Overview
The Rakaposhi & Diran Peak BC Trek is a short and accessible journey leading to the Base Camps of two prominent mountains in the Karakoram Range of the Nagar Valley. This trek is suitable for individuals with little or no prior trekking experience, offering a chance to witness the rich natural beauty of the region. The trek takes you into the lap of Rakaposhi and Diran through Tagaphari, with a return to the campsite adjacent to the glacier on the same day. The green sheer ridge overlooking the campsite provides a panoramic viewpoint, offering a perfect 360-degree view of surrounding mountains, glaciers, pastures, and valleys.
This trek leads to the base camps of Karakoram peaks that surpass 7000 meters. The sweeping view from Rakaposhi to Diran is a highlight of this trek. The Minapin Glacier descends from the 16 km long fluted snowy ridge connecting Rakaposhi and Diran. The trek is an excellent, short, and easy route from Minapin to Rakaposhi Base Camp, making Tagaphari an ideal introduction to soft adventure trekking in the Karakoram Mountains.
The journey from Minapin Village to Hapakun takes two to three hours, leading to a pleasant and clean campsite. The local community porters are known for being tourist-friendly and hardworking. Starting the trek in the morning is recommended to avoid the heat of the sun. The trek from Hapakun to Rakaposhi Base Camp takes 3-4 hours of slow walking, with fixed camping sites and access to clean water.
For Diran Base Camp, one needs to cross the Katchelly Glacier, which takes 2-3 hours on the moraine. It is optional to complete the round trip in one day (taking 6-7 hours) or stay overnight at the Diran Base Camp and return to Tagaphari the next morning. There are additional options to stay in Tagaphari and explore around Rakaposhi Base Camp. The Rakaposhi and Diran Peaks Trekking promise unforgettable and beautiful experiences to cherish.
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FAQs
Pakistan has only been negatively advertised by the mainstream international media. A country of more than 220 million people, Pakistan is among the low crime rate states. An odd incident may happen as it happens everywhere in the world. Feedback, guest reviews, and Vlogs by international travelers visiting different regions of Pakistan at different times are testimony safety and warm hospitality of its people. Besides holiday makers, there are hundreds of foreigners working in multinational companies, NGOs, and diplomats serving foreign missions who travel the length and breadth of Pakistan comfortably. Tourists are only advised to use the services of registered and reputed travel agencies to ensure the most comfortable and reliable holiday possible.
As health regulations change from time to time, it is best to check for the latest advice while applying for a Pakistani visa at the Pakistani embassy in your country. After the outburst of Covid 19, there are strict regulations by airlines and destinations on traveling. Vaccination certificates against Covid 19 must be carried out while Covid 19 negative (PCR) tests are mandatory before traveling to and out of Pakistan. For further assistance please visit https://covid.gov.pk/
The Rakaposhi and Diran Peak Trek is perhaps among the easiest hikes through the pastures of Minapin Valley to the lap of Rakaposhi and Diran Peak. The trail is easy, the campsites are located at decent distances and can be done at an easy pace without any prior trekking experience.
Please share your plan, dates and other people planning to travel with you so that we can arrange accordingly.
This trek is not as physically demanding as other strenuous treks. a little prior walking practice should work.
The maximum altitude on the trek is Diran Peak BC at 4000m
There is a detailed list of must-carry and optional equipment’s which covers the required equipment and baggage to carry. If you have previous trekking experience, you may select your personal requirement.
● Important medicine/first aid kit
● Hiking backpack and sticks
● Head-torch/flashlight with extra batteries
● Sunglasses
● Sunblock and lip balm
● Water bottle
● Glows and warm pairs of socks
● Warm cap, hat, and scarf (to avoid scorching sun)
● Full sleeves shirt
● Waterproof trousers and raincoat
● Trekking shoes and flip-flops
● Trekking poles (optional)
● Warm layers of clothing
● Camera with additional batteries (optional)
● Cell phone with charger and charging bank (optional)
● Binoculars (optional)
We are a Member Company of Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) and helicopter rescue plan is part of the program we offer.
