14 day Rush Lake trek in Pakistan

Itinerary

Itinerary for the 14 day Rush Lake trek in Pakistan

DAY 1 ISLAMABAD

The morning is free to recover from your journey. In the
afternoon and we offer an optional walk to the Margalla hills
surrounding the capital. Later in the afternoon, the trek leaders
will give a full trip briefing. We will conclude our evening with a group dinner, this will be an opportunity for everyone to get to
know each other.

DAY 2 TRAVEL TO FAIRY MEADOWS

We will take an early morning flight to Gilgit The flight is about an
hour and on the way you will see the foot hills of the Himalayas,
leading to Nanga Parbat. We will have lunch in Gilgit and continue
to Fairy Meadows. At Raikot bridge we take Jeeps over a 17km
steep and narrow dirt road to Tattu village, where the hiking trail
to Fairy Meadows begins. This is a well established trail and we
walk through the forest on a gentle climb for about 2-3 hours.

DAY 3 NANGA PARBAT BASECAMP

The trail to basecamp passes through pine and fir forest along a
stream, for about 5km. The vista finally opens up as we reach the
small settlement of Beyal, there are great views of the Indus Valley
and Rakaposhi. From Beyal we continue on a trail with views in all
directions. The trail leads up to the moraine where a ruble
covered track leads us to Nanga Parbat basecamp. The incredible
peaks of Nanga Parbat form a sweeping panorama. After dinner
we have time to enjoy the mountain, we turn off all lights watch
the unbelievable star filled sky.

DAY 4 TRAVEL TO HUNZA

We retrace our steps, taking an easy descending path back to
Fairy Meadows and then on to Jhel where we continue the drive
to Raikot bridge.
We stop in Gulmet for views of our next trek Rakaposhi, have a
traditional chai and then continue on to Nagar where we spend
the night.

DAY 5 HIKE TO CHINDIN HARAI

We start early to avoid the sun during a steep climb towards
Chindin Harai. The trail rises steadily, north of the scree gully
descending from the ridge. We climb 21⁄2 to four hours through
artemisia, thyme and scattered junipers to the ridge top (4020m).
It takes another one to11⁄2 hours to Chidin Harai. Chidin Harai
(4440m) has a goat pen, a few herders’ huts and grassy areas for
camping.

DAY 6 HIKE TO RUSH LAKE

After a leisurely breakfast we head towards the top of the slope
and hike towards Rush Lake. Rush is the highest alpine lakes in
Pakistan. Here you enjoy the views of the Miar Glacier, Spantik,
Diran and Phuparash. Two unclimbed 6000m to 6200m peaks to
the south are visible behind the rocky Rush Peak.

DAY 7 RUSH PEAK

We have an option to climb to Rush Peak or just explore the area.
Nowhere else in the Karakoram can you get such magnificent mountain
views on such a short trek, sweeping from the nearby 7500m peaks of
the Hispar Muztagh to the 8000m giants of the Baltoro Muztagh. On a
clear day you can see K2, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum IV.

DAY 8 HIKE TO DATUCHUGAN

The descent is very steep and relentless, we take our time enjoying the
views of Sumayar Bar and Miar glaciers, and the Malubiting and
Phuparash peaks. We continue to Datuchugan a beautiful grass meadow
with juniper trees, where we have time to relax and enjoy our dinner.

DAY 9 HIKE TO HAPAKUN

We start our trek after a relaxed breakfast. We continue up the now-
forested ablation valley with flower- filled meadows, we cross the Miar

glacier with magnificent views of Miar Peak and follow a narrow path
that leads us to the summer settlement of Hamdar. Another hour takes
us to Hapakun with views of Golden, Chukutans, Rash peaks. We camp
here and along side the shepherds.

DAY 10 HIKE TO HOPPER

We cross the white Bualtar glacier today, walking is a tiring due to the
rubble covering the glacier and hiking can take longer as glacier crossings
shift and we have to find the right place to cross. Once across we
continue to hike uphill until we reach Hopper. Our transport will be
waiting for us to take us to our hotel in Hunza.

DAY 11 EXPLORE HUNZA

We will visit the 1100 years old Altit fort, the original seat of the Hunza
state and the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan. Our next stop is the
700 year old Baltit Fort where the Mir (title of the Hunza ruler) resided
until the 1950s. For those interested there will an option to take a
cooking class in Pakistani cuisine.There is also an opportunity to hike
behind the fort along an irrigation channel with views of Hunza Valley,
the surrounding peaks and terraced fields with views of daily life.

DAY 12 KHUNJERAB PASS

Today we head to towards Khunjerab Pass, the land route to Chinese
border and at 4,934m(16,187ft) the highest border crossing in the
world. The scenery is beautiful with high peaks all around. Our last stop
for the night is Attabad Lake, formed in 2010 after a landslide that
blocked the flow of the river. We will take a boat ride to our hotel
where we spend the night.

DAY 13 TRAVEL TO ISLAMABAD

We drive to Gilgit to take the morning flight to Islamabad. Our private
transport will transfer us to the hotel and once we have settled in it will
be time to take lunch. After lunch the rest of the day is free for
independent sightseeing, shopping or to relax at the hotel.
This evening we come together again for a celebratory meal at a local
restaurant.

DAY 14 ISLAMABAD AIRPORT

This morning transfer to Islamabad airport where your tour ends