Trek Pakistan's Nangma Valley and Karakoram Mountains

Intrepid Travel · 10 days

4.7

9 Reviews

View Map

Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Demanding

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Trek among the towering rock walls and lush valley floors of Northern Pakistan’s Karakoram Range and Nangma Valley. The Baltistan region, sometimes known as Little Tibet, is a mountaineer’s paradise.

Highlights

Hike among the towering peaks of Northern Pakistan’s Baltistan region on well-marked trails in Nangma Valley.
Enjoy fully supported camping with expert guides, porters and a professional cooking team, providing warm Pakistani meals at every campsite.
Stay active with an optional day hike to the mountaineer’s paradise of Amin Brakk, also known as the Great Tower.
Join in a live Balti dance performance at the Nangma Valley campsite and cross paths with local shepherds whose pastures share these trails.
Tap into your local leader’s expert insights as you take some time to explore the capital city of Islamabad.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,Plane

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Islamabad, Pakistan

Finishes

Islamabad, Pakistan

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Walking & Trekking

Physical Rating

Demanding

Itinerary

Day 1: Islamabad

Khush Aamadid! Welcome to Islamabad. When you arrive at the Islamabad International Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and taken to your hotel. If you arrive early, you can join your leader and group for lunch and a city tour visiting Lok Virsa Museum and Shah Faisal Mosque this afternoon. Back at the hotel, you’ll meet up with everyone again for a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get all the details on your upcoming trek. After, relax, explore or find a good spot for dinner.

Optional Activities:

Islamabad - Faisal Mosque at sunset - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Skardu (2230 m/7316 ft)

First things first, you’ll check the weather – if it’s good, you’ll fly from Islamabad to Skardu (a short, scenic flight). If the weather isn’t cooperating, you’ll instead make the trip via the Karakoram Highway, making stops along the way among mountain peaks that humans are yet to have stepped a foot on. In Skardu – the gateway to the Karakoram Mountain Range – you’ll have some free time to explore and pick up any snacks or souvenirs that might be calling your name from the Skardu Bazaar. You'll also have the chance to rent any hiking gear here that you may have forgotten to pack. Time permitting while in Skardu, check out the Manthal Rock Buddha, Kharpocho Fort and Nansoq Organic Village.

Included Activities:

Skardu Bazaar walk
Manthal Rock Buddha

Optional Activities:

Skardu - Kharpocho Fort visit - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Khaplu (2600 m/8530 ft)

Carry on into the mountains as you drive to Khaplu, passing through the small villages of the Ghanche district. Along the way, stop where the Shayok and Indus Rivers meet. Visit the small village of Yugo and enjoy lunch and a cultural village walk where you’ll get a feel for village life and meet some locals. This afternoon, travel on to Khaplu – the Ghanche district’s capital city. After checking into your hotel, enjoy some free time to explore. Maybe see the Khaplu Fort Museum and the organic garden.

Included Activities:

Khaplu Fort Museum
Yugo Village cultural walk

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Hike Kanday to Mingulo Broq (3280 m/10,761 ft)

After breakfast, drive from Khaplu to Kanday Village (2680 m/8793 ft) – the trailhead for your trek into Nangma Valley – and meet your local support crew of guides, porters and camp cooks. The first leg is short but with a few steep parts. From Kanday, descend to cross a wooden bridge over the Hushe River, then ascend through the narrow valley across two suspension bridges to the Mingulo Broq campsite. This lush site near the water is surrounded by willow trees and is also a local pasture, so you’ll likely get the chance to meet a few local shepherds. After lunch at the campsite, you’ll have time to explore nature or relax at camp. For dinner, your kitchen team will prepare local Balti cuisine, like balay (soup), chapshoro (cooked minced meat stuffed and sealed between two whole wheat flatbreads, cooked over a skillet) and other Pakistani dishes. This evening, enjoy a live music and dance show by local Balti performers. Feel free to join in! Before sliding into your sleeping bag, be sure to turn your gaze upwards and take in the star-filled night sky.

