Itinerary

1. Day 1: Islamabad to Manda Gucha

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

2. Day 2: Manda Gucha to Musa Ka Musala

   • Have a decent breakfast here before starting your trek. From Manda Gucha, you can hire a 4×4 Jeep to take you to Jachha or otherwise walk the jeep path. A walk on this jeep trek takes around 1 hour. The jeep ride will take approx. 30 minutes.
   • Reach Jachha, where either by walking or in a jeep, this is where you get on your feet and get ready to move uphill. Jachha is at 1823 meters in elevation. There is nothing interesting here. You need to cross a small water stream and start the trek.
   • Continue from Dhor, a bigger village, and just after the village you can see on your left along the river, you will reach the Dhor campsite, a bit of flat land, and a bridge you can’t miss. It's a good place to rest for a while. Dhor Bridge is 1989 meters in elevation.
   • Have two routes to Jabbad Meadow. You can cross the significant stream or climb up the steep mountain, a 4.6 Kilometer 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 of 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”. Mostly move through dense shrubs and trees and reach a Bakki village. 
   • Take the second route, which seemed quite doable. People who have attempted the first route state 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 / Khodi Meadow at 2935 meters above sea level. This is where you will end your Day 1 and camp for the night, and your donkey will be parked and unloaded.

3. Day 3: Khodi Meadow to Gali

   • Wake up early the following day, and you will leave your camp after breakfast. Head towards Gali. It is a steep 17% grade slope. It will be covered with ice during winter till late April. You will need an ice axe to navigate through this patch. Studs on your boots or crampons can be effective too. It takes us 38 minutes to reach Gali. In colder weather, it might take twice or thrice the time. 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, upto the summit.
   • Continue onwards. From Gali, the steep starts so do the snow, even in the summers. Remember, there are two "Ziyarats" ( Shrines ). Both are stacked up 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 will take 3 hrs 38 minutes to reach, and the elevation of Pehli Ziyarat is 3935 meters.
   • Keep going from Pehli Ziyarat and the start, the final push to the summit against a steep 22% grade slope, primarily snow-covered. During winters, it's wholly snow-packed.
   • Reach the summit, opening up 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 to Khodi campsite, which took us approximately 4 hours, all downhill.
   • Camp at the same Khodi meadow for the night.

4. Day 4: Khodi Meadow to Islamabad

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