Around Nanga Parbat Trek

Home , Astore (city), Astore Valley, Nanga Parbat, Rama Lake (Pakistan), Rupal Valley, Shaigiri

Around Nanga Parbat Trek Trip Highlights • Offers easy access to an 8000m peak base camp • View of world’s Ninth Highest Mountain from its all Base camps • Unique Trekking holiday in Pakistan’s Himalayan Mountain • One of the Pakistan`s top 5 trekking adventures • Experience All three faces of Nanga Parbat, Rupal, Raikot and Diamir

1 NIGHT HOTELS , 21 NIGHT CAMPING, PRICE US$1800/PAX FOR 8-12 PEOPLE GROUP 21 DAYS STTRENOUS TREKKING PRICE US$1900/PAX FOR 4-7 PEOPLE GROUP MAX. ALTITUDE – 5400M PRICE US$2000/PAX FOR 3 PEOPLE GROUP

INTRODUCTION

Nanga Parbat (8125m), the world's ninth- highest peak and the second-highest of Pakistan's five 8000m peaks, is the westernmost peak of the Great Himalayan range. With a 20km long series of peaks and ridges, Nanga Parbat forms a huge massif. Its solitary white appearance, visible from the south for at least 100km, prompted its name, which means `naked mountain' in Urdu. It's also known as the 'Killer Moun- tain' because of the difficulties mountaineers have in reaching its summit.

Beside the glaciers there are pine and fir forests, sparkling streams and open grasslands that have enchanted visitors and prompted the name Fairy Meadow. The view of Nanga Parbat from the Indus River is one of the most awesome sights in the world. This largest land escarpment in the world consists of a rise of about 7000 m. from the base of the mountain to its summit. On the other side of Nanga we have the famous Rupal Face; the tallest wall in the world with a sheer 4500m cliff. It has three main faces known as Rupal, Diamer and Raikot, which are totally different in appearance and shape and their routes start from different valleys.

Rupal Face journey starts from Gilgit or Karakoram Highway (KKH) to Tarashing, a green alpine village at the head of the jeep track. It takes another two days to arrive at Rupal base camp. Diamer base camp the track is the most lengthy as it needs three days to reach. Raikot, where we go up to Raikot Bridge on KKH to switch over to local jeeps for Jhel, a small place in Tato Valley at the foot of Fairy Meadows. This program includes a visit to all three faces crossing high passes en route making it Around Nanga Parbat Trek.

Around Nanga Parbat trek runs through the enchanting lands of Western finger of great Himalayas replete with alpine meadows, lofty pinnacles, dense forests and strangely fantastic forms of landscape that qualify it as a best trekking route in Pakistan. This Three weeks adventure makes a circuit of the 8125m Nanga Parbat. This only Himalayan peak in Pakistan offers the grandest spectacle from distance but we will have breathtaking close-ups of its ‘hundred faces’ during this tour. Starting with an easy to moderate walking of two to four hours daily along the lateral moraines and flat green pastures, we will cross the Mazeno Pass, which is the strenuous and sensational climax of this adventure as it is a technical endeavor where ropes are fixed on steep pitches we end up in Rama.

TREK OVERVIEW

BEST TIME: MID-JULY to SEPTEMBER

Day Date Activity Mode Time Height Accommodation 01 Gilgit to Tarishing Drive 5-7 hours 2900m Camp 02 Tarashing – Behzin (Herrligkoffer B.C) Trek 4-5 hours 3550m Camp 03 Behzin – Shaigiri Trek 5-6 hours 3600m Camp 04 Shaigiri Day Free Rupal Face Free - 3600m Camp 05 Shaigiri–Mazeno Pass Base Camp Trek 3.5 hours 4050m Camp 06 Mazeno Pass Base Camp–High Camp Trek 4-6 hours 4700m Camp 07 High Camp – Loiba ( Upper &Lower) Trek 9-12hours 4000m Camp 08 Loiba – Kachal via Kachal Pass Trek 6 hours 3000m Camp 09 Kachal-Nanga Parbat B.C (Diamir Face) Trek 6-8 hours 4300m Camp 10 Nanga Parbat Base camp Diamir Face Free - 4300m Camp 11 Nanga Parbat Base camp-Kachal Trek 6-8 hours 3000m Camp 12 Kachal-Karu Sagar Trek 10hours 2600m Camp 13 Karu Sagar(Shaichi)– Gutum Sagar Trek 6 hours 3500m Camp 14 Gutum Sagar- Jilipur High Camp Trek 4-6 hours 4400m Camp 15 Jilipur High Camp - Beyal Camp Trek 5-6 hour 3500m Camp 16 Beyal Camp - Day Free Free - 3500m Camp 17 Beyal - Nanga Parbat B.C Raikot Face Trek 2-4 hours 3306m Camp 18 Fairy Meadows - Muthat Trek 8 hours 3000m Camp 19 Muthat - Glacier Camp (Chorgali) Trek 6 hours 3200m Camp 20 Muthat HC - Rama Ridge Camp Trek 8 hours 3500m Camp 21 Rama Ridge Camp - Rama Lake Trek 4-5 hours 3300m Camp 22 Rama Lake – Chilas Drive 6 hours 1265m Hotel

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: DRIVE TO TARISHING/TARASHING FROM GILGIT We drive on Karakoram Highway towards Juglot. On the way we can stop at junction of three mountain ranges (Karakoram, Himalaya and Hidukush) for photography where River Gilgit and Indus also meet.

The road from Juglot near the mouth of the valley starts off impressively but is soon squeezed onto the crumbling sides of the barren, slide-prone gorge. It’s an oven in summer, but grows lovelier as you climb. There’s a foreigner registration point 13km in at Doian, not long after which the road traverses a dangerous slipping area.

