The hike to Rakaposhi Base Camp is considered to be one of the most beautiful hikes you can do in Pakistan, up there with hiking in Fairy Meadows. Most people hike the Rakaposhi Base Camp with a guide in 2 - 3 days, but did you know that you can do it all in one day independently? I did it in October 2018, and I am here to let you know how I did it and how you can hike the Rakaposhi Base Camp in one day as well.
The Rakaposhi mountain is a 7,788 m high mountain in the Karakoram mountain range located in the Nagar Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The name Rakaposhi, meaning "snow-covered", comes from the fact that you can see the exceptional rise of its snow-covered peaks all the way from the Karakoram Highway route that goes through the Nagar Valley. You can even see its majestic wall of snow all the way from the Hunza Valley.
At around 3,500 m, Rakaposhi Base Camp (Tagaphari) is reached by an established, non-technical trekking trail from Minapin. It is still a demanding hike, though, with roughly 1,500 m of elevation gain. Fit, experienced hikers can complete it as a long day hike, which is what I did in October 2018, while most trekkers take 2 - 3 days. Here is how I hiked to Rakaposhi Base Camp independently in one day:
Rakaposhi Hiking Map
The Hiking Trails
Minapin to Hapakun (2.5 hrs one way)
Length: 2.5 hours one way
Difficulty: Moderate
What I love about this hike is that the trail begins straight from Minapin. I started around 8 AM and it took me around 7 hours to reach the base camp. If you attempt it in one day, start early and allow extra daylight rather than treating my pace as a guaranteed schedule. From Minapin, head south along the road until you come across a bridge to a hydroplant.
From there, you will have to follow a gravel path up the rocky mountain. The paths zigzag up the side of the mountain, and then the trail becomes level as you walk through thick forest.
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You will pass through a local's village while the Minapin Glacier will start to become visible on your left. Continue walking on the flat path through the forest for about an hour, and you will begin ascending up a hill until you arrive at Hapakun campsite.
There is no mistaking the campsite. You will see one big white tent (unoccupied if you are there in October) on a vast area of grass plain where you can rest and refill your water from the nearby stream if needed although be sure to filter it first, just in case.
Hapakun to Rakaposhi Base Camp (1.5 hrs one way)
Length: 1.5 hours one way
Difficulty: Hard
From here on out, it is all uphill with a steep climb that zigzags through the alpine forest for at least an hour until you emerge from the forest and are completely exposed. You will start to see Rakaposhi looming in the background as you come out of the forest.
Continue and climb up the path until you have reached a ridge where you will be able to get a panoramic view of the mountain range and the glacier beneath it.
I'll be honest with you, the Minapin glacier is probably one of the most beautiful glaciers I have ever seen. Its psychedelic pattern just captivated me more than any other glacier.
I spent almost 2 hours just walking around the ridge, taking photos of the glacier and the beautiful mountain range behind it. The view from the ridge makes the trip worthwhile.
On my hike, I reached the ridge at around 12 PM. You can either stay here for the next 2 hours or continue onward to the base camp, which is only 15 minutes away from the ridge. If by 2 PM, you have not reached the ridge, I would recommend you turn back, as you will likely be hiking in the dark on your way down. I used 2 PM as my turnaround time because I wanted plenty of daylight for the descent. Your safe turnaround time will depend on the season, weather, trail conditions, and your pace, so set it conservatively before starting and turn back earlier if conditions deteriorate.
From the Rakaposhi base camp back to Minapin, it is all downhill, so it will take you around 2.5 hours to descend. I started heading down at 2 PM and arrived back at my guest house at 4:30 PM, all in one day, independently.
And there you have it. I completed the Minapin to Rakaposhi Base Camp round trip in about 8.5 hours, including a 2-hour break at the top. Fit hikers can still do the route as a long day hike, but current trekking sources commonly allow roughly 8 - 10 hours or more, so do not plan around my exact pace.
Pakistan Travel Video
Where to Stay in Minapin?
When to Go?
The main trekking season for Rakaposhi Base Camp is roughly mid-May to early October, with June to September generally offering the most reliable trail conditions. Snow can linger or arrive early in the shoulder season, so check current conditions in Minapin before setting out.
