Did you know that Pakistan is home to five of the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, making it a haven for trekking enthusiasts?
During summer, when the heat rises to insufferable levels, trekking routes turn to thrilling means of escape, particularly in Pakistan with beautiful terrains and routes. Since there are trails for beginner and professional mount trekkers, useful summer hiking tips can make every hike memorable.
A Land of Adventure
Starting from the Karakoram Highway and peaks to the Margalla Hills and a lot in between, the landscape of the country can be exploitable for whoever dreams of adventure. In contrast to other trekking spots, there is high altitude in Pakistan and plenty of greenery that provides cool from the hot summer.
Here in this article, the writer enlists the best summer trekking routes in Pakistan and some important pre trekking tips to make the journey safe and exciting.
Are you ready to escape the heat and explore Pakistan’s breathtaking mountain trails this summer?
Top Summer Trekking Routes
Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Route overview and accessibility
Fairy Meadows is another gem situated at the foot of the third highest mountain of the world Nanga Parbat, and everybody agrees that it is almost paradise. This captivating, fairy-tale Fairy Meadows trek shows you fresh snow-capped mountains and green miles of meadows.
The journey starts at Raikot which is off the Karakoram Highway. From there a jeep ride is taken to Tattu Village and from there the trek to Fairy Meadows starts. The distance of Tattu village is about 15 km from main area and it takes 1.5 hours for a jeep ride.
Fairy Meadows itself is situated at an altitude of 3,300 meters; provided the impressive views of Nanga Parbat. People of Raikot and Tattu Village are always friendly and sometimes even offer food and shelter and even information about the place to trekkers.
Trekking duration and highlights
The hike to Fairy Meadows takes between 3 to 4 hours, which makes the trip perfect as a short one. From Fairy Meadows, trekkers can continue to the Nanga Parbat trek Base Camp, which takes an additional 5-6 hours.
Highlights of this trek include panoramic views of the 8,126-meter-high Nanga Parbat, camping in the meadows, and serene mornings with views that seem straight out of a fairytale. Fairy Meadows attracts approximately 20,000 trekkers annually, making it one of the most visited trekking routes in Pakistan.
What makes Fairy Meadows one of the most Instagrammed trekking spots in Pakistan?
Margalla Hills Trails
Key trails
Located in the heart of Islamabad, the Margalla Hills trails offer a quick escape for city dwellers. Popular trails include Trail 3, Trail 5, and the Daman-e-Koh hike. Trail 3 is moderately challenging, while Trail 5 is beginner-friendly, making these trails accessible to everyone.
Trail 3 spans 5.1 kilometers and takes about 2 hours to complete, with an elevation gain of 490 meters. Trail 5, on the other hand, is 8 kilometers long and features lush greenery and small water streams. The starting points for Margalla Hills trails are just a 20-minute drive from downtown Islamabad, making them one of the most accessible trekking options.
Beginner-friendly options
If people are just starting their adventures in treks, the Margalla Hills is a great place for this. The trails are well blazed, and circuits range from long, challenging and steep to longer, less steep circuits that are suited to the fitness of an individual to undertake the hike.
It is also cool for families to explore in summer because the paths provided are shaded with bird chirping sounds to enhance the fun. The main features of the trails are best hiked in the early summer mornings when temperatures are still relatively low, and the view of the rising sun is over the capital city of Islamabad.
Did you know that you can explore stunning hiking trails just 20 minutes from Pakistan’s capital city?
Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek
Scenic beauty and route details
Rakaposhi Base Camp trek is very famous for the superb views of the Rakaposhi peak standing at the height of 7788 meters. This journey starts from Minapin village mentioned in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
This is a moderate to difficult trek and takes hikers through green pastures, massive rivers with glaciers and beautiful villages. The Base Camp is at an altitude of 3,780 meters and trekkers are blessed with excellent view of Rakaposhi’s glaciers as well as ice falls.
For this trek, the best time is June to September, because of the good weather and the cool temperatures make this trek an experience. Have you ever dreamed of standing at the base of a peak so high that it seems to touch the sky?
Key camping spots
The trek takes about two days, the walkers spending a night at Hapakun, which is an impressive camping site which has views of the surrounding mountains.
The Rakaposhi Base Camp is paradise enough in its own right, as glaciers and huge peaks surround this area. The first and main camping site is Hapakun with water source from natural springs and a good camping area shaded by pine trees.
Shimshal Pass Trek
Off-the-beaten-path adventure
For those trekkers looking for a challenge in seclusion, the eight days, Shimshal Pass trek should not be overlooked. This off-road can be done only in the Hunza valley and take you across tough terrains that are still untouched in the country.
The trekking to Shimshal Pass takes about 10-12 days covering approximately 120 km and is considered one of the longest trekking around Pakistan. Originally, people used the Shimshal Pass for the purpose of trading as a trading link between the inhabitants of both Pakistan and China.
Are you ready to trek through Pakistan’s outmost valley and encounter wildlife like the indescribable snow leopard?
Wildlife encounters
The trek is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Trekkers may spot ibex, blue sheep, and even the elusive snow leopard. The route also sheds light on the earlier way of life of the Shimshal people who are well known for their friendliness and resistance.
