The High Karakorum Passes

The High Karakoram Passes

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

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Duration

32 Days /31 Nights

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

20 people

Languages

___

Overview

The Karakoram Traverse is an extraordinary combination of two of the world’s most captivating treks: The Gondogoro La Trek and the Biafo-Hisper Trek. Each of these treks is renowned for its adventure and breathtaking landscapes, making them popular among seasoned trekkers. The Karakoram High Passes trek offers a comprehensive and exciting journey, featuring the crossing of two major high-altitude passes—Gondogoro La (5,450 meters) and Hisper La (5,150 meters)—in a single expedition.

During this trek, you will traverse four of the Karakoram’s most remarkable glaciers: Gondogoro Glacier, Baltoro Glacier, Biafo Glacier, and Hisper Glacier. These glaciers are flanked by some of the world’s most iconic mountain peaks, creating a truly immersive experience in the heart of the Karakoram.

This grand “ice highway” leads you through the tranquil mountain kingdoms, guiding you to the ancient kingdom of Nagar and ultimately concluding your nearly five-week journey in the breathtaking Hunza Valley. The Karakoram Traverse offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the stunning beauty of the Karakoram Range, with its towering peaks, vast glaciers, and challenging passes.

Gondogoro La and Hisper Pass are gateways to some of the most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth. They offer unmatched adventure and challenge for experienced trekkers, providing a chance to experience the majesty of the Karakoram up close. However, due to the demanding nature of these passes and the technical skills required, this trek is recommended only for seasoned mountaineers and trekkers with experience in high-altitude and glacial terrain.

The Karakoram Traverse is more than just a trek; it’s an unforgettable journey through one of the most rugged and beautiful regions on the planet, offering a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for those who are up to the challenge.

HIGHLIGHTS

Islamabad and Skardu Sightseeing: Explore the capital city of Islamabad and the scenic beauty of Skardu, a gateway to the Karakoram Range.
Scenic Road Trip to Skardu: Enjoy a picturesque road journey to Skardu, surrounded by towering mountains, rivers, and lush valleys.
Valleys of Skardu and Shigar: Discover the serene and breathtaking valleys of Skardu and Shigar, known for their natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Balti Porter Life and Askole Jeep Safari: Experience the traditional lifestyle of the Balti people and embark on an adventurous jeep safari to Askole, the last village before the trek begins.
Meet Mountaineers at Base Camps: Encounter seasoned mountaineers at the base camps of some of the world's highest peaks, sharing stories of their expeditions.
Baltoro Glacier Trekking Experience: Trek along the Baltoro Glacier, the 5th longest glacier in the world and the largest outside the polar regions, surrounded by majestic peaks.
Base Camps of K2 and Broad Peak: Visit the base camps of K2 (8,611 meters) and Broad Peak (8,051 meters), where climbers prepare for their summit attempts.
Camping in Concordia: Camp in Concordia, the "throne room of the mountain gods," surrounded by some of the highest and most dramatic peaks in the world.
Trek to Godwin-Austen Glacier via Baltoro Glacier: Hike up to the Godwin-Austen Glacier, passing the Gilkey Memorial, a tribute to climbers who lost their lives in the mountains.
View 8,000-Meter Peaks: Marvel at the views of towering 8,000-meter peaks, including Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, and K2, from key vantage points like Goro II, Concordia, and the base camps.
Views of Other Peaks (5,000m to 8,000m): Admire the stunning array of peaks between 5,000 and 8,000 meters, including Gasherbrum III and IV, Masherbrum, Mustagh Tower, Bakhordas Peak, Mitre Peak, Crystal Peak, Marble Peak, Biale Peak, Lobsang Spire, Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, Cathedral Peak, and Urdukas Peak.
Views of Glaciers, Glacial Lakes, Waterfalls, and Streams: Witness the grandeur of numerous glaciers, such as Biafo, Vigne, Liligo, Dunge, Muztagh, Biango, Yermanendu, and Mandu, along with stunning glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls, and pristine mountain streams.
Indus, Panmah, and Braldu Rivers: Explore the powerful rivers that carve through the rugged landscape, including the Indus, Panmah, and Braldu rivers, adding to the region's dramatic scenery.

Itinerary

Arrival in Islamabad. AM: Briefing in the Ministry, PM: Sightseeing

Drive to Chilas along the Karakorum Highway/Babusar Pass. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Drive from Chilas to Skardu (311km). En route stopover at Thalpan Rock Carvings and Junction Point of Three Mountain Ranges. Overnight stay at a hotel in Skardu.

