Travel from Islamabad into the lakes, high valleys and extraordinary mountain landscapes of northern Pakistan. Kachura and Shigar introduce Baltistan before the road leads to Hunza’s forts, villages and turquoise Attabad Lake.
The journey continues through Hoper and Upper Hunza, with an optional Khunjerab excursion and a night in wooden huts at Fairy Meadows. This is an active mountain journey with private support: rewarding trails and simple high-country accommodation are part of its character, alongside carefully chosen city hotels and resorts.
Hand-crafted journeys. Seamless personal care.
The Midasia Difference
Personal care. Every step of the way.
The pleasure of discovery begins with feeling looked after. Midasia Routes brings the welcome, local knowledge and day-to-day coordination together around the journey.
01
A personal welcome
Airport assistance, luggage care and a coordinated transfer help the journey begin comfortably.
02
Your guide, your pace
Local understanding, clear daily briefings and consideration for walking comfort bring depth to each visit.
03
Thoughtful transitions
Your team connects the road journeys, hotel arrivals and planned activities, keeping the practical details close at hand.
04
People and place
Respectful cultural encounters and time to look closely make the experience more personal than a list of monuments.
The Route
One journey. Many memorable chapters.
01 · JOURNEY STAGEIslamabad
02 · JOURNEY STAGESkardu / Shigar
03 · JOURNEY STAGEHunza
04 · JOURNEY STAGEHoper
05 · JOURNEY STAGEUpper Hunza
06 · JOURNEY STAGEFairy Meadows
07 · JOURNEY STAGEGilgit
08 · JOURNEY STAGEIslamabad
Illustrated travel sequence. The complete day-by-day program follows below.
The Art of Travelling Well
Closer to the place. Comfortably yourself.
Your guide helps you understand the places you visit, makes the day’s practical arrangements and leaves room for the details that make travel memorable. Warm hospitality and thoughtful pacing are part of the experience.
Encounters along the northern journeyDiscover the character of the journeyA welcoming pause beside the lakeDiscover the character of the journeyMountain architecture with characterDiscover the character of the journey
A personal welcome and well-coordinated transfers.
Local guiding that brings the story into focus.
Attention to comfort from arrival to farewell.
A Journey in Pictures
Places that stay with you.
The still waters of ShangrilaShigar Fort and its gardensThe cold desert of BaltistanThe mountain road beneath RakaposhiBaltit Fort above HunzaHussaini suspension bridge
Your Journey, Day by Day
12 days. A world of discovery.
Follow the journey from its personal welcome to the final farewell. Each day has its own character, with the route, visits and practical rhythm brought together below.
01
Your Welcome to the Northern Journey
Your Midasia guide and chauffeur receive you at Islamabad International Airport and escort you privately to your hotel. The evening is free for rest after the international journey. Meet your guide for a practical introduction to the mountain route, including the flight to Skardu, the longer road stages and the walking involved at Fairy Meadows. Discuss footwear, luggage and your preferred pace so that the team understands your needs before the journey into the Karakoram begins.
02
The Lakes of Kachura
Take the morning flight from Islamabad to Skardu, approximately one hour when operating as scheduled. Your guide meets you on arrival and assists with the hotel transfer before exploring the Kachura region. Visit Upper Kachura, Soq Valley and Lower Kachura Lake, discovering the contrast between still water, cultivated valleys and the surrounding mountains. The day is paced around the flight and your comfort, with time to enjoy the scenery rather than treating the lake visits as brief photographic stops.
03
Waterfall, Cold Desert and Shigar Fort
After breakfast, travel to Manthokha Waterfall for the first part of the day. Continue towards Shigar Valley, pausing in the cold desert before visiting Shigar Fort. Water, sand and traditional mountain architecture create a varied sequence within one region. Your private guide explains the valley’s setting and allows time for walking, photographs and refreshments. Return to your Skardu or Shigar accommodation for another night, keeping the mountain chapter comfortable before the road journey to Hunza.
04
Along the Mountain Road to Hunza
Leave in the morning for the road journey to Hunza. Stop at Ashtaq Nala and the Rakaposhi viewpoint for refreshments and photography, watching the landscape change as the route follows the northern valleys. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and relax during the afternoon. Later, explore the tourist bazaar in Karimabad at an easy pace. Your guide helps make sense of the region’s cultural setting, while the evening remains light after the substantial road journey.
