Women Only Hunza Nature Tour

The tour package for the holiday Hunza valley tour includes:

• Airport transfers (on the first day and last day in Islamabad)
• The itinerary includes all overland transportation
• Internal flights and associated airport transfers
• All hotel accommodations (twin sharing)
• All meals throughout the holiday
• Licensed professional local guide
• Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
• Implementation of all sustainable tourism protocols
• All entry tickets (forts, parks)
• Host family’s participation to involve group members in their daily routine activities
• Cultural lunches
• Cultural evening with traditional music and dance

The package for the holiday Hunza cultural tour does not include the following:

• Travel Insurance
• Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered)
• International airfare
• Personal equipment (clothes, boots, etc.)
• Miscellaneous expenses (drinks, tips, souvenirs, etc.)

Yes, the trip leader will meet all clients arriving on day one at Islamabad airport and arrange transfers to the group hotel. Similarly, transfers will be arranged for clients back to Islamabad  Airport on the last day of the holiday.

Yes, all meals are included in the holiday price of the Hunza Cultural Tour from arrival on day one to departure on the last day, so you will not need to pay for any meals during the tour.

The food will be a mixture of local/traditional and Pakistani cuisines available in the area. Depending on the itinerary and location, you may have some input into meal choices. While clean drinking water will be provided. We do not encourage the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles.

We can cater to vegetarians, albeit sometimes with more limited choices, but we cannot always provide special diets. We customized our menus depending on the group’s preferences. We never use pre-packaged meals, you can expect hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip to Northern Pakistan! We also regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, non-glute, and other specialty diets.

If you have specific dietary requirements, please speak to our sales team.

During the Cultural Tour of Hunza, the group will spend 3 nights in Islamabad at an excellent standard hotel. The group will also spend 4 nights in Karimabad Hunza (Hard Rock, Off to Resort, or similar) and 1 night in Gilgit (Serena Hotel or equivalent).

In case of flight cancellation, the group will be accommodated in a tourist-class hotel (the best available option) on the way. Rooms will be twin sharing basis, and the single room will be available at a supplementary cost.

The Regional Airport of Gilgit is weather-dependent. Since high mountains surround the valleys, the planes do fly more than not, but cancellations can occur, and in these circumstances, we will travel by road.

The group will be led by a certified professional local guide who will serve as the group leader. He will be knowledgeable and provide the necessary information about the history, culture, people, mountains, and areas you will visit.

The highest point we will visit on the Hunza tour is Hoper/Duiker, which is 2800 meters high. However, the average elevation in Hunza Valley is around 2400m, which may still affect some travelers.

Approximately USD100 should be enough for miscellaneous expenses, which you can exchange for the local currency (PKR) at the airport or with authorized money changers. Purchasing local currency (PKR) before your trip is unnecessary. Money can be changed reasonably at the Airport or with authorized money changers. Since you will be changing most of your spending money into local currency soon after your arrival, we recommend you take it in cash. US Dollars, Sterling, and Euros can readily be exchanged at the Airport. US Dollars give you more flexibility to exchange in smaller towns or in emergencies.

Credit cards can be used to purchase many goods in Islamabad, Skardu, or Hunza and are particularly useful for more expensive items such as carpets. It is possible to withdraw cash (PKR only) from cash machines in Islamabad, Skardu, or Hunza Valley using credit and debit cards.

It is usual to tip the supporting staff (guide/drivers) if you are happy with the services provided. We estimate that USD 40-60 (in local currency equivalent) will cover this aspect of your trip expenditure. This is most usually done at the end of the trip.

The following checklist should help you with your packaging. You do not have to bring everything on the list and should use your experience and judgment, but we ask you to ensure you have the items on the mandatory list. When selecting clothes for this holiday of the Hunza Cultural Tour, please be culturally sensitive. Tight-fitting or revealing clothing is not appropriate.

