Peerless Climbing & Trekking
Walk to the foot of Amin Brakk (5,850m) and beneath Drifika Peak (6,447m), or trek alpine meadows with panoramic Karakoram views.
← All destinations Ghanche District
Nangma Valley
Nangma Valley Travel Guide, The Yosemite of Pakistan
A granite cathedral named among The New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2025.
Journeys starting fromUSD 1,950up to USD 2,620 per guest
Nangma sits above Kanday village in Ghanche District. Granite walls rise straight out of alpine meadow, which is why climbers call it the Yosemite of Pakistan. The New York Times named it among its 52 Places to Go in 2025.
There is no lodge, no shop and no road past the village. You camp in the meadow. The porters and the cook are from Kanday.
Granite giants rise straight from alpine meadows: Amin Brakk, the Great Tower, and Drifika Peak. Routes cater to all skill levels, from meadow walks to prime big-wall climbing.
Landscape
Ghanche District
Prime Season
June to September
Why Visit
Why travellers choose Nangma Valley.
Authentic Balti Culture
Engage with welcoming communities, savour traditional cuisine and explore ancient villages.
Pure Wilderness
Natural trails, crystal streams and star-lit campsites await eco-conscious travellers.
Travel Essentials
- Best Time to Visit
- June, September for optimal weather.
- Trek Difficulty
- Moderate trekking, with technical climbing options for experienced alpinists.
Eco-Conscious Packing List
- Sturdy gear and layered clothing
- Reusable water bottles
- Time to acclimatise, our itineraries build it in
- Camera and headlamp for star-lit camps
Plan Your Trip
Getting to Nangma, permits and altitude.
How to Get There
About 4-5 hours by road from Skardu via Khaplu to Kanday village, the trailhead for Nangma.
Permits
Camp-only visits need no special permit; climbing permits for peaks such as Amin Brakk and Drifika are arranged through the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department.
Altitude Range
Camps sit around 3,000-3,950m, beneath granite walls rising to 5,850m.
All journeys run in small groups of up to 12 clients, or fully privately. See our full collection of tour styles or get in touch to plan your dates.
Why Travel With Us
Nangma, with the people who live here.
01
Local Expertise
Many years of experience organising Karakoram adventures, with Balti and Hunzai staff from the valleys themselves.
02
Ethical Tourism
Fair wages for porters, eco-friendly camps and direct community support on every departure.
03
Safety First
Certified guides, satellite communication and tested emergency protocols on every route.
Max 12 guests Travelife partner GSTC-aligned operations
Altitude & Acclimatisation
Going high, safely.
Camps sit around 3,000-3,950m, beneath granite walls rising to 5,850m. Read this before you travel. Altitude sickness is entirely preventable when a few simple rules are followed.
High Altitudes
Trekking above 2,500 metres involves additional risk not normally associated with lower-level treks. This should not prevent you from undertaking a trek, but it makes sense to learn the dangers and the golden rules that prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Trip Selection
Maximum altitudes are listed for every holiday, and the altitude of each camp and pass appears in the daily itinerary. Read the trip notes carefully and judge whether the journey suits your experience. If you have any doubt at all, talk to our office.
Acclimatisation
The body adapts to a wide range of barometric pressures, but it takes time. Gain height slowly: above 2,500 metres the accepted maximum is 500 metres of sleeping altitude a day, with a rest day where that is not possible. Climb high, sleep low.
Hydration
There is a direct correlation between daily fluid intake and successful acclimatisation. On treks to 3,000 metres and above, most people need to drink between 4 and 6 litres each day.
Acute Mountain Sickness
Familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of AMS before you travel, and report any illness to your trip leader straight away, early reporting is what keeps altitude safe.
Diamox
Acetazolamide (Diamox) is the only drug currently known to have a useful role in preventing AMS. We recommend carrying it for treks that spend extended periods above 4,000 metres. It is prescription-only, consult your own doctor first.
Travelling to high altitude is not something to be afraid of. Every year thousands of people enjoy the most amazing experiences in the world's greatest mountain ranges, and our guides brief you daily and carry oxygen, first-aid and satellite communication on every departure.
Top Attractions
The places that make Nangma unforgettable.
Amin Brakk (the Great Tower)
A granite giant at 5,850m that attracts prime big-wall climbers from across the world.
Drifika Peak (6,447m)
High-altitude challenges with rewarding summit vistas over the Karakoram.
Alpine Meadow Trails
Traverse flower-filled meadows, rugged ridges and glacial valleys, routes for all skill levels.
Nangma Campsite
Camp beneath granite walls above Kanday, one of the great alpine amphitheatres in Asia.
Cultural Immersion
The valley is its people.
Food, heritage and daily life, the part of Nangma Valley no viewpoint can show you.
Cultural Experiences
Share stories with locals, enjoy apricot soup, or witness vibrant seasonal festivals.
Village Homestays
Learn centuries-old customs and crafts in stone-built settlements around Kanday.
Local Cuisine
Fuel up on dal, fresh chapati and dried apricots between trekking days.
Experiences that define the valley.
01Camp beneath Amin Brakk (5,850m)
02Trek toward Drifika Peak viewpoints
03Traverse flower-filled alpine meadows
04Rock climbing on the lower-valley boulders
05Amin Brakk glacier walk
06Homestay and apricot soup in Kanday village
07Photography at first and last light
Sustainable Travel
Travel here lightly.
- Eco-Friendly Practices
Follow "Leave No Trace", hire local guides and support community-run lodges.
- Preserve Heritage
Respect cultural norms and minimise environmental impact at every camp.
- Altitude Safety
Acclimatise gradually and carry appropriate medication, the valley climbs fast.
Unforgettable
What guests remember.
Recognised Globally
Named among The New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2025.
Big-Wall Light
First and last light on Amin Brakk, the reason photographers come here.
Glacier Walks
Cross the Amin Brakk glacier beneath a skyline of unclimbed granite.
Available Tours
Journeys in Nangma.
Level 4/10 · Moderate
10 Days
From
USD 1,950
Signature Journey
Nangma Valley Trek – The Yosemite of Pakistan
Level 6/10 · Challenging
15 Days
From
USD 2,620
Signature Journey
Nangma & Thallay La Trek – The Grand Traverse of Baltistan
Tailor-Made in Nangma
Every journey here can be written for you alone.
Custom tours are available across Nangma Valley on your dates, your pace, your interests. Lengthen the trekking days, add a homestay evening, travel privately with family, or combine this valley with another. Our planners design from a blank page, then price it transparently.
Private departures Flexible dates Customized pricing Local guides
Custom itineraries from
USD 1,950
per guest · scaled to group size & season
A visual field guide.
Frequently Asked
Traveller questions.
Because of its sheer granite walls and towers, Amin Brakk and the Great Tower, rising straight out of alpine meadows, much like Yosemite's big walls.
From the Field Journal
All articles 
