Base camp
Rakaposhi BC
Nagar district · 3,500 m
A green meadow at Tagaphari, 3,500 m above Minapin, two walking days from the road and directly under Rakaposhi and Diran.
Base camp sits on the meadow of Tagaphari (also written Taga Phari and Tagafari), on the left side of the Minapin glacier. From here Rakaposhi (7,788 m) and Diran (7,264 m) rise together, with the long ice wall that joins them in plain view. It is one of the most direct ways to reach the foot of a big Karakoram peak on your own two feet, without any technical gear.
Kind Base campDistrict NagarElevation 3,500 mPosition about 36.195° N, 74.525° E
About Rakaposhi BC
The route leaves from the end of the village lane in Minapin. The first few kilometres climb over the terminal moraine of the Minapin glacier, and then the angle eases and the views take over. You keep to the left of the glacier, pass through pine and birch to the first pasture at Hapakun, and arrive on the meadow on the second day.
In summer, when many people visit, there are sometimes shops at base camp offering basic food and tents, so you can sit on the grass with something warm and enjoy the view. Our itinerary uses the third day for a morning on the glacier moraine before the walk back to Minapin.
If you want more, the book lists longer walks from here toward Diran Base Camp, by way of Kacheli Lake. They make a great next trip for adventure lovers.
Elsewhere in Nagar
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
Summit · 7,788 m
Rakaposhi
At 7,788 m, Rakaposhi rises nearly six vertical kilometres straight off the highway, one of the steepest rises from valley floor to summit in the Karakoram, and you can enjoy it from your window.
Town or village · 2,000 m
Minapin
The roadhead for Rakaposhi: the trek begins at the end of the village lane, and the mountain is above the roofs.
Town or village · 2,700 m
Nagar Khas
The old Nagar capital, facing Karimabad across the Hunza gorge, with a proud history shared with its neighbour.
Glacier · 2,800 m
Hopper Glacier
A black ice tongue below the village bowl at Hopper, and the start of the walk to Rush Lake.
Lake or water · 4,694 m
Rush Lake
At 4,694 m, Rush Lake is one of the highest alpine lakes on earth, set under the Spantik massif.
Town or village · 2,300 m
Bagrote
Seven villages under the Diran icefall, an hour off the highway and a quiet side trip away from the usual circuit.
- 3,200 m
Town or village
Hispar
The last village on the Hispar side: the fields stop and the glacier begins.
Pass · 5,151 m
Hispar La
At 5,151 m, the pass that links the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, the high point of one of the great glacier journeys in the Karakoram.