Trekking in Pakistan is among the many greatest on the earth and it’s dwelling to 3 of the best mountain ranges — the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindukush. What units it other than different well-known trekking locations in Asia like Nepal, is the dearth of vacationers and travellers… for now! Pakistan stays a massively underrated vacation spot, the place picturesque landscapes are untouched, native communities are excited to greet travellers, and paths stay unbeaten.
Whether or not you’re searching for a simple day hike by biodiverse valleys or a difficult multi-day trek into distant, glacier-filled wilderness, we’ve obtained you coated with an epic checklist of one of the best trekking in Pakistan.
K2 Base Camp Trek
Pakistan is dwelling to K2, the second-highest mountain on the earth, standing at a whopping 8,611m (28,251 ft) — simply 238m (781 ft) shy of Mount Everest in Nepal — the world’s tallest mountain. For these much less involved with bragging rights and extra within the expertise, the K2 Base Camp Trek gives one thing really distinctive — only a few vacationers. Whereas over 30,000 folks trek to Everest Base Camp yearly, solely round 1,500 journey to K2 Base Camp.
The trek spans 14 days, taking you throughout the Baltoro Glacier, the fifth-longest non-polar glacier on the earth, and into the legendary ‘Throne Room of the Mountain Gods’. This aptly named spot unveils unmatched views of towering peaks, together with K2 and several other different 8,000m (26,247 ft) giants solely worthy of the Gods.
Heat up for the K2 on: Pakistan: Hike the Karakoram Mountains
Nanga Parbat Basecamp
Referred to as the ‘Killer Mountain,’ Nanga Parbat is a formidable 8,126m (26,000 ft) peak, infamous for claiming the lives of 25% of climbers who dare to summit it. Fortuitously, you don’t have to danger life and limb to expertise this big. The Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek sitting at 3,900m (12,800 ft) is a reasonable 2 to 3-day hike providing jaw-dropping vistas with out an journey that lives as much as the mountain’s ominous nickname.
Most trekkers base themselves in Fairy Meadows, a lush alpine grassland-turned-mini-village below the shadow of the world’s ninth highest mountain. True to its title, this magical meadow seems like one thing out of a storybook. However earlier than all this, it is advisable courageous a jeep experience alongside one of many world’s most harmful roads. It’s an expertise that’s extra exhilarating than terrifying, for those who can consider it.
Patundas Trek
Wedged between Batura and Passu Glaciers, Patundas Meadows sits at a powerful 4,200m (13,800 ft). Whereas this is perhaps the very best you’ve ever been, surrounded by towering 7,000m (23,000 ft) peaks in any respect compass factors, you rapidly really feel humbled and fairly tiny. Everyone knows the cliche ‘it’s in regards to the journey, not the vacation spot’. The Patundas Trek is about each. The panoramic views from the highest are outstanding, however so is the expertise of leaping and scrambling throughout a glacier whereas it’s groaning below your ft.
You want an area information to navigate the glacier safely and to sort out tough crevasses. This trek in Pakistan will be completed in 2 to three days, relying in your tempo and health degree, with a complete elevation acquire of round 1,700m (5,600 ft). Probably the most difficult part is the 800m (2,600 ft) ascent from Patundas Camp One to Patundas Meadows.
Discover Passu Glacier on: Pakistan: Karakoram Freeway, Native Eats & Village Life
Avgarch Valley
Not all trekking in Pakistan wants a number of days of pressure and sore muscle groups. The hike to Avgarch Valley will be accomplished in a day, but is equally as rewarding as tougher hikes.
Starting in Jamalabad in Gojal, the two.5-hour path takes you in direction of the primary settlement of Hunza, a small village nonetheless dwelling to a couple households. The surroundings alongside the way in which is unbelievable, and this space’s further layer of historical past provides a surreal and important aspect. Think about what life was like there 700+ years in the past!
Passu and Husseini Suspension Bridges
Security when trekking in Pakistan generally is a little lax, and that’s evident while you see Passu and Hussaini Suspension Bridges. Within the shadow of the long-lasting spikey mountains generally known as Passu Cones, these bridges sway precariously over the raging Hunza River.
A brief 2-hour round hike takes you throughout each bridges and a nice stroll beside the river. Be warned — for those who’re afraid of heights, crossing both of those bridges isn’t for the faint-hearted. The gaps between the wood planks are huge, and a few shift unnervingly underfoot making it really feel like a leap of religion.
Nangma Valley
The Yosemite of Pakistan, Nangma Valley, is a climber’s haven with difficult routes scaling well-known rock partitions on 5,000m+ (16,400 ft) mountains like Amin Brakk and Changi Tower. Scaling vertical cliff faces isn’t for everybody, and mountain climbing gives an equally outstanding journey for these wanting to maintain their ft firmly planted on the bottom.
