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AROUND NANGA PARBAT - A CLOSE LOOK / Pakistan
Around Nanga Parbat - a close look / Pakistan
INTRODUCTION:
This journey takes us to Nanga Parbat, an extraordinary mountain in the westernmost part of the mighty Himalayas, located in northern Pakistan. It has its name from Sanskrit, meaning “The Naked Mountain” for its sheer slopes that hardly ever hold snow and the locals call it Diamir which means “The King of the Mountains” in Urdu. It is famous for its tremendous vertical relief over the surrounding terrain in all directions. Ridges and peaks of rock and ice rise imposingly up to 8 126 meters. Dreamed by many climbers, it is also known as “The Killer Mountain” as it is one of the most dangerous peaks to climb that have cost the lives of many before it was conquered for the first time by Herman Buhl in 1953, and many after, including the brother of the notorious climber – Reinhold Messner – Gunther, who lost his life in 1970 on the descent of the Diamir Face. The landscape and the feelings that overcome when standing close in front of the giant are stunning, making us fell serene and hold our breath.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
The culture of Pakistan, Islamabad – the new capital and the old twin town Rawalpindi ♦ The Karakorum Highway or ‘The High Road” from China to Pakistan – the 8th engineering wonder in the world ♦ Nanga Parbat – the 9th tallest mountain in the world ♦ South Rupal Face rising 4 500 meters, considered the highest alpine wall in the world ♦ Mazeno Pass at 5,399 m.a.s.l. and the highest point of our trek ♦ North Raikot Face drops down to 7 000 meters, reaching the valley of the mighty Indus River ♦ Nanga Parbat Base Camp and Fairy Meadows described as one of the most beautiful places on Earth
DATES: 1 August 2016 (fixed departure)
DURATION: 20 days
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
DURATION: 20 days
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Full Board: Overnights: 2 in Islamabad, 2 in Chilas, 2 in huts in Beyal and Fairy meadows ♦ 13 overnights in camp tents ♦ breakfasts, lunches, dinners for the whole stay (except dinner in Islamabad on day 1 and day 19) based on stay in DBL room/tent ♦ all ground transportation as per itinerary: transfers from and to Islamabad airport; minibus from Islamabad – Chilas- Astore and back from Chilas, transfer by 4x4 Jeeps to Tarashing village and from Tato village ♦ English speaking mountain guide, Azimut Tours tour leader and full expedition equipment (except personal sleeping bag) ♦ staff – porters (personal luggage up to 15kg. per person), cooks, kitchen tent and utilities during camping ♦ guided city tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
International flight tickets ♦ lunch and dinner in Islamabad ♦ drinks and other personal expenses ♦ personal insurance ♦ helicopter charges in case of a rescue action ♦ tips
ITINERARY:
DAY 1. Arrival – Islamabad
Meeting at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to our hotel. City tour of Islamabad – the capital and one of the most urbanized and cosmopolitan cities in Pakistan, yet considered to be one of the earliest sites of human settlement in Asia. Visit of Shakarparian Park and the Institute of Folk and Traditional heritage, and Rawalpindi – the old twin city of the capital with its vibrant bazaars. Overnight.
DAY 2 – DAY 3. Islamabad – Chilas – Tarshing Village
The first day takes us on a 460 km long drive along the Indus river (11-12 hrs.) on the so-called 8th wonder of the world – The Karakorum Highway or ‘The High Road” from China to Pakistan with stupendous views towards the north side of Nanga Parbat. Overnight at Chilas and we continue to drive to Astore valley and gorge to get further up in the mountains to the small village Tarshing situated at 2900 m.a.s.l. revealing the serene beauty of what lies ahead of us. And our camping adventure begins. Overnight in camp.