05
Forts Above the Hunza Valley
Visit historic Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, then explore the old settlements of Altit village. The day brings together defensive architecture, village life and the mountain setting that shaped them. In the later afternoon, travel to Duikar, also known as Eagles Nest, for sunset and panoramic views when the sky is clear. Return with time for a stroll along Karimabad’s main visitor street before settling into the hotel. Walking is paced around the slopes and steps encountered during the fort visits.
06
Hoper: Village Paths and Glacier Views
Travel into Hoper Valley for village exploration, light walks and views of Hoper Glacier. The source program includes the possibility of walking on the glacier; this remains optional and is undertaken only if the local guide confirms suitable conditions, support and equipment. Enjoy the landscape at a pace appropriate to the terrain, then return to Hunza by evening. An optional visit to Ganish, one of the valley’s historic settlements, adds another layer of local heritage if time and energy permit.
The extraordinary skyline of Passu
07
The Colours of Upper Hunza
Explore Upper Hunza with your private guide, beginning at Attabad Lake, where time is available for boating or jet skiing. Continue to Hussaini suspension bridge, Borith Lake and Ghulkin village, combining dramatic scenery with a more personal introduction to local life. The program also offers walking, hiking and ziplining where available and suitable. Activities are chosen around your interests and the conditions on the day; there is no need to participate in every option to enjoy this remarkable landscape.
08
An Optional Journey to Khunjerab
The day offers an optional road journey to Khunjerab Pass and the Pakistan–China border area, subject to access, weather and your comfort with the high altitude. Travel through Khunjerab National Park, keeping watch for ibex and other wildlife without expecting guaranteed sightings. Your guide monitors the day’s conditions and keeps the visit measured. Return to Hunza by evening. Guests who do not take the excursion can spend a quieter day in the valley with arrangements coordinated by the local team.
09
Into Fairy Meadows
Begin the journey towards Fairy Meadows: the source route allows approximately three hours to the jeep meeting point, followed by around ninety minutes by jeep towards Tattu and a further three-hour hike. These are substantial travel stages on mountain roads and trails, so your guide sets the pace and organises the transitions carefully. Horses or mules may be arranged for guests who prefer assistance where suitable. Arrive at Fairy Meadows and enjoy a free evening in the mountain setting, staying in wooden huts rather than a conventional luxury hotel.
10
Beyal and the Return to Gilgit
Spend the morning at Fairy Meadows, with the option to hike further towards Beyal Camp if snow and trail conditions permit. The guide balances the excursion with the return journey rather than pressing on when conditions are unsuitable. After checkout, descend on foot to the jeep meeting point and continue by vehicle towards Gilgit. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the comfort of a city room after the mountain stay. This day combines walking and travel, with the itinerary’s Beyal visit remaining conditional.
11
Return to Islamabad
Take the morning flight to Islamabad and transfer to the hotel before a guided city tour. Visit Faisal Mosque, the Pakistan Monument, Shakarparian and Lok Virsa, bringing the journey back to the cultural life of the capital after the mountain valleys. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant selected by the local team. Return to the hotel for the final night.
12
Farewell to Pakistan
Check out by noon and transfer privately to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home. Your guide and driver assist with the final movement and luggage. The journey ends with memories of Kachura’s lakes, Shigar’s desert and fort, the villages of Hunza and a night beneath the mountains at Fairy Meadows.
Journey Planning
Travel with the season.
Mountain flights, high roads and outdoor activities depend on local operating and weather conditions. The optional Khunjerab day and the Beyal walk remain conditional, as in the original program.
Fairy Meadows involves a mountain jeep journey and a sustained hike. Wooden huts and trail conditions are part of this experience; your guide discusses support and the walking plan with you.
Your accommodation
Mövenpick Hotel · Rivage Resort, Hashupe Resort or similar · Hunza Serena Hotel, Famree Resort or similar · Famree Resort, Hunza Serena Hotel or similar · Raikot Serai · wooden huts · Ramada by Wyndham
Photography acknowledgements
Fairy Meadows beneath Nanga Parbat · Tahsin Anwar Ali · CC BY-SA 3.0
