18 Days Trek to World’s7th Longest Batura Glacier

Taking a drive through the Northwest Frontier and into the picturesque Swat Valley, you will begin your journey north today. To get to Saidu Sharif, Butkhela, Chakdara, and Malakand Pass, take the GT Road. This area was formerly closed to foreign visitors, but it has just become accessible once more, giving you a fantastic opportunity to learn about the area's early Buddhist history. You will visit the neighborhood museum, which is filled with exquisite Gandharan antiques, as well as other Buddhist sites after you have checked into your hotel. Then go to Butkara, one of Ghandhara's earliest Buddhist stupas, a significant archaeological site.

Following breakfast, you will travel to the village of Balanguru in the Valley of Rumbor. You might also choose to walk the final several miles through this stunning valley. The smallest religious group in Pakistan is the Kalash, who number around 3,000. In contrast to other minorities in the nation, they are geographically restricted to the three valleys of Birir, Bumburet, and Rumbur. The Muslim community of Kalash is referred to as Kafirs (non-believers) and their region is referred to as Kafirstan. Both are located in the Hindu Kush between the Afghan Border and Chitral Valley.

Drive to the Bumburet Valley, the most scenic of the three, which has long, fertile areas of farmland and is dotted with communities. Spend as much time as you can with the Kalash families as soon as you arrive to learn about their culture, way of life, and gradual assimilation into contemporary society.

You will go from the lovely Kalash Valleys today. You will continue your journey to the tranquil and conservative mountain village of Chitral by traveling back down the steep rocky trails through the towering Hindu Kush mountains. If a match is being played, try to catch a game of mountain polo before spending the night in a motel.

After breakfast, go on a walking tour of the Khanqah, which has been repaired, and the Amburiq Mosque, which was built in the 14th century and won a UNESCO prize. After that, keep driving to Khaplu and check into your accommodation. Explore the village, the Khanqah (a place of spiritual refuge that also housed journeymen), and Khaplu Palace in the afternoon.

You are free to unwind and take use of the hotel today, or you can participate in one of the numerous activities the hotel offers. Why not take in a polo match, explore the Saling rock carvings, tour the Khaplu Khanqah mosque from the 18th century, ride a horse through the stunning Baltistan countryside, stroll through Khaplu or check out some of the hotel's many projects, like the Bara Wool Spinning Centre and the Khaplu Women's Vocational Training Centre.

You will travel by car for around two hours from the former kingdom of Khaplu, which is located 105 km to the west, to Skardu. At the base of Kharpocho Fort, there is an old trail that you can use to reach the "organic village" while taking in the town's main bazaar. Visit the K2 exhibit at the K2 Motel and try to catch a Polo match at the town's main field. This is a great opportunity to see Baltistan's capital and learn about both local culture and mountaineering visitors' way of life.

Continue on to the Deosai Plateau National Park after an early breakfast. This plateau is a breathtaking 4,000-meter-high nature habitat with a variety of wildflowers blooming at different times of the year. Before going to the alpine meadows of Astore and Rama Lake, have a sumptuous picnic lunch with views of the Himalayas.

Today, keep travelling the road to Chilas. You will enter the Astore Gorge, one of the world's most stunning and impressive vistas, after leaving the alpine meadows of Rama and Astore. When you eventually get at Raikot Bridge, change to a local 4x4 jeep and proceed up the winding, arduous mountain route to Fairy Meadows. The journey is definitely an adventure, but it's worth it.