24-Day Trekking in the Karakoram Range from Islamabad
Highlights
Shimshal, Skardu, Besham, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Chilas, Hunza, Askole
Locations Covered
Shimshal, Skardu, Besham, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Chilas, Hunza, Askole
mountaineering, trekking, camping
Group Tour
24 Days
Hard
English
Description
Hike across the breathtaking Shimshal Pass to arrive at the Snow Lake that creates a spectacular “white highway” across the heart of Karakoram. Trek over three passes and get on the world-famous Karakoram Highway, just south of Khunjerab Pass at the Pakistan-China border, and visit the small settlements along the valleys of Pakistan.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Islamabad
Arrive in Islamabad and meet with the tour guide.
Spend the day finalizing trekking permits with the Ministry of Tourism and visiting the deputy chief of operations for a briefing on the trek.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Islamabad.
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Day 2: Islamabad - Besham
Have breakfast, and drive on the Karakoram Highway to Besham in air-conditioned transport.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Besham.
Trip duration- 260 km., 6/7 hours.
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Day 3: Besham- Hunza Karimabad
Drive through the gorge of the Indus & Hunza rivers.
Visit the meeting point of the world's three highest mountain ranges; Himalayas, Hindukush, and the Karakoram.
Enjoy views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m.) and Rakaposhi (7,788 m.).
Arrive at Hunza, have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.
Trip duration- 515 km., 8/9 hours.
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Day 4: Hunza - Passu - Shimshal
Drive to Kuk and watch the beautiful scenary.
Enjoy the beautiful view of Dastagil Sar (7885 m.) while walking from Kuk.
Descend to the main valley for an hour and a half to the main village. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of Karakoram. 900 years ago, Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi saint who settled here. All Shimshali people are said to be his descendants.
Camp overnight in Shimshal.
Trip duration- 7/8 hours, 3300 meters.
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Day 5: Rest day Shimshal
Spend the entire day in Shimshal at leisure.
Camp overnight in Shimshal.
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Day 6: Shimshal - Furzin
For the next two days, the walk would mostly involve traversing through the really narrow gorge of the Shimshal River. The walk from the village for the first two hours today is in the open valley along the river.
Leave the main valley and turn to the left to enter the gorge. Mostly the trek is safe, although, in a few places, climbers would need good balance on the narrow foot track.
Enjoy the views of Kunianchish and Yazgildoom.
Arrive at Furzin, a narrow camp along the side stream, known for its Birch trees.
Overnight stay at a camp in Furzin.
Trip duration- 5/6 hours.
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Day 7: Furzin - Arbab Parian
Start from the camp with a steep ascent of 200 meters on the cliff facing the camp, traverse gradually for half an hour and then descend steeply to Shimshal river.
Cross the river on a footbridge and then walk for another hour to Pariyan camp for the cool breeze off the Maidur Nallah and have lunch.
After lunch, take up the last part of the gorge walk, involving a one and half hour’s ascend on a well maintained yet steep foot trek to the top, called Pariyan Sar, with fascinating views of peak Manglik and many other summits.
Enjoy the views and take a relaxing walk to the camp.
Overnight stay in Camp Arbabparian.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours.
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Day 8: Arbab Parian- Shunjerab
- Walk along the river with views of peaks soaring above 6,000 meters.
Pass Ganj Dour Valley, leading north to China border with many pastures for the yaks and goats. This valley is known for its substantial population of blue sheep, Marcopolo sheep, Ibex, and also few snow leopards and bears.
Arrive at Shunjerab, the summer home of Shimshalis, with 60 houses and huge yards to house the animal & human population.
Camp overnight in Shunjerab.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours.
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Day 9: Shunjerab - Shuwart
From Shunjerab comes Gulch Washk (carpet of flowers), a 200 meters gradual ascent to bring us just under Manglik Sar.
Walk in a valley, wide open, running east to west, with two lakes located just before the Shimshal Pass. In summer, find yaks, goats, and sheep who roam around the green pastures.
Trek to Shuwart summer settlement, consisting of 60 houses. Climbers may inevitably get invited for dinner and get a great chance to visit local houses to taste the energetic nomad food made from Yak’s cheese, butter, and wheat flour.
Camp overnight in Shuwart summer settlement.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours, 4735 meters.
