Tucked away in the heart of the Karakoram Mountain Range, Nangma Valley is a breathtaking gem filled with soaring granite spires, verdant meadows, and untouched alpine beauty, and the remote valley beckons trekkers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts seeking the finest in adventure travel. Known as the “Yosemite of Pakistan,” this secluded spot boasts stunning vistas, and a serene escape from the crowds to be found on more frequented trails.
For years, Pakistan had been my dream trekking destination. The breathtaking images of the towering Karakoram peaks fueled my desire to one day explore its rugged trails. However, the challenge of obtaining a visa kept this dream out of reach until last year, when Pakistan simplified the process by introducing an easy-access online e-visa application, making my long-awaited adventure a reality.
Finally, in the fall of last year, my husband and I had the chance to spend a month exploring northern Pakistan. We flew from Bangkok to Islamabad and immediately boarded a domestic flight to Skardu. The journey itself was breathtaking as we soared above the clouds right next to the mountains. As we flew up the Skardu Valley, on one side of the plane stood the mighty K2, while on the other was the majestic Nanga Parbat. On this flight, no matter where one sits, with clear weather, you are guaranteed a spectacular welcome view.
Beautiful view from Nangma Valley
We spent a few days in Skardu doing day hikes, acclimatizing, sorting out public transport, and taking care of necessities like buying gas canisters and making copies of our visas and passports, which were required for several checkpoints before reaching the trailhead. Since this was an unguided and unsupported trek, we carried plenty of backpacking food and a full set of camping equipment, each of us opting to try out our own new single-person Six Moon Designs tents. While destinations like K2 Basecamp are in restricted areas and expensive to reach, the Nangma Valley trek doesn’t require a permit or a guide, making it an ideal destination for independent trekkers.
Once we had everything prepared for our four-day trek, we took public transport to the village of Machulo, the starting point for those trekking to Machulo Peak Basecamp. The next morning, we embarked on a two-hour private taxi ride to the tiny village of Kanday, the trailhead for Nangma Valley trek, and began our trek to Mingulo Broq, our first campsite.
Mingulo Broq Campsite
For an experienced trekker, this trail is relatively easy. However, beginners may find it moderately challenging, especially dealing with the high-altitude air. Getting up to the stunning, lush green valley of Mingulo Broq takes a leisurely 2 to 3 hours at most, and at an elevation of 11,480 feet, makes for a good acclimatization stop as well as leaving plenty of time to appreciate the surroundings. There’s a huge meadow to camp on, with excellent views up and down valley, and we spent the night here to properly acclimate before ascending further.
Trekking to Nangma Valley
The following day was another easy 2 to 2.5 hours, covering just 2.5 miles but leading to a much higher elevation of 12,960 feet. Along the way, we crossed a few glacial rivers, and as we approached the Nangma Valley, we entered a glacial cirque that featured a breathtaking view of towering granite spires, some of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. A true hidden gem, accessible only to those willing to walk.
We pitched our tents in a prime location, surrounded by famed Karakoram giants like Amin Broq, Changi Tower, K6, and King & Son Peak. The rock walls here are some of the biggest in the world, and rival walls found in Yosemite Valley like El Capitan or Half Dome, only at a much higher elevation. This valley serves as an exceptional base for trekkers, rock climbers, and adventurers eager to explore its rugged and scenic trails.
Trekking towards the K6 Basecamp
Stunning Sunset Over Nangma Valley
With plenty of daylight ahead, we set off on a trek towards the K6 Basecamp, exploring its glacier tongue and returning just in time to witness a spectacular sunset. The entire afternoon was spent soaking up the dramatic beauty of the Nangma Valley, and being completely mesmerized by its massive landscape, which we had completely to ourselves.
View from my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent
On this trip, I made great use of my Lunar Solo tent. It was my second time using it, the first was in the Himalayas of India, in Kashmir, and this time in the Nangma Valley on the Pakistani side of the Himalayas. I enjoyed the tent much more this time, as I had previously mismatched the poles with my husband's Six Moon Skyscape Trekker, a mistake I didn’t realize until we were both setting up our tents and noticed that one of his poles was taller.
Having the right pole this time made a huge difference. I was able to fully appreciate how spacious the tent is, with ample headroom and enough space to store all my gear inside. The simple setup was another major advantage. At night, I left one vestibule open, allowing me to soak in the breathtaking surroundings and enjoy a clear view of the Milky Way.
View of the Amin Broq Basecamp
The following morning, we set out on a day hike to the Amin Broq basecamp, a towering 19,192 ft granite needle famed for offering some of the most challenging and rewarding technical rock climbing in the Karakoram region. The route up its vertical face is one of the most extreme in the world, first summited by a Spanish team in 1999. The trail to the basecamp here was noticeably more demanding than the Nangma Valley trail, characterized by loose rocks and steep, rugged, and exposed terrain, making it better suited for confident scramblers and experienced trekkers. Despite the challenging ascent, the breathtaking views along the way made every step truly rewarding.
The round-trip hike took us about four hours, giving us plenty of time to return to camp before lunch. As we descended towards our campsite, we noticed a large group had arrived below and were setting up their tents around ours. After a quick lunch, we decided to pack up our gear and make our back way down to Mingulo Broq for the night, eager to avoid the night party that was sure to unfold.
Back in Mingulo Broq, we were once again surrounded by the peaceful solitude of the mountains, with no other trekkers in sight. The next morning, we took our time, enjoying the tranquility and sublime views before making our way back to Kanday at a relaxed pace, from where we met our driver to return to Machulo, and then on to a shared van with the locals to Skardu.
This trek was definitely one of the best treks I have ever done, and as it is still relatively unknown, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary, an adventure filled with raw natural beauty, solitude, and the thrill of trekking in one of Pakistan’s most spectacular landscapes.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.