Map of Trek Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains including Pakistan

Set off on a fully supported hike among Pakistan’s highest peaks

Trek among the towering rock walls and lush valley floors of Northern Pakistan’s Karakoram Range and Nangma Valley. The Baltistan region, sometimes known as Little Tibet, is a mountaineer’s paradise. Spend four days trekking along well-marked and relatively easy trails that cross glacial streams running through vibrant pastures and camp under the stars. You’ll be fully supported by a professional and welcoming crew of porters, guides and camp cooks who will prepare fresh and filling hot meals featuring local Pakistani dishes. Along your roundtrip journey from Islamabad, you’ll also get the chance to meet Balti locals and learn about the history and culture of this region, through dancing, shared meals and expert local knowledge.


Start
Islamabad, Pakistan
Finish
Islamabad, Pakistan
Destination
Pakistan
Style
Original
Theme
Expedition, Walking & Trekking
Code
HQXP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Walk among the towering peaks of Northern Pakistan’s Baltistan region on well-marked trails in Nangma Valley.

  • Enjoy fully-supported camping with expert guides, porters and a professional cooking team, providing warm Pakistani meals at every campsite.

  • Opt for a day hike to the mountaineer’s paradise of Amin Brakk, also known as the Great Tower.

  • Join in a live Balti dance performance at the Nangma Valley campsite and cross paths with local shepherds whose pastures share these trails.

  • Tap into your local leader’s expert insights as you take some time to explore the capital city of Islamabad

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip visits places as high as 4500 metres above sea level, which can cause altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and health’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details on travelling at altitude and ensure you are familiar with signs of Acute Mountain Sickness. 

  • This trip involves a full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of experiencing the elements. Expect two-person tents (singe supplement available) and sleeping bags, as well as a separate mess tent to enjoy fresh meals prepared by your support crew.

  • Please read our packing list for required equipment carefully, and remember that you don’t necessarily have to bring it all with you – you can hire or buy some of it in Skardu.

Itinerary

Welcome to Islamabad! Your transfer from the Islamabad International Airport to your hotel is included. If you arrive early in the day, be sure to join your leader and other members of your group for lunch and a city tour this afternoon. Back at the hotel, meet up for a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm and get all the details on your upcoming trek into the Yosemite of Pakistan.

Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Islamabad - Taxila Museum & archeological sites - Free
  • Islamabad - Faisal Mosque - Free
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
First things first, check the weather – if it’s good, you’ll fly from Islamabad to Skardu (a one-hour scenic flight). If the weather isn’t cooperating, you’ll instead make the trip via the Karakoram Highway, making stops along the way among mountain peaks humans have yet to step foot on. In Skardu, the gateway to the Karakoram mountain range, you’ll have some free time to explore and pick up any personal favourite snacks or a few souvenirs from the Skardu bazaar. You’ll also have the chance to rent any hiking gear here that you may have forgotten to pack. While in Skardu, don’t miss Manthal Rock Buddha, Kharpocho Fort and Nansoq Organic Village
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Skardu Bazaar walk
  • Manthal Rock Buddha
  • Kharpocho Fort
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately two hours.

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY DUE TO FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS:
Weather conditions in Karakoram can change rapidly, which can result in the need for changes to be made to our intended itineraries. Flights from Islamabad to Skardu can be delayed or cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Our contingency plan in case of bad weather preventing the fixed wing aircraft flight is as follows:

Day 2 – We will drive from Islamabad to Naran. The total driving distance is 280km and will take around 6 hours. There will be various short stops along the way including Mansehra viewpoint, Balakot riverside hotel, and River Kunhar viepoint.

