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Pakistan · Trekking
The journey
Embark on an extraordinary 21-day adventure through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Karakoram range, combining a strenuous high-altitude trek with cultural visits in Pakistan. Starting from Islamabad, the journey leads through Skardu, Arandu, the Chogo Lungma Glacier, Laila Base Camp, Spantik Base Camp, and Haramosh Pass, with dramatic views of Haramosh, Spantik, and Laila peaks. The route also includes the fairy-tale setting of Kutwal Lake, a picnic in lush Naltar Valley, and a historical visit to Taxila, the former capital of the Gandhara civilization. This trek requires a high level of fitness and prior trekking experience, along with proper mountaineering gear for glacier crossings and changing mountain conditions.
At the top of the pass, enjoy good views of Haramosh (7,409 m) and Laila.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Arrival in Islamabad.
Welcome reception on arrival at Islamabad airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour and also visit Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi.
Trek briefing from the tour leader in the evening.
Overnight at hotel.
In the morning, transfer to Islamabad airport for the flight to Skardu. This flight is subject to weather conditions.
Alternatively, take the two-day drive to Skardu on the Karakoram Highway.
Stay overnight in a motel at Chilas on the bank of the Indus.
Free day in Skardu, the capital of Baltistan, which stands at an altitude of 2,278 meters. It serves as the starting point for some of the most scenic and adventurous trekking in the world.
Early morning visit to a local bazaar.
In the afternoon, go to Satpara Lake (6 miles).
Overnight stay at motel.
Travel by 4x4 jeep to Arandu (3,165 m).
Overnight at camp.
Trek for 6-7 hours along the Basha River to the snout of the Chogo Lungma Glacier. It takes one hour to cross the northern lateral moraine.
Across the glacier, it takes 4-5 hours to reach the green meadows of Bukken.
Overnight camp (3,380 m).
Walk for 5-7 hours with views of the perfect pyramid shape of Spantik Peak (7,027 m), which guards the head of the valley.
Continue to Manchikera, another summer settlement.
Walk along the ablation valley between the lateral moraine and reach the mountain summer settlement of Hurmal.
Overnight at camp (3,760 m).
Pass through the summer settlement of Gharincho and a small lake.
Continue on a 4-5 hour walk with magnificent views of Spantik and Laila peaks.
Overnight camp on the green pasture of Bolucho (3,955 m).
Cross the Chogo Lungma Glacier and walk for about 20 minutes on the rough snout of the glacier until reaching the smooth, white central part.
Turn southwest up the Haramosh Glacier to Laila Base Camp (4,360 m, 6-7 hours).
Rest day at Laila Base Camp.
Free day for acclimatization.
Full-day excursion to the base camp of Spantik.
A strenuous 6-7 hour round-trip trek over rock and ice.
Trek for five to six hours to climb a peak of about 4,800 m for very good panoramic mountain views.
Overnight camp at Laila Base Camp.
Walk for four to five hours up the Haramosh Glacier, with a view of Haramosh Pass ahead.
The last hour is across big rocks and crevasses, requiring climbing by rope.
Overnight camp on a bed of rocks.
Leave camp at about 4 am to climb Haramosh Pass (4,800 m).
Walk on the Haramosh Glacier, crossing many crevasses.
After about two hours, with the danger of avalanches coming down from the left, move across the glacier towards the north side and continue upward.
The final ascent involves a steep walk on snow and ice.
At some point, climbers will need to use 20 meters of fixed rope as well as crampons and an ice axe.
At the top of the pass, enjoy good views of Haramosh (7,409 m) and Laila.
After a short climb up to the right (north), arrive at Rakaposhi.
Below, see Kutwal Lake and trees.
The descent on the Kutwal Lake side is very steep, so climbers will need a rope to get down the first 40 meters across the snow.
After four hours, reach a grass- and tree-covered area.
From there, it is an easy walk along the mini glacier down to the shepherds' huts at Kutwal Lake Camp, at the green spot of Kutwal Lake (2,600 m), with six to seven hours of hiking.
Walk down from the lake through green pasture for one hour.
Descend for half an hour across the glacier and then continue down to Iskary summer village (2,050 m).
Overnight camp.
Go down the right side of the mini glacier and cross the Baskai stream to the shepherds' summer settlement of Gure.
Traverse along the water channel down through trees and fields to Dassu and camp for the overnight stay.
Enjoy the last breakfast at camp.
Board soft-top 4x4 jeeps for Gilgit.
Transfer to the hotel and enjoy a shower.
Meals and overnight stay at hotel (2-3 hours' drive).
Go for a picnic in Naltar Valley, a 42 km drive of about two hours from Gilgit.
Enjoy a full-day picnic in lush green Naltar Valley, heavily wooded with pine, spruce, birch, and juniper.
Naltar village, at 2,880 meters, has an Air Force ski training base. Naltar Lake is about 12 km from the village and is a startlingly green pond about 200 meters in diameter.
Overnight at the hotel.
Drive on the Karakoram Highway along the Indus River to Besham / Naran.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel (10-12 hours, 380 km).
Drive to Rawalpindi, visiting Taxila en route, the former capital of the Gandhara civilization.
Visit the archaeological remains of a monastery (Jaulian), a city (Sirkup), and the museum.
Continue your drive to Rawalpindi.
Transfer to the hotel, followed by a farewell dinner at a typical Punjabi restaurant.
Airport transfer for your departure flight.
The route
The fine print
Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at standard category hotels in towns, and 2-person dome tents during the trek
Meals: half board at hotels and full board during the trek
Transport: air-conditioned transport on the Karakoram Highway and Skardu road, and soft-top 4x4 jeeps to the trek head and trek end
Camping facilities: 2-person dome tents with mattresses, dining tent with folding table and chairs, kitchen tent with complete kitchenette and staff, and toilet tent
Portage of 13 kg during the trek
Tips and portage at airports and hotels, and entrance fees at sites and museums
English-speaking Pakistani mountain guide
Domestic and international airfare, and airport taxes
Any expense due to forced measures, flight cancellation, landslides, natural calamities, acts of God, or force majeure beyond the control of our staff and suppliers
Any personal expenses not mentioned above
The Haramosh Pass connects the Haramosh Glacier with the Chogo Lungma Glacier, which lies in the northeast. Spantik Peak Base Camp is a popular playground for mountaineers attempting their first 7,000-meter peak in the Karakoram.
It is surrounded by Laila Peak (6,986 m), Mani Peak (6,685 m), and Haramosh Peak (7,409 m). It is also known as Golden Peak and Ghenish Chhish.
We undertake a 12-day strenuous round trek in the heart of the Karakoram, approaching the base camp of this beautiful peak on the fourth day of our trek.
The fairy-tale lake of
Logistics
Your 21 days finish where they began, in Islamabad.
Watch the film
Create your own adventure
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