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Baltistan is a beautiful valley in the Karakoram range and a famous destination for adventure and cultural travels. This region is known as the mountaineers’ paradise. Four of the 14 peaks above 8000m high are situated in the Baltistan region, and hundreds of 7000 m high mountains, along with world-famous trekking routes, are also located in Baltistan. It is also home to several diversified cultures, ethnic groups, and languages. Baltistan has colorful flowers, gushing streams, emerald lakes, lush green pastures, apricot orchids, and the always smiling & and welcoming Balti people.
Masherbrum Peak, standing tall at 7,821 meters, boasts a distinctive and awe-inspiring shape, with its snow-capped summit invoking both fear and admiration. Once you venture beyond the tranquil Hushe village, the commanding presence of Masherbrum becomes all-encompassing, setting the stage for a remarkable trek that takes you to the summer pastures of Hushe villagers.
The journey to Masherbrum Base Camp offers a relatively gentle trek, commencing from the Hushe Valley and meandering through the village’s lush crop fields. On the initial day, the trekking path remains mostly flat, with the following day presenting a combination of flat terrain and some moderately steep sections leading to Brumbramah. Beyond that point, the trail continues with a mixture of both flat stretches and moderate inclines, ending in a day where you’ll traverse a small glacier.
Throughout your expedition, you’ll have the opportunity to set up camp at picturesque sites, positioned in the heart of the natural environment, with towering mountain peaks as your backdrop. Upon reaching the base camp, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking vistas and the presence of alpine flowers adorning the campsite. In summary, this trek is one of the shorter, more accessible, and finest routes within the Karakoram range.
Upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport, our guide will greet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Participants can use free time to relax and recover from the journey. Following lunch at the hotel, a tour briefing will be conducted. Later in the day, there will be a visit to the market for essential shopping and currency exchange. The itinerary also includes visits to the Lok Virsa Museum and the Shah Faisal Mosque.
Today, our journey begins with an exciting o 01 scenic flight, where you can enjoy amazing views of the mighty Nanga Parbat and other mountain peaks. Once we land, we’ll be transferred into a local vehicle, travel to Skardu, and check into the hotel. Our exploration continues with a visit to Skardu bazaar for essential shopping and a trip to Mathal Rock Budha. A 50-minute walk leads us to Nansoq village, Baltistan’s first organic village, steeped in history with visits from King Charles and Prince Aga Khan IV. This tranquil settlement, boasting 11 homes and 92 inhabitants, creates a serene atmosphere. Explore the area, enjoy time with a host family, and hike back to Skardu (50 minutes). The evening unfolds with leisure time and an overnight stay.
OR
In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad to Chilas (10 – 12 hours) via Karakoram Highway with short stops.
Drive to Hushey (5 hours) through charming Baltistan villages. Get ready to be amazed by the beautiful mountains and rivers like Indus and Shyok on our way to the captivating Ghanche district. Our route boasts captivating highlights, including brief stops at Thorgo Pari (10 minutes), the attractive Shayok River and Indus River meeting point (20 minutes), and a delightful 10–20-minute walk across a suspension bridge at Keris.
Once we reach Yugo village, our local guide will lead us through the agricultural sites and the residential area, offering a unique opportunity to engage with their way of life. This village visit will take approximately 2 hours. It will encompass activities like picking fresh fruits, observing the local organic farming methods, and conversing with local people, artisans, and elders to gain insights into their daily routines. We’ll then explore the settlement area and visit a traditional water flour mill. We’ll enjoy some healthy Balti cuisine prepared by local women for our lunch.
Next, we’ll head to Hushey Valley, passing through the lovely villages of Sailing, Machulo, and more. Once we arrive, we’ll check into the hotel, and you’ll have some free time in the evening.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, our day will start with a trek towards Dumsum. Along the way, we’ll have short stops at various picturesque spots to take in the overwhelming scenery. Our journey will commence in the Hushe Valley, where we’ll cross a wooden bridge and walk through crop fields, observing the local farmers at work. We’ll then continue on an undemanding path leading to our designated campsite.
Our campsite at Dumsum is a beautiful site with lush greenery and juniper trees; we’ll set up our tents. A natural spring is conveniently situated nearby, providing a refreshing water source.
Following a satisfying lunch, we can either embark on a trek to the Aling glacier or immerse ourselves in the serenity of the natural surroundings. Our night will be spent in the tranquil ambiance of the campsite.
Following a satisfying breakfast at the campsite, our journey towards Brumbramah will commence. We’ll begin our trek from Dumsum, passing through lush juniper trees and a tamarisk jungle, making multiple stops.
After about one and a half hours of trekking, we’ll approach a more challenging terrain, the glacier moraine near the snout of the Masherbrum glacier. We’ll then continue to negotiate a steep section, encountering a mix of flat and steep surfaces leading us to our campsite.
Brumbramah is a picturesque campsite surrounded by high mountain peaks. To the south, we’ll be treated to panoramic vistas that unveil the rocky spires and sheer cliffs of the Masherbrum Glacier. To the north, the majestic Masherbrum Peak will dominate the landscape, capturing your attention.
During the trek, we’ll have the opportunity to engage with the friendly Balti porters and shepherds, immersing ourselves in their local culture. Traditional Balti music and dance by porters will add a touch of festivity to our journey, providing insights into Balti culture. The day will conclude with a delightful dinner, and we’ll spend the night in the camps.
Today’s trek is notably more manageable and shorter than yesterday. However, we’ll still ascend by 300 meters and cross a small glacier, reaching an elevation of over 4,000 meters when we establish our campsite at 4,200 meters. Reaching this point will be a source of accomplishment and fulfillment.
