Three Majestic Mountains Bike Tour



Overview
We begin our journey in Islamabad and proceed to the beautiful alpine lush green Kaghan valley. This valley rivals any in the American Rockies and the European Alps. From here we drive over the Babusar Pass and enter another realm of the Indus gorge.
This is where the monsoons are unable to unleash their torrents as they have exhausted all of their moisture in valleys like the Kaghan. The monsoon clouds have a difficult time going over the Himalayas on their northward journey. From the hot and dusty Indus valley we drive towards the base of the ninth highest mountain in the world; Nanga Parbat. Here we visit the beautiful Rama Lake.
The next part of our journey takes us over the high Deosai plains and into the Skardu valley; the gateway to the Karakoram giants.
The Deosai Plains lie between the Indus River and the southern extension of theHimalayan Range, whose most famous peak is Nanga Parbat (8125m). At an average height of 3800m, the undulating, green, flower-filled meadows are surrounded by snow capped peaks and the drive through these plains is a soul stirring experience
Deosai Lake, or Sheosar Lake from the Shina language meaning “Blind lake” (Sheo – Blind, Sar – lake) is in the park. The lake, at an elevation of 4,142 metres (13,589 ft), is one of the highest lakes in the world. Its length is 2.3 kilometers (7,500 ft), width 1.8 kilometers (5,900 ft) and average depth 40 metres (130 ft). It is located near the Chilim Valley on the Deosai Plains.
Wildlife: The Deosai National Parkwas established in 1993 to protect the survival of the Himalayan Brown Bear,Pakistan’s largest omnivore, and its habitat. Having long been a prize kill for poachers and hunters, the bear now has a hope for survival in Deosai where its number has increased from only 19 in 1993 to 40 in 2005.
The Deosai Plains are also home to the Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, Golden Marmot, Gray Wolf, the Ladakh Urial, the Snow Leopard, and over 124 resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Snowcock.
Astore Rama Lake is a lake near Astore in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is on the top of the beautiful Astore Valley, covered with oak trees and greenery.
RamaValleyis thickly forested with huge pine, cedar, fir and juniper trees. The valley is about 3300 meters (10800 feet) above sea level and thus is snow covered for 7-8 months of the year. In summer, it becomes lush green; conditions favored by local shepherds.
From here one can trek to east side of the Nanga Parbat (also known as the Killer Mountain), the world’s 8th highest mountain.
From Skardu we drive along the Indus Highway towards Hunza. Some say that the journey on theIndus High way is much more spectacular than even the legendary KKH.
From Hunza we make an excursion to touch China at the highest paved road border crossing in the world. This is Khunjerab Pass and is located at a height of 4833 m. From Hunza we travel westwards to the Hindukush mountains, home of the Kafir Kalash. These pagan tribes claim descent from Alexander the Great.
Chitral town is the capital of the Hindukush mountain region and is crowned by the 7708 m. Tirichmir. From Chitral we make our way back to Islamabad via Swat and Peshawar. This gives us an ample opportunity to witness tribal Pathan culture. We are also able to observe historical sites such as ChurchillÍs picket and ancient Buddhist carvings. During this overland Bike tour we traverse the western Himalaya, Karakoram and the Hindukush mountain ranges. We also have fantastic views of Nanga Parbat (8125 m.), Rakaposhi (7788 m.), Diran (7273 m.),Golden Peak(7027 m.) and Ultar (7388 m.).
Zone: open.
Best time July – End of September.
Duration 22 days
DAYS | ITINERARY | SEE LEVEL | RESIDENCE |
---|---|---|---|
01 | Arrive in Islamabad, transfer to hotel, and after lunch, start sightseeing. Visit Shah Faisal Mosque, Daman-e-Koh for panoramic views of the city, and local markets. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel. | 540m | HOTEL |
02 | Drive from Islamabad to Peshawar via Khyber Pass, Chital, Kalash, and Shandur. Continue to Phandar Valley. Overnight stay at local residence/camp. | 2,000m | CAMPING |
03 | Drive from Phandar Valley to Gilgit. On the way, enjoy the scenic views and pass through various towns and valleys. Arrive in Gilgit, explore local markets, and overnight stay at hotel. | 1,500m | HOTEL |
04 | Travel from Gilgit to Karimabad in Hunza via the Attabad Lake. Explore the village, enjoy the views of Rakaposhi Peak, and overnight stay at hotel. | 2,500m | HOTEL |
05 | Drive to Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved border crossing in the world. Enjoy the stunning landscapes and wildlife sightings. Visit Gulmit on the way back to Gilgit for an overnight stay. | 4,733m | HOTEL |
06 | Drive from Gilgit to Skardu. En route, visit places of historical and cultural significance. Overnight stay at hotel in Skardu. | 2,500m | HOTEL |
07 | Visit Khapulo in Skardu, a place of cultural heritage. Explore the famous Deosai Plains, known as the 'Land of Giants'. Overnight stay at camp. | 4,115m | CAMPING |
08 | Drive from Skardu to Astore and visit the famous Rama Lake. Overnight stay at camp. | 3,300m | CAMPING |
09 | Drive from Astore to Fairy Meadows, enjoy the breathtaking views of Nanga Parbat, and spend the night in tents under the stars. | 3,300m | CAMPING |
10 | Drive to Babusar Pass, which connects the Kaghan Valley with the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Continue the drive to Naran. Overnight stay at hotel. | 4,173m | HOTEL |
