In northern Pakistan, some of the world's largest mountain ranges (Karakorum, Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Pamir) converge, making the region the place with the largest concentration of high peaks in the world. Here are 4 of the total 14 peaks over 8,000 meters that exist on earth, and hundreds of other peaks over 7,000 m. Among them the famous K2, the second highest mountain in the world after Everest, with a height of 8,611 m.
The landscape is breathtaking and is a paradise for hikers. Here you can experience a nature in its raw form, which makes trekking an exciting experience.
Pakistan is also home to one of the oldest civilizations, the first Buddhist monuments, some of Sikhism's holiest sites, and some of the finest examples of Mongol architecture.
For years Pakistan has been in the news for the wrong reasons. In recent years, with the government pursuing a zero-tolerance policy, the security situation in Pakistan has radically improved and inbound tourism has doubled in recent years.
On this trip we will do a trekking up to the foothills of Mount K1, also known as Masherbrum at an altitude of 7,821 m. The icy peak of the mountain with a unique shape causes terror and awe and climbing to its top one of the most difficult problems in the mountaineering world.
Our route follows the valley beyond the village of Hushe, leading to the summer pastures of the Hushe villagers. It follows a smooth valley, without large altitude fluctuations and is recommended to hikers of all ages. The only glacier it crosses is smooth and is only on the last part of the hike, only half an hour before arrival at base camp.
In summary, this is one of the shortest and most accessible routes within the Karakorum mountain range.
will also take the time to wander around the endless market of Thamel.
Flight via stopover in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. 40-minute road transfer to the hotel and overnight stay. Depending on the arrival time, there will be free time available for walks in the city (L, D).
Morning flight to the small picturesque town of Skardu. The rest of the day is devoted to sightseeing in the area. We will visit Manthal Buddha Rock, a large granite rock that has an embossed sculpture of the 8th century Buddha, one of the most important relics of Buddhism in Skardu. Then we will visit the Kharphocho fortress (its name means the king of forts) perched on a rock with panoramic views of the Indus River and the city of Skardu.
Finally, we will visit the organic village, a village where every aspect of everyday life revolves around sustainability and self-sufficiency where we will taste its organic cuisine. We will end our day with walks in the market.
Note: In case of cancellation of the flight due to weather, we will be transported by road to Skardou making stops at various points of interest on the route. Hotel accommodation (B, L, D).
After our breakfast at the hotel, we depart by car for the Hushe Valley, passing by several villages that testify to the cultural heritage of the Ghanche region in the disputed Kashmir region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Khaplu Valley and the Hushe Valley that join here, are the gateway to the Baltoro Muztagh area which includes the peaks K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum or K1 (7,821 m).
On the way we will make a short stop at the confluence of the Indus River with the Shayok, Thorgo Pari and Saling rivers.
Arriving in the village we will settle in the hotel and free time for walks and photographing the local life (B, L, D).
Day road route: 170 km, 4-5 hours
We start our hike in the valley of the Hushe River. In the beautiful village of Hushey we will have the opportunity for some photos before continuing to the final destination of the day, the village of Dumsum. The path is an easy one that enables us to enjoy the scenery while adapting our body for the future.
Here will be the first camp of the route, and after settling in the tents we will have time for an optional course on the Aling glacier (1-2 hours) and for an exploration of the nature around the camp (P, M, B)
Hiking day route: 6 km, 3 hours, +450 m YD
We continue our course in the valley, entering deeper and deeper into the isolated corners of the massif. At first we move among cedar trees and later we are in the morena of the Masherbrum glacier until the point where we will organize our current camp in Brumbramah. Today's route in places has some steep sections. (B,L,D)
Hiking day route: 6 km, 4 hours, +500 m YW
After breakfast we start our hike following green pastures to the base camp of Masherbrum, following a beautiful route parallel to the homonymous glacier. The trail here also has steep sections, while in the last part of it we will need to cross a smooth glacier. After organizing and settling in the camp, free time to visit the lake near the Base Camp and a nearby viewpoint (B,L,D)
Hiking day route: 4 km, 3-4 hours, +300 m TM
We start returning from the same path in order to cover the distance of both previous days today. Along the way we will have the comfort for various photographic stops (P, M, B)
Hiking day route: 10 km, 5 hours, -800 m YW
We complete the trekking returning to the village of Hushe, from where we depart by car to return to Skardu. On the way we will stop at Khaplu where we will enjoy our lunch at the Khaplu fortress. Khaplu was built in 1840 to replace an old fortress nearby, and was used as a royal residence. Today it houses a hotel and a museum about the history and culture of Baltistan. Most of the hotel's revenue is used for the development of the village. Arriving in the afternoon in Skardu we settle in at the hotel for overnight stay (P, M, B)
Hiking day route: 6 km, 2 hours, -450 m YD
Day road route: 170 km, 4-5 hours
Weather permitting, morning return flight to Islamabad. Transfer to the hotel and lunch. If the weather does not allow the flight to take place, then the return to Islamabad will be by road
If we arrive in Islamabad in time, today will be used for a tour of the capital's attractions, such as the Taxila Museum (hosts artifacts from the 1st to the 7th century from excavations in the ruins of the ancient city of Taxila), as well as the nearby archaeological sites.
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Greece
* The trip, except for the specific dates, can be made for individuals or ready groups of 8+ people, any date in the period from mid-May to mid-September
2.310 €/ person (for 2+ people on scheduled departures)
2.650 €/ person for 2+ people on open departure dates
3.690 € for 1 person on open departure dates
390 € single room surcharge
Note 1: Prices calculated at a rate of €1 = €1.05. Changing this relationship may affect the selling price
Note 2: Departures on other dates are possible for groups of more than 10 people with a Greek escort and air tickets. The earlier the planning, the better for the cost of flights
To reserve a seat, you must first read the booking conditions and, if you accept them, then fill in the PARTICIPATION FORM here.