Day 3 – We will drive from Naran to Khaplu. The total driving distance is 460 km and may take up to 10 hours, including stop in Skardu for purchase/rent of necessary accessories or/and equipment. Along the way we will also stop at Lulusar lake, Babusar pass, Nanga Parbat Viewpoint, and point where three highest mountain ranges meet: Karakoram,
Carry on into the mountains as you drive to Khaplu, passing through the small villages of the Ghanche district. Along the way, stop where the Shayok and Indus Rivers meet. Visit the small village of Yugo and enjoy lunch and a cultural village walk where you’ll get a feel for village life and meet some locals. This afternoon, travel onwards to Khaplu, the Ghanche district’s capital city. After checking into your hotel, enjoy some free time to explore. Don’t miss the Khaplu Fort Museum and organic garden.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Khaplu Fort Museum
  • Yugo Village cultural walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately three hours.
Lace up your hiking boots! After breakfast, drive from Khaplu to Kanday Village, the trailhead for your trek into Nangma Valley and meet your local support crew of guides, porters and camp cooks. The first leg of your hike is short but with a few steep parts. From Kanday, descend to cross a wooden bridge over the Hushe River and then ascend through the narrow valley, across two suspension bridges to the Mingulo Broq campsite. This lush site near the water and surrounded by willow trees is also a local pasture. You’ll likely get the chance to meet local shepherds. After lunch at the campsite, you’ll have time to explore nature or relax at camp. For dinner, your kitchen team will prepare local Balti cuisine, like balay (soup), chapshoro and other Pakistani dishes. Before sliding into your sleeping bag, be sure to turn your gaze upwards and take in the stunning star-filled night sky.
Accommodation
  • Full Service Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mingulo Broq guided hike
  • Expert Licensed professional local guide
  • 15 kgs of porter services per person
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total hiking distance is approximately 6km/4mi, with 600m/1968ft of elevation gain. It will take up to 4 hours. Total driving time is approximately 2 hours.
Maximum altitude of 3500m/1148ft.
Fuel up on a hot breakfast and then carry on from Mingulo Broq to Nangma Valley, passing through lush green fields alongside a glacial stream. Today’s trek is relatively flat, crossing over one stream and through another. You’ll arrive at your next stop, the Nangma Valley campsite, by lunch, where you can tuck into a freshly prepared hot meal and then enjoy some free time to take in the incredible views. Looking out over the valley, you’ll see the North Ridge of Shingu Charpa. For dinner, enjoy another hot meal of local soup and a mix of regional and continental Chinese/Pakistani dishes.
Accommodation
  • Full Service Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mingulo Broq to Nangma valley guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total hiking distance is approximately 4km/2.5mi, with 450m/1475ft of elevation gain. It will take up to 3 hours.
Maximum altitude of 3950m/12960ft.
Check in with your feet this morning and decide how you’d like to spend the day. Opt to take a day hike to Amin Brakk base camp (4500 metres), at the base of the towering rock face that’s known as one of the most spectacular climbs in the world. Strat with a steep climb and continue on a relatively flat plateau, before the final, steep push through a rocky trail. While at the base camp, enjoy some free time for your own exploration before tucking in to refreshments and tracking your own steps back to Nangma campsite. Or if you’d rather lay low, choose to kick back and relax at camp. Either way, you won’t want to miss the sunrise from up here. If you choose to stick close to camp for the day, test your scrambling skills on nearby rocks or go on a scavenger hunt for local Karakoram bird and flower species. This evening, enjoy a live music and dance show by local Balti performers. Feel free to join in!
Accommodation
  • Full Service Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amin Brakk base camp guided hike
  • Live music and dance show by local Balti people
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total hiking time is about 5 hours, with 500m/1640ft of elevation gain.
Make the trek back down to Kanday this morning and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family in the village. You and your group will travel by road back to Shigar this afternoon, stopping for sightseeing and view-admiring along the way. Tonight, spend the night at a family-owned guesthouse.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nangma valley to Kanday guided hike
  • Traditional lunch with local family at Kanday village
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total hiking distance is approximately 10km/6mi, with 1050m/3444ft of elevation loss. It will take up to 5 hours.
Total driving time is approximately 4 hours.
Once again, the weather may play a role in today’s plans. If the weather is nice, you’ll drive from Shigar to the Skardu airport where you’ll fly back to Islamabad. In this case, you’ll check into your Islamabad hotel, enjoy lunch and enjoy some free time for sightseeing. Be sure to ask your leader for recommendations. If the weather isn’t agreeable, you’ll spend some free time in Naran, where your leader will be pleased to offer suggestions or plan an excursion around town for the group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
If you didn’t fly yesterday, today you’ll make the journey by road to Islamabad. If you’re already there, do some sightseeing in the capital. Don’t miss the Taxila Museum, which sits in the middle of a number of important archaeological sites, hosting a rich collection of Gandharan art dating back to the 1st century.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Your journey comes to an end today after breakfast. Enjoy a transfer to the airport.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Full Service Camping (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Skardu Bazaar walk
  • Manthal Rock Buddha
  • Kharpocho Fort
  • Khaplu Fort Museum
  • Yugo Village cultural walk
  • Mingulo Broq guided hike
  • Expert Licensed professional local guide
  • 15 kgs of porter services per person
  • Mingulo Broq to Nangma valley guided hike
  • Amin Brakk base camp guided hike
  • Live music and dance show by local Balti people
  • Nangma valley to Kanday guided hike
  • Traditional lunch with local family at Kanday village

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Trek Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Arrival and Departure transfers are included in this trip, please provide us with your exact flights details no later than 14 days prior to your departure.
3. Due to the demands of travelling at high altitudes a Passenger Self Assessment Form is required for this trip. You will be trekking on hilly terrain, generally on well-defined paths, walking anywhere between 2–7 hours per day. Altitude may exceed 4500 metres.
4. On this tour we travel from Islamabad to Skardu by plane. In case of unfavourable weather, we may need to swap the flight and drive instead. Please see Special Information box on day 2 for exact contingency plan.
5. Passport scans are required at the time of booking to book domestic flights.
6. All trekking permits and National Parks entrance fees are included in the price of the trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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