The Nangma valley opens off the Hushe valley near Kanday village, a short drive south of Khaplu, and climbs into a corridor of granite walls and towers that has made it one of Pakistan's best-known big-wall climbing destinations. Amin Brakk, a sheer granite tower reaching close to 5,850 metres, is the valley's best-known feature, and the approach and camps beneath it are also a serious trekking objective in their own right.
This guide covers how to reach Nangma from Khaplu, what the walk in involves, and who the valley suits.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Off the Hushe valley, trailhead at Kanday village, Ghanche district |
| From Khaplu | About 1.5 to 2 hours by jeep to Kanday |
| Kanday village | Around 3,200 m |
| Main camp | Mingulu Broq, roughly 3,600 m |
| Amin Brakk base camp | Around 4,200 to 4,300 m |
| Amin Brakk height | About 5,850 m |
| Best months | June to September |
| Permit | None for the trek itself; a guide is strongly recommended |
Where is the Nangma valley?
Nangma branches off the Hushe valley near Kanday, one of the villages on the jeep road between Khaplu and Hushe, in the same district as Masherbrum and the Charakusa glacier. It runs up into a narrow corridor walled in by clean granite, which climbers have compared to Yosemite in the United States for the scale and quality of its rock, though the setting, at well over 3,000 metres in the Karakoram, is a different order of remote.
Getting to the trailhead
The drive from Khaplu to Kanday follows the same route as the road to Hushe: across the Shyok at Saling, then up the valley through Machulu, taking roughly an hour and a half to two hours by jeep. A local driver from Khaplu is the sensible way to arrange it, on the same terms as a Hushe valley trip: agree the price and timing in advance, and expect a rough, narrow track for the later stretch.
Walking into Nangma
From Kanday the walk into the valley climbs steadily to the main camping ground, generally described as Mingulu Broq, a green meadow at around 3,600 metres used as a base for exploring further in and for acclimatising before heading higher. Parties aiming for the climbing routes continue on to a base camp near Amin Brakk itself, at somewhere around 4,200 to 4,300 metres.
What this means in practice:
- It is a multi-day trip, not a day walk. Budget at least a couple of days to reach the main camp and return, more if you want to get close to Amin Brakk or stay to watch climbers on the walls.
- A guide is strongly recommended. No special permit is needed for trekking into the valley itself, but the ground is remote, the trail is not signed, and porters and a guide are best arranged through a registered operator or in Khaplu.
- Camping gear is essential. There is no accommodation beyond the village; expect to camp throughout.
- Altitude needs respect. Kanday itself sits above 3,000 metres, and the main camp is higher still, so build in time to acclimatise rather than pushing straight up.
Who goes to Nangma, and why
Climbers come for the granite: long, clean big-wall routes on towers like Amin Brakk that are genuinely world class by international climbing standards, in a setting with none of the crowds of better-known ranges. Trekkers who are not climbing come for the same scenery from the ground, walking in to the meadows and base camp for the walls and the quiet rather than to climb them.
June to September is the working season, when the valley is clear of the heaviest snow and climbing conditions are at their best.
Is Nangma worth the trip?
For climbers, it is one of the reasons to come to Baltistan at all. Few valleys in the world combine this quality of granite with this little traffic.
For non-climbers who enjoy trekking, the walk in to Mingulu Broq is a rewarding few days if you are already equipped and comfortable camping at altitude. It is not a trip for casual sightseers or families: there is no road, no accommodation and no easy version of the outing. If you want to see the Hushe valley's mountains with far less effort, a jeep trip to Hushe village for the view of Masherbrum is the easier choice; see our Hushe valley guide.
To arrange a Nangma valley trek with a guide and porters as part of a Baltistan trip, get in touch through our trip planning page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Nangma valley?
Drive from Khaplu to Kanday village, about an hour and a half to two hours by jeep, then walk in. There is no road into the valley itself.
How high is Amin Brakk?
Around 5,850 metres. It is the best-known of the granite towers in the Nangma valley.
Do you need a permit for Nangma valley?
No special permit is needed for the trek itself, but hiring a local guide is strongly recommended given the remote, unmarked terrain.
When is the best time to visit Nangma valley?
June to September, when the valley is clearest of snow and conditions for both trekking and climbing are at their best.
Is Nangma valley suitable for beginners?
Not as a casual outing. It is a multi-day camping trek to altitudes above 3,600 metres, best suited to fit trekkers and climbers with a guide, rather than families or first-time hikers.