Included Activities:

Mingulo Broq guided hike
Rumbak - Expert Licensed professional local guide
Rumbak -15 kgs of porter services per person
Live music and dance show by local Balti people

Accommodation:

Full Service Camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Trek the Nangma Valley (3730 m/12,238 ft)

Fuel up on a hot breakfast, then carry on from Mingulo Broq to Nangma Valley, passing through lush green fields alongside a glacial stream. Today’s trek is relatively flat, crossing over one stream and through another. You’ll arrive at the Nangma Valley campsite by lunch, where you can tuck into a fresh, hot meal. Enjoy some free time to take in the incredible views – looking out over the valley, you’ll see the North Ridge of Shingu Charpa. For dinner, tuck into another hot meal of local soup and a mix of regional and continental Chinese and Pakistani dishes.

Included Activities:

Mingulo Broq to Nangma valley guided hike

Optional Activities:

Khasho Glacier Hike - Free

Accommodation:

Full Service Camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Nangma Valley

Check in with your feet this morning and decide how you’d like to spend the day. Opt to take a day hike to Amin Brakk base camp (4500 m/14,764 ft), at the base of the towering rock face that’s known as one of the most spectacular climbs in the world. Start with a steep climb and continue on a relatively flat plateau, before the final, steep push through a rocky trail. While at the base camp, enjoy some free time for your own exploration before tucking in to refreshments and tracking your own steps back to Nangma campsite. Or if you’d rather lay low, choose to kick back and relax at camp. Either way, you won’t want to miss the sunrise from up here. If you choose to stick close to camp for the day, test your scrambling skills on nearby rocks or go on a scavenger hunt for local Karakoram bird and flower species.

Included Activities:

Amin Brakk base camp guided hike

Accommodation:

Full Service Camping (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Nangma Valley trekking & Skardu

Make the trek back down to Kanday this morning and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family in the village. You and your group will travel by road back to Skardu this afternoon, following the southern bank of the mighty Indus River. The views are stunning as you travel down a valley surrounded by towering peaks before arriving at the surreal landscape of the Safranga 'Cold Desert'. At 2300 m above sea level, it's one of the highest deserts in the world. After the obligatory photo stop (or two) continue onto Skardu.

Included Activities:

Nangma valley to Kanday guided hike
Traditional lunch with local family at Kanday village

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Islamabad

Once again, the weather may play a role in today’s plans. If the weather is nice, you’ll drive to Skardu Airport, where you’ll fly back to Islamabad. In this case, you’ll check into your Islamabad hotel, enjoy lunch and have some free time for sightseeing. Be sure to ask your leader for recommendations. If the weather isn’t agreeable, you’ll spend some free time in Naran, where your leader can offer suggestions or plan an excursion around town for the group.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Islamabad

If you didn’t fly yesterday, today you’ll make the journey by road to Islamabad. You'll stop at a truck art workshop. Emerging as a local art form in the 1930s, truck art gradually spread all over Pakistan and each region has unique themes and cultural influences. Watch some of the local artists paint and learn about their craft before making your way to the Taxila Museum. The museum sits in the middle of several important archaeological sites, hosting a rich collection of Gandharan art dating back to the 1st century. Have a look around, learn about the history with your local leader, then soak up a free afternoon.

Included Activities:

Islamabad - Taxila Museum & archeological sites
Taxila – Truck Art Workshop

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Islamabad

With no further activities or hikes planned, your amazing journey comes to an end today after breakfast. If you are leaving today, you’ll have an included transfer to the airport. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $5,010

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Demanding

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 21 May 2027

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Kathryn

Traveled, September 2024

01/06/2025

Pakistan, its mountains, and its people are more beautiful than I could have imagined. The trip was so well organised and felt so safe. Out of the 14 countries I visited on my trip, Pakistan is the absolute highlight, and I am already organising my return!

4.5

Molly

Traveled, September 2024

09/24/2024

Pakistan is now my favourite country after this trip and can’t stop recommending it to everyone I know. Breathtaking scenery, the most warm & kind people, unbeatable trekking, great food. Thank you to guides Muneer and Naseem who had huge smiles every day and not only gave us trekking guidance but educated us on cultural customs, history, language, geography and so much more. Felt incredibly safe in their hands.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now