After completing the Registration Form and within 5 days you will have to send a deposit of 500 €. The payment of the trip must be completed gradually up to 60 days before departure. Air tickets, in case their issuance is undertaken by our office, must be prepaid. Any cancellation of air tickets is subject to the conditions and restrictions of each airline and is not covered by the cancellation terms of the rest of the package.
Money payments are made to the account of ALPHA BANK with IBAN number: GR1001407960796002002013550, under the name OUTDOORS TRAINING IKE.
During the money transfer or deposit process, write down your name and the name of the trip in the REASON field.
Trasportation
International air tickets are not included in the price. Tickets for domestic flights to/from Skardu are included, but there are chances to cancel the flight if the weather is not suitable, given that Skardu is located at an altitude of 2250 meters in the mountains. In such a case, the route will be made by road at the same cost.
During the hike, each participant can check in a duffel bag weighing up to 15 kg, for transportation by the porters.
Stay
Accommodation in cities takes place in one of the hotels presented in the syllabus, or similar in case of late booking and lack of availability.
During trekking, accommodation is done in tents for 2 people or 1 person in case a single room difference is paid. In addition to accommodation tents, a tent, dining room and a tent, kitchen is available for food preparation.
In case a flight is cancelled and the transfer from/to Islamabad is done by road, there may be an overnight stay en route in a tourist hotel with basic infrastructure
Nutrition
Food is included throughout the program. It consists of a mixture of local traditional, Pakistani and international dishes, cooked by qualified cooks with proper care for consumption by foreign visitors. Breakfast includes cereal, muesli, eggs, bread or chapatti, coffee or tea.
Lunch during trekking is picnic and includes a selection of meats, cheeses, pickles, crackers or chapati, and is sometimes accompanied by hot soup and pasta.
Dinner is served in the group dining tent and consists of three courses, cooked on-site by staff using local produce. There is the possibility of some adjustment in case of vegetarians, or people with gluten intolerance, but there is no possibility of any special diet. In any case, please let us know and our local partner will make every effort to serve.
Clean drinking water will be provided at each meal.
Difficulty
The trail is generally easy, with a few steep ascents of short duration. For the most part the trail is in good condition and only in its last part it moves on rocky ground.
Your physical condition should be such that you can do courses lasting 3-4 hours. The better condition you have over this limit, the more you will enjoy the ride. But if you are not in great shape, start your training at least 3 months before the trip. Start with short courses of 1 hour a day, at least 3 times a week. Gradually increase the duration of your courses until you reach 3-4 hours per day. It is important in these training courses, to wear the shoes that you will use in trekking.
Switch plans
The escort of our office in case of groups, or the local guide in the case of semi guides, have the option to modify the program if weather or other local conditions (strikes, civil unrest, etc.) impose it, with the main criterion being the smooth development of the program and the safety of the participants.
Any costs that may arise from such changes are covered by the participants.
Weather
During the trip (May – September) we will encounter approximately the following weather conditions
Islamabad will be hot and humid, with June reaching 40C during the day and 27C at night. July and August are the rainiest months and it sheds a total of half the amount of the annual total.
In Baltistan / Skardu average temperatures of the period range from 15o to 20o C and in Khaplu from 12o to 18o C. The climate here is cold and semi-dry, usually you have clear skies and pleasant days, however the nights can be quite chilly.
During trekking, daytime temperatures can be quite comfortable, but at night they can drop very low and snow may fall at the Base Camp. Usually temperatures during the day are 10o to 15o C while at night it can drop around 5o C.
Tip
Tipping local porters and staff to help on our route is a move they have been looking forward to. We estimate a total amount of 80 – 100 dollars (in local currency). The local escort will assist the group in this process.
Tipping is offered to staff during a thank-you ceremony on the last day of the hike
Health / Safety / insurance
HCDCP, Department of Travel Medicine
Malaria exists only around Islamabad, with few cases of urban transmission, while in Skardu, Hunza or the mountains there is no risk
The cost of the trip includes Basic travel insurance, which covers various contingencies such as health contingencies (eg injury on a course at an altitude of up to 3,000 m, which requires transportation and hospitalization), missed flight and other cases, even coverage of total cancellation of the trip for an amount up to 5,000 € including cancellation due to covid-19
In the following link you can see the benefits of the program and contact our insurance consultant to answer your questions if you have Travel Insurance coverage from Trekking Hellas
However, the included travel insurance does not cover evacuation at an altitude above 3,000 meters. And given that the journey takes place in an area with minimal infrastructure, additional rescue coverage is necessary.
Trekking Hellas cooperates with Global Rescue which covers incidents at altitudes up to 7,500 m with evacuation services that even cover a helicopter. It also provides medical advice, detailed destination reports, real-time event alerts, and even evacuation in emergencies of all kinds. Follow the link below to buy Global Rescue & Trekking Hellas global rescue insurance
In case of cancellation, the following cancellation fees apply
Note: The above cancellation terms prevail over the cancellation terms mentioned in the Participation Form – Package Travel Contract
Note 1: Hiking sticks, sleeping bag and sleeping mattress can be rented. Let us know to take care of it
Note 2: Tight and revealing clothing is not suitable for traveling to Pakistan. Shorts and T-shirts can only be worn when we are above the last temporary dwellings of the valley
Note 3: The weight of the baggage to be delivered to the porters must not exceed 15 kg.
Note 4: At the hotel in Skardu or Islamabad, you can leave equipment that you will not need during trekking
Price from €2310
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