There are more than 60 species of birds and mammals in the valley, such as ibex, blue sheep and the snow leopard.
Deosai Plains Trek
What’s it like to trek across one of the highest plateaus in the world?
High-altitude trekking experience
The Deosai trek, which is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Pakistan is called the “Land of Giants.” The Deosai Plains are the second highest plateau in the world with average elevation of 4,114 meters.
Starting at Skardu, the trail covers beautiful soft meadows, clear streams, and the colourful flowers. Deosai Plains or the ‘Land of Giants’ is measured 3,000 square kilometres in area and is the home of the Himalayan brown bear which is a rare species of the planet.
Flora and fauna in summer
Deosai is best visited in summer as the plateau is filled with beautiful wildflowers and the Himalayan brown bear. It is because the trekking of Deosai is quiet and majestic that could never be forgotten.
Preparation and Safety Tips
Packing essentials
Do you have the right trekking gear to face the unpredictable weather on Pakistan’s trekking routes?
To ensure a safe and enjoyable trekking experience, carrying the right gear is crucial. Here are some must-have items for your summer trekking camp:
- Lightweight trekking gear: A good backpack to go for is a rugged backpack that comes with rugged adjustable straps and many pockets that will allow for proper organization. Some of the needful and recommended items are durable lightweight trekking poles for support during several incline and declines to ease pressure on your knees.
- Clothing layers for varying temperatures: Mountain weather is unpredictable, so pack layers such as moisture-wicking base layers, insulated mid-layers, and a waterproof jacket to protect against sudden rain or wind. Don’t forget lightweight gloves for higher-altitude treks like the Rakaposhi Base Camp trek or Deosai trekking.
- Sun protection essentials: Shield yourself from the harsh summer sun with sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher), polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to avoid sunburn and glare. A lightweight neck gaiter can also protect your face and neck during sunny stretches of trails like Margalla Hills trails.
Bonus Tip: For treks lasting more than a day, consider packing a sleeping bag rated for cold weather and a portable stove for cooking.
Hydration and fitness requirements
Did you know that staying hydrated can prevent up to 70% of altitude sickness symptoms?
Staying hydrated and fit is vital for tackling challenging trekking routes, especially at high altitudes:
- Hydration: Always carry a reusable water bottle (preferably 1-2 Liters) and purification tablets or a portable water filter to refill from natural water sources along the route. Treks like the Fairy Meadows trek and Shimshal Pass trek often have icy streams, but purification is necessary to avoid waterborne illnesses.
- Trekking at higher altitudes, like Deosai or Rakaposhi Base Camp, increases water loss through breathing and sweating, making hydration a top priority.
- Pre-trek fitness routine: Prepare your body for the demands of trekking by engaging in 4-6 weeks of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Focus on improving endurance, leg strength, and core stability to handle long distances and steep climbs. These routines are especially important for more strenuous routes like the Nanga Parbat trek.
Pro Tip: For high-altitude treks like Deosai trekking, practice deep-breathing exercises to increase lung capacity and prevent altitude sickness.
Environmental responsibility
How can you leave Pakistan’s beautiful trekking routes better than you found them?
Respecting nature and minimizing your environmental impact is a fundamental part of trekking:
- Leave No Trace principles: Always pack out what you pack in. This is still taking your garbage back with you, including organic products, to avoid littering the trekking routes. Stick to designated trails to avoid damaging fragile ecosystems, particularly in sensitive areas like Deosai National Park.
- Avoid single-use plastics: Replace disposable utensils with reusable ones, and the same applies to bottles and containers. These products, including water bottles and snack wrappers, exist as single trip plastics and may take many decades to degrade while polluting the natural beauty of fragile ecosystems such as Shimshal Pass and Fairy Meadows harming wildlife in the process.
- A single plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to degrade, and therefore very important to use the reusable bottles during trekking.
- Eco-friendly choices: Purchase meals and equipment from fair trade ecofriendly trekking contractors or from hotels and tea houses. Also, do not attempt to alter the course of rivers, creeks, or streams and do not try to pet wildlife or take souvenir-like flowers or plants from different areas of the trail.
Important Note: For treks like the Rakaposhi Base Camp trek, which pass through villages, interact respectfully with locals and their traditions.
Trekking routes for summers in Pakistan are an activity that has no parallel, it provides seasonal trekking for all types of enthusiasts. From the Fairy Meadows that needs one to trek to get to the base area to the Margalla Hills and other trails of Pakistan, the choices are as numerous as the places.
If you are willing to have a short trek or even an adventurous long adventurous trek in the summer, then trekking camps in Pakistan awaits you providing the nature’s bounty and an opportunity of interfacing with the nature.
Trekking in Pakistan is even more interesting since most destinations are stunning and benefit locals by helping them develop businesses that exist in such areas.
Which of these amazing trekking routes will you explore this summer?
Before you start another hike, ensure that you take necessary precautions as outlined above, to conserve our environment, and have a safe hike. Therefore, put on your boots, pack your trekking equipment and get for a journey that will produce great stories.
Don’t wait for the perfect time—create your adventure now and explore the unparalleled beauty of Pakistan’s trekking routes.
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