Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
Selected
JOURNEYS
"Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller",
by Ibn Battuta.
Our journeys are bold and ambitious, and perhaps the flagship of this homepage.
Although we are also trekking and island nerds, our journeys are sorts of trailblazing travel expeditions which are unique, challenging and adventurous, and thus they epitomize our spirit within adventure.
Often, the regions, countries and places we visit during our journeys take on an exotic quality. What matters is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. Often, we might have to overcome a bit of hardship and logistical challenges since our journeys most often don’t run smoothly. This is all part of the fun.
In our view, a journey is something you would recommend to others. To us, what really matters, is to get away from the established routes and seek something that little bit more special and authentic. We are not talking about the ultimate expedition, but to move away from the familiar, out of the comfort zone, where everyday situations and events take on an exotic quality.
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part II
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part II
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part III
From Europe to the Himalayas along
THE HIPPY TRAIL
Part III
TravelTwins.dk
Exploring the less beaten paths of the world
- look, read, dream, travel!
Pakistan's magnificient
HUNZA VALLEY
Trekking amongst 7.000m peaks in the land of the Shina, Burushashki and Wakhi people
The Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges of Pakistan mark the western end of the great mountain system of south and central Asia. The main Hindukush and its off-shoot, the Hindu Raj, extend from Afghanistan to the Ishkoman River valley, and from here the Karakoram range runs east into Kashmir and India.
The whole Karakoram region is a geographical vortex between the Central Asian desert and the plains of Pakistan. It lies right in the middle of the collision zone of the Pamir, Kunlun, Hindukush, and Great Himalaya mountain systems, while China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan all come within 250km of each other.
Therefore, is is also the most compact mountain area on the planet with several 7- and 8-thousand meter peaks, and in the valleys beneath the summits lies the greatest expanse of glaciers outside the polar zones.
Obviously, we had to check out the trekking here!
Location: Hunza Valley in Pakistan, during July
The trek we took was in the Hunza River valley - the land the Shina people, Burushashki people, and Wakhi tribe. Above the fields of Hunza soars 7.788m-heigh Rakaposhi, one of the most dramatic and beautiful peaks of the Karakoram. This trek took us to the base camp of Rakaposhi during a week of hiking along rivers, across glaciers and on steep mountain ridges.
We would not hesitate to return to Northern Pakistan. Sure, Pakistan is an Islamic nation, but locals in the mountain areas are extremely friendly, curious, and welcoming. Moreover, prices are extremely low for hiring guide, porters, tent, cooking equipment, buying food etc. For the price of one week in Nepal, you can do 3 weeks in Pakistan. The easiest way to reach the Hunza Valley is to fly from Lahore to Gilgit (if the flight is not cancelled as it often is) or to travel along the Karakoram Highway during 2-3 days.
Check our site on the 'Hippy Trail' to read about our travels in Pakistan, or our extremely wild travel along the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan.
Selected pics from the treks:
Cristoffer relaxing on the roof near Chilas on Karakoram Hwy. We came from Islamabad and are going to Gilgit, and then further on to Karimabad, Sost, Passu, and the Khunjerab Pass.
Finally here after a mad bus trip! View over the Hunza Valley and Rakaposhi (our trekking target) from the terrace of our hostel in Karimabad
Beautiful Rakaposhi (7.788m) in the Upper Nagyr Valley where we are heading in a few days after putting up the logistics, buying food etc.
We travel by jeep deeper into the mountains untill our drop-off in Hapakun Village
Our first night in the wilderness
River passage along the trek
Our local Hunza guide leads the way
Along the way are seveal Shina-speaking villagers living in remote huts in the wilderness. Many times, we bought freshly made buttermilk from the locals.
Anders along the trek
Our target base camp in the distance
Some locals live in really primitive shelters
Time to camp! Arrival at a green meadow serveing as the base camp for Diran Peak (7.257m).
Next day, we descend to the Minapin glacier
The broad Minapin glacier that we will have to cross to reach Rakaposhi case camp
Cristoffer and our two guides discuss which route to take to avoid the largest crevasses
During the day - here 12 noon - it is not that cold, with temperature hovering at 12-13 degree celcius
Cristoffer taking a rest after traversing the Minapin glacier
Finally at the Rakaposhi Base Camp. We have just put up our tent
Mighty Rakaposhi in the backdrop
Towards the Pisan Glacier
We took the middle route hoping for a less number of crevasses as compared to side tracks
Crossing a crevasse
The trek continues towards Chalt
Minapin river cutting through the lanscape near the end of the trek
View over Gilgit town and the Bargot vally from the roof of our hostel