PAKISTAN
200 million
A country that for the last 15+ years, has been dealt one of the worst hands you could possibly imagine. After three wars and a lot of love lost to it's neighbour India, Iran who doesn't play nice, Afghanistan was the get out of jail free card that turned into a nightmare and China who exploits it on the daily. It really hasn't had the best deal of luck but what it does have is 200 million hopes, dreams and smiling faces.
THE LAND
There are very few places on earth that leave you breathless. There are of course a million beaches and mountain ranges that provides stunning sunsets and panorama views. Pakistan literally shits on them all. The collision of the Eurasian plates and the meeting of mountain ranges has made something other-worldly.
EXPECTATION
SO WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE PAKISTANI PEOPLE WE MEET?
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People won't let you pay for things, please insist!
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Everyone will wonder why on earth you are there and treat you like a celebrity. Selfie attacks incoming!
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Everyone will try to host you in their house. We'll be staying with a family on the trip!
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Men hold hands as a sign of friendship and it's totally normal
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You will be fed until you burst, and then some!
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There is a good chance you will drink at least 20 cups of tea a day, and it will contain 50% sugar
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Islam is the biggest religion in Pakistan. The 2nd is Cricket.
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They speak Urdu, but honestly there is such a mash-up of languages, you'll be left bewildered!
NO FEAR | HASSLE FREE TRAVEL
When people think of Pakistan, they think of Taliban, terrorism, war, close-minded people and a life of fear. We're here to show you that the opposite is true, that the people are kind, honest, trusting, outrageously hospitable and curious. The valleys in the north are green, the mountains are snow capped and highest concentration of high altitude peaks in the world.
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY
SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND GROUP VETO! FROM TIME TO TIME, OPPORTUNITIES WILL ARRISE TO ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES THAT THE GROUP CAN DECIDE TO GO ALONG WITH. THESE ADD COLOUR AND SPONTANEITY BUT CAN'T BE GUARANTEED.
LAHORE (1 NIGHT)
The Great Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Anarkali Bazaar, Wagah Border Ceremony, Underground Bar
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ISLAMABAD (1 NIGHT)
Travel North to the mountains. Cross over Babusar Pass.
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GUNAR (1 NIGHT)
Crazy jeeps to Fairy Meadows and begin trek to mountains cabins.
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FAIRY MEADOWS (2 NIGHTS)
Trek to Nanga Parbat Viewpoint and attempt Basecamp.
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KARIMABAD (1 NIGHT)
Famous for rubies, sapphires, crafts and food.
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RAKAPOSHI (1 NIGHT)
Trek up to Rakaposhi basecamp and camp under the stars
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GHULKIN (3 NIGHTS)
Stay with local apricot farmers, trek glaciers, cross deadly bridges, Baskochi Trek, cruise across Attabad Lake.
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NARAN (1 NIGHT)
Travel south to Naran. Hotspot for local tourists.
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ISLAMABAD
Visit Pakistan's iconic Faisal Mosque
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LAHORE (1 NIGHT)
Arrive back to Lahore for goodbyes and final departure.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
ALL FOOD
Three nutritious meals per day
accommodation
Tents, guesthouses, hotels, shepherds huts, homes
STAFF
Guides, sherpas, security, drivers and people of interest.
TRANSPORT
Jeeps, Tuk tuk, AC buses and other transport options
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
THESE BITS YOU'LL HAVE TO DO YOURSELF BUT WE'LL BE ON HAND TO HELP AND ADVISE!
VISA
This can be applied for online through the new e-visa system and is done relatively easily
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FLIGHTS
We can advise on the cheapest flight paths
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TRAVEL INSURANCE
This is mandatory and a copy of your policy will be required for submission along with a waiver in advance of the trip
YOU'LL ONLY NEED SPENDING MONEY FOR RUBIES (OR ANY OTHER RANDOM GIFTS+snacks YOU WANT TO BUY)
IDEAL CANDIDATE
✓ You want to learn new things and step outside of your comfort zone
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✓ You're a keen trekker (or ready to give it a go!)
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✓ You don't need to be connected to the internet 24/7
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✓ You're a team player and understand that plans sometimes change
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✓ You have an understanding of vast cultural differences
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✓ Young, adventurous working professional looking for an escape
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✓ You are comfortable with the age guide being 20-35 years old
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"This is an adventure, things aren't always straight forward, and when that happens, we're there to make sure your adventure goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. You will get out of this trip what you put in; a positive attitude, willingness to get to know the locals and enthusiasm are all important. While the tour itself is not very strenuous, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, a good amount of walking, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, long journeys by bus or train (including overnight trips), early morning wake-ups and other similarly challenging scenarios."
Meet The Team
Imran Khan
An Islamabadian with an adventurous passion for travel. Having managed a hostel in Cambodia and many tours through Pakistan, Imran is the perfect fit for the adventurous tours through the Northern Territories. Imran has travelled more than your average Pakistani and understands the global backpacking culture through and through!