You must bring the following items:

• Warm clothes
• Warm jackets
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Sun protection
• Warm hat
• Water bottle (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single-use plastic)

Packing checklist:

• Socks
• Underwear
• Shirts or T-Shirts
• Small towel
• Antibacterial handwash
• Travel clothes
• Camera
• Travel documents (Passport with a valid visa and travel insurance)

Yes, it is recommended that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment during your Hunza Cultural trip. When taking out insurance, please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary. IMG Signature travel insurance is the perfect add-on to a Global Rescue membership, providing coverage against a variety of unforeseen expenses while you’re traveling.

It is important to check with your doctor or visit the clinic regarding any necessary vaccinations or medical preparation before your trip to Hunza. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters, including diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, as well as hepatitis A and typhoid. While malaria prophylaxis is optional for this trip, it is recommended to take precautions if you plan to spend time in the area around Islamabad.

Additionally, if you have a severe allergy, please inform our tour operator before traveling to Northern Pakistan and bring your treatment with you, as we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment on the trip.

Yes, for any BTV Adventures holiday including Hunza Cultural Tour, you will need a passport with at least six months of remaining validity after the trip. If you don’t have a passport, apply for one well in advance. You will also need to apply for a Pakistani online visa through the official NADRA website. It’s important to note that there is a special section for trekking and mountaineering visas, which will appear after you click on the tourist/visit visa category link.

We provide visa invitation letters and required supporting documents to all clients who book a tour with us.

NADRA website: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/

The Hunza Cultural Tour is designed to be accessible yet active, with a focus on cultural exchange and authentic experiences. It is suitable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness and mobility. However, please note that some parts of the trip involve hiking and walking on uneven terrain, and there are a few steep ascents and descents.

The highest point we will visit on tour is Hoper/Duiker, which is 2800 meters high. However, the average elevation in Hunza Valley is around 2400m, so some travelers may experience altitude-related symptoms such as headaches or breathlessness. We recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your fitness level or if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/

We recommend the following books to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the culture and history of the region:

• Hunza Matters by Hermann Kreutzmann
• Hunza Adventure in Land of Paradise by John H. Tobe
• Hunza-The lost kingdom of Himalayas by John Clark
• Hunza by Jay Milton Hoffman

On this cultural tour to Hunza, you can expect to experience a variety of activities and immerse yourself in the local culture. This tour is filled with unique scenic atmosphere and cultural activities, including some of the largest glaciers outside the Polar Regions such as Hopper, Passu, and Batura. You will also get to see spectacular mountain scenery including Rakaposhi, Diran, Ultar, and many more, as well as beautiful lakes like Attabad and Borith.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet locals during tours to pristine valleys that preserve old ways of living and agriculture-based socio-economic lifestyles. Other experiences include visits to heritage sites such as centuries-old Altit, Baltit forts, and Ganish settlements and eating local and traditional food with plenty of vegetarian options available.

The well-being of our guests is the paramount concern at Beyond the Valley. We have meticulously instituted the following measures to ensure their safety:

• Risk Inventory Analysis and Treatment (RIAT) to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is designed to respond effectively to any emergencies.
• Strict Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide actions and behaviors.
• Comprehensive training for guides and support staff to equip them with the necessary safety and first-aid skills.
• Sharing of emergency contact details and clear communication of safety measures to all stakeholders.
• Hygiene SOPs are in place, with training provided to kitchen staff for maintaining food safety.
• We maintain strong rapport with local communities to foster an environment of mutual support and safety.

Our guides are not just experienced but also trained first-aiders, well-equipped to handle emergency situations. At Beyond the Valley, we have an Incident Response Team (IRT) in place, which includes the Guides, Operation Manager, and representatives from Rescue 1122, Tourist Police, District Administration, a dedicated rescue team, and local community organizations. In an emergency, the IRT is activated and it operates according to the set guidelines and SOPs to ensure quick, effective, and coordinated response to manage the situation and safeguard the participants.