Tour Beijing To Islamabad Group Overland Tour

Accommodation

You will spend 100% of your time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses & hostels. One night is planned to stay overnight in a cabin on a ferry in Bangladesh. There is no camping on this tour. We always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get – good or bad. When staying in hotels/guest houses/hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of both sexes. There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

Others

Services of your expedition leader/driver Use of our own custom-built expedition vehicle and equipment Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle Ferry tickets (when travelling as a group) An average of 1 meal per day (usually breakfast) All accommodation costs (100% hotels/guest-houses/hostels/boats) National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle Local transportation costs when required

Guide

Driver/guide is provided during this tour.

Transport

We will be travelling in a purpose-built Madventure overland vehicle 75% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. The other 25% of the time we will be travelling on local jeeps, buses & boats. Please be aware that if our vehicle is refused entry into Bangladesh (as sometimes happens) we will conduct that part of the tour on local transport while our truck transits around to meet us at the border near Kolkata. The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people. Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery. Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your all your gear safe. Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to. There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board. We usually carry 500 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots, pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc. should we ever need to prepare a meal on the truck. All our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for lunch or dinner food only when we have to prepare a meal on the truck. For personal food & drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days. Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet & head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels we stay at. We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we recommend you bring your own for general use.

Meals

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. We always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. Occasionally we may decide to cook lunch or dinner using our own kitchen on the truck but in general you are responsible for your own lunches and dinners. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. In the evenings after you are checked into the hotel you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

Not included:

Flights

No flights included or expected during this tour.

Others

Personal travel insurance Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended) Visas & Letters of Invitation (approximately £450 depending on nationality) Lunches & evening meals Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks Any optional activities Any flights (no flights expected during tour)

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/. They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover – Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. China Forbidden City, Beijing £6 Great Wall, Beijing £5 Pingyao city pass £15 Terracotta Warriors, Xian £15 Panda Research Centre, Chengdu £10 Big Buddha, Leshan £12 Tibet Potala Palace, Lhasa £45 Jokhang Temple, Lhasa £9 Norbulingka, Lhasa £9 Lake Yamdrok Tso Free Kumbum Monastery, Gyantse £7 Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse £9 Mt. Everest Base Camp Free Nepal Mt Everest flight £110 2 day Annapurna Mountains trek £150 Paragliding, Pokhara £100 1 day rafting trip, Pokhara £30 Elephant safari, Chitwan NP £30 Walking safari, Chitwan NP £10 Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery £6 Dordenma Buddha Free Punakha Dzong Free Bangladesh Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal Free Ratargul swamp forest tour £20 Lalbagh Fort £2 Ahsan Manzil Palace £5 2 night/3 day Sundarbans NP boat tour £150 India Gangtok Zoo £3 Victoria Memorial £3 Belur Math Free South Park Street Cemetery Free Bodhgaya sites Free Varanasi sunrise boat tour £5 Bara & Chota Imambara combined ticket £6 Taj Mahal £15 India Gate Free Humayun’s Tomb £5 River Lotus Temple Free Outb’minar (Stone Tower) £5 Nek Chand’s Rock Garden £1 Golden Temple Free Pakistan Lahore Fort £1 Lahore museum £2 Badshahi Mosque £1 Rohtas Fort £3 Truck workshop Free Dudipat day hike guide fee £10 Nanga Parbat base camp hike guide fee £25 Herrligkoffer base camp hike guide fee £15 Shigar Fort £1 Khorpocho Fort £1 Altit Fort £3 Baltit Fort £3 Duiker Hunza Valley sunset trip £10 Taxila £1

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1-10: China
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1-10: China

We meet at 0800 at our hotel in Beijing and after a quick briefing we climb aboard our truck and head directly to the iconic Great Wall of China where we spend our first day.

If you want to see more of Beijing’s sights such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City we recommend you arrive a couple of days prior to departure to give yourself time to explore. Beijing is an easy city to explore on your own.