KEY DESTINATION DETAILS:

Astor At 2450m Astor village is perched like an eagle’s nest on both sides of Rama Gah (ravine). The bazaar is up a steep track on the north side of the ravine, and the valley road continues on the south side.

Tarashing is about 40km from Astor and 2900m high, beneath Nanga Parbat’s naked Rupal face (though it’s not in full view). The village sits in a spectacular piece of real estate amid massive glaciers flowing from the mountain massif. From here one can day-hike up the moraine (glacial rubble) for a good look at the Rupal face, the Tarashing Glacier, across the glacier and on up Rupal Gah, or across Rupal Gah to Zaipur village, at the top of which are water channels on huge wooden towers said to be 400 to 500 years old.

ACCOMODATION ELEVATION MEALS : D DISTANCE 160 TEMPERATURE CAMP TIME 8 KM 20°C 2900 M DRIVING HOURS

DAY 2: TARASHING TO BAZHIN The trail climbs steeply from Tarashing (2,900m) up the lateral moraine of the Tarashing Glacier, and then crosses the glacier in 30 minutes along a clear path.

First half hour of the trek is steep up to the lateral moraine of Trashing Glacier then it will take another half hour to cross the glacier. At the other side of the glacier is lower Rupal Valley with two large summer settlements and big fields of wheat. From lower Rupal Valley trek is green and gradually ascending. After about three hours walk from here and arrive Behzin just under the solid ice wall of east face of Nanga Parbat.

KEY DESTINATION DETAILS: Rupal is a large settlement with a lower and an upper village, each surrounded by fields of wheat, barley, beans, peas and potatoes. The people of Lower Rupal originated from Baltistan and still speak a form of Balti mixed with Shina. The women wear Balti headdresses—decorated with silver beads and buttons and a brown felt tail hanging down the back—reminiscent of headdresses in Ladakh.

Upper Rupal has two compact villages, the houses so close together that a laden donkey cannot pass between them. Here the people are Gujars, and the women wear round pill-box hats covered with veils. The two settlements of Upper Rupal are completely closed up in summer, when the inhabitants all move further up the valley with the herds to summer pastures. The houses are half underground, with round, excavated food stores nearby. In winter the snow is more than a meter deep, so everyone stays indoors for three months.

From Rupal, the path climbs steadily up a narrow green valley, through groves of willow, poplar and juniper. The mountainside is covered in forget-me-nots, lavender and edelweiss. After about two hours you pass a small lake and round a comer to Bazhin Camp (about 3,650), a flat, green meadow between the lateral moraine of the Bazhin Glacier and the mountain. Ahead towers the solid ice wall of the east face of Nanga Parbat.This is a perfect campsite with clear spring water, a wood full of birds this spot is called HERRLIGKOFFER Base Camp (3550m), a beautiful, although much used meadows along the BAZHIN Glacier’s east margin. The camp site is named after Dr. Karl M HERRLIGKOFFER the leader of eight German expeditions to NANGA PARBAT, including the first successful expedition in 1953.

Rupal Glacier or Tashain Glacier is a glacier in the Great Himalaya subrange of Himalayas. It starts north of an unnamed 6,326-metre-high (20,755 ft) peak and flows northeastward, north of Laila Peak (Rupal Valley) and south of Nanga Parbat's many peaks. The melt water from the glacier forms Rupal River.

ASCENT 639M

ELEVATION DESCENT ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 10 KM HIKING HOURS NIL 3550 M CAMPING 5 HOURS

Nanga Parbat Rupal Face

DAY 3: BAZHIN-SHAIGIRI Trek to Shaigiri five hours. Crossing the Bazhin Glacier takes about 90 minutes along a fairly obvious donkey path. The local shepherds come and go frequently, so you can follow one of them across. From the top of the lateral moraine on the western side, you look down on a huge grassy field known as Tup (about 3,550 metres), which must once have been the bed of a lake. Herds of horses, dzos, sheep and goats graze in the centre, and five or six summer villages are spaced round the edge. The Rupal River flows down the far side through willow and juniper woods, and a gentle stream meanders along the near side. The summer villagers are friendly to female trekkers. Most of them are Sunni Muslims from Chorit and are not at all camera shy. They wear round pill-box hats, chum their butter in goatskins and spin sheep wool while they sit and chat, offering bread and buttermilk (lassi) to visitors.

The clear trail continues up the Rupal River, offering a flat walk through sparse woods. It takes about an hour to skirt round the end of a terminal moraine to a smaller flat field called First Base Camp. The spot is also called Herligkoffer Base Camp, after the German mountaineering organiser who has led eight expeditions to Nanga Parbat, including the first ascent by Herman Buhl in 1953. A further hour takes you round the end of a second moraine, with a lake on top, to another broad field, Latboi (meaning ‘stony place’), also called Second Base Camp, with a summer settlement on one side. From here the path climbs gently over some moraine, then follows the north bank of the river through the woods to Shaigiri (meaning ‘white stone’) 30 minutes away. This is a good campsite at about 3,660 metres, with fresh water, firewood and superb views of the south face of Nanga Parbat, an awesome jagged precipice 4,500 metres high. The summer settlement at Shaigiri belongs to Tarashing people of Balti descent, strict Shia Muslims who are reasonably friendly to female trekkers but very wary of cameras. Organised treks are usually expected to buy a goat at Shaigiri and have a feast and singsong with their porters.

