12 Best Treks in Pakistan
Pakistan has more high mountains than anywhere else on earth. Here are the routes our guides love most, for every level of walker.
Choosing the best treks in Pakistan is hard, because the north of the country holds five of the world's fourteen 8,000-metre peaks and some of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. Whether you want a gentle three-day walk to a meadow or a three-week expedition across a 5,585 m pass, there is a trek here for you.
We are a licensed trekking operator in Gilgit-Baltistan, and these are the twelve routes our guides recommend most often. Each one links to our full itinerary, so you can see the day-by-day plan.
Best Treks in Pakistan at a Glance
| Trek | Days* | Difficulty | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Base Camp | 22 | Strenuous | ~5,050 m |
| Gondogoro La | 20 | Strenuous | ~5,585 m |
| Snow Lake & Hispar La | 22 | Strenuous | ~5,150 m |
| Nanga Parbat Base Camp (Fairy Meadows) | 8 | Moderate | ~4,000 m |
| Nanga Parbat Rupal Face | 9 | Moderate | ~3,650 m |
| Rakaposhi Base Camp | 11 | Moderate | ~3,700 m |
| Rush Lake | 10 | Moderate | ~4,700 m |
| Patundas Meadows | 9 | Moderate | ~4,200 m |
| Batura Glacier | 11 | Moderate | ~3,800 m |
| Masherbrum Base Camp | 12 | Moderate | ~4,300 m |
| Laila Peak Base Camp | 13 | Moderate | ~4,600 m |
| Rama Meadows | 7 | Easy | ~3,500 m |
*Days are for our full itineraries from Islamabad, including travel, acclimatisation and spare days.
1. K2 Base Camp Trek
The king of the best treks in Pakistan. You walk for about a week up the Baltoro Glacier, past the granite Trango Towers, to Concordia, where K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and Masherbrum surround you. Then you continue to the base camps of Broad Peak and K2 itself. It is long, remote and fully camped, with porters carrying everything. See the K2 Base Camp Trek and our K2 base camp trek cost guide.
2. Gondogoro La Trek
For experienced trekkers, the Gondogoro La Trek turns the K2 trek into a loop. After Concordia, you cross the 5,585 m Gondogoro La with fixed ropes and a climbing guide, usually starting in the middle of the night, and descend to the Hushe Valley. From the top, on a clear morning, you can see four 8,000 m peaks at once.
3. Snow Lake and Hispar La Trek
One of the longest glacier journeys in the world, linking the Biafo and Hispar glaciers over the 5,150 m Hispar La. At the top lies Snow Lake, a huge basin of ice ringed by peaks. It is a true wilderness expedition with glacier travel and rope work, best for experienced trekkers. See the Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek.
4. Nanga Parbat Base Camp via Fairy Meadows
The most popular trek in Pakistan for good reason. A jeep ride and short hike take you to Fairy Meadows, facing the north (Rakhiot) face of Nanga Parbat. From there, you walk via Beyal Camp to the base camp below the glaciers. It is moderate, short and spectacular. See the Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek.
5. Nanga Parbat Rupal Face Trek
On the south side of the mountain, the Rupal Face rises about 4,600 m from base to summit, often described as the highest mountain face on earth. The trek through the Astore Valley and the villages of Tarashing and Rupal is quieter than Fairy Meadows and full of village life. See the Nanga Parbat Rupal Face Trek.
6. Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek
A short, steep walk from Minapin in Nagar to Tagaphari, the base camp below 7,788 m Rakaposhi, with the Minapin Glacier tumbling beside you. It is easy to combine with a Hunza road trip. See the Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek.
7. Rush Lake Trek
At about 4,700 m, Rush Lake is one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. The trek from Hopar follows the Miar Glacier, and from the ridge above the lake you can see Spantik, Malubiting and, on a clear day, K2 far to the east. See the Rush Lake Trek.
8. Patundas Meadows Trek
From Passu in Upper Hunza, a steep climb along the Batura Glacier leads to the high summer pastures of Patundas. The views over the Passu Glacier and the peaks of Upper Hunza are some of the best in the Karakoram, and you often see ibex. See the Patundas Meadows Trek.
9. Batura Glacier Trek
The Batura is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. This trek follows its edge through summer shepherd settlements, with peaks of the Batura Muztagh above. It is a great choice for trekkers who want remote scenery without technical sections. See the Batura Glacier Trek.
10. Masherbrum Base Camp Trek
From the Hushe Valley in Baltistan, this trek leads to the base camp of Masherbrum (K1), one of the most beautiful peaks in the Karakoram. Hushe is a friendly Balti village and a great introduction to life in the high valleys. See the Masherbrum Base Camp Trek.
11. Laila Peak Base Camp Trek
Also from Hushe, this trek follows the Gondogoro Glacier to the base of Laila Peak, a perfect spear of rock and ice. It gives you a taste of the Gondogoro area without the high pass. See the Laila Peak Base Camp Trek.
12. Rama Meadows Trek
The easiest trek on our list. From Astore, a short drive and walk take you to Rama Meadows, a forest meadow with views of Nanga Parbat's east side and a small glacial lake above. It is perfect for families, first-time trekkers and anyone with a few days to spare. See the Rama Meadows Trek.
When Is the Best Time for Trekking in Pakistan?
Most treks in Pakistan run from June to September. The high glacier treks (K2, Gondogoro La, Snow Lake) are best in July and August. Lower treks such as Fairy Meadows, Rama Meadows and Rakaposhi Base Camp open from May and can be walked into early October. See our best time to visit Pakistan guide.
How to Choose the Right Trek
- First trek in the Himalaya or Karakoram? Start with Rama Meadows, Fairy Meadows or Rakaposhi Base Camp.
- Fit with some multi-day experience? Try Rush Lake, Patundas or Laila Peak Base Camp.
- Experienced and ready for an expedition? Choose K2 Base Camp, Gondogoro La or Snow Lake.
- Short on time? Fairy Meadows can be done in about a week from Islamabad.
Permits, Guides and Gear
Several treks in the Karakoram are in areas where foreigners need a trekking permit and a licensed guide, which your operator arranges. You do not need a mountaineering permit to trek to base camps. For restricted areas, read our NOC for Pakistan guide. For gear, see our trekking gear guide, or rent trekking gear in Pakistan in Skardu and Gilgit. For general background on the range, see the Karakoram on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous trek in Pakistan?
The K2 Base Camp trek along the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia is the most famous. Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp is the most popular.
What is the easiest trek in Pakistan?
Rama Meadows in the Astore Valley and the walk to Fairy Meadows are among the easiest, suitable for most reasonably fit walkers.
When is the trekking season in Pakistan?
Mainly June to September. High glacier treks are best in July and August, while lower treks are possible from May to early October.
Do I need a guide to trek in Pakistan?
For many Karakoram treks, foreigners need a licensed guide and permit. Even where not required, a local guide makes logistics, safety and porters much easier.
Are treks in Pakistan crowded?
Much less than in Nepal. Even on the K2 trek you will see only a few groups a day, and many routes feel completely wild.
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A DTS-licensed Pakistan tour operator (DTS-GB-094) based in Gilgit, running treks, expeditions and culture tours since 2022.
