There is already a lot of information on this thread and I may be reiterating points already discussed for the most part but since I was invited to reply, I'll share my feedback.
No trip is too hectic. People travel 24 hours in one go to reach their destinations and are very happy in doing so. If the friends are good company and the bus driver is alert, driving for 16-18 hours is very common for coasters and buses in the area. I myself have traveled in a pack of 4 coasters in the region with 22 hour stretches. We slept in the bus, we ate in it, and we had the time of our lives! The key is for everyone to know what they are signing up for. If the plan and the hours are well communicated within the team, expectations are well set and people can easily endure and enduring early on is fine when everyone has the energy if the reward (destination) is worth it.
Sticking with the second itinerary posted..
So I've come up with this itinerary that leaves out Skardu from my last plan;
DAY 1 - Green Line 10pm, travel by train to Pindi, reach at 10pm. Night in Pindi.
Dont have any insight.
DAY 2 (17th April) - Leave at 6am, breakfast at Khanpur, stop at Dassu waterfall, travel to Chilas via KKH, reach at 10pm. Night in Chilas.
Islamabad Chilas in one day is less than ideal but doable. This will be the biggest endurance leg. Morale will be low when the group sees that after all the travelling a barren desert valley with scorpions awaits them. The exhaustion however will take care of that and a good dinner is all that is needed to remedy the situation. In this region "good" food is hard to come by so ensure it is at least plentiful.
DAY 3 - Leave at 8am, travel to Astore/Rama. Night in Astore/Rama. (Should I go with this??)
Very much doable. You will be missing out if you dont do this. Astore however, is not a very beautiful destination. Rama may not have opened yet (ask locals). Check if PTDC is available. if it is, dont think twice and book it ASAP. Coaster wont make it to Rama PTDC. will need to hire jeeps.
DAY 4 - Leave at 12pm, travel to Hunza. Night in Hunza.
No problem with this plan. If the group is willing, an early party can have their luggage packed the night before and can go check out rama lake at 7 am. if the snow is cleared (ask locals), the trek to the lake and back should be done by noon and you can head off. If the snow isnt clear, PTDC rama is still a scenic location to waste 3 hours of the morning at.
DAY 5 - Leave at 8am, Nagar (Hoper Glacier trek). Night in Hunza.
No problems here
DAY 6 - Leave at 6am, Attabad Lake, Khunjerab Pass (if possible). Night in Passu.
If khunjerab is open and not experiencing snowfall (ask locals), this can and MUST be done
DAY 7 - Passu Glacier Trek, return to Hunza. Night in Hunza.
No problem here
DAY 8 - Leave 7am, Nalter Valley, 6pm travel to Gilgit. Night in Gilgit.
I havent been to Naltar in a very long time (6 years or so) Last i went, jeeps were the only option. plan accordingly
DAY 9 - Leave at 6am, stop at Khalti Lake, travel to Phander. Night in Phander. (How long does Phander-Gilgit take?)
4-5 hours of drive time. Not much to do at phandar. No need to leave so early
DAY 10 - Leave at 12pm, travel to Gilgit. Night in Gilgit.
If the route is open, may i suggest crossing shandur and entering chitral valley for the return trip (ask locals)
DAY 11 - Leave at 6am, reach Raikot Bridge, Jeep, 4hr Trek to Fairy Meadows (FM). Night at FM.
I would recommend skipping phandar and adding more time to fairy meadows if it is open (ask locals). Also no need to leave so early. you will be at fairy meadow by noon at this pace. Whats the rush?
DAY 12 - Trek to Nanga Parbat base camp. Night in FM.
I have doubts about the possibility of doing this. nanga parbat base camp may not be accessible. You may be able to make it to Beyal however, which isnt bad. Having said that, you may not be able to do anything at all (ask locals). Plan a bonfire here. Inform the hotel and they will take care of it for you (for a charge ofcourse) FM is notoriously expensive in terms of food. Wood however is plentiful and bonfire should not cost too much. Plan finances accordingly.
DAY 13 - Early Trek back to Bus, Travel to Besham. Night in Besham.
No problem here
DAY 14 (29th April) - Travel to Pindi. Dinner at Saidpur Village. Night in Pindi.
No problem here
DAY 15 - 10.30am flight back to Khi.
No problem here
Okay so I understand the need to go in this time frame if you cant do so later on and I wont question that (i would however recommend June atleast) but if there is a chance of closed roads at every step, now you must have plan B and the occasional Plan C.
If you are unable to go somewhere, find local activities. Forts, rivers, lakes, hikes or a lazy day with the views. whatever the group would rather do. Take a sheesha with yourself. Take multiple decks of cards. When a plan falls apart, your friends will love you. You are planning a lot of hikes/treks in less than ideal conditions. Expect and plan for the worst. Basic first aid for fractures and or sprains in case of a slip and fall must be present within the group.
