RAKAPOSHI/DIRAN PEAK BASE CAMP TREK & Kingdom of Hunza valley
14 days – 05 days full camping and 08 Nights Hotels
This trek is located in Nagar Valley also known as Minapin Trek, has very easy access from the Karakorum Highway. This is one of the shortest and easiest treks leading to above 7000M Karakorum peak base camp with sweeping views from Rakaposhi to Diran. The Minapin Glacier sweep down from the 16km long fluted snowy ridge that connects the Rakaposhi and Diran. This treks starts from the village of Minapin in Nagar Valley that sits along the Minapin River bank above the confluence of the Hunza and Minipan rivers. The excellent short and easy trek from Minapin to Rakaposhi Base Camp trek, also known Taghaphari is ideal introduction of Karakoram trekking. This is the easiest trek in the Karakarom and very easy access. It is 2-3 hrs from Minapin Village to Hapakun, on easy trial then from Hapkun to Rakposhi Base Camp is also 3-4 hrs easy walk. There are also fixed camping sites where you can spend the nights. Fro the Diran Base Camp has to cross the Katchelly Glacier that takes 2-3 hrs on the moraine. You may do one day excursion to Base Camp of Diran Peak or can spend the night in the Diran Base Camp but there are not fixed camping sites. From Diran Base Camp you may have excursion to Katachelly Lake 2-3 hrs go and back, also from BC can make day hike to advance camp or ABC camp of Diran Peak by normal route. Around the Base Camp of Diran there are some peaks below 6500m, called trekking peaks that you may climb them, Mirshikar 5450M, Pheker Peak 5480M and Katchelly Peak 5800M and also to do ski from these peaks. You can have very nice view of centeral Hunza and Ultar peak from Rakapsohi Base Camp. For loading use the donkeys up to Rakaposhi Base Camp and for cross the glacier to Diran Peak Base Camp using porters.
Itinerary:
Day 01 Arrival Islamabad
Arrival to Islamabad airport and transfer to hotel, in the rest time of sightseeing in Islamabad and Rawalpini, visit of largest mosque in Asia and old local Bazaar. Hotel.
Day 02 Fly to Gilgit
Fly to Gilgit or drive to Chilas (12-14hrs) on the Karakuram Highway, overnight at hotel in Chilas, view of Nanga Parbat 8125 m if the weather is clean for a good visiblity by flight. Overnight Hotel.
Day 03 Drive to Minapin
Drive to Gilgit and after lunch continue to Minapin about 2-hrs, On the way (70km) the road gradually climbs approximately every 10-km difference of 100m.You will enjoy a spectacular view of mount Rakaposhi (7788m) having many habitantes and villages around its foothills, with its snow crown changing color with light. The route is abounded with terraced fields, particularly apricot, apple and walnut trees at most spectacular either in blossom or during autumn. We will also stop at place where continents collied, MKT, main Karakuram thurst. This is the collision of the Indo-Pak and the Eurasian plate located at the Chalt. The history of tectonic evolution has very close relationship with different period of organic movement casued by under thrusting of Indo-Pakistan (Indian) plate towerd north below the Eurasion Plate.
Due to this continental collision raise of Karakuram and Himalayas took place, which are highest as well as youngest mountain ranges in the world. Indo-Pak plate is still subducting under the Eurasian plate. The mountain chain being squeezed upward as the Indo-Pak plate pushes against the Eurasian plate. The mountains are rising at an average rate of 7 mm per year. Arrival to Minapin Village 2000M and overnight in Diran Guest House.
Day 04 Trek to Hapakun
Minapin to Hapakun 2800M (3 hours, 5.8 km and 800m Ascent)
It takes maximum 3 hours to reach Hapakun (2800m) from Diran Guest house situated at Minapin village. Trek starts from the village along with a canal under shaded trees 15 minutes towards the Minapin River. The trail turns south into the canyon and crosses a footbridge over the river’s true left bank after 10 minutes. The trail continues through the juniper trees to a grassy-tiered meadow of Hapakun.From the meadow of Hapakun you can have a view of Hachindar and Maiun peaks above the Hunza river. Overnight in the tent
Day 05 Trek to Tagaphari
Hapakun to Tagaphari 3300M (2-3 hours, 3km, 450m ascent)
A steep trail continues from Hapakun to Tagaphari.The trail eases off and contours the rocky slope for 30 minutes to a verdant bowl where wildflowers and colorful songbirds thrive. Sweeping gently through the meadow, the trail enters scattered juniper stands and climbs switchbacks to the windy ridge top, where Diran, Rakaposhi and their interconnecting ice wall finally come into full view. The trail thins and traverses a rocky cliff above the spectacularly broken Minapin 15 minutes to Tagaphari (3261m). Taga means muddy and Phari means pool in Burushaski Languaege.From Tagaphari you can catch the sunset on Diran and overnight in the tent.
Day 06 Trek to Diran Base camp
Tagaphari to Diran Base camp 3700M (6-7 hours,12 km,400m descent)
From Tagaphari to Diran Base camp is a interesting walk up to 3 hours on land and almost 3 hours to cross Minapin glacier and reach at the foot of Diran (7270m). From Diran Base Camp, trekking south-east up the ablation valley towards the rocky bend (4040m) in the Glacier brings you to the point where the route to Camp I moves into the Glacier, close beneath Diran .You can enjoy the view of several peaks around you. Overnight in camp.
Day 07 Day walk to Katchelli
Day free or hike to Katchelli Lake 4000M that takes 3 hours to go and back to Diran Base Camp, overnight in camp.
Day 08 Return to Tagaphari
Trek back to Tagaphari by the same route in 4-5 hours overnight in the tent
Day 09 Return to Minapin
Walk down directly to Minapin in 3 hours by following the Zig zag route to Minapin village and drive to Karimabad, overnight at hotel
Day 10 In Karimabad
Day free at Karimabad to for local visits or excursion to Hopar and Duikar, overnight at hotel
Day 11 Drive to Passu
Drive to Passu en-route visit of Gulmit, Borite, overnight at Passu
Day 12 Return to Chilas
Drive to Chilas on Karakoram Highway, overnight at hotel
Day 13 Return to Islamabad
Continue to Islamabad, overnight at hotel
Day 14 Fly onward
Departure from Islamabad (drop to the airport).
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