Discover Incredible Pakistan

***A Broke Backpacker Adventure***

Ahoy and welcome to Broke Backpacker Adventure Tours! The concept for Broke Backpacker Adventures is simple; these are not your average tours - these are real adventures in which you will get to peek behind the curtain and discover a side of a country which many people simply cannot imagine. Adventure by day, chill by night. That’s the plan... Imagine trekking across a shining glacier to an isolated shepherds hut, setting up camp for the night, sharing a cheeky smoke around a crackling bonfire and soaking in the stars as you give your feet a much needed rest… Our mission is to get you guys into the mountains, to show you a side of Pakistan which is largely undiscovered, to introduce you to my Pakistani friends and family, to trek with you, to explore with you, to make sure you have a kick ass time. Pakistan is an amazing country but it can be tough to travel independently here; our job is to not only make sure you have an amazing time but also to take care of all of the paperwork, logistics and permits so that you can sit back, chill out and enjoy the experience. Pakistan has fast-become my favourite country in the world. This is a land of towering peaks and ancient glaciers, of swaying bridges and mountain villages. The ancient silk road leading all the way to China has been travelled by explorers and philosophers, conquerors and merchants, pilgrims and spies. Now is your chance to follow in their footsteps...

In September 2017, we ran the first ever Broke Backpacker adventure tour to Pakistan and it was a raging success. Since then, we now run several tours to Pakistan each year – in April, May, September and October. Tour founder, Will Hatton, has spent a total of seven months in Pakistan and is closely involved with a community project on the ground. We are helping a local Pakistani family open a backpacker guesthouse in the mountains of Hunza (you’ll get to visit on the tour!). We are blessed with many amazing Pakistani friends in the country and have unique connections that make this trip possible… This is an adventure unlike any other, this is Pakistan… Below is some more information about the tour. Have a read, let us know if you have any questions and if you wish to confirm your spot, just follow the instructions on the last page.

Gallivant across Pakistan Tour Leaders: One western leader, Pakistani support team Tour Dates: Please see the bottom of the tour page on the website for current available dates Starting & Ending Point: Lahore

Adventure Itinerary Day 1: Lahore Arrival Arrive into Lahore airport where you will be met by myself and my team; we’ll ferry you to HQ where you can chill out and freshen up. We’ll check out Badshahi Mosque; a marvel of Red Sandstone and polished marble (Taj Mahal, eat your heart out). Later, we’ll feast upon traditional Mughal cuisine in one of the best known restaurants in Lahore.

Day 2: Rohtas Fort One of the most impressive forts in all of Asia, massive Rohtas Fort is rarely visited by foreigners and we may well have it all to ourselves. The fort is filled with exquisite carvings, sweeping views, towering battlements, bloody history and peaceful nooks and crannies from which to capture the perfect photo. After exploring for a few hours, we will push on to the greenest capital city in the world; Islamabad. We’ll rest up here for a few hours before having a late dinner in the best restaurant in all of Islamabad, famed for it’s view off the twinkling city below. After dinner, we’ll begin our long journey into the mountains – travelling by comfortable 24 seater minibus with Mr. Khan – our good friend and driver for the whole adventure. *(Drive from Lahore to Islamabad via Rohtas Fort – approx. 5 hours)

Day 3: Travel to Karimabad The real attractions of Pakistan are in the north and to get there we need to travel along the world’s highest paved road, The Karakoram Highway. Travelling along The Karakoram Highway is an unforgettable experience; you will see peaks and valleys, rivers and glaciers. Twenty-one of the world’s one hundred highest peaks are visible from the KKH and the journey is a great introduction to the mountains as civilization slips away behind us… We will leave Islamabad around midnight on day 3 and arrive into Karimabad around 5pm on day 3 (if road conditions are cooperative). Keep an eye out for colourful trucks along the road. *(Drive from Islamabad to Karimabad – approx. 17 hours - this is one of only two long travel days. Please note – we plan to reach Karimabad on afternoon of day 3 but this depends on road conditions. We may have to overnight in Chillas and arrive into Karimabad on day 4, but we aim to avoid this – the itinerary is designed so that if this does happen, you shouldn’t miss anything).

Days 4: Karimabad chill day Karimabad is the gateway to the mountains and a great place to unwind for a day. Wander the cobblestone streets, bargain for rubies and handicrafts, feast on Hunza cuisine, get to grips with the dark history of Baltit Fort, take a peek at the Silk Road from Altit Fort and watch the sun set over the river below.

