Six peaks above 7,000m, run from Skardu by our own Balti team. Permits, oxygen, insured high-altitude porters and a turnaround policy that is actually enforced.
Six peaks above 7,000m, run from Skardu by our own Balti team. Permits, oxygen, insured high-altitude porters and a turnaround policy that is actually enforced.
The Rush Lake Trek is a 6 days guided trip in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 4,694 m. It is graded Moderate to Demanding — high alpine lake, non-technical — 3–4 days on foot. 6 fixed departures are open from $1,200 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.
The Rush Lake Trek is a 6-day, 5-night high-altitude trek from the Nagar Valley to Rush Lake (4,694m) — one of the highest alpine lakes in Pakistan — with staggering views of Rakaposhi (7,788m) and Diran (7,266m).
Rush Lake
Rush Lake sits at 4,694m above the Nagar Valley, a turquoise sheet of water in a high glacial cirque. The real reward is the view: at this height you stand almost alongside Rakaposhi and Diran, with the Karakoram filling the horizon. The climb is demanding but non-technical — strong legs and steady acclimatisation, no specialist equipment.
The Route
Day 1 — Arrive Nagar (2,438m): Arrive in the Nagar Valley with an easy acclimatisation walk and an evening briefing.
Day 2 — Nagar to Huru Camp (3,500m): Climb to Huru Camp beneath Rakaposhi and Diran.
Day 3 — High Camp (4,200m): A steep alpine ascent to high camp, set for the push to the lake.
Day 4 — Rush Lake (4,694m): Reach the lake for a full 360° panorama of Karakoram peaks, then descend to camp.
Day 5 — Descend to Nagar (2,438m): Long descent back to the valley.
Day 6 — Gilgit & Depart: Transfer to Gilgit, then fly or drive on to Islamabad.
Moderate to Demanding — high alpine lake, non-technical
Days on foot
3–4 days on footthe rest is travel
Best season
June – September
Departures open
6next 12 Sep 2026
Rush Lake Trek Price
Join one of our fixed departures at an all-inclusive group price of $1200 per person. Everything in the services-included section is covered at this fixed price. Choose your departure below.
Fixed Departures
Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip. 6 dates are currently open, each capped at 12 people. Every date is the same price, $1,200 per person. A $100 deposit reserves a place. The availability column shows how many places are left on each date.
These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date. Pick the band that matches your group and the price per person is fixed at that rate, across 4 options. The more of you who travel, the less each person pays — from $2,150 for Solo (1 Person) down to $1,200/pp for 7-10 Persons. What each band covers is set out in the table.
Group size
Price
What it includes
Solo (1 Person)
$2,150
Fully private Rush Lake trek with dedicated personal guide.
(2-3 Persons)
$1,750/pp
Semi-private trek - perfect for partners tackling the Rush Lake ascent together.
(4-6 Persons)
$1,480/pp
Small group with full private guiding to Rush Lake (4,694m).
(7-10 Persons)
$1,200/pp
Best value. Full support team, guide, porter, and accommodation for the 6-day trek.
Can you do this trek?
Yes — if you can walk uphill for a few hours, this is well within reach.
Graded Moderate to Demanding — high alpine lake, non-technical. No technical climbing and no ropework.
3–4 days on footDays on footthe rest is travel
4,694 mhighest pointWe build in time to acclimatise.
What to expect
The highest point is 4,694 m, so altitude counts here. The itinerary is built around acclimatising and your guide sets a pace that gets you there comfortably.
You’re ready ifyou walk or hike now and then and can manage a few hours uphill with a day pack.
Give yourself a little longer ifit has been a while since a long walk. A few hill walks beforehand and you will enjoy it far more.
This might not be your trip ifyou would rather not sleep in a tent, or you want a glacier crossing or a high pass. Tell us and we will match you to the right one.
One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Travel Experience
Itinerary — Rush Lake Trek
A 6-day trek to Rush Lake (4,694m), one of the highest alpine lakes on earth, beneath Spantik and the Nagar peaks.
6 days
Transfer into the Nagar Valley, a quiet world of apricot orchards and stone villages beneath the wall of Rakaposhi. After settling in, we take a gentle acclimatisation walk to get the legs moving and the lungs used to the air. Over dinner your licensed Balti guide runs through the route, the pace, and what to expect at altitude on the climb to Rush Lake.
The trek proper begins. We climb steadily out of the valley to Huru Camp at 3,500m, the path opening up under the giants Rakaposhi (7,788m) and Diran (7,266m). It's a rewarding first day — meadows, grazing pastures and widening views — and we keep the pace deliberate to acclimatise. Camp is set on grass with the peaks close enough to touch.
A shorter but steeper alpine day, gaining height to high camp at 4,200m. The vegetation thins to rock and moss as we move into true high country, the air noticeably cooler and thinner. We arrive with time to rest, hydrate and prepare for an early start — this camp is the springboard for the push to the lake.
The big day. An early start carries us up to Rush Lake at 4,694m, one of the highest alpine lakes on earth — a sheet of cold turquoise held in a glacial cirque. At this height you stand almost level with Rakaposhi and Diran, with a full 360° sweep of Karakoram summits, Golden Peak and the Hispar wall on the horizon. After time at the lake we descend back to camp to rest tired legs.
