Itinerary
- Day 1
Islamabad
You'll arrive at Islamabad airport and get picked up for transfer to your hotel. If your flight lands early enough, join the group for lunch and a city tour that includes Lok Virsa Museum and Shah Faisal Mosque. At 6 pm there's a welcome meeting where you'll learn details about the trek ahead. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, walk around, or grab dinner on your own.
Optional Activities
- Lunch and city tour visiting Lok Virsa Museum and Shah Faisal Mosque (if arriving early)
Landmarks/POIs Lok Virsa Museum Shah Faisal Mosque - Day 2
Islamabad to Skardu
This is a weather-dependent travel day to Skardu. If conditions cooperate, you'll fly there by scenic flight. If not, you'll drive the Karakoram Highway with stops at mountain viewpoints along the way. Once in Skardu, spend time in the bazaar picking up snacks and souvenirs, then rent any hiking gear you need. If there's time, you can visit Manthal Rock Buddha, Kharpocho Fort, or Nansoq Organic Village.
Included Activities
- Skardu Bazaar walk
- Manthal Rock Buddha (time permitting)
- Kharpocho Fort (time permitting)
- Nansoq Organic Village (time permitting)
Optional Activities
- Hiking gear rental in Skardu
- Souvenirs and snacks shopping
Landmarks/POIs Skardu Bazaar Manthal Rock Buddha Kharpocho Fort Nansoq Organic Village - Day 3
Skardu to Khaplu
You'll drive to Khaplu through small villages in the Ghanche district. There's a stop where the Shayok and Indus Rivers meet, then you head to Yugo village for lunch and a cultural walk to see village life and meet residents. After that, continue on to Khaplu, the district capital. Check in at your accommodation and then explore on your own or visit Khaplu Fort Museum and the organic garden.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch with locals in Yugo village)
Included Activities
- Yugo Village cultural walk
- Lunch with locals in Yugo village
Optional Activities
- Khaplu Fort Museum visit
- Organic garden exploration
Landmarks/POIs Shayok River Indus River Yugo Village Khaplu Fort Museum - Day 4
Khaplu to Mingulo Broq Campsite
After breakfast, drive from Khaplu to Kanday Village at 2680 m/8,793 ft where your Nangma Valley trek starts. You'll meet local guides, porters, and cooks before trekking. The route has a steep descent crossing the Hushe River on a wooden bridge, then climbs through a narrow valley with two suspension bridges to reach Mingulo Broq campsite. Dinner features local Balti cuisine like balay and chapshoro, followed by live music and dancing under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (At campsite), Dinner (Local Balti cuisine including balay (soup), chapshoro (cooked minced meat stuffed and sealed between two whole wheat flatbreads, cooked over a skillet), and other Pakistani dishes)
Included Activities
- Mingulo Broq guided hike
- Rumbak - Expert Licensed professional local guide
- Rumbak - 15 kgs of porter services per person
- Live music and dance show by local Balti people
Optional Activities
- Post-lunch exploration and nature time at Mingulo Broq campsite
Landmarks/POIs Kanday Village Nangma Valley Hushe River Mingulo Broq - Day 5
Mingulo Broq to Nangma Valley
Start with a hot breakfast and trek from Mingulo Broq through green fields alongside a glacial stream. The hike is relatively flat today with stream crossings. You'll reach Nangma Valley campsite by lunch and have free time to take in views of Shingu Charpa's North Ridge. Dinner includes hot soup and a mix of regional and continental Chinese and Pakistani dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hot breakfast), Lunch (Fresh, hot meal at Nangma Valley campsite), Dinner (Hot meal of local soup and a mix of regional and continental Chinese and Pakistani dishes)
Included Activities
- Mingulo Broq to Nangma valley guided hike
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore and view North Ridge of Shingu Charpa
Landmarks/POIs Shingu Charpa - Day 6
Nangma Valley
This is a flexible day where you check how your body's doing and decide what to do. Option one is a day hike to Amin Brakk base camp at 4500 m/14,764 ft, which has steep sections but flat plateau stretches and ends with rocky terrain. You'll have refreshments and time to explore before returning. Option two is staying at camp to relax, practice scrambling on rocks, or look for Karakoram birds and flowers. Don't miss the sunrise from camp.
Included Activities
- Amin Brakk base camp guided hike (optional day activity)
Optional Activities
- Rest and relaxation at Nangma Valley campsite
- Rock scrambling near camp
- Scavenger hunt for local Karakoram bird and flower species
Landmarks/POIs Amin Brakk - Day 7
Nangma Valley to Skardu
You'll trek back down to Kanday and have a traditional lunch with a local family there. In the afternoon, travel by road back to Skardu along the southern bank of the Indus River with towering peaks around you. You'll pass through the Safranga Cold Desert at 2300 m/7,546 ft, one of the world's highest deserts, with photo stops included before reaching Skardu.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch with a local family in Kanday village)
Included Activities
- Nangma valley to Kanday guided hike
- Traditional lunch with local family at Kanday village
Optional Activities
- Photo stops at Safranga Cold Desert
- Scenic viewing along Indus River
Landmarks/POIs Indus River Safranga Cold Desert - Day 8
Skardu to Islamabad
This is another weather-dependent day. If the weather looks good, you'll drive to Skardu Airport for a flight back to Islamabad, check into your hotel, have lunch, and then have free time for sightseeing. Ask your leader for suggestions. If weather is poor, you'll spend the day in Naran with free time, and your leader can recommend activities or arrange group outings.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Islamabad (if flight is taken))
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing in Islamabad (if flying)
- Naran exploration and excursions (if not flying)
- Day 9
Naran to Islamabad
If you didn't fly yesterday, you'll travel by road to Islamabad today. There's a stop at a truck art workshop where you can watch local artists paint and learn about this craft form that started in the 1930s. Then you'll visit Taxila Museum, which sits near important archaeological sites and has rich Gandharan art from the 1st century. Explore with your local leader to understand the history, then have a free afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Taxila Museum & archeological sites
- Truck Art Workshop
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon in Islamabad
Landmarks/POIs Taxila Museum Taxila Archaeological Sites - Day 10
Islamabad
Your trip ends after breakfast. If you're heading out today, you have an included airport transfer. If you want to stay longer, contact your booking agent beforehand to arrange an extension.
- Meals
- Breakfast
