4-Day Musa Ka Musalla Peak Trek from Islamabad via Khodi Meadow

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek to the snow-capped Musa Ka Musalla Peak
• 02 Walk through the small village of "Nabi"
• 03 Enjoy scenic views of the beautiful Khodi village
• 04 See the snow-packed shrine of Pehli Ziyarat

Hike up Musa Ka Musalla, standing at an altitude of 4080 meters at the junction of the Siran and Kaghan Valleys in the Himalayas. Pass through beautiful villages, green meadows, and local wildlife, enjoy mesmerizing views of Khanda Peak, and summit Musa Ka Musalla Peak before descending through the beautiful Khodi village.

Hike up Musa Ka Musalla, standing at an altitude of 4080 meters at the junction of the Siran and Kaghan Valleys in the Himalayas.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Islamabad and Drive to Manda Gucha

• Arrive in Islamabad and settle in at your accommodation.
• Drive to Manda Gucha via Shinkiari.

2

Day 02

Trek from Manda Gucha to Khodi Meadow

• Have a decent breakfast before starting your trek. From Manda Gucha, you can hire a 4x4 jeep to take you to Jachha or walk along the jeep track instead. The walk on this jeep track takes around 1 hour, while the jeep ride takes approximately 30 minutes.
• Reach Jachha, whether on foot or by jeep. This is where you get on your feet and prepare to move uphill. Jachha is at 1823 meters in elevation. There is nothing particularly interesting here. You need to cross a small water stream and start the trek.
• Continue to Dhor, a bigger village. Just after the village, along the river on your left, you will reach the Dhor campsite, a bit of flat land, and a bridge you cannot miss. It is a good place to rest for a while. Dhor Bridge is at 1989 meters in elevation.
• There are two routes to Jabbad Meadow. You can cross the significant stream or climb up the steep mountain on a 4.6-kilometre trek. In this case, you will not be crossing the Dhor Bridge. The second route seems to be a bit longer but is 4.5 kilometres. This path has an average 16% grade elevation, which is still quite tough but easier than the first route that goes straight uphill. You get on this path by crossing the Dhor Bridge.
• While on this path, move through a small village called "Nabi". You will mostly pass through dense shrubs and trees and then reach Bakki village.
• Take the second route, which seems quite doable. People who have attempted the first route say it is more difficult and tiresome. Jabbad is a small and nice meadow, a place to take a break and some photos. The elevation is 2683 meters.
• Jabbad to Khodi is a nice scenic trek of 2.1 kilometres. On the left, you almost always get a mesmerizing view of Khanda Peak (Khanda K2).
• Pass through small meadows and grass fields and finally reach the beautiful Khodi village, also known as Khodi Meadow, at 2935 meters above sea level. This is where you will end your day and camp for the night, and your donkey will be parked and unloaded.

3

Day 03

Summit Push to Musa Ka Musalla and Return to Khodi

• Wake up early the following day and leave your camp after breakfast. Head towards Gali. It is a steep 17% grade slope and remains covered with ice during winter until late April. You will need an ice axe to navigate through this patch. Studs on your boots or crampons can also be effective. It takes 38 minutes to reach Gali, though in colder weather it might take twice or even three times as long. Gali is the saddle of the mountain, and the summit push starts from here. Gali is at 3175 meters above sea level. From here onwards, find Thandi Gali Ridge on your right up to the summit.
• Continue onwards. From Gali, the steep climb begins, and so does the snow, even in summer. Remember that there are two "Ziyarats" (shrines). Both are stacked stones and look similar. One of the summits is called the Ziyarat itself, and the one 600 meters before the summit is called the "Pehli Ziyarat".
• From Gali, while moving up, you will first witness the Pehli Ziyarat, an excellent place to take a long rest and photos. It takes 3 hours and 38 minutes to reach, and the elevation of Pehli Ziyarat is 3935 meters.
• Keep going from Pehli Ziyarat and start the final push to the summit against a steep 22% grade slope, primarily covered in snow. During winter, it is completely snow-packed.
• Reach the summit and take in an awe-striking view of the neighbouring snow-covered mountains. Find Makda Peak in the distance. The GPS read 4079 meters when placed on the snow. It is officially claimed to be 4080 meters, and while standing and holding the device, it read 4081 meters.
• Hike from the summit back to the Khodi campsite, which takes approximately 4 hours, all downhill.
• Camp at the same Khodi Meadow for the night.

4

Day 04

Descent from Khodi Meadow and Return to Islamabad

• Get up in the morning, pack the camps, load the donkeys, and prepare for the descent. The guide will take a shortcut towards the end of the trek. Use Route 1, joining Bakki to Dhor, which is quicker for descending. Also, on the final patch approaching Jachha, take a shortcut and save a few kilometres.
• Take the jeeps from Jachha back to Manda Gucha.
• Have lunch there and head home in chartered transport.
• Drive to Islamabad.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Complimentary breakfast

• Local guides/maps

• Transportation

• Deluxe coach

• Parking

• Guides / assistance

• Suitable for children

• Historic area nearby

• Driver

• Service fee for tour guide

• Air conditioning

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

• Extra water bottle charges

• Medicines required, if any

• Airfare and airport taxes

• Visa charges

• Insurance

• Passport costs

• All meals and drinks

• Tips for coach drivers

• Tips and gratuities

• Return airport transfer

• Any optional tours

• Any airport arrival/departure tax

• Alcoholic beverages

Know before you go

• Musa Ka Musala, Mansehra
• Manda Gucha -> Jachha (3.2 kilometres) (34 minutes by jeep): Manda Gucha (elevation 1614 meters) is a small village. The metalled road ends here at the market. There are small restaurants and tea houses.
• Jachha -> Dhor Camp Site (A.K.A. Dhor Bridge) (4.8 kilometres) (1 hour 43 minutes on foot)
• Dhor -> Jabbad Meadow (4.5 kilometres) (3 hours on foot)
• Jabbad Meadow -> Khodi Meadow (2.1 kilometres) (1 hour 17 minutes on foot)
• Khodi Meadow -> Gali (1.3 kilometres) (38 minutes on foot)
• Gali -> Pehli Ziyarat ("The first shrine") (3.8 kilometres) (3 hours 38 minutes on foot)
• Pehli Ziyarat -> Summit (0.61 kilometres) (39 minutes on foot)
• Summit -> Khodi Camp Site (5.7 kilometres) (approximately 4 hours on foot downhill)
• Khodi Meadow -> Jachha (approximately 9 kilometres) (5 hours 30 minutes on foot)

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Islamabad, Pakistan

Tour start

Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.