Daily Tour
1 person
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This trek, located in Nagar Valley, is also known as the Minapin or Tagaphari trek and has very easy access from the Karakoram Highway. One of the shortest and easiest treks leading to the base camps of above 7000m Karakoram mountain peaks, this trek offers sweeping views of Rakaposhi (7788m) and Diran (7266m) peaks. The trek starts from the village of Minapin in Nagar Valley that sits along the Minapin river bank above the confluence of the Hunza and Minapin rivers. The lateral moraine above the valley is a great place to watch avalanches sweeping down from the ridges between the Rakaposhi and Diran peaks.
This morning, begin a scenic drive northwards towards Hunza on the Karakorum Highway pausing at Rakaposhi view point known as Ghulmet having stunning views up the Ghulmet Glacier to the peak of Rakaposhi at 7788meters. The North Face of Rakaposhi is declared the longest un-interrupted rise on planet earth (6000 M), starting from the river bank to the crest of Rakaposhi. In 1958 a joint Pakistani/British team made the first ascent of the mountain. After having a snack, we will start the trek up to the Japanese base camp (maximum 4 hours to go up and 2 hours to descend to the Karakoram Highway). Return in the late afternoon and continue the drive to Minapin, which at 2010m, is one of the prettiest villages in Nagar Valley. Overnight in a local lodge/guest house.
Set off from Minapin following the path of the Minapin River. Walnut trees shade the path and provide a home for nesting orioles. The trail turns south into the canyon, crosses a footbridge and rises 183m on switchbacks before easing off and entering an open, aromatic juniper forest. Continue along the broad, shaded trail, rising gradually to the huts at Bang-i-das, along a clear stream that tumbles over a cascade at the head of this pleasant side valley. The trail follows the stream and forks left to the grassy, tiered meadow of Hapakun (2810m) bordered by stands of mature fir trees. Overnight in camp.
This morning continue on a trail perpendicular to the water channel which climbs through dusty switchbacks to a verdant bowl where wildflowers and colourful songbirds thrive. The trail then traverses a rocky cliff above the spectacularly broken Minapin Glacier to Tagaphari (3260m). Once a muddy (taga) lake (phari), as its Burushaski name indicates, it’s now a level pasture, where cows and oxen graze. There are a number of good grassy camp sites along the meandering stream and a small seasonal spring lies at the base of the rocky slope towards the head of this small valley. Overnight in camp.
Tagaphari to Diran Base camp is a challenging and strenuous round trip trek requiring traversing the heavily crevassed Minapin glacier. The trail sharply descends to the glacier for about 2 to 3 hours and then requires an immediate climb and traverse across the glacier which takes 3 hours one-way. The Diran Peak base camp is at 3700m, and there is a small green meadow that marks the spot. After a short rest, return along the same route. For those that do not wish to take this strenuous hike, there are small side trips one can take, or alternatively just enjoy the wonderful views of Rakaposhi and Diran peaks from the Tagaphari meadows. Overnight in camp.
Our return journey follows the same trail through Hapakun meadow to Minapin and our lodge/guest house. As this is a leisurely descent, one can stop along the way to enjoy the views, dip one’s feet in the icy cold streams and avoid the frisky cattle and yaks grazing in the pastures. Overnight in Minapin lodge/ guest house.
This morning we bid farewell to our verdant village of Minapin to rejoin the Karakoram Highway to Gilgit, where on arrival one will be transferred to one’s lodging establishment. Alternatively, one can continue to Gulmit and join the Patundas Meadow trek in Upper Hunza.
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