Archives: Trips

Snow Lake Trek ( Biafo Hispar Trek ) is a 63 km (39 mi) long glacier in the Karakoram Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan which meets the 49 km (30 mi) long Hispar(Nagar) Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m (16,824 ft) at Hispar La (Pass) to create the world’s longest glacial system outside the polar regions. This highway of ice connects two ancient mountain kingdoms, Nagar (immediately south of Hunza) in the west with Baltistan in the east. The traverse uses 51 of the Biafo Glacier’s 63 km and all of the Hispar Glacier to form a 100 km (62 mi) glacial route.

Snow Lake is located 16,000 feet 4,877 m above sea level, and is approximately 10 miles 16 kmwide. The basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hisparglaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61 mile (100 km) river of ice that is among the world`s longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions.The central Karakoram, first explored and mapped in 1937 and 1939, is perhaps the wildest of all. It is an area of vast glaciers, high mountains and remote passes.

Length of Biafo Glacier is 68 kilometers 42 miles long with a total area of 625 sq. km. It starts from Korofong above Askole village. Hisper Glacier is 52 Kilometers long. It is only the Hisper pass, which separates the Hisper Glacier and Biafo Glacier. However, most geographers consider the two glaciers as one; they call Biafo-Hisper Glacier. If that be so then the 120 kilometers 75 miles long biafo Hispar Glacier probably becomes the second longest glacier in the world.

Approaching Snow Lake following a broad highway of Ice, a huge glaciated basin at 4500 meters, there could be a couple of crevasse areas where it will be necessary to rope up. Here we have the opportunity to view Biantha Brak, (7284 m), Snow Lake peak and Simkiang glacier. From here we ascend the Hisper La and camp on the summit, which gives us a panoramic sunset and sunrise views of the whole Biafo – Hispar.

Snow Lake Trek ( Biafo Hispar Trek ) Lake is located 16,000 feet 4,877 m above sea level, and is approximately 10 miles 16 kmwide. The basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hisparglaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61 mile (100 km) river of ice that is among the world`s longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions.

     Detailed Trip Itinerary

Rakaposhi is a mountain in the Karakoram mountain range in Northern Pakistan. Rakaposhi Trek  is situated in the middle of Nagar Valley Nagar District and Danyore and Bagrote valley approximately 100 km (62 mi) north of the capital city Gilgit of the semi autonomous Gilgit-Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan. Rakaposhi means “Snow Covered” in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Dumani (“Mother of Mist” or “Mother of Clouds”). It is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highest in Pakistan.

The first successful recorded ascent by non-natives was in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of a British-Pakistani expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. Both of them suffered minor frostbite during the ascent to the summit on June 25. Another climber slipped and fell on the descent and died during the night.

A three-member Austrian expedition, which included Rainer Goschl, Rudolph Pischinger and Hanns Schell, decided to try its luck on Diran in 1968 after being refused permission to climb Kampire Dior peak.

     Detailed Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Islamabad

Arrival at the airport in Islamabad, Our guide and drive will meet you here, after meeting and greeting transfer t to the hotel for short rest/refreshment, we will spend the rest of the day with exploring the twin city Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Hotel

Day 02: Islamabad – Chilas

Departure for Chilas early in the morning, we will stop en-route for photography and lunch, Today we will drive on the famous Karakorum Highway which connect Pakistan with China and is the trade route between these two countries. Arrive and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. Hotel

Day 03: Chilas – Minapin

Departure for Chilas via Karakorum Highway, We will stop in Gilgit to purchase food of the trek, Lunch at Rakaposhi view point and drive to Minapin, arrive and transfer to the guest house for overnight. Hotel

Day 03 – 06: Trek To Rakaposhi Base Camp

1st camp at Hapakun.
2nd explore around.
3rd camp at Kacheli

Day 07 – 09: Trek Back To Hapakun – Karimabad

1st camp Hapakun
2nd Hakakun – Karimabad. Hotel
Today we will visit 900 years old Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Channel walk and evening to Duiker village for sunset and back to hotel in Karimabad

Day 10: Karimabad – Chilas

Departure for Chilas on the Karakorum Highway, Stop en-route for lunch and photography, Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

Day 11: Chilas – Islamabad

Departure for Islamabad, arrive and end of tour.