DAY 4 – DAY 6. Tarshing village – Herrligkoffer Base Camp – Latobah meadows
Our trekking adventures begin at Tarshing village. We start early in the morning to enjoy the sun rising over the giant of Nanga Parbat with unforgettable distant images of the South Rupal Face. We continue crossing Tarshing glacier up and over moraines and further walking gently along the Rupal Valley through Herrligkoffer Base Camp (3550m. a. s. l) where we stay for overnight until we reach Latobah or Tupp meadows (3,530m. a. s. l.). Words can hardly describe the overwhelming feelings that come upon when the view of Nanga Parbat’s Rupal Face emerges close up with its 4,500 meters. We have a day for rest and acclimatization in the beautiful surroundings around Latobah and the lake.
DAY 7 – DAY 12. Latobah meadows – Mazeno Pass – Kutagali
This is the hardest, most strenuous and highest part of our trek as we climb through Mazeno Pass at 5,399 m.a.s.l. Before reaching the pass, we walk steadily climbing along Rupal valley’s high alpine pastures with amazing views to Nanga Parbat giant steep slopes, staying for overnights at Mazeno Base Camp (4,050 m.a.s.l.), then turning north and climbing steeply to Mazeno High Camp (4,700m. a. s. l.) which lies on the eastern border of Loiba Glacier. The climb to the pass is not so difficult as the decent which is steeper and we need to use fixed ropes on the snowy slopes. The efforts are well worth it as the view from the pass is breathtaking seemingly so quiet and almost unreal. We stay overnight at Upper Loiba (4,200m. a. s. l.) from where we follow the trail which easily descends through lovely birch woods and lush meadows. We continue descending down Airi River, passing by Loiba meadows to Zangot (2.800m. a. s. l) where we stay overnight and continue climbing along the stream to the summer settlement of Kutagali (3,100m. a. s. l.). Overnight.
DAY 13 – DAY 16. Kutagali – Karu Sagar Pass – Jalipur High Camp – Beyal
From Kutagali we climb steeply and steadily to Karu Sagar Pass (4,400m. a. s. l.) and descent down to Shaichi in Patro Gah (2,600 m.a.s.l.). We walk through forests and high alpine pastures further up the valley to Gurum Sagar (3,500m. a. s. l.) where we stay overnight. From here we ascent through meadows to Jalipur High Camp (4,400 m.a.s.l.) situated in the cirque below the impressive Jalipur peaks. Overnight and we continue climbing through the Khusto Pass (4,837m. a. s. l) where we descent steeply to Raikoth Gah and Beyal (3,500 m.a.s.l) where we stay overnight in a hut.
DAY 17 – DAY 18. Beyal – Nanga Parbat Base Camp – Fairy Meadows – Tato Village – Chilas
On this last stage of our trek we take time to explore Nanga Parbat Base Camp with stunning views towards The North Face – Raikot which drops down for 7,000 m. to the valley. We walk on easy trails through scattered juniper and birch woods with breathtaking close-up views of the massif, its rugged peaks and glaciers and the mighty Indus valley and as far to the north as the 7000 meters Rakaposhi-Haramonge range. We stay overnight in a hut on Fairy Meadows (3,306 m.a.s.l) wandering around to get a glimpse of the villagers and the shepherd's life. From there we descend quickly and easily down to Tato Village where we are transferred by jeeps to Chilas. Overnight.
DAY 19 – Day 20. Chilas – Islamabad – Departure
From Chilas we drive back on the “High Road” to Islamabad where we have our last overnight in Pakistan. On the next day we have a transfer to the airport for departure.
Meeting at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to our hotel. City tour of Islamabad – the capital and one of the most urbanized and cosmopolitan cities in Pakistan, yet considered to be one of the earliest sites of human settlement in Asia. Visit of Shakarparian Park and the Institute of Folk and Traditional heritage, and Rawalpindi – the old twin city of the capital with its vibrant bazaars. Overnight.
