Nanga Parbat, Sanskrit for “Naked Mountain” is so named because some of its slopes are so steep that they are bereft of vegetation and snow. According to the local old legend, Nanga Parbat is also called Diamir, which means abode of fairies. It is believed that the Queen of fairies lives there in a castle made of solid crystal-clear ice, which is guarded by gigantic snow serpents and frogs. The earlier disasters in climbing this mountain are attributed to the displeasure of fairies.
Nanga Parbat is not a single peak but consists of 20km long series of peaks and ridges culminating in an ice crest of (8125m). Its South Face known as Rupal Face is (5000m) high, while the North or Raikot Face plunging over (7000m) from the summit to the Indus forms one of the world’s deepest gorges. West face of the Nanga Parbat, which is also called Diamer Face that is used by 95% of climbing. During this trek you will have the chance to pass by different pastors and local people with their domestic animal and pass-through multiple valleys, this will allow us to experience nature and the cultural aspects at the same time.
Departure from your home country to Pakistan.
After arriving in the capital, Islamabad, we have time to relax at the hotel. In the afternoon, we explore Islamabad. Among other things, we visit the Faisal Mosque, the fourth largest mosque in the world.
Overnight at the hotel in Islamabad.
We leave the often-hot Islamabad and drive north on the legendary Karakoram Highway. The landscape changes rapidly, and we marvel at the fantastic panorama. We leave the Karakoram Highway and drive along the equally spectacular road over the Babusar Pass (4,173 m), reaching Chilas in the evening.
Overnight at a hotel in Chilas
Elevation Gain: 540m + 725 m
Approx Drive: 8 to 9 hours.
We continue our journey along the Astore River to Tarishing. This small, colorful village is the starting point for our trek, and we’ll spend the first night in a tent. We’ll meet our support team, who will make the final preparations.
Overnight in a tent in Tarishing
Elevation Gain: 1265 m + 1646 m
Approx hike time: 4 to 5 hours.
We begin our trek around Nanga Parbat – also called Diamir. We climb a moraine and then descend to the glacier. As is often the case in Pakistan, the glaciers are covered with a layer of scree and stones. This means we don’t need crampons, as we rarely walk on bare ice. We also pass villages with their green pastures and irrigation canals. The view of the mighty Rupal Wall is particularly impressive. At 4,500 meters, this flank is the highest mountain wall in the world.
We spend the night in a tent at Herrligkoffer Base Camp.
Elevation gain: +795 m, -200 m
Approx hiking time: 5 to 6 hours (11 km)
Today we cross moraines and hike on the glacier itself. This takes significantly more time, as a direct route is often not possible. We are accompanied by a spectacular mountain panorama: the Leila and Rupal peaks on one side and the mighty Nanga Parbat on the other. We set up camp in a shady spot with clean water. We
spend the night in a tent in Shaigiri (3675 m).
Elevation gain: +370 m, -290 m
Approx hiking time: 5 to 6 hours (6.5 km)
We take a rest day to acclimatize to the altitude. Optionally, we can take a hike in the surrounding area.
Overnight in a tent in Shaigiri.
We leave the camp by climbing the moraine and following the valley, gradually gaining altitude. We also have to cross two small rivers. Generally, however, we can hop from rock to rock.
Overnight in a tent at Mazeno Base Camp.
Elevation gain: +475 m, -80 m
Approx hiking time: 4 hours (4 km)
We continue our journey toward the pass. The path becomes increasingly rocky, and often only cairns indicate a path. Even in midsummer, there is still some snow here.
Overnight in a tent at Mazeno High Camp.
Elevation gain: +915 m, -125 m
Approx hiking time: 5 to 6 hours (3 km)
We set off early in the morning to cross the highest point of our trek, the Mazeno Pass at 5,399 meters. The climb is steep but easy, and an unforgettable panoramic view awaits us at the pass. The descent is partly on glacial ice and partly on scree. A fixed rope is used for the descent. Depending on the snow and ice, we may also use our crampons. Our reward is green meadows and birch forests.
We spend the night in a tent in Loiba.
Elevation gain: +540 m, -1,315 m
Approx hiking time. 6 to 7 hours (6 km)
We cross the rocky and barren Sargialo Pass at 4,843 meters. We follow a direct trail to avoid the detour into the Diamir Valley. Snow-capped peaks surround us, especially the Diamir flank, the western side of Nanga Parbat.