Optional sightseeing in Skardu to get acclimatized. Visit local landmarks including the Kharpocho Fort, Kachura Lakes, Katpana Desert, and Manthal Buddha Rock. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Drive from Skardu to Hushe Valley - the last human settlement in the Ghanche District - by 4WD. Overnight stay in tents.

Enjoy an easy trek to Saitcho via the pastures of Hushe Valley with scenic views of surrounding mountains. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek up to Dalzampa campsite. An easy hike through the pastures of Hushe valley. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek from Dalzampa to Khuspang - enjoy the hike with magnificent views of Karakorum Mountains, especially Laila Peak. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek over Gondogoro La and cross over to Ali Camp. This is the most strenuous hiking day on the trek and requires basic skills and energy. Overnight stay at the Ali Camp.

Trek from Ali's camp to Concordia - an easy walk on the glacial moraine except technical exit from the campsite.

Day excursion to K-2 Base camp via Broad Peak Base camp - an easy and rewarding day hike. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek from Concordia to Goro -II, an easy walk on the glacial moraine with scenic views of Baltoro Galacier. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek from Goro II to Khuburtze via Goro I campsite. Khuburtze is a beautiful campsite on a lateral moraine of a green mountain adjacent to Baltoro Glacier providing magnificent views of the glacier line. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek down to Payju campsite, overnight stay in tents.

Trek from Payju to Bardumal on dry track, mostly along the river bank. Overnight stay in tent.

Trek down to Korophong campsite and get ready for another exciting adventure. Overnight stay in the tent.
Note: Korophong is the first campsite on the Baltoro Glacier trek starting from the Askoli Valley - the last human settlement while driving from Skardu.

Trek up to Namla on a glacial moraine. Namla is the first campsite on the Biafo-Hispar trekking route. Overnight stay in the tent.

Trek to Mango campsite. Mango is a beautiful campsite off the glacier on a green patch with scenic views.

Trek to Biantha - another beautiful campsite adjacent to the Biafo Glacier. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek to Marfogoro campsite. It's a technical hike along the flat and barren glacier with several crevasses. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek to Snow Lake and enjoy the real adventure. Overnight stay on the Snow Lake.

Cross the 5128m Hisper La to Khani Basa. Enjoy the snow-covered mountain peaks while trekking on pure snow-bound glacier. Overnight stay in tents at Khani Basa campsite.

Trek down to Jutmal campsite with partial hike on the glacier and the final leg on a dry patch. Overnight stay in tents.

Trek to Red Star campsite for overnight stay in tents.

Trek to Bitanmal campsite. Overnight in tents.

Trek to Hisper Village by crossing the suspension bridge. Overnight stay in tents.

Drive from Hisper village to Karimabad. Enjoy an overnight stay in your hotel room.

Free day to explore Hunza Valley. Visit Altit and Baltit Forts, drive up to Duikar View Point and explore local bazar in Karimabad. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Drive to Naran along the Karakorum Highway en route Gilgit and via Babusar Pass. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Drive from Naran to Islamabad. Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel for overnight stay.

AM: debriefing at the Ministry of tourism, PM: Sightseeing. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Drive to Airport for home bound flight. End of services.

Included/Exclude

All domestic flights and ground transportation including airport transfers.
● All accommodation (hotel) on a twin sharing basis during the tour
● All accommodation (dome tents) on a twin sharing basis during trekking
● Single supplement as per demand or for single female participant
● Camping gear including tents (Member/Mess/Kitchen/Toilet)
● Kitchen accessories
● All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and coffee/green tea/hot water during treks
● Satellite Phone for emergencies
● Professional tour guide and support staff (cook/assistants/helpers/porters)
● Personal insurance of all support staff.
● Fresh and packed meals as per itinerary
● Basic First Aid Kit
● Trekking permit fee and paperwork, waste management fee, toll and bridge crossing charges
● Visa assistance

• Personal Insurance of foreign participants
• Visa fee
• International flight ticket
• Personal clothing (shoes, trousers, etc.)
• Personal Equipment’s (Ice-Axe, Crampons, Harness, Helmet, etc.) can be arrange upon request
• Extra hotel stays
• Tips and gratuities to staff
• Miscellaneous expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the “services included section” above

Tour's Location

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

FAQs

The High Karakorum Passes Trek is ranked as one of the most strenuous hikes in the world and obviously demands a good physical condition. This trek is the combination of Gondogoro La Trek and Biafo Hisper Trek and is suitable for people with great enthusiasm and determination for trekking besides being physically fit. The age is not a limit - it’s the zeal for a high adventure and love for nature besides being physically fit for this ultimate adventure.