The well-preserved ancient walled city of Pingyao is a step back in time where you have time to explore the atmospheric cobbled streets of this typically Chinese town.

Xian gives you have the opportunity to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors and see the archaeologists at work uncovering new finds.

We have a night’s stop-over in Guangyuan before arriving into Chengdu where you have the opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Bear Breeding Research Center to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.

In Leshan you have the option to visit the world’s largest stone Buddha, a UNESCO heritage site which has been carved out of a dramatic cliff face.

From here we continue towards the Himalayas and the fabulous land of Tibet!
Day 2 Day 11-24: Tibet
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11-24: Tibet

Our first few days in Tibet are spent travelling through the Himalayas on one of the world’s most spectacular roads! Here you will discover a traditional side of Tibet as we pass through small Himalayan villages that tourists rarely visit.

Lhasa is the spiritual home of Tibet where we have a couple of days to explore the holy Potala Palace, the golden roofed Jokhang Temple and the spectacular Norbulingka Palace, all former residences of the revered Dalai Lama.

From Lhasa we travel along a beautiful road hugging the shores of lake Yamdrok Tso and visit the town of Gyantse where the Pelkhor Chode monastery houses Tibet’s largest stupa with 9 tiers, 108 chapels and excellent murals.

Joining up with the Friendship Highway we continue on to Shigatse where you have the chance to visit the marvelous Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Our next destination is definitely the ‘highlight’ of Tibet – Mt Everest! A snaking track makes it possible for us to drive up to base camp where you can get a stunning view of the north face. From here you can also send a letter from the world’s highest post box and visit the world’s highest Buddhist monastery.

Descending the Tibetan Plateau we now pass through remote villages as we head down towards the Nepal border. Keep an eye out for the rare Tibetan Macaque monkeys which are often found in this area.
Day 3 Day 25-36: Nepal
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 25-36: Nepal

Entering Nepal we spend our first 2 days winding our way down a rough Himalayan track before arriving into Kathmandu, a tourist hub steeped in history where the smell of incense hangs heavy in the air of the alleyways & squares adorned with pagodas & temples. The scenic flight over Mt Everest is also a must-do.

Heading west we reach Pokhara at the foothills of the Himalayas. This mellow little town is situated around a beautiful sheltered lake and surrounded by snow capped mountains. A great place to relax and/or gear up for a short trek into the stunning Annapurna range.

At our last stop in Nepal you have the option of exploring Chitwan National Park on foot or even on elephant back allowing you to explore the jungle in search of the rhinos, sloth bears & tigers that inhabit the area.
Day 4 Day 37-45: India
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 37-45: India

Leaving our truck in Siliguri we now take jeeps up narrow switchback roads into the Himalayas to explore the towns of Gangtok & Kalimpong where you have the opportunity to visit Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, Royal palaces and an impressive zoo where you can see red pandas, Himalayan bears and even snow leopards roaming enclosures so large you will need patience to see them.

We continue to the town of Darjeeling set impressively on a steep ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by the world’s 3rd highest peak Mt. Khangchendzonga.

Once out of the Indian Himalayas we collect our truck in Siliguri and continue our journey towards the peaceful land of Bhutan.
Day 5 Day 46-51: Bhutan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 46-51: Bhutan

Bhutan is an exciting new destination in the world of overland travel and we will be pioneering a new route through here with our truck in 2020.

Our first night here is spent at Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s 2nd largest town, where we will get our first taste of a relaxed country where they measure their wealth by the ‘Gross National Happiness Index’.

After visiting the Kharbandi Gonpa Monastery we climb steeply into the Himalayas hugging the banks of the Wang Chu River and arrive at Paro where you will have the opportunity to hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic site.

In the capital Thimphu you will have the chance to visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, the impressive 169ft Dordenma Buddha, the National Library containing the world’s biggest book and if we are lucky we will get a witness Bhutan’s national sport during an archery demonstration.

