Trip Plan
Tour Itinerary
| Trip Duration: | 12 N / 13 D |
| Altitude: | Max: 5500 m |
| Grade: | Moderate to strenuous |
| Range: | Karakoram |
| Zone: | Open / No Permit is Required |
| Best Time: | July – September |
| Camping Nights: | 06 |
| Hotel Nights: | 06 |
Trip Highlight
Mirshikar is a trekking peak in the Karakoram with a summit elevation 5,500 meters, offering spectacular views of the entire Hunza valley and some of the lower parts of Nagar valley, from its summit.
This trek is located in Nagar valley with easy access from the Karakoram Highway. It leads you up to base camp of two mighty mountains, Rakaposh (7788m) and Diran (7266m), with sweeping views between the two mountains located across the Minapin Glacier, which is tumbles down from the 16km long fluted snowy ridge that connects the two mountains.
The trek continues crossing Minapin Glacier to the Diran Base Camp and then to the Katcheli Lake located on green hills above Diran base camp. Those experience trekkers are highly recommended to push further from Diran to Katcheli lake and then continue towards its ultimate destination- Mirshikar Peak. The final ascend to Mirshakar is quite tough and tricky as one has to climb through a ridge consist of lose stones and that’s where the guide has an important role to lead from the front.
This trek offers great flexibility for the beginners as well as those experienced trekkers; as you can make it shorter until Rakaposhi Base Camp also known Taghaphari. This is an ideal introduction of Karakoram trekking.
Mirshikar is a trekking peak in the Karakoram with a summit elevation 5,500 meters, offering spectacular views of the entire Hunza valley and some of the lower parts of Nagar valley, from its summit.
This trek is located in Nagar valley with easy access from the Karakoram Highway. It leads you up to base camp of two mighty mountains, Rakaposh (7788m) and Diran (7266m), with sweeping views between the two mountains located across the Minapin Glacier, which is tumbles down from the 16km long fluted snowy ridge that connects the two mountains.
The trek continues crossing Minapin Glacier to the Diran Base Camp and then to the Katcheli Lake located on green hills above Diran base camp. Those experience trekkers are highly recommended to push further from Diran to Katcheli lake and then continue towards its ultimate destination- Mirshikar Peak. The final ascend to Mirshakar is quite tough and tricky as one has to climb through a ridge consist of lose stones and that’s where the guide has an important role to lead from the front.
This trek offers great flexibility for the beginners as well as those experienced trekkers; as you can make it shorter until Rakaposhi Base Camp also known Taghaphari. This is an ideal introduction of Karakoram trekking.
| Cost: | Depends on number of participants. |
| Included: |
|
| Excluded: |
|
01
Day 1
Arrival-Islamabad Sightseeing
Arrival at Islamabad, transfer to hotel for rest. If arrival is during the day, you will be taken for a short sightseeing trip around Islamabad. The new Capital City of Pakistan is lush green at the footsteps of Potohar hills. We will visit Faisal Mosque, Pakistan monument and Lok versa, institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage.
Overnight stay at hotel in Islamabad.
02
Day 2
Islamabad – Gilgit
Take an early morning flight to Gilgit – the capital town of Gilgit Baltistan. There will be ample time to explore bazaars of Gilgit and a visit to a Rock Carving Buddha from 5th century AD.
We will then drive on the road to Chilas, if there are no flights available from Islamabad- Flights to Gilgit are operated subject to weather condition.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Gilgit.
03
Day 3
Gilgit – Minapin – Hapakun, Nagar valley
Drive to Minapin (2245m) in an hour and half via making few stops along the road i.e at 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 caused by under thrusting of Indo-Pakistan (Indian) plate toward north below the Eurasian Plate. Also the traces of ancient Silk route, a pony trail on which Caravans used to travel in the old days.
Trek to Hapakun takes 3-4 hours on a steep slope and starts from Minapin village. The entire trek is through a Juniper forest.
Overnight stay in a Camp.
04
Day 4
Hapakun – Rakaposhi BC (3450m)
Continue trek under the Juniper forest for around 3-4 hours to Tagafari; this is the local name of Rakaposhi base camp. Rest of the day will be free to explore the campsite. You may want to hike to a hill in the adjacent of the campsite which offers sweeping views from Rakaposhi to Diran peak over the Minapin Glacier.
Overnight stay in a Camp
05
Day 5
Rakaposhi BC – Diran BC (3700m)
From Tagaphari to Diran Base camp is an interesting walk of approx 3 hours on the magnificent Minapin Glacier which then leads you to the foot of Diran Peak (7266m). Afternoon free to rest and explore the camping site.
Overnight stay in Camp
06
Day 6
Diran BC (3700m) – Katcheli Lake (4040)
From Diran a lush green uphill trail covering verities of wild flowers (if trekking in June –July) leads you to Katcheli Lake within 2 hours and is located on hill above the Diran base camp. The lake is small in size but nestled in great mountain views of the Karakoram. Afternoon is free to rest and explore the camping site.
Overnight stay in a Camp
07
Day 7
Katcheli Lake – Mirshkiar summit (5500m)
From Kacheli Camp we leave the camp past midnight and continue to climb to the Mirshikar peak summit. This is longest and hardest day of this whole trek as we have to begin early and the elevation upward to reach the summit is approx 1500 m.
The final ascend to Mirshakar is quite tough and tricky as one has to climb through a ridge consisting of lose stones. This is where the guide has an important role to lead from the front to ensure the safety of the team.
From the summit, some of the most amazing views of peaks, such as Rakaposhi, Diran, Ultar, Lady Finger and both Hunza and Nagar valleys can be seen. We will then descend to the campsite at Kacheli by the evening.
Overnight stay in the Camp
08
Day 8
Katcheli Lake – Rakaposhi BC
Trek back to Rakaposhi BC via same route crossing the Minaping Glacier in 4-5 hours. Afternoon is free to rest.
Overnight stay in a Camp.
09
Day 9
Rakaposhi BC – Minapin – Hunza valley
Trek back down to Minapin village in 3-4 hours and stop for lunch. Afternoon drive will be to Karimabad, the capital town of Hunza valley; a wonderful place to end the trek and rest with views at your hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel In Hunza valley
010
Day 10
Hunza valley
You will have a full day to explore the famous Hunza valley where you will be able to visit the ancient Baltit Fort, newly formed Attabad Lake, Hussaini Hanging bridge and Passu Glacier.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Hunza valley.
011
Day 11
Hunza valley – Besham / Naran
Travel down the Karakoram highway and break the journey enroot at Besham or Naran, subject to condition of snow on Babusar top.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Besham / Naran.
012
Day 12
Besham / Naran – Islamabad
Complete the road journey down to Islamabad and towards Monal restaurant in Islamabad to wrap up the trip in a perfect ambience: good food, night view of the capital and live music.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Islamabad.
013
Day 14
Islamabad Tour
Transfer to airport three hours prior to homebound flight.
If there is time before your flight, you will have a tour around Islamabad that includes visiting Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum and Faisal Mosque.
