Nagar Valley Photography Tour
Across the river from Hunza and far quieter: Rakaposhi and Diran close overhead, a glacier you can walk to, and villages in autumn gold.
Nagar faces Hunza across the river and looks back at it. It sees a fraction of the visitors, which is exactly why I keep returning.
I once wrote that my journey through Nagar was a love affair left unfinished, and it still is. The valley has Rakaposhi at 7,788 m and Diran at 7,266 m on one side, the Hopar and Hispar glacier systems at its head, and old villages stepped into the slopes.
Nagar works well as two or three days added to a Hunza tour, or as the centre of a slower autumn itinerary for photographers who have already seen the main viewpoints.
- Best season
- October for autumn; April for blossom; June to September for the high lakes
- Altitude
- About 2,400 to 2,800 m in the villages
- Base
- Hopar, Minapin or Karimabad across the river
- Access
- Side roads off the Karakoram Highway
Locations
What you will photograph
Rakaposhi viewpoint, Ghulmet
The closest road-side view of Rakaposhi, with the glacier pouring down toward the highway.
Hopar Valley and glacier
A bowl of terraced fields that ends at the edge of the Hopar (Bualtar) Glacier, a short walk from the road.
Golden Peak (Spantik)
At 7,027 m, the peak earns its name when its marble face catches the evening sun.
Minapin and Diran
A green village under Diran, and the start of the walk toward Rakaposhi base camp for those who want it.
Rush Lake
At about 4,694 m, one of the highest alpine lakes in Pakistan, reached on a multi-day trek for fit photographers.
Light and season
When to go
- Autumn colour in Nagar matches Hunza: the last two weeks of October are usually the peak.
- Rakaposhi and Diran take first light; Golden Peak is an evening mountain.
- Because the valley is quieter, village and portrait photography is easier here, always with permission.
See the month-by-month guide to the best time to photograph Pakistan.
From my archive
Photographs from Nagar Valley
Practical notes
Before you travel
- Accommodation is simpler than in Karimabad, and part of the appeal.
- Side roads are narrow and partly unpaved; travel is by local jeep where needed.
- Trekking to Rush Lake needs good fitness and extra days. The village and glacier viewpoints do not.
- Always ask before photographing people, especially women. I help with introductions.
Plan your trip
Photograph Nagar Valley with me
Tell me your dates and what you want to photograph, and I will plan a private itinerary around the light. Tours are operated through Travelbug, the travel company I co-founded, which arranges transport, stays and permits.
Every tour is privately quoted. No fixed packages or departure dates.
Questions
Good to know
How is Nagar different from Hunza?
They share the same peaks and seasons, but Nagar is on the opposite bank, less developed and far less visited. The photography is quieter and more about villages, glaciers and close mountain views.
When should I visit Nagar for photography?
The last two weeks of October for autumn colour, April for blossom, and summer if you plan to trek to the high lakes.
Can I photograph Rakaposhi from Nagar?
Yes. Rakaposhi stands on the Nagar side, and the viewpoint at Ghulmet and the villages around Minapin give some of the closest views.
Is trekking required?
No. Hopar Glacier and the main viewpoints are near the road. Treks such as Rush Lake are optional additions.
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Muhammad Asmar Hussain
Award-winning Pakistani landscape photographer, Sony Brand Ambassador for Landscape Photography, TEDx speaker and Co-Founder of Travelbug. Published by National Geographic and a winner at the Sony World Photography Awards. More about Asmar.