11 | Drive from Naran to Islamabad, concluding the trip with sightseeing or relaxation in the capital city. Overnight stay at hotel. | 540m | HOTEL |
12 | Fly out to your own destination (End of services). | – | FLY OUT |
Terms & Conditions
How to Book
We recommend booking well in advance by sending a non-refundable deposit of 25% Euro or USD and the tour price with a minimum deposit of 50% Euro or USD per person in advance. Some of the tours and ground arrangements may require a higher deposit of up to 80% with booking conditions. These details will be provided on confirmation of your booking. The deposit is required within 5 days of confirmation to hold your booking. The booking confirmation will include the exact deposit amount required and the due date of final payment. Please read these terms and conditions carefully and raise any questions you may have prior to making your booking. Receipt of deposit will be taken as an understanding by KARAKORUM GUIDES PAKISTAN that the customer has checked their confirmed travel arrangements and has read and agrees to abide by the terms and conditions. Any verbal quote given is an estimate only of the price which will be subject to advice on confirmation of the reservation, after which you will have 5 days to pay your nonrefundable deposit with 50% in advance tour price.
Price
Price we will give you after few discussion by e-mail or phone call. Should these costs change it may be necessary to make a surcharge on the price of your holiday which will be advised to you at the time you book. However no surcharge in respect to cost or currency fluctuations will be made to the arrangements of your holiday once full payment has been received by Karakorum Guides, unless any changes are made to your booking in accordance with these terms and conditions. This price guarantee does not apply to:
- (i) fares, charges or levies imposed by airlines up until ticketing
- (ii) any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any Government or their agencies and the banking transfer charges.
Amendments
One change per booking is permitted free of charge. Each subsequent change will incur a fee of 50 $ per amendment to cover extra administrative and communication costs. In addition, cancellation and/or amendment fees may also be imposed minimum of 500 $ or depending on the nature of the change. To the extent we are able to do so, we will advise you of all applicable cancellation and/or amendment charges at the time of confirmation of your booking. Separate conditions apply to air arrangements and are set out in Section 9 of these terms and conditions.
Late Bookings
A fee of 30 $ per booking will be levied for bookings made within 10 working days of departure from your home land. Any booking request made within 10 working days or within any relevant supplier’s cancellation period cannot be processed until full payment has been received by Karakorum Guides.
Land Only Service Charge
A $200 fee applies to land-only bookings for fewer than 2 nights of accommodation or 2 days of car rental.
Payments
We accept only bank transfers or cash. Card payments are not accepted.
Cancellations and Refunds
For Expeditions
If you decide to cancel your program or you are unable to travel, Karakorum Guides will refund the amount you have paid less (i) our reasonable costs and (ii) any cancellation fees imposed by other suppliers. It is likely that other suppliers’ cancellation fees (which we will pass on to you) will be greater when cancellation takes place closer to the departure date. If you notify us of cancellation more than 30 days before departure, then the cancellation charges are only 25% non-refundable deposit. If you notify us of cancellation less than 30 days before departure, the cancellation charges may be up to 50% of the total booking cost. Regrettably cancellation charges cannot be waived. No refunds are available for unused services after departure from your home land.
For Trekking/Tours
If you decide to cancel your program or you are unable to travel, Karakorum Guides will refund the amount you have paid less (i) our reasonable costs and (ii) any cancellation fees imposed by other suppliers. It is likely that other suppliers’ cancellation fees (which we will pass on to you) will be greater when cancellation takes place closer to the departure date. If you notify us of cancellation more than 15 days before departure, then the cancellation charges are only 25% of your deposit. If you notify us of cancellation less than 15 days before departure, the cancellation charges may be up to 50% of the total booking cost. Regrettably cancellation charges cannot be waived. No refunds are available for unused services after departure from your home land.
For Air Arrangements
Cancellation fees will apply as required by airlines regulations and will vary dependent upon the type of airfare utilized. Airfare prices and conditions are subject to change or withdrawal without notification until ticketed. Full payment is required before tickets can be issued. Karakorum Guides cannot be held liable for any increases in prices or changes in any airline regulations. Foreign currency airfares and airport taxes may fluctuate and are subject to the rate of exchange on date of ticket issue. Increases in airport taxes are not the responsibility of Karakorum Guides and can be imposed up to departure. To the extent we are able to do so we will advise you of any increases of which we are aware at the time of confirmation of your booking.
