Rupal Base Camp Trek
🏞️ Discover the Beauty Beneath the Killer Mountain
The Nanga Parbat Rupal Base Camp Trek offers a mesmerizing journey to the foot of the world’s 9th highest mountain, Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), from its southern Rupal face – one of the tallest vertical mountain walls on Earth. Located in the Astore District of Gilgit-Baltistan, this trek leads through peaceful alpine villages, green pastures, and flowing rivers into a realm of glacial beauty and mountain grandeur.
Unlike the popular Fairy Meadows (Raikot face), the Rupal route is less crowded, more serene, and just as breathtaking. Trekkers are rewarded with stunning views of Rupal Peak, Laila Peak, Mazeno Wall, and of course, the awe-inspiring Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat.
📍 Location:
Rupal Valley, Astore District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
📆 Trek Duration:
5 to 7 days (from Tarashing and back)
10 to 12 days (including Islamabad to return and buffer days)
🏔️ Trek Overview:
The trek begins from Tarashing, a quiet alpine village nestled at the edge of Tarashing Glacier. After crossing the glacier and the river, trekkers enter the Rupal Valley, a fertile, picturesque area dotted with pastures, grazing yaks, and wooden huts.
The trail continues to Rupal Village, then gradually ascends to Herligkoffer Base Camp (also called Rupal Base Camp), named after Karl Herligkoffer, a German mountaineer who led early Nanga Parbat expeditions. This camp lies directly below the towering Rupal Face, offering unmatched views of ice cliffs, hanging glaciers, and the full magnitude of the mountain.
🧗 Difficulty Level:
Easy to Moderate
→ No technical climbing
→ Good fitness required due to altitude and terrain
🌿 Scenic Features:
→ Tarashing Glacier – crossed early in the trek
→ Rupal River – flowing alongside the trail
→ Shepherd meadows with grazing cattle and yaks
→ Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat – towering over 4,600m vertical rise
→ Snow-covered peaks and colorful wildflowers in summer
📅 Best Time to Trek:
Mid-June to Late September
→ Snow has cleared and weather is stable
→ Alpine flowers bloom in July-August
🧳 Recommended Gear:
→ Trekking boots, daypack
→ Warm layers, gloves, waterproofs
→ Sleeping bag (if camping), headlamp
→ Sun protection, reusable water bottle
→ Basic first-aid kit
🕌 Cultural Highlights:
→ Visit Tarashing and Rupal Villages – home to Balti-speaking mountain communities
→ Learn about German expeditions to Nanga Parbat from locals
→ Enjoy organic food, local hospitality, and peaceful mountain life
🌟 Why Choose the Rupal Base Camp Trek?
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Quiet Trails | Escape the crowds at Fairy Meadows and enjoy solitude |
| Magnificent Views | Best view of the massive Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat |
| Cultural Touch | Meet local shepherds and Balti villagers |
| Accessible | Can be done in 5–7 days from Tarashing |
| Flexible Extensions | Option to extend to Mazeno Pass or explore further into Astore |
🔚 Conclusion:
The Nanga Parbat Rupal Base Camp Trek is a soul-stirring journey into the heart of the Himalayas, offering a close encounter with the towering beauty of Nanga Parbat, far from commercialization and crowds. Ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers, this trek takes you through a peaceful alpine dreamscape to stand face-to-face with one of the most legendary peaks on Earth.
🧭 Trek Highlights:
→ Close-up view of Nanga Parbat’s southern face (Rupal Face)
→ Pass through Tarashing Village, Rupal Valley, and Herligkoffer Base Camp
→ Witness lush green valleys, alpine forests, and glaciers
→ Traditional Balti villages and warm mountain hospitality
→ Optional extension to Mazeno Base Camp or cross Mazeno Pass
🏁 Starting Point:
→ Tarashing Village (2,900m) – accessible via jeep from Astore
Itinerary
Day 1-Islamabad:
You will be greeted by the team of Chogholingsa Trek at Islamabad International airport then transfer you along with your luggage to a centrally located hotel in Islamabad check-in at the hotel after a short rest then we will go for an Islamabad city tour. Overnight stay in Islamabad.
Day 2-Islamabad – Gilgit:
We rise early to be at the airport in time for our flight to Gilgit. If the weather is good, we’ll be treated to one of the finest views available in the world of aviation, as we thread our way up the largest congregation of mountains of Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalaya, and Indus River gorges, third longest in Asia and one of the deepest in the world.
To our east are Nanga Parbat (killer mountain) and countless peaks and glaciers. It is sometimes possible to catch a glimpse of K2 in the distance before our dramatic landing at Gilgit. On arrival in Gilgit then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Gilgit.
Day 3-Gilgit – Tarishing Astore Valley:
Drive from Gilgit to Tarishing in Astore valley sightseeing en route we will have a short stop at Nanga Parbat viewpoint and the junction point of the three greatest mountain ranges where they meet at one point than further drive to Astore Valley on arrival in Tarishing check-in at Guest House. Overnight stay in Tarishing.