Rush Lake Trek at 4694 m with the ascent of Rush Peak (5200 m). Rush Lake is one of the highest alpine lakes in Pakistan. It is located about 15 km north of Miar Peak and Spantik (Golden Peak). Rush Lake and Rush Peak can be reached via Nagar and Hopar and via the Hopar Glacier (Bualtar Glacier) and Miar Glacier, (which rises from theMiar and Phuparash) peaks. The trek to Rush Lake can be reached without the need for a long and difficult climb. Yet Rush Peak itself is a highpoint on a broad ridge that can be reached with relative ease. This ridge is almost 20km long and separates the glaciated valley of the Barpu from the steep sided Hispar Valley. It starts close to the town of Nagar and raises gently South Eastwards to culminate in a series of very steep unclimbed 6000m peaks.

Starting from Hopar, a marvellous village known for fruit orchards and the production of potato seeds, we stroll through the terraced fields and experience some walking on glaciers as well. At the junction of Barpu and Bualter glaciers, our destination is rewarded with a superb view of Rush Peak. It is interesting that local legends talk about the gender of these glaciers as being male and female and also about their meeting and giving birth to new glaciers.

It is located about 15 km north of Miar Peak and Spantik (Golden Peak). Rush Lake and Rush Peak can be reached via Nagar and Hopar and via the Hopar Glacier (Bualtar Glacier) and Miar Glacier, (which rises from theMiar and Phuparash) peaks

     Detailed Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival to Rawalpindi/Islamabad Hotel
Day 02: Drive to Chilas. Hotel
Day 03: Drive to Ghanish and then to Hoper by jeeps Camp
Day 04: Trek to Shiskin Camp
Day 05: Trek to Barpu Giram Camp
Day 06: Trek to Rush Lake Camp
Day 07: Climb Rush Peak or rest day at Rush Lake Camp
Day 08: Trek to Datchugan Camp
Day 09: Trek to Hamdar Camp
Day 10: Trek to Hopar and drive to Karimabad Hunza Hotel
Day 11: Explore Karimabad and surroundings Hotel
Day 12: Drive to Besham Hotel
Day 13: Drive to Islamabad Hotel
Day 14: Drive to Airport for home bound flight

Shimshal Hunza Trek is a best trek located in Gojal Tehsil of Hunza District, in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan formerly known as Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Shimshal Pass (4,735 m) rises above the village. It lies on the watershed between the Indus River and Tarim River basins, and leads to the valley of the Shimshal Braldu River, a tributary of the Shaksgam River on the border with China. Francis Younghusband was probably the first Englishman to reach the pass (1889). At the time it was used by raiders from Hunza to attack caravans traveling between Leh and Yarkand. There was a fort manned by Hunza soldiers, or raiders, or both. The pass is not part of Khunjerab National Park, but the Shimshal community has set an organization called SNT (Shimshal Nature Trust) which oversees the entire region and takes care of its own land. It is a community-based organization and is registered with the Government of Pakistan.

Shimshal is made up of four major hamlets; Farmanabad, Aminabad, center Shimshal and Khizarabad. Farmanabad is a new settlement that comes first on reaching Shimshal. Aminabad is announced by vast fields of stones hemmed in by dry stone walls, and fortress-like houses of stone and mud..

     Detailed Trip Itinerary Shimshal Hunza Trek

Day 01: Arrival Islamabad Upon Arrival transfer to the Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02: Islamabad – Chilas 10 – 12 hrs drive to Chilas on KKH from Islamabad. Overnight in hotel at Chilas.
Day 03: CHILAS-GULMIT Drive to Gilgit and later proceed to Gulmit, superb views of Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi en route.
Day 04: GULMIT-KHUNJERAB PASS-GULMIT Excursion to Khunjerab, the highest point on Karakoram Highway
Day 05: ZIARAT-MALUNGUTI Drive to Dutt or tupto the end of jeep road to start trekking
Day 06: ZIARAT-MALUNGUTI Depart Ziarat for a three to five hour trek to Malunguti. Overnight in tents
Day 07: MALUNGUTI-SHIMASHAL Depart Malunguti for three to four hour trek to Shimshal. Overnight in tents
Day 08: Day free at Shimshal-Full day excursion to Shimshal Valley
Day 09: SHIMSHAL-ZIARAT Depart Shimshal for four to five hour trek to Ziarat. Overnight in tents.
Day 10: ZIARAT/DUTT-HUNZA Ziarat for three to four hour trek to Dutt. From Dutt we drive to Hunza.
Day 11: HUNZA-GILGIT AM visit Baltit and Altit Forts. PM drive to Gilgit
Day 12: GILGIT AM visit Kargah, a rock carved Buddha on a high cliff. PM free.
Day 13: GILGIT-BESHAM Early departure for Besham driving on Karakoram Highway
Day 14: BESHAM-ISLAMABAD Departure for Rawalpindi/Islamabad, visiting Taxila, en route.
Day 15: Islamabad Many Hand Shakes and God bye

