Rakaposhi is a spectacular mountain in Karakorum Range reigning over Hunza-Nagar Valley in Northern Pakistan.
Coming from the South (Gilgit) like I did, or North (Hunza) Rakaposhi trek is very easy to access from Karakoram Highway.
Starting point for us was Gilgit.
In the morning 18-seater mini bus was supposed to leave at 8AM, but we were waiting two more hours for bus to fill up with people.
Only when full the driver can leave. Keep that in mind using minibuses in Northern Pakistan because transport timetable works little different to what you are probably ussed to.
This is te beauty of travelling, you have to adapt. If you can’t change how things are, accept it. Changing your attitude will teach you a better lesson than getting angry for the busses to be late.
After a two hours on the mountain roads and a short break, we reached a point where a massive landslide cowered the road. /This affect Karakoram Highway very often, usually after heavy rainfall./
Fortunatelly for us it was close to Minapin, so the final 2-mile part we walked.
In early afternoon we reached very nice DIRAN HOTEL with dorms and basic, tasty restaurant.
We met two very friendly hikers from Islamabad Zia and Hasin and together with other backpakers from Spain and Ireland started our trek early in the morning.
Trek was around 6h altogether and beacause of rainy weather and risk of more landslides we didn’t extend it for Diran base camp.
Up the stream, walking up to see Rakaposhi and glacier.
After 3h we reached a viewpoint.
This trek is rally easy, and you don’t need a guide for it.
Everyone who has been in Karakorum know how fast weather changes here. It’s totally unpredictable.
The weather was bad so we decided to get back to Diran Hotel. But first a group picture:)
Trekking in Pakistan requires usually all the equipement like tents, stoves, food, even porters and guides, etc.
Rakaposhi trek can be one day trek, so you can take only day backpack, water and some snacks and you can see beautiful nature and majestic mountains without all mountain gear.
The next day we left Minapin for Hunza
Passing some more landslides…
