The Rush Lake Trek is a guided trip lasting 11 days in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 4,694 m. It is graded Moderate to Demanding — high alpine lake, non-technical — 6 days on foot. 5 fixed departures are open from $1,500 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.
Rush Lake Trek — 2027 All-Inclusive
The Rush Lake Trek is an 11-day, 10-night trip from Islamabad to Rush Lake (4,694 m), one of the highest alpine lakes in the world, by the Hoper glaciers in Nagar, with an optional climb to Rush Peak (5,098 m).
Rush Lake
Rush Lake sits in a high glacial cirque above the Barpu glacier, a turquoise sheet of water with Spantik, Diran and the Miar peaks around it. From Rush Peak above the lake, the view runs east to K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. The trek is demanding but non-technical: strong legs and steady acclimatisation, no specialist equipment.
The Route
Day 1 — Islamabad (540 m): Arrive, evening briefing.
Day 2 — Fly to Gilgit, drive to Karimabad (~2,500 m): Road fallback via Chilas if the flight is cancelled.
Day 3 — Hunza buffer day: Baltit and Altit forts, Eagle's Nest at sunset.
Day 4 — Hoper to Bericho Kor (~3,300 m): Across the Bualtar glacier.
Day 5 — Chidin Harai (~4,440 m): The big climb along the Barpu glacier.
Day 6 — Rest at Chidin Harai: A full acclimatisation day.
Day 7 — Rush Lake (4,694 m): Camp beside the lake.
Day 8 — Rush Peak (5,098 m, optional) and Phahi Phari (~3,450 m).
Day 9 — Hamdar meadows, Hoper, Karimabad.
Day 10 — Fly Gilgit to Islamabad.
Day 11 — Depart.
Related Treks: Fairy Meadows Trek | K6 & K7 Base Camp Trek | Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek
- Duration
- 11 Days - 10 Nights
- Max altitude
- 4,694 m
- Grade
- Moderate – Demanding
- Days on foot
- 6
- Best season
- Summer ( June - September )
- Group size
- Max 12
Rush Lake Trek Price
Fixed Departures
Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip.
| Departure | Dates | Price | Availability | Deposit | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 02 | 1 Jun – 11 Jun | $1,500/person | 6 of 12 places | $150 | Book now |
| Group 03 | 20 Jun – 30 Jun | $1,500/person | 9 of 12 places | $150 | Book now |
| Group 04 | 11 Jul – 21 Jul | $1,500/person | 7 of 12 places | $150 | Book now |
| Group 05 | 1 Aug – 11 Aug | $1,500/person | 5 of 12 places | $150 | Book now |
| Group 06 | 22 Aug – 1 Sep | $1,500/person | 8 of 12 places | $150 | Book now |
Private & customised groups
These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date.
| Group size | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 Person) | $2,900 | Fully private Rush Lake trek with dedicated personal guide. |
| (2-3 Persons) | $2,100 | Semi-private trek - perfect for partners tackling the Rush Lake ascent together. |
| (4-6 Persons) | $1,750 | Small group with full private guiding to Rush Lake (4,694 m). |
| (7-10 Persons) | $1,500 | 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.
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.
One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Travel Experience
Itinerary — Rush Lake Trek
An 11-day trek from Islamabad to Rush Lake (4,694 m) in Nagar: up the Bualtar and Barpu glaciers from Hoper, a full acclimatisation day at Chidin Harai, an optional dawn on Rush Peak, and back down through the Hamdar meadows.
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
540 m
We meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. In the evening your trek leader runs the briefing: gear check, the Gilgit flight plan and how the altitude profile works.
Day 2Fly to Gilgit, drive to Karimabad
~2,500 m
A short mountain flight to Gilgit when the weather allows, then up the Karakoram Highway past the Rakaposhi viewpoint to Karimabad in Hunza. If the flight is cancelled we drive the KKH via Chilas instead. That is what Day 3 is for.
Day 3Hunza: buffer and acclimatisation
~2,500 m
A spare day by design. Walk up to Baltit and Altit forts and watch sunset from the Eagle's Nest. If the flight slipped, this is where we catch it up.
Day 4Hoper to Bericho Kor
~3,300 m
A jeep to Hoper in Nagar, then the trek begins: across the rubble of the Bualtar glacier and up along the Barpu glacier to the grassy camp at Bericho Kor. Porters carry the camp; you carry a daypack.
