REACHING THE KARAKORUM COLOSSUS

DAY 1. FLIGHT AND ARRIVAL AT PONTA DELGADA
Flight to the largest island in the Azores archipelago. A stopover in Lisbon. Transfer to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time, the rest of the afternoon is free in Ponta Delgada.

DAY 1. FLIGHT SPAIN – ISLAMABAD
Depending on the flight schedule, an extra day may be required for flights. Arrival in Islamabad, reception and transfer to our hotel.

Hotel accommodation, Islamabad.

DAY 2. ISLAMABAD –SKARDU OR CHILAS
Breakfast.

Option 1: If time permits we will make a spectacular flight to the mountainous region of Baltistan, in the extreme northeast of the country. On a clear day we will see through the windows of the plane the Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) and the K2 (8,611 m) among other mountains.

Hotel accommodation, Skardu.

Option 2: In the case of bad conditions for flying and cancellation of flights, we will have a journey by road to Chilas (12 hours). Today we are going to cover a large part of the legendary and spectacular Karakorum Highway, a mountain road that connects Pakistan with China through a total route of 1,300 km between Islamabad and Kashgar. On our trip we will pass through the historic town of Taxila, the beautiful Abbottabad hill station, through Mansehra and its green meadows until we finally connect with the main Indus river valley. From here the road becomes rougher and we enter the most mountainous areas crossing towns such as Besham, Dassu, Kolima and Shatial, before reaching Chilas (1280 meters high), towns with a long history dating back centurie (V BC) when they were crossing points for merchants traveling from Pakistan to reach the Silk Road in present-day Kashgar (China). Total: 480 km.

Hotel accommodation, Chilas.

DAY 3. CHILAS – SKARDU  OR STAY IN SKARDU (D)
Breakfast.

Option 1: if we were able to fly the day before we will stay one day in Skardu. We can visit the city and the possibility of having an excursion to Lake Kachura. Skardu, the capital of the region, is located on a beautiful plain at the confluence of the Shyok, Indo and Basha rivers.

Hotel accommodation, Shardu.

Option 2: Driving from Chilas to Skardu, about 275 km and 7-8 hours. Along the way we will have spectacular views of the Nanga Parbat (8125 m). Arrival in Skardu.

Hotel accommodation, Shardu.

DAY 4. SKARDU – ASKOLE (3000 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Road day through the Shigar and Braldu valleys (7 hours). Along the way we will be able to observe the different towns and the employment and customs of the people, who’s way of life has changed little in the last 500 years. It is an area rich in the growing of vegetable and cereal crops, as well as fruits such as apricots. During the journey by car we will pass through spectacular landscapes and cross the river several times on suspended bridges.

Tent accommodation, Askole.

DAY 5. TREK ASKOLE – JULA (3200 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

6-7 hour trek (18 km). We will walk through the Braldu river valley, passing near the Biafo glacier. Later we will have views over the Bakhor Das (5809 m) and then we will arrive at Jula (Jhola) next to the Panmah glacier.

Tent accommodation, Jula.

DAY 6. TREK JULA – PAIYU (3450 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trek of 6-7 h (16.6 km). Every time we go deeper into the heart of the Karakorum. The Paiyu Peak of more than 6,600 meters appears before us. The path ascends to a small viewpoint from where the Baltoro glacier can already be seen, and in the background the colossal Cathedrals of Trango and the K2 pyramid looms.

Tent accommodation, Paiyu.

DAY 7. PAIYU
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Rest day in this magnificent mountain environment. Time to rest, do the laundry, take photos and live with our porters.

Tent accommodation, Paiyu.

DAY 8. TREK PAIYU – KHOBURCHE (3990 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trek of 6-7 h (10.8 km). Magnificent views on the march over the Great Trango and the Uli Biaho towers. We will cross the glacier covered with debris at different points and we will circulate through the lateral moraines to the next camp.

Tent accommodation, Paiyu.

DAY 9. TREK PAIYU – URDUKAS (4050 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trek of 3-4 h (5.1 km). Short walk to the Urdukas camp from where you can see extraordinary views of the Paiyu Peak (6610 m), Uli Biaho (6417 m), the Great Tower of Trango (6286 m) and the Lobsang Needle (5,707 m), among others many mountains.

Tent accommodation, Urdukas.

DAY 10. TREK URDUKAS – GORO II (4380 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trek of 5-6 h (12.1 km). Today’s march will be accompanied by views over the Masherbrum (7,821 m), the Muztagh Tower (7,284 m) and the Gasherbrum IV (7,925 m).

Tent accommodation, Goro.

DAY 11. TREK GORO II – CONCORDIA (4650 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trek 4-5 h (9.2 km). This day will be the star day of the trek, where we can contemplate the majestic silhouettes of the greats of the Karakorum: K2 (8611 m), Broad Peak (8047 m) and the group of the Gasherbrums (8068 and 8035 m). And countless other beautiful summits such as the Muztagh Tower (7,284 m), the Sia Kangri, the Golden Throne (7,312 m) or the Miter Peak (603 m). At this magical point the great glaciers of the upper part of the valley come together: the Baltoro, the Godwin Austen, the Gasherbrum and the Vigne.

Tent accommodation, Concordia.

DAY 12. TREK CONCORDIA – CAMPO BASE DEL K2 – CONCORDIA
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Full day to hike to the K2 base camp (5135 m), the second highest mountain on the planet. This mountain is located on the Pakistan-China border and was first climbed in 1954 by the group of Italians led by Ardito Desio. Time to enjoy the colossal views on the pyramidal figure of K2 and also on the colossal Broad Peak. We will also visit the Gilkey memorial, dedicated to the American geologist and mountaineer Art Gilkey, who died during his attempt to crown K2 for the first time in 1953. Return to Concordia in the afternoon.Alojamiento en tiendas, Concordia.

DAY 13. CONCORDIA – ALI CAMP (5100 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

4 hour trek (5 km). Today’s trek will take us to climb the Vigne glacier with magnificent views over the Chogolisa and the Miter Peak.

Tent accommodation, Ali Camp.

DAY 14. ALI CAMP
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

This day must be scheduled with anticipation of possible bad weather or bad conditions to cross the pass. Our guides will assess the state of the pass and prepare the way for the next day. In case of bad weather or bad conditions, the guides have the power of decision to abort the crossing through the pass and return along the same path of the Baltoro glacier.

Tent accommodation, Ali Camp.

DAY 15. ALI CAMP – GONDOGORO LA – XHUSPANG (4680 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trek of 8-10 hours, with 930 meters of ascent and 1260 m of descent. We will start very early in the morning, around 1. After 4-5 hours of steep climbing we will arrive at the Gondogoro La pass (5,700 m) with breathtaking views towards the K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. Nearby we will have the beautiful granite spire of Laila Peak (6200 m). At this time we leave the Baltoro valley and descend through a parallel valley for 3-4 hours until we reach Xhuspang, a beautiful meadow full of flowers and grass.

Tent accommodation, Xhuspang.

DAY 16. XHUSPANG – SHAIESHCHO (3330 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Trel from 6-7 h. Walking along the side moraines we will descend to Shaiescho, a picturesque setting by the river. In this place we will have views of the Charakusa valley and towards the summit of the K7 (6934 m). Ideal place to relax and unwind after the effort of the previous day at the Gondogoro La crossing.

Tent accommodation, Shaieshcho.

DAY 17. SHAIESHCHO – HUSHE (3050 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

This is the last day of our trek through the Karakorum mountains. The day will take us on an easy path to the town of Hushe, known in the area for being the starting point for expeditions heading to Masherbrum or the peaks located in the Charakusa and Nangma valleys. If time permits, we will climb a small hill next to the town to contemplate the panoramic views of many of the great mountains in this sector of Baltoro. In this way we will say goodbye to them with gratitude and admiration.

Tent accommodation, Hushe.

DAY 18. HUSHE – SKARDU
Breakfast.

On this day we will drive through the Hushe Valley, crossing small villages that are supported by agriculture and herds of sheep and goats.

Hotel accommodation, Skardu.

DAY 19. FLIGHT TO ISLAMABAD OR ROAD TO CHILAS
Breakfast.

If time permits we will fly to Islamabad in the morning. In the case of bad weather we will travel by road to Chilas and we will stay in a hotel.

Hotel accommodation, Chilas.

DAY 20. WILD DAY IN THE CASE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO FLY
Breakfast.

Rest day or visits in Islamabad or day to travel the Karakorum Highway from Chilas to Islamabad.

Hotel accommodation, Islamabad.

DAY 21. FLIGHT ISLAMABAD – CITY OF ORIGIN (D)
Breakfast.

At the agreed time, transfer to the international airport to board the flight back home.

ITINERARY WITHOUT CROSSING THE GONDOGORO LA
Days 1-12. As per the previous itinerary
Day 13. Trek to Goro II
Day 14. Trek to Urdukas
Day 15. Trek to Payu
Day 16. Trek to Jola
Day 17. Trek to Askole
Day 18. Car from Askole to Skardu
Day 19. Flight to Islamabad or highway to Chilas
Day 20. Wild card in the case of not being able to fly
Day 21. Flight Islamabad – city of origin