Overnight in a tent in Sargialo.
Elevation gain +540 m, -1,315 m
Hiking time approx. 8 to 9 hours (8 km)
After breakfast, we begin our day’s hiking on the Diamir Glacier. Our destination is the Kutagali Alpine pasture. Here, farmers spend two to three months of the summer with their animals. Milk, cheese, and butter are available for purchase. We gain insight into the farmers’ daily lives.
Overnight in a tent in Kutagali
Elevation gain: +100, -150 m
Approx hiking time: 3 to 4 hours (6 km)
A Day hike takes us to Nanga Parbat Base Camp at 4250 meters. We pass through lush meadows dotted with flowers. This second base camp is the starting point for most expeditions to Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest peak in the world at 8125 meters. The Kinshofer Route through the Diamir Wall is considered the easiest and safest.
Overnight in a tent in Kutagali
Elevation gain: +1150 m, -1150 m
Approx hiking time: 5 to 6 hours (4.5 km)
After breakfast, a steep trail leads us up to the Kachal high alpine pasture. The view of the western flank of Nanga Parbat and the Mazano flank is fantastic. From the pasture, we continue our steep ascent, over scree and rubble, to the Kutagali Pass (4,850 m). From the highest point, we can even see the peaks of the Karakoram Mountains to the north. Nanga Parbat reveals its northwestern side with the Ganalo Ridge. A steep scree basin extends down into the Gunar Valley to the high alpine pasture of Kado Sagar.
We spend the night in a tent in Kado Sagar.
Elevation gain: +1,220 m, -850 m
Approx hiking time: 8 to 9 hours (7 km)
A varied day of trekking awaits us. Steadily ups and downs, we pass green meadows where farmers keep their cattle during the summer months.
Overnight in a tent in Gutum Sagar.
Elevation gain: +230 m, -840 m
Approx hiking time: 4 to 5 hours (4.5 km)
Today, the final pass awaits us: the Jiliper Pass at approximately 5,000 meters. Afterward, we approach the magical fairytale meadow, the end point of our trek. We enjoy our last night in a tent.
Overnight in a tent in Beyal.
Elevation gain: +420 m, -1,180 m
Approx hiking time: 5 to 6 hours (5 km)
Today we have the option of hiking to Base Camp on the north side of Nanga Parbat. From here, the first climbers, led by Hermann Buhl and led by Karl Herrligkoffer, set out on their summit ascent. Alternatively, we can descend directly to Fairy Meadow. The alpine pasture, now home to numerous guesthouses, earns its name through its stunning location with views of Nanga Parbat and the glacier.
Overnight stay in a simple guesthouse on Fairy Meadows
Elevation gain: +80 m, -360 m
Approx hiking time: 4 hours (4 km)
A final, short hike takes us to Tato. There, we board the waiting jeeps and drive down an adventurous road into the valley to the Karakoram Highway. Our journey continues by bus over the Babusar Pass to Naran.
Overnight at a hotel in Naran.
approx hiking time: 2 hours.
Approx drive: 7 to 8 hours
If time permits, we will break up the journey to Islamabad with a visit to the archaeological site and museum of Taxila. Taxila was the capital of the Buddhist empire of Gandhara.
Overnight at a hotel in Islamabad.
Travel time approximately 6 to 7 hours.
We visit the bustling bazaar of Rawalpindi. Everything imaginable and impossible is on offer here. It’s an ideal place to buy last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, we reflect on the trip over a leisurely farewell dinner.
Overnight at a hotel in Islamabad
Transfer to the airport and return flight to Home Country.
Nanga Parbat literally means “the naked mountain”. It is the 2nd highest peak in Pakistan and 9th highest in world ranking. Located in the western Himalayan Range, Nanga Parbat is also known as Diamer “The Capital of Fairies”.
Biafo & Hispar Glaciers have a total length of 126 km and are the longest of their kind outside of the Polar Regions. They meet at the 5,150 m high Hispar Pass. This immense highway of ice and rock connects the antique kingdoms of Nagar in the West and Askoli (little Tibet) in the East.
This unique and exciting trip will take you to one of the most scenic plateaus of Deosai at 3980 meters. Although this plateau is quite well visited by the foreigners and locals, but their visits are generally limited to roadside stops.
