Camps up to 5000 m. Less than 25 km/jour, river crossing, glacier ice walking, dangerous scree slopes.
It is a little-known panorama of northern Pakistan, the Rakaposhi and Diran South Face. The glacier is impressive. If you don’t know where to go, then put this trek on your list.
Unfortunately I could not reach Hinarche harai, but what I saw was enough for what follows. It is a trek not to be underestimated. Up to Biyabari there is no problem, and then it gets harder. There is an exposed passage, a path little obvious at times, and an impressive glacier to cross.
WARNING
The road that goes to Hinarche harai across the valley is described as a difficult route but achievable in some guides. It would be extremely dangerous to use it according to what I observed. Even with all the necessary equipment, ropes etc ... At this level of commitment you’d rather choose a virgin 6000 peak in Gojal!
Guides and porters : In Bagrot, we met one person speaking English! For guide the better is to hire him in Gilgit. Many inhabitants of Chirah will offer you to come with you as porters. For a guide, it costs from 1000 to 1200 rps / day. For a porter, when we asked in Chirah they did not seem to know the price! We paid the 2007 rate, 350 rps per stage including food. They didn’t seem to be aware of how many stages there were; we set 4 up to Gargo return, add two extras return for Rakhan Gali. If you want to go up to Hanuchal through the Rakhan Gali, with more than 3 porters it can be problematic, organize a change of porters at the pass, count 6 to 8 stages. Inquire in Gilgit.
To get there : In Pakistan, when you get off the beaten track, it is problematic! For Bagrot we sought transport for a half day, foaming bus Gilgit stations. Finally we went in a jeep which was going anyway to Chirah for 250 rps / person. A special costs around 1500 rps one way. The solution would be to go to Danyore by Suzuki or bus and then take a passenger jeep that leaves between 11 am and 15 pm.
The trouble is that we still don’t know where it leaves from. If you choose this option expect to be told anything and everything: “There is no jeep, it already left, you were misinformed etc”. Bagrot is in Hunza (Pakistani people who see a lost tourist think that he can only go to Hunza, and with all the kindness of the world, they send you there!)…. And perhaps a “yes, the jeep is there and it leaves in 10-15 minutes!”
To sleep : There is a hotel in one of the most spectacular settings of Pakistan. Inevitable, it is at the foot of a series of water falls, the highest measuring around 100 m. Just a flat, it is often closed because of the few tourists who come here. Contact the owner Mr Gulam Abbas (he speaks English): tel 03355110090 - mobile: 03465222441. The room in a bungalow costs 500 rps, and 100 rps for the tent. They cook for you, 100 rps per meal per person in 2007. If the hotel is closed, you will always have a field for planting your tent; also plan enough food.
From May to October
Shopping : Gilgit.
Day 1
Chira - Biyabari Departure: 2550 m Arrival: 3000 m - 0 m + 460 m Distance: 6 km Length: 3 to 4 hours
Exit Chirah following the path that goes up the main valley. Later on, we can see the trail that goes up along the cliffside, leave it and turn left. A bridge crosses the river. A little later, a trail climbs on the terminal part of the Hinarche glacier. The following part is nice. The trail passes through a populated area where you'll invariably be invited to take tea. It then goes up along the bottom of a valley until Biyabari, a beautiful trough next to shepherd huts.
Water : Just before Biyabari, a shady stream!
Day 2
Biyabari - Hinarche harai Departure: 3000 m Arrival: 4000 m -? m + 1000? m Distance: 12? km
Time to progression: 8 to 11 hours
Go up along the lateral moraine, the walk is pleasant in a coniferous forest. The sight of Rakaposhi South Side is impressive. After an hour you through Diran, a ruined hut before a river crossing. This passage is highly exposed, it is made of conglomerate walls that are unstable. The following part is arid, the path little obvious. Continue 2 to 3 hours until the entry on the glacier. The crossing is hard. Hinarche is right in front, overlooked by Diran and Rakaposhi.
Water : Residents of Chirah claimed that there was water in Hinarche.
Day 3 & 4
Departure: 4000 m Arrival: 2550 m -1460 + ? Distance: 18 km Length: 2 days Go back the same way
WARNING Treks described in this rubric have all been walked by the author, itineraries are detailed daily, maps and pictures illustrate them. On no account these sheets will replace the experience of a local guide; they are complementary and should be taken as such! Never go alone, without warning anybody! The course of some trails might change from one year to another, landslides, mud slides are numerous enough.