SHANGRI-LA
HUNZA
A cultural tour of Pakistan
James Hilton’s Shangri-la. Hunza is the land of longevity, serenity, towering mountain, lush green terraced valleys, the mighty Indus River, and most importantly, the friendly Hunzakuts. Our 10-day follows the incredible Karakorum Highway into the breathtaking Hunza Valley.
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Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
| 01 |
Islamabad |
| 02 |
Islamabad/Peshawar |
| 03 |
Peshawar |
| 04 |
Peshawar/Besham
|
| 05 |
Besham/Gilgit |
| 06 |
Gilgit/Hunza |
| 07 |
Hunza |
| 08 |
Hunza/Gilgit
|
| 09 |
Gilgit/Islamabad |
| 10 |
Depart
Islamabad |
|
|
Day 01 (SUN): Arrive Islamabad
As Salaam Aleykoum, the traditional greeting,
as we arrive at the capital city of Islamabad. Meet
& transfer to the hotel. Check in starts from 1400
hrs.
Overnight: Serena Hotel, Islamabad (1 night)
(D)
Day 02 (MON): Islamabad/Peshawar – 175 kms
This morning we visit the old garrison town
of Rawalpindi followed by a scene into modernity at
Islamabad. Visit Shakarparian (sweet hills) Garden,
which gives you a panoramic view of Islamabad before
driving past various modern streets and buildings -
graceful with a touch of Islamic architecture. Your
tour culminates at one of the world’s largest
mosque - Shah Faisal Mosque, which also houses a University
specializing in Islamic Philosophy and Law. During the
tour we will also drive past various Government Buildings,
which are blend of modern and traditional Islamic architecture.
Continue onto the historic city of Peshawar.
Overnight: Pearl Continental Hotel, Peshawar
(2 nights) (B, D)
Day
03 (TUE): Peshawar
A morning tour of Peshawar city includes: The
Peshawar Museum that houses a rich treasure of art,
sculpture and historical relics dating from the Gandhara
period (300 BC to 300 AD) to modern times. Visit to
the Yadgar Square and the Mahabat Khan Mosque, a beautiful
towering structure with lofty minarets. The Qissa Khawani
Bazaar (storyteller’s bazaar), the Peshawar Pottery
Works, Bater Bazaar (street of partridge lovers) and
Mochi Lara, famous for it’s exquisitely embroidered
sandals. Peshawar is a colorful and cosmopolitan city
and many different people gather here; Afghans, Iranis,
Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afridis and Shinwaris all add to the
excitement. (B, D)
Day 04 (WED): Peshawar/Besham – 365 kms
Today we head out for a day’s drive to
Besham.
Overnight: PTDC Motel, Besham (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 05 (THU): Besham/Gilgit – 360 kms
We continue our way up north to the ancient
silk route-trading town of Gilgit, the administrative
centre of Northern Pakistan.
Overnight: Serena Hotel, Gilgit (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 06 (FRI): Gilgit/Hunza – 105 kms
Our morning tour of Gilgit includes a visit
to a local school, the home of a Gilgiton, the popular
polo grounds and the very typical mountain bazaar. We'll
also visit the impressive rock carvings of the Buddha
near Kargah. In the afternoon we head for Karimabad,
the capital of the Hunza Valley.
Overnight: Hunza Baltit Inn, Hunza (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day
07 (SAT): Hunza
Full day tour of Hunza. Very few places in
the world compare with this small mountainous region,
which was a semi-autonomous state until very recently
but is now fully unified with Pakistan, the ruling dynasty
of Hunza having lasted for over 600 years. The scenic
beauty of this area, with its greenery and snow-capped
mountains, makes it a true paradise. During the summer
there is an abundance of apricots, peaches, pears and
grapes. Hunza lies on the ancient trade route to Kashgar
in the Chinese province of Sinkiang. Today the Karakoram
Highway runs along this route with Karimabad being the
main town of Hunza. Hunza is probably most famous for
the longevity of its people, due to their simplicity
and natural diet, along with the unpolluted mountain
air. Tibetan traders referred to the beauty of this
humble paradise as "Shangri-La". The tour
will include meeting with local folks, understanding
the secrets of their longevity and also visit some of
the important historical sites including the recently
renovated, simple yet overpowering, Baltit Fort and
the Ganesh watch Tower. Visit to Nagar Valley and Hopper
Glacier are also included. Visit to the Baltit Fort
is of immense interest. For many years the fort served
as an administrative headquarter and home to the former
Mirs (rulers) of Hunza. The porters who accompanied
the Balti bride for the then Mir of Hunza built it more
than 700 years ago. The style of construction originates
from Ladakh. A maze of rooms serving as living and administrative
offices were added periodically, designed with indigenous
woodwork. It is strategically located on a prospect
point, which gives it an immense overview of Hunza and
neighboring valleys. Currently it serves as a Fort Museum
with a good collection of exhibit of artefacts and musical
instruments from Hunza. The fort is now administered
by the Aga Khan Foundation Cultural Board, which undertook
the reconstruction and renovations to its original grandeur.
Visit to Hoper offers a fine view of some of the highest
peaks in Hunza and Nagar. (B, D)
Day
08 (SUN): Hunza/Gilgit – 105 kms
Check out by 1100 hrs. The rest of the day
is free at leisure to enjoy this beautiful town. Afternoon
return drive to Gilgit.
Overnight: Serena Hotel, Gilgit (1 night) (B,
D)
Day
09 (MON): Gilgit/Islamabad (Flight–subject to
weather and backlog)
Early morning transfer to the airport for a
flight back to Islamabad. Meet & transfer to the
hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Serena Hotel, Islamabad (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 10 (TUE): Depart Islamabad
Khuda Hafiz – farewell, departure transfer
to the airport for the departure flight.
Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)
Departure
Dates |
2012
English Speaking Departures
Apr 08, May 06, Jun 24, Sep 16, Oct 07, Nov 11 |
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Accommodation
using Tourist Class Hotels as mentioned or
similar, including hotel taxes |
International
Airfares |
| Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) |
Departure/Airport
taxes |
| All
sightseeing and transfers |
Insurance
& Visa fees |
| Services
of local English speaking guide |
Beverages/Tips |
| Entrance
fees to museums and sites |
|
| Economy air ticket Gilgit/Islamabad |
|
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Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA
$ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for
clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no modification
has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour
that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
| Season |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| 2012 |
US
$ 2195 |
US
$ 550 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1000 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of
08 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other
than the above ones or with a customised itinerary,
please contact us and we will be happy to work out
an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
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