15-Day Adventurous Trek To Nanga Parbat from Islamabad
Highlights
Besham, Gilgit, Islamabad, Chilas, Concordia (Karakoram)
Locations Covered
Besham, Gilgit, Islamabad, Chilas, Concordia (Karakoram)
mountaineering, nature, Glaciers
Private Tour
15 Days
Hard
English
Description
An adventurous trek to Nanga Parbat via the Mazeno Pass is a thrilling journey that combines rugged terrain, breathtaking landscapes, and the challenge of conquering one of the world's most iconic peaks. Here's an outline of what you can expect on this incredible trek from Islamabad:
Overview:
Starting Point: Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan
Destination: Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters) via Mazeno Pass (5,300 meters)
Duration: 15-20 days (depending on the pace and conditions)
Difficulty Level: Advanced (for experienced trekkers)
Journey Highlights:
Travel to the Base Camp:
Begin your journey by traveling from Islamabad to the base camp area, usually via a jeep ride that takes you through scenic routes.
The drive itself offers stunning views of rivers, valleys, and towering mountain ranges, gradually building anticipation for the trek ahead.
Mazeno Pass:
The trek to Nanga Parbat takes you through the Mazeno Pass, one of the most difficult and remote mountain passes in the world.
The trail is steep and challenging, requiring physical stamina, endurance, and technical trekking skills.
Along the way, you'll cross glaciers, alpine meadows, and deep valleys, with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat and surrounding peaks.
The weather conditions here can be unpredictable, so it's essential to be prepared for snow, rain, and harsh winds.
Stunning Views:
Throughout the trek, you'll be surrounded by incredible mountain scenery, including towering peaks like Nanga Parbat, Rakhiot Peak, and the Rupal Valley.
The trek offers panoramic views of glaciers, ice falls, and lush green valleys as you ascend higher into the mountains.
The contrast between snow-capped peaks and verdant meadows creates a picturesque and ever-changing landscape.
The Final Ascent:
The final push toward Nanga Parbat's summit, though not typically reached by trekkers on this route, involves reaching high camps where you'll feel a sense of achievement and awe at the mighty mountain's size and grandeur.
At the base of Nanga Parbat, you’ll witness towering ice walls and glaciers, providing a sense of the mountain's raw power.
Conquering the Peak (Optional for Climbers):
While most trekkers will not aim to summit Nanga Parbat, skilled mountaineers can attempt to conquer it from here, although it requires technical climbing and expert knowledge of high-altitude mountaineering.
Key Trekking Features:
Wildlife: Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including Himalayan ibex, snow leopards, and various species of birds.
Cultural Interaction: Meet local communities along the way, where you'll be able to experience the hospitality of the mountain people.
Camping: Camping along the trail will be necessary, with the opportunity to experience the serene and remote wilderness of the region.
Best Time to Trek:
Summer (June to September): The best time for this trek is during the summer months when the weather is more stable, and the trails are clear of snow.
Autumn (October): This is also a good time for trekking, but the weather can start to get colder, and snow may begin to accumulate.
Preparation Tips:
Ensure that you have the right trekking gear for high-altitude conditions, including proper clothing, boots, and sleeping bags.
Acclimatize properly before reaching high altitudes to avoid altitude sickness.
Carry enough food, water, and gear for self-sufficiency during the trek.
Engage with a local guide or trekking company that can provide expert navigation, logistical support, and safety advice throughout your adventure.
Conclusion:
The trek to Nanga Parbat through Mazeno Pass is an unforgettable adventure for those looking to challenge themselves amidst some of the world's most spectacular landscapes. Whether you're an experienced trekker or a mountaineering enthusiast, this journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and test your limits.
Itinerary
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Day 1- Arrival in Islamabad
Start from your homeland to reach Islamabad and connect with your tour representative.
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Day 2- Islamabad - Chilas
Transfer to your hotel to freshen up. Board a minibus to start the tour by driving towards Chilas. You will go on Grand Trunk Road, leading straight to Afghanistan. After an hour’s drive on G.T. Road, we turn north on the Karakoram Highway. Karakoram Highway is a joint effort of the Pakistan Army and the Chinese engineers.
Lunch at Besham. Afterwards, continue the drive through the deep Indus gorge.
Arrive at Chilas on the bank of Indus.
Transfer to a hotel for overnight stay.
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Day 3- Chilas - Jaglot - Astore - Trashing
Early morning drive to Jaglot on KKH. From Jaglot, board 4x4 jeeps and drive to our trek head.
Take a halt at Astore, 56 km from Jaglot. Astore is an important place, as many treks and jeep roads towards Deosai and Kashmir start here. The beginning of Rupal Valley is 30 km away from Astore. Mostly, the population here is Kashmiri and Shina speaking. In Trashing, our camping staff will welcome us.
Overnight camping in Trashing.
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Day 4- Trashing Glacier - Rupal Valley - Bazin
The first half-hour of the trek is steep, up to the lateral moraine of Trashing glacier. Then, it will take another half an hour to cross the glacier. At the other side of the glacier is the lower Rupal Valley, with two large summer settlements and big wheat fields. From the lower Rupal Valley, the trail is green and gradually ascending.
After about a three hours walk from here, you will reach Bazin just under the solid ice wall of the east face of Nanga Parbat.
Camp overnight.
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Day 5- Bazin - Shaigiri
Today, start by walking on the Bazin Glacier, which takes about two hours.
After crossing the glacier, the trek goes through Juniper and Willow trees. The trek continues up the Rupal River. An hours walk will take you to a place called Herligkoffer Base Camp. He was a famous climber and led eight expeditions to Nanga Parbat. Herligkoffer was also the leader of the Nanga Parbat Expedition in 1953 when Herman Buhl climbed it for the first time.
After a short stay here, walk further for about an hour and reach a place called Second Base Camp, another summer settlement. Our campsite Shaigiri is not very far from here. Usually, porters ask for a goat to slaughter and arrange a campfire with local songs and dances. Enjoy the beautiful views of South Face.
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Day 6- Mazeno Base
Follow the lateral moraine of Rupal Glacier. You will see Nanga Parbat, Rupal and Laila Peaks behind you. The campsite is at 4200m altitude, with a few Juniper trees and a small water stream.
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Day 7- Mazeno Pass
Trek is comparatively steep and ascending to the Mazeno glacier, which comes straight from Mazeno Pass. The campsite is not green anymore because of the height. Water is available. The high base camp is at 4724 meters.
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Day 8- Loiba Glacier
Start early in the morning before sunrise. Climbing up to the pass is not very difficult, but the other side is steep and requires a rope, ice axe, seat harness, and crampons. The steep area is about 250m in length.
After crossing the pass, the Loiba glacier starts. Camp here at upper Loiba at the height of 4300 m.
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Day 9- Loiba Meadows
Today, trek down from upper Loiba to Lower Loiba called Loiba Meadows. It is a comfortable walk through lush green meadows and trees. The campsite consists of many shepherd houses at 4000 m.
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Day 10- Meadows - Kachal
Today, enjoy beautiful views of Nanga Parbat. The trek is very easy through pine and birch trees.
Enter the Kachal summer settlement at the base of Kachal Pass 4400 m.
Camp at 3000 m.
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Day 11- Diamer Base Camp
- From Kachal, four treks trails intersect. One goes to Kachal Pass, and the second goes to Zangot, the third goes back to Loiba, and the fourth to Diamer Basecamp. Take the Diamer Base camp trek.
- En route, a short stay in Kigali.
- Reach Diamer Face basecamp. World`s most famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner climbed Nanga Parbat from this side in 1979 and lost his brother on their way back. Take a short stay here for exploration and photography.
- Walk back by the same route and camp at Zangot 4200 m.
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Day 12- Gilgit
Start a steep trek down to the Diamer river to reach Dimroi.
From Dimroi, take the 4x4 jeeps and continue towards Gilgit, the capital of Northern areas of Pakistan.
Reach Gilgit and transfer to your hotel.
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Day 13- Gilgit - Besham - Narran
Start with an early morning drive on Karakoram Highway along the Indus River to Besham and catch exciting views of Nanga Parbat again from Karakoram Highway.
Arrive at Besham, on the bank of Indus.
Overnight in a motel.
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Day 14- Besham - Islamabad
Continue driving on the greener part of Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. If time permits, you may stop at Taxila, the archaeological site of the Gandhara Buddhist civilization.
Arrive at Rawalpindi / Islamabad.
Transfer to a hotel for overnight stay.
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Day 15- Departure
In the morning, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of tour.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.