Rash Phari (Lake) Trek, Nagar Valley – Opportunity to Summit Rush Peak
Altitude: 4700m
Duration: 12 days
Season: June-October
Getting to Gilgit we have a spectaular flight past Nanga Parbat – the killer mountain. After breakfast we take in the sights of the provincial capital including a giant Buddha carved into a cliff face, bazaar and suspension bridges. It may be possible to catch a practice polo match in the afternoon. We travel to Karimabad to gain some altitude aclimatisation and take in the local culture, sights and hospitality including Altit and Baltit fort, Karimabad bazaar, Ganesh living historical village, and Eagles Nest.
From Eagle’s Nest we drop back down cross the Hunza river and travel to Hopar Village and glacier. We immediately start by crossing the Hopar glacier for an hour and then trekking 3 hours and crossing Mir Glacier. Berchukor camp has spring water.
Leaving Berchukor Camp it is 3.5 hours steep walk to Chiden Harai and Rash Lake is another 11/2 hours up and down. The group can decide to stay in Chiden Harai or push on and have two nights in Rash Phari. Pushing on would allow fit trekkers to consider climbing Rash Peak (5098m) by the ridge behind the Lake. In Good weather this can be done in two hours return. It does not require a permit or experience, just the guide.
From Rash lake you can see the giant peaks of Hunza Broad Peak, Rakaposhi (7788m) Diran Peak (7253m), Golden Peak (7027m), Shispare (7611m) and Ultar Peaks and remarkably, a distant K-2 (8611m). From Rash Lake it is possible to return along the same route or take a slightly diversion through Phahi Phahi and Hamdar Camps.
From Hopper we travel back across the Hunza River to Karimabad and stay in the main Bazaar. From Karimabad we travel down the KKH leaving it just before Chilas to follow the old silk Route over Babusar Pass ( 4663 m) and into the Kaghan and Naran Valleys filled with wildflowers lakes and Pakistani holiday makers enjoying the cooler temperatures.
Re-entering the KKH at Mansehra we drive onto Taxila to explore ancient buddhist community ruins and museum before arriving in Rawalpindi. Depending on departure time the tour takes in Rawalpindi and Islamabad sites and bazaars including Shah Faisal Mosque.