Consumer Claims
Should you encounter any problems on your holiday it is always better to try and solve it directly with the Tour Staff. If it is not possible to do so and you wish to lodge a complaint, please do so in writing within 30 days of completing your Karakorum Guides arrangements. These Terms and Conditions do not purport to exclude any statutory rights available to you and must in all cases be read subject to those statutory provisions.
Not Included in the Tour Cost
- Visas and travel insurance
- Climbing Royalty Fees and permits
- Liaison officers and helicopter rescue
- High camp food, oxygen, EPI gas
- Climbing gear, excess baggage, customs clearance
- Phone calls, laundry, extra meals or drinks, tips (Bakshish)
Any airfare taxes or surcharges will be listed separately in your booking confirmation if not included in your base price.
VARIATIONS
Considerable care has been taken to compile the information in this site but circumstances not within Karakorum Guides pakistan control may necessitate changes in itineraries, accommodation and costs in which case you will be informed as soon as possible. When it is necessary to change a hotel Karakorum Guides reserves the right to substitute accommodation of at least a similar standard. KGP cannot be held responsible for any changes which may occur and reserves the right to increase the price of any travel arrangement up to the date of payment in full (or the date of ticketing in the case of airfares). This includes adjustment for fuel surcharges, airfare increases as well as international exchange rate fluctuations. To the extent we are able to do so; we will notify you of any applicable change in price prior to you making payment in full. KGP may update these terms and conditions at anytime. Any changes to these terms and conditions made after booking will be advised to you. The current version of terms and conditions will always be found on the website www.karakorumguides.com If as a result of any of these variations either: (i) there is a material increase in the cost of your tour during the period between confirmation of your booking and the date on which you pay for your tour in full; or, (ii) you will suffer a material detriment, then you may cancel your tour, in which case KGP will refund the amount you have paid less any cancellation fees imposed by other suppliers.
HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Karakorum Guides will tell you the name and address of the hotel and their standard but Pictures may not show to the clients.
INSURANCE
Karakorum Guides will provide the insurance only for our staff and local porters and KGP not responsible for the clients insurance. In respect of illness, injury, death, loss of baggage and personal item cancellation and curtailment. You may purchase a suitable external policy with specialist travel insurance provider and give us their contact with your policy numbers in case of emergency.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
You are responsible for all immigration, passport, visa, health, quarantine and customs laws, regulations, orders, demands or other requirements of countries visited or transited. Official travel advice issued by the Pakistan Department of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior. We recommend that you review this information both prior to making your booking and prior to departure.
UNLICENSED ENTITY DISCLAIMER
If you request Karakorum Guides to arrange for the provision of products or services by a person or company which is not licensed in accordance with any applicable law, Karakorum Guides accepts no liability (whether in contract for negligence or otherwise) for any loss or damage suffered by you as a result.
RESPONSIBILITY
Karakorum Guides Pakistan accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:
- A booking is accepted only after KGP receives the required deposit and issues the client or their travel agent confirmation invoices. The balance must be paid no later than 30 days before departure; otherwise, KGP will treat the booking as cancelled, regardless of whether a deposit is being held.
- KGP acts solely as a coordinator of tours and an agent for the owners, contractors, and suppliers of transportation, accommodation, and/or related travel services. KGP assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for injury, illness, death, or any damages or claims arising directly or indirectly from accidents, delays, transport failures, strikes, wars, uprisings, or acts of God—events beyond our control. All coupon receipts and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by third-party suppliers, and all services are governed by the laws of the country where they are provided.
- All matters directly relating to the services provided by Karakorum Guides Pakistan will be handled in accordance with these stated responsibilities.
CANCELLATION BY US
Karakorum Guides reserves the right to cancel any Small Group Journey if minimum passenger numbers are not attained. Operation of these tours is dependent on a minimum number of persons booking on your tour. We will advise you of such cancellations no later than 30 days before departure date. However, KGP reserves the right to cancel a Small Group Journey at any time before departure due to Force Majeure (as defined below) or KGP reasonable consideration of adverse Government travel advice. With any form of cancellation, KGP will offer you alternative arrangements, and if the price of your alternative booking is a lower value than the original booking we will refund the difference to you. If you do not accept alternative arrangements we will refund all payments you have made to KGP, in the case of Force Majeure or government travel advice refunds will be less any of KGP unrecoverable costs. KGP will not be liable for any additional costs incurred by you. KGP will not be liable for any delay in, change to or cancellation of trips due to a circumstance beyond the reasonable control of KG and includes, but is not limited to, acts of God, fire, accident, interruptions to energy supplied, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions and strikes.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Karakorum Guides will not accept responsibility or liability for any clients who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited. At all times the decision of the Local Guide / Tour Leader or representative will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. You must, at all times, strictly comply with the laws, customs, and foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should you fail to comply with the above, or should you interfere in our reasonable opinion with the well-being of the group then the leader or company representative may order you to leave the trip immediately with no right of refund.
PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND AGE LIMITS
Before making a booking you must advise us of any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. You may be required to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner if requested. If you fail to adequately notify us of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, we reserve the right, at our reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.