Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek

After breakfast we will proceed directly to Chilas by minibus. The journey takes you along the legendary Karakoram Highway, following the mud-brown Indus River. There will be a lunch stop in Besham. The drive takes approximately 12-14 hours, and you can expect high temperatures in the Chilas area. Shortly before reaching Chilas, you may catch your first glimpse of Nanga Parbat, weather permitting.
Accommodation will be at a hotel in Chilas.

From Chilas we proceed to Gilgit, here we can go for sightseeing in and around Gilgit, including the bazaar as well as the Kargah Buddha outside of town. In the afternoon we continue to Minapin, on the way making a stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint.

Overnight at a guesthouse in Minapin.

The Minapin village is located on the eastern side of the Hunza River in the Naygar region. Minapin is overshadowed by the majestic Rakaposhi Massif (7,788 m), a spectacular mountain giant that dominates the Hunza Valley.

Once you have deposited any unnecessary luggage at the guesthouse, you will begin your hike to the high alpine pasture of Hapakun. Porters and mules will carry your trekking gear, including tents and cooking equipment.

The hiking trail leads into the Minapin Valley. After crossing the glacial river on a wooden cantilever bridge, the trail ascends steeply in switchbacks to the lower Hapakund pasture. From afar, you can already see the gleaming ice pinnacles of the glacier rising above the moraine. After approximately 4-5 hours of hiking, you will reach the Hapakun campsite (2,850 m), surrounded by beautiful meadows.

Overnight stay: Tent
Walking time: Approx. 4-5 hours

From a stunning green basin, the trail winds gently through meadows filled with wildflowers, accompanied by the songs of various birds. We ascend to a ridge that offers breathtaking views of Diran and Rakaposhi in all their glory. Next, we cross a rocky cliff above the Minapin Glacier before arriving at our campsite in Tagaphari, also known as the Rakaposhi Base Camp.

Similar to yesterday, the route mostly consists of easy terrain with a few challenging climbs. After setting up camp, there is an optional opportunity to explore the surrounding area, including a hike to a higher moraine for an even more spectacular view of Rakaposhi and the glacier. This ridge, shaped by the glacier, lies at an altitude of approximately 3,400 m.

Walking time: 2-3 hours from Hapakun to Rakaposhi Base Camp
Overnight stay: Tents

Today we leave our camp at Rakaposhi Base Camp, retracing our route back down to Minapin where we rejoin our vehicle.

We then continue to follow the Karakorum Highway northwards along the Hunza Valley to Karimabad.

As we approach Karimabad, the Hunza Valley appears as a fairytale land surrounded by beautiful rugged, snow-capped mountains. including Ultar Peak (7388m), Ladyfinger Peak (6000m), Diran (7266m) and Rakaposhi (7788m).

Upon arrival, we settle into our hotel and then, before sunset, drive to the view point called Duikar for a panoramic view of the valley and watch the sun going down over the mountain tops. We return to Karimabad.

Overnight at hotel

3-4 hours trekking, 1 hour driving

Today we enjoy a full day exploring Karimabad.

We begin by visiting Baltit Fort, the most significant built landmark in the region. Formerly the palace of the mirs of Hunza, its architecture reflects the strong links with Tibet at this time. Now about 700 years old, the fort remained continually inhabited until as recently as about 1960.

Baltit Fort stands magnificently upon an artificially flattened spur just below Ultar Glacier, while Ultar Peak, rising majestically directly behind it, provides a most wonderful and dramatic backdrop. From this position, strategically located with such a commanding view of the Hunza Valley, the mirs of Hunza were in perfect position to control the seasonal trans-Karakorum trade between South and Central Asia.

Next, we visit Altit Fort, itself a spectacularly situated on a cliff edge overlooking the Hunza river valley. Although its primary function was initially defensive, it also served as the seat of power of the Mir of Hunza and dates back about 900 years.

We then drop lower down the valley side towards the valley floor to find the 1000-year old village of Ganesh. Believed to be the oldest settlement in Hunza, we can still see its formidable ancient watchtowers and visit its richly carved traditional mosques.

