Nanga Parbat Rupal Face Trek
The Nanga Parbat Rupal Face Trek is a 9-day trip to the Astore Valley and the Rupal Valley, to stand at Herrligkoffer Base Camp below the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, a wall of rock and ice about 4,600 m high.
- Duration9 Days
- DifficultyModerate
- Max Altitudeapprox. 3,650 m
- Best SeasonJune – September
- Trekking Days4 Days
Below the Highest Mountain Wall on Earth
The Rupal Face Trek takes you to the south side of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m). From the village of Tarashing in the Astore Valley we walk into the Rupal Valley to Herrligkoffer Base Camp, named after the German expedition leader whose teams climbed here in the 1960s and 1970s. Above you, the Rupal Face rises about 4,600 m from base to summit, often described as the highest mountain face in the world.
From Base Camp we continue up the valley to the meadows of Latobo and Shaigiri, with changing views of the face and the Rupal Glacier. The walking is moderate, the villages are friendly and the scenery is simply huge. Our team handles transport, camping, meals and porters.
Trip Highlights
- Stand below the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, about 4,600 m high
- Camp at Herrligkoffer Base Camp (approx. 3,550 m)
- Walk to the meadows of Latobo and Shaigiri (approx. 3,650 m)
- Villages of the Astore and Rupal valleys
- A quieter side of Nanga Parbat than Fairy Meadows
- Guide, cook, porters and all logistics handled by TGA
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening welcome briefing.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Gilgit, drive to Astore (approx. 2,400 m)
Mountain flight to Gilgit and a 4-hour drive into the Astore Valley. If the flight is cancelled we drive the Karakoram Highway instead.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Tarashing to Herrligkoffer Base Camp (approx. 3,550 m)
Drive to Tarashing (approx. 2,900 m), then walk past the Tarashing Glacier and through Rupal village to Base Camp. About 5 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 4Base Camp to Latobo (approx. 3,500 m)
A short walk up the valley to the meadows of Latobo, with the Rupal Face above. About 3 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 5Day trip to Shaigiri (approx. 3,650 m)
Walk to Shaigiri, the best viewpoint of the Rupal Face and the Rupal Glacier, and back to Latobo. About 6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 6Latobo to Tarashing, drive to Astore
Walk back down the valley to Tarashing and drive to Astore. About 5 hours walking.
Overnight: HotelDay 7Drive to Gilgit
Drive back to Gilgit, with a stop at the viewpoint where the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges meet.
Overnight: HotelDay 8Fly to Islamabad
Flight back to Islamabad, or the road journey if flights are cancelled. Farewell dinner.
Overnight: HotelDay 9Depart
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Overnight: —Mountain itineraries can change with weather, flights and group pace. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Islamabad
- Hotels in Islamabad, Gilgit and Astore
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Gilgit–Islamabad, or road transport if flights are cancelled
- Private vehicle and 4x4 jeep Gilgit–Astore–Tarashing and back
- All meals during the trek, cooked by our trekking cook
- Tents, mattresses, dining and kitchen tents on the trek
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Porters to carry your main luggage and camping gear
- Local fees and registration at checkpoints
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance with high-altitude rescue cover
- Personal trekking gear, clothing and sleeping bag
- Tips for guides, drivers, cooks and porters
- Extra nights or costs caused by flight cancellations, landslides or road closures
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Rupal Face Trek?
The Rupal Face Trek shows you the true scale of Nanga Parbat. On the Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek via Fairy Meadows you see the Raikot Face from the north; here you stand below the even bigger Rupal Face on the south side, in a quiet valley with far fewer visitors.
The walking days are short and the altitude is moderate, so the Rupal Face Trek suits active beginners and families with older children. Keen trekkers can combine it with the Rama Meadows & Rama Lake Trek, also in the Astore Valley.
Read our Fairy Meadows guide if you want to see both sides of the mountain. Before you travel, see our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Fitness
The Rupal Face Trek is moderate. Walking days are 3–6 hours on good valley trails, with no glacier crossings. Anyone in good health who walks regularly can do it.
Altitude
The highest point is Shaigiri at about 3,650 m. We sleep in Astore before the trek and gain height slowly.
Permits & Checkpoints
The Rupal Valley lies in an open zone, so no special trekking permit is needed. Foreigners register at checkpoints in Astore, which our team arranges.
When to Go
June to September is the best time for the Rupal Face Trek, when the meadows are green. See our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Trek
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for your Rupal Valley trek.
