Two weeks in the Karakoram with Kaleem — a story by Sophie.
From Munich to Fairy Meadows, Rush Lake and Skardu — a detailed, honest review of the 14-day trekking trip I co-hosted through Northern Pakistan.
Sophie, 33
Hiker · Munich, Germany
Max altitude
4,700 m
Days on the road
14
Group size
max 10
Regions
Naran · Hunza · Skardu
“Kaleem made everything feel safe and effortless. The roads are wild, but in his Land Cruiser you forget about it — you just stare out the window and watch the Karakoram unfold.”
— Sophie
The full 14-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Islamabad
Islamabad
Landed in the capital, met the team and settled into the hotel. A quiet, warm start before heading into the mountains.
Day 2
Islamabad → Chilas via Naran
Naran-Kaghan Valley · Babusar Pass
A long but spectacular road day through the Kaghan Valley. Stopovers at Balakot, Naran, Lulusar Lake and the high Babusar Pass before dropping down to Chilas for the night.
~14h drive · Babusar 4,173m
Day 3
Up to Fairy Meadows
Raikot · Tattu Village · Fairy Meadows
Karakoram Highway to Raikot Bridge, then the famous jeep track up to Tattu Village, followed by a 5.5 km trek into Fairy Meadows. First proper sight of Nanga Parbat — speechless.
3,300 m · 5.5 km · 2–3 h trek
Day 4
Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Beyal Camp · Nanga Parbat BC
Full day trek up to Base Camp at the foot of the 9th highest mountain on Earth. Glaciers, moraine, the ‘Killer Mountain’ towering in front of you. One of the most intense days of my life.
3,960 m · 16.6 km · 6–7 h
Day 5
Transfer to Hunza Valley
Raikot → Rakaposhi → Hunza
Back down to the jeep point and a scenic drive along the KKH. A stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint with the 7,788 m giant right above us. Arrived in Karimabad in the late afternoon.
Day 6
Start of the Rush Lake Trek
Hopper Valley · Bericho Kor
Drive to Hopper Valley, then the first day of camping. Hiked up to Bericho Kor Meadows and set up camp surrounded by glaciers. The silence at altitude is something else.
3,300 m · 11.8 km · 4–6 h
Day 7
Chidin Haraw → Rush Lake
Rush Lake · optional Rush Peak
Pushed up to Rush Lake at 4,700 m — one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. Optional ascent of Rush Peak (5,098 m) for those who still had legs. The view over the Karakoram seven-thousanders was unreal.
4,700 m · 6.3 km · 5–8 h
Day 8
Towards Spantik Base Camp
Phai Phari Meadows
Easier day across alpine pastures with views of Spantik (7,027 m) and Malubiting (7,458 m). Camp by a stream, tea brewing, the team singing in the dark.
3,500 m · 4.5 km · 4–6 h
Day 9
Descent to Hopper · back to Hunza
Hopper Valley → Hunza
Long descent off the mountain, knees complaining. Hot shower in Hunza never felt better.
2,600 m · 15.2 km
Day 10
Hunza & Upper Hunza
Attabad · Passu · Hussaini Bridge
The classic Hunza day: turquoise Attabad Lake, the jagged Passu Cones, and the wobbly Hussaini suspension bridge. Optional add-on hike to Baskochi Meadows and Borith Lake.
Day 11
Transfer to Skardu
Gilgit → Skardu
Road journey via Gilgit into Baltistan. Stopped at Shangrila and Upper Kachura Lake on the way to the hotel.
Day 12
Cold Desert & Skardu
Sarfaranga Cold Desert
Morning in the surreal Cold Desert — sand dunes at 2,200 m with snowy peaks behind. Optional desert safari, motor gliding, or a trek to Masroor Rock.
Optional trek · 3,700 m · 7 km
Day 13
Fly back to Islamabad
Skardu → Islamabad
The famous mountain flight back to the capital (weather permitting). A last evening in Islamabad to decompress.
Day 14
Departure
Islamabad International
Transfer to the airport with a head full of mountains and a phone full of unsendable photos.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
Pakistan is not a polished destination — and that's exactly why it's special. Days without other tourists, raw landscapes, and people who treat you like family. Travelling with Kaleem transforms a difficult region into a journey you'll talk about for years. If you're fit, curious and open-minded, go.
Plan your own trip with Kaleem