Please share your plan, dates and other people planning to travel with you so that we can arrange accordingly.

To easily do this trek, you need to be able to walk along a rugged terrain, including rough, rocky trails and glacial track on an average 8 hours a day while gaining a fair amount of altitude. To get acclimatized, you will be required to go through some hard physical exercises and some expert advice before doing this trek. Running, long walks, hiking, cycling, cardio exercises, and yoga can be a great help.

Starting from an elevation of 2500m in Skardu town, you find yourself at 4700m at Concordia or 5130m at the base camp of K2 in about a week time ascending trek on the dry and glacial terrain of Baltoro Glacier. Since this trek involves doing two of the key passes - Gondogoro La (5450m) and Biafo Hisper (5150m), obviously the maximum altitude is Gondogoro La.

There is a detailed list of must-carry and optional equipment’s which covers the required equipment and baggage to carry. If you have previous trekking experience, you may select your personal requirement.

● Important medicine/first aid kit
● Hiking backpack and sticks
● Head-torch/flashlight with extra batteries
● High altitude sleeping bag
● Sunglasses
● Sunblock and lip balm
● Water bottle
● Glows and warm pairs of socks
● Warm cap, hat, and scarf
● Full sleeves shirt and thermal suit
● Waterproof trousers and raincoat
● Trekking shoes and flip-flops
● Trekking poles
● Warm layers of clothing
● Camera with additional batteries (optional)
● Cell phone with charger and charging bank (optional)
● Binoculars (optional)

Certain basic equipment’s (either brand new or in used condition) can be purchased in Skardu but it’s not guaranteed whether you can get everything you want. The equipment includes tents, mattresses, backpack, hiking rope, sunglasses, crampons, harness, helmet, trekking poles, gloves, socks, jackets, trousers, etc. Price for used equipment is negotiable. Most trekking groups/expeditions sell equipment on their way back instead of carrying back home.

We are a Member Company of Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) and helicopter rescue plan is part of the program we offer.

For any rescue mission we are required to deposit advance payment in favor of PATO out of which a small percentage is non-refundable (will be discussed at the time of confirmation) while rest is refundable (in case service was not availed). This entire amount is required to be paid by the client in advance. If there is any insurance policy on part of the client that can cover the impending bill, that needs to be submitted.

We do. We can organize customized tours/treks for solo trekkers and groups of any volume, but we prefer not more than 12. All we need is the information on the interest, dates, and number of persons with special instructions if any.

The maximum size of our groups is 2 persons and the average size of our groups is 8 members. We can handle any size of group but we prefer between 15 and 20.

During this trek, all three meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be served to the participants. A combination of Foreign and Pakistani meals will be included in our food plan. The ingredients for the food will be procured in Pakistan. Breakfasts will have coffee, cereal, tea, eggs, muesli/porridge, bread/chapatti included. Lunches will be consumed during lunch breaks on the trek with options include canned/tinned meals (meat, fish), pickles, crackers, chapatti, pate, cheese etc. Weather has a very important role in deciding our lunch menu for the day; the participants will begin the lunch with consuming or end it with tea or coffee, juice, soup etc.

The dinner will always be served in the mess tent and the participants will gather to eat the food freshly prepared by the cooks travelling with our group. The first few days of the trekking, fresh vegetables will be served in food if they are fresh and healthy. All the participants who are vegetarian, they must communicate with our office and inform us on advance basis if they need a vegetarian food plan during the trek.

During the trek, Iodized water will be available for the participants throughout the mornings, while taking breaks and camping. Everyone will be consuming spring water every time its available otherwise if we run out of options for the participants may drink glacier water that possibly have silt. The kitchen containers which are very large in size are used to keep the water storage and it is also helpful in settling down the silt particles at the bottom. If any participants have any issue with odor of iodine, they may bring their own supplies of bi-carbonated soda. Traditional methods are effective and work very well for everyone there is no harm in the experimentation of new methods.

