19 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, Baltistan Continental Hotel

DAY 04:    SKARDU - HUSHE

Today after breakfast drive alongside the Indus River to the beautiful valley of Khaplu, which lies at the banks of Shyok river. After a small break at Khapolu we continue our four hour journey through several small villages towards Hushe, highest village in the area at an altitude of 3000 meters.

Distance: 235 Km Drive: 06-07 hrs.

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

DAY 05:  HUSHE – PARBISAN

Today we leave the last inhabited village Hushe. 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 Honboro and Aling rivers takes us to Parbisan, a beautiful spot on the edge of tamarisk wood forest.
 

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

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

DAY 06:    PARBISAN -- BRMBRAMA

Resume trek from Parbisan, by walking through the dense tamarisk jungle and later cross a bit difficult glacial moraine to arrive at campsite. The campsite is surrounded by willow bushes and other wild flowers.

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

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

DAY 07   BRMBRAMA  - MASHABRUM BASE CAMP

Today we arrive at the small grassy patch below the cliff face, which serves as the base camp for Masherbrum Peak. .

Walk: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4800 M 

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

DAY 08:    MASHABRUM BASE CAMP - FREE   DAY

Today is a rest day at Masherbrum base camp to enjoy and photograph the beauty of surrounding mountains.

Walk: 05-06 hrs, Grade: Moderate, Altitude: 4800 M 

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

DAY 09   MASHABRUM BASE CAMP – HUSHE

Retrace back our trail to Hushe.

Walk: 08-09 hrs, Grade : Moderate, Altitude : 5558 M

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

DAY 10:   HUSHE - THALE

A jeep journey along narrow mountain roads passing small farming settlements leads first to Khapolu and then towards Thalle Valley from Doghoni and drive up to Tabssa, a beauty scenic place in Thalle Valley.

Drive: 07-08 hrs.

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

DAY 11:   THALE - BLANGSA

Trekking through the small shepherd's settlements, we arrive in Brangsa for overnight in camp.

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

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

DAY 12:   BLANGSA - SHAQYEL

 We cross the Thale Pass at 4572m and descent into Shigar Valley and camp at Shaqiall.

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

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

    DAY 13:    SHAQYEL  - BANGMA HARL

We start trekking with steep descent to Bangma Harel, shepherded cattles place.

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

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

    DAY 14:    BANGMA HARL - SHIGAR

Today we resume trek with a gradual descend up to Shigar, beautiful and the widest 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:   SHIGAR  –  GILGIT

Today we leave Shigar early morning for Gilgit.After a free morning at Shigar,  we drive by jeeps to Skardu and onwards to Gilgit following the course of Indus and Gilgit Rivers.

Drive: 06-07 hrs,

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riveria Hotel, Jamal Hotel, Serena Hotel

DAY 16:   GILGIT  -  HUNZA

Today While driving towards Karimabad, the capital of Hunza Valley, we cross several villages of Nagar & Hunza valleys. 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: 04-05 hrs,  

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

     DAY 17:     HUNZA – CHILAS

Today our trek follows a series of moraine ridges which run along the centre of the glacier. We trek along 3 or 4 hours until we reach a point where the glacier becomes contorted, at which point the route finding becomes quite tricky as we work our way off the glacier and up to another pleasant meadow in a green ablation valley named Mango, giving us a fantastic views down the valley and where yak herders from Askole live in summer.

Drive: 08-09 hrs,

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

DAY 18:   CHILAS - ISLAMABAD

We continue along the glacier on a somehow more difficult trail by working our way through a maze of jumbled boulders to reach the central moraines which provide an easier route along the centre of the glacier. Hispar pass can be viewed while walking on trail. We will establish our campsite in a grassy area dotted with bushes, very near the junction of Biafo and Baintha glaciers. May be lucky enough to spot mountain ibex at nearby crags.

Drive: 10-11 hrs

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

     DAY 19:    ISLAMABAD

    Private transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None 

End of tour