SHANGRI-LA HUNZA
A cultural tour of Pakistan

John Hilton's Shangri-la. Hunza is the land of longevity, serenity, towering mountains, lush green terraced valleys, the mighty Indus River, and most importantly, the friendly Hunzakuts. Our 10-day journey begins at the Khyber Pass near Peshawar and follows the Swat Valley, the incredible Karakorum Highway into Hunza, Gilgit and Skardu. We then fly to Islamabad, before ending our journey at Lahore, the first capital of the Moghuls.

Day 01: Arrive Peshawar
We are greeted with As Salaam Aleykoum, the traditional greeting, as we arrive at the historic city of Peshawar. The drive to the city gives us a glimpse of the city.
Peshawar is a Central Asian city and a scene from the Arabian Nights.
Overnight: Grand / Green’s Hotel, Peshawar (2 nights) (B)

Day 02: Khyber Pass and Peshawar
Morning visit to the Khyber Pass is like walking back into history. The Khyber Pass has been the silent witness to countless great events in the history of mankind. The historic pass begins 18 km (11 miles) west of Peshawar and runs up to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham, 57 km/35 miles from Peshawar. It has been conquered by the Greeks, ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins and still later invaded by the great Moguls. The Sikhs and Afghans also left their mark here before the Pass fell to the British. Today the Khyber Pass is the site of famous forts such as Jamrud and Shangai. Some of the forts are still occupied by the Khyber Regiment of the Pakistan Army. The "Smuggler's Bazaar" at Landi Kotal, situated en route to the Khyber Pass, is also covered in this tour. (Excursion to Khyber Pass is subject to permission from local authorities.). An afternoon 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)

Day 03: Peshawar/Swat (Drive 159 kms/98 miles)
Driving along the picturesque Malakand Pass you will first visit the magnificent ancient Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi dating back to 1st to 7th Century AD. Takht-e-Bhai consists of numerous chapels and stupas sticking to the high, rocky spurs. Next continue to the enchanting Swat Valley visiting the famous Churchill’s Picket en route. Later a city tour of Saidu Shariff, the capital of Swat Valley. You will see the small, but well preserved Swat Museum and Mingora known for its very colorful bazaar and Marghazar.
Overnight: Thames / Swat Continental, Swat (1 night) (B)

Day 04: Swat/Chilas (Drive 308 kms/190 miles)
In the morning ascending north, you cross the 2134m Shangla Pass, which gives a breathtaking and panoramic view of the Swat Valley before getting along side the Indus River on your way to the Gilgit Valley. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Chilas Inn / Panorama Hotel, Chilas (1 night) (B)

Day 05: Chilas / Hunza (Drive 240 kms / 148 miles)
We enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery on our drive to Hunza; first we getto see the Himalayas and later the Karakoram ranges. En route we stop at variousscenic spots and local villages. Even the amazing scenery along the way doesnot prepare us for the majesty and serenity that the Hunza Valley will presentto us. We are warmly welcomed by the Hunzakuts as we arrive at Karimabad, thecapital of Hunza Valley.
Overnight: Hill Top / Hunza Baltit Inn, Hunza (2 nights) (B)

Day 06: Hunza
Full day tour of Hunza. Very few places in the world compare with this smallmountainous region, which was a semi-autonomous state until very recently butis now fully unified with Pakistan, the ruling dynasty of Hunza having lastedfor over 600 years. The scenic beauty of this area, with its greenery and snow-cappedmountains, makes it a true paradise. During the summer there is an abundanceof apricots, peaches, pears and grapes. Hunza lies on the ancient trade routeto Kashgar in the Chinese province of Sinkiang. Today the Karakoram Highway runsalong this route with Karimabad being the main town of Hunza. Hunza is probablymost famous for the longevity of its people, due to their simplicity and naturaldiet, along with the unpolluted mountain air. Tibetan traders referred to thebeauty of this humble paradise as "Shangri-La". The tour will include meetingwith local folks, understanding the secrets of their longevity and also visitsome of the important historical sites including the recently renovated, simpleyet overpowering, Baltit Fort and the Ganesh watch Tower. Visit to Nagar Valleyand Hopper Glacier are also included. Visit to the Baltit Fort is of immenseinterest. For many years the fort served as an administrative headquarter andhome to the former Mirs (rulers) of Hunza. The porters who accompanied the Baltibride for the then Mir of Hunza built it more than 700 years ago. The style ofconstruction originates from Ladakh. A maze of rooms serving as living and administrativeoffices were added periodically, designed with indigenous woodwork. It is strategicallylocated on a prospect point, which gives it an immense overview of Hunza andneighboring valleys. Currently it serves as a Fort Museum with a good collectionof exhibit of artifacts and musical instruments from Hunza. The fort is now administeredby the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Foundation, which undertook the reconstructionand re-establishment to its original grandeur. Visit to Hoper offers a fine viewof some of the highest peaks in Hunza and Nagar. (B)

Day 07: Hunza / Gilgit (Drive 100 kms / 62 miles)
Today we drive southwards reaching the ancient silk route-trading town of Gilgit,the administrative centre of Northern Pakistan. Our afternoon tour of Gilgit,includes a visit to a local school, the home of a Gilgiton, the popular pologrounds and the very typical mountain bazaar. We'll also visit the impressiverock carvings of the Buddha near Kargah.
Overnight: Gilgit Continental / Reveria Hotel, Gilgit (1 night) (B)

Day 08: Gilgit / Besham (Drive 345 kms / 215 miles)
Today we will drive to on KKH to Besham. It is a stopover developing rapidly into a busy commercial town. Following the down stream course of River Indus,we will make photo stops at the confluence of River Indus & Gilgit, our nextstop will be at the unique point where three mountain rages, Karakoram, Himalayasand Hindu Kush meet, Nanga Parbat viewpoint offers breathtaking panorama on behind.We will also stop at Chilas & Shatial rocks with ancient graffiti's on it beforereaching at Besham.
Overnight: Palace / Besham Hotel, Besham (1 night) (B)

Day 09: Besham / Islamabad (Drive 245 kms / 155 miles)
Morning drive to Islamabad with visit to Taxila. A fallen world of glories now,Taxila was once the seat of oriental culture. Situated only 32 km from Rawalpindi,Taxila is famous for the rare specimens of stucco from the Gandhara period excavatedfrom Sirkap, as well as various Buddhist Stupas and Monasteries. Taxila is firstmentioned as a territory of the Great Achaemenian Empire of Persia in the 6thcentury BC in inscriptions of Darius the Great at Beghistun. It was invaded byAlexander the Great to assert his claim over the lost provinces of the AchaemenianEmpire, and then ruled by Mauryas such as Ashoka the Great, Bactrian Greeks,Scythians, Parthians and the Kushan kings. It came to an undignified end around450 AD when it was ransacked by hordes of White Huns. The museum here housesvarious objects and sculptures dating from the 4th century BC to the 5th century AD. The excavations are spread out over an area of 8 km.
Once the sightseeing is over then we will drive to Islamabad.
Overnight: Regency / Marina Hotel, Islamabad (1 night) (B)

Day 10: Depart Islamabad
Khuda Hafiz - farewell, departure transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Mar 13, Apr 03, May 15, Jun 05, Jul 10, Aug 07, Sep 11, Oct 09

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) Departure/Airport taxes All sightseeing and transfers Insurance & Visa fees Services of local English speaking guide Beverages/Tips Entrance fees to museums and sites   Necessary visa support

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 2008 US $ 1265 • CA $ 1265 US $ 185 • CA $ 185

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1400 USA - East Coast US $ 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 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.