Skardu, Khaplu & Naran

Midnight departure from Lahore via the Hazara Expressway. Breakfast at Balakot at the gateway to the Kaghan valley. Lunch at Baesar, then the long climb to Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top (4,173m). Descend through the Junction of Three Mountain Ranges and drive into Gilgit for the night.

Drive east along the Indus gorge to Skardu. Visit Shangrila and Upper Kachura Lake for lunch, then an evening at the Skardu Cold Desert watching the colours shift across the sand and peaks.

A full day on the Deosai Plains at 4,114m. Sadpara Lake at the foot of the climb, Deosai Top for panoramic views, lunch at Glamp Bara Pani, and the wild Sheosar Lake in the afternoon.

Serena Khaplu Palace

Deluxe Stay

Khaplu, Ghanche

4.9(0)

Rs 36,000/night

View hotel

Drive south from Skardu to the dramatic Khamosh Waterfall, then to Manthoka Waterfall for a lunch stop. Continue east along the Shyok river valley to Khaplu for check-in at Khaplu Serena Inn.

Serena Shigar Fort

Deluxe Stay

Shigar, Skardu Valley

4.9(0)

Rs 32,500/night

View hotel

Explore Khaplu's ancient core: Chaqchan Mosque (c. 1400s) and Khaplu Fort. After lunch at the fort, drive west with a scenic stop at Kashal Agri Gardens before arriving at Serena Shigar Inn for the night.

A final morning in the Shigar valley: Shigar Fort and Amburiq Mosque. Lunch in Skardu, then optional Shigar Desert activities before the long drive north to Gilgit for the night.

Very early breakfast at Gilgit, then the long journey home. Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top at noon, lunch at Baesar. Islamabad passengers are dropped off en route; Lahore passengers arrive by midnight.