34 DAYS  ITINERARY (Day by Day)

DAY 01: ARRIVAL ISLAMABAD          

Arrival Islamabad today. A member of the Vertical Explorers staff will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Today either you can relax or you can enjoy an exploratory walk in the old part of Rawalpindi; wander past the vegetable and spice markets, beautifully carved old houses and trucks, cows pestering the vegetable vendors, catch traditional craftsmen at work in silver and gold bazaars .You will then continue on the main street linking the Twin cities - Murree Road - before arriving at the gleaming new capital, Islamabad. You pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas - a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks. You will then stop at the Shakar Parian to catch a bird's eye view of Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque which is the landmark of Islamabad. This evening   you will enjoy a welcome dinner with other trekkers.

Meals provided: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Crown In Plaza, Civic Hotel, Regency Hotel

DAY 02:   SKARDU OR CHILAS

We rise early to be at the airport in time for our flight to Skardu. If the weather is good, we'll be treated to one of the finest views available in the world of aviation, as we thread our way up the largest congregation of mountains of Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalaya and Indus River gorges, third longest in Asia  and one of the deepest in the world. To our east is K2 (2^nd highest in the world and Nanga Parbat (killer mountain) and countless peaks and glaciers. It is sometime possible to catch a glimpse of K2 in the distant before our dramatic landing at Skardu. On arrival we are met by our local staff with jeeps and make the short transfer to the hotel. Skardu is the administrative capital of Baltistan and gateway to the high peaks of Northern Pakistan. We have some time to explore the town and enjoy the hustle and bustle in peak season of tourists here. Sightseeing in Skardu and surrounding areas during the day. For those seeking a good overview of Skardu, or a place from which to photograph the sunset, Kharfocho Fort is an ideal spot. If the flight is unable to operate because of bad weather, we will resort to travel by road on Karakoram Highway (KKH) to Chilas. The drive is compensated by the beautiful scenery along the Karakoram highway and Indus gorges. The journey on the Karakoram Highway is most exciting and thrilling. It is a monument to the engineering feast and one of the most spectacular roads and the world’s highest metalled border crossing. It connects Pakistan and China stretching over a distance of 1300km between Islamabad and Kashgar, winding through three mountain ranges and following the ancient Silk route along the Indus Valley to the Chinese border at Khunjerab Pass. We pass through the historical town of Taxila, beautiful hill station of Abbottabad, quake affected lush green towns of Mansehra, Shinkiari and finally meet the great Indus on Thakot Bridge. From there onward the road snails along the bank of the Indus with contrasting landscape after every two kilometers. We pass through Besham, Dassu, Komila and Shatial to arrive at Chilas with many rocks carving and inscriptions along the way left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient travelers of 5^th century A.D. Chilas was on the ancient caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India. The drive through the Indus Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off! The view after crossing the Rai kot Bridge of Nanga Parbat is without any parallel. Standing at around 1,000 m. you see a mountain which rises to above 8,000 m! This is the largest land escarpment in the world. This is also where the three greatest mountain ranges meet; Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakoram.

Flight: 45 Minutes Drive: 10-12 hrs

Meals provided:   Breakfast
Accommodation: Explorers Inn, Chilas In Hotel (Chilas), Mashabrum Hotel, Baltistan  Continental (Skardu)                        

DAY 03:   SKARDU / CHILAS – SKARDU

This day may be needed to complete the KKH road journey from Chilas to Skardu. Alternatively, leaving Skardu today will enable us to enjoy an extra day of trekking.

Drive: 10-12 hrs. 

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Explorers Inn,  Mashabrum Hotel, Baltistan  Continental

DAY 04:   SKARDU - REST DAY

This day may be needed for logistics or for rest. Alternatively, leaving Skardu today will enable us to enjoy an extra day of trekking.

Drive: 10-12 hrs. 

