Range:           Karakoram

Altitude:          5650m

Zone:               Permitted

Duration:        15 Days

Best Time:       June – September

 A brief Introductions:

The village of Hushe is the last village where jeep road ends. It is 140km east of Skardu and the starting point for expeditions and trekking to various summer pastures and five glaciers.

Following the Charakusa River and passing through Shepherd’s summer camp and the junction of the Gondogoro and Charakusa Rivers, we will cross a wooden bridge to reach Shaieshcho, which is a large shepherd’s settlement with a Mosque. The next day we will trek to Dalzampa, which means “field of flowers”. It is a beautiful campsite at about 4150m, which lies between two lakes with Masherbrum Mountain and the white glacier cascading down from Masherbrum Pass reflecting in the still water.

Itinerary:

Day 01 Islamabad:

Arrival in Islamabad briefing and Transfer to hotel.

Day 02  Islamabad – Skardu/Chilas:

Fly to Skardu (1hrs) and transfer to hotel. Skardu is now the administrative center of the District and also transportation and commercial hub of Baltistan In case of flight cancellation, drive to Chilas (480km) night hotel.

 Day 03  Skardu:

Free day in Skardu. Drive to Skardu in the morning, which takes (7 – 8 hrs). The journey brings to view Nanga Parbat (8125m) at the junction of Indus                          River, Overnight hotel.

Day 04  Skardu – Hushe: 

Hushe (3050m) Start early for the drive to Hushe (3050m)  passing by Kande and leaving behind the junction of the Hushe and Shyok Rivers. Overnight camp.

Day 05 Hushe – Shaicho:

Shaieshcho (3330m) Scenic walk of 4-5 hrs on the lateral moraine through

rose and gooseberry bushes takes you to Shaieshcho (3330m) at the junction

of the Charakusa Valley and Gondogoro. The route to the  BC of K6 and K7 bifurcates from here. Overnight camp.

Day 06 Shaieshcho – Gondogoro Peak: 

Gondogoro Camp (3950m) Walk 2-3 hrs through the ablation valley on the

Gondogoro Glacier’s east side. Continue gradually through the ablation

valley  leaving biehind the flat grassy expanse of water, willows and junipers to the Gondogoro Camp (3950m). Overnight camp.

Day 07 Gondogoro Peak – Dalzampa:

Dalzampa (4300m) Next day follow a good trail to Golong, a nice lunch spot marked by a large boulder and a stream coming from Golong Peak. At the  end of     the flat area, drop to the glacier’s edge and continue over rubble for    an hour. Watch for rock fall. Climb a hill side to a pasture. Continue 30 to 45 minutes to lovely Dalzampa, sheltered in an ablation valley, night camp.

Day 08  Dalzampa – Khuspang

Khuspang (4680m) Trek to Khuspang along the moraine and glacial trail to the next camp (4-5 hours). Overnight camp.

Day 09 Khuspang – Base Camp:

Base Camp Trek to the higher base camp of Gondogoro Peak, night camp.

 Day 10 Base Camp – Dalzampa:

Walk back to Dalzanpa camp. Overnight at camp.

 Day 11 Dalzampa – Shaicho:

Shaieshcho 6-7 hours walk on the lateral moraine through wild roses, gooseberry cedar and Tamarisk bushes. The Charksa valley joins the Gondogoro at Shaieshcho from where the route leads to the Charakusa   Glacier.   Overnight camp.

Day 12 Shaicho – Hushe – Skardu:

Hushe/Skardu 2-3 hrs trek to Hushe and drive to Skardu (5-6 hrs) via Khaplu. The second largest kingdom in the old Baltistan guarding the trade route to Ladakh along Shyok River. Overnight hotel.

Day 13  Skardu – Islamabad/Chilas:

Islamabad/Chilas Fly toIslamabad. (Subject to weather). Upon arrival transfer to hotel. In case of flight cancellation drive to Chilas. night hotel.

Day 14 Islamabad:

Islamabad Leisure day at Islamabad.  In case of driving, complete road journey from Chilas to Islamabad. Overnight hotel.

Day 15  Islamabad:

Farewell meeting (debriefing) and sightseeing of  Islamabad. In the evening transfer to airport for your home flight.

 Services included:

• Process of import/export permit from ministry of tourism.
• Assistance upon arrival/departure.
• Hotel accommodation in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Chilas and Skardu.
• All meals during trek and at B.C. as per itinerary.
• Porterage of 50 kg per person of expedition equipment and high altitude food etc. to the B.C. and 25 kg per person on return from BC.
• Road transfers between airport/hotel and within city as per itinerary.
• Sleeping tents, mattresses, mess, kitchen and toilet tent with tables/field stools and camping ground fees.
• Kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery, fuel and related community gear.
• Wages and basic kit of guide, sirdar, cook and assistant(s).
• Insurance of our field staff and low altitude porters (except helicopter rescue).
• Porterage at airports, hotels, toll taxes and parking fee etc.
• Mail handling/forwarding to BC/overseas except postage charges.
• Reconfirmation of air tickets.
• Hiring of HAPs, mail runner(s) and any other crew as per requirement. (Wages and kit to be arranged by the team).

 Services not included:

• International & domestic airfare, airport tax, excess baggage charges.
• Surface transfers in case of flight cancellations to the kick off point.
• High altitude porters/any crew above BC.
• Tents, sleeping bags, personal and climbing equipment of any kind beyond base camp including high altitude food and oxygen.
• Medications, ground evacuations and helicopter rescue charges of any kind.
• Room services, laundry, beverages, phone/communication bills and items of personal nature.
• Insurance liability of member (s) and other under force majeure conditions.
• Clearance of cargo and clearing agent’s charges before arrival of the team and its storage.
• Any other service not included in above list.