For any rescue mission we are required to deposit advance payment in favor of PATO out of which a small percentage is non-refundable (will be discussed at the time of confirmation) while rest is refundable (in case service was not availed). This entire amount is required to be paid by the client in advance. If there is any insurance policy on part of the client that can cover the impending bill, that needs to be submitted.
We do. We can organize customized tours/treks for solo trekkers and groups of any volume, but we prefer not more than 12. All we need is the information on the interest, dates, and number of persons with special instructions if any.
The maximum size of our groups is 20 persons. The average size of our groups is 10 members.
During this trek, all three meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be served to the participants. A combination of Foreign and Pakistani meals will be included in our food plan. The ingredients for the food will be procured in Pakistan. Breakfasts will have coffee, cereal, tea, eggs, muesli/porridge, bread/chapatti included. Lunches will be consumed during lunch breaks on the trek with options include canned/tinned meals (meat, fish), pickles, crackers, chapatti, pate, cheese etc. Weather has a very important role in deciding our lunch menu for the day; the participants will begin the lunch with consuming or end it with tea or coffee, juice, soup etc.
The dinner will always be served in the mess tent and the participants will gather to eat the food freshly prepared by the cooks travelling with our group. The first few days of the trekking, fresh vegetables will be served in food if they are fresh and healthy. All the participants who are vegetarian, they must communicate with our office and inform us on advance basis if they need a vegetarian food plan during the trek.
During the trek, Iodized water will be available for the participants throughout the mornings, while taking breaks and camping. Everyone will be consuming spring water every time its available otherwise if we run out of options for the participants may drink glacier water that possibly have silt. The kitchen containers which are very large in size are used to keep the water storage and it is also helpful in settling down the silt particles at the bottom. If any participants have any issue with odor of iodine, they may bring their own supplies of bi-carbonated soda. Traditional methods are effective and work very well for everyone there is no harm in the experimentation of new methods.
While few nights will be spent in the capital city of Islamabad and along the Karakorum Highway, the rest of the nights will consist of camping in tents between the magnificent mountains. The accommodation arrangement is Islamabad is of standard hotels while our hotels selected in Chilas and Passu and Hunza are the best available. Rooms at our provided hotels will be on twin sharing basis with en-suite amenities.
At the time of camping, the participants will be sharing a tent fit for two persons. If any participant is coming alone on this trek, he/she will be accommodated with one of the other members for tent and room sharing. For strangers and solo trekkers, first preference will be given to same gender stays. Nevertheless, a participant can opt for separate tent of hotel rooms as he/she likes, however additional cost will be incurred for making separate arrangement. Any participants seeking separate accommodation must inform our office in advance.
For Rakaposhi and Diran Peak BC, there are make-shift tent valleys where food and accommodation is provided by local organizers. On the road trips, all food and accommodation will be arranged in decent hotels. Most of the days will be spent while driving and making brief stopovers at key attractions.
All nationalities must obtain a valid visa for entry into Pakistan. Tourists are advised to contact the nearest Pakistan Embassy/High Commission/consulate in their respected country/city. For the detailed information on visa, please refer to https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/ Pakistan does have visa on arrival facility for a number of countries. Please check the details here https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-on-arrival-tourist/
Portable chargers, storage cards and extra batteries may be required during the trekking holiday. We advise you to make a relevant list of adapters, sockets and any other kind of electrical items you might require keeping your devices function as long as possible.
Tipping in Pakistan is not obligatory; it is entirely at one’s own discretion. Staff generally expects to be tipped at the end of the tour. If the staff during the trip performed well, a good tip is considered well-deserved. However, there is no defined amount as it depends on the situation, number of days spent and performance of the staff. With groups clients can join in to add to an amount.
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