Day 01: Arrival in Pakistan
Welcome in Pakistan at Islamabad and transfer to hotel for rest. In the morning, we will visit ministry of tourism for a briefing session for permit formalities.
In the afternoon we will make a city sightseeing tour of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which offers a great contrast of culture, archaeology and planning. Rawalpindi is an old city with narrow lanes and bustling bazaars while Islamabad is a modern and mapped serving as the capital of the state. Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Lok Virsa Museum and Shah Faisal Mosque are the places of tourist interest included in the tour.
Day 02: Islamabad – Chilas
We depart from Islamabad and arrive at Besham crossing the famous towns of Abbottabad and Mansehra. Later on following upstream course of River Indus, we will make photo stops at Shatial rocks with ancient graffiti’s. After a long day aboard, we arrive at Chilas and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 03: Chilas – Lake Kachura – Skardu
We keep on following the course of River Indus, and make a brief stop at Chilas rock carvings. Our next stop is at Nanga Parbat viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the huge massif of Nanga Parbat. Before entering the narrow gorge of River Indus, we make another stop at the unique point where three mountain ranges, Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush meet near the confluence of Indus and Gilgit Rivers.
Onwards journey is through narrow and barren gorge of Indus and the scenery changes at Kachura, a picturesque lake of Baltistan, where we make a brief stop and later drive on to Skardu town to stay overnight.
Day 04: Skardu – Excursion Lake Satpara
Today we will make trip to Satpara, another vast and picturesque lake of Baltistan. En route, we will make a brief de tour to watch ancient rock carved figure of Buddha on a boulder.
In the evening visit Khorpocho Fort, perched on a high cliff overlooking Skardu Town.
Day 05: Skardu – Askole
We depart by jeeps from Skardu and enter the Shigar Valley across River Indus. From Shigar, we continue our drive along Shigar and Braldu Rivers to the legendary village, Askole, a kick point for expeditions and trekking parties for most of the famous mountains in Baltistan.
At Askole our stay and meals will be in tents.
TREKKING / CAMPING
Day 06: Askole – Bardumal
We start our trekking from Askole and making a stop at Korofon, a green campsite and crossing Domurdo River we arrive at campsite of Bardumal. A full day's walk mostly on flat ground helps us to acclimatize.
Day 07: Bardumal – Paiyu
Another full day’s walk with tough portion of crossing river by Jhola, the flying fox. Later on we arrive at Paiyu for overnight.
Day 08: Paiyu - Day Free
Paiyu is a traditional rest spot before climbing on Baltoro Glacier and the last place to find trees of the region. Our campsite is under the Paiyu Peak which is not visible from campsite. In local language Paiyu stands for salt.
Porters enjoy a feast here as we provide them with meat. They prepare their food for next few days and enjoy a bonfire with dancing and beating drums. A memorable night in the far flung place, deep in the mountains.
Day 09: Paiyu – Khaburse
We start our trekking on the glacier and make a traverse on Baltoro Glacier, the source of Braldu River to arrive at Liligo campsite. Walking onwards along the glacier, we arrive at campsite of Khaburse for overnight.
Day 10: Khaburse – Goro I
Our onwards walk, stay and everything is on the glacier for next few days. We cross Urdukas, the last place to grow grass and alpine flowers. Superb view of Paiyu Peak and Uli Biaho tower is on our back. Walking in the heart of glacier, Gasherbrum IV – 7929m is visible in her full glory. We pass by the Masherbrum Peak ( K-1 ) – 7821m and view Baltoro Cathedrals across the glacier. Today our camp will be on the debris of Baltoro Glacier so be prepared for a chilly cold night.
Day 11: Goro I – Concordia
We are walking in a gorge of high mountains i.e. Gasherbrum, Masherbrum, Cathedrals and Mustagh etc. Mustagh Tower is an eye catching peak on the route. We finally arrive at Concordia, the world famous and legendary place and camp under Mitre Peak.
Day 12 Day Free at Concordia
Enjoy the superb panorama of surrounding peaks at Concordia as one can see K-2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-IV, Baltoro Kangri, Mitre, Crystal, Marble and Angel Peaks. Reaching at Concordia is rewarding as the first part of the trek is complete.
Day 13 Concordia – Excursion K-2 Base Camp
Today, we will make a trip to the base camp of K-2, crossing Broad Peak base camp en route. The walk is through heavily crevassed glacier but trekking is safe. After photography and having cold picnic lunch at base camp, we start walking back to Concordia, our campsite.
Day 14 Concordia – Ali Camp
We leave Baltoro Glacier and start walking on Vigne Glacier to arrive at Ali Camp, a famous campsite serving as the base camp for Ghondoghoro La.
Day 15: Ali Camp – Kheuspang
A very early start to cross Ghondoghoro La at 5650m, our main challenge of the trek where we fix ropes to cross the crevassed slopes on both sides of the pass. Once on the top of the pass, a clear day reveals superb panorama of the peaks all around. The Gasherbrums, Broad Peak and K-2 are visible with their all grandeur.
We start descending down to our campsite and enjoy a relief as the hardest portion of the trek is finished and onwards is an easy walking in Hushe Valley.
Day 16 Kheuspang – Dalsangpa
It is an easy and short walk to Dalsangpa, meaning a field of flowers. Superb views of towering Masherbrum and other peaks from the campsite. We enjoy almost a free day as the walking is quite easy in comparison with previous day’s adventure.
Day 17 Dalsangpa – Hushe
Finally we are out from savage glaciers and start walking on dry ground. We descend down to Saistcho, a campsite along riverside with trees and greenery. Our walk finishes at green and fertile village of Hushe, the first permanent village after leaving Askole.
END OF TREKKING / CAMPING
Day 18: Hushe – Khaplu
We will drive by jeeps to Khaplu, a major division of Baltistan and known for its delicious fruits. Its other attractions include a Raja’s Palace and an old mosque.
Day 19: Khaplu – Karimabad ( Hunza Valley)
After staying in constructed buildings and enjoying a shower after a long time, we make an early departure for Karimabad, the capital of Hunza Valley. Initially we will follow the course of River Indus and will turn north to drive on KKH for Hunza Valley. Then we cross several villages of Nagar & Hunza valleys and make a spectacular stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint, revealing the grandeur and beauty of the mountain.
Day 20: Karimabad – Baltit Fort
At Karimabad, Ultar, Hunza Dome, Bublimating, Spantik and Diran are famous peaks surrounding us while Rakaposhi at 7788m dominates the whole panorama. At Karimabad, we will visit Baltit Fort Museum. Rest of the day is free to walk in bazaar with handicrafts and souvenirs.
Day 21: Karimabad – Gilgit – Chilas
We will depart for Gilgit, the most important commercial and strategic town. And after a brief sightseeing in the town, we will drive for Chilas in the afternoon to arrive late in the evening in Chilas.
Day 22: Chilas – Islamabad
We will make an early departure from Chilas following the same route, which we took while driving up and on arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 23: Islamabad – De briefing
In the morning we will visit ministry of tourism for de-briefing and rest of the day is free for packing, shopping and individual’s activities.
Day 24: Departure
Our staff will provide transfer and assistance at departure and say bon voyage.
End of Tour