Our next stop is at the majestic Punakha Dzong, probably the country’s most beautiful structure. Nearby we also visit the temple of the Divine Madman in an area where phalluses are painted on most of the village walls and childless women come to seek blessings.

Our last night in Bhutan is spent at the border town of Gelephu before we exit back into Northeast India.
Day 6 Day 52-54: India
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 52-54: India

Back in India we transit across the state of Assam towards Bangladesh and break the journey up by visiting Shillong, a beautiful hill station surrounded by lakes with scenic hiking trails.
Day 7 Day 55-66: Bangladesh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 55-66: Bangladesh

Please note that Bangladesh has in the past refused foreign vehicles entry even though they subscribe to a scheme that permits foreign vehicles entry, so if we are refused entry we will visit Bangladesh by local transport and the truck will transit around and meet the group at the border near Kolkata.

Sylhet is our first destination where you will have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, a popular pilgrimage site from the 14th century. From Sylhet you will also have the option to visit the Ratargul swamp forest which is home to a large assortment of snakes & birds.

We continue to the capital Dhaka, the beating heart of Bangladesh where we spend a few days visiting sights such as the atmospheric Lalbagh Fort, the very pink Ahsan Manzil Palace & Old Dhaka’s incense-filled Hindu Street.

Upon leaving Dhaka we head down to the city’s famous Sadarghat Buriganga river area where we board a colonial Paddle Steamer affectionately known as a ‘Rocket’ and spend a night & day travelling down the waterways enjoying the riverine beauty of Bangladesh.

We get off the river at Hularhat and visit the open-air museum of Bagerhat, a medieval masterpiece with the multi-domed Shait Gumbad Mosque the crowning jewel.

From the town of Khulna you now have the option to take a 2 night/3 day boat tour into the Sundarbans National Park, the world’s largest mangrove forest home to over 400 Royal Bengal tigers, spotted deer, wild boar, monkeys & reptiles. This is often the highlight of any trip to Bangladesh!

From the Sundarbans we now head back towards India.
Day 8 Day 67-83: India
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 67-83: India

Kolkata (Calcutta) is an attack on the senses and a place where India & England collide. With an impressive display of colonial-era architecture including the impressive Belur Math religious centre, the white marble Victoria Memorial & South Park Street Cemetery this city can feel very English but the complex smell of Bengali street food and the constant beeping of tuk-tuk’s will remind you that you are in one of India’s largest & friendliest cities!

Our journey now takes us to Bodhgaya, the holiest of all Buddhist sites where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree 2600 years ago and became Buddha. Here you have the chance to visit the temples, monasteries, statues and stupas dedicated to this significant event.

Varanasi is on the banks of the Ganges River where you have the option of an early morning boat trip that will definitely open your eyes. You will notice animal and human carcasses floating by as the multitudes flock down to this holy river to wash away their sins each morning. On shore the funeral pyres known as ‘Ghats’ burn day & night as holy men chant prayers. An unbelievable sight!

Lucknow is a grandiose town littered with exceptional Islamic and British Raj-era architecture, stuffed with wonderful bazaars and famed throughout India for its food. Here you will have the chance to visit the colossal Shiite tomb complex of Bara Imambara and marvel at the elaborate black & white Chota Imambara where Mohammed’s silver throne and red crown can be seen.

Our next destination is India’s most iconic site – the Taj Mahal. This monument to love is spectacular and will keep your camera clicking all day.

Delhi is the ultimate in hustle and bustle and facing the unrelenting throng of people is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Braving the city traffic has many rewards with great textile markets, wonderful monuments, imposing forts and amazing temples.

In Chandigarh we find one of the regions most intriguing attractions at Nek Chand’s Rock Garden where a local resident spent 20 years creating over 2000 sculptures out of the areas debris.