A long descent retraces the route all the way back down to the Nagar Valley, losing the height you fought for over the past three days. It's hard on the knees but easy on the lungs, and the green of the valley feels luxurious after the high camps. A hot meal and a proper bed in Nagar mark the end of the trek.
After breakfast we transfer down the Karakoram Highway to Gilgit, the regional hub. From here you fly to Islamabad (weather permitting) or continue overland on the scenic two-day road, where the trip ends. We help arrange your onward connection.
What’s included in the price
Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $1,200 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.
Included in the price
Private ground transport
All 4×4 transfers
Hotel nights at trailhead towns and all camping on trek
All meals on trek
Camping equipment
A licensed local guide
Cook and porters
Permit and community fees
Plus daily route and weather monitoring by our team
Not included
International flights to and from Pakistan
The Pakistan visa fee
Personal travel and medical insurance
Personal trekking gear (boots
Sleeping bag
Down jacket)
Rental can be arranged in Skardu
Tips for guides
Porters and support staff (recommended $5-10 per day per person)
Why Karakoram Venture
Because the people who take you up this mountain are from it. Our guides grew up in these valleys, and they are our own team — not a booking desk handing you to whoever is cheapest that week. Every one of them is certified by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, holds Wilderness First Aid, and has between five and twenty years on high-altitude ground.
Because the safety is real, and we will name it rather than imply it. A satellite phone travels in every camp, we hold established helicopter-rescue contacts for this region, and we tell you exactly which travel insurance to carry. Budget operators cut precisely these things, because you cannot see them on a web page.
Because the price is honest. Local infrastructure is why $1,200 per person covers the trip from Islamabad rather than a stripped-down base rate. Exactly what it includes — and the handful of things it does not — is set out above.
How to book this trip
Four steps from here to the mountains
1Pick your dateA fixed departure above, or private dates you choose.
2Send the requestThe form on this page, or WhatsApp. Name, party size, date.
3Pay $100 per personThat holds your place. We reply within 24 hours.
4Balance 30 days beforeThen we take over: flights, hotels, permits, crew.
No card details on this page. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
More About the Rush Lake Trek
Booking & Payment
A deposit of $100 per person confirms your spot. Full payment is due 14 days before departure
Bookings can be made through our official website
Authorized agents
Or by direct WhatsApp contact
Prices may change due to availability
Demand
Government travel regulations
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations 30+ days before departure: full refund minus the deposit
Cancellations 15-29 days before departure: 50% refund of the total paid
Cancellations less than 15 days before departure: no refund will be issued
Permits & Documentation
Foreign visitors need a valid Pakistan tourist visa
We provide a Letter of Invitation on request
Restricted-zone treks may require a trekking permit and NOC — we arrange these where needed
Standard fees are included
We require valid travel and medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
Health & Fitness Requirements
Moderate to hard. You should be fit and comfortable walking 5–7 hours a day on rough mountain trails at altitude
This route climbs above 4,000m — acclimatization days are built in
But prior trekking experience is recommended
Anyone with a heart condition or a history of severe altitude sickness should consult a physician before booking
Important Notes
Carry at least 2 recent passport-size photos for verification and documentation.
A valid passport (foreign nationals) or CNIC (Pakistani nationals) is mandatory for booking and travel.
Keep your original passport or CNIC with you throughout the tour for security checks and hotel check-ins.
Foreign nationals need a valid passport and the correct visa; any NOC and trekking/restricted-area permits are arranged by Karakoram Venture.
Special Information
Professional and experienced Tour Manager available from start to end of the trip.
Delicious and fresh daily meals included from Day 1 until departure.
No complimentary meals provided on flights or during transit stops.
Follow updated state travel policies carefully for a hassle-free journey.
Transportation Details
Comfortable and spacious A/C Coaches for long trips and intercity travel.
Sturdy 4x4 jeeps for mountain roads and sightseeing (up to 7 pax per vehicle).
Reliable 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruiser / Prado) for off-road and high-altitude excursions.
Arrival & Departure Guidelines
Day 1: Report at the designated airport on time as per schedule.
Final Day: Depart after successfully completing the full itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Rush Lake Trek cost?
$1200 per person on our scheduled departures. The package page lists exactly what is included; private and custom-group pricing is available on request — just ask.
How long is the trip?
6 Days - 5 Nights, start to finish.
When is the best time to go?
Summer ( June - September ). We will help you pick the best window for your dates.
How hard is the Rush Lake Trek?
A moderate-to-strenuous mountain trek — steady ascents, alpine camps and real altitude, but no technical climbing. Good fitness and some hill-walking experience will see you through comfortably.
How high do you go?
The high point is Rush Lake, among the highest alpine lakes in the world.
What permits or visa do I need?
A standard Pakistan tourist visa is fine for this trek — it runs in an open trekking zone, so no special mountaineering permit is required. We can send a booking letter to support your visa application.
What about insurance and safety?
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trekking at altitude, including medical evacuation, and we will advise on what a suitable policy should cover. Your guides carry a means of communication and a clear emergency plan.
Who guides the trek?
Your team is 100% local Balti — our own guides and porters from these valleys, never subcontracted.
How do I get to the start?
Reached from Skardu or Gilgit (fly from Islamabad or drive the Karakoram Highway), then jeep to the trailhead. We handle pickup and transport.
Can I do this as a private or custom trip?
Yes — every itinerary can run as a private departure and be tailored to your dates, pace and group size. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build it around you.
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