KEY DESTINATION DETAILS: Bazhin Glacier is .3 km long and descends from summits of Nanga Parbat and Raikot Peak and crossed the entire Rupal Valley from North to South where it blocks the Rupal River

Shaigiri is a mountain in Pakistan's western Himalayas. The peak rises precipitously from the south end of the Rupal Valley, soaring 5,584 metres (18,320 ft) above sea level and some 6,500 ft (1,980 m) above the valley floor. To its east stands Rupal Peak, to its west, the iceflows of Rupal Glacier. Despite its impressive height and unique pyramid shape, Shaigiri is greatly overshadowed by its giant neighbor to the north, 8,126-metre Nanga Parbat. Though the peak itself is seldom climbed, its northern base camp (11,989 ft/3,655 m) is a summer destination for travelers, mountaineers and local herdsmen. The peak is highly visible from most of the Rupal Valley. From Shaigiri's base one can see Nanga Parbat's Rupal Face and the eastern end of the Mazeno Wall.

Shaigiri is accessible via the Astore Valley, which opens to the great Indus River south of Gilgit. Most treks to Shaigiri, the Mazeno Pass and Nanga Parbat's Rupal Face are staged from the remote village of Tarashing, which is reached by jeep from Astore.

ASCENT 125M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 8.5 H 20M 3600 M HOURS CAMPING KM 6

DAY 4: SHAIGIRI DAY FREE Rest day to explore or climb. Rupal Peak (5,584 metres), to the south of Shaigiri, is a difficult climb for trekkers but comparatively easy for mountaineers. It offers magnificent views north across the valley to Nanga Parbat. Doug Scott climbed it from the west and describes three bivouacs and some grade-3 ice climbing.

Exit Option - Returning back via Trashing to Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 3 days

ASCENT NIL

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 0 KM H NIL 3600 M EST AY CAMPING R D

DAY 5: SHAIGIRI TO MAZENO PASS BASE CAMP After an early breakfast we resume our trek towards Mazeno Base Camp. Following the goat trail we trek along the Thoshain(Rupal) Glacier we behold excellent views of Toshe Glacier, Abom Pass, Liala Peak & many other smaller peaks. After a short ascent we arrive at the Base camp of Mazeno pass where we camp for the night in a lovely green meadow.

KEY DESTINATION DETAILS:

ASCENT 400M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 6.5 H NIL 4050 M HOURS CAMPING KM 3.5

DAY 6: MAZENO PASS BASE CAMP-MAZENO HIGH CAMP Ascend is comparatively steep and ascending up to the Mazeno glacier which is coming straight from Mazeno Pass. The campsite is not green anymore because of the height. Water is available. The High Base Camp is at 4700m.

ASCENT 650M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 5.5 H NIL 4700 M HOURS CAMPING KM 4-5

Near Mazeno Pass

DAY 7: MAZENO HIGH CAMP –LOIBA (Upper and and camp at Lower LOIBA) Early morning start before sunrise. The climb up to the pass (Mazeno La 5399m) is not very difficult but other side of the pass is steep and it requires rope, ice axe, sit harness and crampons. Steep area is about 250m in length. After crossing the pass Loiba glacier starts and we will camp here at upper Loiba at a height of 4300m.

Trek down from upper Loiba to Lower Loiba called as Loiba Meadows. It is a comfortable walk through the lush green meadows and trees. Campsite consist of many shepherds houses at of 4000m.

KEY DESTINATION DETAILS: Mazino pass/La offers a strenuous trek which is located between district Astore and District Diamer. Mazino pass is also used as base camp to scale Nanga Parbat 8,125 meter. It is one of the highly attractive 10 days trek for adventure lovers. It's route heads west up to the Rupal gah and crosses the mazino la 5399 meter to zangot and buner valley down to KKH. It is situated at 42 KMs from Astore headquarters

ASCENT 700M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 12 KM H 1400M 4000 M HOURS CAMPING 10-12

DAY 8: LOIBA- KACHAL Today, we will have beautiful views of Nanga Parbat and the trek is very easy through pine and birch trees cross Airil River and enter the Kachal summer settlement at the base of Kachal pass (4400m). We will camp at 3000m.

Exit Option - Via Buner, Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 3 days

ASCENT NA

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 5.5 H NA 3000 M HOURS CAMPING KM 4-5

DAY 9: KACHAL- NANGA PARBAT BASE CAMP (DIAMIR FACE) It is a steady climb through birch trees to Kutgali, the last village towards Diamer face of Nanga Parbat. The campsite is a green plateau with a variety of lovely alpine flowers all around.

KEY DESTINATION DETAILS:

Kachal is meeting places of four treks route crossing, one is going to Kachal Pass, second is going to Zangot, third is going back to Loiba and the forth one to Diamer Face of Nanga Parbat Base camp. Nanga Parbat Base Camp Diamer Face

Diamer Base camp of Nanga Parbat is approached through a small water channel that is flowing along the trail which is gradually ascending, En route short stay in Kutgali before arriving to the base camp. World’s most famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner climbed Nanga Parbat form this side in 1979 and he lost his brother during on their way back. It is reputed as the most difficult route of Nanga Parbat. Short stay for exploration and photos. Alternate Camping Option: Walk back by the same route and camp at Zangot 4200m. (6/7 hours).

Exit Option - Via Buner, Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 3 days

ASCENT NA

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 6 KM H NA 4300 M HOURS CAMPING 6-8 Nanga Parbat Base Camp (Diamir Face)

DAY 10: FREE DAY AT NANGA PARBAT BASE CAMP (DIAMIR FACE) Diamer Face is the most popular climbing route for Nanga Parbat. We enjoy a free day at base camp among several climbing teams. From the base camp the whole face of Nanga Parbat is visible and routes can be watched with binoculars / telescopes.

