A moderate and scenic trek in Nagar Valley taking you through forests, meadows, glaciers, and high-altitude viewpoints. Explore Rakaposhi Base Camp, Diran Base Camp, Kachely Glacier, Kachely Lake, and the culture of Hunza & Nagar before ending in Gilgit.
Overview
The Rush Lake Trek is one of the most scenic and exciting adventures in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. This route takes you from Islamabad to the lush valleys of Naran or Besham, then into Gilgit and onward to the picturesque Hoper Valley.
The trek includes crossing two major glaciers — Hoper and Barpu — viewing terraced fields, meadows, and dramatic rock formations. At 4,700 meters, Rush Lake is Pakistan’s highest lake and one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. The return trail passes through Phay Phary and Hamder, giving trekkers breathtaking views of Golden Peak and surrounding ridges.
The journey ends with a relaxing stay in Karimabad (Hunza), shopping, fort visits, and cultural exploration before heading back to Islamabad.
Highlights
- Reach Rush Lake (4,700 m) — one of the highest alpine lakes
- Optional climb to Rush Peak
- Cross Hoper & Barpu Glaciers
- Camp at Bericho Kor, Chidin Haray & Phay Phary
- Panoramic views of Karakoram giants
- Explore Nagar & Hunza valleys
- Visit Karimabad, Altit & Baltit Forts
- Ideal trek for beginners & nature lovers
Itinerary
Warm welcome at Islamabad Airport.
Transfer to the hotel and rest after the flight.
Starting point: Islamabad Airport
Ending point: Islamabad
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive through the scenic Kaghan Valley, passing lakes, peaks, and forests.
Cross Babusar Pass (seasonal) depending on road conditions.
Overnight stay in Naran Kaghan or Besham/Chilas.
Starting point: Islamabad
Ending point: Naran / Besham / Chilas
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue the journey to Gilgit along the Karakoram Highway.
Arrival in Gilgit and check-in.
Prepare food and supplies needed for the trek.
Starting point: Naran/Besham/Chilas
Ending point: Gilgit
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Hoper Valley, famous for its glaciers and terraced fields.
Arrange porters and pack food and trekking luggage.
Overnight stay in Hoper.
Starting point: Gilgit
Ending point: Hoper Valley
Breakfast at Hoper.
Start trekking toward Bericho Kor — 4 to 5 hours of gentle ascent.
Camp setup at Bericho Kor for acclimatization.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Starting point: Hoper
Trek duration: 4–5 hours
Ending point: Bericho Kor
Breakfast at camp.
Easy 2-hour trek to reach the stunning Rush Lake at 4,700m.
Enjoy the crystal-clear water and panoramic view of Rakaposhi Group.
Dinner and overnight at Rush Lake camp.
Starting point: Chidin Haray
Ending point: Rush Lake
Breakfast at camp.
A relaxation day at Rush Lake.
Optional summit of Rush Peak (weather permitting).
Enjoy one of the best panoramic views in the Karakoram.
Dinner and overnight at camp.
Starting point: Rush Lake
Ending point: Rush Lake
Breakfast at camp.
Trek down for 3–4 hours to Phay Phary near the Barpu Glacier.
Set up camp and enjoy a bonfire with local porters’ traditional dance.
Starting point: Rush Lake
Ending point: Phay Phary
Breakfast at camp.
Trek 4 hours, crossing the white and black glaciers — an unforgettable experience.
Reach Hamder, offering a stunning view of Golden Peak.
Dinner and overnight camping.
Starting point: Phay Phary
Ending point: Hamder
Breakfast at camp.
Descend from Hamder to Hoper Valley.
Say goodbye to the porters and enjoy lunch.
Drive to Karimabad for a well-deserved luxurious stay.
Starting point: Hamder
Ending point: Karimabad (Hunza)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free time for shopping in Karimabad.
Visit Baltit Fort and Altit Fort.
Drive to Gilgit in the afternoon.
Starting point: Karimabad
Ending point: Gilgit
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive back toward Naran or Besham, depending on road conditions.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Starting point: Gilgit
Ending point: Naran / Besham
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Islamabad and check into the hotel.
After freshening up, visit Faisal Mosque and Pakistan Monument.
Starting point: Naran/Besham
Ending point: Islamabad
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport and farewell.
