Nanga Parbat Base Camp & Hunza Valley 11-Day Trekking Tour

Summary

Trekking Adventure: Fairy Meadows, Altit Fort & Attabad Lake

If you want real mountain adventure—sleeping under stars at Fairy Meadows, hiking up to Nanga Parbat Base Camp, exploring Hunza’s ancient forts—this trip gives you all that plus local stories and plenty of chai breaks along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off early from Islamabad, the city just waking up as we loaded our bags. The road north is long but never dull—chai stops at roadside dhabas, the air getting cooler with every mile. By breakfast in Naran Kaghan, the scent of fresh parathas mixed with mountain air. Lulusar Lake shimmered under a pale sky, and by the time we reached Babusar Top, clouds drifted low enough to touch. Chilas was our stop for the night—dusty streets, friendly faces, and a simple meal before sleep.

The next morning felt different—crisper somehow. The drive toward Raikot Bridge is bumpy but worth it. Our jeep rattled along the narrow track to Fairy Meadows; you can’t help but grip your seat. Once there, the grass really does look unreal—soft underfoot, wildflowers everywhere. We spent three nights here. Some mornings I just sat outside my tent with chai, watching clouds slide over Nanga Parbat’s snowy face. Our guide, Imran, pointed out avalanche scars and told stories about climbers who’d tried their luck on this giant.

The hike to Nanga Parbat Base Camp isn’t easy—rocky paths and thin air slow you down—but every step brings new views: glaciers creaking in the distance, marmots darting between stones. At camp, it’s quiet except for wind and distant rumble of ice shifting. Back at Fairy Meadows, some folks took lazy walks or napped in the sun; honestly, both options felt right.

Leaving Fairy Meadows was bittersweet. Hunza Valley opened up ahead—terraced fields dotted with apricot trees and stone houses clinging to hillsides. We wandered through Altit and Baltit forts; inside Altit’s old wooden balconies you can smell cedar and history mixed together. Locals chatted in Burushaski while kids played cricket outside.

Attabad Lake surprised me—the color is almost too blue to believe. We took a boat ride past jagged cliffs where landslides once blocked the river. Gojal Valley came next: sleepy villages where women sell dried mulberries by the roadside and yaks graze nearby.

Onward to Sost and Khunjerab Pass—the border sits high up in snow even in summer months. Yaks wander across empty roads while eagles circle overhead. The national park is quiet except for wind whistling through prayer flags strung near the checkpoint.

The return journey retraced our steps back through Chilas to Islamabad—a blur of valleys and rivers that already felt like memories by the time we hit city traffic again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Departure from Islamabad

• Departure from Islamabad

Day 2 — Naran and Surroundings

• Breakfast in Naran Kaghan
• Visit Lulusar Lake
• Visit Babusar Top
• Reach Chilas

Day 3 — Nanga Parbat Exploration

• Visit Nanga Parbat

Day 4 — Nanga Parbat Base Camp

• Nanga Parbat Base Camping

Day 5 — Hunza Valley Visit

• Visit Hunza Valley

Day 6 — Altit and Baltit Forts

• Visit Altit Fort
• Visit Baltit Fort

Day 7 — Attabad Lake Visit

• Visit Attabad Lake

Day 8 — Gojal Valley Tour

• Visit Gojal Valley

Day 9 — Khunjerab Pass and Park

• Visit Sost
• Visit Khunjerab Pass
• Visit Khunjerab National Park

Day 10 — Return to Chilas

• Return to Chilas

Day 11 — Arrival in Islamabad

• Reach Islamabad

Top questions

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

The route has some challenging sections but offers flexibility at Fairy Meadows for rest days or shorter walks if needed.

What kind of accommodation should I expect?

You’ll stay in basic camps at Fairy Meadows and simple hotels or guesthouses elsewhere—clean but not fancy.

Are meals included during trekking days?

Meals are provided at camp sites; you’ll find hearty local dishes like lentils, rice, chapati, and occasional chicken curry.

How do we travel between locations?

Private vehicles handle most transfers; jeeps are used for rougher tracks like Raikot Bridge to Fairy Meadows.

What should I pack for this tour?

Bring warm layers (nights get cold), sturdy shoes for trekking, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle.

What’s included

Your trip covers private transport (with AC), all main transfers—including those bumpy jeep rides—and guided walks around key spots like Fairy Meadows and Hunza forts. Infant seats are available if needed; just let us know ahead of time so we can sort it out for you!