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Day-1,
Arrive Islamabad. Arrive in Islamabad in the early hours of the
morning and transfer to the Margal Hotel in Islamabad. Islamabad
is a modern sprawling metropolis which merges imperceptibly into
its more ancient twin city of Rawalpindi. The Grand Trunk Road runs
through 'Rwalpindit is universally known, and Rudyard Kipling was
stationed here briefly in 1885 on his f irst posting to British
India as it then was. We stay at the comfortable Shalimar Hotel
in the Cantonment area of the city. The nearby Saddar Bazaar makes
for a fascinating and eye-opening sight-seeing trip. Islamabad is
a modern, somewhat characterless city developed on a grid system.
Day-2, Fly or Drive to Skardu. If the weather permits,
you will short but spectacular flight from Islamabad to Skardu.
The flight is operated with a Boeing 737 aircraft and the flight
path skirts breathtakingly past the Rupal and Diamir faces of Nanga
Parbat. It is sometimes possible to catch a glimpse of K2 in the
distance before our dramatic landing at Skardu. On arrival we are
met by our local staff with jeeps and make the short transfer to
the splendid K2 Motel where so many famous expeditions before us
have stayed.
Day-3, Contingency Day, This is a spare day in
case we had to drive on the Karakoram Highway to reach Skardu. If
we have flown to Skardu, this day will be used to aid our acclimatization.
Day-4,
Drive via Khaplu to Hushe Drive to Skardu passing through many picturesque
villages including Khapalu Village, perched on vertical rocks. This
part of Baltistan pears greener and more prosperous than on our
drive to Khapalu Village: This handsome village of timber-and-stone
houses and precision-made dry walls climbs up a wide alluvial fan
beneath an arc of sheer granite walls. Painstaking irrigation has
made it a shady, fertile oasis. As you climb its twisting track,
the icy peaks of the Masherbrum Range rise on the other side of
the valley. It's hard to imagine a more majestic setting near a
public road anywhere in Pakistan. The main attractions are the 2600m-high
village itself, the old Royal Place and even older Mosque above
it at Chakchun, and the heart-stopping views.
Day-5,
Trek to Saitcho. Today is a short trek of about 4 hours, taking
us to the beautiful campsite at Saitcho. The camp is situated at
the junction of the Charakusa and Ghandoghoro and is located among
shady trees on a sandy plain beside the river. From the camp we
get excellent views of the peak of Nameka and the rock pillars of
K7.And from just below the camp there is a view of the impressiveCharakusa
Spire.Saitcho for rest and acclimatization, for those feeling well
acclimatized there is a chance to walk up the Charakusa Valley for
better views of K6 and K7,The Hushe Valley runs from Masherbrum
Mountains (at 7821 meters) the 24th highest in the world, firstclimbed
by the American in 1960,
Day-6, Trek to Daslanpa.(4300m) Form Saitcho we
trek alongside the Gondogoro Glacier following a path on a wooded
moraine crest which ascends to the summer settlement of Ghandoghoro,
We pause for lunch here before scrambling down onto the glacier.
We trek along the edge of the glacier for a short distance to bypass
a steep rock section before finally scrambling up a rocky gully
to reach our spectacular campsite at Dalzapa (4150m). There are
two small lakes and amazing views of a range of snowy peaks including
the spectacular summit of Masherbrum. 5 hours walking.
Day-7, Trek to Ghandoghoro Peak Base amp. (4680m)
drop back down onto the glacier and follow the central section,
generally walking on snow and ice. Any crevasses on this section
of the glacier are small and easy to see. The views improve as we
move along the glacier, and in particular the view of the beautiful
spire of the Layla peak is particularly impressive. Our destination
for the evening is a campsite known as khuspan (4800m) which is
the base mp area for the popular trekking objective Ghandoghoro
Peak. The campsite is located on the grassy field beside a small
lake. 5 to 6 hours walking.
Day-8, Acclimatization Khuspang. Rest and acclimatization
spend a full day at khuspang. Part of the day learning the skills
and safety procedures required for ascending fixed ropes and moving
roped together on the glacier.
Day-9, Trek to Gondogoro la (5780m), Prepare for
the crossing of the gondogoro we move our camp to location a little
closer to the pass Proxy 2 hours walking. Climb the Gondogoro La
for the first two hours we walk on the lateral moraine to avoid
crevasses. As we get closer to the pass we shift on snow until the
base of the pass. The final ascent involves a steep walk on snow
and, depending on conditions, the use of fixed ropes as well as
crampons and ice axe. The views from the top of the pass are unparalleled,
with K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I to IV, Masherbrum, and many other
mountains appearing at our level. The descent on the Hushe side
is steeper, requiring good balance on the rocks. Continue trek to
Dalsanpga, as we leave Khuispan, we make a long traverse of the
Gondogoro Glacier, first encountering small crevasses, then hiking
over the soft ice of the Glacier. The last half-hour is a pleasant
stroll though wildflowers, with Commanding views of the Gondogoro
Glacier, Yermanadu Kangri (7163 M), Masherbrum south and the MasherbrumLa
Camp (5364 M) at by two small lakes,
Day-10, Cross the Gondogoro la to 'Ali' camp (4800m)
this is one of the toughest and most challenging days of the trek,
and although it is a long and tiring day, we are now well-acclimatized
to the altitude.We start as early as possible to get the best snow
conditions. The climb to the pass is a straightforward snow plod
- the final section up to the pass sweetening up to 40 degrees or
so. The guides will fix ropes to safeguard this ascent for both
the porters and clients. After about five hours we reach the crest
of the pass (5585m) and our efforts are rewarded with one of the
most fantastic views in the Karakorams. In front of you lie the
huge peaks of K2, Broad Peak,Chogolisa and the Gasherbrum I to IV,
Masherbrum, and many other mountains appearing at our level. From
the crest of the pass we descend slightly trickier ground and we
will need to rope together as precaution against the crevasses which
are found on the descent to the Vigne Glacier. After an hour of
descent from the pass we reach the lave glacier surface and have
a further three hours of roped trekking to reach our camp known
as 'Ali Camp'.
