Celestial Valleys: Stargazing & Soulful Discovery

This morning begins with a breathtaking flight to Skardu — the gateway to Baltistan and the Karakoram. On clear days, you’ll glimpse mighty Nanga Parbat and the endless snow-clad ranges. Upon arrival, drive to the serene Shigar Valley and check into the enchanting Shigar Fort Residence, a restored 17th-century palace echoing stories of kings and traders. The night descends, bringing your first stargazing session under the Milky Way. Amid ancient walls and cool mountain air, the universe feels beautifully close.

Travel Distance: by air 650 km / by road 490 km)
Travel Time: 1 hr flight / 12-14 hrs drive (weather dependent)
Main Attraction: Shigar Fort Residence, First stargazing session
Accommodation: Serena Shigar Fort Residence
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Head towards the Katpana Cold Desert — one of the world’s highest deserts where golden dunes meet icy peaks. En route, stop in Skardu’s colorful bazaar to meet local shopkeepers and women artisans keeping Baltistan’s traditions alive. By afternoon, settle into your campsite nestled among dunes. Gather around a small fire for a celestial experience unlike any other stars burning bright in a sky untouched by city light, each one a whisper from the universe.

Travel Distance: 40 km
Travel Time: Approx. 1.5 hrs (including Skardu stop)
Main Attraction: Katpana Cold Desert, Stargazing
Accommodation: Camp in Katpana Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake to stillness in the desert, then journey toward the legendary Deosai Plateau — the “Land of Giants.” The road climbs through alpine meadows, rivers shimmer and marmots dart among wildflowers. Arriving at your high-altitude camp near Sheosar Lake, breathe in the thin, crystalline air. As night falls, the heavens reveal themselves in full glory — meteors tracing the sky, constellations vivid, and silence so deep it feels sacred. This is stargazing in its purest form, a dialogue between earth and cosmos.

Travel Distance: 80 km
Travel Time: Approx. 4-5 hrs
Main Attraction: Deosai National Park, Sheosar Lake, High-altitude stargazing
Accommodation: Camp in Deosai Plateau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning sun washes over Deosai’s endless meadows. After breakfast, set out for a slow mindful walk, breathing in the scent of alpine grass, watching eagles circle and listening to the calls of marmots. Your guide shares stories of conservation and Venus Trails’ climate-action efforts within the park. Lunch beside Sheosar Lake offers a mirror to the sky. Evening brings another celestial display — billions of stars glimmering above the world’s roof, a quiet reminder of how vast and precious life truly is.

Travel Distance: Minimal (short walks within Deosai)
Travel Time: Gentle walking, 2-3 hrs optional exploration
Main Attraction: Sheosar Lake, Deosai wilderness, Stargazing
Accommodation: Campsite in Deosai Plateau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend from Deosai’s open plains into Skardu’s green valleys. The journey winds past rivers and stone villages before reaching your cozy hotel by midday. Spend the afternoon visiting the Skardu bazaar, meeting women entrepreneurs who craft traditional Balti handicrafts — weaving, woodwork and dried fruits. Evening unfolds softly, with a quiet dinner and one last gaze at the stars from the valley floor, where the night feels closer, more intimate.

Travel Distance: 30 km
Travel Time: Approx. 2-3 hrs
Main Attraction: Scenic descent from Deosai, Skardu Town, Local handicrafts
Accommodation: Hotel in Skardu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, take the spectacular flight from Skardu to Islamabad — a window into heaven as K2, Nanga Parbat and distant glaciers unfold beneath you. If the flight is canceled due to weather, drive via Naran, a journey through forests, valleys, and rivers that reveal Pakistan’s diversity.

Whichever route unfolds, the descent from mountains to plains feels like returning from another realm. Tonight, share a celebratory dinner, reflecting on the stillness, starlight, and stories gathered along the way.

Travel Distance: Flight 650 km or  Naran drive 330 km
Travel Time: Flight 1 hr, Drive 10-12 hrs
Main Attraction: Scenic mountain flight or overland journey
Accommodation: Hotel in Islamabad or Hotel in Naran (if by road)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After days among stars and peaks, today invites stillness and reflection. Enjoy a slow breakfast and optional meditation in its gardens. For those seeking cultural depth, an afternoon excursion to Taxila — the ancient Buddhist university town and UNESCO site. As dusk falls, gather for a farewell dinner at a restaurant that celebrates local cuisine and women-led enterprises, ending your journey with flavor and gratitude.

Travel Distance: 35 km
Travel Time: 1 hr each way
Main Attraction: Taxila archaeological site (optional)
Accommodation: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy quiet moments of journaling or a walk through the hotel gardens. When ready, your guide transfers you to the airport for your onward flight.

Depart with the memories of whispering deserts, timeless fortresses and skies filled with eternity. You leave lighter, calmer and more connected to both earth and stars.

Safe Flight!

 You’ll stay in a mix of boutique heritage lodges, eco-camps, and mountain hotels that prioritize comfort, sustainability, and local character.

Even in summer, temperatures in Baltistan can drop significantly after sunset. Warm layers, gloves, and a hat are essential for nighttime stargazing.

 No prior trekking experience is required. Most walks and excursions are light to moderate, focusing on mindfulness and gentle exploration.

Absolutely! Many participants join solo — it’s a perfect setting for quiet reflection and shared connection with like-minded travelers.

The best stargazing months are May to September, when skies are clearest and nights are comfortably cool in the high-altitude desert.

 Bring warm layers, a reusable water bottle, flashlight or headlamp, binoculars (optional), sunscreen, and a journal for reflection under the stars.