@raheeln
route is as follows
Islamabad to Abotabad , and into Karakorum high way . From Mansahra there are two routes one is from balakot to Naran and then cross Babusir Pass and reach chilas. And the other is stay on KKh don't turn to Blakot and Naran side and reach Chilas via Karakorum high way in the way crossing Chatar Plain , Bisham , Patan ,Barseen, Kohistan Dassu ,and then finally reach Chilas .
The journey is not finished yet From Chilas ride in continue to Gilgit but bypass Gilgit and reach Hunza in six seven hours from Chilas. From Hunza to Gulmit ,AtaAbad which have a Lake disaster these days, Then Passu and hire a jeep From Passu to take you to Shimshal a fairly four hours journey.
And the route to shimshal is really a Adventure into it's peak . Because the road is very tiny in some places and even one jeep crossing is very difficult .
and the drop from dirt road had very big gorge .i was scared to death when a land cruiser come in front from a blind turn and stopped bumper to bumper with our jeep. :o. Allah saved us .
your concern about taking family with you is quite possible . as our guide of shimshal told me that he had let the tour of valley for a family from Lahore before a day we arrived there .