Charakusa Valley Trek – Paradise Discovered

• Airport transfers (on the first day and last day in Islamabad)
• All land transport involved in the itinerary
• Internal flights and associated airport transfers
• All hotel accommodations (twin/double sharing)
• All meals throughout the holidays (11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners)
• Licensed professional local guide
• Sightseeing and all activities mentioned in the itinerary
• NOC/Trekking Permits/National Park permit fees
• All entry tickets (forts, parks)
• Up to 15 kgs of porter services per person
• Access to the group satellite communication

• Travel Insurance
• Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered)
• International airfare
• Personal equipment (clothes, boots, etc.)
• Tips for guiding and supporting staff
• Activities other than those mentioned in the trip itinerary
• Miscellaneous expenses – drinks, refreshments/food other than meals, souvenirs, etc.

All clients arriving on day one will be met at Islamabad airport by the trip leader, who will arrange the transfer to the group hotel. Similarly, transfers will be provided back to Islamabad Airport on the final day of the holidays

All meals are included in the holiday price from arrival on day 1 to departure on the last day.

Food is a mixture of local/traditional and Pakistani dishes available in the area. We will provide clean drinking water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles. On the trek, the food is a mixture of local and international dishes made from ingredients mostly locally purchased and cooked by our highly trained local trek cooks. Breakfasts include cereal, muesli or porridge, eggs, bread or chapatti, tea, and coffee. Lunches will be fresh and may include hot soup/noodles, rice, a curry, and chapati, or sometimes a picnic from a choice of meats, cheese, pickles, crackers, or chapattis, and finished with tea or coffee. Dinner is a three-course meal in a group ‘mess’ tent. We do routinely cater to vegetarians, but you must inform us if you wish your diet to be exclusively vegetarian. The trek kitchen provides drinking water during breakfast, at the lunch stop, and while in camp. While trekking, trail mixes and snacks will also be provided.

We regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, non-gluten, and other specialty diets. We customize our menus depending on the group’s preferences. We never use pre-packaged meals – you can expect hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip! If you have specific dietary requirements, please speak to our sales team

During the holiday, the group will spend three nights in Islamabad at the Ramada Hotel or similar. The group will also spend two nights in Skardu (Concordia Motel or similar) and one night in Hushey (Refugio or similar). Accommodation at each of these hotels is twin-sharing with en-suite facilities. While on the trek, five nights will be spent camping in a comfy two-person alpine tent. If you travel alone, you will be paired with another client of the same sex. Hiring a single tent while on a trek is possible for an additional cost. Additional hotel nights in Islamabad are also available at an additional cost. In case of flight cancellation, the group will be accommodated in a tourist-class hotel (the best available option) on the way. Rooms will be shared, and a single room will be available at a supplementary cost.

Skardu Airport is weather-dependent. Since high mountains surround the valley, the planes only land here in good visibility. The planes do fly more than not, but cancellations can occur, and in these circumstances, we will travel by road.

The group leader will be a certified professional local guide. During the trek, the group will be accompanied by an entire support crew, including a cook and kitchen crew, and porters to carry all equipment and personal trek bags. This crew is drawn from local villagers who depend on working for trekking groups to supplement their subsistence income. Traveling with these friendly and hardy people is a significant part of the experience of Karakoram trekking.

This holiday involves going to high altitudes. During your trip, you will spend at least one night above 4000 meters. You should not worry about this; the human body can adapt to various altitudes, but we follow some simple rules to acclimatize successfully.

Approximately USD200 (or equivalent in Euros, etc.) changed into local currency should be enough for miscellaneous expenses. It is not necessary to purchase local currency (Pakistan rupees) before your trip. Money can be changed reasonably at the airport or with authorized money changers. Since you will be changing most of your spending money into local currency soon after your arrival, we recommend you take it in cash. US dollars, Sterling, and Euros can readily be exchanged at the airport. US dollars will give you more flexibility to exchange in smaller towns or emergencies. Credit cards can be used to purchase many goods in Islamabad or Skardu and are particularly useful for more expensive items such as carpets. It is possible to withdraw cash (rupees only) from cash machines in Islamabad/Skardu using credit and debit cards.

