This morning we get an early start to make the lengthy trip north via the Kaghan Valley, stopping for lunch along the way and then spending the evening at the hotel in Naran. The trip will take between six and seven hours.

We'll leave early this morning and go through the forested Kaghan Valley and over the beautiful Babusa Pass before descending to the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and on to Raikot Bridge. We'll then transfer to jeeps for the short but spectacular drive to the road-head before walking up to the Fairy Meadows cottages. The trek is moderate in difficulty and should take around 3 hours on a good mountain path. We'll see Nanga Parbat, also known as Naked Mountain (the 8,100m summit and massif that marks the western end of the Himalayas). We'll be staying in quaint log cabins with stunning views of the huge mountain. This is without a doubt one of the most magical spots on the planet.

Today we trek through the massif's forested foothills to the Beyal Camp and back. This won't be too difficult because we'll be running along the contours rather than straight up, but it will be magnificent. Anyone looking for a more calm atmosphere can stay at the Meadows, which is a beautiful area to unwind. We'll eat lunch at a nearby camp before returning to the cabins for dinner.

We'll walk back to the road head this morning after an early breakfast, pick up the jeeps, and rejoin the KKH. We'll drive for another couple of hours before crossing the Indus and arriving in Astore for the night.

After an early breakfast, we'll drive to Rama Lake before continuing on to the beautiful Deosai Plateau National Park. At this time of year, the plateau is a spectacular 4,000m high animal habitat, filled with an assortment of wildflowers. Before continuing on to Skardu, we'll stop for a sumptuous picnic lunch with views of the Himalayas.

We'll explore the old bazaar this morning before heading off to view the Manthal Buddha rock carving just outside Skardu. After that, we'll drive to Khaplu, where we'll stay in one of the most beautiful heritage hotels in the entire subcontinent. The Aga Khan Cultural Development Trust recently converted this into a communal initiative.

The adventure continues today as we follow the Shyok and Hushe Rivers deep into the Karakoram. The Shyok and Hushe rivers cut a dramatic course into this easternmost region of Baltistan, draining a vast area of the eastern Karakoram, much of which is now in India. We'll drive up the Hushe Valley, stopping in the secluded village of Baleygon to visit our foundation-sponsored school. We'll proceed up the valley to Marzigone, where the spectacular 7,000-meter Mashabrum Mountain stands sentinel ahead of us. We'll return to Khaplu in the late afternoon, as the sun sets.

We'll be driving to Gilgit all day today. This is a fantastic tour that follows the Indus for the majority of the way. We'll stop for lunch along the route before arriving in Gilgit in the late afternoon.

This morning, we'll have the opportunity to tour this typical frontier hamlet, which was formerly considered the empire's farthest outpost. We'll visit the Christian cemetery and the bazaar before taking the KKH north to Karimabad in the legendary Hunza Valley. We realize we use a lot of superlatives in this dossier, but this trip is truly epic, especially when you round the curve and see Mount Rakaposhi basking in the sun right beside the road. Before continuing on to Hunza, we will stop for lunch at the Rakaposhi View Restaurant. We will have the opportunity to explore the laid-back little town of Karimabad and admire the mountains that surround it before proceeding to our hotel, which is located in a spectacular location, 2,850m above sea level and 500m above the valley floor, with panoramic views of five 7,000m peaks!

Wake up at 5:30 a.m. to observe the rising sun pinken the peak of Rakaposhi flamingo...optional! After breakfast, we'll head to the other side of the valley to see the Hoper Glacier. After there, we'll stop for lunch in a charming garden café before traveling an hour and a half up the KKH to see the newly formed lake at Attabad. A major landslip blocked the Hunza River in January 2010, submerging 28 kilometers of the KKH and generating a stunning azure lake. We visited a carpet weaving center in Gulmit, which is run by very pleasant Wakhi women. Later, we drive farther north to Batura Glacier, the world's fifth longest, and take in the breathtaking views of Passu Cones, the white Passu Glacier, and a variety of 7000m peaks. We return to Karimabad in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, we go to the famed Baltit Fort, which has been beautifully renovated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, we'll have lunch in town. In the afternoon, those interested might take a water channel tour around Karimabad before browsing the local shops, where there will be enough to buy. The tastiest coffee and walnut cake in town can be found at Café De Hunza

After breakfast, we will return to Gilgit and then to the Ghizer Valley. It's another breathtaking journey through some of northern Pakistan's most dramatic scenery. We proceed along the Ghizer River's course to the Ghizer Valley, with its beautiful water and delightful green and leafy scenery.

Today is arguably the most scenic drive of the vacation, as we travel through the Phander and Laspur valleys, as well as across the Shandur Pass. At the summit of the pass at 3,800 meters, we pause for tea. Shandur has the world's highest polo pitch, where the best teams from Gilgit and Chitral compete in rapid and intense matches. The nearby Shandur Lake is noted for its spectacular reflections of the surrounding Hindu Kush mountains. The Langer is a lovely plain used for grazing yaks and dzos, where we'll have a picnic lunch before continuing on to Mastuj, our overnight stop.

After breakfast, we'll take a short walk up to the main road to see the Tirich Mir Peak. We can also view the Yarkhun Valley, which is home to Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor. Another stunning and dramatic journey takes us along the Mastuj Valley, via Tirich Mir and Boni Zong. We'll continue on to Chitral National Park in the late afternoon to witness the markhor, a type of mountain antelope that is a favorite target of snow leopards, before checking into our excellent local hotel and having dinner.

After breakfast, we'll drive into the Kalash Valley of Rumbor and the village of Balanguru.The trip takes around two hours, but if individuals choose, we may walk the final several miles through the beautiful valley. We'll meet the Kalash after lunch and go for walks about the town or further afield to see some of our friends in Grum or Kalashagrum.

Today, we make the most of our time by roaming in and around the valley, taking in the landscape, and experiencing the local warmth. We might be able to take a stroll up to the Afghan border this morning to visit several tiny settlements. We return to Balanguru for lunch, and then for those who wish, we go on another stroll around the valley to learn more about the Kalash way of life. These treks are optional; you may prefer to spend your time relaxing in the village instead.

Today we'll drive to Ayun, We can spend time looking around his lovely gardens and going on some wonderful village walks in the surrounding region.

We'll leave early this morning for the final breathtaking trek, through the Lowari Tunnel and down over the border, towards Islamabad. This is a long day's travel, and we won't get to our hotel in Islamabad until the evening for some well-deserved relaxation.

Today will begin with a leisurely breakfast and a short drive to Taxila, a fascinating Buddhist university town that dates back to Alexander the Great's Gandaharan Empire. After that, we'll head back to Islamabad for some last-minute shopping and our farewell meal.

Today's excursion concludes in Islamabad after breakfast.