We rise early to be at the airport in time for our flight to Skardu.

If the weather is good, we’ll be treated to one of the finest views available in the world of aviation, as we thread our way up the largest congregation of mountains of Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalaya and Indus River gorges, third longest in Asia and one of the deepest in the world.

To our east is K2 (2nd highest in the world and Nanga Parbat (killer mountain) and countless peaks and glaciers. It is sometime possible to catch a glimpse of K2 in the distant before our dramatic landing at Skardu. On arrival we are met by our local staff with jeeps and make the short transfer to the hotel.

SKARDU is the administrative capital of Baltistan and gateway to the high peaks of Northern Pakistan. We have some time to explore the town and enjoy the hustle and bustle in peak season of tourists here. Sightseeing in Skardu and surrounding areas during the day. For those seeking a good overview of Skardu, or a place from which to photograph the sunset, Kharfocho Fort is an ideal spot.

If the flight is unable to operate because of bad weather, we will resort to travel by road on Karakoram Highway (KKH) to Chilas. The drive is compensated by the beautiful scenery along the Karakoram highway and Indus gorges.

The journey on the Karakoram Highway is most exciting and thrilling. It is a monument to the engineering feast and one of the most spectacular roads and the world’s highest metalled border crossing. It connects Pakistan and China stretching over a distance of 1300km between Islamabad and Kashgar, winding through three mountain ranges and following the ancient Silk route along the Indus Valley to the Chinese border at Khunjerab Pass.

We pass through the historical town of Taxila, beautiful hill station of Abbottabad, quake affected lush green towns of Mansehra, Shinkiari and finally meet the great Indus on Thakot Bridge. From there onward the road snails along the bank of the Indus with contrasting landscape after every two kilometers.

We pass through Besham, Dassu, Komila and Shatial to arrive at Chilas with many rock carvings and inscriptions along the way left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient travelers of 5th century A.D. Chilas was on the ancient caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India. The view after crossing the Rai kot Bridge of Nanga Parbat is without any parallel. Standing at around 1,000 m. you see a mountain which rises to above 8,000 m! This is the largest land escarpment in the world. This is also where the three greatest mountain ranges meet; Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram.


Flight: 45 Minutes

Drive: 10-12 hrs

Activities: Cultural exploration , Sightseeing, Hiking,Jeep Safari
Accommodation: Hotel

This day may be needed to complete the KKH road journey from Chilas to Skardu. Alternatively, leaving Skardu today will enable us to enjoy an extra day of trekking.

Drive:(Chilas to Skardu) 10-12 hrs.
Activities: Cultural exploration , Sightseeing, Hiking,Jeep Safari
Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Today we rise early and view the beautiful sunrise against the backdrop of the Karakoram. After breakfast drive to Shigar, a history-soaked medieval town. There is also a heritage Palace cum Fort (Fong khar ). Completely renovated by the AKCSP a few years back, the Palace and its suburbs reflects a medieval look. Here we will pay a brief visit to the Garden House, Royal room, museum handicraft shop and The Khanqah Moalla, famous for its uniquely carved wooden windows and meditation cells. Shigar retains a mystical, medieval aura that may leave you feeling like you have stepped through the looking glass.Then an exciting jeep journey takes us through the fields of the Shigar valley before the road narrows to a mountain track leading to the trail head at Askole, the last inhabitancy on our way to the great glaciers. Highest in the region, the stone & timber abodes contain dark & narrow stairwells raven by gloomy, unlit alleys cluster within the embrace of the fertile terraces.

Distance: 135 Km, Drive: 07-08 hrs. Altitude: 3050 M

Activities: Jeep Safari, Cultural Exploration
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

Today we leave the last inhabited village Askole. Porters are assembled to carry our luggage for the next section of the journey. For the remaining portion of our journey we rely on our porters who carry our food and equipment and sustain our expedition. After scrambling over a ridge we come across what legend says an old polo field. Passing through a rock gap we cross the Biafo glacier. The Biafo Glacier is a huge river of ice 63 km long which descends from the central peaks of the Karakoram and flows east into the Braldu valley at a point about 10 km east of Askole. After two and a half hour trek a long and uphill walk over a steep ridge along the Dumordo river. descend at Jula, (wire rope bridge supported by a wooden basket) cross it and camp beside a torrent facing the Bakhordas peak.

