Trekking in Pakistan is among the many greatest on this planet and it’s residence 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 in search of a straightforward day hike by way of biodiverse valleys or a difficult multi-day trek into distant, glacier-filled wilderness, we’ve obtained you coated with an epic listing of the perfect trekking in Pakistan.
K2 Base Camp Trek
Pakistan is residence to K2, the second-highest mountain on this planet, 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 presents one thing really distinctive — only a few vacationers. Whereas over 30,000 individuals 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 this planet, and into the legendary ‘Throne Room of the Mountain Gods’. This aptly named spot unveils unmatched views of towering peaks, together with K2 and a number of 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
Often known 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. Luckily, you don’t have to threat life and limb to expertise this large. The Nanga Parbat Base Camp trek sitting at 3,900m (12,800 ft) is a average 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 underneath the shadow of the world’s ninth highest mountain. True to its title, this magical meadow looks 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, in the event you can consider it.
Patundas Trek
Wedged between Batura and Passu Glaciers, Patundas Meadows sits at a powerful 4,200m (13,800 ft). Whereas this could be the very best you’ve ever been, surrounded by towering 7,000m (23,000 ft) peaks in any respect compass factors, you shortly really feel humbled and fairly tiny. Everyone knows the cliche ‘it’s concerning the journey, not the vacation spot’. The Patundas Trek is about each. The panoramic views from the highest are exceptional, however so is the expertise of leaping and scrambling throughout a glacier whereas it’s groaning underneath your ft.
You want an area information to navigate the glacier safely and to sort out difficult crevasses. This trek in Pakistan could be performed in 2 to three days, relying in your tempo and health stage, 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 muscular tissues. The hike to Avgarch Valley could be accomplished in a day, but is equally as rewarding as more difficult hikes.
Starting in Jamalabad in Gojal, the two.5-hour path takes you in the direction of the primary settlement of Hunza, a small village nonetheless residence to a couple households. The surroundings alongside the way in which is implausible, and this space’s further layer of historical past provides a surreal and vital component. Think about what life was like there 700+ years in the past!
Passu and Husseini Suspension Bridges
Security when trekking in Pakistan is usually a little lax, and that’s evident while you see Passu and Hussaini Suspension Bridges. Within the shadow of the enduring 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 — in the event you’re afraid of heights, crossing both of those bridges isn’t for the faint-hearted. The gaps between the picket planks are large, 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 presents an equally exceptional 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 evening at 3,500m (11,500 ft). The following day, observe glacial streams as wildflowers brush in opposition to 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 possibly can proceed on to Amin Brakk Base Camp. This difficult 3-hour hike entails gaining round 600m (2,000 ft) of elevation, finally reaching the bottom camp at 4,500m (14,800 ft).
Although the climb is steep, the reward on the prime 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 way of the minds of climbers making an attempt to scale this imposing large.
Thallay Valley
The Thallay Valley Trek is among the extra accessible hikes in Baltistan and Pakistan, providing a glacier-free route by way of lush meadows and valleys teeming with vibrant flora. Winding by way of 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 individuals’s distinctive lifestyle. Like most locations in Pakistan, put together your self for welcoming hospitality and milky cups of chai (tea). Assembly the Balti individuals and making an attempt their mouthwateringly good delicacies is a giant a part of this trek in Pakistan.
Sort out the Thallay Valley trek on: Pakistan: Lahore & Mountaineering the Karakoram Mountains
Haramosh Valley
By some means, the great thing about Haramosh Valley has managed to flee the information 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 a minimum of 6 hours earlier than you attain camp for the evening.
Get up and head to the jewel of Haramosh Valley — Kutwal Lake at 3,310m (10,900 ft). The lake’s sensible blue water contrasts completely with the plush greenery and the darkish, snow-dusted mountains. The few who tackle this trek declare it’s probably the greatest 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 surface world till 2003, an exhilarating grime highway now connects it up. As we speak the Wakhi individuals’s lifestyle remains to be preserved to a level, providing an enchanting 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 function in placing Pakistan on the worldwide journey map, and Marsur Rock is the poster youngster. Mom Nature labored her magic on this one, putting this unsuspecting slab of rock within the good spot. Dare to shimmy your approach throughout to get the proper shot, and also you’ll look like suspended hundreds 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 will not be significantly dramatic, the true magic occurs on the prime. The surreal rock formation, resembling one thing straight out of The Lion King makes the trek nicely price it.
Karambar Lake Trek
The Karambar Lake Trek is a reasonably difficult journey by way of lush valleys, throughout glacial streams, and deep into the wilderness of Pakistan — all resulting in Karambar Lake, the Thirty first-highest lake on this planet. 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 encircling snow-capped mountains. Go to in summer season 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 protected?
Trekking in Pakistan is usually thought of protected, particularly in the event you persist with well-known trails like those above. It pays to be a part of a bunch journey in Pakistan to traverse Pakistan’s mountains safely, not get misplaced, take pleasure in particular moments with native individuals, and be taught a bunch alongside the way in which!