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Masha Brum Hotel, Baltistan continental Hotel

DAY 05:  SKARDU  - ARINDO

Today we rise early and view the beautiful sunrise against the backdrop of the Karakorm. After breakfast drive to Shigar, a history-soaked medieval town. There is also a heritage Palace cum Fort (Fong khar ). Completely renovated by the AKCSP a few years back, the Palace and its suburbs reflects a medieval look. Here we will pay a brief visit to the Garden House, Royal room, museum handicraft shop and The Khanqah Moalla, famous for its uniquely carved wooden windows and meditation cells. Shigar retains a mystical, medieval aura that may leave you feeling like you have stepped through the looking glass.

Then an exciting jeep journey takes us through the fields of the Shigar Valley via Niali, Gulabpur before the road narrows to a mountain track  junction of Basha and Braldu valley, from here we will move left where we will go side by side of Basha river to Arindo. Enroute visit Choutron hot spring and brief break at Gulabpur.

Distance: 96 Km Drive: 07-08 hrs. Altitude: 3050 M

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

DAY 06:  ARINDO – BUKON

Today we leave the last inhabited village Arindo. Porters are assembled to carry our luggage for the next section of the journey. For the remaining portion of our journey we rely on our porters who carry our food and equipment and sustain our grand trek.

After an easy and scenic walk crossing Arindo rivers takes us snout of the Chogo-Lungma and we proceed to traverse the glacier trek continuously up the village. Excellent views of the Rong Kush Kun Peak to the south and numerous peaks and towers of the lower Chogo Lungma range.

Walk: 06-07 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3450 M 

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp

DAY 07:     BUKON - SPANGTIK BASE CAMP

Resume trek, Today is the most pleasant day of trekking of a moderate trail and panoramic views through out the day. At Khuromal we have excellent towering views of Kapaltang Kun and the snowy pyramid Peaks. One will also be able to see Lila Peak and countless other peaks.

Walk: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3750 M

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp 

DAY 08 - 28  SPANGTIK -CLIMBING ACTIVITIES

Days to vertical feats.

Walk: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4000 M 

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp 

DAY 29:    SPANGTIK BASE CAMP - BUKON

Retrace back the trail to Bukon.

Walk: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3750

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp 

DAY 30   BUKON – ARINDO

Retrace back the trail to Arindo.

Walk: 08-09 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude : 4500 M

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile Camp 

         DAY  31:    ARINDO - SKARDU

A jeep journey along narrow mountain roads passing small farming settlements leads to Skardu.

Drive: 07-08 hrs.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Explorers Inn,  Mashabrum Hotel, Baltistan  Continental

 DAY  32:     SKARDU - RAWALPINDI OR CHILAS

Early in the morning fly to Islamabad,. With clear skies we will be able to board a plane and be back at our hotel in Islamabad in 45 minutes. If the weather is not so favorable and the flight doesn’t come, then we will have to drive the Karakoram Highway to Rawalpindi through the narrow gorge of the Indus River . The outcome is in the lap of the Gods, so we will be praying that they’re on our side! If we are able to fly down, for those who want to escape the heat of the city a very pleasant excursion is up to the former British hill station at Murree. The faded remnants of the town’s colonial past can be seen in its gable-roofed buildings and small Anglican churchyard. This excursion is not included in the trip price but if several members of the group wish to make this journey a private vehicle and driver can be hired locally for a very modest sum. Back in Rawalpindi we enjoy a final evening meal usually taken at one of traditional food streets either in Islamabad or in Rawalpindi.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chilas In Hotel in Chilas/ Regency Hotel or Crown In Hotel 

       DAY  33:     RAWALPINDI

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Rawalpindi. Evening sightseeing. If unable to fly on day 18th. this day will be use to transfer from Skardu to Islamabad by road.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Regency or Green Palace Hotel

        DAY  34:     RAWALPINDI  - ONWARDS

De-briefing at Ministry of Tourism Islamabad. Private transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

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