Day-11 Trek to Concordia (4700m) From Ali Camp
we trek out onto the Vigne Glacier and then make our way easily
down the central section of the glacier, for the most part walking
on moraines. We soon arrive at Concordia (4650m), the junction of
the Baltoro and Godwin Austen Glaciers, with K2 and Broad Peak rising
magnificently above us. This is one of the most famous locations
in the Karakoram and the views are quite simply amazing. Here we
might meet up with a re-supply team which has brought food supplies
up to Concordia via the normal route from Askole.
Day -12 Trek to Goro 2 (4500m) From Concordia we
commence the descent down the Baltoro Glacier. The surface terrain
of the glacier to begin with is hard ice pitted with moraine debris.
As we descend, the walking becomes predominantly on moraine. We
pass by Goro where there is a small military post, heading for our
destination today Looking back towards Concordia the views of Gasherbrum
IV are very impressive,and to the north we see the striking peak
of Mustagh Tower, first climbed by Joe Brown and Tom Patey in 1956.
5 to 6 hours walking.
Day-13 Trek Urdukas (4200m) Continuing down the
Baltoro Glacier we trek across increasingly rough piles of glacial
moraine where in places the path is quite indistinct. To make up
for this trek we have the spectacular backdrop of baltoro glacier
where the lift branch goes to the BC of Trango Tower and Sarpa Lago
pass. Cathedral Peak and Lobsang Spires opposite you, our first
campsite situated off glacier for many days is at Huburtze (3930m),
situated on sandy flats of glacial outwash. Across the glacier we
look directly towards the giant rock walls of the Trango Towers
and Uli Biaho. 4-5 hours walking.
Day-14, Trek to Paiyu. (3600m) Paiyu -Urdukas trekking
to urdukas (6-7-hrs) . Beautiful views of Great Trango & Uli
Biaho Towers. The tail traverses the glacier angling gently towards
its southeast margin. Exit the glacier in to the ablation valley
at Liligo. The route alternates between the lateral moraine and
the glacier, heading out on the glacier to avoid the outflow from
the advancing Liligo glacier. Continue trek to Urdukas, named for
the obvious split boulder.Camp with its extraordinary views of Paiyu
Peak (6610-m, Uli Biaho (6417-m) Great Trango Tower (6286-m), Nameless
Tower, lobsang Spire (5707-m) and the Cathedral Towers, 6 hours
walking.
Day-15, Trek to 'Jola' Camp. (3200m) follow the
true right hand side of the valley, our route skirting around the
impressive Paiju Peak. The path, which is a mixture of sandy and
stony terrain, follows the huge Braldu River. Eventually we reach
the tributary Panama River where we camp. The water is often not
good here so we may chose to walk off the main route for approximately
30 minutes to another campsite with clear water. 6 hours walking.
Day-16, Trek to Korophon, Today is a relatively
easy day. We begin by crossing the Panma River via a bridge which
provides the only route across this raging torrent. Once on the
far side the path climbs steeply to regain the north bank of the
Braldu River. We follow this path for a further two hours or so
to the campsite at Korophon (3000m) situated just before the snout
of the Biafo Glacier.
Day-17, Trek to Askole or Thongal (6-8hrs)
The Last Village, the village grows their own cereals. Vegetable
and fruit and own large herds of sheep s. Goats .yaks and duos.
It is spectacular drive from Askoli to Skardu; the jeep road crosses
the Braldu River three times and passes the villages of Dassu,Apoaligon,
Pakora, Hoto chongo and Thongal. There are hot Soleplate Springs
just 20 minutes behind Thongal. Around the hot springs are copper
colored stones known as Limpi Kiser (Kiser Fort) King Kiser was
a mythical ruler with magical powers- dozens of legends tell of
his exploits in our Baltistan,
Day-18 Skardu, Drive to Skardu via Shigar Valley
(6-8 hrs) It is spectacular drive from Askoli to Skardu; the jeep
road crosses the Braldu River three times and passes the villages
of Dassu, Apoaligon, Pakora, Hoto chongo and Thongal. There are
hot Sulphur
Springs just 20 minutes behind Thongal. Around the hot springs are
copper colored stones known as Limpi Kiser (Kiser Fort) King Kiser
was a mythical ruler with magical powers- dozens of legends tell
of his exploits in Baltistan.
Day -19 Skardu,
Morning drive by jeeps to Skardu visit the 17th century Khapulo
Fort and Mosque with wooden carvings and a Tibetan architecture.
After lunch we drive to Skardu through the beautiful and scenic
mountain villages along the mighty Indus River, Meals and overnight
in hotel.
Day 20
Islamabad,
Morning fly to Islamabad, subject to weather conditions, or drive
to Chilas takes 8 hours. Over night hotel,
Day 21 Islamabad,
Morning debriefing in Ministry of Tourism and Afternoon day free
to explore the colorful bazaar and visit the twin cities of Rawalpindi
and Islamabad. Overnight hotel,
Day 22 Departure,
Depart for homebound flights. |
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