23-Day Pakistan Tour: Culture, Heritage & Mountains

Drive to Thatta (~2 hrs)

🏛️ Thatta Exploration:

• Makli Necropolis (UNESCO Site) – One of the world's largest cemeteries, home to exquisite tombs.
• Shah Jahan Mosque – A masterpiece of Mughal-era architecture with 100+ domes.
• Chaukhandi Tombs – Mysterious sandstone-carved burial sites.

🌇 Evening drive to Hyderabad (~2 hrs).
🏨 Overnight stay in Hyderabad.

• Sindh Museum – Discover Sindhi culture and folklore.
• Mukhi House Museum – A glimpse into Hyderabad’s colonial past.
• Talpur Tombs (Miran Ja Quba) – Historical royal tombs.
• Indus River Bank stroll – Enjoy the riverside ambiance.

🏨 Overnight stay in Hyderabad.

🚗 Drive to Sehwan (~3 hrs).

🕌 Spiritual Stops:

• Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai – A major Sufi poet’s resting place.
• Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine – Experience the Dhamal (Sufi dance) in the evening.

🏨 Overnight stay in Sehwan.

🚗 Drive to Sukkur (~4 hrs).

🏛️ Mohenjo-Daro (UNESCO World Heritage Site):

• One of the world's earliest cities (2500 BCE).
• Explore the Great Bath and intricate street planning.

🏛️ Other Highlights in Sukkur:

• Sukkur Barrage – A British-era irrigation marvel.

🏨 Overnight stay in Sukkur.

Day 6: Sukkur to Bahawalpur – Saints & Shrines

• Breakfast & departure.
• Visit Uch Sharif, home to the Tomb of Bibi Jawindi.
• Arrive in Bahawalpur, check-in at hotel.
• Evening visit to Noor Mahal.

• Full-day exploration of:
• • Derawar Fort
  • Bahawalpur Museum
• Return to hotel.

• Visit Multan’s Blue Pottery Institute.
• Explore:
  • Shrines of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Shah Shams Tabrez, and Bahauddin Zakariya
• Overnight in Multan.

• Scenic drive to Lahore.
• Afternoon visit to:
  • Lahore Fort
  • Badshahi Mosque
  • Food Street for dinner.

Delve into Lahore’s rich artistic and architectural heritage at the Lahore Museum, home to an impressive collection of Gandhara art and Mughal relics. Wander through the Shalimar Gardens, a Persian-style paradise built by Emperor Shah Jahan. In the evening, experience patriotic fervor at the Wagah Border Flag Ceremony, a thrilling display of military drills and national pride.

• Visit:
  • Shalimar Gardens
  • Lahore Museum
• Witness the powerful Wagah Border Flag Ceremony.

On your way to Islamabad, stop at Rohtas Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Sher Shah Suri. Marvel at its massive gateways and defensive walls. Arrive in Islamabad, check in at your hotel, and enjoy a peaceful evening in the capital.

🚗 Drive via GT Road (~5 hrs).

🏰 Stop at Rohtas Fort (UNESCO Site) – Built by Sher Shah Suri.
🏨 Overnight in Islamabad.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Islamabad.

🚗 Drive towards Peshawar (~2 hrs), with an important stop en route.
🏛️ Taxila Exploration (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
• Dharmarajika Stupa & Jaulian Monastery – Ancient Buddhist heritage sites.
• Taxila Museum – Featuring Gandhara civilization artifacts.
🚗 Continue drive to Peshawar (~1.5 hrs).
🏛️ Peshawar Exploration:
• Peshawar Museum – Renowned for its extensive Gandhara Buddhist art collection.
• Qissa Khwani Bazaar – The 'Storytellers' Market, rich in history and culture.
🏨 Overnight stay in Peshawar.

🚗 Drive to Takht-e-Bahi (~1.5 hrs).

🏛️ Takht-e-Bahi Exploration (UNESCO World Heritage Site):

• Ancient Buddhist Monastery Complex – One of the best-preserved early Buddhist monastic complexes in the Gandhara region.
• Explore the archaeological ruins perched on a hilltop, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

🚗 Continue drive to Swat (~3.5 hrs).

🏨 Overnight stay in Swat.

🚗 Drive from Swat to Besham (~5-6 hrs) via the picturesque Karakoram Highway (KKH).

