Eight days in early spring when apricot and cherry come out across every terrace in the valley, under peaks that are still in full winter.
8 days from Gilgit, 0 of them on foot, reaching 3,000 m. Late March to mid April, in groups of 2 to 16. Graded moderate.
The blossom is short. It moves up the valley with the altitude, Gilgit first, then Hunza, then Gulmit and Passu, and the whole thing is over in about two weeks. We time departures off the previous week's reports rather than a fixed calendar, which is the only way to do it honestly.
1
Welcome to Gilgit. You arrive by flight or by the Karakoram Highway, and the first blossom is already out on the terraces around the town. The flight over the Nanga Parbat massif is one of the most memorable in the country, and the road is a lovely way in too. The night is in a hotel in Gilgit.
Night at Hotel, 1,500 m.
2
The road follows the Hunza river up the valley, with a stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint on the way. Karimabad is the village below Baltit Fort, with unparalleled views of Rakaposhi, Diran and Lady Finger and across to the Nagar side. You sleep in a hotel in Karimabad.
Night at Hotel, 2,450 m.
3
A full day on the two forts, with fort entries and your guide included. Baltit Fort was the seat of the ruling family for about 750 years and its roof looks over the whole valley, and Altit, the older of the two, stands on the edge of a cliff above its old settlement. In the evening a jeep or car takes about 20 minutes up to Duikar, at about 2,800 m, for the sunset over the Hunza and Nagar valleys. The night is in Karimabad.
Night at Hotel, 2,450 m.
4
Across the river to Nagar to see the glacier and the terraces at Hopper, a cluster of five small villages above the glacier. The jeep road takes you right up to Hopper, and from there you can stretch your legs on foot for the views. You return to Karimabad for the night.
Night at Hotel, 2,600 m.
5
North into Upper Hunza, past Attabad lake, where a boat ride is a treat, and on to the Passu Cones, the Cathedral Peaks that stand above Passu village. The suspension bridge at Hussaini is the popular short walk, and watching the villagers cross is worth the stop. You sleep in Gulmit.
Night at Gulmit, 2,500 m.
6
The border day. Khunjerab Pass, at 4,693 metres, is about 86 km from Sost, with the park check post at Dhe, about 35 km from Sost, on the way up. Go as far as the day allows and enjoy the big mountain scenery. You return to Gulmit for the night.
Night at Gulmit, 4,693 m.
7
The drive back down the valley to Gilgit, with the blossom now fully out on the terraces below. The night is in a hotel in Gilgit.
Night at Hotel, 1,500 m.
8
The trip ends in Gilgit after breakfast, with a flight or a road transfer onward. You leave with the memory of blossom under the snow peaks.
1,500 m.
Cultural, Chitral and Hunza
15 days from Islamabad
Cultural, Chitral and Hunza
15 days from Islamabad
Cultural, Chitral and Hunza
15 days from Islamabad
