First and foremost, check the weather; if it's clear, you'll fly from Islamabad to Skardu (a picturesque one-hour trip). If the weather isn't cooperating, you'll take the Karakoram Highway, stopping along the way at Himalayan peaks where humanity has yet to set foot. You'll have some free time in Skardu, the gateway to the Karakoram mountain range, to explore and pick up any personal favorite snacks or gifts at the Skardu bazaar. You'll also be able to rent any hiking equipment you may have neglected to bring. Don't miss Manthal Rock Buddha, Kharpocho Fort, and Nansoq Organic Village while in Skardu.

DUE TO FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS, THE FOLLOWING IS THE ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY:

Weather conditions in the Karakoram might change quickly, necessitating alterations to our anticipated itineraries. Flights from Islamabad to Skardu may be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather. Our backup plan in the event that poor weather prevents the fixed-wing aircraft from flying is as follows:

Day 2: We will go from Islamabad to Naran by car. The overall travel distance is 280 kilometers and will take approximately 6 hours. Along the journey, there will be several short pauses, including the Mansehra viewpoint, Balakot Riverside Hotel, and River Kunhar viewpoint.

Day 3 - We'll go from Naran to Khaplu by car. The overall driving distance is 460 kilometers and could take up to 10 hours, including a stop in Skardu to buy/rent essential accessories and/or equipment. We will also stop at Lulusar Lake, Babusar Pass, Nanga Parbat Viewpoint, and the place where three of the world's tallest mountain ranges meet: the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Himalayas.

Continue driving into the mountains to Khaplu, going past the little settlements of the Ghanche district. Stop along the journey at the confluence of the Shayok and Indus rivers. Visit the little village of Yugo for lunch and a cultural village tour to get a sense of country life and meet some people. This afternoon, continue on to Khaplu, the capital city of the Ghanche district. After checking into your accommodation, take advantage of your free time to explore. The Khaplu Fort Museum and organic garden are not to be missed.

Put on your trekking boots! Drive from Khaplu to Kanday Village, the trailhead for your hike into Nangma Valley, after breakfast, and meet your local support staff of guides, porters, and camp cooks. The first section of your walk is short but difficult in places. Descend from Kanday to a wooden bridge over the Hushe River, then ascend through a small valley and through two suspension bridges to the Mingulo Broq campground. This verdant location near the water and flanked by willow trees also serves as a local pasture. You will very certainly have the opportunity to meet local shepherds. You'll have time to explore nature or rest at the campsite after lunch. Your culinary team will create native Balti food for dinner, such as balay (soup), chapshoro, and other Pakistani specialties. Turn your gaze upwards before slipping into your sleeping bag to take in the gorgeous star-filled night sky.

 After a hearty breakfast, continue on from Mingulo Broq to the Nangma Valley, passing through lush green pastures and a glacier stream. The route today is relatively level, crossing one stream and passing through another. You'll arrive at your next stop, the Nangma Valley campsite, by midday, where you can have a freshly prepared hot meal and some free time to soak in the breathtaking scenery. The North Ridge of Shingu Charpa may be seen from the valley. Enjoy another hot meal of local soup and a variety of regional and continental Chinese/Pakistani delicacies for supper.

Check-in with your feet this morning and plan your day accordingly. Take a day trip to Amin Brakk base camp (4500 meters), which is located at the base of the towering rock face recognized as one of the world's most stunning climbs. Strat begins with a hard ascent and continues on a somewhat flat plateau before the final, steep ascent through a rocky route. Enjoy some free time at the base camp for your own exploring before tucking into refreshments and tracking your own way back to the Nangma campground. If you'd prefer to keep it low-key, stay at camp and unwind. In any case, you won't want to miss the sunrise from this vantage point. If you prefer to stay close to camp, try your hand at scrambling on adjacent rocks or embark on a treasure hunt for indigenous Karakoram bird and flower species. This evening, experience a live music and dance performance by Balti performers from the area. Please feel free to participate!

Return to Kanday this morning and have a traditional lunch with a local family in the village. This afternoon, you and your group will travel back to Shigar by road, pausing for sightseeing and scenery along the way. Spend the night in a family-run guesthouse tonight.

The weather may once again play a factor in today's activities. If the weather permits, you will drive from Shigar to Skardu Airport, from which you will fly back to Islamabad. In this example, you'll check into your Islamabad hotel, eat lunch, and have some free time to explore the city. Make sure to seek advice from your leader. If the weather isn't cooperating, you'll have some free time in Naran, where your leader will be happy to offer suggestions or organize a group tour around town.

If you did not fly yesterday, you will travel to Islamabad by car today. Do some sightseeing in the capital if you're already there. Don't miss the Taxila Museum, which is located in the midst of several important archaeological sites and houses a great collection of Gandharan art dating back to the 1st century.

Your journey concludes today after breakfast. Take advantage of a transfer to the airport.