Beginning within the village of Kanday, discover the path to Mingulo Broq, the place you’ll spend the night time at 3,500m (11,500 ft). The subsequent day, comply with glacial streams as wildflowers brush towards your legs on the way in which to Nangma Valley at 3,950m (13,000 ft).
Amin Brakk
If the trek to Nangma Valley isn’t sufficient to fulfill your starvation for mountain climbing in Pakistan, you may proceed on to Amin Brakk Base Camp. This difficult 3-hour hike entails gaining round 600m (2,000 ft) of elevation, in the end reaching the bottom camp at 4,500m (14,800 ft).
Although the climb is steep, the reward on the high is greater than price it. Standing on the foot of the towering 5,800m (19,000 ft) rock face of Amin Brakk, take a second to think about the ideas racing by the minds of climbers making an attempt to scale this imposing big.
Thallay Valley
The Thallay Valley Trek is among the extra accessible hikes in Baltistan and Pakistan, providing a glacier-free route by lush meadows and valleys teeming with vibrant flora. Winding by the gorgeous Shigar and Khaplu valleys, the trek is framed by the dramatic peaks of the Karakoram mountain vary, culminating on the Thallay La Move at 4,575m (15,000 ft).
The valley stays comparatively untouched by tourism, preserving the native folks’s distinctive lifestyle. Like most locations in Pakistan, put together your self for welcoming hospitality and milky cups of chai (tea). Assembly the Balti folks and attempting their mouthwateringly good delicacies is a giant a part of this trek in Pakistan.
Sort out the Thallay Valley trek on: Pakistan: Lahore & Mountain climbing the Karakoram Mountains
Haramosh Valley
One way or the other, the great thing about Haramosh Valley has managed to flee the data of most vacationers trekking in Pakistan, which solely provides to its serenity and exclusivity. Start your escape from civilization on the final village, Dasu, the place you’ll take a 1.5-hour jeep experience to the trailhead. Enveloped by the formidable mountains of the Karakoram Vary, you’ll put one foot in entrance of the opposite for at the least 6 hours earlier than you attain camp for the night time.
Get up and head to the jewel of Haramosh Valley — Kutwal Lake at 3,310m (10,900 ft). The lake’s good blue water contrasts completely with the luxurious greenery and the darkish, snow-dusted mountains. The few who tackle this trek declare it’s top-of-the-line views in Pakistan.
Shimshal Move
Beginning within the distant village of Shimshal, generally known as the ‘Valley of Mountaineers’, is an expertise in itself. Largely remoted from the skin world till 2003, an exciting filth street now connects it up. At the moment the Wakhi folks’s lifestyle remains to be preserved to a level, providing an interesting glimpse into their distinctive tradition.
From right here, the difficult 8 to 12 day trek takes you to the Shimshal Move at 4,735m (15,535 ft) — a high-altitude plateau with spectacular vistas of the Karakoram mountain vary. Alongside the way in which, you’ll traverse teetering suspension bridges and steep trails whereas assembly nomadic shepherds tending to yaks and sheep.
Marsur Rock
Social media performed a pivotal position in placing Pakistan on the worldwide journey map, and Marsur Rock is the poster little one. Mom Nature labored her magic on this one, putting this unsuspecting slab of rock within the good spot. Dare to shimmy your means throughout to get the proper shot, and also you’ll seem like suspended 1000’s of metres above the magnificent Hussainabad Valley close to Skardu Metropolis.
In 2 to three hours, you’ll acquire round 800m (2,600 ft) in elevation earlier than reaching this iconic spot. Whereas the views on the way in which up might not be notably dramatic, the actual magic occurs on the high. The surreal rock formation, resembling one thing straight out of The Lion King makes the trek properly price it.
Karambar Lake Trek
The Karambar Lake Trek is a reasonably difficult journey by lush valleys, throughout glacial streams, and deep into the wilderness of Pakistan — all resulting in Karambar Lake, the Thirty first-highest lake on the earth. Located at 4,272m (14,000 ft), this 2-3 day out-and-back trek begins within the village of Lashkargaz in Chitral.
The spotlight is the serene Karambar Lake, famend for its crystal-clear waters reflecting the encompassing snow-capped mountains. Go to in summer time and this alpine panorama boasts distinctive biodiversity and comes alive with wildflowers, including a burst of color to the epic backdrop.
Is trekking in Pakistan secure?
Trekking in Pakistan is usually thought of secure, particularly for those who persist with well-known trails like those above. It pays to be part of a bunch journey in Pakistan to traverse Pakistan’s mountains safely, not get misplaced, get pleasure from particular moments with native folks, and be taught a bunch alongside the way in which!
