Mountain weather can change quickly; conditions shown are planning guidance for the destination area.
Pakistan is the only country where the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush meet, and this itinerary is built specifically around crossing all three. Nanga Parbat in the Himalaya, Rakaposhi and the Khunjerab Pass in the Karakoram, and the Chitral valleys of the Hindu Kush, travelled overland, in order, with an English speaking guide throughout.
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Day by Day Itinerary
Days 1 to 2, Islamabad to Chilas, entering the Himalaya
Drive the Karakoram Highway along the Indus gorge, stopping at the Three Ranges junction marker where the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush meet.
Days 3 to 4, Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat
Jeep to Tato and walk up to Fairy Meadows for the classic view of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world and the Himalaya's western anchor.
Days 5 to 7, Hunza, the Karakoram
North to Karimabad. Baltit and Altit forts, Eagle's Nest at sunrise, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, and the drive to Khunjerab Pass at 4,693m.
Days 8 to 9, Gilgit to Chitral via Shandur
Cross the Shandur Pass at 3,700m, the world's highest polo ground, descending into the Hindu Kush and on to Chitral.
Days 10 to 11, Chitral & the Kalash Valleys
Chitral Fort and the Hindu Kush foothills, then a full day in the Kalash valleys of Bumburet and Rumbur.
Days 12 to 13, Return via Lowari to Islamabad
Drive south through the Lowari Tunnel and Dir, arriving Islamabad on Day 13.
Tour Highlights
Nanga Parbat, HimalayaRakaposhi & Khunjerab Pass, KarakoramChitral & Lowari, Hindu KushAttabad Lake & Passu ConesShandur Pass Crossing
What's Included
Private 4x4 and driver throughout
Hotel accommodation with breakfast daily
English speaking guide
Khunjerab National Park entry
All permits and NOC arrangements
Airport transfers and e visa invitation letter
Not Included
International flights
Pakistan visa fee
Lunches and dinners
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tour Information
Duration
13 Days / 12 Nights
Travel Mode
By Road (4x4)
Max Altitude
4,693m (Khunjerab Pass)
Group Size
1 to 8 people
Best Time
June early October
Visa Support
Invitation letter provided
Where You'll Stay
Karimabad hotel
3 nights in Hunza with valley views.
Chitral hotel
2 nights in Chitral town.
Fairy Meadows huts
1 night in mountain huts facing Nanga Parbat.
Questions About This Tour
You cross all three. The route enters the Himalaya at Nanga Parbat, travels the length of the Karakoram to Khunjerab, then crosses Shandur Pass into the Hindu Kush at Chitral. The junction point of the three ranges near Jaglot is a marked stop on Day 2.
Shandur is generally open June to early October and closes with snow. Outside that window we route Chitral via the Lowari Tunnel instead, which keeps all three ranges in the trip but drops the pass itself.
Physically easy, it is a driving itinerary with short walks, apart from the Fairy Meadows approach which involves a 2 to 3 hour uphill walk. The demand is in the long mountain driving days and high altitude at Khunjerab and Shandur.