I did the trek in October, and the trail was completely empty with no one walking the trail, nor did anyone occupy any of the camps en route, which is perfect since I was doing a one-day hike anyway.
The weather in October can be a bit windy, especially on Viewpoint Ridge, and may drop below zero at night. So, it's a good thing I made it a day hike instead of a multi-day hike like most people do.
What to Pack for Rakaposhi Base Camp Hike?
When it comes to hiking, great preparation goes a long way. Here are some things to prepare before you make the trip:
- Good Sturdy Shoes: The main Minapin - Hapakun - Tagaphari trail is non-technical in normal snow-free conditions, but it is steep and gains around 1,500 m. Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip are recommended. Do not continue onto the glacier independently; glacier travel introduces crevasse and route-finding hazards. These Timberland Shoes are my go-to hiking boots in most situations.
- Weather-proof Jackets: Prepare layers as it can get cold the further you climb. It gets exceptionally windy when you approach the ridge before the base camp, so a weatherproof jacket is recommended. Also, the weather changes fast up there, so prepare a rain jacket and weather-proof pants as well. Here are jackets I recommend you get for the trip: fleece jacket and the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket.
- Prepare Lunch, Snacks, and Water: If you are attempting the trek as a day hike, you may be on the trail for 8 - 10 hours or longer, so carry enough food and water for a full day. When I did it, my guest house prepared lunch for me. Natural water is available around Hapakun and Tagaphari, but carry a filter or purification tablets rather than drinking untreated stream water. I always carry my 2-liter hydration pack, which I recommend so you don't have to stop to stay hydrated.
- A Daypack: You will need a daypack to carry all your gear with you when you are out and about. During this trip, I use the classic Herschel Supply's Little America Backpack to carry everything with me. It is light with good capacity and stylish as hell.
How to Get to Minapin?
Minapin is around 80 km from Gilgit, and the drive normally takes about 1.5 - 2 hours via the Karakoram Highway. Public transport operates from Gilgit during the tourist season, while private cars and hired transport are also available. Shared-van schedules and fares can change, so confirm them locally with your accommodation. When I traveled this route in 2018, I waited several hours for a shared van to fill before it departed, so leave some flexibility in your schedule.
You can also hitchhike your way to Minapin. To be honest, it will be much, much faster and more efficient if you just hitchhike. I did wait for the van all day, and I still arrived at 8 PM.
Hitchhiking is another option, and in my case it would have been faster than waiting all day for the shared van. Today, public transport or hired transport is more predictable now, so you should have to hitchhike. If you choose to hitchhike, use your own judgment and normal road-safety precautions.
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15 Comments
Hi, have you some foto sw ridge of Rakaposhi
Hey Paul,
Unfortunately, no. It was cloudy and about to rain by the time I arrived up there at the ridge so I didn't explore further.
Yes i have ..
Everything is perfectly described but the rate which you mentioned for Diran guest house is too low . They costs about 60-70$ in season and in off season they charged 30-40$
Hi, I would really appreciate if you can mention some other mountain base camp treks like the rakaposhi, that can be done independently as you did. Also is it possible to go further independently from such base camps - for example to and further from nanga parbat base camp? Thank you ever so much
Hi good day
There's a question floating in my mind. 1. Do we need any permit/grant to climb the Rakaposhi Base Camp? 2. Is the track easy to identify? Thank you.
Hi, I think I can do only one hike in my trip. Either Rakapokshi hike or fairy meadows. Which one would your recommend me. I'm travelling with a couple of 60 year olds who are not used to hikes.
Hi,
how tough is hike, i am average hiker. can i do it in 1 day.how much elevation you gain from minapin to bc.
can you guide.
regards
The hike is moderate. If you start early enough you should have ample of time to go all the way to the base camp and back. You can always turn back as well if you are not there by 2 - 3 PM. Either way, I think it is worth a shot. The view along the way is already pretty stunning. :)
How did you hitchhike around Pakistan? were there specific places you went and waited for someone to give you a ride or did you use a hitchhiking app?