Exit Option - Via Buner, Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 3 days

ASCENT NIL

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 0 KM H NIL 4300 M CAMPING NIL

DAY 11: NANGA PARBAT BASE CAMP (DIAMIR FACE)- KACHAL We start walking down to Kachal, an easy walk of four hours and rest of the day is free at leisure and to prepare for next day's tough trek to Kachal Gali. Exit Option - Via Buner, Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 3 days

ASCENT NA

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 6 KM H NA 3000 M HOURS CAMPING 6

DAY 12: KACHAL TO KARU SAGAR VIA KUTGALI Today we will climb along the stream to the summer settlement at Kutagali (3100m), from here we can have views of Naga Parbat’s west Face. Normally trekkers camp at Kutagali for one night. However, we will continue our steady climb to the Karu Sagar Pass (4400m) and descend just as steepy to Shaichi in Patro Gah (2600) for camping.

Exit Option - Via Gonar, Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 3 days ASCENT 1600M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 14 KM H 1800 2600 M HOURS CAMPING 10

DAY 13: KARU SAGAR/SHAICHI –GUTUM SAGAR

We head up to Parto Gah through forest , crossing side streams for a few hours to the Gunar villager’s pastures. Ganalo (6606m) dominates the view . We will continue upvelley to Gutum Sagar (3500m)

ASCENT 900M

ELEVATION DESCENT ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 5KM HIKING HOURS NIL 3500 M CAMPING 6 HOURS

DAY 14: GUTUM SAGAR –JALIPUR HIGH CAMP Ascend the stream through the meadows of the bowl below the Jalipur Peaks to Jalipur High Camp (4400m).

ASCENT 900M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 5.5 H NIL 4400 M HOURS CAMPING KM 4-6

DAY 15: JALIPUR HIGH CAMP-BEYAL CAMP The path to the pass is a little tricky however the Jilipur Pass (Khusto Pass) at 4837m gives magnificent views of Nanga Parbat massif. Across the pass is a steep descent in Raikot Valley, we keep on walking down and arrive at Beyal for overnight camping. In the morning we will trek towards South Jillipur peak high camp. We will follow the Jallipur stream west up the rocky side valley that leads to Khusto Pass. Descend from the pass is also steep and on loose talus one hour. We continue to meadows, leading past willows and forest into Raikot Gah and Beyal (3500m), reaching bayal two hours from the pass KEY DESTINATION DETAILS South Jalipur Peak (5206m), which is west of the Raikot Glacier and south of the Khusto (Jalipur) Pass (4837m). This is a nontechnical ascent and one of the easiet peak in the Himalayan region of Pakistan.

ASCENT 437M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 6 KM H 1237M 3500 M HOURS CAMPING 5-6

Jalipur Peak View

DAY 16: BEYAL CAMP DAY FREE Day free for rest and enjoy the superb and grand view of Nanga Parbat, main peak at 8125m and other prominent peaks of the massif.

ASCENT NIL

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 0 KM H NIL 3500 M CAMPING REST

DAY 17: BEYAL CAMP –TO NANGA PARBAT BASE CAMP (RAIKOT FACE) Nanga Parbat Base Camp is between the Ganalo and Raikot glaciers, south of their confluence. There are two options to visit Nanga Parbat Base Camp. A view point and the actual climbers base camp.

Option I: From Beyal, we will follow an easy trail that continues 30 minutes through scattered junipers and birches to an obvious huge boulder. People aptly call this place View Point (3667m). The breathtaking close-up views to the south-east in the middle of the four major icefalls coming from the Chongra peaks (ranging from 6448m to 6830m), Raikot (7070m) and Nanga Parbat' s north face that converge to form the incredibly serac-covered Raikot Glacier. To the north are impressive views over the Indus Valley, and far to the north-east is the 7000m Rakaposhi-Haramosh Range.

Option II: If we further explore and hike towards climbers original base camp then we will pass through stands of birch and pockets of the fragrant solo punar, a primrose revered by local people, the trail climbs 125m in 45 minutes to the top of a moraine. After crossing a stream and an hour walk we reach the original climbers base camp of Nanga Parbat.

Exit Option - Via Raikot Bridge, Karakoram Highway (KKH) & Chilas in 1 day

ASCENT 100M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 2-4 H 100M 3306 M HOURS CAMPING KM 2-4

Nanga Parbat base camp Raikot Face

DAY 18: FAIRY MEADOWS-MUTHAT We walk down to Tato Valley to arrive in Muthat, a village on the other side of the main route to Fairy Meadows. From fairy meadows descend towards Tato (2475m) to cross the footbridge over Raikot Gah. Ascend north- east over a ridge (3362m) and descend to a stream, then cross the Buldar River to reach Muthat (3000m).

ASCENT 300M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 5 KM H 200M 3000 M HOURS CAMPING 8

Fairy Meadows between Beyal to Nanga Parbat

DAY 19: MUTHAT –GLACIER CAMP Following the Buldar Glacier, we arrive at the high camp for Muthat Pass. Different views of the surrounding mountains are superb as we are watching the Nanga Parbat Massif from every side and corner.

ASCENT 450M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 4 KM H NIL 3200 M HOURS CAMPING 6

DAY 20: MUTHAT HC –RAMA RIDGE CAMP We will start trekking to cross Muthat Pass at 4965m and walk down on Lotang Glacier and camp on the ridge of Rama. ASCENT 100M

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 5 KM H 500M 3500 M HOURS CAMPING 8

DAY 21: RAMA RIDGE CAMP – RAMA LAKE The last day of our trekking and end of a great expedition, takes us to Rama, where we camp besides the lake. A calm night with memory of the past days crossing several high passes and walking through valleys is rewarding.

ASCENT NA

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : BLD DISTANCE 3-4 H 200M 3300 M HOURS CAMPING KM 4-5

DAY 22: RAMA LAKE-CHILAS From Rama Lake, we will drive by jeeps to KKH and onwards to Chilas and transfer to hotel on arrival for a fresh water shower and a night on beds.

