Your Assigned Tasks
Packing Checklist
Essentials
Recommended
Cost & Payment
Packing Guide
Pack tight and light. Every gram counts for the 24 km round trip. Camp gear is distributed among the group — your personal load should stay minimal. Roll everything instead of folding.
🧳 Essentials
🎒 Recommended
🥤 Cups will be provided by Muzahir. Don't bring your own.
🎒 Sleeping bags and tent/camp gear distributed to members based on experience and fitness. Horses port gear from Nathia to Miranjani — you carry your personal bag the rest.
💧 Water management: 2 empty bottles tied to bag at start of hike + your own drinking bottle. Fill at last stream before camp.
Trip Overview
Route
Islamabad → Nathia Gali → Miranjani Trail → Koona Danna (camp) → Dagri Bangla → Return
Total Hike
24 km round trip · 12 km each way · 2 Days / 1 Night
Difficulty
Moderate (easy with proper gear) · First 3 km steep, then like a walk
Meetup Point
I-8 Markaz, Habibi Parking · 5:30 AM sharp · Depart 6:00 AM
Full Timeline
Day 1 — Saturday, July 11
Meet at I-8 Markaz
Habibi Parking. Load all luggage onto the Coaster. Attendance check.
Depart for Nathia Gali
Early start to avoid traffic jams near Nathia Gali.
Arrive Nathia Gali · Breakfast
Breakfast at a good restaurant in Nathia Gali (included in split).
Start Hike
Begin trek from Nathia Gali towards Koona Danna. First 3 km are steep but there's a track all the way.
Steep Climb Section
Horses available to port heavy luggage for the steep stretch up to Miranjani.
Forest Walk to Campsite
Easy to moderate walk through the forest. Rain likely — raincoat and good grip shoes essential.
Arrive at Koona Danna
Set up camp, rest, explore the meadow. Take in the views.
Dinner at Camp
Group dinner cooked at the campsite. Campfire if conditions allow.
Camp at Koona Danna
Sleep in tents. Temperature can feel near freezing when wet. Proper warm layers essential.
Day 2 — Sunday, July 12
Wake Up & Tea
Wake up, freshen up, pack sleeping bags.
Breakfast at Camp
Warm breakfast at the campsite. Break down camp after.
Hike to Dagri Bangla
~1 hour walk through Dagri Forest to Dagri Bangla. Proper washroom available at Forest Rest House.
Explore Dagri Bangla
Explore the area, photos, rest before the return hike.
Start Return Hike
Hike back from Dagri Bangla → Koona Danna → Nathia Gali.
Arrive Nathia Gali
Reach Nathia Gali. Rest and freshen up.
Dinner in Nathia Gali
Second dinner at a restaurant in Nathia Gali (included in split).
Depart for Islamabad
Board the Coaster and head back home.
Arrive Islamabad
Trip ends at the same meeting point. Unload luggage.
Weather & Conditions
Food Plan
Camp cooking: We'll cook basic, mostly pre-cooked/heated food at the campsite. Tea, omelettes, warm the bread, and heat up pre-cooked meals. Propane tins, stove, and essential cookware all packed. Duties assigned at camp.
Trail Maps & GPX Downloads
Trail Overview
Islamabad → Nathia Gali → Miranjani → Koona Danna (camp) → Dagri Forest → Dagri Bangla → Return
Total Distance
24 km round trip (12 km each way)
Navigation Setup (Offline Maps)
Install one of these free apps and download the full Pakistan offline map before the trip. No internet needed on the trail.
Android — OsmAnd+
Get it free from F-Droid (no trial, no ads). Search "OsmAnd+" in F-Droid store and install. Open app → Download maps → Pakistan → Download full map. Then load the GPX files when we share them.
iPhone — Maps.me
Download from App Store. Open app → Download maps → Asia → Pakistan → Download. Maps.me handles GPX well. You can see your location on the trail offline.
💡 Both apps use OpenStreetMap data and show hiking trails, contour lines, and your GPS position without mobile signal. Keep the GPX files on your phone in case anyone gets separated from the group.
Porting & Load Distribution
Horses — Steep Climb (First 3 km)
All heavy shared luggage (tents, group water, food) will be ported by horses from Nathia Gali up to Miranjani for the steep stretch. This prevents anyone from collapsing on the incline. 2 volunteers need to hike early with the horses to guard the gear at Miranjani (no solo guard due to leopard risks).
Carry Your Own — After Miranjani
Once past Miranjani, the trail becomes a mostly flat walk through the forest. From here, everyone carries their own bags (shared gear distributed by fitness level). The walk is easy — just long. No further horse support needed.
Personal Carry Weight
Your personal gear + sleeping bag + water is ~6.75 kg. Good fitness hikers get ~4.5 kg extra (tents). Average fitness gets ~1.5-3 kg extra (water). Low fitness carries zero extra. Full breakdown in Weight Management section below.
Why This Way
The first 3 km from Nathia Gali is the only steep section. Once you hit the ridge at Miranjani, it's an easy forest walk to Koona Danna. Horses handle the hard part — you just need to carry a light daypack for the climb.
Water Management
Personal Water
Everyone brings their own water bottle (1L minimum) for drinking during the hike.
Group Water (Kitchen/Tea)
Everyone brings 2 extra empty 1.5L bottles. Muzahir will provide sturdy shoppers to hang them on bags. We fill them at the start of the hike. ~48L total group water for cooking, tea, and cleaning at camp.
Natural Source
There's a stream on the trail. If it's still running in July, we can use it as backup. Rainwater collection also planned.
Weight Distribution
Group water is distributed by fitness level — fit hikers carry 2×2.25L, average carry 1×1.5L, beginners carry 0 extra. See Weight Management section below.
Weight Management
Everyone carries their personal gear (~6.75 kg). Shared group gear (90 kg total) is distributed by fitness level so nobody gets exhausted on the steep first 5 km.
Heavy Hitters
Good Fitness · Carry tents + group gear ~11.25 kg total
Cruisers
Average Fitness · Carry group water bottles ~9.5-11.25 kg total
VIPs
Beginner/Low Fitness · Zero extra gear. Only personal items ~6.75 kg
📦 Packing rules: Wear heavy clothes while traveling (don't stuff in bag). Line bag with plastic shopper first (shoe-box method). Heavy items against spine at shoulder level. Horses available for the steep 3 km stretch up to Miranjani.
Waterproofing
Sleeping Bags
Each sleeping bag wrapped in polythene and sealed. Then tied to backpacks with ropes — almost no added weight.
Backpacks
Muzahir will provide big polythene shoppers for everyone. Line the inside of your bag like a trash can first, pack everything inside the plastic, twist-tie shut at the top. This keeps the center of gravity stable.
Raincoats
Mandatory for everyone. Muzahir bought high-quality raincoats (with trousers) for those who requested — Rs. 1,000 each. If you're bringing your own, make sure it's actually waterproof, not just water-resistant.
Footwear
Good grip, strong material, deep tread. Shoes are essential for safety during rain — slipping on wet trails can cause injuries. If unsure, visit Landa Bazar for affordable options.