Gondogoro Peak

(start Islamabad end Islamabad)

The walk to Gondogoro Pass or Gondogoro Peak, however is not a task to be undertaken lightly. It's a hard trek up and down the gorges, across rushing icy torrents, through broken rocks, over wire-rope bridges and through crevasse glaciers.

The incentive for this walk is undoubtedly equally rewarding. Mitre Peak, Muztagh Tower, Gasherbrum 3, 4, 5 & 6, Broad Peak, Chogolisa, Golden Throne, Sia Kangri, Angles, Marble Peak, Masherbrum, Liala & the Mighty K-2 are just a few of the innumerable mountain vistas to be witnessed on this trek in addition to tranquil lakes, blossoming fruit orchards, meandering rivers, tumbling water falls and undulating sand dunes with a unique blend of the modest Balti culture marked with distinct language, architecture and dresses.

SUMMARY : From Islamabad we fly over Kaghan valley, Nanga Parbat and the Karakorams to Skardu - the district head quarters of Baltistan and a gateway to the great Monoliths of Pakistan. Perched at a height of 7500 feet, Skardu is located amidst an impressive landscape, towering mountains, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, creeping glaciers and quiet lakes. Skardu is in the heart of a towering frontier land. To its north lies the Sinkiang province of China, to the south Kashmir, to the West Gilgit and to the east the district of Ladakh in India. Skardu is the trekker and mountain climbers paradise. Nowhere can you find such a collection of lofty peaks and glaciers.

After sightseeing the mountain desert, tranquil lakes, bustling Skardu bazaar and a 16th century Khorpocho Fort, for a day, We set off by jeep to Hushey - the last inhabited village and commence our exuberant trek with dozens of porters on the trails to the incredible wilderness of ice, rock and sky for couple of days.

Although on the entire trek we are in absolute wilderness, we will take a colorful part of the Karakoram Culture with us. Our scores of lively Baltis who are tough enough to sing and dance after the hard day's work. We will be invited to join in. There will be many memorable evenings listening to their songs and watching their dances.

Note :- Although we try to adhere to the schedule listed below, this itinerary is subject to change due to numerous reasons beyond our control such as bad weather, canceled or delayed flights, road washouts, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, sickness, govt restrictions, & all other unforseen exigencies.

Day 01 Rawalpindi/Islamabad

Arrival in Rawalpindi, sightseeing of Rawalpindi Islamabad. Overnight hotel.

Day 02 Rawalpindi/Islamabad

Official briefing at Ministry of Tourism, Islamabad. Overnight hotel.

Day 03 Rawalpindi/Islamabad -to- Skardu

Take an early morning flight to Skardu (Subjected to weather). Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Sightseeing of Skardu bazaar and Sadpara Lake.

Free day for rest, shopping or sightseeing.

Overnight at K2 Motel or Concordia Hotel. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

AM : Embark jeeps for a full day ride on a winding jeep trail to Hushey - The last inhabitance on our way to the Great Glaciers.

Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.

Note :-The road to Hushey also comes under rapid erosion and gets closed quite oftenly. If unable to jeep, the group will disembark & walk to Hushey on the same day or camp for overnight (subject to distance).

Distance 140 Km, Drive 07-08 Hrs. Altitude M.

Today we leave the last inhabited village. For the remaining portion of our journey we rely on our porters who carry our food and equipments and sustain our expedition. Follow the east bank of the Hushey River along on a flat, easy path through fields of barley and peas, then turn east to follow the Charaksa River through scrubland and sparse willow woods to Odongstan, which is two hours from Hushey. This is a shepherds summer camp. A further hour takes you past the junction of the Gondogoro and Charaksa rivers, across a good wooden bridge to Shaitcho a large shepherds settlement with its won mosque, now here you can find a hotel and mountaineering equipment shop. This is the traditional first camp, where we will spent our first night among the forest of juniper, cedar and willow trees with giant bushes of wild roses and a good water supply.

Overnight in tents All meals served by camp staff.

Walk : 03 - 04 hrs, Grade : Easy, Altitude : M,

The path follows the highest ridge of the lateral moraine through roses, gooseberries, cedar and tamarisk bushes, with views left leading down across the glacier and back to sheer rock walls and jagged crags. The trek is dusty and stony a steady, but not too steep. We will come to the main summer settlement for overnight camping.

Note: Stages 1 and 2 add up to only five - six hours walk from Hushey village and can easily be covered in one day by those who are fit.

Walk : 03-04 hrs, Grade : Easy, Altitude : M

Resume trek along the path continues towards north, outside of the lateral moraine, crossing several side streams. The trekking path turns down the lateral moraine to the edge of the glacier, 300 to 400 metres beyond the last stream. The next hour is an unpleasant scramble along the stony, sliding glacier edge, with huge boulders poised above, ready to fall. The ordeal ends with a steep climp up a gully in the lateral moraine, into a grassy field filled with flowers and wild rhubarb. Dalsangpa, meaning 'field of flowers', lives up to its name. It is a beautiful campsite at about 4,150 metres, set between two lakes, with Masherbrum Mountain and the white glacier cascading down from Masherbrum Pass reflected in the still water. Overnight in tents.

Walk : 05-06 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude : 4150 M.

The path follows the ridge of the lateral moraine for a short while before dropping onto the glacier. You pick your way across moving boulders and ice, finally crossing the glacier to reach Khuspang/Gondogoro Base Camp, a grassy field at about 4600 metres. 

Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.

Rest day for the members to explore the valley and walk around. Staff will distribute the ration among the porters and will preparation themself for next hard days. Overnight in tents. All meals included.

Walk : 05-06 hrs, Grade : moderate, Altitude : 3500 M

A very early start as early as 2 or 3 Oclock in the morning to the Gondogoro Pass to reach at Top before the Sun rise.

The basic theme behind the early walk to reach the top of the Gondogoro Pass 5700 metres is that in the morning snow will be soft and you will not get tired quickly as the sun is not strong, but as sun get strong snow get soft, snow going to be melt and bring water and stones, also the chance of ice falls or averlanches. The view from Gondogoro Pass 5700 metres is magnificent. From here one can witness at the prominent peaks of Shigar Valley as well as Hushey Valley as described before. After a short stay trek back to Khuspang for an overnight.

Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.

Walk on the Gondogoro glacier, the return walk to Gondogoro Broq is fairly easy, you are continuesly walking down wark, some time on the side path along the glacier.

Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.

Walk : 06-07 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude : 3500 M.

After an early breakfast, resume a easy walk to the Hushey Village.

Overnight in tents. All meals served by camp staff.

Jeep to Skardu. Breakfast in camp, lunch, dinner & overnight at K2 Motel or Shre Motel.

Day 15

Fly back to Islamabad. Overnight hotel.

Day 16 Islamabad

Debriefing at Ministry of Tourism. PM Transfer to airport.

End of our services.