Itinerary

1. Arrive ISB, Drive to Chilas / Narran (Meet the Indus)

   • Arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning.

   • Transfer to air-conditioned buses and proceed overland to Chilas/Narran. As you start your drive from Islamabad, the Highway, reputed as the eighth wonder of the world - was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers and took 850 lives & 20 years to complete where Indus River is joined by Gilgit River.

   • Continue drive to Chilas.

   Overnight stay at Hotel/GH (07/08 hours, 320 km)

2. Drive to Tattu & Trek Fairy Meadows -Jeep /Trek

   • Drive on Karakoram Highway and arrive at Raikot.

   • At Raikot, board on 4x4 soft top jeeps and after one-hour drive, arrive at Tattu, a small village inhabited by Shina speaking Chilasis, the trek commencement point.

   • As loads are distributed among the porters, leave the jeeps and start walking.

   • Ascend gradually, and walk through the dry lunar landscape of this meeting point of Hindukush and the Himalayan range.

   • Soon you enter the narrow, barren gorge of Tato river, the track clings high on its left bank.

   • Cross through the green juniper and pine trees arrive at Fairy Meadows for overnight huts/ camping. (07/08 hours)

3. Trek to base camp of nanga parbat (4000 meters)

   • An ideal day’s walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat.

   • Walk through the pine trees, a covered valley with Raikot glacier flowing on your 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 a flat meadow of Bayal camping site.

   • From here, turn right for a short patch to arrive at the OLD BASE CAMP of Nanga Parbat. The meadow here is normally filled with Himalayan flowers and shouting marmots. Half an hour from here is German mountaineer Drexel’s monument.

   • Eat lunch at 4,000 meters.

   • Enjoy thrilling views of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding peaks.

   • Later, walk back to the camp at Fairy Meadows hut/ camp. (7/8 hours round trek.)

4. Trek & drive back to Gilgit – Hunza karimabad

   • Two hours downhill walk from Fairy Meadows along Tattu river.

   • At Tattu, board on your jeeps once again and arrive at Raikot Bridge on KKH over Indus River.

   • At Raikot, the AC van will be waiting for you. Transfer into the van and drive back to drive on KKH to Gilgit, the capital city of Northern areas of Pakistan.

   • At Raikot bridge, cross Chinese-made bridge to enter the gorge of Indus River. For centuries the traders and Buddhist missionaries used this branch of the Silk Route.

   • Drive out from Gilgit to re-enter the town from the historic route, crossing a suspension bridge over the river.

   • At Kargah, visit the rock-carved Buddha from 7th century AD. In ancient times, the Kargah valley used to be the travelling route of the Buddhist monks, to go to Taxila.

   • Stroll down the colourful Bazaars of Gilgit.

   • Continue the tour to the beautiful, breathtaking Hunza valley through a scenic route.

   • On your way, see the old Silk Route used by the Buddhist monks and traders.

   • En route short stay at Rakaposhi (7,788m) viewpoint.

   • Enter the Hunza valley and arrive at the capital Karimabad. 

   Overnight at Hotel/GH. (2/3 hours, 110 km)

5. Hunza (karimabad)

   • Free day in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts, and for other explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives. You can also see some beautiful peaks of Karakoram range from Karimabad; Rakaposhi 7788m, Diran 7266m, Ultar 7400m, Golden 7027m peak and the Nagar valley on the left bank of 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. The people are very friendly and cheerful.

   • In the afternoon, you could walk to Ultar glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village or stroll through the single lane bazaar for better views of soaring peaks around you. 

   Overnight at Hotel.

6. Hunza minapin - rakapushi bc

   • In the morning after breakfast, drive to Minapin.

   • The soaring ridges of the Karakoram on both side of the gorge, arrive at the small village of Minapin in the shadow of Rakaposhi (7788m) and Diran (7265 m) mountains.

   Camp/GH (120 km, 5-6 hours)

7. trek day to diran bc

   • Trek to Tagafuri; this is a moderate trek, full of interest, as it passes through hills covered with juniper and roses, with occasional fields of barley and potatoes.

   • Eat lunch at a summer settlement.

   • Later, follow a path through steep pastures to arrive at your overnight campsite in a meadow between the lateral moraine of the Diran glacier and the foot of Rakaposhi. The views are spectacular.