Walk: Distance: 19 Km, Ascent: 300 m, Descent:290 m
Time: 06-07 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3120 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

Resume trek along the Braldu River to a green oasis under the shadows of Paiu Peak, the last grove of trees before the trail moves onto the glacier, 6611 M. Paiu – is a Balti dialect word that means “SALT”. Since there are some rock salt deposits at the base of this peak, the locals believe that the snow on the summit of Paiu Peak is not snow but a huge deposit of salt which drips down to the base. From this camp we have the first views of the impressive Baltoro Glacier.

Walk: Distance: 22 Km, Ascent: 580 m, Descent: 335 m
Time: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3420 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

Today we resume trek with a gradual climb up Baltoro Glacier on the southern edge. After about two hours the path divides at the snout of Baltoro glacier where the left branch goes to the base camp of Trango Tower and the Serpo Lgo pass. Continue to the right climbing up on to the glacier that stretches up the valley, 62 km long and 2 km wide.
Further 2-3 hours steady climb on a long diagonal to the other side. Follow the southern edge to Liliwa and onward to Khuburse, a lovely walk for about 90 minutes to the campsite with clear water.


Walk: Distance: 15 Km, Ascent:750 m, Descent:290 m
Time: 06-07 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3800 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

Today morning we leave Kho-burse camp and walk mostly along the crest of lateral moraine towards Urdukas. This camp has superb views across the Baltoro Glacier to the Trango peaks, having view of Paiu Peak, Chorichi, Uli Biaho, Trango Tower and so on and is our last 'green grass' campsite.

Walk: Distance: 16 Km, Ascent:700 m, Descent:200 m
Time: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4130 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

This is the last campsite the main glacier, with very impressive views over the Baltoro and to the dramatic rock spires on the opposite on grassy slopes off side of the glacier. (Courtesy by Udom Peter) So based on our past experience rest day at Urdukus comes with the following advantages. Helps the acclimatization process and has proved to more effective than a rest day at Paiu. Can take a pleasant walk behind the campsite through grassy slopes full of alpine flowers. Climbing high & sleeping low is the best way to help the acclimatization process. Trek leader will lead a training session explaining in detail the techniques for crossing the Gondogoro La.

Walk: None
Activities: Rest /Training
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

A long walk on the icy Baltoro Glacier, Traveling on the glacier all the time now, it is an all day walk over the boulder-strewn glacier to the campsite at Goro. Traverse the Yermanandu Glacier which flows down from Masherbrum & joins the Baltoro. Masherbrum is visible on the right side of the glacier, and Mustagh Tower on the left. Gasherbrum IV and Broad Peak can be seen directly ahead, as they catch the evening sunlight.


Walk: Distance: 12 Km, Ascent: 335 m, Descent: 90 m
Time: 06-07 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4300 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

Trekking to the campsite at Concordia, we pass through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world; a huge junction of Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers at 4000 meters. Within a short radius of 15 Kilometers, stand 41 peaks over 6500 meters including 04 peaks above 8000 M. The 360 view offers a panorama of peaks nowhere to be found on this planet.


Walk: Distance: 12 Km, Ascent: 300 m, Descent: 90 m
Time: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4600 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

There is plenty of time to admire the scenery and find the best vantage points from which to take photographs of the surrounding peaks. Concordia, the confluence of five glaciers, offers unprecedented views of the Karakoram peaks. Within a radius of nine miles rise 41 peaks above 21,000 feet, almost half of them still unnamed and unclimbed. Some team members may wish to make the return journey to K2 Base Camp in a single day (10 hrs round trip). Some people might prefer to walk to Broad Peak Base Cam p rather than walk al the way to K2 Base Camp. Others may choose to explore base camps or just sit and watch K2 all day long and sip tea; or go to the other way towards the Gasherbrum peaks. The choice is yours! Overnight at Concordia in tents.

Walk: 10-12 hrs, Grade: Strenuous, Altitude: 4600 m
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile camp

After an early breakfast this morning leave Concordia today, we start our retreat down the glacier stopping for the night at Goro 1.

Walk: Distance: 17 Km, Ascent: 380 m, Descent:610 m
Time: 08-09 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4140 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

Today our trek starts to continue the trek back down the Baltoro with overnight camp at Khoburtse.


Walk: Distance: 10 Km, Ascent: 740 m, Descent: 1100 m
Time: 08-09 hrs, Grade: Strenuous, Altitude: 3560 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

After breakfast today we come off the Baltoro glacier and spend the night at the green campsite of Paiju.


Walk: Distance: 12 Km, Ascent: 370 m, Descent: 820 m
Time: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Strenuous, Altitude: 3380 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

After breakfast start walk on the trail which takes us through Bardumal to Jula camp.