🏞️ Scenic Stops Along the Way:

• Malakand Pass – A historic pass offering breathtaking views.
• Shangla Top – A high-altitude pass with stunning landscapes.
• Indus River Viewpoints – Enjoy the raw beauty of Pakistan’s longest river.

🏨 Overnight stay in Besham, a key resting stop for travelers heading towards Gilgit-Baltistan.

🚗 Drive Duration: 9-10 hours
The journey from Besham to Skardu is one of the most breathtaking drives in the world, taking you deep into the Karakoram Mountains along the Indus River.

🏞️ Highlights of the Journey:

• Indus River Gorge – A dramatic river valley with towering cliffs.
• Jaglot Junction – The meeting point of the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalayan mountain ranges.
• Scenic Landscapes – Snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and hidden villages.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Skardu

🌄 A full day of cultural and natural wonders in Skardu.

🏰 Key Attractions:

• Shigar Fort – A 17th-century fort turned into a heritage hotel, showcasing Tibetan and Balti architecture.
• Upper Kachura Lake – A stunning alpine lake surrounded by rugged mountains, perfect for boating and photography.
• Manthoka Waterfall – A beautiful cascading waterfall in a remote valley.
• Cold Desert of Sarfaranga – One of the highest deserts in the world, with mesmerizing white sand dunes.
• Skardu Bazaar – Explore local markets for traditional Balti handicrafts, gemstones, and souvenirs.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Skardu

🚗 4x4 Adventure into Deosai Plains

🏞️ Highlights of Deosai National Park:

• Satpara Lake – A stunning turquoise lake just outside Skardu.
• Deosai Plains – One of the highest plateaus in the world (4,114m), home to Himalayan brown bears, golden marmots, and breathtaking landscapes.
• Sheosar Lake – A crystal-clear alpine lake with reflections of Nanga Parbat.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Skardu

🚗 Drive Duration: 7-8 hours
🌍 A mesmerizing drive along the Karakoram Highway, following the Indus River as it merges with the Gilgit River.

🏞️ Key Stops Along the Route:

• Astak Nala – A beautiful valley with glacial streams.
• Rakaposhi Viewpoint – A stunning viewpoint offering a close-up view of the 7,788m Rakaposhi peak.
• Junction of Three Mountain Ranges – Witness the meeting point of the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush ranges.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Hunza (Karimabad)

🏰 Historical & Cultural Highlights:

• Baltit Fort – A centuries-old fort with incredible views of the Hunza Valley.
• Altit Fort – A beautifully restored ancient fort with vibrant gardens.
• Karimabad Bazaar – Stroll through the charming market, known for gemstones, handicrafts, and organic Hunza apricots.

🌄 Evening at Eagle’s Nest – A spectacular panoramic viewpoint, perfect for sunset photography.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Hunza

🚗 Full-day adventure along the Karakoram Highway.

🏞️ Major Stops:

• Attabad Lake – A breathtaking turquoise lake formed after a landslide.
• Passu Cones – Iconic Sharp Mountain peaks, a must-see for photographers.
• Hussaini Suspension Bridge – One of the world’s most thrilling rope bridges.
• Khunjerab Pass (4,693m) – The highest paved international border crossing between Pakistan & China.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Hunza

🚗 Drive Duration: 3-4 hours

🏞️ Key Attractions in Gilgit:

• Kargah Buddha – A 7th-century rock carving of Buddha, showcasing ancient Buddhist heritage.
• Gilgit Bazaar – Experience local life and shop for traditional handicrafts and gemstones.
• NLI Market – A great place to buy souvenirs, including Pashmina shawls and gemstones.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Gilgit

✈️ Morning Flight from Gilgit to Islamabad (Weather Dependent)

• Note: If flights from Gilgit to Islamabad are canceled due to weather or any other reason, we will continue the journey overland via either Babusar Pass (if open) or the Besham route, ensuring a smooth and comfortable return to Islamabad.

🏞️ Islamabad Exploration (If Time Allows):

• Saidpur Village – A beautifully preserved village with historic architecture, cafes, and art galleries.
• Centaurus Mall – A modern shopping experience before departure.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Islamabad

🚖 Airport Transfer & Farewell

🔹 Optional last-minute shopping or sightseeing, depending on flight schedules.
🔹 End of an unforgettable 23-day journey through Pakistan’s heritage, landscapes, and culture.