ASCENT NIL

ELEVATION DESCENT IKING HOURS ACCOMODATION MEALS : B DISTANCE 140 H NIL 1265 M HOTEL KM NIL

Price Details Group Size Price per Person 8-12 People US$1800/person 4-7 People US$1900/person 3 People US$ 2000/person

TRIP INFORMATION WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE Trip Cost Includes:

• Visa Invitation letter and supporting documents • Transport from Gilgit-Tarasing and Astore to Chilas. • Airport/road transfer in four wheel sightseeing jeep. • On night hotel accommodation in Chilas on twin sharing with breakfast. • All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) during trek/camping. • Sleeping tents, mattresses, kitchen tents, mess tent. • Kitchen equipment, crockery, fuel, cooking, camping, cleaning and related gear • Services of English speaking guide, expert cook and low altitude porters. • 15 kg of personal baggage during trek. • Porterage at airport and hotels, toll taxes and parking fee etc. • Safety rope and basic necessary gear. • 2-3 Ice axes for the whole group, crampons, ropes. • Insurance of trek staff • NOC from Home Department and other documentation

Trip Cost Does not Include: • International flights, Visa fee and personal travel Insurance. • Hotel early check in and late check out. • Lunch and dinner during your time in hotels (Chilas). • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks, Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry. • Tips of guide, drivers, porters etc. • Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Snowland. • Extra days beyond the specified itinerary. • Any other service or product that is not agreed or mentioned herein this document • *Single supplement. *Single Room Supplement Price: US$100/person *Single Tent /Hut Supplement Price: US$80/person

BOOKING INFORMATION

Information/Documents Required from the Participants

• Scanned copy of first page of your passport • Passport size digital photograph • Complete Residential and Occupational Addresses • Occupation • Telephone numbers / contact person to be contacted in case of emergency in your home country • Details of exact arrival and departure dates

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS

Pakistan-US$

Account Title: Kamal Hussain Account Number: 90505600123401 Bank Name: Askari Bank Limited Pakistan Branch Address: Islamic Banking Branch, Jinnah Avenue Blue Area, Islamabad Branch Code: 905 Swift Code: ASCMPKKA

PAYMENT SHORT FALL

If your payment is sent in US$ (or any currency like Sterling, Euro) it is not uncommon for there to be a small shortfall on receipt of the funds. The reason for this may be that intermediary banks deduct charges en route, but also because your bank will work out the sterling, Euro or other currency equivalent of the dollar amount on sending, but the money is converted on arrival in Pakistan at the prevailing dollar rate, which may be different. Our bank deducts US$7 in bank charges from the funds received and we will not cover this cost. If there is a shortfall then we will confirm to you the exact amount received (and if requested send you a copy of the receipt from our bank showing the dollar amount received) and will ask you to make up the shortfall in US$ cash on arrival.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If the cancellation is made up to thirty days prior to date of departure for the trip from Islamabad, full payment will be refunded (Your deposit is 100% Refundable except money transfer charges). However, We will deduct $ per person, in case; the trip has been cancelled in less than thirty days. Below are the cancellation charges:

• Between 30 and 21 days prior departure: 15% of Trip cost • Between 21 and 14 days prior departure: 20% of Trip cost • Between 14 and 7 days prior departure: 40% of Trip cost • Less than 7 days before or cancellation without notice: 50% of Trip cost • After arrival in Pakistan: 100% of Trip cost.

If the trip has to be delayed due to cancelled or delayed flights, sickness, accidents, bad weather, road washouts, Govt. restrictions, or any other contingency for which Snowland Treks & Tours Pakistan cannot make provisions, the resulting extra cost for such delays will be charged separately.

If cancelled any time after the commencement of the trip, due to any reason whatsoever, No refund will be given on any unutilized service.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and a current Pakistan Visa are required for the trek. PAKISTANI VISA You must apply for your Pakistan Visa in advance from the High Commission for Pakistan or at the consulate in any of the nearest location. We will provide you assistance and supporting documents to acquire visa. JOINING ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSFERS All clients will be met at Islamabad Airport (If Islamabad package is Included in the trip cost) by the SNOWLAND representative who will arrange the transfer to the group hotel. Similarly, at the end of the trip, transfers will be provided back to Islamabad Airport. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your final confirmation letter. A TYPICAL DAY ON TREK All camp chores are done for you, leaving you free to use your time to the fullest. You carry only a light day pack as your gear is carried by porters. You will be woken (around 6 a.m.) with a cup of tea or coffee brought to your tent/hut. You will have plenty of time to get up and pack your backpack before sitting down to a hot breakfast, during which the porters will be given their loads. After a salubrious breakfast setting off in the pleasant cool of the morning, we will generally reach our lunch stop by 11 a.m. Lunch is usually an hour break to allow for the group meal followed by the staff meal. The cook crew, having overtaken us on the trail, will already have the lunch preparations well under way. This also enables you to do your washing in the warmest part of the day and catch up on your diary or reading. The afternoon walk is generally shorter than the morning session and we hope to establish camp by 4 or 5 p.m. well before dusk. During the day you are free to walk at your own pace and to take as many photographs as you wish. Once we have reached camp and the kitchen is set up, afternoon tea will be prepared (tea, coffee and biscuits) and from then until dinner there is time to rest, explore the surrounding area and villages or sit and chat with staff and local people. Dinner is usually served between 6-7 pm. This is a great time of day for general socializing. After dark, the temperature quickly falls and everyone will soon be tucked up in their sleeping bags. GUIDANCE ON TIPPING In Pakistan, it is expected and common although it is not compulsory to tip the members of your trek crew, including your guide, if you are happy with the services provided. We estimate that US$50 will cover this aspect of your trip expenditure. Towards the end of the trek, the trip leader will help the group to determine an appropriate level of tipping for each crew member, and this is most usually done as a group ‘thank-you’ with ceremony on the final day of trekking. SUPPORT STAFF The group will be accompanied by a full support crew, including a guide, driver, and during the trekking days there will be a cook and kitchen crew, as well as porters to carry all equipment and personal trek bags. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE Your baggage on trek will be carried by porters. The packed weight of your trek bag whilst trekking including your sleeping bag and camping mattress should be no more than your package allowed quota. Note this allowance does not include your mountaineering equipment which will be carried separately in communal bags. It is possible to leave items not required on trek at the group hotel in Islamabad/Gilgit.