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Day 10: Shimshal Pass Rest Day
Rest day in Shuwart.
Camp overnight in Shuwart.
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Day 11: Shimshal pass - Chikoor
Walk along the same trail that was taken when passing through, on the way to Chikoor. It will take less time because of the continuous gradual descent of the trek.
Camp overnight in Chikoor.
Trip duration- 5/6 hours.
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Day 12: Chikoor- Wasam pass
Walk across a stream flowing by Wasim river.
Pitch tents at a small settlement in Wasam Pass, having only two or three houses. It is a beautiful valley, and water is easily accessible here.
Camp overnight in Wasam Pass.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours.
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Day 13: Wasam- Karavan camp 01
Follow a stream flowing to Karavan camp 01.
Pitch tents at Karavan camp, have dinner and spend the night here.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours.
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Day 14: Karavan Camp 01 to Camp 02
Follow a stream flowing river to Karavan camp 02.
- Pitch tents at Karavan camp 02, have dinner and spend the night here.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours.
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Day 15: Karavan Camp 02 Lukpe La BC
Follow a stream flowing river to Karavan camp 03.
- Pitch tents at Karavan camp 03, have dinner and spend the night here.
Trip duration- 4/5 hours.
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Day 16: Lukpe La BC- Snow Lake BC
Lukpe La Base camp to Snow Lake Base Camp. A beautiful glacier is accessible from here.
Camp overnight in Snow Lake Base Camp.
Trip duration- 7/8 hours.
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Day 17: Snow Lake
Spend the day at Snow lake.
Camp overnight in Snow Lake Base Camp.
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Day 18: Snow Lake- Karfogoro
Make a pre-dawn departure from the camp to walk safely over the soft snow on the medial moraine.
After two hours of steady plodding, arrive at the intersection of the Sim-gang glacier with Snow Lake.
Camp at around 4780 m close to the Hispar Pass.
Trip duration- 2-3 hours.
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Day 19: Karfogoro- Biantha
The first hour of the trek is a lovely walk along the valley, crossing many small lakes surrounded by willows and wildflowers. This area is the habitat of bears and Himalayan ibex.
Once on the glacier, make a gradual climb over smooth ice. If there is fresh snow on the glacier, climbers must rope up and walk using a flying belay while enjoying stunning views of Sosbun Brakk (6418 m.).
Camp at Biantha at 4025 meters.
Trip duration- 7-8 hours.
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Day 20: Biantha- Namla
Back on the glacier, cross an area of crevasses where extreme care is needed. It is important to follow the guide closely.
Once across the crevasses, make a gentle ascent to the glacier, enjoying spectacular views of Latok 1 (7145 m.), Latok 2 (7108 m.) along the trek.
The track follows the ablation valley past a small lake, then heads out across the lateral crevasses to the smooth white centre of the Biafo Glacier.
The campsite is at Namla in a grassy area with a clear stream flowing through dense willows and alpine flowers.
Trip duration- 6-7 hours.
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Day 21: Namla- Aksoli
Begin the trek as the luggage is distributed among the team of porters, by walking across an incredible wilderness of rock, ice, and sky.
After walking alongside the Braldu River for about an hour, reach the village of Askole. This is the last permanent settlement along our trekking route.
Another three-hour walk brings you to the Biafo Glacier, two kilometres wide at this point, which is to be the companion for half of the trek.
After setting foot on the glacier, and scrambling across the lateral moraine for about three hours, arrive at Askoli campsite at 3400 m.
Trip duration- 6-7 hours.
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Day 22: Back To Civilization– Skardu
Enjoy the last breakfast in a camp on this trek and say Khuda Hafiz to the camping staff who pitched tents and prepared meals for you during the trek.
Board a jeep for a bumpy ride through the Karakoram. This part of Baltistan is greener and more prosperous.
Arrive at Skardu, back to civilization.
Have dinner, take a shower, and stay the night at a resort/motel.
Trip duration- 5-6 hours.
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Day 23: Islamabad
- Travel to Islamabad.
- Arrive in Islamabad and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Islamabad.
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Day 24: Rawalpindi
- Arrive at Rawalpindi, Islamabad’s twin city, and proceed to the Ministry of Tourism office for a trek debriefing.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
What's Included
What's Excluded
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
| Adult | |
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| 1 to 6 | /person |
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This is a group tour |
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