Islamabad

Today we’ll receive all the guests from the Islamabad airport and go straight to the hotel. Anybody who is already in the city can join us at the hotel. Today is a good day to rest and get rid of the jet lag. The only thing you have to do is get currency exchanged, if needed . Later in the day we will have a group briefing.

Skardu

In the morning we will catch a flight from Islamabad to Skardu if weather permits. It is a spectacular one-flight over the Himalayas and Karakoram. You will get to see several majestic peaks including Nanga Parbat (8126 meters). However , in case weather remains bad for flight, we will take a coaster (mini-bus) to Skardu with an overnight stay at Chilas (approx 12 hrs drive).

Skardu

While we’ll be securing the permit for the group from relevant authorities, you have the full day to sort your equipment and backpacks. There are small mountaineering shops in Skardu where you can get (mostly) refurbished equipment. It is advisable to bring the equipment from your home country. In case you are short on anything, don’t worry, we will help you arrange it from the market.

Early in the morning we’ll get loaded in our 4*4 jeeps and head up the Shigar valley towards Dasso. We will have lunch on the way. The spectacular jeep road follows the raging Braldu river till Ashkole: the last village. We will enter the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP): The Highest Adventure Playground of the World, The Home of World’s Highest Peaks and Longest Glaciers. The valley opens out to reveal the Biafo Glacier which flows more than fifty kilometres from the Hispar La pass to the Braldu. Further up we will be crossing the confluence of the Braldu and Dumordo rivers, where the trail used to involve scrambling over a cliff and then crossing the river in a flying fox or box bridge (called a ‘jola’). We will camp for the first night at Jhola campsite.

Karakoram Mountains

Today our route mainly follows the Braldu gorge along the riverbank, moving up and down according to the level of erosion and water levels. We start to get views of the fantastic granite rock shapes of Trango Towers and Cathedral. Walking conditions can be very hot and dry, and care must be taken to prevent sunburn. As we approach camp several glacially-fed rivulets flow down into the main valley and we may have to use our river crossing shoes depending on water levels. On a clear day we may be able to spot K2 in the far distance and the vast snout of the Baltoro glacier, the fourth-longest in Pakistan, is also visible but it's hard to gather a sense of scale from here. The day ends with a climb away from the river to our camp at Paiju, set in a clump of trees – the last ones we will see for a while!

Karakoram Mountains

The walking gets a bit harder today, but the scenery becomes even more spectacular and wild as we climb onto the snout of the Baltoro Glacier, and cross to the south side. The route climbs up and down the glacial moraine and although there is a trail, care needs to be taken at all times. Stunning views are gradually emerging of granite peaks on the north side of the glacier - from Paiju, Uli Biaho, and Trango Towers round to Grand Cathedral. It will take a few hours to cross the glacier to Liligo. From here we follow a rocky trail along the edge of the Baltoro, where shortly before arriving at Khobursay, we will make a decision whether we can safely negotiate the glacier or continue along the side valley before crossing the meltwater stream into camp.

We will cross two small side glaciers and eventually, we can see the Trango Towers soaring up on the north side of the valley. We will stop for the night near the army camp at Urdukus, which is perched 100m above the glacier on terraces which were hewn out of the hillside for the Duke of Abruzzi’s K2 expedition in 1909. The afternoon aids our acclimatization and gives us time to enjoy the views and catch up on some rest. Porters - the invisible footmen - of Karakoram, with their super-human strength, will carry our luggage.

We strike out into the middle of the glacier and follow the medial moraine, getting our first views of Masherbrum (7,821m) to the south. The trail becomes more even and as we get higher, we start to walk past the huge ice seracs which stick out of the glacier-like ice cream cones. Tonight, we spend our first night camping on the Baltoro Glacier at Goro II, where the nighttime temperature will drop quite dramatically. From camp, we have superb views of Masherbrum and up the Younghusband Glacier, named after Sir Francis Edward Younghusband, the well-known explorer and spiritual writer to the impressive Muztagh Tower.

K2 Mountain

Our final approach day, and our goal is in sight - Concordia! We continue up the rocky moraine as more and more of the big peaks come into view, culminating in the appearance of K2’s summit, rising more than 4,000m above the valley bottom. The views all around our campsite at Concordia are tremendous: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Chogolisa and Sia Kangri are all prominent, as well as dozens of smaller peaks such as Marble Peak, Crystal Peak and Mitre Peak.