Day 4-Tarishing – Nanga Parbat base camp:
Today after breakfast our walk starts from Tarishing (2911m) climbing gradually to the Tarishing Glacier lateral moraine, near the north edge, and crossing the glacier on a trail, continuing up to the gentle valley through Rupal village.
Rising gradually through Rupal valleys lush fields, the trail follows the valley’s north side up a narrow green valley, through groves of willow, poplar, and juniper then you pass a small lake and round a corner of the Bazhin camp, flat, green meadows 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 campsite is named after Dr. Karl M HERRLIGKOFFER the leader of eight German expeditions to NANGA PARBAT, including the first successful expedition in 1953.
A side trip of several hours up this ablation valley leads to a point on the moraine directly above the BAZHIN Glacier and across from icefall coming from the summit. Overnight Camping at Herligkoffer base camp.
Day 5-Herligkoffer base camp – Latobah:
Day 6- Latobah – Shigiari :
After breakfast further, two hour takes you around the end of a second moraine, with a lake on the top (Basically this Lake is less frequently visited and has no name and it exists at the foot of NANGA PARBAT so that is why we gave it a name NANGA PARBAT Lake 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 a white stone in Shina) 30 minutes away. This is a good campsite at about 3660 meters, with freshwater, firewood, and superb views of the south face of NANGA PARBAT. Overnight camping at Shigiari.
Day 7-Latobah – Mazeno base camp:
The trail follows the Bazhin Glacier’s north margin and crosses several streams before it reaches Mazeno Glacier’s terminus. Afternoon trek back to Latobah. Overnight camping at Latobah.
Day 8-Latobah – Tarishing:
Trek back from Latobah to Tarishing. Overnight stay in Tarishing.
Day 9-Tarishing – Naran Valley:
After an early breakfast, we will start to drive from Tarishing to Naran Valley via Babusar Pass arrival in Naran Valley check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Naran Valley.
Day 10-Naran – Islamabad:
In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Islamabad arrival in Islamabad and we will do the city tour of Islamabad and after the farewell dinner party then we will drop you at the airport to take the flight back home.
Included
S# | DETAILS |
01 | Airport pick and drop |
02 | Accommodation bed & B.fast, twin bedroom in Islamabad and other cities standard air-condition rooms. |
03 | Flight Ticket or transportation from Islamabad/ Skardu/ Gilgit/chitral or from these cities to Islamabad |
04 | Skardu/Gilgit/Hunza Hotel (bed & breakfast) |
05 | Two nights in Chilas/ Besham hotel (bed & breakfast) incase of flight cancellation. |
06 | Jeeps Skardu/Askoli/ Hushe/ Skardu/shimshal/Chitral/Kalash or vice virsa. |
07 | Wages, insurance, food equipment of cook |
08 | Wages, insurance, food equipment of Assistant cook, |
09 | Wages, insurance, food of Porter Sirdar |
10 | Porter Payment, Low altitude porters. |
11 | Baggage,75 kg (going time) and 50 kgs (on return) for expedition 45 days or more and 25 kg for trekking group & trekking peak |
12 | Full board camp food during trek & at base camp. |
13 | Mess tent, Kitchen tent, store tent, table , chairs and kitchen equipment |
14 | Reconfirmation of international flight tickets. |
15 | Camping fees, road taxes & bridge crossing of expedition members & Porters. |
16 | Porters Equipments. |
17 | Assistance in obtaining climbing permit and other documentations |
18 | Briefing and debriefing in the Ministry of tourism |
19 | CKNP fee: US $ 150/per member |
20 | 1000 US$ guarantee pollution fee. |
21 | 200 US$ environmental protection fund. |
22 | Fuel, Tarpaulin, and Stove for porters. |
23 | Kerosene Oil for porter and Members |
24 | Toilet tent and shower tent |
25 | Members will have individual D-4 in Base camp tents, and mattress for expeditions more than one month |
26 | LO insurance or guide transport and hotel/ equipment and TA/DA. |
27 | Royalty fee and additional member fee |
Not Included
S.# | DETAILS |
01 | Sleeping bags, rucksacks and personal clothing. |
02 | Medication, ground evacuation and helicopter rescue (US$15,000) of any kind. |
03 | Room services, laundry charges, beverages and items of personal nature. Phone /communication |
04 | Climbing food beyond base camp, equipment, high altitude Porters wages bills. |
05 | Insurance or liability of any members. |
06 | Tip to staff |
07 | Custom clearing and forwarding agent’s charge. |
08 | Food & drinks during stay in hotel (City) |
09 | Transport to other cities or places out of itinerary |
10 | Custom clearing and forwarding agent’s charge. |
11 | Extra baggage charges during international or domestic flight |
12 | Insurance or liability of any members. |
