Located deep in the Hopper Valley, the Nagar district rush lake trek is a 3 to 4-day traverse trek it is one of the most beautiful treks in Pakistan the lake is at an altitude of 4700m making it the highest alpine lake in Pakistan it surrounded by breathtaking and surreal peaks of Karakoram with the view of Shispar peak, ulter peak, and lady finger in the south in the north side Malibuting, Diran, and the Spantik, along the trek you are followed by the mesmerizing Barpu glacier.
The trek starts from the beautiful Hopper Valley which is precisely 37km from Karimabad Hunza. It is an hour’s drive on the topsy-turvy road, the trek begins by going down to the Hopper Glacier, in the last 3 4 years the glacier has been a bit tricky due to high temperatures the glacier has melted and has become more slippery than before, the beginning and end of the glacier are bit damaged and some parts are slippery so the trekkers have to be a bit careful crossing the hopper glacier. Along the the glacier, you have the view of Kaple Peak and Kapura Peak, after the glacier there is steep terrain for 30 minutes, leading towards the moraine of Barpu Glacier, the path is defined on the Barpu Glacier so there is no ice, and its almost end of the glacier you are trekking on the moraine, after trekking 30 to 40 min on Barpu glacier you end up on the other side where there is a flat terrain. In 2 hours you reach the water source and the first camp place called Berichokor 3300m.
Day 2 wake up early in the morning to avoid the intense heat for the day 2 the terrain on day two is steep and barren once you leave Bericho Kor, you need to fill the water bottles from the water channel at Bericho Kor That is why you have to start early around 6 am specially when the weather is clear, on day 2 you get to see the view of barpu glacier and miar chhish 6970m. The altitude gain is around 1000m from 3200m to 4200m. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to get to the top where you reach the green meadow,
From there it’s a slow gradual slightly steep terrain where you enjoy the views of Barpu and Hispar peaks on the right it takes 1 and a half to reach Chidin Harai 4400m where most take a rest and head towards the steep part towards the lake, in 1 and half hour from Chidin harai you reach the rush lake around 2 pm you reach the rush lake where you have a breathtaking epic view of the Miar chish, Golden peak, and Ultar peak and you see the reflection of the peaks in the lake. You can have lunch and dinner and camp at Rush Lake.
On day 3 you have the option to trek towards the rush peak which is 5100m high and it’s an easy trekking peak to climb that takes around 2 hours from the lake to reach the top. And if you have clear weather you can see the K2 peak and famous hispar la.
Around 12pm either take the same route back or descend taking an alternative route that is more scenic and adventurous. If taking the alternative route descend from Rush Lake down to the left and follow the trail which will lead you to Phahi Phari camping place but the descent from Rush Lake to Phahi Phari is around 1300m. The descent will take you around 2 and a half hours to Phahi Phari camping place. Where there is a water channel and some wood it is a good place to camp and rest for the day
On day 4 you trek for 30 min in flat terrain crossing the small wooden trees towards Bericho Kor you have to turn left towards Barpu Glacier, follow the visible trail to the Moraine Ridge, and descend towards the glacier follow the train first 30 to 50 min on the glacier can be up and down go slowly and try not to lose the trail if you are on the trail it is not a problem and you on the white glacier and will easily see the pastures on the other side. The total time crossing the Barpu glacier is around 1 and a half hours to 2 hours. Once you are on the other side it is a simple trail going through green pastures and many shepherd huts and in 3 to 4 hours you will be at the starting point of Hopper Glacier, cross the Hopper Glacier and you are in the Hopper Valley around 4 pm, from hopper you can easy get a taxi to Karimabad or you can hitchhike towards Hunza
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