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HINDUKUSH-KARAKORUM-HIMALAYA

JEEP ODYSSEY

We start our odyssey from Rawalpindi and follow the footsteps of great traveler Marcopolo. In the land of Gandhara we visit Taxila and set off for Lotus City of Peshawar. Visit the storyteller’s bazar and Peshawar museum and drive to the lush green Swat. A day trip to the historic Khyber Pass on Pak Afghan border from Peshawar, will be added asset of this tour. In Swat visit ruins of Gandhara civilization and picturesque Kalam before crossing 3118 meter high Lowari Pass to Chitral. Guarded by Trich Mir (7708 m) the highest peak of the Hindukush Range, Chitral has been the easiest branch of Silk Route trade and a strategic point for Tibetan, Arab and Chinese invaders. In the next two days we will recollect the past among the Kafirs (infidels) of Kalash who claim to be the descendents of Alexander the Great and still retain their two millennia old culture unspoilt. From here three days journey will take us to Gilgit. Leaving Chitral valley, we will drive through the highest polo field at Shandur Pass (3734 m) and pass through the calm Phander Lake where a day can be spent catching trout fish. Then drive through a combination of barren land and lush green terraced fields of Gupis and Punyal. Our next destination from Gilgit is picturesque Hunza Valley. A day or two in Karimabad will allow us discover the hidden secrets of Hunza. Then visit Khunjerab Pass (4733 m) and return back to Gilgit. We will then ascend 4137 meter high Babusar Pass and descend into lush green valley of Kaghan along Kunar River, known as Pakistan’s Little Kashmir. Enroute, a day excursion to the famous Saif-ul Muluk Lake (3212 m) surrounded by lush green mountain slopes, pine trees and Malika Parbat (Queen Mountain 5292 m). Finally we will drive to Abbottabad and then to Rawalpindi.

Picturesque valleys of Shigir and Hushe in Baltistan with a traverse via Deosai Plateau and Astore Valley can be added to this programme.