6-day Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek from Islamabad

Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 4,100m, Fairy Meadows at 3,300m, and a high-altitude pass twice over

This 6-day trek departs Islamabad, crosses the Karakoram Highway to Fairy Meadows at 3,300m, climbs to Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 4,100m beneath the world's ninth-highest peak, and returns over Babusar Pass at 4,173m to Lake Saif ul Malook and Naran. North Nomads operates the expedition directly with its own guides and logistics. Small groups of 12 or fewer, all meals, accommodation, transport and permits are included from airport pickup. Your first evening includes Faisal Mosque and a welcome dinner with the team.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Mosque Visit, Welcome Dinner

• Meet representative at arrivals
• Transfer to guesthouse and check in
• Visit Faisal Mosque
• Attend welcome dinner and briefing

Day 2: Drive Islamabad to Chilas

• Depart Islamabad early morning
• Travel along Karakoram Highway
• Stop for lunch and photos
• Arrive in Chilas and rest

Day 3: Jeep and Trek to Fairy Meadows

• Drive from Chilas to Raikot Bridge
• Jeep ride to Tato Village
• Trek 5-6 km to Fairy Meadows
• Settle into guesthouse and explore

Day 4: Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp

• Stop at Raikot Glacier viewpoint
• Reach Nanga Parbat Base Camp
• Have packed lunch and explore
• Return to Fairy Meadows
• Stargaze at night

Day 5: Return via Babusar Pass to Naran

• Trek down to Tato Village
• Jeep ride to Raikot Bridge
• Cross Babusar Pass with photo stops
• Arrive in Naran and rest

Day 6: Lake Visit and Return to Islamabad

• Jeep ride to Lake Saif ul Malook
• Explore lake and take photos
• Drive back to Islamabad
• Tour ends at hotel or airport

The experience

You land in Islamabad and a North Nomads representative meets you at arrivals. After checking into a private guesthouse in central Islamabad, you visit Faisal Mosque (one of the largest in the world, set against the Margalla Hills), then join the team and fellow trekkers for a traditional Pakistani welcome dinner where your guide reviews the route, safety procedures and altitude precautions. The next morning you depart at 5:00 AM for the drive north along the Karakoram Highway, one of the highest paved international roads in the world. The route follows the Indus River through dramatic gorges where the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges meet, with stops for lunch and photography before you reach Chilas by evening.

From Chilas, a one-hour drive brings you to Raikot Bridge, where the Karakoram Highway ends and the mountain adventure begins. You board rugged local jeeps for a two-hour ascent along one of the most dramatic jeep tracks in the world to Tato Village, then trek 5 to 6 kilometers through towering pine forests to Fairy Meadows at 3,300m. The meadow sits surrounded by ancient pines with unobstructed views of Nanga Parbat's north face. You spend two nights here at this base, with virtually zero light pollution for world-class stargazing. On day four, you trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 4,100m, standing at the foot of the mountain's Rupal Face: one of the highest mountain faces on earth, rising over 4,500 meters directly above. After a packed lunch and time for exploration, you return to Fairy Meadows for your final night at altitude.

The descent back to Tato takes 2 to 3 hours, offering different perspectives of the Nanga Parbat massif before the jeep returns you to Raikot Bridge. Instead of retracing the route, you cross Babusar Pass at 4,173m heading east into the lush Kaghan Valley, stopping at the summit for photographs of snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows. You arrive in Naran, a resort town at 2,400m along the Kunhar River, with the evening free to explore the riverside bazaar. On the final day, a short jeep ride takes you to Lake Saif ul Malook at 3,224m, surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers, before the drive back to Islamabad passes through the Kaghan Valley alongside the Kunhar River. The tour concludes at your hotel or Islamabad International Airport by evening.

What’s included

• All meals and accommodation in private guesthouses and hotels.
• airport pickup and all ground transportation including private vehicle and 4x4 jeep.
• experienced English-speaking guide.
• porter and horse support for luggage.
• entry to Faisal Mosque, Lake Saif ul Malook and Nanga Parbat Base Camp.
• all national park entry and permit fees.
• drinking water and snacks during treks.
• first aid kit and basic safety equipment.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:00

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by North Nomads

Is this one for you?Book this if you're flying into Islamabad and want a single operator handling everything end-to-end: your guide, meals, transport, and lodging are all coordinated by North Nomads' own team, not pieced together separately.

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Top questions

What is Nanga Parbat and why does it matter on this trek?

Nanga Parbat is the world's ninth-highest mountain at 8,126m. The trek takes you to Base Camp at 4,100m, where you stand directly beneath the Rupal Face: one of the highest mountain faces on earth, rising over 4,500 meters above you. The meadow at 3,300m where you sleep offers unobstructed views of the mountain's north face.

How much of this trek involves walking versus driving?

The trek includes a two-hour jeep ascent from Raikot Bridge to Tato Village, then a 5 to 6 kilometer forest walk to Fairy Meadows on day three. Day four is the Base Camp trek from Fairy Meadows, and day five includes a 2 to 3 hour descent back to Tato before jeep travel over Babusar Pass. The Karakoram Highway drive and return journey to Islamabad are by private vehicle and jeep.

What happens on the first night in Islamabad?

After arriving at the airport and checking into a private guesthouse in central Islamabad, you visit Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, set against the Margalla Hills. In the evening, you join the North Nomads team and fellow trekkers for a traditional Pakistani welcome dinner, where your guide briefs you on the route, safety procedures, altitude precautions and answers any questions before the trek begins.

What is included in the cost of this trek?

All meals and accommodation are included; airport pickup and all ground transportation by private vehicle and 4x4 jeep; an experienced English-speaking North Nomads guide; porter and horse support for luggage on the Fairy Meadows trek; entry to Faisal Mosque, Lake Saif ul Malook and Nanga Parbat Base Camp; all national park entry and permit fees; drinking water and snacks during treks; and a first aid kit and basic safety equipment.

How does the group size affect the experience?

Groups stay at 12 or fewer trekkers, which North Nomads says ensures a personal mountain experience. You have an English-speaking guide throughout, and the small size means the pace and attention can adapt to the group rather than forcing everyone into a rigid schedule.

What is Lake Saif ul Malook and when do you visit it?

Lake Saif ul Malook sits at 3,224m, surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers, and is one of Pakistan's most photographed alpine lakes. The turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains. You visit on the final day via a short jeep ride from Naran before the drive back to Islamabad. The lake is steeped in local folklore about a legendary love story.