Our final stop in India is Amritsar where you have the opportunity to visit the legendary Golden Temple, the glittering centrepiece of Sikhism.

Nearby at India’s border with Pakistan at the end of every day you can witness a bizarre show of competitive military marching & chest beating as these 2 great nations lower their flags and close the border.
Day 9 Day 84-102: Pakistan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 84-102: Pakistan

Lahore is a blend of modern city chaos & historical tranquility where you have the option to explore the Old Walled City’s impressive Lahore Fort, get the perfect sunset picture at Badshahi Mosque and wander through the galleries of the superb Lahore Museum.

After a short stop at the imposing Rohtas Fort we arrive in Rawalpindi where a highlight is a visit to the truck workshops where you can watch artists decorate local vehicles with the vibrant art that typifies Pakistani road transport. We also have an evening here to sample traditional Pakistani cuisine.

We now start our drive along the spectacular Karakoram Highway and follow the alpine Kaghan Valley route into Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park where keen hikers have the option to do an 18km day trek to Dudipat Lake which is spectacularly encircled by snow-clad peaks.

The road winds its way past the impressive Lulusar Lake and continues over Babusar Pass (4170 m) before dropping down to Raikot Bridge where we swap our truck for jeeps small enough to take us along the narrow roads to the beautiful Fairy Meadows offering unsurpassed views of Nanga Parbat (8120 m). Here we have a free day for hikers to explore the area on foot.

Our jeeps now take us along the scenic Astore Valley to the tiny village of Tarishing on the opposite side of Nanga Parbat from where you have the option to trek to Herrligkoffer base camp.

Travelling through the high altitude Deosai National Park we have the chance of spotting brown bear, marmot, fox & ibex on the world’s 2nd highest plateau before arriving at Satpara Lake and its famous rock carved Buddha.

From our base in the town Skardu we have a day to explore the fertile Shigar valley and visit the Amborik Mosque and Shigar Fort. A hike up to Khorpocho Fort at sunset will give you an impressive view over the town.

The lively town of Gilgit is situated amongst spectacular peaks offering us an amazing view of Rakaposhi (7780 m) as well as a first taste of Hunza cuisine and it is here that we rejoin our Madventure truck and say goodbye to the jeeps.

The quaint town of Karimabad is a real gem in this area from where you can visit Altit & Baltit forts, hike up to Eagles Nest for an incredible view of the surrounding 7000 metre peaks as well as take a trip to the nearby village of Duiker for a sunset view of the stunning Hunza Valley.

We continue north along the world’s highest paved road to Sost where we will seek permission to travel to the iconic Chinese border gate at Khunjerab Pass, the highest border in the world. Please note that this is a sensitive area and permission is never guaranteed but we will do our best.

We now start our return journey back down the KKH and visit Passu where you have the opportunity to hike alongside the Passu Glacier to reach a beautiful viewpoint. Nearby the Hussaini Suspension Bridge offers a thrilling walk high above a raging river to anyone who dares cross!

Our route south now takes us to Lake Attabad which was formed by a massive landslide in 2010 and is now considered by locals to be the bluest lake in the world.

During the next couple of days of our descent down the KKH we will stop at the junction of the world’s 3 highest mountain ranges (Himalayas, Karakoram & Hindu Kush), visit over 700 petroglyphs near Chilas and stop off at Taxila (City of Cut Stone) for a wander around this 3000 year old archaeological site.

Our journey ends in the modern city of Islamabad where you have the chance to explore attractions such as Shah Faisal Mosque before a farewell dinner and final taste of Pakistan.

102 days tour

Beijing To Islamabad Group Overland Tour

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Beijing To Islamabad Group Overland Tour

Day 1-10: China

Day 11-24: Tibet

Day 25-36: Nepal

Day 37-45: India

Day 46-51: Bhutan

Day 52-54: India

Day 55-66: Bangladesh

Day 67-83: India

Day 84-102: Pakistan

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