10-Day Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek via Khunjerab Pass from Islamabad

Arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning.

Drive to Besham or Naran.

Transfer to air-conditioned buses and proceed overland to Sharkul.

On the way from Islamabad, drive along the Grand Trunk Road leading toward Afghanistan.

En route, visit Taxila, the capital of the Buddhist Gandhara civilization. It is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in the sub-continent.

Visit the ruins of a former city at Sirkup, a former monastery at Julian built on top of a hill, and the splendid site museum containing artifacts recovered from the excavation sites. Here, you can also see the gold and silver coins of Alexander the Great (326 BC) and local kings.

After Taxila, turn north toward the Karakoram Highway. Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, this highway was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers, took 850 lives, and 20 years to complete.

Arrive at Sharkul and transfer to the hotel for meals and an overnight stay. (5-6 hours, 200 km)

For the second half of the journey, drive through the Indus gorge.

At Thakot, cross a Chinese-made bridge to enter the gorge of the Indus River.

For centuries, this branch of the Silk Route was used by traders and Buddhist missionaries. There are many rock carving sites from that time, and the Shatial rock carving is one of them.

Lunch in Chilas.

Stop at Thalichi for the best viewpoint of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m).

Drive from Gilgit to Hunza Karimabad, re-entering the town by the historic route and crossing a suspension bridge over the Gilgit River.

Visit Kargah to see the rock-carved Buddha, dating back to the 7th century.

Spend a free day in Karimabad for short walks to Altit and Baltit Forts, and for further explorations in Hunza Valley. The people of Hunza are famous for their long lives.

Also enjoy views of some beautiful peaks of the Karakoram range from Karimabad, including Rakaposhi (7,788 m), Diran (7,266 m), Ultar (7,400 m), Golden Peak (7,027 m), and the Nagar Valley on the left bank of the Hunza River.

In Hunza, each family grows enough wheat, maize, apricots, and walnuts for its own use. The people are mostly self-sufficient, making their own clothes, shoes, wooden and stone bowls, and growing all their own food. They are very friendly and cheerful.

In the afternoon, walk to Ultar Glacier, follow the irrigation channel through the village, or stroll through the single-lane bazaar for better views of the soaring peaks around.

Overnight at the hotel.

Drive back to Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway.

After crossing Gilgit, arrive at Raikot.

At Raikot, board 4x4 soft-top jeeps. After a one-hour drive, arrive at Jaile, a small village inhabited by Shina-speaking Chilasis and the starting point of the trek. As loads are distributed among the porters, leave the jeeps and begin walking.

Ascend gradually through the dry lunar landscape at the meeting point of the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges.

Soon, enter the narrow, barren gorge of the Tato River, where the track clings high on its left bank.

Passing through green juniper and pine trees, arrive at Fairy Meadows for overnight camping.

Morning light brings a surprise view of the Nanga Parbat massif from the campsite.

After breakfast, meet at the dining tents at camp.

Commence short walks around Fairy Meadows. The route followed by the locals climbs rather steeply from the campsite through the pine forest to emerge at Fairy Meadows.

Take the slightly longer, wider trek that ascends gradually through the jungle. The view of Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters) soon fills the horizon in the south-east.

Walk fairly close to the crystal-clear streams flowing through the pine trees.

Fairy Meadows, at 3,200 meters, is an idyllic campsite perched above the Raikot Glacier flowing from the massif of Nanga Parbat. Nature lovers call it one of the most magical and scenic spots in all of Pakistan.

Meals and overnight at camp.

An ideal day's walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat.

Walk through the pine tree-covered valley with the Raikot Glacier flowing on the left side and the summit of Nanga Parbat straight ahead.

After about two hours, traverse the lateral moraine of the glacier and then arrive at the flat meadow of the Biale camping site.

From here, turn right for a short stretch to reach the old base camp of Nanga Parbat. The meadow is normally filled with Himalayan flowers and shouting marmots. Half an hour from here stands German mountaineer Drexel's monument.

Lunch at 4,000 meters.

Enjoy thrilling views of Nanga Parbat and its surrounding peaks.

Later, walk back to the camp at Fairy Meadows.

Take a three-hour downhill walk from Fairy Meadows along the Tato River to Jaile.

At Jaile, board jeeps once again and arrive at Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway over the Indus River.

At Raikot, transfer into an air-conditioned van and drive to Besham or Naran for an overnight stay at PTDC Motel. (8-9 hours trek)

Toward the Islamabad bypass, see the important archaeological site of Taxila.

By afternoon, arrive in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel.

The evening is free for exploring bazaars and sightseeing in the capital city.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.