scenery is spectacular as you follow the Raikot Glacier on your left and get closer to the mountain. You are probably at serious risk of filling your camera's memory card or phone with photos along the way.
Day 5 - Besham (~260km)
Today is a big day, it may only be ~260km, but it will take us all day and we need an early start to get down from Fairy Meadows and pick up the bikes. We follow the mighty Indus River, crossing it a few times and ride to Besham for our overnight stay. Along the way we stop and visit the ancient Thalpan Petroglyphs at Chilas
Day 6 - Shangla Pass (~140km)
We leave the Indus River and cross the picturesque Shangla Pass that drops us into the awesome Swat District.
The pass offers stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush glaciers. The landscape is dotted with lush green forests of pine and cedar trees, It’s also historically important as the pass was used by Alexander the Great's army in 320 BC during his campaign in the region
Day 7 - Swat Valley (~80km)
Often referred to as the "Switzerland of the East," this is a stunning region has the Swat River runing through the valley, creating a serene landscape. The valley also boasts the beautiful Mahodand Lake which we visit, known for its clear turquoise waters.
Swat Valley has a rich history, with archaeological sites dating back to the Gandhara civilization and is home to several ancient Buddhist stupas and monasteries, such as the famous Butkara Stupa and Udegram Buddhist Ruins
Day 8 - Kumrat Valley (~80km)
We ride Badgoi Pass, also known as Badogai Pass, a high mountain pass (>3,500m). From the summit you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Swat Valley, Utror Top, and the surrounding mountains
The Kumrat Valley is a hidden gem and is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil environment, it is famous for its verdant meadows and wildflowers, creating a serene and picturesque landscape. The valley is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Hindu Kush and many beautiful waterfalls
Day 9 - Lowari Tunnel (~170km)
An early start today as we head to the Kalash Valley via the Lowari Tunnel which itself is a remarkable engineering feat that connects the districts of Dir and Chitral. It consists of two separate tunnels, with a combined length of 10.4 kilometers. Construction began in 1975 but faced multiple interruptions until it was finally completed and opened to traffic in July 2017
Day 10 - Kalash Valley (Free Day)
The Kalash Valleys, consist of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir.
The valleys are characterized by lush green landscapes, picturesque meadows, and dense forests of pine and deodar trees with clear, sparkling rivers and streams flowing through them.
The valleys are home to the Kalash people, one of the smallest ethnoreligious communities in Pakistan. They have a distinct culture, language, and animistic religion. They are known for their vibrant traditional attire. Women wear brightly coloured dresses adorned with intricate embroidery and beadwork, along with distinctive headpieces
Day 11 - Booni (~114km)
Today we start to head East and climb to a higher altitude following the Kunar River as we head to Booni a charming town bordered by the lush green Qaqlasht high-altitude meadows, a stunning and expansive plateau known for its green landscapes, dotted with wildflowers and surrounded by towering peaks
Day 12 - Shandur Pass (~121km)
Shandur Pass, often referred to as the "Roof of the World," is a high mountain pass at approximately 3,7000m that connects the districts of Chitral and Ghizer.
The pass is known for its vast, flat meadows, which are surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges. A serene alpine lake, is a prominent feature of the landscape, reflecting the surrounding mountains and sky.
The Pass is famous for hosting the Shandur Polo Festival, held every July. This unique event features traditional polo matches played between teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan on what is considered the highest polo ground in the world.
Day 13 - Gilgit (~170km)
We continue heading East following the ever-growing Gilgit River with a detour to the Yasin Valley, also known as Babaye-i-Yasen, a beautiful and serene valley, with its rich history it was once part of the ancient trade routes that connected Central Asia with the Indian Subcontinent.
Yasin is home to numerous diverse ethnic groups, including Wakhi, Khowar, and Burusho communities. Each group has its unique traditions, languages, and customs.
Gilgit has a good bazaar that opens around 11am till late into the night if you want to pick some souvenirs to take home.
Day 14 - Skardu (~210km)
After visiting the exact point where the Hindu Kush, Karakorum and the Himalayas converge, we ride Strategic Highway 1 (S-1) that connects Gilgit with Skardu
The road offers great views of the Indus River, the surrounding mountains, and picturesque valleys.
The road is winding and, in some places, only wide enough for one vehicle to pass at a time. There are also sections with steep cliffs and no guardrails, making it one of the most dangerous roads in the world
In the evening we will have a goodbye feast and reminisce on all the things we have seen and done.
Day 15 - Islamabad
Today is a sad day as we drop you at Skardu Airport for your return flight to Islamabad.
What's Included |
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4x4 Support vehicle to carry your luggage |
Breakfasts |
Dinners |
Hotel Accommodation |
Local Tour Guide |
Mechanic |
Motorcycle Hire |
National Park entry fees |
Pakistan VIsa Letter & Support |
Rider Leader |
Skardu airport transfers |
Welcome Dinner and farewell celebration feast |
What's Not |
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Alcohol |
Entrance fees other than mentioned above |
Flights |
Petrol |
Snacks |
Travel Insurance |
Visa |