While few nights will be spent in the capital city of Islamabad and the town of Skardu, the rest of the nights will consist of camping in tents between the magnificent mountains. The accommodation arrangement is Islamabad is of standard hotels while our hotels selected in Skardu town are among the best. Rooms at our provided hotels will be on twin sharing basis with en-suite amenities.
At the time of camping, the participants will be sharing a tent fit for two persons. If any participant is coming alone on this trek, he/she will be accommodated with one of the other members for tent and room sharing. For strangers and solo trekkers, first preference will be given to same gender stays. Nevertheless, a participant can opt for separate tent of hotel rooms as he/she likes, however additional cost will be incurred for making separate arrangement. Any participants seeking separate accommodation must inform our office in advance.

During the trekking days, our guide will wake up the participants for coffee or a warm cup of tea which we be followed by a decent breakfast inside the mess tent. There will be plenty time before the breakfast to pack the bags. After the breakfast the camps will be closed, and the porters will get back to their work handling supplies and luggage ahead of the participants to reach at the lunch site and make preparation for meals. Porters will repeat the process as they will follow ‘trek earlier’ approach in order to prepare dinner for the participants. Standard trek duration before the lunch will be between 3-4 hours.
Generally, one hour is required for the lunch which makes it a very good time to gain your strength back, relax, write and read etc.
Trekking after the lunch will be shorter as compared to trek before the lunch. Once you arrive at the next camp site, the camps will already be setup or in progress. Upon arrival to the camp the participants will be served a hot beverage and dinner will be served when it’s prepared. Participants can rest, read, write, socialize, film and photograph upon reaching a camp. Temperature decreases at night normally; participants can get comfortable in their sleeping bags and get a good sleep before next day.

All nationalities must obtain a valid visa for entry into Pakistan. Tourists are advised to contact the nearest Pakistan Embassy/High Commission/consulate in their respected country/city. For the detailed information on visa, please refer to https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/ Pakistan does have visa on arrival facility for a number of countries. Please check the details here https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-on-arrival-tourist/

Portable chargers, storage cards and extra batteries may be required during the trekking holiday. We advise you to make a relevant list of adapters, sockets and any other kind of electrical items you might require keeping your devices function as long as possible.

Tipping in Pakistan is not obligatory; it is entirely at one’s own discretion. Staff generally expects to be tipped at the end of the tour. If the staff during the trip performed well, a good tip is considered well-deserved. However, there is no defined amount as it depends on the situation, number of days spent and performance of the staff. With groups clients can join in to add to an amount.

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The High Karakoram Passes

Duration

Tour Type

Group Size

Languages

Overview

HIGHLIGHTS

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Islamabad

Day 2 - Islamabad to Chilas

Day 3 - Chilas to Skardu

Day 4 - Skardu sightseeing

Day 5 - Skardu to Hushe Valley

Day 6 - Trek to Saitcho

Day 7 - Trek to Dalzampa

Day 8 - Trek to Khuspang/High Camp

Day 9 - Gondogoro La Pass

Day 10 - Ali Camp to Concordia

Day 11 - K-2 Basecamp excursion

Day 12 - Trek to Goro-II

Day 13 - Trek to Khuburtze

Day 14 - Trek to Payju

Day 15 - Trek to Bardumal

Day 16 - Trek to Korophong

Day 17 - Trek up to Namla

Day 18 - Trek to Mango

Day 19 - Trek to Biantha

Day 20 - Trek to Marfogoro

Day 21 - Trek to Snow Lake

Day 22 - Hisper Pass to Khani Basa

Day 23 - Trek to Jutmal

Day 24 - Trek to Red Star

Day 25 - Trek to Bitanmal

Day 26 - Trek to Hisper Village

Day 27 - Drive to Karimabad

Day 28 - Free day in Karimabad

Day 29 - Drive to Naran

Day 30 - Drive to Islamabad

Day 31 - Islamabad Sightseeing

Day 32 - Home bound flight

Included/Exclude

Tour's Location

FAQs

Who is the High Karakorum Passes Trek suitable for?

How do I register for this trek?

How to prepare for this trek?

What is the maximum altitude on the trek?

What clothes or equipment's should I bring on the trek?

Can we rent the equipment in Skardu?

What are the rescue plans in case of emergency?

How do I pay for the rescue?

Do you organize treks for private groups?

What is the minimum/maximum size of your groups?

What types of meals should I expect?

What is the accommodation like?

What is a typical day like?

How and where can I apply for Pakistani visa?

Do I need batteries and accessories on the trek?

How much to tip porters?

Reviews

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Organized by

Pearl Tours & Travel

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