SPENDING MONEY Approximately US$ 80-100 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses, including porter and trek crew tips and payment for food (Lunch and Dinners) at hotel in Islamabad and Chilas . Note that money for tips should be changed into local currency (denominations of 500 rupees or smaller only) before you leave Islamabad. It is not necessary to purchase local currency (Pakistan rupees) before your trip. Money can be changed at a reasonable rate at the airport or at authorized money changers near to the hotel. Since you will be changing the majority of your spending money into local currency soon after your arrival, we recommend that you take it in cash. US dollars, Sterling and Euros can readily be exchanged in Islamabad. Credit cards can be used to purchase many goods in Islamabad and are particularly useful for more expensive items such as carpets. It is possible to withdraw cash (rupees only) from cash machines in Islamabad using credit and debit cards. FOOD On trek, the food is a mixture of local and Western, dishes. Breakfasts consist of cereal, muesli or porridge, eggs, bread or chapatti, tea and coffee. Lunches are a picnic from a choice of canned fish, tinned meats, cheese, mixed dry fruits and crackers or chapattis, sometimes accompanied by hot soup and noodles, and finished off with tea or coffee. Dinner taken in a group mess tent it is a three course meal. Our cooks know how to cater for Western tastes so although you will definitely experience the flavour of Pakistani cuisine; you are just as likely to eat egg and chips! We do routinely cater for vegetarians but you must inform us if you wish your diet to be exclusively vegetarian

Trek Food Menu Below is the list of major items we provide in meals with a combination of four or five items a day not all at once.

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

• Porridge • Sardine Fish • Chapatti • Eggs (Omelets/Fried or according to • Peanut butter • Spaghetti demand) • Tuna Fish • Macaroni • Corn Flacks • Paratha • Pasta • Crackers • Rice in different • Muesli • Cookies Sweet varieties • Jam • Cookies Saltish • Meat (Mutton & • Honey • Candies Beef) • Marmalade • Dry Fruit • Eggs • Tin Fruit • Different variety of • Black tea • Potatoes/peas pulses • Coffee • Green tea/Mixed • Fresh vegetables • Milk tea • Backed beans • Coffee • Green peas • Tang etc. • Noodles (Magi) • Salad • Lentils • Green tea etc. • Pudding • Kheer Mix • Custard • Jelly • Cream Cake

LIST OF HOTELS Only One Hotel Night is Included in the trip cost at Chilas Shangrila Climate The warm months of June to September are generally thought to be the best time for trekking in the Karakoram and Himalayas of Pakistan. From mid June to August, we can expect to encounter temperatures as high as 30°C at Fairy Meadows and 40 °C in Chilas, and 25°C at higher elevation during the day time. Above 4000m or 13,000ft snow can fall at any time of the year. At any time of the season the night-time temperature above 4000m or 13,000ft and can drop to –1°C. The weather is generally good throughout the summer season, with clear skies and little rain or snow. However, weather in mountainous areas is difficult to predict, and short-lived storms can occur at any time of the year.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES-Mid June to Mid-August

Region Temperature C Day Night Islamabad 44C 27C Gilgit 34C 12C Chilas 40C 20C Nanga Parbat base camp 28C 0C to -5 Tarishing 20C 10C Rupal 18C 8C