Day 5: The Eagle’s Nest camping After a morning of exploring Karimabad, we’ll drive for thirty minutes up a steep switchback road to reach The Eagles Nest - The best viewpoint in all of Hunza and an incredible place to watch the sunset. Pink peaks and jagged cliffs spill away into the distance as the stars come out, this is a really magical place and will be the highlight of the trip so far; we will spend the night camping here and wake up early for a killer sunrise.

Day 6: Meet our Pakistani family! Following our adventures in Karimabad, we will head to the small village of Ghulkin, a truly special place where time stands still and mountains march away into the distance on all sides. This is one of the best places in Pakistan to trek, explore glaciers, snack on apricots, camp out under the stars and chat with the locals. We will be staying with my good friends Rehman and Sitara; both of whom speak excellent English (Sitara is the local teacher) and can give an insight into life in the mountains.

Accommodation in Ghulkin will be in one huge guest rooms and we will all be sharing a space. Conditions in the village are very clean (yes, there’s a western toilet!) but are also basic; electricity is sporadic and there is no phone signal. If you need constant access to Facebook this trip probably isn’t for you. Day 7: Onto the ice… Today we will be trekking deep into the mountains and hiking to a shepherds hut where we spend the night camping. Once at the shepherds hut, there is the option to hike further onto the black glacier. Peek inside an ice cave, drink crystal clear water directly from the glacier and hunt for stunning quartz crystals peeking out of the ice. Set up camp for the night and soak in the stunning 360 mountain views. At night, assuming it’s clear, the stars will be incredible. Last time; I spotted nine shooting stars in ten minutes! *(The trek will take between 4-6 hours. Porters available for an additional fee)

Day 8: Hike back to Ghulkin + Optional hike in afternoon. Today, we return to Ghulkin. Keep an eye out for eagles and ibex in the mountains above you and soak in some of the freshest air you’ve ever tasted… Upon arrival in Ghulkin, we shall feast like the kings of old. Depending on conditions and group fitness levels, we will EITHER visit Borit Lake and The White Glacier lookout point on the hike back to Ghulkin OR return to Ghulkin and then arrange an optional hike where we’ll cross Husseini suspension bridge, hike for an hour and then cross Passu suspension bridge – shown below. *(Trek for 2-4 hours)

Day 9: Onwards to China! Today, we are off on an epic adventure… Travelling by minibus, we will head up towards Khunjerab Pass. The scenery from the road is truly incredible and we will make frequent stops for photos and chai. We will make our way up towards the Pakistan-China border crossing, the highest in the world. Set in a craggy bowl of mountains and surrounded by glaciers, this is a truly breathtaking landscape steeped in history. We will spend the night in a comfortable but basic hotel in Passu.

Day 10: Travel to The Fairy Meadows Leaving Passu, we will travel to Raikot Bridge where we will transfer into 4x4s and traverse the legendary Fairy Meadows jeep track - think sheer drops and impossible hair-pin bends… In the distance, if the weather is clear, you will catch your first glimpse of Nanga Parbat; the most beautiful mountain in Pakistan and the ninth highest mountain in the world. This is the stuff adventure is made of! You may have to hike part of the jeep track as the road is sometimes washed away. Arriving at the end of the jeep track we will then hike for two to three hours (porters and horses available for an additional fee). Arriving into The Fairy Meadows, we will spend the next couple of nights in comfortable log cabins with wood burners to keep us warm. *(Drive from Ghulkin to Raikot Bridge - 4 hours - then 1.5 hour jeep journey and 2 / 3 hour trek)

Day 11 - 12: Optional Treks around Nanga The Fairy Meadows is the perfect place to chill out and unwind; watch the clouds dance past Nanga Parbat, the glacier snaking through the valley below, and explore the cool woods surrounding our log cabins. There are several optional treks available here ranging from two hours to seven hours and we will offer treks both days. If you’re not feeling it, you can chill in the camp. The Fairy Meadows is one of the best places in the world to chill out and watch the mountains. On the evening of day 12, we will have a bonfire beneath the stars!

Day 13: Travel to Lahore Leaving The Fairy Meadows behind, we will travel back to Raikot Bridge where we will pause for lunch before rejoining our minibus and beginning the long journey back to Lahore. *(3 / 4 hours to reach Raikot Bridge, 17 hours to reach Lahore with probable stop on the way) Day 14: Arrive Lahore Arriving into Lahore, we will head straight to our guesthouse to freshen up. In the afternoon, we will have a bit of a debrief and we can provide practical advice for anybody planning on continuing to travel in Pakistan or to cross the border to either Iran or India. In the afternoon, depending on time, it may be possible to visit the Wagah Border to watch the hilarious border closing ceremony. We will have a celebration meal, complete with some beers, in the evening before we part ways and finish this truly incredible adventure…

Day 15: Tour ends Today, our adventure group must sadly disband! A transfer to the airport is included today for those who have to fly home.

