Enjoying my first trip in Pakistan under tour guide Salman. Very good service from Salman and the team — will repeat again soon!
AT
Azmi TakafulMalaysia
Bus Tours · 8 Days
Shyok to Indus – The Deep Baltistan Expedition
An 8-day journey deep into Baltistan, following the Shyok and the Indus. Fly into Skardu and head east to Khaplu and its royal fort, explore the remote valleys of the Haldi Cones and the Masherbrum (K1) viewpoint, visit Shigar Fort and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert, spend a day on the high Deosai Plains and discover quiet Bilamik Valley, before flying back to Islamabad. Hotels, breakfast and dinner are handled throughout.
8 Days650 km by roadMax 4,142m
Duration8 Days
Start / EndIslamabad
Distance650 km by road
TransportRoad + 2 flights
Group Size12–20 travellers
Best SeasonJune – September
Tour overview
Why you’ll love this tour
Khaplu Fort and the wooden Chaqchan Mosque
Haldi Cones and the Masherbrum (K1) viewpoint beyond Khaplu
A full day on the Deosai Plains, home of the Himalayan brown bear
Shigar Fort, the Sarfaranga Cold Desert and quiet Bilamik Valley
Route & altitude
Route & altitude profile
Islamabad
Skardu
Khaplu
Karmanding
Khaplu
Shigar
Skardu
Deosai 4,142 m
Bilamik
Skardu
Islamabad
Altitude by day · highest point 4,142 m1 day above 4,000 m
Day by day
Itinerary
01
Welcome to Pakistan. Our team meets you at Islamabad International Airport and transfers you to the hotel. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the group over dinner and a short briefing on the week ahead in Baltistan.
Airport meet and greethotel check-inwelcome dinnertour briefing
02
An early flight takes us over the mountains to Skardu, with views of Nanga Parbat on a clear morning. From the airport we drive east beside the Indus and then up the Shyok River into the Ghanche valley, arriving in Khaplu, the old seat of a Balti kingdom. Time permitting, we visit the restored Khaplu Fort and the centuries-old wooden Chaqchan Mosque before dinner.
Islamabad–Skardu flightIndus and Shyok riversKhaplu FortChaqchan Mosque
03
A full day in the remote side valleys beyond Khaplu that few travellers ever reach. We visit the granite spires of the Haldi Cones, stop at the viewpoint for Masherbrum (K1, 7,821m), the first peak ever surveyed in the Karakoram, and continue through the villages of Dumsum and Karmanding, with their terraced fields, poplar groves and traditional Balti houses, before returning to Khaplu for the night.
Haldi ConesMasherbrum (K1) viewpointDumsum villageKarmandingBalti village life
04
We follow the Shyok back towards Skardu and head into the Shigar valley to visit the 17th-century Shigar Fort, the gateway on the road to K2. In the afternoon we walk out onto the golden dunes of the Sarfaranga Cold Desert, high-altitude sand dunes framed by snow peaks, before checking in to Skardu.
Shigar FortShigar valleySarfaranga Cold Desert
05
A day on the roof of the world. We climb past Sadpara Lake onto the Deosai Plains, one of the highest plateaus on earth at over 4,000m, a vast open landscape of streams, wildflowers in summer and home to the rare Himalayan brown bear and golden marmots. We stop at Bara Pani and the deep-blue Sheosar Lake, with Nanga Parbat on the horizon on a clear day, before returning to Skardu.
Sadpara LakeDeosai PlainsBara PaniSheosar LakeHimalayan brown bear and marmot habitat
06
A quieter day exploring Bilamik Valley, a peaceful side valley away from the main tourist trail, with apricot orchards, streams and traditional Balti villages where life still follows the seasons. We return to Skardu in the afternoon with free time for the bazaar and a last dinner in Baltistan.
Bilamik ValleyBalti villages and orchardsSkardu bazaar
07
We fly from Skardu back to Islamabad. After check-in we head out to see the capital: Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, the Pakistan Monument and the Daman-e-Koh viewpoint over the city at sunset, followed by a farewell dinner with the group.
Skardu–Islamabad flightFaisal MosquePakistan MonumentDaman-e-Koh viewpointfarewell dinner
08
A relaxed last day. After breakfast and check-out we visit Lok Virsa Heritage Museum and the old bazaars of Rawalpindi, with time for souvenir shopping at Centaurus Mall and Jinnah Super Market. In the evening we drop you at Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Lok Virsa Heritage MuseumRawalpindi bazaarsCentaurus MallJinnah Super Marketairport drop
What’s in the price
Included & excluded
Included
- Letter of Invitation (visa support)
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Air-conditioned coach with fuel throughout
- Professional, experienced tour leader
- Hotel accommodation, twin sharing (standard category)
- All toll taxes
- Services of guide and driver
- Food and accommodation expenses for driver and guide
- Bonfire, music night and BBQ evening
Not included
- Anything not listed above
- Lunch
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Skardu–Islamabad
- Sightseeing entry tickets
- Tips for crew, guide and driver
- Personal expenses of any kind
- Extra costs from road blocks or natural disasters
- River rafting, boating or horse riding
- Personal travel insurance
- Laundry
Ride preview
Watch Our Virtual Expedition Video Guide
Embark on a virtual journey along the winding asphalt. Our video showcases the raw vertical peaks and the luxury comfort setups our adventurers experience.
Route Briefing & Altitude TipsVisual map of our itinerary stops.
Acreage & Landscape PreviewsUnedited high-definition footage.
Safety Protocols & Ride ControlsLearn about our certified mechanics and support.
Shyok to Indus – The Deep Baltistan Expedition
Photo gallery
Moments from the road
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CLIMBER ENDORSEMENTS
Traveler Stories
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you go.
Still have a question?
Our team runs this route every season and is happy to help you plan.
Contact UsHow is this different from your other tours?
It stays entirely in Baltistan instead of driving the whole Karakoram Highway. Flying in and out of Skardu leaves time for places few tours reach: the side valleys beyond Khaplu with the Haldi Cones and Masherbrum (K1) view, a full day on the Deosai Plains and the quiet Bilamik Valley.
What kind of vehicle is used on this tour?
We fly between Islamabad and Skardu at the start and end of the tour; the flight tickets are not included in the tour price. In Baltistan we travel by road with an experienced local mountain driver.
When can this tour run?
Deosai National Park is snowbound for much of the year and usually opens from mid-June to mid-September, so this tour runs from June to September.
Is this tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes, there is no trekking. The highest point is the Deosai Plains at just over 4,100m, so travellers with heart or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before booking.
What happens if the Skardu flight is cancelled?
Flights to and from Skardu depend on clear weather over the mountains and are sometimes delayed or cancelled. If that happens, your tour leader rearranges the plan, either the next available flight or the road journey along the Karakoram Highway.
Is lunch included?
Breakfast and dinner are included daily. Lunch is at your own expense, giving you the freedom to choose from local restaurants along the way.
How many people will be in my group?
Groups typically run 12 to 20 travellers, with an experienced local guide and driver throughout.
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Plan this trip with our team
Tell us your dates, group size and how you like to travel, and we’ll recommend the best plan.