Christianne Risman
Solo female traveler and entrepreneur, Christianne has backpacked across the globe, submitting Kilimajaro, working in Oz and NZ, becoming a Rescue Diver and Freediver, all while successfully building a career on YouTube over the past 10 years. Christianne loves every part of backpacking life and thrives off sharing new experiences and helping others to step outside their comfort zone.
ACCOMMODATION
- Huts
- Mountain Camping
- Hotels
- Guesthouses
- Homestays
Prices are based on the sharing of rooms and single members of the group will typically be put together.
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We will be using guesthouses/hotels/huts that offer comfortable but simple facilities.Sometimes rooms might be without air-conditioning (although the rooms in Lahore and Islamabad, the 2 hottest places, will have AC).
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We will also be camping and staying in local homes.
"I travelled to Pakistan with Will in September 2018. I normally travel independently but despite wanting to see Pakistan, as a woman, I was not keen on travelling there alone. I chose to travel with Will as I did not want to be on one of those tours where you are herded around the place and treated like someone who has never left your country and do not know how to tie your shoe laces (Will did have to tie my shoelaces on one occasion but that is a whole other story!) Will is full of energy and his enthusiasm for Pakistan is contagious. He was a great guide and showed us the Pakistan he has grown to love. Also having seen the local buses and experienced some hair raising roads, it is definitely a lot safer to travel in a private bus. The hustle and bustle of Lahore was fun but the real beauty of Pakistan was the mountains. The white knuckle drive to Fairy Meadows is... an experience. The campsite at Fairy Meadows was like something from the Swiss Alps, cute wooden cabins and bonfires and so many stars. The hiking there was strenuous but the views of Nanga Parbat were so worth it. The sunset at Eagles Nest overlooking the Hunza Valley is breathtaking and clamping in Yurts and Will's fantastic BBQ there was another highlight! Shopping for gems and wandering around all the craft shops in Karimabad was another high point but the best was staying with the Ali Khan family in Gulkin. At first I thought it was going to be voyeuristic tourism and was apprehensive/cynical but then you meet the family and they are just fantastic. You feel so comfortable and welcome in their house that you feel you could just live there. Khan Baig (or Handbag as I christened him) is a high altitude mountain guide and has some fascinating stories of near misses on 7000m+ mountains and he was our guide for the next four days over glaciers and through villages and was one of the kindest, most interesting people I have met on my travels. After long days walking and hiking we would return back to Ali Khan house to a massive and very tasty feast prepared by Handbag's wife. Plates of food and dried apricots just keep appearing until you have to beg not to be fed anymore. And then it was a long bus journey back to Lahore but I think all of us on that trip saw the Pakistan that Will loved and I for sure loved the landscape"
- Claire, September 2018
EQUIPMENT
camping equipment will be provided where applicable. you will not need to spend a fortune on expensive gear but good quality walking shoes and a good quality jacket are a must.
you can find a full kit-list in the info pack.
we will have a van for storage when on the big treks where you will only be carrying a day pack with just your essentials.
CULTURAL NORMS + FAQ
IS IT SAFE?
Pakistan is a security state and has a bad reputation. However, it's a huge country and we only ever travel to the secure parts. We have security, appropriate paperwork and escorts where required.
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IS IT OKAY FOR WOMEN?
Yes! You will need to wear a head scarf in mosques and dress conservatively.
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WHAT MAY I FIND MOST DIFFERENT TO BACK HOME?
Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
Alcohol is illegal (but we will still have ways of socialising with some secret clubs and hillside moonshine!)
Guns are common with security.
Barely if ever is anything on time.
People will ask you for photos. You can politely decline if you wish. You will get asked a lot!
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IS IT EASY TO GET MONEY OUT IN PAKISTAN?
ATMs are notoriously not often filled with money, don't work or won't accept your card. We will find ATMs that are reliable in the cities before heading up north but we recommend bringing around $200 in cash which you can exchange upon arrival.
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IS WATER SAFE TO DRINK?
We advise bottled water, bringing some water purification tablets in an emergency but there will be safe drinking water in parts of the northern territories.
TRIP LOGISTICS
WHEN?
Expedition 1
ARRIVE: Saturday 1st June 2024
DEPART: Thursday 13th June 2024
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EXPEDITION 2
ARRIVE: Saturday 15th June 2024
DEPART: Thursday 27th June 2024
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A £650 deposit will be required to hold your place. This will be non-refundable as it will be spent upon making the ground arrangements.
The remaining balance (£1650) will be required 2 months before departure.
Deposit Payments to be made via this website. Remaining payments to be made via PayPal or Bank Transfer.
WHERE?
The expedition starts and finishes at
Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore.
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PRICE?
£2,300
Includes: All food, accommodation, transport,
guides and special equipment on the tour
Does not include: Flights, visa, travel insurance