Nangma Valley Trek
Ghanche District, Baltistan / Masherbrum Range — 4,300m
Often celebrated as the “Yosemite of the Karakoram,” the Nangma Valley is one of the most aesthetically stunning alpine environments in Pakistan. Situated near Kanday Village in the Ghanche District, this lush, narrow valley is flanked by soaring vertical granite towers, including the iconic Amin Brakk (5,850m), Denbor Brakk, Changi Tower, and the Incredible Towers.
Unlike full big-wall expeditions requiring complex mountaineering permits, the Nangma Valley Trek falls within an Open Region accessible on a standard Pakistani Tourist Visa. It provides trekkers, astrophotographers, and culture seekers a high-reward Karakoram experience—combining emerald green shepherd pastures (broqs), glacial streams, vibrant Balti culture, and close-up views of world-class rock spires without extreme high-altitude strain.
Valley Massifs & Highlights
Amin Brakk (5,850m) | Denbor Brakk (5,400m) | Shingo Chatpa (4,700m) | K6 & K7 Glaciers
Trek Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Max Elevation | ~4,300m (Amin Brakk / Nangma Base Camp) |
| Location | Kanday, Ghanche District, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Trek Grade | Moderate Alpine Trek |
| Permit Status | Open Region (Standard Pakistani Tourist Visa) |
| Primary Base | Skardu → Khaplu → Kanday Village (2,850m) |
| Best Season | May to October |
⛰ 540m
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Rest and recover after your flight.
🏠 Hotel in Islamabad
⛰ 2,230m | ⏱ 45 min flight (or 11–12 hrs drive)
Take a scenic flight over the Karakoram range to Skardu (weather permitting). If canceled, begin the overland drive via the Karakoram Highway to Chilas.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu or Chilas
⛰ 2,230m | ⏱ 8–9 hours drive
If traveling overland from Chilas, complete the drive along the Indus River into Skardu. Otherwise, use this day for exploring Shangrila, Lower Kachura Lake, and Skardu Bazaar.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu
⛰ 2,850m | ⏱ 5–6 hours drive
Drive through the Shyok River Valley past historic Khaplu Fort to Kanday Village, the gateway settlement for the Nangma Valley. Meet local Balti porters and guides.
🏕 Camp / Local Guest House in Kanday
⛰ 3,250m | ⏱ 4–5 hours trek
Begin trekking along the crystal-clear Nangma River, steadily ascending through green terraced fields and summer shepherd settlements to Mingulo Broq.
🏕 Camp at Mingulo Broq
⛰ 4,300m | ⏱ 4–5 hours trek
Ascend higher into the upper valley amphitheater. As the trail opens up, dramatic vertical walls like Amin Brakk, Shingo Chatpa, and Denbor Brakk come into full view.
🏕 Base Camp at Nangma Pastures
⛰ 4,300m | ⏱ 5–6 hours round-trip trek
Trek up the steep lateral moraine and boulder fields directly beneath the legendary vertical face of Amin Brakk (5,850m). Get up-close views of one of the world's most terrifying big-wall granite spires before returning to Central Camp for the night.
🏕 Central Camp at Nangma Pastures
⛰ 4,400m | ⏱ 6–7 hours round-trip trek
Trek further up the valley along the glacial ridge toward the K6 (Baltistan Peak - 7,281m) Base Camp area. Enjoy sweeping, panoramic views of the massive K6 glacier, surrounding icefalls, and neighboring K7 peaks before descending back to camp.
🏕 Central Camp at Nangma Pastures
⛰ 2,850m | ⏱ 5–6 hours trek
Trek down through Mingulo Broq back to Kanday Village, enjoying views of the valley from a new perspective. Transfer by jeep back toward Skardu, with a cultural stop to tour the restored 18th-century Khaplu Fort and Chaqchan Mosque.
🏕 Hotel in Skardu
⛰ 540m / 1,265m
Fly to Islamabad (weather permitting). If flights are grounded, begin the return drive along the Karakoram Highway to Chilas.
🏠 Hotel in Chilas or Islamabad
⛰ 540m
Complete the overland drive to Islamabad or enjoy a buffer day in the capital city for sightseeing and shopping.
🏠 Hotel in Islamabad
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for onward flights home.
✈ Airport Transfer
Foot
- Walking/ hiking boots.
- Gaiters. A pair of knee high gaiters used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground.
- Wool Socks and liner socks.
- Sandals (for use around camp and river crossings).
- Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used on arrival to camp.
Clothing
- Gore-Tex shell jacket and trousers. For use if it rains or snows during the trek.
- Light trekking trousers. Minimum two pairs of trousers.
- Long sleeve, light colored polypropylene shirts. Minimum two shirts.
- Microfleece.
- Mid to heavyweight fleece jacket (Polartec 200 to 300).
- Sleeveless/ gilet or body warmer type fleece. This will help keep your core warm while not bulking when layering up. Gilet fleece can be used in combination with base layers, other fleeces and down jacket to provide maximum warmth and insulation.
- Lightweight synthetic long underwear for both top & bottom.
- Light to mid weight fleece pants (Polartec 100 to 200).
- Medium weight down jacket (recommended
Hand Wear
- Fleece gloves.
- Warms mittens and/or gloves
Head Wear
- Warm wool or fleecy hat/balaclava.
- Sun hat or baseball cap.
- Bandana or scarf. Very useful for the often dusty jeep rides and for protection on hot days
- Light weight climber’s headlamp for use at night around the camp. Bring extra batteries and spare bulbs.
- High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Most effective for blocking sunlight are the wrap around type or side covers
Personal Equipment
- 4 season sleeping bag (maximum overnight low -15C).
- Fleece or silk liner for your sleeping bag. A liner protects your sleeping bag from getting dirty and helps by adding extra insulation to keep you warm at night.
- Thermosets self-inflating pad and/or foam mat.
- Backpack. Recommended size is 50 liters or larger as you need to have enough space to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing as well down jacket for days on the glacier. It is also a good idea to bring a pack cover to keep the contents dry.
- Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized. Or even better are fold dry bags such as from Expend.
- Two 1 liter water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best) and Camelback type water carrier 2 liter capacity. ·
Pee bottle. Highly recommended as means you do not have to get up to find toilet tent at night! For men you can use an old water bottle for women take a look at She Wee at http://www.shewee.com/ · Sunscreen and lip salve with an SPF 30 or better.
- Insect repellent.
- Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Acqua or Acqa Mira). You will be provided with boiled water at camp however if you refill water bottle at a water tap or steam during the day you should use water purifiers.
- Hand sanitizer. We suggest you keep this in your day pack for use after a toilet break during the trek or before eating any snacks.
- Favorite snack food.
- Paperback books, iPod and cards.
- Trekking poles (Black Diamond with “Flick Lock” are best). Having two poles is mandatory as required for your safety on steep and loose sections of the trail and for walking through deep snow higher up.
- Umbrella. You are likely to get some rain on this trek and also useful for providing shade when hot. · Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
- Insurance certificate
- Baby wipes (optional)
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