Passu Batura Trek
BATURA GLACIER TREK
18 DAYS
NOTE :- Although, we try to adhere to the schedule listed below, this itinerary is subject to change due to numerous reasons beyond our control such as bad weather, canceled or delayed flights, road washouts, vehicle breakdowns, sickness, accidents, govt restrictions & all other unforseen exigencies for which we cannot make provisions. 06 nights and 07 days
DAY 01
ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI
AM : Arrival at Islamabad Airport. Met and transferred to Hotel. Previous night included.
After a brief rest, proceed for a sightseeing excursion of Islamabad.
PM : After lunch proceed to Rawalpindi for a sightseeing excursion. Return to your Hotel Akbar International for overnight. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
DAY 02
ISLAMABAD -TO- BESHAM
AM : After an early breakfast, drive to Besham, a major town on the upper course of the Indus & a gateway to Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Nanga Parbat & Kaghan Valleys. The whole journey will proceed on the Karakoram Highway, also known as the "eight wonder" of the world. Karakoram Highway - connects Pakistan to China, twisting through the three mighty ranges of the world, the Karakorams, the Himalayas & the Pamirs - & follows the ancient Silk Route along the Indus, Gilgit & Hunza Rivers up the Chinese border at the Khunjerab Pass where it concludes in the Taklamakan Desert after winding through the Pamirs & Kashgar districts.
On arrival transfer to PTDC Motel Besham. All meals included.
Distance : 280 km, Drive : 07-08 hrs, Altitude : 950 meters
DAY 03
BESHAM -TO- GILGIT
AM : Resume road journey to Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway via Chilas whose ancient name was "Silvata", a Sunsikrit word which meant Rock or Stone. The name went in vogue because of the 06th & 08th centuries carvings & paintings on the nearby boulders at the banks of the Indus. Lunch at Panorama Hotel Chilas.
PM : On arrival at Gilgit, transfer to Mir's Lodge or PTDC Motel.
Gilgit is the Capital of Northern Pakistan is a thriving frontier town that has expanded rapidly to include over 40,000 inhabitants since the Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978. It sits in a wide irrigated bowl 1500 M above sea level at the Eastern end of the Gilgit Valley. The quaint little town of Gilgit has a cluster of interesting places in it short radius, including a beautiful rock carving of Buddha, a victory monument of Taj Mughal, built 700 years ago and the longest suspension bridge in Asia (600 ft long) The favorite sport in Gilgit is Polo, which the locals claim originated here. It is a more rugged style than the sedate variety known in the plains. The polo tournament held in the 1st two weeks of November is a festive occasion and attracts a large number of spectators.
Overnight at Mir's Lodge or PTDC Motel. All meals included.
Distance : 326 km, Drive : 06-07 hrs, Altitude : 1500 meters
DAY 04
GILGIT -TO- HUNZA
AM : After breakfast proceed for a brief tour of Kargah Nulla, & Gilgit Bazaar. The Kargah Nulla is famous for its huge rock carving. This sculpture was carved in seventh century. A monastery, 03 stupas and Gilgit manuscripts were also found in the vicinity between 1931-39. They are now housed in London, Delhi, Rome and Karachi. The interesting legend behind this sculpture narrates - the villagers asked a passing saint to help them get rid of a man- eater ogress called Yakhshini who lived at Kargah. The saint succeeded in pinning her to the rock and declared she won,t bother them for as long as he was alive, however, if they buried him at the foot of the rock, she would never be free. So the villagers killed the saint and buried him below the rock. The Yakhshini is still slave and villagers are now safe.
The Gilgit Bazaar is famous for its handicrafts such as woolen gowns known as chughas, waist coats, shoes, musical instruments, silver jewelry, caps, woolen rugs and embroideries. The Gilgit town has also become a major dry port for trade between Pakistan and China through Khunjerab Pass. Due to this dramatic reform one can easily purchase China wares, paintings, silk clothes, glass and various other Chinese products of excellent quality. Later, proceed to Chinar Bagh, where trees as much as 300 years old haughtily overlook the Gilgit river. This beautiful park is adorned with a bronze ibex mounted on a tall marble pillar. The monument was built to pay tribute to the local soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of their motherland.
On our way back to hotel, we will drive across the Asia's longest suspension bridge (600 feet long 6 feet wide).
PM : After lunch, drive to Gulmit, the prettiest valley of Hunza. Eric Shipton declared it as the ultimate manifestation of mountain grandeur Yes ! the Legendary Hunza - whose very name is overwhelming ! is known for its towering snow covered peaks, creeping glaciers, fragrant apricot orchards & the longevity of its people. Lord Curson noted that "The little State of Hunza contains more summits of over 20,000 ft than there are of over 10,000 ft in the entire Alps". This magical land of contrasting geology abounds in glaciers too, including the 58 Km (world's 5th longest ) Batura Glacier. The Nubra, Braldu, Hushe and Saltoro Rivers are born in the Karakoram glacial vastness: the Shayok River encircles the entire flanks of the range: but only the Hunza river literally cuts through the width of the Karakoram Range. Hunza's extreme isolation thus imposed by the unbelievably steep gorges of the Karakoram, rise to a long standing, wholly indigenous & pure diet consisting almost entirely of apricots, wheat and "Hunza Water", a locally brewed wine, & hence the long living inhabitants. The hardy people of Hunza are thought to be the descendants of the Alexander's lost column of army. Until 1974, Hunza remained a semi - autonomous princely state presided over by a benevolent "MIR" who personally held a daily court & the subjects paid taxes in goods rather than money. Nestled under the shadows of Rakaposhi 7788 m, perches its capital Karimabad - guarded with centuries old sentinel of Altit & Baltit. Our approach to Hunza is by jeep on the Karakoram Highway, a thin ribbon of pavement carved into the walls of the stupendous Karakoram. This road completed in 1978 , now links the ancient trails of the Silk Route from Gilgit to Kashgar. Hunza's 35000 inhabitants have been ruled by the same family since the 11th century. A legend relates that the Hunzakuts, (as the people of Hunza are known) are the descendants of the 05 lost soldiers of the Alexander's Army. Brushuski, an aboriginal language is spoken in the central Hunza & Wakhi, related to Chinese Turkistan is spoken in the upper Gojal. Hunzakuts lived off the fruits of caravan- raiding, slave trading & attacking their neighbors. The kingdom retained independence until the British took over in 1891 and became part of Pakistan in 1974. The society is co-operative rather than competitive. Each family grows enough food for its own use. As the Hunzakuts lived aloof from the outer world, each citizen was self sufficient in making his own shoes, clothes & bowls, until, the Karakoram Highway linked them with the world. The people are cheerful & friendly. Almost the entire population belongs to the Ismaili Shias sect headed by the Prince Karim Agha Khan. The women wear bright clothes, long shirts over baggy trousers and little embroided pillbox hats over which they drape their shawls.
PM : Arrive Hunza for overnight at Hill Top. All meals included.
Distance : 100 km, Drive : 03 hrs, Altitude : 2500 meters
DAY 05
HUNZA -TO- PASSU
AM : Drive towards Passu. On arrival at Passu camping staff will set up camps. PM : Free. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.
Distance : kms, Drive : 1 hours, Altitude : 2189 meters
DAY 06
PASSU - YOUNZ
AM : Our first day of trek will begin today, we will march towards Younz.
PM : Camping beside the Batura Glacier. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.
Walk : 3-4 hours, Grade : , Altitude : 2917 meters
DAY 07
YOUNZ - YASHIPIRT
AM : Traverse across the Batura Glacier and trek to Yashipirt. PM : On arrival camping in a beautiful wooded glen. Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.
Walk : 4-5 hours, Grade : , Altitude : 3230 meters
DAY 08
YASHIPIRT - FATIMAL
AM : Trek to Fatimal a shapherd's camping site. Good view of the surrounding peaks.
PM : Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.
Walk : hours, Grade : , Altitude : 3436 meters
DAY 09
FATIMAL - GASHISM
AM : Trek to the lush green meadows called Gaghism. View of the Batura peaks and of Dastegir Sar all towering over 7000 meters. PM : Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : hours, Grade : , Altitude : 3720 meters
DAY 10
REST DAY AT GASHISM
AM : Rest day at Gashism. The day may be spent exploring the glacier or climbing the ridges for better views. PM : Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.
DAY 11
GASHISM - FATIMAL
AM : Trek to Fatimal. PM : Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.
Walk : hours, Grade : , Altitude : meters
DAY 12
FATIMAL - YASHIPIRT
AM : Trek to Yashipirt towards the wooded glen. PM : Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.Walk : hours, Grade : , Altitude : meters
DAY 13
YASHIPIRT - YOUNZ
AM : Traversing back across the Batura glacier. PM : Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff. Walk : hours, Grade : , Altitude : meters
DAY 14
YOUNZ - KARIMABAD
AM : Trek back to Passu (End of trek). Meet the transport and drive the KKH to the capital of Hunza, Karimabad. Along the way we can stop and explore the mines for rubies. Near Ganish we will see the many old rock inscriptions and animal carvings.
PM : Transfer to Hill Top Hotel. All meals included.
Distance : kms, Drive : hours, Altitude : meters
DAY 15
KARIMABAD TO GILGIT
Gilgit is the Capital of Northern Pakistan is a thriving frontier town that has expanded rapidly to include over 40,000 inhabitants since the Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978. It sits in a wide irrigated bowl 1500 M above sea level at the Eastern end of the Gilgit Valley. The quaint little town of Gilgit has a cluster of interesting places in it short radius, including a beautiful rock carving of Buddha, a victory monument of Taj Mughal, built 700 years ago and the longest suspension bridge in Asia (600 ft long) The favorite sport in Gilgit is Polo, which the locals claim originated here. It is a more rugged style than the sedate variety known in the plains. The polo tournament held in the 1st two weeks of November is a festive occasion and attracts a large number of spectators.
Overnight at PTDC hotel. All meals included.
Distance : 100 km, Drive : 03 hrs, Altitude : 2000 meters
DAY 16
GILGIT -TO- BESHAM
AM : After an early breakfast, drive to Besham, a major town on the upper course of the Indus & a gateway to Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Nanga Parbat & Kaghan Valleys. The whole journey will proceed on the Karakoram Highway, also known as the "eight wonder" of the world. Karakoram Highway - connects Pakistan to China, twisting through the three mighty ranges of the world, the Karakorams, the Himalayas & the Pamirs - & follows the ancient Silk Route along the Indus, Gilgit & Hunza Rivers up the Chinese border at the Khunjerab Pass where it concludes in the Taklamakan Desert after winding through the Pamirs & Kashgar districts.
On arrival transfer to PTDC Motel Besham. All meals included.
Distance : 280 km, Drive : 07-08 hrs, Altitude : 950 meters
DAY 17
BESHAM TO ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI
AM : Drive down to Islamabad. After a brief rest and if the time permit, proceed for a sightseeing excursion of Islamabad. This includes visits to Faisal Mosque - the biggest in the world; Damen-e-Koh - a scenic hill view point presenting the bird eye's view of Islamabad; & National Art Gallery - housing the rich collection of the Eternal Artist.
Rawalpindi for a sightseeing excursion. Visit some of the most exotic spots of the town including Kasai Galli, Raja Bazaar - The multicolored "king" of bazaars ; Sarafa Bazaar - Where gold smiths still use primitive tools ; Moti Bazaar - Exclusively for ladies,The Bara.
Enroute visit the Taxila Museum and its historical sites.
Overnight at Paraside Hotel for overnight. All meals included.
DAY 18
ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI TO ONWARD
AM: Visit the remaining places of Rawalpindi. PM transfer to airport for your flight to back home.
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