In the evening, we take a stroll through the bazaar of Karimabad, stretched out all along its lanes which snake steeply uphill to Baltit Fort, and enjoy the richness of the local arts and crafts on display here.

Overnight at hotel

oday is a busy day and so we make sure to start with an early breakfast.

We begin our tour by taking the short drive to Hopar on the far side of the Hunza valley. From here we complete the short walk to gain great views of Hopar Glacier, even heading down to touch the ice of the glacier itself if we wish, and look across to Barpu Glacier, too.

Back in our vehicle, we continue our drive northwards along the Karakorum Highway, pausing at the beautiful, turquoise Attabad Lake, 21km long and 109m deep, which was suddenly and dramatically formed in January 2010 following a gigantic, tragic natural landslide.

Next, we briefly leave the KKH to visit the serene Borit Lake (2500m). Isolated from the main thoroughfare by lofty peaks, it was once the hunting ground of the mirs of Hunza, and still today remains an important sanctuary for migrating wildfowl.

From Borit Lake, we start a short hike along the edge of Passu Glacier. We climb briefly to a viewing point, allowing us to look down onto this impressive glacier as it descends from the prominent Passu Peak, above.

We drive a little further and then leave our vehicle again to walk down to the banks of the Indus and reach the dramatic Hussaini Suspension Bridge, a footbridge which stretches right across the Indus to its far bank. Those who dare might choose to walk across the bridge over the Indus to its far side and back again.

We return to our vehicle and reach Passu.

Overnight at hotel

4 hours driving, 3 hours trekking

We descend back along the KKH, breaking our journey at Gulmit. This is a picturesque village at any time of the year but especially in both spring and early summer when the fruit trees bloom, and then again in autumn when the orchards glow red, orange and yellow. We visit the local museum and the Pamir Musical School.

Next, we detour from the Karakorum Highway and follow rough road which climbs steeply through the densely wooded Naltar valley, quite distinct from other valleys in the region, to reach the village of Naltar, justifiably very popular with local holiday makers.

Once at Naltar, we follow the jeep track up the side of the valley, climbing high above the village, and then take a very short walk to an excellent view point across the whole valley.

Finally, we have the option to head off-road and climb higher towards the head of the valley, beyond Naltar village, to visit a young snow leopard, protected in a large cage, and its guardian.

We return to Gilgit.

Overnight at hotel

5-6 hours driving

After breakfast we drive further down the KKH as far as Raikot Bridge. Leaving the road at this point, we head onwards along a rough jeep track to Fairy Point where our walk begins.

From Fairy Point, we take a moderate walk to Fairy Meadows, set amongst pine forests, from where we enjoy spectacular views of Nanga Parbat’s north face and the Raikhot Glacier and ice fall.

Overnight at huts on Fairy Meadows.

3 hours driving, 3 hours walking

Fairy Meadows, locally known as Jut, is a grassy pasture near one of the base camp sites of the mighty Nanga Parbat Mountain (8126m). Today you will hike towards Nanga Parbat base camp, passing through lush green meadows and pine forests and surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery.

Overnight at huts on Fairy Meadows.

We retrace our steps to Fairy Point and rejoin our vehicles. Once back on the KKH we continue our drive southwards before leaving this magnificent road for a final time, branching off along the Khagan Valley.

We cross Babusar Pass (4175m) and reach Lulusar Lake. This photogenic, 160km-long valley is set against forested peaks of the lesser Himalayan range and is one of Pakistan’s most popular summer holiday spots.

We then drive on to Naran, beautifully located at the point where the valley widens and the river quietens. It is an excellent location for fishing. Attractively surrounded by stone and boulder fields, Naran offers good views further down valley while picturesque tree-covered islands lie nearer at hand. We settle down for the night in Naran.

Overnight at hotel.

6-7 hours driving

We continue our journey southwards, enjoying the mountain scenery for a final time, before arriving back on the plains of Pakistan and continuing to Islamabad.

After dinner transfer back to Islamabad airport in good time for your departure flight.