Peak Luxury: The Silk Road Expedition

Your tour starts in Lahore. Our representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Check in, get settled, and let yourself decompress from the travel.

The afternoon is easy, no rushed sightseeing, just a short orientation drive around the city to get your bearings. In the evening, we'll sit down together over dinner for a brief rundown of the days ahead: the route, what to expect on the road, and a few practical notes to keep in mind. A relaxed start before two full days of Lahore exploration.

Hotel: Best Western Lahore / Luxus Lahore

Lahore rewards slow exploration. Today we cover the old city, the real heart of it. Start at the Lahore Fort, walk through its Mughal courtyards and halls, and take your time with it. Right next door is Badshahi Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and genuinely worth the visit.

From there, head into Walled City for a wander through the old bazaars, Food Street near Gawalmandi for lunch (at your own cost), then on to Shalimar Gardens in the afternoon. The gardens were built by Shah Jahan in 1641 and still carry that same quiet grandeur.

Evening back at the hotel.

Hotel: Best Western Lahore / Luxus Lahore

The morning starts at Data Darbar, the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia. There's a particular energy to it especially as locals begin gathering through the late morning that's hard to describe until you're standing in it. From there, a short drive to the Lahore Museum if anyone wants an hour with the Gandhara collection before lunch.

After lunch on your own, we head to Wagah Border for the evening flag-lowering ceremony. The ceremony happens daily at sunset and draws crowds on both sides Pakistani and Indian spectators packed into the stands, soldiers in full dress, and an atmosphere that's somewhere between a military parade and a sporting event. Genuinely unlike anything else on the trip. Arrive early to get good seats; the ceremony itself runs about 45 minutes.

Back to Lahore for dinner. Early night, the road north starts tomorrow.

Hotel: Best Western Lahore / Luxus Lahore

An early start. Today is a long drive north, roughly 8 to 9 hours and the landscape shifts considerably as you leave the Punjab plains behind. The route follows the motorway to Islamabad, then picks up the Hazara Expressway through Abbottabad and Mansehra before joining the Karakoram Highway.

The KKH runs alongside the Indus River through rugged gorge country. There's a stop at Thakot Bridge where the river cuts through narrow cliffs, worth getting out and taking it in. Arrive in Besham by evening, dinner at the hotel, and an early night. The drives ahead are longer.

Hotel: Besham Inn, Besham

Another full day on the KKH. The road follows the Indus the whole way, passing through Komila, Shatial, and Harban before reaching Chilas. The scenery gets more dramatic as you go,  the valley narrows, the cliffs get steeper, and at some points the river is visible far below.

Stop at Shatial to see the ancient rock carvings,  petroglyphs left by travellers and traders on the old Silk Road, some going back thousands of years. It's one of those stops that doesn't look like much until you're actually standing in front of it. Arrive in Chilas by late afternoon.

Hotel: Hotel Shangri-La, Chilas

This is the drive most people remember. The road from Chilas to Hunza passes through some of the most extreme mountain scenery in the world, the Nanga Parbat viewpoint near Raikot Bridge comes early and it sets the tone. Stop there. Take your time.

Continue north through Gilgit town (quick stop, stretch your legs) and on into the Hunza Valley. As you approach Karimabad the valley opens up and Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar come into view above the valley walls. Arrive at the hotel by late afternoon with time to sit on the terrace before dinner.

Hotel: Darbar Hotel, Hunza

Hunza is best taken slowly. Today covers the main historical and cultural sites. Start at Baltit Fort the 700-year-old seat of the Mirs of Hunza, restored and open for tours. The views from up there over the valley and toward Rakaposhi are as good as any on the trip.

Altit Fort is just a short drive away, older than Baltit and set on a dramatic cliff above the old village. Spend time in Altit village itself,  the traditional stone houses and narrow lanes are still largely intact. Afternoon at leisure or a short walk above the town toward the apricot orchards.

Hotel: Darbar Hotel, Hunza

Morning drive up to Eagles Nest viewpoint, the high ridge above Duikar village. On a clear April morning you can see Rakaposhi, Diran, Ultar, and the entire Hunza Valley spread out below. It takes about 45 minutes by jeep from Karimabad, do it before breakfast if possible, before any clouds build.

Afternoon in Karimabad bazaar. Hunza is known for a few things worth bringing home: dried apricots and apricot oil, local gemstones (particularly rubies and aquamarine), handwoven woollen goods, and walnut products. Prices are reasonable and the quality is genuine. Take your time.

Hotel: Darbar Hotel, Hunza

A shorter drive today, about two hours south on the KKH back to Gilgit. The city sits at the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers and has a different feel to Karimabad: more urban, more diverse, a proper city. Check in and spend the afternoon exploring.

Gilgit Bazaar is worth a walk, it's a working bazaar rather than a tourist one, which makes it more interesting. The Kargah Buddha, carved into a rock face about 10km outside town, is worth the short drive if you have energy. Dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Mandarin Inn, Gilgit

The Gilgit–Skardu road follows the Indus east through some of the most remote terrain in Pakistan. It's a 4 to 5 hour drive depending on conditions, and the road is narrow in places, but the scenery makes it worthwhile. The valley is stark here, the mountains feel closer, and there's very little between Gilgit and Skardu.

Arrive in Skardu by early afternoon. Skardu sits at around 2,500 metres and is the gateway to some of the world's highest mountains K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums. You won't see them today, but you'll feel the altitude. Check in, rest, and settle in.

Hotel: Qayam Hotel, Skardu

Start with Kharpocho Fort, the 16th-century fortress on a rock above the town. The climb takes about 20 minutes and the views over Skardu Valley and the Indus are worth it. Back in town, visit the Skardu Bazaar and the small local museum.

Afternoon at Satpara Lake, about 9km from town. The lake sits at 2,636 metres with Satpara Mountain behind it calm, clear water and relatively few visitors in April. A good place to walk the shore and do nothing for a while.

Hotel: Qayam Hotel, Skardu

Day trip to Shigar, about 30km from Skardu. Shigar Fort also called Fong Khar is one of the best-preserved historical structures in Baltistan, now operating as a heritage hotel. The fort and its gardens are open to visitors. 

The old village below it, with its wooden mosques and traditional houses, is worth walking through.

Back in Skardu by afternoon for shopping. Baltistan has its own craft tradition distinct from Hunza: look for local wool shawls, hand-embroidered caps, dried fruits from the valley, and semi-precious stones. The main bazaar has a good spread and the sellers are generally straightforward about pricing. Overnight at a different property tonight.

Hotel: Khoj Hotel, Skardu

Skardu Airport is one of those airports. Surrounded by mountains, subject to weather delays, and worth every bit of the experience. Flights are usually in the morning confirm timings the night before. The flight to Islamabad takes about an hour and passes over the Karakoram and Himalayan foothills.

Land in Islamabad and spend the afternoon at Centaurus Mall or Jinnah Super Market for any last shopping. Islamabad has better options for branded goods, souvenirs, and anything you want to bring back in quantity. Dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Grace Boutique Hotel, Islamabad

Breakfast at the hotel, then it's time. The transfer to Islamabad International Airport will be arranged based on your flight time.

Fourteen days ago you arrived in Lahore with a suitcase and a schedule. Now you're leaving with dust on your boots, a phone full of photos that still don't do it justice, and the particular kind of tiredness that only good travel leaves behind. The forts, the roads, the valley views, the chai stops at the side of the KKH, it all settles in on the drive to the airport.

Safe travels. And if you're already wondering when you can come back, that's normal.