18 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: Green Palace Hotel, 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: Chilas In Hotel

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: Masha Brum Hotel, Snowland Palace Hotel

DAY 04:    SKARDU  - ARINDO

Today after breakfast drive towards Hyderabad, junction of Basha and Braldu valley, from here we will move left where we will cross Braldu river moving side by side of Basha river to Arindo.

Distance: 235 Km Drive: 06-07 hrs.

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

DAY 05:  ARINDO – PUKPUN

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 06:     PUKPUN -- KHUROMAL

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 07   KHUROMAL  - BOLOCHO

Today we Trek back to the glacier for an hour and a half. Back on to trail where both bear and Ibex treks can bee seen. One can have the amazing views of upper Chongo-Lungma and Haramosh glacier.

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

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

DAY 08:    BOLOCHO - LAILA BASE CAMP

Today is a strenuous trek across the moraine to the middle of the glacier. The Laila base camp is very special but few have dared to witness its beauty.

Walk: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4500 M 

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

DAY 09   LAILA BASE CAMP – FREE DAY

Free day to explore Laila Base camp.

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

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

DAY 10:   LAILA BASE CAMP - HARAMOSH LA

We ascend the steep hillside for a couple of hours followed by walk on the Haramosh glacier where we keep continue walking several hours on virgin glacier. After 6 - 7 hours trek we will reach at the top of Haramosh La (4985). This is  the highest point of our trek.

Walk: 08-09 hrs, Grade : Strenous, Altitude : 4985 M

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

DAY 11:   HARAMOSH LA - HARAMOSH

Steep descents down in to the Haramosh valley where we traverse steep meadows and camp on meadows. It’s a very tranquil campsite. 4 to 6 hours trek.

Walk: 05-7 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3700 M.

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

DAY 12:   HARAMOSH - KUTWAL LAKE

 It is moderate trekking down towards huts. We will walk amidst the shepherd’s houses. We reach the lake by noon, where we can do swimming and enjoy the sightseeing of Haramosh views.
 

Walk: 04-05 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3500 M.

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

    DAY 13:    KUTWAL LAKE  - ASKERE

We start trekking with steep descent  through birch, pine and willow forests.

Walk: 05-7 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3700 M.

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

    DAY 14:    ASKERE - SASSI

Today we resume trek with a gradual descend up to Sassi, beautiful valley in Northern area, famous for its variety of fruits and farms.

Walk: 04-05 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 3000 M

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rest House

    DAY 15:   SASSI  –  HUNZA

Today we leave Sassi early morning for Hunza following the course of Indus and Gilgit Rivers. We make a spectacular stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint, revealing the grandeur and beauty of the mountain.At Karimabad, Ultar, Hunza Dome, Bublimating, Spantik and Diran are famous peaks surrounding us while Rakaposhi at 7788m dominates the whole panorama. At Karimabad, we visit Baltit Fort Museum.

Drive: 06-07 hrs,

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hunza View Hotel, Hunza Darbar Hotel, Eagle's Nest

     DAY 16:     HUNZA – CHILAS

TAfter breakfast drive to Riakot on Karakoram Highway as it carves a swathe through the meeting points of world three largest congregation of mountains at Shigarpa before Juglot, is an adventure in itself. Then further drive by jeep to Chilas.

Drive: 08-09 hrs,

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Chilas In Hotel, Shangrilla

DAY 17:   CHILAS - ISLAMABAD

Today travel on  the Karakoram Highway to Islamabad through captivating and enthralling landscape. In places, sheer, snowcapped mountains ascending from deep valleys while elsewhere, lush alpine meadows are carpeted by colorful wildflowers and dazzling apple blossoms. Terraced villages dot this monumental terrain, supported by traditional farming methods and lifestyles that have changed little over the centuries.

Drive: 10-11 hrs

Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Regency Hotel or Green Palace Hotel 

     DAY 18:    ISLAMABAD

    Private transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None 

End of tour