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Pakistan · Trekking
The journey
Hike across the breathtaking Shimshal Pass to reach Snow Lake, which creates a spectacular "white highway" across the heart of the Karakoram. This 24-day trek takes you over three passes, along the world-famous Karakoram Highway just south of Khunjerab Pass at the Pakistan-China border, and through small settlements in the valleys of Pakistan. Along the way, experience dramatic mountain scenery, glacier landscapes, and remote communities in one of the region's most remarkable trekking routes.
Hike across the breathtaking Shimshal Pass to reach Snow Lake, which creates a spectacular "white highway" across the heart of the Karakoram.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Arrive in Islamabad and meet your 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.
Have breakfast, then 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.
Drive through the gorge of the Indus and Hunza rivers.
Visit the meeting point of the world's three highest mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Hindukush, and the Karakoram.
Enjoy views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) and Rakaposhi (7,788 m).
Arrive in Hunza, have dinner, and spend the night in a hotel.
Trip duration - 515 km, 8/9 hours.
Drive to Kuk and watch the beautiful scenery.
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 reach the main village. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of the Karakoram. Around 900 years ago, Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi saint who settled here, and all Shimshali people are said to be his descendants.
Camp overnight in Shimshal.
Trip duration - 7/8 hours, 3300 meters.
Spend the entire day in Shimshal at leisure.
Camp overnight in Shimshal.
For the next two days, the walk mostly involves traversing 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 left to enter the gorge. Most of the trek is safe, although in a few places climbers 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.
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 the Shimshal River.
Cross the river on a footbridge and then walk for another hour to Pariyan camp to enjoy the cool breeze off the Maidur Nallah and have lunch.
After lunch, take on the last part of the gorge walk, involving a one-and-a-half-hour ascent on a well-maintained yet steep foot track 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.
Walk along the river with views of peaks soaring above 6,000 meters.
Pass Ganj Dour Valley, which leads north to the China border and has many pastures for yaks and goats. This valley is known for its substantial population of blue sheep, Marcopolo sheep, ibex, and also a few snow leopards and bears.
Arrive at Shunjerab, the summer home of the Shimshalis, with 60 houses and huge yards to house both the animal and human population.
Camp overnight in Shunjerab.
Trip duration - 4/5 hours.
From Shunjerab comes Gulch Washk (carpet of flowers), a gradual ascent of 200 meters that brings you just under Manglik Sar.
Walk in a wide-open valley running east to west, with two lakes located just before the Shimshal Pass. In summer, yaks, goats, and sheep roam around the green pastures.
Trek to Shuwart summer settlement, consisting of 60 houses. Climbers may inevitably get invited for dinner and have a great chance to visit local houses to taste 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.
Rest day in Shuwart.
Camp overnight in Shuwart.
Walk along the same trail used on the way through, heading to Chikoor. It takes less time because of the continuous gradual descent of the trek.
Camp overnight in Chikoor.
Trip duration - 5/6 hours.
Walk across a stream flowing by the Wasim River.
Pitch tents at a small settlement in Wasam Pass, which has 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.
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.
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.
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.
Trek from 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.
Spend the day at Snow Lake.
Camp overnight in Snow Lake Base Camp.
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.
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.
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 on the glacier, enjoying spectacular views of Latok 1 (7145 m) and 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.
Begin the trek as the luggage is distributed among the team of porters, 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 the trekking route.
Another three-hour walk brings you to the Biafo Glacier, two kilometres wide at this point, which is to be your 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.
Enjoy the last breakfast in 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 in Skardu, back to civilization.
Have dinner, take a shower, and stay the night at a resort or motel.
Trip duration - 5-6 hours.
Travel to Islamabad.
Arrive in Islamabad and check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Islamabad.
Arrive in Rawalpindi, Islamabad's twin city, and proceed to the Ministry of Tourism office for a trek debriefing.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Where this trip takes you
Shimshal Pass, Snow Lake, Karakoram Highway, Biafo Glacier
The route
The fine print
Accommodation: twin-share basis at standard category hotels in towns
Meals: half board at hotels, full board during the trek
Transport: air-conditioned transport facilities in Islamabad, soft-top 4x4 jeeps from Skardu to the trek head and back
Camping facilities: 2-person dome tent with mattresses, dining tent with folding table and chairs, kitchen tent, staff, and toilet
Portage of 15 kg of personal luggage during the trek
Trek permits, processing, and payment to the Ministry of Tourism
English-speaking Pakistani mountain guide
Any domestic or international airfares
Personal trekking equipment
Medicines and any other expense of a personal nature
Any expense due to cancellation of flights, landslides, HP porter, acts of God, evacuation, accident, or delay beyond the control of the land operator
Logistics
Your 24 days finish where they began, in Islamabad.
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