Gashabrum I & II

Six flanking peaks in the south east of Concordia forms the ‘shining wall’ of Gasherbrum family. Among them the 8,068m Gasherbrum I is the tallest peak also popular as Hidden Peak. In 1958 an American group scaled it for the first time while Austrians led by Fritz Moravec in 1956 hit the zenith of 8,035m Gasherbrum II, second highest of Gasherbrums.
This pure rock & icy pinnacles demands sheer determination and high-level technical skills. The approach route to the base camps starts from Skardu, which is connected to Islamabad both by air and land. Six days trek through Baltoro starts from Askole, the last settlement of Shigar valley.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Islamabad
Arrive at Islamabad and transfer to hotel, Afternoon city tour of Rawalpindi & Islamabad Rawalpindi is a lively, bustling city with the crowded streets and colorful bazaars, thorough it lacks the grand monuments; nonetheless, the bazaar should appeal to anyone with the desire to see the real Pakistan.

Day 02: Islamabad - Chilas
Drive to Chilas (12-13 hrs) Meals & O/n at hotel
Karakorum high way is 8th wonder of the world. The Karakorum Highway was constructed jointly by the Chinese and Pakistanis, begun in 1960s and finally constructed in 1976,s as a link road between Pakistan and China. It is an engineering wonder, but at the cost of many lives

Day 03: Chilas- Skardu
Drive to Skardu (8-9 hrs) on Karakorum highway along-with Indus River. After noon welfare meeting
in the Ministry of Tourism Skardu.  Meals & O/n at hotel.

 Day 04: Skardu Rest day and prepare the expedition.

Day 05: Skardu- Askoli (3000)m
Drive to Askoli by jeep via Shigar Valley (6-7 hrs) 3000Mtr. Meals & O/n in camp. It is spectacular drive from Skardu to Askoli; the jeep road crosses the Braldu River three times and passes the villages of Dassu, Apligon, Pakora, Hoto, Chongo and Thongal. There are hot Sulphur Springs just 20 minutes behind Thongal. Around the hot springs are copper colored stones known as Limpi Kiser (Kiser Fort) King Kiser was a mythical ruler with magical powers- dozens of legends tell of his exploits in Baltistan, Nagar and Hunza.

Day 06 Askoli- Johla (3200)m
Trek to Johla (5-6 hrs), meals & O/n in camp.
Today we have panoramic view of Bakhor Das peak 5809m) also mighty Biafo Glacier. Follow the riverside trail to the confluence of the Biafo and Dumordo rivers. Cross the formidable Domordo River, which flows from the Panmah glaciers, on a cable to Johla, camp at Johla at 3300m

Day 07: Johla- Paiyu (3600)m
Trek to Paiyu (6-7 hrs) (3650Mrs) Meals & O/n in camp This is an undulating walk, difficult at times, with the first views of dramatic mountains ahead. There is a rest stop by some tamarisk trees beside the stream flowing down from Paiyu Peak, where we saw ibex tracks and fox spore. The trail climbs to a vantage point from which you see the snout of Baltoro Glacier and, in the far distance, a magnificent panorama of the Cathedral Towers and, left of them, the unmistakable triangle of K2.

Day 08: Paiyu- Rest day(3600)m
Free day for local exploration and Porter will prepare their food for further trek also kill the goat, Meals & O/n in camp

Day 09: Paiyu-Urdukas
Trek to Urdukas (6-7-hrs) 4210 Mt. Beautiful views of Great Trango & Uli Biaho Towers. The tail traverses the glacier angling gently towards its southeast margin. Exit the glacier in to the ablation valley at Liligo. The route alternates between the lateral moraine and the glacier, heading out on the glacier to avoid the outflow from the advancing Liligo glacier. Continue trek to Urdukas, named for the obvious split boulder. Camp with its extraordinary views of Paiyu Peak (6610-m, Uli Biaho (6417-m) Great Trango Tower (6286-m), Lobsang Spire (5707-m) and the Cathedral Towers. Meals & overnight in Camp.

Day 10: Urdukas- Goro-II
Trek to Goro-II (5-6 hrs) 4525 Mts, a spectacular view of Masherbrum (7821m) & Muztagh Tower (7284m).Meals & O/n in Camp.

Day 11: Goro-II-Saqring
Trek to Saqring (7-8-hrs). Today it is golden opportunity to see 7000mt to above 8000mt peaks including mighty K-2 (8611m) Broad Peak 8047mt G-I 8068mt G-II 8035mt Sia Kangri 7422m Muztagh Tower 7284mt G-IV 7925m Miter Peak 6025m Golden Throne (7240m).

Day 12: Saqring to Base Camp Trek to base camp Gasherbrum II.

 Day 13-53:  40 Days in Gasherbrum I &II base camp for climbing activities, meals & O/n in camp

Day 53:  Gasherbrum II- Ali Camp

Trek back to Askoli by same route

                  OR
Full day trek to Ali Camp, 4800m, Meals & overnight in camp It's a comparatively easy and gradual walk over snow and ice, Mighty Chogolisa (25,110') stand s guard in the south. Ali Camp (16,600') a combination of small rocky platforms between the cliff Face and crevasse. We turn in early, as we have a midnight wake-up call for the departure over the Gondogoro La.

