Pakistan

Into the Granite | Nangma Valley & Thallay Broq Trek

11 Days 10 Nights

Tour Details

Nangma Valley sits deep in the Karakoram and looks the way people imagine Pakistan's mountains look, granite spires shooting straight up, walls of rock so tall they block out the sky, and meadows at the bottom that feel almost absurdly green by contrast. It gets called the Yosemite of Pakistan, and while that comparison only goes so far, it captures something real about the place.

Getting there takes three days of trekking from Kanday village. The trail has steep sections, this isn't a casual walk, but nothing technical. If you're reasonably fit and okay sleeping in a tent, you'll be fine. The valley itself, when it opens up, makes the ascent feel completely worth it.

We've added Thallay Broq as a stop before the main trek begins. It's a four-hour drive from Skardu, sits at 3,500m, and gives your body a proper chance to adjust to altitude before the harder days. The night there is also just a genuinely good place to be, quiet, no crowds, herders passing through with their livestock in the summer months.

The trip runs Islamabad to Islamabad over 11 days, with flights (or road) to Skardu bookending the journey.

Trip Route

Itinerary

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Introduction

Duration: 11 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Max Altitude: 4,100m
Price: $1,600 per person
Start/EndIslamabad

Day 1 Arrival in Islamabad

Arrive in Islamabad and check in at the hotel. Meet your trek leader in the evening for a group dinner and briefing. CNICs or passports will be collected for trekking permit formalities. Early night recommended, the next few days are long.
Day 2 Fly (or drive) to Skardu

Morning flight to Skardu, weather permitting (roughly 1 hour). Road travel takes 16–18 hours if flying isn't possible. Check in to the hotel on arrival. The rest of the day is free, the Skardu bazaar is worth a walk if you need any last-minute gear.
Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
Day 3 Rest & Acclimatization in Skardu

A full day to acclimatize and recover from travel. Skardu sits at around 2,400m, not extreme, but worth respecting. Optional visit to Kharpocho Fort or the local market. Group dinner in the evening.
Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
Day 4 Drive to Khaplu, then Kanday. Stay at Guest House

Morning drive to Khaplu (roughly 2 hours), stopping for lunch. Continue to Kanday village, the starting point of the Nangma Valley trek. Meet the local porters and support staff. Settle in and rest ahead of the first day on the trail.
Overnight: guest house, Kanday area.
Day 5 Trek to Mingulo Broq

(Trek: 3–4 hrs | Altitude: 3,500m) The trek begins with a gradual ascent out of Kanday. The trail is steady rather than brutal, a good introduction to what the terrain is like. Arrive at the Mingulo Broq campsite by late afternoon.
Overnight: tents.
Day 6 Thallay Broq Camp & Acclimatization Walk

(Drive: 4 hrs | Easy walk: ~1 hr | Altitude: 3,500m) Drive from Mingulo Broq to Thallay Valley, reaching the road-end at Thallay Broq in about four hours. This is where local herders spend their summers, a working high-altitude pasture rather than a tourist stop. After lunch, a short easy walk to the campsite. Sleep well; tomorrow is a longer day.
Overnight: tents.
Day 7 Trek to Nangma Valley

(Trek: 6–8 hrs | Altitude: 3,950m) The most demanding day of the trip. The trail has steep sections and gains proper altitude, but it opens up dramatically as you approach Nangma, lush meadows, streams, and those rock walls filling the skyline. The campsite here is one of the better ones you'll find anywhere in Pakistan. Worth every step.
Overnight: tents.
Day 8 Rest Day at Nangma. Optional hike to Amin Broq

(Optional walk: ~2 hrs) No agenda today beyond being in a remarkable place. The optional hike to Amin Broq takes about two hours and gives excellent views of the surrounding peaks without much difficulty. Or just sit, drink chai, and stare at the walls of rock. Both are valid.
Overnight: tents.
Day 9 Descend to Kanday, Drive to Skardu

(Trek: 5–6 hrs | Drive: 4–5 hrs) Final day of trekking back down to Kanday. The descent takes 5–6 hours. From Kanday, transfer by 4x4 to Skardu, stopping in Khaplu for lunch on the way. Check in to the hotel. Hot shower. Bed.
Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
Day 10 Fly back to Islamabad

Morning flight to Islamabad (weather permitting). Transfer to hotel or home on arrival.
Overnight: hotel, Islamabad (if needed) or home.
Day 11 Departure / Drop-off at Airport

Drop-off at Islamabad airport or your final destination. Trip ends here.

What's Included

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Duration

11 Days 10 Nights
Language

ENGLISH
Includes
Return flights Islamabad–Skardu (or road transport, if preferred)
Hotel accommodation in Skardu (3 nights, double/triple occupancy)
Guest house stay in Khaplu/Kanday area
Breakfast and dinner at hotels; full trekking meals on trail (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner)
Trek leader, guides, porters, and kitchen staff
Tents on trek (double occupancy)
4x4 vehicle transfers: Skardu ↔ Thallay Valley ↔ Kanday
Satellite communication device (Thuraya/Garmin) for emergencies
Basic first aid kit
Dining tent with seating and lighting
Not Included
Lunches and snacks in Skardu (on free days)
Porter luggage charges (if you exceed the standard allowance)
Personal gear — sleeping bag, trekking clothes, boots, poles, etc.
Travel insurance, rescue costs, hospitalization
Generator or portable toilet hire
Tips for guides, porters, and kitchen staff
Any unplanned expenses from weather delays, road closures, or force majeure