Pakistan: Summer Mountain Explorer (Kalash Summer Festival)
Pakistan: Summer Mountain Explorer (Kalash Summer Festival)
21 Days
Visiting: Pakistan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PSE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Interests:
Tour Overview
Pakistan is a country close to our hearts… and for good reason. Home to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world, thriving cities, colourful markets and warm hospitality, a trip to this part of the world is bound to excite even the worldliest travellers.
Having run trips here for more than twenty years, we understand the political complexities of travelling to this fascinating country and our paramount consideration has always been the safety of our clients. Despite the negative images painted by the press, we believe that areas in Pakistan – particularly around the mountains of the north - pose little or no danger within the current climate.
On this tour you’ll get to see it all as you travel on an in-depth journey from the plains through the mountains of the north; the Babusa Pass and Kaghan Valley to the high-altitude Deosai Plateau; the surreal landscapes of Skardu to the towering Nanga Parbat at Fairy Meadows and majestic Rakaposhi in Hunza; the forts of Baltit, Mastuj and Chitral to the otherworldly valleys of the Kalash – this is a trip that gives you everything from interesting historical sites and fascinating human culture - this is a trip that has it all.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Islamabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Today the tour starts in Islamabad, 'City of Islam', Pakistan's capital city. It replaced Karachi back in the 1967 and is now the political and commercial heart of the country. Situated against the lush backdrop of the Margalla Hills it is a city where old and new collide. Leafy green boulevards are home to modern buildings, and shopping malls, but also dotted with traditional homes and mosques. After checking in to our rooms, available from 14:00 or possibly earlier, we have the chance to visit some of the famous sights of Islamabad including the Faisal Mosque, the largest in South Asia, and one of the largest mosques in the world, accommodating up to 100,000 worshippers at any one time. We will also take time to visit the Lok Virsa Museum, the first state museum of ethnology in Pakistan, representing the history and astounding diversity of country’s living traditions. We will also visit the Pakistan Monument and take in the views of the city from Daman-koh, a hilltop garden on the northern side of the city.
Day 2: Islamabad - Naran
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It is an early start this morning to make our long drive north, through the Kaghan Valley, stopping for lunch en route and then for the evening at the hotel in Naran. The journey will take about six to seven hours.
Day 3: Naran - Fairy Meadows (4173M Approx)
Accommodation Name: Log Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing early this morning we will continue through the forested Kaghan Valley and over the spectacular Babusa Pass, before driving down to the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and on to Raikot Bridge. Here we’ll transfer to jeeps for the short, but wildly dramatic, drive to the road head before walking up to the cabins at Fairy Meadows. The walk is of a moderate nature on a good mountain path and should take around 3 hours. We will enjoy the views of Nanga Parbat – or Naked Mountain (the 8,100m peak and massif that marks the western end of the Himalayas). Here we will stay in the rustic log cabins, all of which have commanding views of the great mountain. This is truly one of the most magical places on earth.
Day 4: In Fairy Meadows (3300M Approx)
Accommodation Name: Log Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we walk through the forested foothills of the massif to the Beyal Camp and back. This will not be too strenuous, as we will run along the contours rather than straight up, but it will be spectacular. Anyone wanting a more relaxed time can stay at the meadows, which is a lovely place to unwind. We will take lunch at a local camp and return to have dinner back at the cabins.
Day 5: Fairy Meadows - Astore (3300M Approx)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning after an early breakfast we’ll walk back to the road head, pick up the jeeps and re-join the KKH. We’ll drive for another couple of hours, before heading right over the Indus and on to Astore where we’ll stay for the night.
Day 6: Astore – Deosai Plateau - Skardu (4100M Approx)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we are continuing our journey to the amazing Deosai Plateau National Park. This plateau is a stunning 4,000m high wildlife wilderness complete with an array of wild flowers at this time of year. We’ll enjoy a hearty picnic lunch with views of the Himalayas before continuing on to Skardu.
Day 7: Skardu - Khaplu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll visit the old bazaar, and then head out to see the Manthal Buddha rock carving just outside Skardu. After this we’ll drive to Khaplu for a real treat as we stay in one of the most wonderful heritage hotels in the whole subcontinent. This has been recently converted by the Aga Khan Cultural Development Trust and run as a community project.
Day 8: Khaplu - Hushe Valley - Khaplu (3050M Approx)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today the adventure continues as we follow the Shyok and Hushe Rivers into the heart of the Karakoram. Draining an enormous area of the eastern Karakoram, much of which is now in India, the Shyok and Hushe rivers cut a spectacular trail into this eastern most part of Baltistan. We'll drive up the Hushe Valley, where we have the opportunity to visit our foundation-sponsored school in the remote village of Baleygon. From here we’ll continue further up the valley to Marzigone where we see the magnificent 7,000m Mashabrum Mountain standing sentinel ahead of us. In the late afternoon, as the sun is setting, we’ll return to Khaplu.
Day 9: Khaplu - Skardu - Gilgit
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will take a day long drive to Gilgit. Following the Indus most of the way, this is a hugely impressive journey. We will take lunch along the way before arriving into Gilgit in the early evening.
Day 10: Gilgit - Hunza
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we have a chance to take a look around this classic frontier town, once considered the furthest outpost of the empire. We will see the Christian graveyard and the bazaar, before heading north on the KKH to Karimabad in the famed Hunza valley. We know we use a lot of superlatives in this dossier but this trip really is epic, particularly as you round the corner and see the titanic form of Mount Rakaposhi basking in the sun, right beside the road. We will take lunch on the way – at the Rakaposhi View Restaurant – before continuing on to Hunza. On arrival we will have the chance to explore the laid back little town of Karimabad and admire the mountains that surround it before continuing on to our hotel which is situated in a spectacular location, 2,850m above sea level, and 500m above the valley floor with panoramic views of five 7,000m peaks!
