Trango Tower Expedition

If the flight is cancelled, we will drive on KKH to Chilas, Isb to Chilas, 461km. 8-9 H-Drive

Today we travel to  Islamabad Airport to take a spectacular flight (weather permitting) across the mountains to Skardu, the Capital of Baltistan. It’s a 45-minute flight which offers Spectacular Mountains views of the Himalayas &  Karakoram mountain range. You can also enjoy the breathtaking views of the world’s 9th-highest peak, Nanga Parbat  (8126m). If the weather is clear, then we might be able to see K2 and Gondogoro Pass as well. Check in to the Hotel, the rest of the day will be spent visiting the local Bazar, historical forts, and scenic lakes or visiting ancient rock inscriptions, one of which is of 8th century Manthal Lord Buddha Rock that shows traces of Buddhist monks and pilgrims who influenced the area before Islam.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Summit Hotel or similar
• MEALS
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

In the morning, you will walk up to the remains of Kharpocho Fort (built in the early 1700s), which overlooks the town and has a great view of the Indus River. If you are into photography, then this is a perfect location to take photos of  Skaradu Town at sunrise or sunset. (We can arrange this for you. We will then walk to a small village, called Organic Village, which grows all its crops organically. The afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps you would like to take an optional jeep tour to Satpara Lake or explore the bazaar.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Summit Hotel or similar
• MEALS
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Following day, you will drive along the Mighty Indus, Shigar and Braldu River to the lush green Shigar Valley towards Askoli. As

oli is the last village before entering the heart of Karakoam. We will spend 1-2 hours in Askoli, which is high above the thundering Braldu River. Askole is a single street of wooden houses, backed by irrigated fields of corn, potatoes and groves of apricot trees. We wind our way through the lanes and fields of Askole, which will be the last settlement that we will encounter on our trek to Concordia. Watching the local people go about their daily business is a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the hardy Balti people.

In Askole, you will meet some of your porters. After meeting our porters, we will continue our Trango Tower Expedition towards Johla camp.

The valley opens out to reveal the afo Glaciers, we have our first taste of moraine, we cross the snout of the glacier and descend to the green spot beside the river at Korofong. Korfong is located along the banks of the Braldu River.

From Korofong, we continue our journey by following the road up a side valley to do a detour to cross the fast-flowing river by a bridge. We then drive for another five minutes or so to reach the Jhola Camp. The views are impressive with Bakhor Das (5,809m) and Paiju Peak’s needles in the distance.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Full-service camping
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today will be your first walking day of the Trango Tower Expedition. After organising all the equipment and supplies, our porters load up for the journey ahead towards Paiju. The path runs for a while at the very edge of the river, before climbing to higher ground and allowing us excellent views of the impressive Paiju Peak. We have to negotiate a couple of streams today, and depending on the melting of the glaciers above, we may have to ford these (sports sandals or old trainers are useful). Paiju is a green oasis under the shadows of Paiju Peak (6,611m). From this camp, we have the first views of the immense Baltoro Glacier, and granite peaks of the Trango and Cathedral groups, and if the weather is clear, then we might see a glimpse of K2.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Full-service camping
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From our camp at Paiju, a walk of approximately one hour brings us to the snout of the Baltoro Glacier. After viewing the outpouring of meltwater from the ice, we now climb up onto the back of this great beast. At this point, the ice of the glacier is completely covered by rubble and rocks, and although we are following a trail used by many expeditions, the going here can be quite tough. The trail undulated as we climbed over the swells of the flowing glacier, and it is fascinating to think that the stones underfoot could have come from the summit of Broad Peak, Gasherbrum or K2. Gradually, we work our way across the glacier to its south side, where we can use a path along the lateral moraine. Heading roughly east, we continue, sometimes on the moraine and sometimes down beside the glacier, until we reach a side valley. At the snout of the Baltoro Glacier, the trail divides. We will take the left branch to reach the Trango Tower base camp. En route, we will enjoy spectacular views and gigantic mountain panorama including Paiyu Peak (6660m), Uli Biaho Tower (6417m), Liligo, Urdukas Peak, Gasherbrum IV (7,925m), Mitre Peak (6025m), etc. The amphitheatre provides an ideal venue to appreciate some of the most inspiring and unique mountain vistas in the world. Finally, we are at the Base Camp of Great Trango Tower and hard work has paid off with sensational views of the Cathedral Towers, the Trango Group and the striking rock tower of Uli Biaho.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Full-service camping
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Non-guided climbing of Trango Tower will start from today onwards. During the climbing period of Trango Tower, our staff will be at base camp to help and assist you.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Full-service camping
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the climbing period of Trango Tower, we will head back towards Islamabad by following the same itinerary backwards. Today, we will trek on the Baltoro Glacier with spectacular views of the Trango Towers towards Paiju. As we approach, we have to detour to the south to cross the Liligo Glacier. This glacier defies world trends in that it is steadily growing. Twenty years ago, its snout was half a mile up the valley, and now it has collided with the main Baltoro Glacier, with the result that the churning forces have made it impossible to cross without the detour.

Having made the detour and returned to the main Baltoro Glacier, we now cross to its north side, climbing over the huge swells of the glacier towards the ramparts of Uli Biaho. On the other side, we then work our way down to the valley where we pick up the main trail and pass by the snout where the underground river, which flows through the length of the glacier, erupts out in a cascade to become the Braldu. The last hour of the day is an easy walk on a good path, although there is a final uphill pull to reach the campsite. On our first arrival here, we relished the prospect of a cooler climate ahead. Now we will welcome its warmth! We will spend our night at the green oasis of Paiju.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Full-service camping
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This will be our final walking day of the Trango Tower Expedition. Now we are off the glacier and at a lower elevation, it is considerably warmer, and we may make an early start to use the cool of the morning. Leaving Paiju, we walk on a good trail down the valley. Once again, it is surprising how different the experience is compared to our ascent. The trail rises and falls as we cross several alluvial fans. We have to cross some side streams today, mostly using makeshift bridges or stepping-stones, but it may be necessary also to wade across, especially later in the day. The source of all these streams is meltwater, and so they grow bigger as the day gets warmer. At one point, the trail passes close to the river beside walls of conglomerate, and it is possible to feel its tremendous power. We follow the main Braldu River downstream to its confluence with the Panma River, where we turn north-east to reach a camping place beside the toll bridge at the place known as Jhola.

Today, we can celebrate the success of our Trango Tower Expedition with the porters and hand out their tips as a token of our appreciation for their hard work throughout the trek. Also, we often give them any spare kit that we no longer need, which is also a way of saying thank you. Most of our porters are from this village, so later on at the campsite, we will say goodbye to our crew, who are now our friends, and we will perhaps have a final party here.

Spend your last evening under the stars in the tent at Johla camp.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Full-service camping
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our vehicles will already be waiting for us in Johla, so we make an early start for the return drive to Skardu. Today, we will return to civilisation after a few weeks in the wilderness. Soon we will follow a pleasant trail which leads down to the little ablation area beside the Biafo Glacier known as Korofon, surrounded by sparse grasses and tamarisk bushes.

Beyond Korofon, we first follow the glacial moraine of the Biafo and then drive beside the river that emerges from its snout until we reach a bridge which allows us to cross to its north side. The road passes through a wide flat area known locally as the ‘King’s Polo Ground’ before climbing to pass through a convenient cleft in a ridge of rock which threatens to bar further progress down the valley. Descending steeply down the other side of this ‘window’, we have a pleasant stroll through a boulder-strewn landscape before climbing once again up onto a shallow plateau. We cross several small side valleys and begin to see various signs of habitation before reaching an irrigation channel that brings meltwater to the field of Askole. We follow the channel for a while and can appreciate the tremendous skill of the local people who have harnessed the distant snows to grow their crops in a high-altitude desert. Eventually, we reach green fields and stone walls which lead us into the village. Most of our porters are from Askole and will be pleased to be home. Here, we will say goodbye to our Porters and continue our journey towards Skardu.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Summit Hotel or similar
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If the weather is clear then will take the flight to Islamabad. Skardu Airport is a 40-minute drive from the hotel along a good road lined with poplar trees. Boarding our plane, we have an exciting flight out of the valley, once again passing by Nanga Parbat before turning south for Islamabad. Arriving in the Pakistani capital after a period in the mountains is always a strange experience, and it takes a little time to get used to the hustle and bustle and especially the traffic. Our private bus will be waiting at the airport to transfer us to the group hotel and once we have settled in it will be time to take lunch (unless we have experienced unusual flight delays). After lunch, the rest of the day is free for independent sightseeing or to relax at the hotel. Your Guide will advise you on the possibilities for sightseeing. Shopping for handmade Iranian & Afghan rugs is usually a popular option. This evening we come together again for a celebratory meal at the hotel or in a local restaurant.

Skardu Airport has recently upgraded to an international airport with the latest GPS, which means the chances of flights getting cancelled are minimal.

In Case of Flight cancellation, we will drive down the Karakoram Highway. We will arrive in Chillas late afternoon.

• ACCOMMODATION
• Hill View Hotel or similar
• MEALS
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

If driving down the Karakoram Highway, we will arrive in Islamabad late afternoon. If we manage to fly the day before, then we will spend today sightseeing in Islamabad. In the evening, we will have a final group meal.

After Breakfast you will be transferred to Islamabad International Airport for the flight back home.