Included in the tour cost: • Accommodation (mixture of shared rooms in clean guesthouses, camping, log-cabins). • Usually three meals a day (two lunches not included) • Transportation (high-end minibus and 4x4 jeeps). • All included activities • Entrance fees and permit costs • Project donation to Ghulkin homestay • Project donation to animal welfare NGO in Lahore • Pakistani local staff; driver and problem solver extraordinaire. • Supporting documents for visa application • Tea and biscuits • Plenty more tasty extras along the way. • Two liters of water a day Not included in the tour cost: • Flights or other transportation to/from Pakistan • Transfers to the airport if arriving early or leaving late • Travel insurance (you cannot come on this trip without insurance). • Passport and visa fees (approximately £100 per person, varies depending on your passport). • Tips for staff • Two lunches in Karimabad (as you have free time) • Any room service you order • Extra snacks • Optional hire of: porters / horses / equipment

Testimonials from past TBB adventurers Lauren, USA (March 2018): Thank you for everything!! You have been such a pleasure to travel with and I cannot thank you enough for arranging this special trip for us. We had the trip of a lifetime. It was incredible. Everything. We all had a blast. The itinerary was just perfect. We even enjoyed the long drive... and got the most amazing driver, Mushtaq, as a result of the change of plans! Our TBB staff and sherpas were awesome. All the work they did behind the scenes was very smooth and definitely didn't go unnoticed...especially with the change of plans in the beginning!" Dana, USA (March 2018): It was the trip of a lifetime! My favourite part was interacting with all the people of Pakistan and witnessing first hand the diversity which I knew existed – with the people, the geography, the culture, enjoying the beautiful views everywhere we went! I loved watching the kids play cricket and I could not believe how hospitable everybody was! Braden, AUS (April 2018): It definitely met and exceeded my expectations! Rudy, USA (March 2018): It was awesome immersing myself in the culture and the dramatic scenery… it was simply breathtaking. Chris, USA (April 2018): Hasham and Zehre were amazing! They were friendly, knowledgable, honest, caring and personable! Naiz was extremely generous and fun and welcomed us into his home. Alex, UK (September 2017): The highlight was definitely spending time in Ghulkin, enjoying a cheeky smoke whilst camping out and listening to the legendary Rehman tell us his mountaineering stories… I left a piece of my heart in Pakistan and cannot wait to return. Janey, Scotland (September 2017): Pakistan was a country I was interested to travel, but not so keen to explore on my own. I'm not normally a backpacker to hop on a tour, but Will's tour around Pakistan was incredible! It was like backpacking with a group of friends, rather than being lead around like your typical 'tour'. Now I'm dying to get back and explore more. For anyone curious about Pakistan, The Broke Backpacker Tours are the best people to give you a great introduction to Pakistan! Tour Details Physical Level: You do not need to be of superhuman fitness to come on this trip but a basic level of fitness is a must for anybody hoping to do the treks. Really, it’s your attitude that counts and the treks I have chosen are achievable. However, it’s crucial that you wear in your footwear before you come to Pakistan – do not rock up in new gear you have not tested and are not comfortable in. We recommend doing plenty of walking before you come on this trip. Who should apply: The Perfect Candidate

• You want to learn new things and step out of your comfort zone • You do not expect your bag to be delivered to your room • You are not going to get naked in the mountains for ‘hilarious photos’ • You’re a keen hiker or ready to give it a go • You don’t need to be connected to the internet • You’re a team player and understand that plans sometimes change • You are keen to head on a real adventure • You understand that we can’t stop for every single photo opportunity