Walk: Distance: 20 Km, Ascent: 450 m, Descent: 750 m
Time: 08-09 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3160 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

The final day of our descent, we’ll have a long and leisurely trek back to Askole. Early morning walk towards Hushe takes approximately six to seven hours and it is a relief to be off the glacier and walking on the pleasant trails down the valley. On completion we can celebrate our success with the porters and hand out their tips as a token of our appreciation for their hard work throughout the trek.


Walk: Distance: 18 Km, Ascent: 360 m, Descent: 470 m
Time: 07-08 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3390 M
Activities: Trekking
Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

A jeep journey along Braldo River drive back to Skardu (6-7hrs). This afternoon, Skardu is yours to explore. The following day, depart Skardu back to next destination.


Drive: Distance: 130 Km, Ascent: 100 m, Descent: 1200 m
Time: 06-07 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 2220 M
07-08 hrs
Activities: Jeep Safari
Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast we will go for De-briefing at Ministry of Tourism in Skardu. Late morning fly to Islamabad. With clear skies we will be able to board a plane and be back at our hotel in Islamabad in 45 minutes. Today we will spend sightseeing around Islamabad and Rawalpindi. For those who want to escape the heat of the city a very pleasant excursion is up to the former British hill station at Murree. The faded remnants of the town’s colonial past can be seen in its gable-roofed buildings and small Anglican churchyard. This excursion is not included in the trip price but if any member of the group wish to make this journey a private vehicle and driver can be hired locally for a very modest sum.
If the weather is not so favorable and the flight doesn’t come, then we will have to drive the Karakoram Highway to Rawalpindi through the narrow gorge of the Rondu valley along Indus River to Karakoram Highway at Junction Point of three largest congregation of mountains(i.e Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalaya). After a brief stop here we leave on the Karakoram Highway on KKH to Chilas. From Chilas depending upon the road condition and preferrence, either continue on KKH to Besham in Indus Kohistan or to Naran Kaghan valley via Naran Chilas road via captivating and enthralling landscape of Babusar valley's zigzag road winding through terraced filed, fruit laden orchard and above Babusar pass at a height of 4145 m. The Valley extends for 155 km rising from an elevation of 2,134 meters to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 4,145 meters. Before Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978, the only road access to Gilgit was through Kaghan Valley. Kaghan valley is a very beautiful & attractive valley. That’s why it is called virtual paradise, unbelievably in pristine state and still unspoiled by the human. You’ll find the Himalayan peaks hidden with clouds or snow, somewhere you’ll find the beautiful fairy tale lakes, which will attract you toward them, and you might decide not to leave this at any cost.Take a rest at the pass enjoying the scenic beauty around before descending down to Lulusar lake.

Lulu Sar Lake which is wreathed in blue and gold wild flowers, and is the main source of river Kunhar. Near Gittidas is the 11,000 feet high Lulusar Lake out of which river Kunhar issues anew with redoubled strength to flow down the valley first as placid blue stream and then a roaring torrent until it joins the Jhelum. Lulusar has very enchanting beauty and its view remains in the mind of tourist for a long time. The is surrounded by snowcapped hills whose purple and white forms are reflected in the green-blue waters of the silent lake, making it one of the most beautiful spots in the valley. Take a rest at Lulusar lake and drive down to Naran Kaghan stopping at Gittidas, Batakundi for scenic photo ops. These are numerous scenic places, sheer, snow capped mountains ascending from deep valleys, lush alpine meadows are carpeted by colorful wildflowers and dazzling fruits. Terraced villages dot this monumental terrain, supported by traditional farming methods and lifestyles that have changed little over the centuries.

Time: 1 hr by flight/10-12 hrs Road

Activities: Jeep Safari or Air Safari
Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Sightseeing or rest day in Islamabad. If unable to fly on day 19th, this day will be use to transfer from Besham or Naran to Islamabad by road. in Case of by road travel, drive in the morning through natural beauty of Naran valley to Balakot. After a brief stop at Balakot, drive onward to mansehra stopping at scenic points for photo ops and also in Manserha to visit Ashoka Rock Eddicts.

Mansehra Rock Edicts are fourteen edicts of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, inscribed on rocks in Mansehra. The edicts are cut into three boulders and date back to 3rd century BC and they are written in the ancient Indic script of Gandhara culture, Kharosthi. The edicts mention aspects of Ashoka’s dharma. This site is World Heritage Sites tentative list.

After Manserha rock edicts visit, we will pass through the alpine scenery towards Islamabad.

Evening back to Islamabad, proceed to airport for onward flight.

Drive: 7-8 hrs

Activities: Cultural exploration , Sightseeing, Interaction with local

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel