A climber’s playground on the Charakusa Glacier, a short trek from Hushe, with granite spires and the K6 and K7 expedition.
Altitude7,281m
Duration32 Days
DifficultyStrenuous
SeasonJun–Sep
RouteHushe Valley
DepartureJune 2027
Charakusa Valley: Rock Climbing in the Karakoram
Explore the granite spires and glaciers of Hushe, Baltistan
Charakusa rock climbing is a world-class objective in Pakistan’s Karakoram. Often called a climber’s playground, the Charakusa Glacier holds some of the most impressive rock and ice pinnacles on Earth, a short distance from the road-end village of Hushe.
Why Charakusa
• Affordable expeditions: many peaks here are under 6,000m, with no peak permit fee and no liaison officer
• Easy access: reach base camp in a three-day trek from the Hushe roadhead
• Meadow base camps among granite towers and snow summits
• K6 (7,281m), K7 (6,934m), Link Sar (7,041m) and Drifica (6,650m)
• Niza Peak, under 6,000m, for no-permit rock climbing
Iconic summits
Peak
Height
Character
K6
7,281 m
A massive, dominant ice and rock peak.
K7
6,934 m
Famous for its world-class granite big walls.
Link Sar
7,041 m
A technical challenge for elite mountaineers.
Drifica
6,650 m
A sharp pyramid of snow and ice.
Niza Peak
Under 6,000 m
A no-permit rock climbing objective.
The journey begins in Hushe. The walk to the Charakusa base camps follows summer pastures and glacial moraines, a practical approach into the high Karakoram.
32 Days Itinerary
01 Arrival in Islamabad
▼
Meet and greet at the airport, then transfer to the hotel for orientation.
02 Islamabad to Skardu (air) or Chilas (road)
▼
Take the mountain flight toward Skardu, or drive the Karakoram Highway if the flight does not operate.
03 Skardu arrival and briefing
▼
Final preparations in Skardu, with an afternoon briefing at the Ministry of Tourism.
04 Drive to Hushe Village
▼
A 4×4 jeep through Shigar and Ghanche to Hushe, the gateway to the high peaks.
05 Trek from Hushe to Saicho
▼
A gentle acclimatization trek to the campsite at Saicho, about 3,330m.
06 Trek to K6 and K7 Base Camp
▼
Ascend to the Charakusa Glacier and establish base camp among the granite spires.
07–26 Expedition climbing days
▼
Twenty days for the technical faces of K6 (7,281m), K7 (6,934m), or nearby granite towers such as Kapura and Niza Peak.
27–28 Trek back to Hushe Village
▼
Descend the glacier and return to Hushe with the Balti porter team.
29 Drive to Skardu
▼
Return to Skardu for the official debriefing at the Ministry of Tourism.
30 Skardu to Islamabad (air) or Besham (road)
▼
Take the mountain flight, or drive back through the Indus gorge if the flight is cancelled.
31 Contingency day in Islamabad
▼
A free day for sightseeing in Islamabad, or to finish the road journey.
32 International departure
▼
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Full-Service Expedition Package
✓Round-trip Islamabad–Skardu flights, with road transport via Chilas or Besham if flights are cancelled
✓Airport transfers and 4×4 jeep transport between Skardu and Hushe
✓Luggage allowance: 75 kg each way inward; 50 kg per person on the return
✓Three nights in Islamabad in air-conditioned rooms, and three nights in Skardu on bed and breakfast
✓Full-board meals on the trek and at Base Camp
✓Individual D-4 style tents with mattresses at Base Camp
✓Mess, kitchen, toilet and shower tents, with tables, chairs and fuel
✓Wages, insurance, food and equipment for the sirdar, cook, assistant cook and porters
✓Liaison officer salary, insurance, transport and equipment
✓Peak permit and Central Karakoram National Park fees
✓Required permits, bridge fees and road taxes
✓Ministry of Tourism briefing and debriefing
✓Alpine Club of Pakistan certificate after a successful summit
✓Staff wages, equipment and insurance: staff insurance, fair wages in line with regional porter welfare guidelines, and food and lodging for mountain staff and porters.
✓Certified guide: a licensed, government-registered English-speaking guide throughout the itinerary.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
✕Personal climbing gear, high-altitude porters and high-altitude rations
✕Sleeping bags, rucksacks, clothing and footwear
✕Tips, laundry, satellite communication and extra beverages
✕Lunches and dinners in Islamabad and Skardu (breakfast only during the Skardu stay)
✕Helicopter rescue insurance, with a minimum coverage of $15,000
Charakusa Valley Route Map
Hushe to Saicho, then onto the Charakusa Glacier for K6 and K7 Base Camp. Regional map only, not a navigation aid.
