Himalayas & Karakoram Trek: Nanga Parbat & Rakaposhi

Two base camp treks, five valleys, and the Karakoram Highway in one loop

A 14-day trek through northern Pakistan starting and ending in Islamabad, with an English-speaking guide, hotel stays and all meals included. Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp in the Himalayas and Rakaposhi Base Camp in the Karakoram, then visit Hunza Valley forts, villages and alpine meadows. Transport by car, van or minibus depends on group size. A domestic flight to Skardu is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Islamabad, Pakistan

• Fly to Islamabad

Day 2: Arrival and sightseeing in Islamabad

• Arrive at Islamabad airport
• Meet guide and transfer to hotel
• Sightseeing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Day 3: Drive to Chilas

• Drive to Chilas via Naran and Babu Sar Pass
• Overnight at hotel in Chilas

Day 4: Travel to Fairy Meadow

• Drive to Raikot Bridge
• Jeep to Tato
• Trek to Fairy Meadow
• Overnight at hotel or hut

Day 5: Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp

• Trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp
• Return to Fairy Meadow
• Overnight at hut or hotel

Day 6: Trek to Minapin Village

• Trek down to Tato
• Jeep to Raikot Bridge
• Transfer to vehicle and drive to Minapin
• Overnight at hotel in Minapin Village

Day 7: Trek to Hupkun

• Trek to Hupkun
• Overnight in tent

Day 8: Rakaposhi Base Camp trek

• Trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp
• Optional hike over Katchally
• Return and overnight in tent

Day 9: Trek to Karimabad Hunza

• Trek down to Minapin
• Drive to Karimabad Hunza
• Visit Baltit Fort and Bazaar
• Walk around Channel
• Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Visit Duikar and nearby sites

• Drive to Hopar in Nagar Valley
• Visit Ganish Fort and walk in Hoper
• Visit Altit Village and Altit Fort
• Drive to Duikar for sunset view
• Overnight at hotel in Duikar

Day 11: Drive to Passu

• Drive from Duikar to Passu
• Stop and visit places en-route
• Overnight at hotel in Passu

Day 12: Drive to Naran/Besham

• Drive from Passu to Naran/Besham
• Overnight at hotel in Skardu

Day 13: Return to Islamabad and sightseeing

• Drive to Islamabad
• Sightseeing in Rawalpindi and Islamabad
• Overnight at hotel

Day 14: Departure from Islamabad

• Transfer to airport
• Departure from Islamabad

The experience

The route moves through five distinct regions, each day building on the last. You fly into Islamabad, spend a day meeting your guide and seeing the city, then drive eight to nine hours through Naran and Babu Sar Pass to Chilas. From there, a local jeep takes you to the Raikot Bridge trailhead, and a two- to three-hour trek brings you to Fairy Meadow at 3,300 meters, where you sleep in a hut or hotel. The next day you trek five to six hours to Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 3,900 meters and back, staying another night at Fairy Meadow.

The second base camp trek starts with a descent to Tato and a jeep ride to Minapin Village, then a three- to four-hour trek to Hapakun at 2,800 meters, where you camp. From there, a two- to three-hour trek reaches Rakaposhi Base Camp. The route can vary depending on conditions and your pace. After descending to Minapin, you drive an hour to Karimabad in Hunza Valley, where you can visit Baltit Fort and walk the channel irrigation system. The next days take you through Nagar Valley to see Gansih Fort and Altit Fort, with a stop at Duikar for sunset, then on to Passu in Upper Hunza. The drive back to Islamabad follows the Karakoram Highway through Naran and Besham, with a night in Skardu before the final return to the capital.

Your guide speaks English throughout, and the group size determines whether you travel by car, van or minibus. Hotels are two to three stars, with twin or double rooms. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included every day. Entry to museums and forts is covered, as is the domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the trekking days, particularly the five- to six-hour walks at altitude.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for all 14 days.
• hotel stays in twin or double rooms with breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
• transportation by car, van or minibus depending on group size.
• entry fees to museums, forts and tourist sites.
• all taxes and fees.
• domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by North Pakistan Adventure

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving in Islamabad without a vehicle. The itinerary includes all transport, guides, and meals, and returns you to the city so you can fly out directly.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

How many hours of trekking do I do on the hardest days?

The longest treks are five to six hours on the day you trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp and back, and two to three hours to reach Rakaposhi Base Camp. Other days involve two to four hours of walking at varying altitudes.

What is Nanga Parbat Base Camp like when you arrive?

Nanga Parbat Base Camp sits at 3,900 meters in the Himalayas and serves as the staging point for climbers attempting the peak. On this trek you reach the base camp itself, then return to Fairy Meadow the same day.

Do I need to arrange my own flight to Pakistan, or is that included?

Your international flight to Islamabad is not included. You book that separately. The 14-day tour includes the domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu partway through the itinerary.

What happens in Hunza Valley, and how much time do I spend there?

After the Rakaposhi trek, you spend four days in and around Hunza Valley visiting Baltit Fort and Altit Fort, walking village bazaars, exploring Nagar Valley, and watching sunset from Duikar. You also drive through Upper Hunza to Passu before heading back toward Islamabad.