Overview
This Nangma Valley Trek is a ten-day, guided holiday through one of Pakistan’s most dramatically beautiful landscapes. It’s also known as the Yosemite of Pakistan because of its immense rock walls and towers. Even though you’re in Karakoram environs, this is categorised as an easy walking holiday. Staying in a mix of tents, local guesthouses and hotels, natural highlights of the Nangma Valley include walks to Amin Brakk Base Camp (4,500m) and Mingulo Broq (3,500m), falling asleep under the dark skies of the Nangma Valley (3,950m) and cultural visits to Nangma villages.
- An easy trek to one of the most beautiful campsites in the world (Nangma Valley, 3,950m)
- Dramatic landscapes of rock towers and walls.
- Optional day hike to Amin Brakk
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel. After some time to rest after your journey, take a city tour and visit the likes of Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument and Lok Virsa Museum.
- Accommodation: Ramada Islamabad or similar
Day 2: Islamabad – Skardu
Fly from Islamabad airport to Skardu (1h scenic fight). Free day for sightseeing and shopping in Skardu Bazaar. We visit Manthal Rock Budha, Kharpocho Fort and Skardu Bazaar. In the event of a fight cancellation due to inclement weather, we will drive from Islamabad via the Karakoram Highway with short stops at scenic lookouts.
- Accommodation: Concordia Hotel or similar
Day 3: Skardu – Khaplu
Drive to Khaplu, passing through small villages in the Ghanche district, stopping at the confluence of the Shayok and Indus rivers, Thorgo Pari and Yugo. We enjoy a traditional lunch at Yugo followed by a cultural walk to see village life and meet some local people. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Khaplu and check into the hotel, with leisure time to visit Khaplu Fort Museum and the organic garden.
- Accommodation: Khaplu Fort or similar
Day 4: Khaplu – Kanday – Mingulo Broq | 6km
After breakfast, we drive from Khaplu to Kanday village (2h), then hike to Mingulo Broq (3,500m). This trail goes through beautiful lush green meadows, with magnificent views of the region’s rocky walls. As we are camping here, there is plenty of time to take in these unique geological wonders.
- Walking for the day: 6km, ↑600m
- Accommodation: Full service camping
Day 5: Mingulo Broq – Nangma Valley | 3.5km
Today we have a beautiful hike from Mingulo Broq to Nangma Valley (3,950 m), passing through lush green fields and following a glacial stream. After lunch at the campsite, there is plenty of time to enjoy the area at your leisure.
- Walking for the day: 3.5km, ↑450m
- Accommodation: Full service camping
Day 6: Free day in Nangma Valley
Free day in Nangma Valley with an optional day hike to Amin Brakk Base Camp (4,500m). Wake up early to enjoy the mesmerizing sunrise, visit the nearby glacial stream, test your scrambling skills on nearby rocks, or venture out to spot some of the numerous Karakoram birds and flower species.
- Accommodation: Full service camping
Day 7: Nangma Valley – Kanday – Shigar | 9.5km
Today we trek back to Kanday and have a traditional lunch with a local host family. Later we will drive back to Shigar with short stops at various touristic spots. In the evening, we will check into the hotel and have free time.
- Walking for the day: 9.5km, ↓1050m
- Accomodation: Amacha Guest Houst Shigar or similar
Day 8: Shigar – Skardu – Islamabad
Drive from Shigar to Skardu airport (1h) and fly to Islamabad (1h). Transfer to hotel and sightseeing after lunch.
- Accommodation: Ramada Islamabad or similar
Day 9: Contingency day in case of delays
If we are not able to fly due to inclement weather, we will travel down to Islamabad by road. If we fly from Skardu to Islamabad, we will enjoy sightseeing in the capital, or your leader will advise you on the options available for today. (Day excursion to the Taxila museum and archaeological sites will be one of the options).
- Accommodation: Ramada Islamabad or similar
Day 10: Departure day
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international fights.
