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Exploring Pakistan |
TREKKING IN
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Destinations of the Month |
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Nanga Parbat Climbing Expedition
Nanga Parbat means the naked
mountain. Its original and appropriate name, however is Diamir the King of
the Mountains. Nanga Parbat massif is the
western corner pillar of the Himalayas. It is an isolated range of peaks
just springing up from nothing, and is surrounded by the rivers Indus and
Astore. Nanga Parbat (Main) has a height of
8,126m) 26660 ft. it has three vast faces. The Raikot face is dominated by
the North and South silver crags and silver plateau, the Diamer face is
rocky in the beginning. It converts itself into ice fields around Nanga
Parbat peak. The Rupal face is the highest precipice in the World.
Nanga Parbat peak was discovered in the nineteenth century by Europeans. The
Schlagintweit brothers, who hailed from Munich (Germany) came in 1854 to
Himalayas and drew a panoramic view which is the first known picture of
Nanga Parbat.
Climbing History: Nanga Parbat has been always remained challenge for the
mountaineers and adventure seekers. It has so far claimed more than 50 lives.
it was climbed by the legendary mountaineer, Hermann Buhl, first time in
June 1953. A lot of mountaineers perished on Nanga Parbat since 1895, even
today it is claming a heavy tell of human life lives from the mountaineers
in search of adventure and thrill or becoming its victims in persuit of
their eagerness to find new and absolutely unclimbed route leading to its
summit. Nanga Parbat is a difficult approach because the over land
journey to its valley involves an arduous trek across the rugged hills.
Itinerary
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38 DAYS ITINERARY
(Day by Day) |
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DAY 01: ARRIVAL ISLAMABAD
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Arrival Islamabad today.
A member of the Vertical Explorers staff will
meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel.
Today either you can relax or you can enjoy an exploratory walk in the
old part of Rawalpindi; wander past the vegetable and spice markets,
beautifully carved old houses and trucks, cows pestering the vegetable
vendors, catch traditional craftsmen at work in silver and gold
bazaars .You will then continue on the main street linking the Twin
cities - Murree Road - before arriving at the gleaming new capital,
Islamabad. You pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas -
a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks.
You will then stop at the Shakar Parian to catch a bird's eye view of
Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque which is the
landmark of Islamabad. This evening you
will enjoy a welcome dinner
with other
trekkers. |
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Meals
provided: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Green
Palace Hotel, Civic Hotel, Regency Hotel |
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DAY 02: GILGIT OR CHILAS |
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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 is K2 (2nd
highest in the world and Nanga Parbat (killer mountain) and countless
peaks and glaciers. It is
sometime possible to catch a glimpse of K2 in the distant before our
dramatic landing at Skardu. On arrival we are met by our local staff
with jeeps and make the short transfer to the hotel. If the flight is
unable to operate because of bad weather, we will resort to travel by
road on Karakoram Highway (KKH) to Chilas. The drive is compensated by
the beautiful scenery along the Karakoram highway and Indus gorges. The
journey on the Karakoram Highway is most exciting and thrilling. It is a
monument to the engineering feast and one of the most spectacular roads
and the world’s highest metalled border crossing. It connects Pakistan
and China stretching over a distance of 1300km between Islamabad and
Kashgar, winding through three mountain ranges and following the ancient
Silk route along the Indus Valley to the Chinese border at Khunjerab
Pass. We pass through the historical town of Taxila, beautiful hill
station of Abbottabad, quake affected lush green towns of Mansehra,
Shinkiari and finally meet the great Indus on Thakot Bridge. From there
onward the road snails along the bank of the Indus with contrasting
landscape after every two kilometers. We pass through Besham, Dassu,
Komila and Shatial to arrive at Chilas with many rocks carving and
inscriptions along the way left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient
travelers of 5th century A.D. CHILAS was on the ancient
caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India. The drive through the
Indus Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off! The view after
crossing the Rai kot Bridge of Nanga Parbat is without any parallel.
Standing at around 1,000 m. you see a mountain which rises to above
8,000 m! This is the largest land escarpment in the world.
Flight: 45 Minutes Drive: 10-12 hrs |
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Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation:Chilas
In Hotel (Chilas), Mashabrum Hotel, Concordia (Skardu)
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DAY 03: CHILAS / GILIGT NANGAPARBAT BASE CAMP |
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After breakfast drive to Riakot on Karakoram Highway as it carves a
swathe through the meeting points of world three largest congregation of
mountains at Shigarpa before Juglot, is an adventure in itself. Then
further drive by jeep to Tato & hike to Fairy Meadows.
Tato: The steep and difficult ascent on a rocky trail will lead
the group to a small hamlet of Tato which is comprised of few clay lofts
scattered around. This village is inhabited by the upright and fierce
yet very hospitable Chilasi people whose origin is Kohistan.
Fairy Meadows: The traditional base camp of Nanga Parbat,
known as Fairy Meadows. The local people believe that this beautiful
place is an abode of fairies and ghosts. The lush green plateau presents
some of the most spectacular sights one can ever witness. One forgets
the tiring walk up to this magnificent site when one beholds a landscape
of rushing torrents with a panoramic back - drop of the mighty Nanga
Parbat.
Walk: 02-03 hrs, Grade :
Moderate, Altitude : 2900 M |
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Meals
provided: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Riveria Hotel, Giglit Gateway , Chilas Inn Hotel |
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DAY 04 - 35 CLIMBING ACTIVITIES |
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This
day may be needed for logistics or for rest. Alternatively, leaving
Skardu today will enable us to enjoy an extra day of trekking.
Drive: 10-12 hrs. |
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Meals
provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mobile
Camp |
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DAY 36: NANGA PARBAT BASE CAMP- BESHAM |
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After breakfast descend Tato and
Raikot bridge by the same route all the way then drive to Besham on
Karakoram Highway(KKH).
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Meals
provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Besham
Continental, Midway Hotel, PTDC |
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DAY 37:
BESHAM - RAWALPINDI |
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Today we will have to drive the Karakoram Highway to Rawalpindi through
the narrow gorge of the Indus River . The outcome is in the lap of the
Gods, so we will be praying that they’re on our side! If we are able to
fly down, for those who want to escape the heat of the city a very
pleasant excursion is up to the former British hill station at Murree.
The faded remnants of the town’s colonial past can be seen in its
gable-roofed buildings and small Anglican churchyard. This excursion is
not included in the trip price but if several members of the group wish
to make this journey a private vehicle and driver can be hired locally
for a very modest sum. Back in Rawalpindi we enjoy a final evening meal
usually taken at one of traditional food streets either in Islamabad or
in Rawalpindi. |
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Meals
provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Regency Hotel or Green Palace Hotel |
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DAY 38: RAWALPINDI
- ONWARDS |
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De-briefing at Ministry of Tourism
Islamabad. Private transfer to Islamabad
International Airport for your departure flight. |
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Meals
provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None |
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End of Services |
2009
Group Departure Dates from Islamabad:
June 10, July 9
August 1
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