Mazeno Pass Around The Nanga Parbet Trek
About this tour
Nanga Parbat (8125 m.) is the western most bastion of the Himalayas. One has to travel completely around the globe to come back to the Himalayas to see such high peaks on our planet. The word 'Nanga' means naked and 'Parbat' is mountain.
This immense massif made a never-to-be-forgotten childhood impression on us. Masood saw this peak rising into the heavens when he was only five years old! It is a sight that is as vivid as it was then; 35 years ago.
Nanga Parbat is also a killer mountain. Many climbers died on it before it was summited by the great Hermann Buhl without supplemental oxygen in 1953. His epic climb is still unsurpassed. We are honored to say that it was at our uncle's clinic in Lahore where Hermann Buhl came to recuperate and was treated for his death-like state.
Nanga Parbat is also located where the continents have collided. Here the Indian plate is going under the Asian plate at a rate of about few inches a year. Consequently, Nanga Parbat is still rising. In fact it is the fastest rising mountain in the world!
This is a land of superlatives. The view of Nanga Parbat from the Indus River is one of the most awesome sights in the world. This largest land escarpment in the world consists of a rise of about 7000 m. from the base of the mountain to its summit. On the other side of Nanga we have the famous Rupal Face; the tallest wall in the world with a sheer 4500 m. cliff!
The journey traditionally called: 'Around Nanga Parbat' actually goes halfway around the mountain. It offers us stupendous sights of this Himalayan giant. The crossing of Mazeno Pass (5,399 m.) is a technical endeavor where ropes are fixed on steep pitches. The trip is for anyone who wants to get close to this legendary mountain and feel its presence deep down in one's soul! This is a challenging trek in Pakistan's Himalaya.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Islamabad, Pakistan to Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Hotel, trek briefing. We will have ample time for sightseeing and shopping in colorful old bazaars of Rawalpindi and new markets of Islamabad. We may also drive to the huge modern Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.
Day 2: Islamabad, Pakistan to Besham City, Pakistan
Hotel, drive. We will drive on the famous KKH to Besham through Taxila and Abottabad. Time permitting we will stop at the famous Gandharan archeological sites in Taxila. We will drive up the lush green foothills of the Himalayas and cross the mighty Indus near Besham. It will take about 6 to 8 hours to drive to Besham
Day 3: Besham City, Pakistan to Gilgit
Hotel, drive. It takes about six to eight hours to drive from Besham to Gilgit. The drive through the Indus Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off! The view after crossing the Rakhiot Bridge of Nanga Parbat is without any parallel. Standing at around 1,000 m. you see a mountain which rises to above 8,000 m.! This is the largest land escarpment in the world. This is also where the three greatest mountain ranges meet; Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram. We will have time to shop in the Central Asian bazaars of Gilgit
Day 4: Gilgit to Astore
Camp, jeep drive. We will backtrack our route from Gilgit and take a left hand turn on the KKH near Jaglot to enter the Astore valley. It takes about 6 to 8 hours to get to Astore town. We will camp in Astore
Day 5: Astor Valley Road, Astore to Noorullah Jnrl Astor, Hurramzai Tehsil, Pakistan
Camp, jeep drive. After about 3 to 4 hours of rough jeep driving we reach the village of Tarashing in the Rupal valley. Here we send our jeeps back to Gilgit. The Rupal valley is a beautiful forested valley with many pine trees.
Day 6: Astola Project Getz Pharma, Karachi, Pakistan to Rupal Valley, Rupal
Camp, trek. The trek begins. We walk through lush and gentle fields and cross the snout of the Tarashing Glacier. The walk only takes about 2 to 3 hours. If we feel fit, we can go to the next camp (Herligkoffer Base Camp) or just relax at Rupal.
Day 7: Rupal
Herligkoffer Base Camp (3,600 m 11,800 ft) Camp, trek. Another 2 to 3 hours of walking brings us to this beautiful meadow campsite. Our camp is located near some springs and at the edge of the Bazhin Glacier. We start seeing views of Rakhiot Peak and Chongra Peaks of the Nanga Parbat massif
Day 8: Rupal to Astore - Rama Road, Astore
Latobah (3,650 m 11,970 ft) Camp, trek. In about 2 to 3 hours of walking we will reach this famous campsite right under the largest wall in the world; the Rupal face of Nanga Parbat. The wall rises about 5,000 m. to the summit of this great mountain. On the way we cross the Bazhin Glacier.
