Pakistan · Trekking

3-Day Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek with Diran Glacier Adventure

3 Days Round trip from Minapin Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Admire the beauty of the Diran glacier
02 Trek from the cosy village of Minapin toward Rakaposhi Base Camp
03 Camp at Hakapun between Minapin and Rakaposhi Base Camp
04 Take in amazing 360º views from the hills around Rakaposhi Base Camp

Explore the mountainous Hunza Nagar Valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan on a rewarding trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp. Starting from the cosy village of Minapin, this 3-day journey takes you through Hakapun and the Diran glacier area to one of the most epic camping spots in the region. Along the way, enjoy dramatic mountain scenery, glacier landscapes, and adventurous trekking in a destination that has gained popularity among travellers from all over the world.

If you climb any of the surrounding hills, you will get an amazing 360º view that can keep you busy for the entire day.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Islamabad

Languages English, Persian, Urdu

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

From Minapin to Hakapun and the Diran Glacier

Located 70 km from Gilgit, after a 2 km detour from the Karakoram Highway, Minapin is a small, cosy village and the starting point for both Rakaposhi and Diran base camps.
Hakapun is a small campsite between Minapin and Rakaposhi Base Camp. It is the perfect place to spend the first night and also serves as a base from where you can visit the Diran glacier.
The walk to Hakapun takes around 4 to 5 hours, and the trail is very easy to follow except for the last few kilometres, which can be a bit confusing. However, you are likely to find shepherds who can show you the way.
Accommodation: Hotel Cherry Garden

Day 02

Trek from Hakapun to Rakaposhi Base Camp

Rakaposhi Base Camp is only 4 to 5 kilometres from Hakapun, but the trail is so steep that it may take around 3 to 4 hours to reach it.
Start walking early, as the sun's rays become quite lethal from very early in the morning. In Pakistan, sunrise is at 5 am, at least in spring.
Rakaposhi Base Camp is one of the most epic camping spots. If you climb any of the surrounding hills, you will get an amazing 360º view that can keep you busy for the entire day.

Day 03

Trek to Diran Base Camp and Return to Minapin

Spend the third day trekking to Diran Base Camp, below a 7,200-metre-high peak. Its base camp lies right across the glacier, which means that if you want to reach it, you will have to walk over the glacier, jumping over 30 m deep crevasses (deep cracks in a glacier). Quite an adventure.
Unlike the part of the glacier next to Hakapun, here you can walk over it. The round trip to Diran Base Camp took almost 5 hours.
Start walking at 5 am, return to Rakaposhi Base Camp around 10 am, and from there walk straight back to Minapin. Doing it all in one day is possible, but it takes 12 hours to reach Minapin, including breaks.

Where this trip takes you

Rakaposhi Base Camp, Hakapun campsite, Diran glacier, Minapin village

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Minapin 1 city · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Implementation of Covid SOPs/guidelines and a complimentary safety pack (sanitizer, 1 mask, and 1 glove per day)
Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
Airport transfer on the first and last day in Islamabad
All domestic road transfers
All hotel accommodations (twin-sharing rooms)
All trekking accommodations (twin-sharing dome tents)
All hotel meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
All trekking meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
All camping site fees
Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipment, and tools)
Support staff (cook, assistant(s), etc.)
Porters for trekking equipment, kitchen supplies, tools, equipment, crockery, gas, and personal luggage (12.5 kg)
Domestic travellers (Pakistani nationals)
- Licensed professional guide
- Road transport (Islamabad - Tatu - Islamabad)
- Hotel accommodation in Chilas/Naran/Besham
- Hotel meals in Chilas/Naran/Besham
- Trekking accommodation in Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat BC (twin-sharing dome tents)
- All trekking meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All camping site fees
- Trekking logistics (kitchen tents, non-personal equipment, and tools)
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s), etc. - according to need)
- Porters for trekking equipment, kitchen supplies, tools, equipment, crockery, gas, etc.

What's Not Included

Foreign travellers (non-Pakistani)

Travel insurance (recommendations only)
Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents will be offered)
International airfare
Personal equipment (warm clothes, hiking boots, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, staff, etc.
Miscellaneous expenses (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)

Domestic travellers (Pakistani nationals)

Airport transfers in Islamabad (can be arranged - additional charges)
Sightseeing in Islamabad and surrounding areas (can be arranged - additional charges)
Hotel accommodation in Islamabad (can be arranged - additional charges)
Hotel meals in Islamabad (can be arranged - additional charges)
Travel insurance (recommendations can be requested)
Visa to Pakistan (not required)
International airfare for overseas Pakistani
Personal equipment (warm clothes, hiking boots, etc.)
Porters for personal luggage (can be arranged - additional charges)
Tips for guides, porters, staff, etc.
Miscellaneous expenses (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)

What to bring

Light tracksuits
Shoes
Thermals

Know before you go

When to go - Rakaposhi weather

The glacier was quite tall, but it was easy to climb. If you come in summer, it may be more slippery.
Rakaposhi is famous for its avalanches, which are more frequent in summer. At the base camp, you will be safe, but you can hear and see them constantly.

Logistics