We want adventurers… This is an adventure… things may go wrong and, if they do, we will be there to solve problems as quickly and efficiently as possible. You will get out of this trip what you put into it; 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 (including overnight trips), early morning wake-ups, cold nights, and other similarly challenging scenarios. Hiking with your gear - porters available on the treks. Broke Backpacker staff are there to lead you into the mountains and provide you with an amazing experience through our unique contacts – we are not there to be your servants and we are not experts on the flora and fauna of Pakistan. This tour is extremely good value, however it’s not as cheap as traveling in Pakistan on your own – since we do all the work for you. We handle logistics, provide you with unique connections and allow you to see the best of the country in a relatively short time-frame. We also have staff to pay and a sizable chunk of your fee goes directly towards a community project in Pakistan. If you want to visit Pakistan as cheaply as possible, go independently. Food in Pakistan is pretty repetitive – there’s a lot of daal and rice. We will try to mix this up where possible by taking you to some great restaurants but if you want a luxury tour, this is not for you – please don’t apply. Once you leave Karimabad, WiFi is none-existant. Whilst there may be small amounts of phone coverage on the trip, you should view this adventure as a chance to unplug. We have had instances of people complaining about the lack of WiFi on the trip - If you want to be connected to your phone the whole time, DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS TRIP. I’m not trying to put you off – but we are carefully vetting everybody we bring on this trip. Once you have paid your fee, we will arrange a call so that we can interview you. If we don’t think you’re quite right, we will refund 100% of your money. This is a real adventure; we want adventurers… Guides: The tours are led by one of three Western leaders, all of whom are mountain leaders and are experienced outdoorsmen. Aiden / Will / Chris are assisted by local Pakistani crew consisting of our driver and three other members of staff. Accommodation: Prices are based on the sharing of rooms and single (same sex) members of the group will typically be put together. We will be using budget guesthouses/hotels that offer comfortable, but simple, facilities. Sometimes rooms might be without air-conditioning (although the rooms in Lahore and Islamabad, the two hottest places, will definitely have AC). Whilst in Ghulkin, we will be spread amongst a couple of very large communal guest rooms; these are clean, comfortable and a great way for us all to hang out. In The Fairy Meadows; we will have three large wooden cabins which we will be sharing. We will be camping for at least one night on this trip. Single supplement: If you wish to have a private room to yourself, we can arrange this - the single supplement cost is £300; accommodation in Pakistan is expensive. Please note that even if you do opt for a single room, this will only be possible in Lahore / Islamabad / Karimabad / Fairy Meadows / Passu. In the Eagles nest and Ghulkin, accommodation is all shared.

Visas: You will need to arrange your visa yourself before you arrive in the country. Visas can only be arranged in the country your passport is from so if, for example, you have a British passport you must sort your visa in the UK. If you are out of your home country, I recommend posting your passport back to your home country and getting a friend or family member to do it. You can also usually get a visa in another country if you have a residency visa there. You will need a letter of invitation for your visa application and I will provide this, as well as tips on how to make the visa application as stress-free as possible, once your spot is confirmed. Please note your LOIs, which you need for your visa applications, are included in the cost of this tour and will be sent out to you approximately six months before you depart. Equipment: We will provide a full kit-list a little closer to the time. Camping equipment will be provided where applicable. You will not need to spend a fortune on expensive gear but decent shoes and a decent jacket are a must. Insurance: To travel on this tour, you must have travel insurance. I will provide recommendations closer to the time. If you don’t buy travel insurance, you will not be allowed to come on the tour. Subject to Change: Keep in mind that the above itinerary and activities are subject to change. Travel almost always involves unexpected situations so things might need to be re-arranged at times. However, it is important to remember that travel is all about the journey, and so even the unexpected situations we may face should be treated as part of the overall experience. If we encounter issues we will get them sorted to the best of our ability. Arrival/Departure Details: You need to arrive into Lahore by midday on day 1. You will be picked up from the airport by a member of our team providing you arrive within 24 hours of midday on day 1. If you arrive outside of those days, you’ll need to sort your own transfer – advice will be provided. Waiver: All tour participants will be required to sign a waiver releasing myself and Broke Backpacker Adventure Tours from any liability related to any aspect of this “Discover Pakistan” Tour. It's a standard formality but I just wanted to let you know ahead of time. Ready to book your spot? Just follow the instructions below! (Space is limited - maximum of 12 people) Discover Pakistan Adventure Tour Tour Cost: £1650 per person. Secure your spot: If you wish to confirm, you can secure your spot with a deposit by copying and pasting this link and visiting our sales page: https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/broke-backpacker-adventure-tours#book-section There is a £75 discount if you pay the full tour amount all at once - £1575 reduced from £1650. Once payment is received, I will send you a confirmation email confirming your spot on the tour. Payment details: Deposit: £500 Balance: £1150 (The balance will be due five months before departure) Refund policy: Deposit - Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable as it will be spent upon making in-country arrangements. Full amount – If you pay the full amount from the beginning, the deposit is not refundable but the remainder (£1075) is refundable if you cancel within 30 days of booking. Balance – If you cancel after paying the balance, 50% is refundable if cancelled within 30 days of payment.

Of course, if you have any questions at all about the “Discover Pakistan” Tour, please let us know and we would be more than happy to answer them. We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully having you join what promises to be one hell of an adventure across this fascinating land! To find out more – simply email Pakistan@thebrokebackpacker.com Will TBB Tours Founder