Day 54: Ali Camp- Hispung
Trek to Hispung after crossing Gondogoro La Pass 5680 Mts. We leave camp at about 1:00 a.m. to climb the Gondogoro La (5680-m). For the first two hours we walk on the lateral moraine to avoid crevasses. As we get closer to the pass we shift on snow until the base of the pass. The final ascent involves a steep walk on snow and, depending on conditions, the use of fixed ropes as well as crampons and ice axe. The views from the top of the pass are unparalleled, with K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I to IV, Masherbrum, and many other mountains appearing at our level. The descent on the Hushe side is steeper, requiring god balance on the rocks. Meals & overnight in camp

Day 55:  Hispung- Shaitcho
Trek to Shaitcho (5-6 hrs) via wild roses, 3600M, Cedar and Tamarish Bushes to Shaitcho. Meals & O/n in camp We gradually leave the icy landscapes and descend to the meadow and pastureland at Shaitcho (12,300 ft.). Although we've left the icy wilds, we still have tremendous views of the mountains, including Namika Peak and Defokhar (21,464 ft.).

Day 56: Shaitcho- Hushe Skardu
Trek to Hushe along the east bank of river. And Drive to Skardu by jeep afternoon debriefing at Ministry of Tourism office, Skardu, Meals & O/n in Hotel

Day 57: Skardu- Chilas
Drive back to Chilas by Karakorum highway (8-9 hrs). Meals & overnight at hotel

Day 58: Chilas-Islamabad
Drive to Islamabad (11-12 hrs) O/n at hotel

Day 59: Islamabad – Rest Day

Day 60:  Onward Flight

SERVICES INCLUDED

1. Airport pick and drop
2. Hotel accommodation, twin bed room in Islamabad. Three night's standard Hotel air-condition rooms.
3. Flight Ticket or transportation from Islamabad/ Skardu/ Islamabad with all expedition luggages.
4. Three nights in Skardu Hotel (bed & breakfast)
5. Two nights in Chilas/ Besham hotel (bed & breakfast) incase of flight cancellation.
6. Jeeps Skardu/Askoli/ Hushe/ Skardu.
7. Wages, insurance, food equipment of cook
8. Wages, insurance, food equipment of Assistant cook,
9. Wages, insurance, food of Porter Sirdar
10. Porter Payment, Low altitude porters.
11. Personal Baggage, 75 kg (going time) and 50 kgs (on return).
12. Full board camp food during trek & at base camp.
13. Mess tent, Kitchen tent, store tent, table, and chairs & kitchen equipment.
14. Reconfirmation of international flight tickets.
15. Camping fees, road taxes & bridge crossing of expedition members & Porters.
16. Porters Equipments
17. Assistance in obtaining climbing permit and other documentation's
18. Briefing and debriefing in the Ministry of tourism
19. CKNP fee: US $ 68/per member
20. 1000 US$ guarantee pollution fee.
21. 200 US$ environmental protection fund.
22. Fuel, Tarpaulin, and Stove for porters.
23. Kerosene Oil for porter and Members
24. Toilet tent and shower tent
25. Members will have individual DV-4  tent and mattress at Basecamp
26. LO insurance, transport, and hotel, equipment and TA/DA.
27. Royalty fee and additional member fee

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

1. Climbing food, equipment, high altitude Porters wages
2. Sleeping bags, rucksacks and personal clothing.
3. Medication, ground evacuation and helicopter rescue (US$15,000) of any kind.
4. Room services, laundry charges, beverages and items of personal nature.
5. Phone /communication bills.
6. Insurance or liability of any members.
7. Tip to staff
8. Custom clearing and forwarding agent's charge.

Terms and Conditions

RESERVATIONS/PAYMENTS:

A non-refundable deposit of $300 or 15% of the tour is required in order to make a reservation with the company. Total balance is due 3 weeks prior to departure. When price once fixed then any extra expenses will be charged to the client.

MODE OF PAYMENT:   Bank Transfer:

CANCELLATION & REFUND

Before 3 weeks prior to departure, the deposit is non-refundable. Within 3 weeks, 50%, whichever is less, is non-refundable. Once the tour starts 100% is non-refundable. There will be no refund for unused services.

CHANGES TO ITINERARY:

The Blue Sky Treks & Tours have made attempts to make the itineraries accurate but the company has reserved the right to change itinerary under unfavourable conditions. In such circumstances the company will provide similar alternatives. We welcome any changes before final booking.

BAGGAGE:

On treks and safaris 20 kg and on expeditions 50kg will be free.

LIABILITIES:

The Blue Sky Treks & Tours will do its best to make the tours comfortable and secure. However, the company shall not responsible for any kind of injury, damage, death, loss, accident, delays, public disturbances, and all those that beyond our control.

INSURANCE AND TRAVEL RISKS:

It is important for the clients to purchase a travel insurance package in their own country, hence no foreigner will be able to purchase an insurance in Pakistan. Trekking, expedition, tours, safari may involve risks and several other factors that cannot be foretold. Medical emergencies, natural calamities are common in high altitudes and we like to be assured that our clients are insured against helicopter evacuations, trip cancellations, and personal accidents so that they don’t have to suffer.

It is to be noted that the company shall not bear any losses or provide compensation in case the guest’s insurance doesn’t cover any or all aspects of the trip.