10-Day Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek via Khunjerab Pass from Islamabad

10 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Nanga Parbat, towering at 8,125 meters, is a breathtaking natural marvel and Pakistan's second-highest peak after K2, as well as the ninth-highest in the world....

Duration: 10 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Cities: Islamabad, Taxila, Gilgit, Hunza, Chilas, Naran, Besham, Khunjerab National Park, Nanga Parbat · Languages: English, Urdu

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What's Included

Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at standard category hotels in towns, and a 2-person dome tent during the trek.
Meals: half board at hotels and full board during camping.
Transport: air-conditioned transport on the Karakoram Highway, with 4x4 soft-top jeeps where required.
Camping facilities: 2-person dome tents with mattresses, dining tent with folding table and chairs, kitchen tent with complete kitchenette and staff, toilet tent, and portage of 15 kg during the trek.
Tips and portage at airports and hotels, plus entrance fees at sites and museums.
English-speaking mountain guide.

Not Included

Domestic and international airfare, and airport taxes.
Any expense due to force majeure, flight cancellation, landslides, natural calamities, Acts of God, or circumstances beyond the control of our staff and suppliers.
Any personal expenses not mentioned.

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Islamabad and Drive to Besham or Naran

Arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning. Arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning. Drive to Besham or Naran. Drive to Besham or Naran. Transfer to air-conditioned buses and proceed overland to Sharkul. Transfer to air-conditioned buses and proceed overland to Sharkul. On the way from Islamabad, drive along the Grand Trunk Road leading toward Afghanistan. On the way from Islamabad, drive along the Grand Trunk Road leading toward Afghanistan. En route, visit Taxila, the capital of the Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in the sub-continent. En route, visit Taxila, the capital of the Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in the sub-continent. Visit the ruins of a former city at Sirkup, a former monastery at Julian built on top of a hill, and the splendid site museum containing artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. Here, you can also see the gold and silver coins of Alexander the Great (326 BC) and local kings. Visit the ruins of a former city at Sirkup, a former monastery at Julian built on top of a hill, and the splendid site museum containing artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. Here, you can also see the gold and silver coins of Alexander the Great (326 BC) and local kings. After Taxila, turn north toward the Karakoram Highway. Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, this highway was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers, took 850 lives, and 20 years to complete. After Taxila, turn north toward the Karakoram Highway. Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, this highway was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers, took 850 lives, and 20 years to complete. Arrive at Sharkul and transfer to the hotel for meals and an overnight stay. (5-6 hours, 200 km) Arrive at Sharkul and transfer to the hotel for meals and an overnight stay. (5-6 hours, 200 km)
2

Day 02

Drive to Gilgit through the Indus Gorge

For the second half of the journey, drive through the Indus gorge. For the second half of the journey, drive through the Indus gorge. At Thakot, cross a Chinese-made bridge to enter the gorge of the Indus River. At Thakot, cross a Chinese-made bridge to enter the gorge of the Indus River. For centuries, this branch of the Silk Route was used by traders and Buddhist missionaries. There are many rock carving sites from that time, and the Shatial rock carving is one of them. For centuries, this branch of the Silk Route was used by traders and Buddhist missionaries. There are many rock carving sites from that time, and the Shatial rock carving is one of them. Lunch in Chilas. Lunch in Chilas. Stop at Thalichi for the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m). Stop at Thalichi for the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m).
3

Day 03

Drive from Gilgit to Hunza Karimabad

Drive from Gilgit to Hunza Karimabad, re-entering the town by the historic route and crossing a suspension bridge over the Gilgit River. Drive from Gilgit to Hunza Karimabad, re-entering the town by the historic route and crossing a suspension bridge over the Gilgit River. Visit Kargah to see the rock-carved Buddha, dating back to the 7th century. Visit Kargah to see the rock-carved Buddha, dating back to the 7th century.
4

Day 04

Full-Day Excursions in Hunza Karimabad

Spend a free day in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts, and for further explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives. Spend a free day in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts, and for further explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives. Also enjoy views of some beautiful peaks of the Karakoram range from Karimabad, including Rakaposhi (7,788 m), Diran (7,266 m), Ultar (7,400 m), Golden Peak (7,027 m), and the Nagar Valley on the left bank of the Hunza River. Also enjoy views of some beautiful peaks of the Karakoram range from Karimabad, including Rakaposhi (7,788 m), Diran (7,266 m), Ultar (7,400 m), Golden Peak (7,027 m), and the Nagar Valley on the left bank of the Hunza River. In Hunza, each family grows enough wheat, maize, apricots, and walnuts for its own use. The people are mostly self-sufficient, making their own clothes, shoes, wooden and stone bowls, and growing all their own food. They are very friendly and cheerful. In Hunza, each family grows enough wheat, maize, apricots, and walnuts for its own use. The people are mostly self-sufficient, making their own clothes, shoes, wooden and stone bowls, and growing all their own food. They are very friendly and cheerful. In the afternoon, walk to Ultar Glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village, or stroll through the single-lane bazaar for better views of the soaring peaks around. In the afternoon, walk to Ultar Glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village, or stroll through the single-lane bazaar for better views of the soaring peaks around. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
5