Day 11: Hunza - Attabad Lake - Hunza
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake at around 5:30 to watch the rising sun turn the peak of Rakaposhi flamingo pink...optional of course! After breakfast we will first drive to the other side of the valley to take a look at the Hoper Glacier. After this we’ll have lunch in a pretty garden café before driving an hour and a half further up the KKH to visit the newly formed lake at Attabad. In January 2010 a massive landslide blocked the Hunza River, which submerged 28kms of the KKH by forming a beautiful azure lake. At Gulmit we visit a carpet weaving centre run by very friendly Wakhi women. A little later we drive further north up to Batura Glacier, the fifth longest in world, and enjoy the stunning views of Passu Cones, the white Passu Glacier, and a number of 7000m peaks. In the late afternoon we return to Karimabad.
Day 12: In Hunza
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we visit the famous Baltit Fort,restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to a fantastic standard. It is now aUNESCO World Heritage Centre. We will then take lunch in town. In theafternoon those that wish can have a water channel walk down aroundKarimabad before having a wander around the local shops where there will beplenty to buy. Café De Hunza serves best coffee and walnut cake in town
Day 13: Hunza - Ghizer Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will then drive back to Gilgit, and from here to the Ghizer Valley. Once again, it is a stunning trip through some of northern Pakistan’s most dramatic scenery. We continue our drive on to the Ghizer Valley with it's colourful water and pleasant green and leafy outlook following the path of the Ghizer River.
Day 14: Ghizer Valley - Mastuj 3800M Approx
Accommodation Name: Wooden Cabins or Fixed Tents
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is probably the most spectacular drive of the tour as we make our way across the Phander and Laspur valleys, not forgetting the drive over the Shandur Pass. Here we stop for tea at the top of the pass at 3,800 metres. Shandur boasts the highest polo field in the world, where the best teams from Gilgit and Chitral play very fast and aggressive matches. Nearby the Shandur Lake is famous for the vivid reflections of lofty Hindu Kush mountains that surround it. The Langer is a beautiful plain used for grazing the yaks and dzos – where we’ll enjoy a nice picnic lunch and then drive on to Mastuj, our resting place for this evening.
Day 15: Mastuj - Chitral 3800M Approx
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will be taking a short walk up to the main road to capture views of the Tirich Mir Peak. We can also see the Yarkhun Valley at the top of which lies Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. Another beautiful and dramatic drive takes us we winding our way along the Mastuj Valley, passing Tirich Mir and Boni Zong. In the late afternoon we’ll travel on towards Chitral National Park to see the markhor, a kind of mountain antelope and favoured prey of the snow leopards, before checking into our lovely local hotel and have dinner.
Day 16: Chitral - Kalash
Accommodation Name: Local Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will drive in to the Kalash Valley of Rumbor and the village of Balanguru where we stay with our good friend Saifullah Jan, the chief spokesperson for the colourful Kalash people. The journey takes about two hours, though if people prefer we can walk the last few miles through the gorgeous valley. After lunch we will meet the Kalash and go for walks around the village, or further afield to visit some of our friends in Grum or Kalashagrum.
Day 17: Kalash Uchaw Festival
Accommodation Name: Local Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spending all day in the valley, we enjoy the main day of the summer festival of Uchaw. At this time of year the women of the Kalash welcome back their men who have been up in the high pastures for the summer grazing their goats and making their cheese. In something very similar to our harvest thanksgiving the Kalash give thanks for the summer past and ask the gods for help in the cold months to come. A time of great revelry (it’s also the time of courtship with returning shepherds looking for a bride!), it is a colourful time of music and dance.
Day 18: Kalash - Ayun
Accommodation Name: Local Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Ayun and check into the wonderful home of Maqsood Ul Mulk, one of the princes of Chitral. We can spend time having a look around his amazing garden and also take some wonderful village walks in the local area.
Day 19: Ayun - Islamabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll leave very early to drive the last spectacular journey, through the Lowari Tunnel and down through the frontier, towards Islamabad. This is a full day’s drive and we will not reach our hotel in Islamabad until the evening for a well-earned rest.
Day 20: Islamabad - Taxila - Islamabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will have a relaxed start and take a short drive to Taxila to explore this fascinating Buddhist university town, dating back to the Gandaharan era of Alexander the Great. We’ll then return to Islamabad for some last minute shopping and our farewell dinner.
Day 21: Tour Ends.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today the tour ends after breakfast in Islamabad.
What's Included
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MEALS
20 x Breakfasts20 x Lunches20 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
Local Prado or classic re-conditioned 1970s Willys jeeps between Chitral and Hunza; coasters everywhere else
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Moderate
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Pakistan.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is a mandatory requirement for travellers to Pakistan coming from countries at high risk of the disease. Also, if your travels are for 4 weeks or more, you will be required to show proof of a Polio vaccination on exiting the country.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
Malaria is present in some parts of Pakistan and precautions are essential.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. Please note that some of the walks in the Kalash valley are quite steep in places, and the 2-3 hour walk up to Fairy Meadows is a little tough and at altitude, though should be manageable for most. Horses/donkeys are available if needed (payable locally).
Please note that there are some long driving days throughout this tour, some of which are due to the nature of the roads rather than the distances covered. When travelling in jeeps, we open the roof when the weather permits to fully embrace the nature of adventure travel that this mode of transport allows and maximising our opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour with the exception of the Kalash valley, in Mastuj and Ayun Guesthouses.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour with the exception of the Kalash valley, in Mastuj and Ayun Guesthouses.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Aug 06, 2025 - Aug 26, 2025Book with Confidence
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Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.