What to expect
Accommodation
All accommodation has been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Whilst on the trek, three nights will be spent camping in a comfy two-person alpine tent and, if not travelling as a couple, you are paired with someone of the same gender. It is possible to hire a single tent while on a trek for an additional cost. In case of fight cancellation, you will be accommodated in a tourist-class hotel (the best available option) on the way. Rooms will be on a twin sharing basis, with single rooms being available at a supplementary cost.
Click to view default hotels
- Ramada Islamabad (Islamabad)
- Concordia Hotel (Skardu)
- Khaplu Fort (Khaplu)
- Amacha Guest Houst (Shigar)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All meals are included from arrival on day one to departure on the last day. Food is a mixture of local/traditional and Pakistani dishes available in the area. We will provide clean drinking water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles. On the trek, the food is a mixture of local and international dishes made from ingredients mostly purchased in Pakistan and cooked by our highly trained trek cooks. Breakfasts consist of cereal, muesli or porridge, eggs, bread or chapatti, tea and coffee. Lunches are a picnic with a choice of meats, cheese, pickles, crackers or chapattis, sometimes accompanied by hot soup and noodles, and finished with tea or coffee. Dinner is a three course meal in a group tent. The trek kitchen provides drinking water during breakfast, at the lunch stop and while in camp. While trekking, trail mix and snacks are also provided.
PLEASE NOTE: Whilst we can cater to vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always cater for all special diets. We regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, non-gluten, and other specialty diets. If you have specific dietary requirements, please discuss this with our team prior to booking.
Difficulty and terrain
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this level include limited activity. Hotel nights exceed camp nights, and most day hiking is limited to a few hours. There is no glacier traverse or technical climbing; however, there are plenty of opportunities for landscape and cultural immersions, such as optional base camp hikes, meetings with local people, nature and wilderness experiences, village tours and more. (read more about difficulty grades).
Acute mountain sickness
This holiday involves going to high altitudes. During your trip, you will spend at least one night above 3,900m and with an optional day hike up to 4,500m. You should not worry about this; the human body can adapt to a vast range of altitudes, but we follow some simple rules to acclimatise successfully.
When to go
The small group tour (2-12 people) can start on any of the pre-scheduled dates between May and September:
- 16-25 May
- 13-22 June
- 13-22 July
- 06-15 August
- 30 August – 08 September
The flexibility of privately guided holidays means we can arrange this tour on any date within the season as well, but on request only – please indicate desired start date when booking. Summer is the most popular season, bringing sunny days and pleasant temperatures.
Getting there
Tipping
It is customary in Asia to tip service providers at approximately 10%, depending on the quality of service. All our staff (guides, assistant guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage; however tips are not a substitute for wages. The amount is purely a personal matter but it is usual to tip the supporting staff (guide/drivers) if you are happy with the services provided. We estimate that $40 – $60 (in local currency equivalent) will cover this aspect of your trip expenditure. This is usually done at the end of the trip.
Baggage allowance
For this trip, you should take one piece of luggage: a soft and sturdy duffel bag and a daypack. Porters will carry your bag on the trek. The packed weight of your bag whilst trekking, including your sleeping bag and camping mattress, should be no more than 15kg. It is possible to leave items not required on the trek at the group hotel in Islamabad and also in Skardu.
Inclusions
Included
- Airport transfers (on the first and last day in Islamabad)
- All land transport involved in the itinerary
- Internal fights and associated airport transfers
- All hotel accommodations (twin sharing)
- All meals throughout the holidays
- Licensed professional local guides
- Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
- Implementation of all sustainable tourism protocols
- NOC/Trekking Permits/National Park permit fees
- All entry tickets (forts, parks)
- Up to 15kg of porter services per person
- Access to the group satellite communication
Excluded
- Travel Insurance
- Pakistan Visa (and supporting documents)
- International airfare
- Personal equipment (clothes, boots etc.)
- Tips for guiding and supporting staff
- Miscellaneous expenses – drinks and souvenirs etc.
- Extra expenses due to unforeseen events such as natural disaster, roadblocks or health conditions of a fellow traveller
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have their own room while staying in hotels and guesthouses.
- This trip is for a minimum of two people and unfortunately we can’t accommodate solo travellers.
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