Trekking is simply walking on foot to various cultural and natural sites with different destinations, mainly for exploration and sightseeing. It is one of the most exciting yet tiring outdoor activities. The exhaustion and difficulty level depend on the range of routes and the time taken to complete the trek.
The incredible landscapes, mountain ranges, and glaciers bless Pakistan, serving as the epitome of nature and a hub for tourists. Among all the multiple tourist activities available in Pakistan, I chose trekking as Pakitsan is home to some of the best treks in the world.
Exploring The Best Treks of Pakistan:
My goal was to cover as many routes as I could in a single trip. Exploring Pakistan’s diverse culture is appealing, but it can be exhausting to be constantly on the move.
I started my trekking journey from Trail 3, Margalla Hills, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Being a beginner, I chose an easy path of 2 km as my first foot adventure in the capital city. Trail 3 is short and the most popular one. With multiple stops, it took me about an hour to complete it.
After completing the Margalla Hills trek, I took a day’s break to recover from the journey before renting a car to drive to Gilgit-Baltistan for my remaining journey. We drove from Islamabad to Skardu, and after a day, we finally reached our main destination, Kanday.
Moving from Kanday to Mingulo Broq was a bit longer, with a 6-kilometer route that was steep on and off. It was one of the most comfortable journeys, with a little energy expenditure but a picturesque view of the Hushe River, valleys, willow trees, and alpine flora in return. After my third stop, feeling stoked but tired, my team and I took a longer break to recharge.
After feeling capable of continuing our journey, we started our trekking journey from Mingulo Broq to Nangma Valley. The 4 km journey was tough, but the green fields and glacial streams made it unforgettable.
The positive progress of my trip kept me motivated and made me believe that, with enough consistency, I would be able to achieve my goal. But at the next stop had other ideas. My next destination was a lot harsher and tiring. Amin Brakk, also known as the Great Tower, was an 8-kilometer-long trek starting from a steep path and ending on a sharp, rocky one. Even the beautiful scenery did little to help with all the fatigue and exhaustion. Though the trails were treacherous and extremely complex, I only had one thing in mind; to cover as many places as I could during this trip.
Next on my list was the magnificent Rakaposhi Base Camp in Nagar, Gilgit Baltistan. Known for having a grueling trek, Rakaposhi was more difficult than all my previous expeditions since the path is steep and can take a minimum of one and a maximum of three days to complete. Altitude sickness hit me like a train while I was trekking to my main destination. Blinded by goals, I only saw the top, ignoring the responsible choice to trek back down to safety.
I somehow completed my trek and made the descent after some rest. The trek was a struggle, but the beautiful views of Rakaposhi were worth all the minor inconveniences. Sitting there at the base camp was a bittersweet feeling. The wholesomeness of my trip thrilled me, but I couldn’t fully enjoy the moment due to not feeling my best.
After getting sick, it didn’t feel right to continue my journey further. I decided to end it at Rakaposhi with a heavy heart. While packing for my departure, I was already preparing for my next excursion. I aim to trek Kandol and Spinkhowar lakes in Swat for their scenic beauty and manageable trails.
Despite falling short of my goal, this trip remains a standout memory in my travel adventures. Experiencing the rich culture, diversity and unreal beauty of Pakistan was an experience that I never thought I would have. Now, Pakistan is one of my favorite countries to visit and has some of the best treks. I have already made another plan to visit the entrancing land.
