ПАКИСТАН
HUSHE-GONDOGORO LA (5650 m) TREK
16 DAYS
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.
Day 01. Islamabad
Arrival Islamabad. Transfer to hotel. Welcome reception (briefing) at Alpine Club of Pakistan. O/N at hotel.
Islamabad, situated at the foot of Marghalla Hills is the modern City and Capital of Pakistan. The city was carefully planned and drawn up by Greek architects in the early 60s.With its wide boulevards, vistas, greenery and fountains; Islamabad is quite a pleasant city. Worth seeing places are: Shah Faisal Mosque, National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad Museum, Daman – e – Koh and Rawal Lake. The-adjoining Rawalpindi is an old city, which has been the path of many invaders to south Asia. The British captured it in 1849 and made it their largest Army cantonment. Today it’s a lively, and bustling city with colorful and crowded bazaars offering varieties of shopping opportunities. It shares an International Airport, Railway Station and Bus Terminal with Islamabad. O/N hotel.
Day 02. Skardu / Chilas
(a) Fly to Skardu (1 hr) transfer to hotel for overnight.
The 42 minutes flight to Skardu is a very thrilling and unique experience of flying between the towering icy peaks of the mighty Himalayan and rugged Karakorum ranges with extra-ordinary and unforgettable aerial views of clusters of mountains, and Glaciers. While flying don’t miss to see the most spectacular views of Nanga Parbat (8125m) and K2 (8616m) from the cockpit. These two mountains tower over all the others. The town of Skardu (2290m) is situated along the south side of the Indus River. It is a broad Valley about 40km long and 10km wide. Skardu was captured by Sikhs in 1840 and after 1846 it came under the control of the Maharaja of Jamu and Kashmir. During the war of freedom the Gilgit scouts laid siege of the Skardu Fort, which lasted for about 6 months. Finally, the Chitral Scouts liberated Skardu on 14th August, 1948 and it acceded to Pakistan like the other parts of Northern Area. Skardu is now the administrative center of the District and also transportation and commercial hub of Baltistan region.
(b) In case of flight cancellation, drive to Chilas (480km) which takes 11 to 12 hrs. O/N at hotel. Driving on the KKH is no less exciting. The KKH is one of the most spectacular roads and the world’s highest metalled border crossing. It connects Pakistan and China stretching over a distance of 1300 km 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, lush green towns of Mansehra, Shinkiari and finally meet the great Indus on Thakot Bridge. From there on ward the road snails along the bank of Indus with contrasting landscape after every two Kilometers. We pass through Besham, Dassu, Komila, Shatial and Chilas with many rocks carving and inscriptions along the way left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient Travelers. Out of these sites Chilas and Shatial are easily accessible and most of them are from 5th century AD.
Day 03. Skardu (2290 m)
a) Free day in Skardu.
b) Drive to Skardu in the morning, which takes 7 - 8 hrs. The journey brings to view Nanga Parbat (8125 m) at the junction of Indus River. O/N at hotel.
Day 04. Hushe (3050 m)
Start early for the drive to Hushe (3050m) along the river of the same name. At a place called Kande, which is about 20km from the junction of the Hushe and Shyok Rivers, we leave our jeep and cross the Kande River and take another jeep for Hushe. Overnight in tent.
Day 05. Shaieshcho (3330 m)
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 BC of K6/K7 is on this route with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. O/N in tent.
Day 06. Gondogoro Camp (3950 m)
2-3 hours, follow a good trail north one to 1-1/2 hours through the ablation valley on the Gondogoro Glacier’s east side to Atosar (3750m) with a guide stream from the east. This flat grassy expanse has lots of water, willows and junipers. Continue gradually through the ablation valley one to 1-1/2 hours to the next side stream and Gondogoro Camp (3950m).
Day 07. Dalzampa (4300 m)
3-4 hours, follow a good trail in the ablation valley one to 1-1/2 hours to Golong, a nice lunch spot marked by a large boulder and a stream coming from Golong Peak. Balti Peak is prominent to the south. Landslides have wiped out the trail beyond Golong. At the end of the flat area, drop to the glacier’s edge and continue over rubble one hour. Watch for rock fall. Climb a hill side to a pasture where unattended male yaks graze. Continue 30 to 45 minutes to lovely Daltasampa, sheltered in an ablation valley.
Day 08. Khuspang (4680 m)
Trek to Khuspang (4680m). It takes 4-5 hours.
Day 09. Gondogoro La (5940 m)
(9.4 km 1260 m ascent, 1260 m descent) (10-11 hrs)
The ascent to the Gondogoro La is higher and more difficult than that of Gondogoro Peak. It requires climbing gear and a pre-dawn start from Gondogoro High Camp. From the pass is an unforgettable view of all the giant peaks at the Baltoro Glacier’s head. Overnight in tent.
Day 10. Spare Day.
Overnight at camp.
Day 11. 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 & the route leads towards the base camp of K6 & K7.
Day 12. Hushe
2-3 hrs trek to Hushe. Overnight at camp.
Day 13. Skardu
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 at hotel.
Day 14. Islamabad / Chilas
a) Fly to Islamabad PK-452 (11:20 – 12:20). (Subject to weather). Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
b) In case of flight cancellation drive to Chilas. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15. Islamabad
a) Leisure day at Islamabad.
b) In case of driving, complete road journey from Chilas to Islamabad.
Day 16. Islamabad
Farewell meeting (debriefing) at Alpine Club of Pakistan and city tour/sightseeing of twin cities Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Transfer to airport for your return flight