Traverse the Karakoram Range from east to west, combining two great treks located in a natural sequence. Start trekking from the Hushe valley across Gondogoro La to Concordia. Watching giants reaching for the sky descend down on Baltoro glacier. Take a day's rest in Askole before starting on Biafo glacier leading towards Snow Lake . The area is visited only by trekkers or expeditions heading towards the numerous peaks around the Snow Lake region, therefore expect a true rendezvous with nature in an untainted form. We undertake a 122 km walk on Biafo and Hispar glaciers, and explore the incredible wilderness of Snow Lake situated between the two glaciers. As we finish our trek we descend down to Hunza Valley and travel overland on Karakoram Highway to Islamabad .


Itinerary

DAY 01:-Islamabad
Arrive at Islamabad . Afternoon visit the Ministry of Tourism for trek briefing & tour the twin cities of Pindi & Islamabad. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02: -Fly to Skardu
Morning flight to Skardu (weather dependent flight). In case flight is cancelled, drive to Skardu and overnight stay at Chilas (730 km, 18 to 19 hours drive). Overnight at Motel.

DAY 03: -Visit Skardu
Leisurely walk down the narrow bazaar, visit the turquoise blue Satpara Lake . Overnight at Motel.

DAY 04:-Jeep to Hushe
Board soft top 4x4 jeeps for exciting ride to the trek head, 160 km drive of 5 to 6 hours. Camp at Hushe village (3,200 meters).

DAY 05: -Walk to Saistcho
We start our great traverse from Hushe village. The trek today is gradual ascent, well used by the villagers on their way to summer pastures. Camp overnight at Saistcho at 3,750 m, amid fascinating views of Namika Peak (6325m), and Defokhar (6543m). (4/5 hours walk)

DAY 06:-Side Trek to Spanser
Pass through small ablation valleys and then descend down to glacier. We ascend a dry mud ridge rising from the lateral moraine of the glacier, to arrive at the pleasantly green campsite of Spanser. 5/6 hours trek, camp overnight at 3,950 meters. 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 07:-Visit K6 K7 base camps & return to Saistcho
We walk through the narrow ablation valley for an hour, then descend down to the glacier for another easy hour on white glacier. After taking photos of K6 (7281m) & K7 (6934m), we walk back to Saitscho. Total 7/8 hours walk.

DAY 08: -Trek to Dalsampa
We climb the hill east of glacier's snout and then walk parallel to the glacier. Later we descend down to the lateral moraine of the glacier. Undertake a steep climb to arrive on the grassy summer pasture. Walk between numerous flowers and small streams to arrive at Dalsampa at 4,265 meters, camp by a small Lake . 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 09:-Trek to Meadow of Khuispan
Enjoy views of Yermanendu Kangri (7163m), Mashabrum S (7821m). Stroll through wild flowers, descend down to glacier to traverse it. Camp at Khuispan (4700m), a level green spot that has numerous wildflowers. 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 10:-Rest Day
at Khuispan before the ascent of Gondogoro pass. Enjoy view of Laila Peak (6100m), Drangra (6325m), Tasa Peak (6614m)

DAY 11: -Trek Across Gondogoro Pass
We leave camp at 2:00 a.m. to climb the Gondogoro La (5600m). Walking on the stony ground, first ascend gradually to approach the pass. Then ascent is steeper, requiring good balance on the rocks. The view from the top of the pass are unparalleled, with K2, Broad Peak, Gashabrum 1 to 4, Mashabrum, and many mountains appearing at our level. The descend involves a steep walk on the snow and, the use of fixed ropes as well as crampons. Camp overnight at Ali Camp (5060m), 9 to 10 hours hiking.

DAY 12: -To Concordia
Start your trek walking on the Vigne glacier, descend gradually over the white glacier to arrive at the meeting of Vigne glacier with Baltoro. Here traverse the Baltoro glacier's lateral moraine and its numerous crevasses. We arrive at Concordia, lured by the classic views of K-2 (8611m), Camp at 4,500 meters. 4/5 hours trek.

DAY 13: -Concordia. Rest day

DAY 14: -Trek to Biango
We descend down along the Baltoro glacier, walking on its medial moraine. We have challenging view of Muztagh tower to our north. Biango at 4,329 m is our campsite, dominated by the thrilling view of Mashabrum (7821m) in south. 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 15:-Trek to Urdukas
Walk on the medial moraine of Baltoro glacier. The middle part of the glacier has its own surprises for us, small streams of water rushing over clear blue ice, and mushroom like huge ice towers jetting from the glacier. We step off the glacier on the green slopes of Urdukus. From the camp enjoy views of Paiju Peak , Choricho (6756m), Uli Biaho, Trango Towers , Cathedrals, and Biale (6278m). 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 16:-Trek to Paiju
We descend down to glacier, and walk towards west on its lateral moraine, with fine views of towering summits. After 4 hours walk traverse the Baltoro glacier, encountering small crevasses of terminal moraine. Paiju (3582m), a refreshing campsite situated in a grove of willow and popular trees with a fresh water stream running through it. 6/7 hours trek.

DAY 17:-Trek to Jhola
The great Baltoro glacier ends here, we descend on easy trek. Jhola is the meeting point of Dumordo river coming from the Panmah glacier and Braldu river. Overnight in Jhola. 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 18: -Trek to Askole
We start our trek early, first we cross Dumordo river on a foot bridge recently completed. After crossing Pari we will arrive at Korophon. It is a nice green place and Biafo glacier starts from here. Arrive Askole the first village on trek with big wheat fields. 5/6 hours trek.