Trip Ends
Includes/Excludes
What’s Included
- Accommodation in hotels and tents on twin-sharing
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Professional local trekking guide
- Porters for luggage and camping load
- Camping equipment including tents and mats
- Food supplies for trekking days
- All transportation from Islamabad to Islamabad
- Entry fees for forts and sites
- Airport transfers
What’s Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Personal trekking gear
- Snacks, bottled water, or personal beverages
- Travel insurance or emergency rescue
- Tips for porters, helpers, and guides
- Any services not mentioned in the inclusions
Need to know
➔ The road journey between Gilgit and Besham is quite lengthy and the road
condition is not optimal.
➔ In the event that Babusar Top is open and the route through Naran-Kaghan valley
is taken, the road condition is improved.
➔ There are three hours set aside in the evening (6:00 pm-9:00 pm) and three hours
in the morning (7:00 am-10:00 am) for your convenience.
➔ In the North, many hotels do not have heaters, but you can request double
blankets if needed. Some hotels may also provide heating mattresses.
➔ There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into Pakistan. However, if you are
taking medication for conditions like diabetes or heart problems, it is recommended
that you carry the necessary medicines in your carry-on luggage to ensure that you
have them with you in case your main luggage is delayed.
➔ During the spring and autumn seasons, the average daytime temperature in
Northern Pakistan is around 15-20 Celsius, while the average nighttime temperature
is around 10-15 Celsius. In the summer, the average daytime temperature in
Northern Pakistan is around 20-30 Celsius, while the average nighttime temperature
is around 15-25 Celsius. In Islamabad, the average daytime temperature during
spring and autumn can be 25-30 Celsius, while the nighttime temperature is around
15-25 Celsius.
➔ Islamabad accepts credit cards such as Visa and Master Card, but it’s advisable
to carry cash in Pakistani Rupee while traveling outside the capital. The official
currency in Pakistan is Pakistani Rupees (PKR), and carrying a small amount of
cash can come in handy while buying snacks, fruits, drinks, or souvenirs on the way.
If you need to convert foreign currency, you can do so in Pakistan. However, it’s
important to note that any US dollars issued earlier than 1996-2009 will be
considered 15% less than their actual value. Also, torn, dirty, or stamped notes can
decrease their value by at least 10%. Therefore, it’s recommended to bring US
dollars issued after 2009 to avoid any inconvenience.
➔ When it comes to tipping, it is customary to give 4-5 USD per day to your local
guide and driver in Pakistan. However, you are free to give more based on the
quality of their service. Keep in mind that this amount may seem small to you, but it
is highly valued by the locals. As for tipping hotel and restaurant staff, it is
recommended to give at least 100 PKR directly to them if they have provided you
with any additional services that have made your stay more enjoyable. Other tipping
is at your discretion.
➔ Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to savor the diverse and delicious
food that the region has to offer. We provide breakfast and dinner during the tour,
and the food menu is mostly similar to Indian cuisine. We offer a rotation of chicken,
beef, mutton, vegetables, rice, and soups every day. We also provide local and
Western breakfast options, along with tea. However, if you have a preference for
certain foods or get tired of the same menu every day, we recommend bringing your
comfort food such as sambal, canned food, or instant noodles.
➔ In the region, the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C (2
round pin) and type D (3 round pin) plugs are commonly used for electronic devices.
It is recommended to bring appropriate adapters for your devices if they are not
compatible with these plug types.
➔ You can find laundry facilities in many hotels and towns during the trip. However,
it’s recommended to plan ahead and choose a two-night stop to ensure you have
enough time to get your laundry done and returned to you in time.
➔ The guided tour will take you to the highest altitude of approximately 4793 meters
at the Khunjerab Pass – the border between Pakistan and China. The visit to this
place will be limited to a maximum of one hour for photography. The average
elevation in Northern Pakistan during the tour will be between 1000-2000 meters.
The highest altitude during a Trekking Tour, on the other hand, will depend on the
itinerary decided for the tour.
➔ We suggest bringing a small or medium-sized suitcase with wheels. For weight
restrictions, if you are flying with Thai Airways for your international flight, you are
allowed one checked bag of up to 25 kg and a carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg. For
domestic flights with PIA Pakistan Airlines, you are allowed one checked bag
weighing up to 20 kg and a carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg.
➔ It’s important to wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes with good support,
particularly if you’re planning to explore the Northern regions of Pakistan. If you’re
traveling during the spring, it’s advisable to bring along a windproof jacket, sweater,
jeans, rain jacket, scarf, cotton socks, and comfortable walking shoes. It’s also
recommended to pack some T-shirts with both long and short sleeves to protect
yourself from the strong UV rays, as well as lightweight cotton trousers.