Day 05

Drive and Trek to Fairy Meadows

Drive back to Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway. Drive back to Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway. After crossing Gilgit, arrive at Raikot. After crossing Gilgit, arrive at Raikot. At Raikot, board 4x4 soft-top jeeps. After a one-hour drive, arrive at Jaile, a small village inhabited by Shina-speaking Chilasis and the starting point of the trek. As loads are distributed among the porters, leave the jeeps and begin walking. At Raikot, board 4x4 soft-top jeeps. After a one-hour drive, arrive at Jaile, a small village inhabited by Shina-speaking Chilasis and the starting point of the trek. As loads are distributed among the porters, leave the jeeps and begin walking. Ascend gradually through the dry lunar landscape at the meeting point of the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges. Ascend gradually through the dry lunar landscape at the meeting point of the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges. Soon, enter the narrow, barren gorge of the Tato River, where the track clings high on its left bank. Soon, enter the narrow, barren gorge of the Tato River, where the track clings high on its left bank. Passing through green juniper and pine trees, arrive at Fairy Meadows for overnight camping. Passing through green juniper and pine trees, arrive at Fairy Meadows for overnight camping.
6

Day 06

Short Walks around Fairy Meadows

Morning light brings a surprise view of the Nanga Parbat massif from the campsite. Morning light brings a surprise view of the Nanga Parbat massif from the campsite. After breakfast, meet at the dining tents at camp. After breakfast, meet at the dining tents at camp. Commence short walks around Fairy Meadows. The route followed by the locals climbs rather steeply from the campsite through the pine forest to emerge at Fairy Meadows. Commence short walks around Fairy Meadows. The route followed by the locals climbs rather steeply from the campsite through the pine forest to emerge at Fairy Meadows. Take the slightly longer, wider trek that ascends gradually through the jungle. The view of Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters) soon fills the horizon in the south-east. Take the slightly longer, wider trek that ascends gradually through the jungle. The view of Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters) soon fills the horizon in the south-east. Walk fairly close to the crystal-clear streams flowing through the pine trees. Walk fairly close to the crystal-clear streams flowing through the pine trees. Fairy Meadows, at 3,200 meters, is an idyllic campsite perched above the Raikot Glacier flowing from the massif of Nanga Parbat. Nature lovers call it one of the most magical and scenic spots in all of Pakistan. Fairy Meadows, at 3,200 meters, is an idyllic campsite perched above the Raikot Glacier flowing from the massif of Nanga Parbat. Nature lovers call it one of the most magical and scenic spots in all of Pakistan. Meals and overnight at camp. Meals and overnight at camp.
7

Day 07

Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp

An ideal day's walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat. An ideal day's walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat. Walk through the pine tree-covered valley with the Raikot Glacier flowing on the left side and the summit of Nanga Parbat straight ahead. Walk through the pine tree-covered valley with the Raikot Glacier flowing on the left side and the summit of Nanga Parbat straight ahead. After about two hours, traverse the lateral moraine of the glacier and then arrive at the flat meadow of the Biale camping site. After about two hours, traverse the lateral moraine of the glacier and then arrive at the flat meadow of the Biale camping site. From here, turn right for a short stretch to reach the old base camp of Nanga Parbat. The meadow is normally filled with Himalayan flowers and shouting marmots. Half an hour from here stands German mountaineer Drexel's monument. From here, turn right for a short stretch to reach the old base camp of Nanga Parbat. The meadow is normally filled with Himalayan flowers and shouting marmots. Half an hour from here stands German mountaineer Drexel's monument. Lunch at 4,000 meters. Lunch at 4,000 meters. Enjoy thrilling views of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding peaks. Enjoy thrilling views of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding peaks. Later, walk back to the camp at Fairy Meadows. Later, walk back to the camp at Fairy Meadows.
8

Day 08

Trek Down and Drive to Besham or Naran

Take a three-hour downhill walk from Fairy Meadows along the Tato River to Jaile. Take a three-hour downhill walk from Fairy Meadows along the Tato River to Jaile. At Jaile, board jeeps once again and arrive at Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway over the Indus River. At Jaile, board jeeps once again and arrive at Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway over the Indus River. At Raikot, transfer into an air-conditioned van and drive to Besham or Naran for an overnight stay at PTDC Motel. (8-9 hours trek) At Raikot, transfer into an air-conditioned van and drive to Besham or Naran for an overnight stay at PTDC Motel. (8-9 hours trek)
9

Day 09

Drive to Islamabad on the Karakoram Highway

Toward the Islamabad bypass, see the important archaeological site of Taxila. Toward the Islamabad bypass, see the important archaeological site of Taxila. By afternoon, arrive in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel. By afternoon, arrive in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel. The evening is free for exploring bazaars and sightseeing in the capital city. The evening is free for exploring bazaars and sightseeing in the capital city. Overnight stay at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
10

Day 10

Departure from Islamabad

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your international departure flight. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Islamabad Airport Road, Islamabad Gandhara International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan · Tour start: Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.