It is usual to tip the supporting staff (guide/drivers/support staff) if you are happy with the services provided. We estimate that USD 80 –100 (in local currency equivalent) will cover this tipping aspect. Towards the end of the trek, the trip leader will help the group to determine an appropriate tipping level for each crew member. Usually, this is done as a group’ thank-you’ ceremony on the final day of trekking.

For this holiday, you should take one piece of luggage: a soft, sturdy duffel bag and a daypack. Porters will carry your bag on the trek. The packed weight of your bag while trekking, including your sleeping bag and camping mattress, should be no more than 15kg (32 pounds). It is possible to leave items not required on the trek at the group hotel in Islamabad and also in Skardu.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. You do not have to bring everything on the list and should use your experience and judgment, but we ask you to ensure you have the items on the mandatory list. When selecting clothing for this holiday, please be culturally sensitive. Tight-fitting or revealing clothing is not appropriate. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your bag while trekking, including your sleeping bag and mattress, should be no more than 15 kg. The porters’ limit is strictly enforced, and bags will be weighed before setting off on the trek. Anything not required on the trek can be left at the group hotel in Islamabad and Skardu.

You Must Bring the Following Items

1. 1 x backpack (50l+)
2. Sturdy Hiking boots
3. Waterproof over trousers
4. Fleece jacket or warm jumper
5. Waterproof jacket
6. Warm jacket (e.g. down)
7. Scarf or buff
8. Sunhat
9. Warm hat
10. Sunglasses
11. Gloves or mittens
12. Headtorch and spare batteries
13. Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose, etc.)
14. Water bottle (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single-use plastic)
15. Sleeping bag (comfort rated -5°C)
16. Thermarest or similar sleeping mat
17. Waterproof backpack cover
18. Sun protection & lip balm
19. Toothbrush and toothpaste
20. Antibacterial wipes (biodegradable)

Packing checklist:

1. Socks
2. Trainers for camp use
3. Trekking trousers
4. Underwear
5. Base layer shirts
6. Shirts or T-shirts
7. Thermal underwear
8. Long-sleeve mid-layers
9. Light down jacket
10. Waterproof jacket/shell
11. One pair of gloves
12. Small towel
13. Trekking poles (recommended)
14. Insect repellant
15. Wash bags and toiletries
16. Travel clothes
17. Repair kit – (e.g. needle, thread, or duct tape)
18. Camera
19. Travel documents:
    1. Passport with a valid visa
    2. Travel insurance (if available)

It is recommended that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment during your trip. When taking out insurance, please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

Severe Allergies

Please inform our office before you travel if you have a severe allergy. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment on the trip. You will need to carry your treatment for the allergy with you, as ‘adrenaline auto-injectors’ are not carried as standard by leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require vaccinations or other medical preparation before your holiday. It would help if you were up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended, e.g., diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is discretionary for this trip. Malaria exists in the area around Islamabad. However, incidences of urban transmission of malaria are extremely low. In Hunza or Skardu and the mountains, there is no malaria risk.

• It is important to remember that you will need a passport for any BTV Adventure holiday (generally with six months remaining validity after the trip). If you don’t have a passport, apply for one soon. If you do have a passport, check the expiry date.
• You have to apply online for your Pakistani visa; this can be done via the official NADRA website. We provide visa guidelines, visa invitation letters & required supporting documents to all clients who book a tour with us.

• Our most challenging holidays involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.
• We have to trek mostly on glaciers but no technical climbing. You must be able to hike for 7-8 hours daily. Camping nights exceed hotel nights, and trekking is usually limited to a few hours on most days.
• For those familiar with regular exercise, consider increasing your routine by adding extra laps or taking longer walks, preferably with a day pack. If you’re not exercising regularly (2-3 times a week), starting in the weeks leading up to your departure, ideally 4-6 weeks prior is advisable. Begin with regular walks 2-3 times a week, incorporating at least one extended walk of up to 15 km. If hilly terrain is inaccessible, walking on uneven surfaces and up and down stairs is essential. Enhance your routine with general fitness exercises and other cardio-related classes, and you’ll notice significant progress in your fitness levels.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/

Where the Indus is Young by Dervla Murphy

Beyond The Mountain by Steve House

Three Cup of Teas by Greg Mortenson