15 Days Trek Nanga Parbat Round Trek Pakistan

Over Mazeno Pass (5,377m)

15 days, 9 nights camping around the 9th highest mountain of the world & 4 nights hotel

Nanga Parbat (8125m) is reputed as the Killer mountain and obviously the most difficult one in 8,000-meter peaks of the world. First climbed by Herman Buhl in 1953, the peak still retains its awe for the experienced climbers. The massif of Nanga Parbat offers three faces, each with its own distinctive features. We will take around trek of this mighty mountain, covering all the three faces. The trek is strenuous and involves the use of crampons and rope work.

ITINERARY

Day 00_ Depart for Pakistan.

Day 01_ Arrive in Islamabad, drive to Chilas./ Narran

Early morning land in Islamabad, The Federal Capital of Pakistan. Transfer to hotel for fresh ups. Board on Air Conditioned minibus for drive to Chilas. We drive on Grand Trunk Road leading straight to Afghanistan, After an hour’s drive on G.T. Road, we turn north on the Karakoram Highway. KKH is a joint effort of the Pakistan Army and Chinese engineers. It took 850 lives and 20 years in its completion, reputed as the eighth wonder of the world. Lunch at Besham / Balakot. After lunch, we drive through the deep Indus gorge. Arrive Chilas/Narran on the bank of Indus. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay. (06/07 hours’ drive)

Day 02_ Trek head

Early morning drive to Jaglot on KKH, from Jaglot board on 4x4 jeeps and drive to Trashing our trek head. En route short stay at Astore, 56 km from Jaglot. Astore is an important place as many treks and jeep roads towards Deosai and Kashmir start from here. Trashing the start of Rupal Valley is 30 km from Astor. Mostly the population here in Trashing is Kashmiri and Shina speaking. At Trashing our camping staff will welcome us. Overnight camping at Trashing. (6/7 hours drive - 2900m).

Day 03_ East Face of Nanga Parbat

The first half-hour of the trek is steep up to the lateral moraine of Trashing Glacier then it will take another half hour to cross the glacier. At the other side of the glacier is the lower Rupal Valley with two large summer settlements and big fields of wheat. From the lower Rupal Valley trek is green and gradually ascending. After about three hours' walk from here, we will arrive at Bazin just under the solid ice wall of the east face of Nanga Parbat. Camp overnight. (4/5 hours trek -3600m)

Day -04_ Bazin - Shaigiri

Today the start of the trek we walk on the Bazin Glacier which takes about two hours. After crossing the glacier, the trek is going through Juniper and Willow trees. The local people of the area are friendly and helpful. The trek continues up to the Rupal River. An hour's walk will take us to a place called Herligkoffer Base Camp. He was a famous climber and led eight expeditions to Nanga Parbat. Herligkoffer was also the leader of the Nanga Parbat Expedition in 1953 when Herman Buhl climbed it for the first time. After a short stay here we walk further for about an hour and reach at a place called Second Base Camp, another summer settlement. Our campsite Shaigiri is not very far from here after an hour`s walk we will arrive at Shaigiri. Normally porters asked here for a goat and they slaughter the goat here and arrange a campfire with local songs and dances. Enjoy the beautiful views of South Face. (5/6 hours, 3700m)

Day 05_ To the base of Mazeno

Follow the lateral moraine of Rupal Glacier. Turn your backs on views of Nanga Parbat, Rupal, and Laila Peaks. The campsite is at 4200m with a few Juniper trees and a small water stream. (4/5 hours).

Day 06_ Base camp to high camp of Mazeno Pass.

Trek is comparatively steep and ascending up to the Mazeno glacier which is coming straight from Mazeno Pass. The campsite is not green anymore because of the height. Water is available. The high base camp is at 4724meters. (5/6 hours).

Day 07_ Cross the Pass!

Early morning start before sunrise. The climb up to the pass is not very difficult but another side of the pass is steep and it requires rope, ice ax, sit harness, and crampons. The steep area is about 250m in length. After crossing the pass Loiba glacier starts and we will camp here at upper Loiba at a height of 4300m. (7/8 hours)

Day 08_ Loiba Meadows

Trek down from upper Loiba to Lower Loiba called Loiba Meadows. It is a comfortable walk through the lush green meadows and trees. The campsite consists of many shepherds houses at of 4000m. (3/4 hours).

Day 09_ Meadows - Kachel

Today we will have beautiful views of Nanga Parbat and the trek is very easy through pine and birch trees cross April River and enter the Kachal summer settlement at the base of Kachal pass (4400m). We will camp at 3000m. (4/5 hours).

Day 10_ Diamer Base Camp

From Kachel four treks are crossed, one is going to Kachal Pass, the second is going to Zangot, the third is going back to Loiba, and the forth one to Diamer Base camp. We will take the Diamer Base camp trek a small water channel is flowing along the trek and the trek is gradually ascending, En route short stay in Kigali. Arrive at Diamer Face base camp. World`s most famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner climbed Nanga Parbat from this side in 1979 and he lost his brother on their way back. It is reputed as the most difficult route of Nanga Parbat. Short stay for exploration and photos. Walk back by the same route and camp at Zangot 4200m. (6/7 hours)

Day 11 _ Back to civilization

Warm and bit steep trek down to Diamer river to arrive Dimroi. From Dimroi board on 4x4 jeeps and continued towards Gilgit, capital of Northern areas of Pakistan. Arrive at Gilgit transfer to hotel and enjoy a hot shower. (7/8 hours’ trek, 4 hours drive)

Day 12_ Gilgit - Besham

Early morning drive on Karakoram High Way along the Indus River to Besham which is in Swat Dist. As we leave Gilgit in the morning we catch exciting views of Nanga Parbat again from KKH. Arrive at Besham on the bank of Indus, Overnight in a Motel. (7/8 hours’ drive)

Day 13 _ Besham - Islamabad

Continue to drive on the greener part of KKH to Islamabad. If time permits we may stop at Taxila, the archaeological site of the Gandhara Buddhist civilization dating from 500 BC to 500 AD. Arrive Rawalpindi / Islamabad the twin cities transfer to hotel for overnight.

(7/8 hours drive)

Day 14_ Fly back to home destination.

In the morning transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.

Cost Includes Accommodation on twin sharing basis at standard category hotels in towns, 2 person dome tent during the trek. Meals: half board at hotels, full board during trek. Transport: Air-conditioned transport and Soft top 4x4 jeeps to trek head & trek end. Camping Facilities: 2 Pax dome tents with mattresses, dining tent with folding table & chairs, kitchen tent with complete kitchenette and staff, toilet tent. Portage of 15 Kg during the trek. Tips & Portage at airport & hotels, entrance fees at sites & museums. English Speaking Mountain Guide.

Cost Does Not Include Domestic/International airfare and airport taxes. Any expense due to forced measures, cancellation of flight, landslides, natural calamities, acts of God, forced majeurs: beyond the control of Rock Valley Tours, their staff, and agents. Any expense of personal nature not mentioned above.