DAY 2 – DAY 3. Islamabad – Chilas – Tarshing Village
The first day takes us on a 460 km long drive along the Indus river (11-12 hrs.) on the so-called 8th wonder of the world – The Karakorum Highway or ‘The High Road” from China to Pakistan with stupendous views towards the north side of Nanga Parbat. Overnight at Chilas and we continue to drive to Astore valley and gorge to get further up in the mountains to the small village Tarshing situated at 2900 m.a.s.l. revealing the serene beauty of what lies ahead of us. And our camping adventure begins. Overnight in camp.
DAY 4 – DAY 6. Tarshing village – Herrligkoffer Base Camp – Latobah meadows
Our trekking adventures begin at Tarshing village. We start early in the morning to enjoy the sun rising over the giant of Nanga Parbat with unforgettable distant images of the South Rupal Face. We continue crossing Tarshing glacier up and over moraines and further walking gently along the Rupal Valley through Herrligkoffer Base Camp (3550m. a. s. l) where we stay for overnight until we reach Latobah or Tupp meadows (3,530m. a. s. l.). Words can hardly describe the overwhelming feelings that come upon when the view of Nanga Parbat’s Rupal Face emerges close up with its 4,500 meters. We have a day for rest and acclimatization in the beautiful surroundings around Latobah and the lake.
DAY 7 – DAY 12. Latobah meadows – Mazeno Pass – Kutagali
This is the hardest, most strenuous and highest part of our trek as we climb through Mazeno Pass at 5,399 m.a.s.l. Before reaching the pass, we walk steadily climbing along Rupal valley’s high alpine pastures with amazing views to Nanga Parbat giant steep slopes, staying for overnights at Mazeno Base Camp (4,050 m.a.s.l.), then turning north and climbing steeply to Mazeno High Camp (4,700m. a. s. l.) which lies on the eastern border of Loiba Glacier. The climb to the pass is not so difficult as the decent which is steeper and we need to use fixed ropes on the snowy slopes. The efforts are well worth it as the view from the pass is breathtaking seemingly so quiet and almost unreal. We stay overnight at Upper Loiba (4,200m. a. s. l.) from where we follow the trail which easily descends through lovely birch woods and lush meadows. We continue descending down Airi River, passing by Loiba meadows to Zangot (2.800m. a. s. l) where we stay overnight and continue climbing along the stream to the summer settlement of Kutagali (3,100m. a. s. l.). Overnight.
DAY 13 – DAY 16. Kutagali – Karu Sagar Pass – Jalipur High Camp – Beyal
From Kutagali we climb steeply and steadily to Karu Sagar Pass (4,400m. a. s. l.) and descent down to Shaichi in Patro Gah (2,600 m.a.s.l.). We walk through forests and high alpine pastures further up the valley to Gurum Sagar (3,500m. a. s. l.) where we stay overnight. From here we ascent through meadows to Jalipur High Camp (4,400 m.a.s.l.) situated in the cirque below the impressive Jalipur peaks. Overnight and we continue climbing through the Khusto Pass (4,837m. a. s. l) where we descent steeply to Raikoth Gah and Beyal (3,500 m.a.s.l) where we stay overnight in a hut.
DAY 17 – DAY 18. Beyal – Nanga Parbat Base Camp – Fairy Meadows – Tato Village – Chilas
On this last stage of our trek we take time to explore Nanga Parbat Base Camp with stunning views towards The North Face – Raikot which drops down for 7,000 m. to the valley. We walk on easy trails through scattered juniper and birch woods with breathtaking close-up views of the massif, its rugged peaks and glaciers and the mighty Indus valley and as far to the north as the 7000 meters Rakaposhi-Haramonge range. We stay overnight in a hut on Fairy Meadows (3,306 m.a.s.l) wandering around to get a glimpse of the villagers and the shepherd's life. From there we descend quickly and easily down to Tato Village where we are transferred by jeeps to Chilas. Overnight.
DAY 19 – Day 20. Chilas – Islamabad – Departure
From Chilas we drive back on the “High Road” to Islamabad where we have our last overnight in Pakistan. On the next day we have a transfer to the airport for departure.