   (Trek 5-6 hours)

8. Diran bc - hunza karimabad

   • Start a Diran base camp Full day excursion to Kacheli (Diran Peak base camp) crossing Minapin Glacier from the top end of the meadow at Tagafuri.

   • Walk over soft snow and medial moraine to Kacheli, a meadow studded with wildflowers, which offers superb views of Diran & Rakaposhi.

   • Return to camp for overnight. 

   (Camp, 7-8 hours round trek.)

9. Karimabad - passu (gojal )khunjerab pass

   • Go on a short drive through the heart of Karakoram.

   • Stop at the village of Gulmit, in the shadow of the virgin Gulmit tower.

   • Walkthrough the village fields visit the Polo ground and old houses.

   • Later, take a short trek to Gulkin glaciers and Borit Lake.

   • As you end your trek near Borit Lake, the transport will pick for 15 km drive to Passu. Passu is a small charming village in the backdrop of soaring Passu Cones, with Passu and Batura glacier at short walking distance.

   • Walkthrough the village to see the village life. Some 70 years ago Passu used to be the second-largest settlement in Hunza after Karimabad. The glacier upstream on Hunza river moved down to create a large dam, that later broke and destroyed the fertile fields and houses. Now the river occupies the major share of the valley with the village on its right bank.

   • Walk to the Passu glacier and Passu Lake (45 minutes one way). From the snout of the glacier, you have fascinating views of Shispar ( 7,611 m) and Passu Peak (7,478 m).

   • Visit the famous suspension bridges of Passu; these 800 feet long bridges over Hunza River are still in use of local people. 

   Overnight at Lodge.

10. Hunza / passu shmshal valley

    • Start the day with a short ride on soft-top 4x4 jeeps from Passu village towards Shimshal valley. The jeep track passes through the narrow gorge of Shimshal river.

    • After 2 hours relatively jeep ride, arrive at the ‘travellers hut’ of Ziarat shortstop. Some 600 years ago a Sufi Saint (Shah Shams) from central Asia arrived here and stayed here for several nights. He also preached Islam in this region. From Ziarat, you can see Karoon 1 (7164m) Peak. There are beautiful views of Dastagil Sar (7885m) from here. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of Karakoram. 900 years ago, Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi Saint he settled here and all Shimshali people are from his family. 

    GH/ Camp overnight. (4/5 hours, 3300m)

11. Shimshal – pasth furzin

    • For the next two days, your walk would mostly be traverse through the really narrow gorge of Shimshal river. But your walk from the village for the first two hours today is in the open valley along the river. Soon you leave the main valley and turn to left to enter the gorge. Mostly the trek is safe, although at few places you would need good balance on the narrow foot track. Enroute enjoy views of Kunianchish and Yazgildoom peaks both are above 7000m. Furzin, a narrow camp along the side stream is known for its Birch trees. 

    Overnight in Furzin. (5/6 hours)

12. Pasth furzin - arbab parian

    • This might be the hard part of the trek. Start from the camp with a steep ascend of 200 meters on the cliff facing the camp, traverse gradually for half an hour and then descend steeply to Shimshal river.

    • Cross the river on a footbridge and then walk for another hour to Pariyan camp for the cool breeze off the Maidur Nallah and fresh lunch.

    • After lunch, take up the last part of gorge walk, involving one and half hour’s ascend on a well maintained yet steep foot trek (pariyan) to the top, called Pariyan Sar, with fascinating views of the peak Manglik and many other summits.

    • Here you enjoy the vista and take relaxing an hour’s walk to the camp.

    • Camp at Arbabparian which is a shepherd’s settlement for winter, with plenty of freshwater. 

    (4/5 hours)

13. Arbab parian – shunjerab

    • Compared to the last two days, it is a relaxing walk along the river with views of peaks soaring above 6,000 meters. In your way, you will pass Ganj Dour Valley, leading north to China border with many pastures for the yaks and goats. This valley is known for its substantial population of blue sheep, Marcopolo sheep, Ibex and also few snow leopards and bears. Shunjerab is the summer home of Shimshalis, with 60 houses and huge yards to house the animal & human population. People stay here in May & June and then proceed over Shimshal pass to Shuwart to spend the winter.

    • Camp overnight (4/5 hours)

14. Shunjerab – manglik base camp

    • East from Shunjerab is Gulchi Washk (carpet of flowers), a 200 meters gradual ascent to bring just under Manglik Sar.

    • Walk-in wide-open valley running east to west, with two lakes located just before the Shimshal Pass. In summer, find Yaks, goats and sheep who roam the green pastures.

    • Build your camp after 2/3 hours walk, just under the main ridge of Manglik Sar.

    • In the afternoon, one could walk over to Shuwart summer settlement, consisting of 60 houses. Inevitable you might get invited for dinner, a great chance to visit local houses and also to taste the energetic nomad food made from Yak’s cheese, butter and wheat flour.

    • Camp overnight. (4/5 hours, 4735m)

15. Rest day

    • Base Camp Rest day for acclimatization and to explore the area. You will also visit some local houses this day. Shuwart glacier is one of the places here to visit.

    • Camp overnight.

16. Manglik sar 605m base camp

    • Full days to attempt the trekking Peak Manglik Sar (6050m), just north of our camp.

    • As you start in the soft morning light, for the first few hours, ascend gradually on the main ridge leading to the summit.

    • At 5,800 meters, leave the ridge and head toward the eternal snow of the Peak. The going could be slow here due to altitude and increased ascent of the Peak. Yet near the top it is wide as a football field and also not so steep.

    • Enjoy fascinating views of the valley from the top, on a clear day one can see K-2 and Broad Peak distant east. Safety rope and other required climbing equipment will be carried by the mountain guide.

    • Descend down to base camp. (9/10 hours excursion).

17. Attempt day base camp

    • Another full day to attempt the peak. On this trek to Shimshal Pamir, there is an option to climb the Manglik SAR 6050m or other two peaks around or who do not want to make the summit can trek around or to Shuwerth. Here you take you for the ascent of a 6,050 m trekking Peak. It is an easy trekking peak does not require technical things just to needs to travel the team in rope. It is one day climb normally with 1500M ascent and 1500 descent. It is safe and easy climbing, can take a good and physical fit trekker to the top of this peak. This is a popular and easy to access 6000M peak. To climb this peak, you need snowshoes, gaiters, harness and rope. There are two other peaks just near below 5500M, Kuz Sar and Lup Zhui Sar also in one day can climb using same base camp of Mangalik Sar. A special campfire will be arranged that night with local music and dances to celebrate the successful attempt on the peak.

    • Camp overnight.

18. Shimshal pass shuwart - arbab parian

    • Same trek you have passed through on your way to Shuwart. But it will take a very short time because of the continues gradual descend of the trek.

    • Camp overnight. (5/6 hours)

19. Arbab parian – maidur

    • It is an easy walk. Follow a stream flowing from Shuwart to Maidur. There are many summer settlements in Maidur Valley.

    • Pitch your tents at a small settlement having only two or three houses. It is a beautiful Valley and water is easily accessible here.

    • Camp overnight. (4/5 hours)

20. Maidur – shapodin pass 5150m

    • Today you take early morning start to cross Shapodin Pass (5150m). The climb up to pass is not technical and one can climb it with the help of walking poles only. Passu Peak (7478m) Shispar Peak (7611m) and Dastagil giant are visible from the Pass. Water is easily available on the way.

    • After crossing the Pass, arrive at the camping place of Shapodin which is also a summer settlement.

    • Camp overnight. (7/8 hours)

21. Shapodin – shimshal vallage

    • Head back toward Shimshal. It is an easy trek down to the Village. Kanjut Sar (7760m) is visible from the Pass. After the pass, there is a beautiful lake of blue water.

    • Enroute short stay for rest and lunch at Pachodewashk.

    • Proceed towards Mandikshlakh. There are seven houses in Mandikshlakh and water is easily available for washing.

    • Camp overnight. (5/6 hours)

22. Shimshal to hunza karimabad

    • After breakfast drive to Hunza.

    • Shortstop at Passu, and arrive at Hunza.

    • Check-in and overnight stay at Hotel/GH.

23. Drive Karimabad – Besham/ Narran

    • Early morning, drive in an air-conditioned transport on the Karakoram High way towards Besham.

    • Eat lunch in Dassu/Narran.

    • Proceed towards Besham/ Narran. 

    Overnight at Motel. (11/12 hours)

24. Drive Narran/ Besham – Islamabad

    • After breakfast, drive towards the Federal Capital.

    • Spend half-day SS in Islamabad after lunch.

    • Free evening.

    Overnight at Hotel. (5/6 hours)