ALTITUDE ACCLIMATIZATION Please also note that individuals vary widely in both their physical response to high altitude and the ability to acclimatize and, since physical fitness does not confer any protection or facilitate acclimatization, it is impossible to predict how you will adapt to the altitude. The greatest protection is avoiding rapid ascents and allowing time for acclimatization. Your body can adapt to altitude if given time. We feel this itinerary specifically provides that option, but you must individually pace yourself to go slowly and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Do not push too hard regardless of how physically fit you may be or feel. Early symptoms of high altitude sickness include: headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, vomiting, dry cough, irregular breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of ankles and eyelids. It is not uncommon to experience some of these symptoms when you first arrive at high altitude and then to have them decrease in severity within a few days. It is important that you inform your Trip Leader immediately of any symptoms or discomfort, however minor, so that they can help you monitor the situation. Please be aware that remaining at high altitude in spite of alarm signals from your body may result in serious illness or even death. Medical conditions that are aggravated or complicated by high altitude include heart diseases, lung diseases, pregnancy, anemia, and sickle cell disease. It is imperative that anyone with any of these conditions consult their physician in detail before attempting this trekking expedition. MAPS The Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV) 1:50,000 topographic map Nanga Parbat Gruppe covers the trek. Fairy Meadow is labeled Mtirchen Wiese, Beyal (which is just north of the 3710m point) is not labeled, Nanga Parbat Base Camp is labelled Hauptlager (high camp), and Camp 1 is labelled Lager I. It labels the peak and glacier Rakhiot, which local people call Raikot. AVOIDING ALTITUDE SICKNESS The below notes on altitude sickness are to point out what it is and to note the symptoms. Problems with altitude sickness can usually be avoided if care is taken to prepare properly. Ensure good physical fitness, chose a trip suitable to your level, staged ascents to allow time for acclimatization, drink plenty of liquid and avoid alcohol, be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and do not ignore symptoms of altitude sickness if they occur. Normal physiologic changes occur in every person who goes to altitude: hyperventilation (breathing faster, deeper, or both), shortness of breath during exertion, changed breathing pattern at night, awakening frequently at night and increased urination. By slowly gaining height we reap the benefits of a gradual gain in fitness and acclimatization. We offer advice based on our experience and with the sensible approach we take on all of our treks, anyone who is well prepared, fit and healthy should have few problems, as we are very careful to allow time to acclimatize to the altitude. Even with these precautions it is still possible for altitude sickness to occur. It is difficult to predict who is likely to suffer from altitude sickness. Sex is not a determinant, nor is age. Your physical condition is important to good altitude adjustment, but sometimes people who are fit ascend too rapidly for their systems to adjust. PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT All our Guides carry a basic first aid kit. However there is only so much that can be carried and you should consult your Doctor about any prescription medicines you wish to carry with you. It is very important to have your own personal medical kit and it is wise to bring all the essentials with you from the home country. as time is limited and it will save you having to go searching for medical supplies in an unfamiliar city. Most medicines are available from chemists in main cities. The following suggestions are based on our experience of travelling, trekking and on the most common medical problems encountered. It is important to check with your doctor in case of allergies to any medications. We suggest that you bring the following: Plasters: Elastoplasts or adhesive tape. Antiseptic cream: Germalene, Savlon etc Crepe or Elasticated Bandage: For knee and ankle support, if you strain in these joints. Blister dressings: Moleskin, compead, spenco dressings etc. Stop at the first sign of a blister forming and use a plaster or moleskin. Cold and Flu Medication: Beechams powders, Lemsip, nasal decongestant and throat lozenges. On treks that stay above 3000 metres for any length of time or on treks with dry conditions it is quite common due to breathing dry, cold air through the mouth to get a sore throat or cough (it may become productive due to irritation not necessarily infection). Treatment For Diarrhoea: Oral rehydration salts, which contain a variety of salts (electrolytes) and sugar. The combination of electrolytes and sugar stimulates water and electrolyte absorption from the gut. It therefore prevents or reverses dehydration and replaces lost salts in conditions such as diarrhoea and vomiting. Preparations such as Imodium or Lomotil are anti-motility drugs, which do not treat the diarrhoea but slows the gut. They should only be used when the condition is causing dehydration, much distress or is impossible to deal with on transport. The aim in using them is to take just enough to control the complaint (see section on diarrhoea). General Painkillers: Aspirin, paracetamol and/or ibuprofen etc Insect repellent and after bite cream: Small Pair of Scissors Any Special Medicines: Those you take regularly or will require on your trip. Optional - Treatment for Giardia: A common infection caused by a protozoan in the upper bowel. It develops one to three weeks after exposure and can result in a sudden acute illness or a more long lasting condition. The symptoms are usually explosive and gassy diarrhoea along with burping and wind that tastes and smells like rotten eggs. There may be abdominal pain after eating. Treatment is a course of Metronidazole; this is a prescription drug. Under the advice given by your GP you may consider carrying a course of wide spectrum antibiotic in your personal medical kit. Optional - A Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic: These are a prescription drugs and should be used in consultation with a GP. A broad-spectrum antibiotic e.g. Ciprofloxacin may be useful if travelling to remote areas or for long periods. A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to treat bacterial infectious diarrhoea, dysentery, respiratory, skin and urinary infections. However antibiotics used without proper medical advise can cause or predispose other medical complications and bacterial resistance e.g. Clostridium difficile or MRSA. Under the advice given by your GP you may consider carrying a course of broad-spectrum antibiotic in your personal medical kit. Optional - Use of Acetazolamide (Diamox): For those trekking above 3000 metres, Diamox has been described as an aid to acclimatization and the prevention of altitude sickness. This is a prescription drug unlicensed for use in altitude and should be used in consultation with a GP. GENERAL EQUIPMENT LIST This is a suggested kit list of some items needed when trekking. As you will be travelling and trekking in a Muslim country we ask all our clients to take this into consideration, especially in the way they dress in the cities and villages. It is expected that women will cover legs and shoulders. On trek shorts are accepted for walking, but both men and women should wear trousers when approaching and staying in the villages. Clothing should be casual and hardwearing, easy to wash field clothes are best for most of the holidays. It is best to pack several thinner layers rather than one thick layer. There is a weight limit on trek (12kg). It is best not to pack more items that what you actually need on any holiday. Clothing Lightweight Thermal Underwear: Tops (2), bottoms