Pakistan’s Hunza Valley and Baltistan Trek – Base Camps of Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi
“Great trip and so happy with everything we saw. Pakistan an incredible place and the people are so wonderful.”
Talk about majesty. Lodged somewhere between the mythical Shangri-la of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon and Kipling’s Man Who Would Be King is the astounding beauty of Northern Pakistan. The valleys of Hunza with its jagged peaks and natural sculpted beauty, protecting the lush green valleys and apricot orchards below are a near utopia for mountain lovers. This combined with travels through nearby Baltistan, once a part of Tibet, unique in its village architecture and home some of the world’s most iconic peaks (K2, Trango Towers, G2, Nanga Parbat), makes for a most spectacular journey.
To best visit this region of Northern Pakistan, we will travel by vehicle to the noted locations and tour villages before taking on the hikes to Rakaposhi and Nanga Parbat base camp. Thus we can best title this journey as a village touring trip with daily walks, culminating in treks to the Rakaposhi and Nanga Parbat base camp.
I just wanted to tell you that the Pakistan trip was incredible. Eric was amazing. Momin and Rafeek were incredible. The treks were great and absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed meeting in the homes and eating with some of the local Pakistani families.
Our voyage begins in the stunning Hunza Valley where we complete a series of remote treks. The upper valleys and villages of Hunza are nothing short of spectacular, home to the famous Passu Cones. The villages of Hunza originally explored for England by the famed or infamous Francis Younghusband in 1898. The people of Hunza come from the mythical Wakhan Valley of Afghanistan, and herald the Ismaili Muslim region of Northern Pakistan, warm, inviting and proud of their homeland and all its beauty. Though many of our days are in villages, we will take on a number of day hikes in the areas we travel through. From Hunza we are make our way to Rakaposhi Basecamp, putting is deep into the Karakorum and a chance to make a glacier crossing, among these giant peak from Rakaposhi to Diran Basecamp. Our final trek takes us the legendary Nanga Parbat with its lush flowered meadows. Nanga Parbat borders on the Baltistan region once part of Tibet. These are the gatekeepers of the great Karakorum and often serve as climbing partners to expeditions taking on K2, The Gasherbrum’s and Broad Peak.
The itinerary for this expedition was created by Gordon Janow, who first visited Pakistan in 1987 and will be led by Himalayan Climber and Guide Eric Murphy.
Trekking Destinations:
Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain in the world at 26,660 feet. It is a peak of great beauty and uniquely different when viewed from each of its faces, Rupal, Diamir and Raikot. First climbed by Hermann Buhl in 1953 and has a long climbing history as part of its lore (See reading list).
Rakaposhi, at 25,518 feet can be viewed from many points throughout the Nagar valley in the Gilgit- Baltistan region and is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in all Asia.
Pakistan Trek FAQ
Upon sign up we will forward our comprehensive confirmation package. This package will include all of the details for your trip.
The level of difficulty of trekking easier in comparison to treks like Everest Base Camp Trek as these are much shorter in length. Trekkers should be in very good physical condition as we do have some very steep ascents.
Our leader for this trip is famed guide Eric Murphy, an internationally certified mountain guide with years of experience guiding Alpine Ascents trips on Everest and Kilimanjaro. The itinerary and scouting trip was completed by Gordon Janow and Eric Murphy. Gordon is a Himalayan expert who first visited the region in 1987.
Each night is spent in local accommodations in the area, with nights in tents or huts during the trekking portion. Single accommodations are available for an additional fee.
Please review the gear list.
All rental gear will be mailed to the trekker prior to the climb. Trekkers are expected to clean all rental gear and those requesting rental gear must submit an expedition rental form online. Return it to us by mail following the expedition
While all items are required there may be times when some of the items on the gear list may not be used (such as warm weather or changing conditions). The gear lists are created by the guides to assist in having trekkers be prepared to enjoy the hikes in any conditions.
While it is impossible for us to list all brands for certain gear, we do offer a wide variety of equipment in our Gear Shop, that has been hand-picked by our staff of mountaineering experts. Please feel free to call our offices with any gear questions or substitutes.
Currently no inoculations needed though we expect trekkers to be vaccinated against Covid 19.
Climbers fly in to Islamabad Pakistan – most travel by Qatar Airways via Doha.
Fares are generally less expensive when booked early. You may use our Travel Agent Charles Mulvehill or book flights your self. Please note that flights booked on-line are often difficult to change. Please send us a copy of your flight schedule as early as possible as this allows us to book pick ups and hotels. Most will fly Qatar Airways via Doha.
Your guide or an Alpine Ascents representative will meet you at the airport in Islamabad. Look for a large Alpine Ascents sign.
We are happy to make arrangements such as personalized tours, extra hotels rooms, airport pick ups and arrange for private rooms. Please indicate that you would like a private room on your application and we will contact you with information on single room supplement costs (for hotels only).
See our planning and logistics page.
Regular updates are posted on our web site from our team while in the mountains.
You can always call our offices and one of guides will contact you, generally about 1 month before your trip departure. 30 days prior to departure, we mail a list of other team members to you.
See our planning and logistics page.
If a trekker needs to leave early, arrangements can be made with the assistance our local support.
READING LIST
This is a highly recommended shortlist and we would be happy to pass on a longer reading list for those interested. These links will bounce to Amazon.com with reviews.
The Gilgit Game
John Keay
Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-42
William Dalrymple
Himalaya: A Human History
Ed Douglas
Solo: Nanga Parbat
Reinhold Messner
From India Trek: When Gordon announced an exploratory trip with trekking, I made the decision to participate. From beginning to end it was a dream come true. The sights, sounds, people, food, and majestic landscape were truly an incredible experience.