You can relish some leisure time to explore the surroundings and undertake nearby hikes. This area is renowned for its exquisite alpine flora, making it an excellent spot for flower enthusiasts. As the day draws to a close, savor the beauty of the sunset, and you’ll spend the night in your comfortable campsite.
We’ll retrace our steps to Dumsum at 3,400 meters, following the same path with brief pauses to capture the picturesque landscapes through photography. Descending is generally less strenuous than ascending, but it does require careful attention to prevent slipping. Our guide will provide instructions before we begin the descent.
Returning to the campsite, we’ll have leisure time to unwind and enjoy the surroundings.
We’ll trek back to Hushe following the same route, passing through the village’s crop fields. Once we arrive, we’ll have some leisure time to relax and freshen up at the hotel. Afterward, we’ll resume our journey to Skardu in a jeep.
During our drive back to Skardu, we’ll briefly stop at Khaplu Fort for lunch and explore the Khaplu Fort Museum. Our journey will then carry on towards Skardu with short stops at various tourist attractions along the way. We’ll spend the night at a hotel in Skardu.
Drive from Shigar to Skardu airport in the morning and take a scenic 1-hour flight to Islamabad. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and enjoy some leisure time. Explore notable attractions such as the Pakistan Monument and Saipur village after lunch. Conclude the day with a delightful dinner at Monal. Drive back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
In the event that flying is not possible due to weather conditions, we will opt for a road journey from Gilgit to Islamabad. However, if we proceed with the flight, we plan to visit Taxila. We will explore the renowned Taxila Museum and various archaeological sites there, including Dharmarajika and Sirkab. With its rich historical significance, Taxila provides a captivating experience as we delve into these archaeological sites, making the most of our time there.
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.
Trekking to high altitude (generally this means above 2500 meters) involves additional risk not normally associated with lower-level treks. This is not something that should prevent you from undertaking a trek. However, before embarking on such a holiday, it makes sense to learn about the dangers inherent in trekking at high altitudes and also the ‘golden rules' to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
For each of our holidays, the maximum altitudes attained are listed on the website and in the heading of the individual Trip Notes. In addition, the altitudes of each camp and each pass are listed in the daily itinerary. You should read the Trip Notes carefully and use your judgment to gauge whether your chosen holiday is suitable for your level of experience. If you have any doubts at all you should contact our office. Our experienced staff is more than happy to talk about altitude-related issues during our holidays.
The human body is capable of adapting to a very wide range of barometric pressures. This adaptation process is known as acclimatization and it does take time. The most important rule is to gain height slowly and it is generally accepted that the maximum safe altitude gain in any one day is 500 meters once above 2500 meters. Where this is not possible, then it is important to have a rest or acclimatization day at the new altitude before gaining further height. In general the maxim ‘climb high and sleep low' applies. It is perfectly acceptable (and even beneficial to your acclimatization) to climb higher than 500 meters above your last camp (for example when crossing a high pass) as long as the increase in sleeping altitude remains within the above rule.
There is a correlation between daily fluid intake and successful acclimatization and you must pay particular attention to hydration during trekking at high altitudes. On treks to 3000 meters and above most people will need to drink between 4 and 6 liters each day to achieve suitable hydration levels and you must adopt a responsible approach to achieving this target.
Before embarking on a trek to high altitude it is important that you familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and that you report any illness to your tip leader straight away. See the links at the bottom of this page for further reading on AMS.
There are a number of untested herbal remedies which claim to prevent mountain sickness. However, only one drug is currently known to have a useful role in preventing AMS and to be safe for this purpose: acetazolamide (Diamox). We recommend that you carry Diamox in your first aid kit for treks where you spend an extended period above 4000m. Diamox can only be obtained from a medical professional on prescription and it is important that you first consult your own doctor so that you know there are no contra indications with other medicines you may be taking and that you do not have an allergy to acetazolamide. Diamox commonly causes some minor side effects, such as tingling fingers and toes, or a metallic taste in the mouth, but more severe reactions are rare. On trek, the decision whether or not and when, you should take Diamox as with any drug, will rest solely with you. If you intend to take Diamox, you must familiarize yourself with the appropriate dosage and regime prior to coming on the trip. The links at the bottom of this page will provide further information on the use of Diamox as an aid to acclimatization.
Travelling to high altitudes is not something you need to be scared of. Every year thousands of people enjoy the most amazing experiences in the world's greatest mountain ranges. Altitude sickness is entirely preventable if you follow very simple rules and procedures. Please make sure you are aware of these before you travel.
SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
The hike up to our campsite is a moderate 6 miles and 1400ft of elevation gain. The scramble up to Pyramid Ridge can be steep and difficult, but very adventurous and with just light day packs.Hiking
Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information. Backpack Weight ratings are estimates that account for Wildland-provided gear, guest clothing, personal items and a share of group food. By packing light it’s often possible to stay on the lower end of the weight range. Pack weights also decrease during the trip.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To show the relative difficulty of our adventure holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.
Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular holiday, including, length of day, terrain, type of accommodation, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us
GREEN 1 - 4 LEISURELY
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.
YELLOW 5 - 7 MODERATE
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
RED 08 - 10 TOUGH
Our toughest holidays, involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.
SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
The hike up to our campsite is a moderate 6 miles and 1400ft of elevation gain. The scramble up to Pyramid Ridge can be steep and difficult, but very adventurous and with just light day packs.Hiking
Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information. Backpack Weight ratings are estimates that account for Wildland-provided gear, guest clothing, personal items and a share of group food. By packing light it’s often possible to stay on the lower end of the weight range. Pack weights also decrease during the trip.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To show the relative difficulty of our adventure holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.
Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular holiday, including, length of day, terrain, type of accommodation, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Our toughest holidays, involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.
