Circling The Nangaparbat
A full circuit of the world’s ninth-highest mountain — from the Rupal Face over the Mazeno Pass to the Diamer Face, with Peshawar, Swat and Hunza on the way.
All three faces of Nanga Parbat
After a tour of Islamabad, Taxila, Peshawar and the Swat valley, this trek circles Nanga Parbat (8,125 m). It starts beneath the east and south (Rupal) faces, crosses the glaciated Mazeno Pass, and descends through the Loiba meadows to the Diamer Face.
The far side of the Mazeno Pass is steep for about 250 m and needs rope, ice axe, harness and crampons. The trek ends with jeeps to Gilgit, a few days in Hunza and an excursion to the Khunjerab Pass.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Days 1 – 2
Arrival & Islamabad
Fly to Pakistan. City tour of Islamabad: Faisal Mosque, Daman-e-Koh, Constitution Avenue, Lok Virsa Museum and Shakarparian Park.
- Day 3
Taxila & Peshawar
Along the Grand Trunk Road via Taxila — Jaulian monastery, Sirkap and the site museum — and the meeting of the Indus and Kabul rivers at Attock. In Peshawar: Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the gold bazaar, the caravanserai, Mahabat Khan Mosque and the Peshawar Museum.
- Day 4
Malakand Pass to Swat
Over the Malakand Pass, visiting the Buddhist site of Takht-i-Bahi, to the Swat valley. Visit the Swat Museum and the Butkara excavations. Overnight in Mingora.
- Day 5
Shangla Pass to Chilas
A long day over the Shangla Pass to Besham, then up the Karakoram Highway through the Indus gorge to Chilas.
- Day 6
To the trek head at Tarishing
Jeeps from Jaglot via Astore to Tarishing (2,900 m) at the start of the Rupal valley, where the camp crew meets us.
- Days 7 – 8
Bazin & Shaigiri
Across the Tarishing glacier into the Rupal valley and on to Bazin (3,600 m), below the ice wall of the east face. Then over the Bazin glacier, past the Herrligkoffer Base Camp, to Shaigiri (3,700 m) beneath the south face.
- Day 9
Rest day at Shaigiri
Explore the area, or make an optional climb of Rupal Peak (5,580 m).
- Days 10 – 11
Towards the Mazeno Pass
Along the Rupal glacier moraine to camp at 4,200 m, then up the Mazeno glacier to the high camp at 4,724 m.
- Day 12
Crossing the Mazeno Pass
A pre-dawn start. The climb to the pass is not difficult, but the far side is steep and roped. Camp at upper Loiba (4,300 m).
- Days 13 – 14
Loiba Meadows & Kachal
Down through the lush Loiba meadows, then an easy walk through pine and birch with fine views of Nanga Parbat to Kachal.
- Day 15
Diamer Base Camp
Up to the base camp of the Diamer Face, reputed to be the mountain’s most difficult route. Return to camp at Zangot.
- Day 16
Down to Gilgit
Descend to the Diamer river at Dimroi, then jeeps to Gilgit and a hot shower.
- Days 17 – 19
Hunza & the Khunjerab Pass
The 7th-century Kargah Buddha, then up to Karimabad via the Rakaposhi viewpoint. A day for Baltit and Altit forts and the Ultar glacier; then Gulmit, Borith Lake, the Passu suspension bridges and the Khunjerab Pass (4,733 m).
- Days 20 – 21
Back to Islamabad
Down the Karakoram Highway to Chilas, and on to Islamabad the next day.
- Day 22
Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Nanga Parbat from the Karakoram Highway — Akbar Khan Niazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
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