K2 Mountain

We will leave for K-2 Basecamp early in the morning. At the basecamp we get a chance to interact with the summit expeditions. K-2, locally known as Chagori, is one of the toughest mountains to climb. One out of four people die who attempt the summit. We will also visit the Art Gilkey Memorial and then return to Concordia. Today is a long trekking day but the terrain is easy. The route follows the Asutin-Godwin glacier which is directly hitting the base of majestic K-2. You can also skip this hike and just chill at your camp at Concordia, and enjoy some lovely views.

K2 Mountain

Today is a rest day to recharge for the most challenging phase of the trek. You can write, read, enjoy music, take photos or just breathe in the unbelievable scenery. If you like, you can also go for small hikes around to explore the Baltoro glacier which is the world’s fastest moving glacier. At this point, If there are guests who are ill or do not wish to go ahead, our group will be bifurcated; One party will pass through Gondogoro pass and the other one will return to Jhola by the same route. They will join others in Skardu. Our guides, porters and cooks will also be separated accordingly.

It will take us an hour to pass crevasses near Concordia and take the route on the Upper Baltoro glacier, which would take us around the Mitre Peak through Vigne glacier all the way to Ali Camp, most likely by afternoon. The panorama at Ali Camp is stunning and magical. With views of Broad Peak, G6 (6,979m), the beautiful Chogolisa (7,665m) and Tasa Brakka (6,700m), Gondogoro Pass is no doubt the king of all treks in Pakistan. We’ll sleep early tonight as we have to push for Gondogoro pass at midnight.

It is absolutely necessary to cross the pass before the sunrise to avoid the risk of avalanches. We will start at midnight with our headlamps and gaiters on. We will cross a steep section of mountain by attaching our carabiners to a fixed rope. There is a rescue team on Gondgoro La who will fix the rope already. While we cross, the rescue team members will be present there in case any help is needed. It’d take 4-5 hours to reach the pass. You will find the most magical views at the daybreak. On a clear day, we’d get to enjoy the views of K2, Broad Peak, Gashbarum-1 (8,047 m), Gasherbrum-2 (8,035 m), Laila Peak (6,100 m) and Hushe Valley — probably the most impressive mountain scenery in the world. It’d take another 5 hours to descend from the pass to Khuspang - a lush green campsite after days of glacier (Hurrah!). Tonight is a celebration night! Onwards, with one or two glacier patches the trek is just plain lands with patches of greenery.

The first two hours will be on the glacier. There is one tricky section of crevasse right after Khuspang but after that the remaining glacier crossing is rather simple. There are 6-8 hours of trekking in total. You’d see Masherbrum Peak from the Hushe side if the weather is clear. We will cross the Laila Peak Basecamp and take a smooth trail to Shaiescho - a lush green campsite by the bank of Hushe river. The beautiful flowers and fauna of Hushe Valley will make you fresh and energised.

Hushe Valley

We will hike for approximately 3 hours and reach Hushe village. Hushe village has produced some of the most famous porters who have not only summited the several 8000+ meter peaks but also rescued many climbers. We will meet one of the legends over tea while our luggage is shifted to jeeps. We will say goodbye to our porters and cooks, and set for our hotel where hot showers will be waiting for us :)

Skardu

Today is completely free. You can rest, manage laundry or just chill or do whatever you like.

Upper Kachura Lake

We will see places in and around Skardu such as the famous Budhist rock, also named as Manthal Rock. Then, we will visit the popular heart-shaped Shangrila Lake, locally known as Kachura Lake. You can also shop in the market for souvenirs. We will enjoy the setting of the sun at the world's highest desert: the Cold Desert.

Katpana Desert

We will fly back to Islamabad in the morning. It will most likely be the most scenic flight of your life with Karakoram and Himalayas visible from the windows. In Islamabad, we will visit Faisal Mosque, Islamabad Monument, and have dinner at a unique local restaurant. However, if our flight to Islamabad gets cancelled because of bad weather, we have to drive back to Islamabad on Day 18 & 19.

Contingency Day

Islamabad

The Mouhimjo tour ends on Day 20 with the checkout. However, if you want to stay or see other places, we will be happy to assist you in every capacity we can. Looking forward to seeing you. For booking or queries, write to us