Day 5Bericho Kor to Chidin Harai
~4,440 m
The big climbing day, about 1,100 m up along the Barpu glacier to the summer pastures of Chidin Harai. Go slow and drink often. The views of Spantik and the Miar peaks open up as you climb.
Day 6Rest and acclimatise at Chidin Harai
~4,440 m
Nobody climbs today. Most groups go straight on to the lake; we don't, because a night at this height before sleeping at 4,694 m is what makes the next two days safe and enjoyable. Short walks around camp only.
Day 7Up to Rush Lake
4,694 m
A short, steady climb to Rush Lake, a sheet of cold turquoise in a high cirque and one of the highest alpine lakes on earth. The afternoon is yours at the shore. Camp beside the lake.
Day 8Rush Peak at dawn, down to Phahi Phari
5,098 m / ~3,450 m
An early, optional climb to Rush Peak for the widest view on the trip: K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums to the east, Spantik and Diran close by. Your guide sets the turnaround time. Then down to the meadow camp at Phahi Phari.
Day 9Hamdar meadows, Hoper and back to Karimabad
~2,500 m
Down through the Hamdar meadows to Hoper, where the jeeps wait, and back to Karimabad for a hot shower and a proper bed.
Day 10Fly Gilgit to Islamabad
540 m
Drive to Gilgit for the morning flight to Islamabad. If it is cancelled we drive the KKH in two days, so keep your international departure flexible.
Day 11Depart
Transfer to Islamabad airport.
What’s included in the price
Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $1,500 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.
Included in the price
- Airport transfers
- Islamabad–Gilgit flights both ways (with a Karakoram Highway road fallback if a flight is cancelled)
- All jeep transfers
- 5 hotel nights (twin share) and all camping on trek
- All meals on trek and in hotels
- Camping equipment
- A licensed local Nagar trek leader
- Cook and porters
- A satellite phone with the group
- Community and trekking fees
- Plus a built-in acclimatisation day at Chidin Harai
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 Karimabad
- Tips for guides
- Porters and support staff (recommended $5-10 per day per person)
Resources
Free guides from our local team, so you arrive ready.
- Trekking gear list what to pack
- Trekking medicine & altitude staying well up high
- Maps, books, visa & permits planning your trip
- Trek brochure
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 holds a guide licence from DTS Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federal DTS, renewed each year, and worked at least five years in the region before applying for it. Most also hold Wilderness First Aid.
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 $1,500 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
More About the Rush Lake Trek
Booking & Payment
A deposit of 10% of the trip price 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, and 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
You need a Pakistan Trekking & Mountaineering visa; we provide the Letter of Invitation.
Restricted-zone treks may require a trekking permit and NOC — we arrange these where needed and the standard fees are included.
We require valid travel and medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.
Health & Fitness Requirements
Moderate to hard. Six trekking days with up to 1,100 m of ascent in a day and glacier moraine underfoot. You should be fit and comfortable walking 5–7 hours a day at altitude.
This route climbs above 4,000 m — 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?
$1,500 per person on our scheduled departures, including the Islamabad–Gilgit flights. The package page lists exactly what is included; private and custom-group pricing is available on request — just ask.
How long is the trip?
11 days and 10 nights, Islamabad to Islamabad, with six days on foot.
When is the best time to go?
Summer, June to September, when the route to 4,694 m is clear of snow. We will help you pick the best window for your dates.
How hard is the Rush Lake Trek?
Moderate to demanding. The longest climb is about 1,100 m in a day, and parts of the route cross glacier moraine, but there is no technical climbing. A rest day at Chidin Harai is built in so the body can adjust before the lake.
How high do you go?
You sleep beside Rush Lake at 4,694 m, one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. The optional dawn climb to Rush Peak reaches 5,098 m.
What permits or visa do I need?
You travel on a Pakistan Trekking & Mountaineering visa; we provide the Letter of Invitation and arrange the community and trekking fees on the route.
What about insurance and safety?
Travel insurance that covers trekking at altitude, including helicopter evacuation, is required. Every group carries a satellite phone, and the rest day at Chidin Harai is part of the safety plan.
Who guides the trek?
A licensed local trek leader from Nagar, with our own cook and porters from these valleys, never subcontracted.
How do I get to the start?
It is included. We fly you from Islamabad to Gilgit and drive to Karimabad and Hoper; if the flight is cancelled we drive the Karakoram Highway instead.
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.
