ITINERARY PLANNING TO HUNZA AND SKARDU

Planning To The Hunza Valley:

Planning is the basic key to enjoy Hunza valley tour. It is a former Princely State, bordering with Uyghurstan (Xinjiang) in the North-East, to Pamir (roof of the world) in the North-West, to Gilgit Agency in the South and to Nagar valley in the East. Initially the capital of the State was Baltit but currently it’s Karimabad. Attabad lake is among the wonders of the day’s world. It is consequently appeared after the intensive and horrible land-sliding in January 2010. It washed away the nearby areas due to result of massive blockade in the course of river Hunza. Hence after a mass destruction, a beautiful lake has formed in the valley.

Geography:

Hunza is divided into three geographic areas:

  1. Upper Hunza
  2. Central Hunza
  3. Lower Hunza
Prominent Mountain Peaks:
  1. Rakaposhi 7,788 metres (25,551 feet)
  2. Ultar Sar 7,388 metres (24,239 feet)
  3. Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 metres (24,045 feet)
  4. Ghenta Sar 7,090 metres (23,261 feet)
  5. Hunza Peak 6,270 metres (20,571 feet)
  6. Darmyani Peak 6,090 metres (19,980 feet)
  7. Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 metres (19,685 feet)
The Itinerary Planning:

The basic purpose of the itinerary planning is to enjoy the tour of a specific destination, with full energy, relax mind and do adventure whenever needed. There are three basic rules of tour planning for enjoying, exploring and wandering around, to utilize the time in leisure:

  1. Discover
  2. Planning
  3. Enjoy

First of all choose a desired destination to plan a tour; in this case, the Hunza valley. Now it’s time to look into the monetary issues, for the arrangements of a tour. Let me try to chalk out all the prerequisites for a pleasant journey of the Hunza valley in Pakistan.

You should start your planning with careful insight. Suppose it is a six-day visit to the valley which is full of adventures, exploration and above all the tactics to overcome the hurdles during travelling. In this regard you must have authentic, useful and relevant information under your belt, about the tourist places, weather condition, transportation, accommodation facilities, road condition, climatic changes from your place to the touring place, weather forecasts, for the touring duration, essential gadgets, and last but not the least suitable clothing.

It is better to consult a competent tour-planner for a tour, especially when you are going for the outing for the first time. Because a tour-planner will take all the essential safety measuring steps. He will make arrangements of the tour according to your needs and requirements and under budgetary affordability, with best of his expertise and will provide you the best possible amenities.

The Budget:

Since it is a six-day tour to the Hunza valley, you will have to plan it according to your budget and affordability. It will include:

  • Total Expenditure: (in PKR/duration)
  • Hotel/Accommodation: (Prior booking of Three-Nights)
  • Transportation Fare
  • Eating Out Charges
  • Sight-Seeing/Ticketing Charges
  • Camping Apparatus Expenditure
  • Miscellaneous Expenses
The Luggage:
  • Casual Shirts & Casual Pants
  • Shoes (for trekking, with durable rubber sole)
  • Sandals (for walking during camping)
  • Water Proof Jacket & Trousers
  • Pairs of Trousers & full Sleeves Shirts
  • Pairs of Socks (Woolen Stuff)
  • Woolen Hat/Cap
  • Sleeping Suit
  • A Pair of Gloves (Woolen/Water-Proof)
  • Toiletries
  • Walking Stick
  • Water Bottles
  • Emergency Light
  • Pocket Knife
  • Map and Compass
  • Binoculars
  • Camera
Some Extra Suggestions:
  • Luggage Bags: Back-packs are ideal. Do not carry fancy bags (these are inappropriate for the hilly areas)
  • Clothing/Shoes: Hiking-shoes and sneakers are strongly recommended
  • Umbrella: the weather of these areas is always unpredictable
  • Sun Glasses: (the sun is often glittery)
  • Sweaters, Cardigans and Jackets: (the weather gets harsh)
  • Medicines: tourists are advised to bring all the necessary medicines because these could seldom available there
  • Miscellaneous: all toiletries especially the sun-block cream
The Medication:
  • Allergy Medicine
  • Eye Drops
  • Aspirin & Pain-Killers
  • Band-Aids
  • Sickness Medicines
  • Tranquillizers
The Places:
  • Aliabad
  • Gulmit
  • Ganish Village (oldest village with 800 year old mosque. It was honored by UNESCO in 2002 and 2009)
  • Ghulkin
  • Karimabad
  • Nasirabad
  • Passu
  • Sost
  • Khuda-abad
  • Murtaza-abad
  • Baltit Fort
  • Altit Fort
  • Altit Village
  • Duiker
  • Hoper Glacier
  • Ultar Meadows
The Activities:
  • Camping
  • Swimming
  • Hunting
  • Hiking and Trekking
  • Mountaineering
  • Mountain Biking
  • Horse Riding
  • Eco tour
  • Skiing
  • Safari Tours
  • Fishing
  • Shopping
  • Gliding
The Tour Plan: (Sample)
Day One:

Departure from Abbottabad (early in the morning) to Chilas

Driving Time: 9 Hours

Sight-Seeing: Mansehra-Besham-Chilas

Stay: Chilas Shangri-La Hotel, Chilas

Day Two:

Travelling to Skardu from Chilas

Driving Time: 9 Hours

Sight-Seeing: Skardu City

Stay: PTDC Skardu

Day Three:

Visit to Skardu

Sight-seeing: Shangrila-Upper Kachura Lake-Kachura Valley-Shigar Valley-Shigar Fort

Stay: PTDC Hotel Skardu

Day Four:

Visit to Hunza Valley

Sight-Seeing: Karimabad-Hunza Town-Royal Fort Hunza-Altit Fort

Stay: Hill Top Hotel Hunza

Day Five:

Visit to Chilas

Day Six:

Travelling Back to Abbottabad

Author: Fehmeeda Farid Khan

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