or long johns (1). Made from polypropylene, Coolmax, Capilene etc, as cotton does not provide adequate warmth. Underwear T-Shirts or Polo Shirts: (3) Capilene, DryFlo or Coolmax are preferred for their quick drying/high wicking ability. Long Sleeved Shirt or Blouse: (1-2) Trekking Trousers (2) e.g. polycotton trousers or zip off trousers. Lightweight Wool or Fleece Jumper: (1) Fleece or Pile Jacket: (1) Duvet Jacket: Medium weight down or synthetic, it needs to fit over all insulation layers. Waterproof Jacket: Good storm proof mountain jacket with attached hood. Waterproof Trousers: Good storm proof trousers with side zips to knee. Travel Clothes: Lightweight cotton, preferably only for travelling in, e.g. separate to trekking gear. Mitts & Gloves Synthetic Gloves: 1 pair light weight fleece/wool/pile. Mitts: To fit over gloves Footwear Boots: It is most important that you have well fitting, comfortable boots, lightweight boots (Gore-Tex or leather). Boots are to be preferred rather than training shoes for the actual trekking, giving your ankles and feet much better support on rough and stony ground and providing better grip. Boots protect the feet from bruising or damage caused by protruding stones or boulders. Boots should be sturdy enough to take flexible crampons. Training Shoes/Sandals: For travelling in and around the cities, hotels and at camp. Also for wearing when crossing streams to protect feet. Socks: 2-3 pairs of thin liner socks (polypropylene or Coolmax) to be worn next to the skin. This reduces the incidence of blisters and hot spots. AND 2-3 pairs of thicker wool or wool blend socks. Gaiters: Useful if we encounter snow. Crampons: for the walk to Advance Base Camp. It is important to have the correct crampons for your boots. Headgear Sun Hat: Baseball cap or wide brimmed sun hat. Wool or Fleece Hat Head Torch: e.g. Petzl Tikka, Zipka or Black Diamond Moonlight and spare batteries. Sunglasses: Essential to get a pair, which cuts out 100% UV rays. It is a good idea to also have a spare pair of good sunglasses. Glacier glasses with side covers are recommended. At altitude the sun is very intense and reflects brilliantly off snow. EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES Rucksack or Day Sack: This is what you carry containing any items you will need during the day, e.g. camera, water bottle, jumper, waterproofs, personal first aid kit (or part of it), toilet paper & lighter etc. A rucksack of around 35 to 40 litres capacity should be large enough, lined with one large plastic bag to ensure contents remain dry. Padded hip belts are recommended for trekkers. When we have early starts or in the higher valleys, the mornings can be quite cold, you will want to be wearing your warm clothing. Sleeping Bag & Liner: A good quality 4-season down or synthetic bag and cotton, thermal or silk liner. Suggested manufacturers RAB, Mountain Equipment, North Face, Ajungilak, Vango. Scarf/Bandana: Silk, cotton or nylon for keeping the sun off the back of your neck or dust out of your mouth. Water Bottle: 1x 1 Litre (Platypus, Sigg or Nalgene bottles are recommended). Sigg bottles also makes great hot water bottle! Sun Screen: High protection factor 20-30 or higher Lip Screen: High protection factor 20-30 or higher Toilet Items: Soap, travel towel, flannel (or J-cloth), toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, sanitary protection, toilet paper is provided but bring a roll for personal use and at airports! Sewing Kit: Needle, cotton and a few safety pins for emergency repairs. Small Knife: Swiss army style - has many uses (do not carry this in hand luggage when taking international or internal flights it will be confiscated). Notebook/Diary/Pens Small Padlocks: Essential for locking your kit bag and bags left at the hotel. Passport & Spare Passport Photographs: (3-4 plus any required for permits) A Copy of Your Insurance Certificate: This is very important and useful. Money Belt: To carry valuables (passport, money, air ticket) this should be worn at all times when travelling. High Energy Trek Snacks: Sweets, chocolate bars, dried fruit, glucose sweets, Kendal mint cake. These can make all the difference in unfamiliar surroundings. Personal Medical Kit: (see list above). Cigarette Lighter/Matches: For burning toilet paper and rubbish. Wet Wipes: One pack very useful for wiping hands, face and other parts of body. Antibacterial Hand Cleansing Gel: Small bottle. OPTIONAL Walking Poles/Ski Stick(s): These can reduce the impact on your knees! 1-2 telescopic for easy carrying. Thermarest: self-inflating ¾ length mattress is ideal (with repair kit). On camping treks a basic mattress is provided but for added comfort on camping treks you may wish to bring a Thermarest. Camera Gear: Binoculars: A small pair advisable. Reading Material: 1 book (trekkers remember: books are heavy and awkward for porters to carry). IPod or MP3 player: For those early nights (remember to bring spare batteries and/or charger). Umbrella: Not only for rain but they make great sunshades. Sandals: For river/stream crossings CAMERA EQUIPMENT A 35mm system with interchangeable lens will allow you to get the best shots in most conditions. A wide angle (28-35mm) and a telephoto (80-200mm) are very useful. Skylight filters protect your lens and a polarising filter is useful for colour contrast. A brush for cleaning your lens is important and your camera and lens need to be in a protective case/bag. If you are using a digital camera bring enough media storage, spare batteries, battery charger and travel adapter. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PACKING • Keep the weight and bulk down to a minimum. • Baggage allowance on most international flights is around 20kg. Most people tend to bring more clothes than they actually need. • You only need one change of clothes for time spent in towns/cities. • On treks your kit bag weight should be kept to below 15kg. • For all trips but especially trekking it is important to dress in layers. When it is hot you will only be wearing light trousers and T-shirt, when it gets colder you can add to this until you are wearing most of your clothes! • Fragile and valuable items should be carried in your hand baggage. • Camera gear should be carried as hand luggage in a padded or protective bag, discreet bags are ideal as they do not advertise the expensive contents and attract unwanted attention. • Any excess baggage charges will have to be borne by you. • Pack all batteries, knives, sharp object and lighters into your main luggage to avoid confiscation by security personnel. • Take a small sealable clear plastic bag if you wish to take liquid items such as toothpaste onboard the aircraft. • Do not leave bags unattended at airports. WHY PAKISTAN WITH SNOWLAND TREKS AND TOURS? EXPERIENCE SNOWLAND TREKS AND TOURS has 17 years’ experience of adventure travel in Pakistan and Xinxiang province of china. All of our trips are accompanied by experienced guides, most of whom have worked with SNOWLAND groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. Alongside the group guide, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. SNOWLAND can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than Snowland. Financial Protection Going on any adventure trip will require a substantial sum of money to be paid in advance. Yet trusting a company you have no prior experience with involves risk. However, we are a fully bonded/licensed tour operator authorized by the Government of Pakistan’s, Ministry of Tourism. We are also affiliated with several prestigious regulating bodies such as Pakistan Association of Adventure Tour Operators (PATO), Baltistan Association of Adventure Tour Operators (BAATO). Additionally, we have launched our new European affiliate located in the London to further ensure that your payment is secure with us. RESPONSILE TOURISM Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with SNOWLAND’s travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel.

Snowland Treks and Tours Pakistan

0092-346-5181283 Clifton Bridge Road, Skardu, Pakistan