OnTheRoad

Minapin is primarily attractive to tourists as a base to explore Rakaposhi. There's a great hike heading up to the base camp from here, with an option to cross the Minapin Glacier to the Diran base camp.

I didn't, unfortunately, do the crossing, but the hike to the base camp still has incredible scenery, with views over the glacier to Diran and up towards Rakaposhi. As the sun heats things up, avalanches crash down onto the glacier from the ridge in between. It's possible to stay up at the base camp, and also an hour further down at Hapakun; tents and sleeping bags are provided.

In Minapin itself, the Diran Hotel/Guesthouse is about the only place to stay, but it's a good one. The food is tasty (if a little pricy), the staff are great, the surroundings are perfect. Imagine a lush orchard of cherries and apricots, shading white lawn furniture, with cups of chai being brought out to you as you sit reading under the trees...

I confess to staying an extra day, just to relax in the orchard...