Rakaposhi or Dumani Mountain is located in the Karakoram range, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It has an elevation of 7,788 meters, making it the 27th-highest mountain in the world. Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek is known for its thrilling journey and also the challenging trek along with its magnificent scenery.
Its name, Rakaposhi means the Shining Wall. The mountain is broad, measuring approximately 20 km from east to west. This fascinating mountain is situated in the middle of the Nagar Valley and the Bagrote Valley.
My friends and I, Louise being one of them, were all going to different universities, and decided to take a trekking trip to the Rakaposhi Base Camp before parting ways. We booked plane tickets for Islamabad and started our exhilarating journey from there.
Landing in Islamabad, I could feel how great the trip was going to be as our short stay there proved to be full of entertainment. We visited places like the historical Faisal Mosque, and Pakistan monument and also drove to Rawalpindi to shop for souvenirs in the famous Raja Bazaar. Our brief stay in Islamabad ended when we rented a four-wheeler for our group to reach Chilas. After a 6 to 7-hour drive to Chilas full of breathtaking landscapes, we stayed there for a night in a hotel. And then the next morning, we resumed our drive to Minapin.
It took us 5 to 6 hours to finally reach Minapin and after a short break, we started our trek to our main destination. Trekking through the Minapin village was glorious because of the vibrant scenery. The outstanding view of Minapin Glacier, and even the view of the bridge across the Minapin River was beautiful. After 5 hours of ascent and a rocky path that leveled as we got into the thick forest, we arrived at the Hapakun huts.
The lush green valleys and the campsite surrounded by majestic mountains were a sight to truly behold. Staying at the Hapakun huts was a pleasurable experience that I did not want to end. But I had the eagerness to witness the magnificent view of the Rakaposhi mountain. So, we continued our trekking journey to reach the Rakaposhi base camp.
On the trail through the forest to Rakaposhi base camp we got an excellent view of Diran, lush green Tagaphari meadows, Batura, shispar, and also the stunning Ultar peaks. The trail was uphill with a steep climb going through the alpine forest. After trekking for almost 2 hours in the forest, we finally got out of it. The view we saw there made this trip worth every penny. The panoramic view of the majestic mountain range and the glacier beneath it was truly astonishing. After reveling in the striking beauty of the view, we camped there underneath the starry sky.
The next morning, we spontaneously decided to go on an excursion to the Diran Peak base camp. Viewing the proudly standing mountain from this close was beyond anything words could explain. The Diran Mountain in all its glory surrounded by other beautiful mountains. It was one of my favorite sights on this trip. Our trip to Diran Peak base camp ended as soon as we had to trek back to Hapakun.
Traveling in the summer weather turned out to be a blessing. As we got to stay in the summer huts that overlooked the incredibly beautiful view of the Minapin glacier. Continuing our journey, the next day we trekked down to Minapin Village. Being here for the second time allowed me to experience the rich culture there, their food, and other activities. I was really fascinated by how they lived and how everyone cared for one another. From Minapin we rented a car again to travel back to Karimabad.
In Karimabad, we visited the ancient 700-year-old Baltit fort and Baltit village and the 900-year-old Altit fort and village. There we had the privilege to meet the women carpenters of Hunza. We also took a stroll from Karimabad to Hyderabad Village while enjoying the view of the water channels. The next day we took an hour’s drive to Passu where we went to the Attabad lake, the beautiful Passu white Glacier, and other magnificent sights.
Our drive to Naran via the Babusar pass (4,173 m) was peaceful, from Naran we took the route to Islamabad. After a day in Islamabad, where we visited the Taxila Museum, we flew back home.
The trek to Rakaposhi was challenging yet worth it. The trek was the most beautiful of any trip I have ever taken. Everyone needs to visit the Rakaposhi base camp at least once in their lifetime as the whole experience will be life-changing.
For having a safe and victorious journey, you should refer to this article:
A Helpful Guide To Survive Extreme Cold During Rakaposhi Trek
For more adventures including the Rakaposhi Mountain, you should surely visit these articles too:
A Travel Guide To Rakaposhi Trek And Hon Pass: How To Prepare For It
Louise’s article:
Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek And Hon Pass: The Trek Of Your Lives