Day 9: Astore Inn Hotel & Restaurant, Astore to Rupal
Shaigiri (3,700 m 12,140 ft) Camp, trek. This takes about 4 to 5 hours of trekking. On the way will cross the snout of the Shaigiri Glacier. From Shaigiri we will also have awesome views of the Rupal face of Nanga.
Day 10: Shigar to Rupal
Mazeno Base Camp (4,000 m 13,120 ft) Camp, trek. After crossing mountain streams and leaving the woods and pastures behind we enter the high meadows of the Mazeno valley. This takes about 3 to 5 hours of walking. Here we have outstanding views of Mazeno peaks.
Day 11: Rupa, Pakistan
Mazeno High Camp (4,700 m 15,400 ft Camp, trek. This is a tiring day. It takes about 5 to 7 hours of steep hiking up the hill and the camp is located near the Mazeno Glacier.
Day 12: Rupal to Fairy Meadows Guest House
Laibh Meadows (4,200 m 13,780 ft) Camp, trek. A tough day! This is the apex of the walk. We will ascend Mazeno Pass (5,399 m.) and descend very steeply on the other side. The ascent is easier than the descent. Ropes will be fixed on the descent on 35% plus slopes. As always, we will be assisted by the staff. This will take about 8 plus hours
Day 13: Rupal to Astore
Zangot (2,700 m 8,850 ft) Camp, trek. This takes about 6 hours of walking. We enter a land inhabited by people and walk through pastures. The day is long and involves an exhaustingly steep descent. However, it is not technical as the descent from the Mazeno Pass.
Day 14: Astore
Zangot Rest (2,700 m 8,850 ft) Camp. Here we enjoy the much needed rest
Day 15: Astore
Kutagali (3,000 m 9,840 ft) Camp, trek. This takes about 4 to 5 hours and we walk along paths used by herders to reach their summer settlements.
Day 16: Astore to Astore Valley Road, Astore
Shaichi (2,900 m 9,500 ft) Camp, trek. In about 6 hours and after crossing the non-technical Karu Sagar Pass (4,900 m.), we reach another summer settlement called Shaichi. The Diamir face of Nanga overwhelms us continuously.
Day 17: Diamer Basha Dam Site, Pakistan
Gutum Sagar (3,500 m 11,480 ft) Camp, trek. We are now walking through forest and summer pastures. We will cross some streams on this leg of the trip. This takes 6 hours plus of walking.
Day 18: Diamer Basha Dam Site, Pakistan
Jalipur High Camp (4,300 m 14,100 ft) Camp, trek. We have an ascending walk for about 6 hours and have good views of Jalipur Peaks.
Day 19: Diamer Basha Dam Site, Pakistan to Chilās
Beyal (3,400 m 11,150 ft) Camp, trek. Today we will cross the non-technical Khutsu Pass (4,840 m.). From the top of the pass Nanga is seen once again. The steep ascent to the pass takes about 3 hours and the descent to Beyal is done in about 5 hours. At Beyal we camp next to the Rakhiot Glacier.
Day 20: Diamer Basha Dam Site office Chilas Inn Hotel, Chilās to Fairy Meadows Cottages
Fairy Meadows (3,200 m 10,500 ft) Camp, trek. Congratulations! We have circumnavigated the great Nanga Parbat. This is an easy 2 hour walk through pine forest and incredible views. The sight of the north face of Nanga will never leave you!
Day 21: Fairy Meadows Cottages to Chilās
Chilas (1,000 m 3,280 ft) Hotel, jeep. Our jeeps will be ready to take us from the end of the road near Fairy Meadows. It is about 2 to 3 hours of driving down into the Indus gorge towards Chilas
Day 22: Chilās to Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Rawalpindi/Islamabad Hotel, about 8 hour drive on KKH, trek debriefing.
Day 23: Rawat, Pakistan to Islamabad international airport, Islamabad, Pakistan
Day 23 will be used as a ‘cushion’ day in case of delays in travel due to weather, route change, health, acclimatization issues during the trek, etc. This is a tentative itinerary. For the enjoyment of your trip a ‘go with the flow’ attitude is necessary. Many factors will influence your trip, such as weather conditions, health, route conditions, etc. Please do not take this itinerary very seriously!
What's included
except international air fare whole charges of trekk
Pocket money .International tickets
What to know
Rund Nangaperbet Trek
Route & locations
Islamabad, Pakistan to Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan