10-Day Trek through Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains

First things first, you'll check the weather. If it's favorable, you'll take a short, scenic flight from Islamabad to Skardu. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you'll travel by road along the Karakoram Highway, stopping to admire the towering mountain peaks that remain untouched by human feet. Once in Skardu, the gateway to the Karakoram Range, you'll have some free time to explore, visit the bustling Skardu Bazaar for snacks or souvenirs, and even rent any hiking gear you might have forgotten. During your stay in Skardu, make sure to visit attractions like the Manthal Rock Buddha, Kharpocho Fort, and Nansoq Organic Village.

Continue your journey into the mountains as you drive towards Khaplu, passing through the charming villages of the Ghanche district. Along the way, stop at the point where the Shayok and Indus Rivers converge. Visit the village of Yugo, where you’ll have lunch and take a cultural walk through the village to experience local life and meet the residents. In the afternoon, continue on to Khaplu, the capital of the Ghanche district. After checking into your hotel, enjoy some free time to explore. You may want to visit the Khaplu Fort Museum or stroll through the organic garden.

After breakfast, you'll drive from Khaplu to Kanday Village, the starting point for your trek into Nangma Valley, where you'll meet your local support team, including guides, porters, and camp cooks. The first section of the trek is relatively short, though it includes some steep stretches. From Kanday, you'll descend to cross a wooden bridge over the Hushe River, then climb up through a narrow valley, passing two suspension bridges to reach the Mingulo Broq campsite. This scenic, lush spot near the river is surrounded by willow trees and serves as a local pasture, so you may encounter some shepherds. After lunch at the campsite, you'll have time to explore the surroundings or simply relax. For dinner, your team will prepare traditional Balti dishes, such as balay (soup), chapshoro (a savory minced meat filling between two flatbreads, cooked on a skillet), along with other Pakistani specialties. Before heading to bed, take a moment to gaze at the stunning star-filled sky above.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast, then continue your trek from Mingulo Broq to Nangma Valley, passing through vibrant green fields alongside a glacial stream. Today’s hike is relatively easy, with a few stream crossings along the way. By lunchtime, you'll reach the Nangma Valley campsite, where a delicious, freshly prepared meal awaits. Take some time to relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the valley, with the North Ridge of Shingu Charpa visible in the distance. In the evening, enjoy a hot dinner featuring a local soup, along with a variety of regional and continental Chinese and Pakistani dishes.

Start your morning by listening to your body and deciding how you'd like to spend the day. You can choose to embark on a day hike to Amin Brakk base camp (4500 meters), located at the foot of the towering rock face, renowned as one of the world’s most impressive climbs. The hike begins with a steep ascent, followed by a relatively flat plateau, and finishes with a challenging, rocky trail to the base camp. Once there, you'll have some free time to explore before enjoying some refreshments and retracing your steps back to the Nangma campsite. Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed day, you can stay at camp and unwind. Regardless of your choice, be sure to catch the stunning sunrise. If you stay close to camp, you can try your hand at scrambling on nearby rocks or go on a scavenger hunt to spot local Karakoram birds and flowers. In the evening, enjoy a lively performance of music and dance by local Balti artists – and feel free to join in!

This morning, begin your descent back to Kanday and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family in the village. In the afternoon, your group will drive back to Skardu, following the southern bank of the mighty Indus River. The drive offers breathtaking views as you pass through a valley flanked by towering peaks, eventually reaching the surreal Safranga 'Cold Desert.' Sitting at 2300 meters above sea level, this is one of the highest deserts in the world. After a couple of photo stops to capture the stunning landscape, you'll continue on to the small town of Shigar before finally arriving in Skardu.

Today’s plans may depend on the weather. If conditions are favorable, you'll drive from Shigar to Skardu Airport for your flight back to Islamabad. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel, have lunch, and have some free time to explore the city. Don’t forget to ask your leader for sightseeing recommendations. If the weather isn’t ideal, you'll spend the day in Naran, where your leader will be happy to offer suggestions or organize an excursion around the town for the group.

If you didn’t fly yesterday, today you'll travel by road to Islamabad. If you're already in the city, take some time to explore the capital. Be sure to visit the Taxila Museum, located near several significant archaeological sites, and home to an impressive collection of Gandharan art dating back to the 1st century.

After breakfast, your incredible journey concludes today, with no additional activities or hikes planned. If you're departing, an included transfer to the airport will be provided. Should you wish to extend your stay, simply reach out to your booking agent in advance. END OF THE TOUR ;)