Moderate to difficult. In 5 days, it is moderate; we have walked it in 3 days ... a little more difficult.
The path is well marked up to the base camp, after it is logical up to the pass. You must cross a glacier twice before finding a well marked but sometimes exposed path.

Guide : 1000 to 1200 rps / day without tips or wapasi.
Porter: Ask in Upper Naltar. This trek suffers from its success and inflation is well underway. Although agree on all the matters before leaving, even write the salary on a piece of paper. In 2007, 6 stages at the same price as in the rest of the country: without food 300/rps, 350 rps with food, excluding tips or wapasi.  

To get there : many jeeps go to Upper Naltar village from Gilgit throughout the day, 602 rps. A special costs from 1000 to 1500 rps.

For the return, jeeps left early morning for Pakora Gilgit, 150 rps. Organize a special rps costs in 2500.
It is possible to mount jeep to the lake, more than 1500rps.
Sleep: A Upper Naltar, a few guesthouses, 100 rps / night, they cook for you. A Pakora, planting the tent and provide meals and more. At Lake Naltar tents ...

Best time: July - late September.

 

Shopping: Gilgit

 
Exit Upper Naltar going up the valley on the unsealed road, it goes through inhabited areas for a good hour. Immediately after, the path continues in the middle of coniferous forests.
Leave a first bridge on the left and after half an hour cross a river in the middle of an Alpine atmosphere. The sub-wood that follows is superb, another 45 minutes before a new bridge, cross it to reach the right bank of the river. Continue 45 minutes up to the lake, the view is superb, the color is emerald green. If you make the journey in 5 days, it is an ideal camp, especially because there are other equally beautiful lakes in the area. During the summer, tents are installed for tourists, it is possible to stay and eat there.

Walk along the lake, and 500 meters later cross the river. Right after comes a beautiful slope that leads you to the upper valley. Continue 30 minutes and cross the river again, climb to Gopa, a village of
shepherds, 20 minutes later it is possible to camp by a new bridge. Cross the river one last time.

The climb is regular, 10 minutes later cross a tributary coming from the right, before Lath meadow.  The following part is mineral; on the left Shani peak is very impressive. Pass Lower Shani (1h30 walk) and its few huts; go up on the right side that leads on the lateral moraine and through another meadow, it is the beginning of Upper Shani (30 min), possibility to camp here.
 
Water : Right in the camp, a spring. There are rivers all along the way.

 
A very long day, continue on the lateral moraine, up a steep slope mountainside, the path goes along the precipice before returning to the lateral moraine. A new camp consists of a few huts; it is the end of Upper Shani. It is right at the entrance to a beautiful valley. For the pass, go around the valley climbing up; to get to the base camp, cross it and climb on the other side on a well marked path.

On the way to the Pass, many paths marked by livestock end on a scree slope where a little stream runs, follow it uphill. Beware, if you take this route do not descend into the valley but stay along  side the slope side  going up slightly.

After the landslide a hill appears on the left, climb it. The path leads to one overview, continue through these stretches of stone, you can see the pass at the bottom. Go up along the ridges until a new steep slope, which ends on another flat part, the pass is visible marked by cairns; walk the 500 m separating you from Pakora Pass. On the other side of the glacier, two possibilities, go either on the side… it is dangerous or by the glacier, moving to the right and avoiding the cracked area. 30 minutes after, the lateral moraine on the right, the following part is easy for 45 minutes. After the turn, a difference of field changes the morphology of the moraine, it is impossible to continue here, go down and cross the glacier. Aim for the other side at more than one kilometre, the hill just before the down slope of the lateral moraine. The terminal part on the edge of the glacier is cracked, so be careful when you exit.
The next part is easier; go down along the lateral moraine for 2 hours until Lal Patar, a nice little camp. Continue during 15 minutes until you get into the middle of a birch and willow forest. It is quite unusual in Pakistan, the crossing is very pleasant. At the end of the woods, a very pleasant Maidun (camp), where you can camp; be aware there is no water; you should have taken some after Lal Patar.
Otherwise continue 30 minutes up to Jutsur, cross the river and climb on the other side, walk 20 minutes to the camp, many huts and water.
 
Water : before the pass, on the glacier, just after Lal Patar.

Still a long way to go !

Exit Jutsur to cross the river, follow its bed for 1 hour up to a turn; walking on pebbles is difficult. On the right handside comes a village of shepherds, and 500 m further the path is clearly visible on a mountainside.
The following part is impressive; the narrow trail goes along precipices, crosses rivers overhung by beautiful waterfalls; the valley gets deeper. Surrounded by mountains, it runs along gorges. At the bottom of the valley a new bridge and shortly after a first view of Ishkoman Valley and the village of Pakora ; continue 30-40 minutes, you will surely be welcomed by kind people who will offer trays of fruit

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Inquire where the jeep leaves and ask where it is possible to sleep.