Kalash Festival is one the most unique and taboo for many in Pakistan and elsewhere on earth. Kalash  tribe celebrates many festivals around the year.  Chilam Joshi is also known as  spring festival. The Kalash people celebrate this four day festival across all three Kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists attend the Chilam Joshi festival every year. The three main festivals are Chilam Joshi (spring festival), Choimus (winter festival) and Uchal (summer festival). All three are explained below:

Kalash Festival – Chilam Joshi (Spring)

Chilam Joshi Festival is one the most vital kalash festivals.   Chilam Joshi is also known as Kalash spring festival. The Kalash people celebrate this four day festival across all three Kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists attend the Chilam Joshi festival every year.

The main objective behind the Chilam Joshi is that Kalasha men and women can find themselves a spouse to get married. The women wear traditional attire with lively colors and hair dresses have patterns of flowers on it. They wear beaded necklaces which compliments their dresses and head gears.

Uchal (Summer)

Uchal, also known as Utchal is a summer festival. Kalasha people during this festival pay homage to God by celebrating the harvest and also thanking their God for blessing them with good food and crops. Corn, buttermilk and cheese are prepared to celebrate the festival.

Men wear traditional Shalwar Kameez with a waistcoat made of wool. They dance together and sing in a circle on drum beats. Every year this festival brings smile to the bachelors and spinsters of Kalash Valley tribes as it gives them an opportunity to choose their life partners and announce their names on the last day of the festival.

    Trip Itinerary:

K2 Base Camp Trek and Gondogoro La Trek gives great views of four 8,000m peaks and is thought by many to be one of the best high mountain treks in the world. Some of the wildest and most dramatic landscapes on earth are found in the vast, rugged Karakoram Range situated in Northern Pakistan.

Remote and spectacular, the icy peaks and vast Glaciers of the Karakoram offer unparalleled opportunities for adventurous trekking. The 62km long Baltoro Glacier is Pakistan’s number one trekking destination. Seven of the world’s twenty-five highest peaks rise above this glacier, while the lower reaches are surrounded by some of the world’s highest granite walls and spires.

The Baltoro Glacier meets the Vigne and Godwin-Austen glaciers at the huge natural amphitheater of Concordia. This is one of the most spectacular mountain campsites in the world. The huge pyramid of K2 only 10km distant dominates the view and creates a very special atmosphere. Our programme allows three days in the upper reaches of the Baltoro Glacier to savor the majesty of this unique place. The highest point reached on this trek is the 5,650m summit of the Gondogoro La. This is a challenging and technical route, which links the high glacial basin of the upper Baltoro with the green Hushe Valley to the south. The view from the summit is one of the most overwhelming mountain panoramas in the world, with four of the Karakoram 8,000m peaks close at hand.

 

The route to K2 goes through the Baltoro region of Baltistan. There are several high peaks which rise from the world’s largest temperate zone glacier. Only the highest or more prominent peaks have been named or climbed. An incredible nineteen of these peaks tower over 7600m while four of them are 8000ers..

Thus, K2, the second highest mountain in the world towers majestically above Concordia with the sweeping Godwin Austin Glacier offering an ice highway towards it. It was first climbed by Italians in 1954.

     Overview K2 Base Camp and Gondoro La Trek

Day-01 Arrive Islamabad airport and transfer to hotel

Day-02 Fly to Skardu in case of flight cancellation drive to Chilas 12-14hrs

Day-03 Rest day in Skardu or drive from Chilas to Skardu.

Day-04 Drive to Askoli 6-7hrs 3000m. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-05 Trek to Jhola 3200m. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-06 Trek to Paiyu 6-7hrs hrs 3450m. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-07 Free day for local explorations.  Meals & overnight in tents

Day-08 Trek to Urdukas 15.9km, 9-10 hours 4050m Meals & overnight in tents

Day-09 Trek to Goro-II 12.1KM, 6 hours, 4380m. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-10 Trek to Concordia 9.2km, 5 hours, 4650m. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-11 Full day Excursion to K2 BC, 5135m. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-12 Start of return journey Trek to Goro-II. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-13 Trek to Urdukas. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-14 Trek to Paiyu. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-15 Trek to Jhola. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-16 Trek to Askoli. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-17 Drive to Skardu. Meals & overnight in Hotel

Day-18 Skardu-Islamabad. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-19 Islamabad or Chilas-Islamabad. Meals & overnight in tents

Day-20 Transfer to Islamabad airport for international flight