Now lets get to your itinerary..
Day 1: Islamabad to Naran. I expect this section to be slow going due to peak season but we should have some time to explore Naran in the evening.
ANS: JUST LEAVE EARLY IN THE MORNING FROM ISLAMABAD
Day 2: Naran to Karimabad, stopping at Lulusar, Babusar
**ANS: IT'LL BE HECTIC BUT DOABLE. IT TAKES 7 8 HOURS TO REACH KARIMABAD FROM NARAN EXCEPT SHORT STOPOVERS.
I RECOMMEND YOU TO NIGHT STAY AT DUIKER, EAGLE'S NEST HOTEL.
THERE IS A SHORT HIKE/TREK FROM EAGLE NEST WHICH GIVES FULL VIEW OF RAKAPOSHI PEAK WHEN SUNLIGHT DROPS ON IT EARLY IN THE MORNING. ITS MAGICAL MUST GO THERE TO SEE SUNRISE.
(MAY BE I CANT RECALL PROPER TREK'S NAME)**
Day 3: Spend in Karimabad area. Do the Ultar Meadows hike. Visit Altit and Baltit forts and Eagles Nest.
Day 4: Drive to Khunjerab, stopping at various places along the way (which ones?). Stay the night in Pasu.
**ANS: ITS VERY SCENIC DRIVE NO DOUBT YOU'LL MAKE SHORT STOPS AGAIN & AGAIN. FOR TIME CONSUMING STOPS, ATTABAD LAKE COMES FIRST. MAKE A STOP THERE GO FOR BOATING, BUT REMEMBER, FROM KARIMABAD, IT TAKES 5-6 HOURS TO REACH KHUNJERAB AND FROM KHUNJERAB BACK TO PASSU IT'LL TAKE 2-3 HOURS. SO PLAN ACCORDINGLY MANAGE YOUR STAYS PROPERLY.
PASSU CONES, SOST VILLAGE WILL BE YOUR SHORT STOPOVERS IN THE WAY.
ADDING BORITH LAKE IS AN GOOD OPTION**
Day 5: Visit Shimshal valley for the day and return to Pasu for the night. Is this feasible? What is there to do in Shimshal?
ANS: I THINK IT'S A LONG ROUTE AND FULL TIME JEEP TRACK, HAVENT BEEN THERE YET SO NO IDEA, BUT PERSONALLY I THINK YOU CAN SKIP SHIMSHAL AND EXPLORE SKARDU SURROUNDINGS LIKE SHIGAR KHAPLU MANTHOKA OR YOU CAN VISIT NAGAR VALLEY UPTIL HOPAR VILLAGE FROM KARIMABAD
Day 6: Do some sightseeing/hiking in/around Pasu (any recommendations?) Drive to Gilgit for the night.
**ANS: DEPENDS IF YOU ARE SKIPING SHIMSHAL OR NOT
I PREFER SKIPING SHIMSHAL WILL GIVE YOU THREE OTHER OPTION INCLUDING NALTAR VALLEY**
Day 7: Drive to Deosai Plains and camp there. What are the best short (half day) hikes there?
ANS: FROM GILGIT TO DEOSAI.. WOAH ITS VERY LONG AND HECTIC DRIVE BETTER TO STAY A NIGHT IN SKARDU THEN NEXT DAY PLAN TO DEOSAI PLAINS. SPEND A NIGHT IN CAMPS AT BARA PANI.
Day 8: Explore Deosai in the morning or drive to Rama Meadows? Overnight in Astore.
ANS: BETTER TO STAY IN RAMA MEADOWS YOU'LL NOT REGRET IT
Day 9: Drive to Raikot Bridge. Take the jeep go Jhal and hike to Fairy Meadows. Stay in the cottages there. Which are the recommended ones?
ANS: FAIRY MEADOWS COTTAGES
Day 10: Hike to Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Overnight at Fairy Meadows.
Day 11: Hike out and drive to Chilas or Naran for the night. Which one is more achievable?
**ANS: STAY IN NARAN. THIS WILL REDUCE YOUR RETURN HOME JOURNEY.
Day 12: Back to Islamabad.
Any thoughts on the itinerary? Is it easily doable? Am I packing in too many places?
Which viewpoints, activities, and hikes would you recommend?
Should we hire a car or 4x4 from Islamabad? If a car, then we would need to hire a local jeep for a few places, I believe Deosai and Shimshal. Are there any other places a car won’t go?
YOU SHOULD HIRE 4X4 FROM ISLAMABAD WHICH WILL EASE YOUR WHOLE TOUR. HIRE TOYOTA SURF OR PRADO FOR FULL PLEASURE STILL NEED TO HIRE LOCAL JEEP FOR FAIRY MEADOWS AND SHIMSHAL
Is it hard to book this trip independently from the US? Since it will be peak season, I assume we will have to reserve everything in advance. How early would you suggest we book the hotels and transport?
IF POSSIBLE ASK SOMEONE YOU KNOW IN PAKISTAN TO MAKE BOOKINGS AND HIRINGS FOR YOU IT WILL BE EASY AND REASONABLE.
If it’s not easy to organize the trip independently, which tour companies would you recommend? We want a private, customized trip.
ANS: THERE ARE LOTS OF TOUR OPERATORS NOW A DAYS PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THEM MOST OF THEM ARE NEWBIES. FEW ARE EXPERIENCED AND GOOD COMPANIES SUCH FALCON ADVENTURE CLUB ETC BUT I DONT KNOW IF THEY CAN ACCOMODATE YOU WITH HIRED 4X4 PERSONAL CUSTOMISED TOUR.
Are there any restrictions or bureaucratic requirements for foreigners (NOC, delays etc) going to these places?
Assuming midrange accommodations, what sort of budget am I looking at?
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR FINAL ITINERARY
OVERALL REVIEW: I CAN MAKE YOU A BETTER ITINERARY IF YOU WANT TO ADD FEW OTHER PLACES WHICH I SUGGESTED IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. IM ALSO A PASSIONATE TRAVELLER AND I HAVE THOUGHT SO MUCH ABOUT IT TO START A TRAVEL COMPANY ON LUXURY SUVS FOR FAMILIES TO EXPLORE PAKISTAN ON NO-PROFIT BASIS TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW BEAUTIFUL OUR COUNTRY IS.. BUT IM STILL CONSIDERING ON IT.
ANY OTHER QUERIES YOU MAY ASK. BEST OF LUCK REGARDS.