DAY 19:-Askole BIG REST DAY
We celebrate the mid-part of our trek.

DAY 20:-Trek Askole - Namla
Walking along Braldu river, after 2 hours we arrive at Biafo glacier, 2 km wide at this point. We take a steep climb before the snout and then set foot on the glacier. After having lunch among moraine boulders, we continue scrambling across the boulders of lateral moraine for 3 hours, arrive at Namla campsite at 3,400m. (6/7 hours trek).

DAY 21: -Trek Namla - Baintha
Back on the glacier, we cross crevasses area, once across it the ascent is gentle. Enjoy views of Latok 1 (7145m), Latok 2 (7108m). After lunch we get the first view of Hisper Pass , with mountain walls on either side rising to 6,000 meters. Biantha campsite at 4,025m in ablation valley with grassy area and clear stream flowing through dense willow shrubs surrounded by Himalayan flowers. (6/7 hours trek).
DAY 22: -Baintha. Excursion Latok Peaks Base Camp
Rest day at Baintha, with optional excursion (3/4 hours) to base camp of Latok peaks.

DAY 23: -Trek to Karfogoro
The first hour of the trek is lovely walk along the ablation valley, crossing many small lakes surrounded by willow bushes and wild flowers. Then descend on glacier and approach the medial moraine. Once on the glacier the walk is gradual climb over smooth ice. In case of fresh snow on the glacier, we must rope up and walk with a flying belay. Just two hours from our destination camp, we walk carefully through an area of open crevasses. Karfogoro campsite at 4,605m. (7/8 hours trek).

DAY 24: -Trek to Snow Lake
we rope up and walk in a single file to stay away from the hidden crevasses. Here the progress is slow but steady and the ascend gentle. After two hours steady plod we arrive at the intersection of Sim gang glacier with Snow Lake . Here the view is magnificent as we enter a wide open wilderness of white snow. We camp at around 4,900 m in a flat bowl of ice several kilometers wide and surrounded by jagged black and white mountains. (3/4 hours trek)

DAY 25: -At Snow Lake
The size of Snow lake is 77 sq. km. We use two days at snow lake for exploration of this unique and stunningly beautiful mountain place. We may explore one of the many passes leading from snow lake, and we may attempt an 5,800 meters high trekking summit.

DAY 26: -Trek Across Hispar Pass
walking in single file with rope between us, we ascent pass in 2 hours. The view from top of pass 5151m., is superb with views of Baintha Brakk (7285m). On the other side of the pass, Hispar glacier stretches as far as eye can see. The Hispar pass is very wide and we walk for an hour on its wide open crest. We descend down to Hispar glacier walking through deep soft snow. Khanibasa campsite at 4,580 m has Edelweiss, gentians and asters grow around the camp. (7/8 hours trek).

DAY 27: -Trek Khanibasa - Yutmar
we cross Khanibasa glacier that takes around 1 ½ hour. From the middle of the glacier enjoy spectacular views of Kanjut Sar 1 (7700m the 29th highest peak in the world). . Now trek follows on lateral moraine with exciting views across to the hanging glaciers and frequent avalanches on the southern ice walls. Yet the highlight on this side of the pass is the abundance of wild flowers of numerous sizes and types, growing in small ablation valley (6/7 hours trek). Yutmar at 4,329 m. is a flat sheltered field in ablation valley, surrounded flowers.

DAY 28: -Trek Yutmar - Bitanmal
An hour's easy walk through ablation valley brings us to Yutmaru glacier, that takes around 2 hours to traverse - with high ice walls and deep crevasses to negotiate. Once across, we climb up steeply over the cliff with a panoramic views back to Hispar Pass. Walking on a path 100 meters above Hispar glacier, we pass many small campsites. Our campsite Bitanmal at 3,902 m. in ablation valley, is a wide open summer pasture surrounded by willows and flowers. (6/7 hours trek).

DAY 29: -Rest Day At Bitanmal
Opportunity to explore side valleys.

DAY 30: -Trek through Hispar village
A lovely walk through green pastures in the ablation valley past willow and cedar shrubs Hispar village, a combo of mud houses, apricot, willow & poplar trees, & fields of wheat, peas, beans and always present wild poppies. Camp at 3,201m (7/8 hours trek).

DAY 31: -Trek to Huru, Jeep to Hunza
Walking for 2 hours through dry cliffs besides Hispar river, we arrive at Huru at 2800m to board jeeps for Hunza valley. Enjoy spectacular views of Rakaposhi (7788m), Ultar 1 (7400m) & Golden Peak (7027m). Overnight at hotel in Karimabad. (2/3 hours trek).

DAY 32: -Hunza Day free
visit the recently restored Baltit Palace at Karimabad and Altit fort at Altit village. Hunza cultural dance in evening.

DAY 33: -Drive on Karakoram Highway to Besham,
view the summit of Nanga Parbat from the road. overnight at Besham motel. 11/12 hours drive .

DAY 34: -Drive to Islamabad
Arrive & visit Ministry of tourism for trek de-briefing, later explore the bazaars of the twin cities. Overnight at hotel. 5/6 hours

DAY 35: -Fly home
Transfer to airport for your departure flight.