Fast facts

Country Visited

Pakistan

Visas

Yes*

 

Fitness Level & Technical Ability

Climbers wishing to join this expedition must already be experienced with rock and ice climbing and have successfully completed previous climbs at high altitude, over 6,500m.

This expedition requires excellent levels of fitness to endure the extreme conditions of summiting G-II. To prepare for this, climbers should undergo a regular and strenuous exercise regime for at least 6 months to build their strength, stamina and endurance.

               

Vaccinations

Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information

           

Singles

A single supplement is not always possible on this trip. In many instances campsite size is limited and it will be necessary to share with another team member. This also applies to mountaineering expeditions. Single supplement in hotels is available. Please contact Shams Alpine Mountaineering & Trekking Pvt Ltd for specific detail, relevant to your trip.

 

Entry points 

K2 Base Camp can be reached from Islamabad by plan to Skardu city or else by road through Karakorum Highway to Skardu. The second way can be reached from China via Khungerab National Park, by road through KKH (The Old silk route) to Hunza, Gilgit then to Skardu City

 

Leader

Discover the spectacular hidden Karakoram with English speaking, world renowned Shimshali mountain guides

 

Adventure travel

By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take

 

Gasherbrum -II (8,035m) Expedition

 

Trip Duration: 52 days

Season: June – August 

Grade:  Extreme

Activities: Trekking, Climbing & exploring the traditional valleys

Accommodation:  52 days trip, 09 nights hotel, 42 nights camping, trekking and climbing

 

About this Expedition and Mountain Climb

Gasherbrum – I, also known as “Hidden Peak” or K-5, is the 11th highest peak on earth, located on the Pakistan-China border in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and Xinjiang region of China. Gasherbrum I is part of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram range. Gasherbrum is often claimed to mean “Shining Wall”, presumably a reference to the highly visible face of the neighboring peak Gasherbrum IV; but in fact it comes from “rgasha” (beautiful) + “brum” (mountain) in Balti, hence it actually means “beautiful mountain.”

Gasherbrum I was designated K5 (meaning the 5th peak of the Karakoram) by T.G. Montgomerie in 1856. In 1892, William Martin Conway provided the alternate name, Hidden Peak, in reference to its extreme remoteness.

Gasherbrum I was first climbed on July 5, 1958 by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman of an eight-man American expedition led by Nicholas B. Clinch. Richard K. Irvin, Tom Nevison, Tom McCormack, Bob Swift and Gil Roberts were also members of the team.

Expeditions to G-II start with a breath taking flight past Nanga Parbat and down into Skardu, followed by a Jeep ride through the beautiful, fertile Shigar river valley, through many Baltistan villages and picturesque farming countryside to Askole, 3,000m.

The next morning we begin the spectacular trek to G-II Base Camp, up the Biaho Lungma river trail and the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and beyond. As we climb over moraines, pick our way through glaciers and trek through gorges up the Baltoro Glacier we will be struck by the endless beauty of the granite towers, multitudes of cathedral peaks, needle spires, the snow capped domes and icy glaciated mountains that line your trek.

To Concordia is the most popular trek in Pakistan for good reason. It is stunning scenery. You will be amongst some of the most breath taking scenery in the world where eight of the world’s 30 highest mountains are clustered in the heart of the Karakoram mountain range. 

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Our Experience of G-II

Your Shams Alpine team has vast experience of work with different foreign expeditions on in this region. Our Company Director Mr. Qudrat Ali successfully scaled G-II TWICE without using supplemental oxygen in 2000 and 2003 and Mr. Shaheen Baig successfully scaled G-II without using supplemental oxygen in 2001.

 Along with Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali we have a large number of mountaineers and HAPs (High Altitude Porters) from Shimshal who have summitted Gasherbrum-II (8,035m) high Peak and helped their respective foreign clients to the top of the peak. The High Altitude Porters and Mountaineers from Shimshal are renowned as Pakistan’s best mountaineers and guides. Many of them have climbed more than one 8,000m peaks, and many more 7,000m peaks. We offer a well organized team with experience and we speak excellent English, and some Japanese, French, and Italian

 

Short itinerary

Day 01    Arrive Islamabad – Hotel

Day 02    Briefing at Ministry of Tourism – Hotel

Day 03    Fly to Skardu or drive to Chilas -Hotel

Day 04    Day free in Skardu, sightseeing or second day of the drive to Skardu) – Hotel

Day 05    Jeep transfer to Askole Village (6-7hrs) – Camp

Day 06    Trek to Korophon – camp on glacier side (6 hrs) – Camp

Day 07    Trek to Jula – (5hrs) – Camp

Day 08    Trek to Paiju – (7hrs) – Camp

Day 09    Rest and acclimatize Paiju- Camp

Day 10    Trek to Urdukas – (5 hours) – Camp

Day 11    Trek to Goro 2 – (6 hours) – Camp

Day 12    Trek to Concordia – Camp

Day 13    Trek to Shama – Camp

Day 14     Trek to G-I base camp – Camp

Day 15 – 43 climbing period – Camp

Day 44 – 47 Trek Back to Skardu  – Hotel

Day 48    Free day in Skardu – Hotel  

 Day 49   Fly to Islamabad or Drive to Chilas –Hotel

Day 50     Free day for Shopping in Islamabad or drive from Chilas to Islamabad – Hotel

Day 51    Debriefing at Ministry of Tourism – Hotel

Day 52    Departure from Islamabad 

 

Our Services Includes

Liaison with Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad for climbing permit process, providing measurements of the appointed Liaison officer for his prescribed kit

Process of import/export permit from ministry of tourism.

Clearance of cargo before arrival of the team and its storage.

Assistance upon arrival/departure.

Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist with your visa application.

Official Briefing/Debriefing.

Porters, Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.

Wages for guides, cook, other stuff and Low porters.

Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking & eating utensils and mess tent below Base Camp

Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.

Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle fom Skardu to Askoli.

Tented camps on shared basis while trekking and at Base Camp.

Porterage of 75 kg per person of expedition equipment and high altitude food etc. to the B.C. and 50 kg per person on return from BC.

 

Our Service does not include

International & domestic airfares, airport taxes, excess baggage charges, and travel Insurance.

Surface transfers in case of flight cancellations to Skardu.

Liaison Officer’s kit and equipment, allowances, travel, hotels, meals, insurance and his personal expenses of any kind.

High altitude porters and any crew above BC.

Tents, sleeping bags, personal and climbing equipment of any kind beyond Base Camp including high altitude food and oxygen.

Medications, ground evacuations and helicopter rescue charges of any kind.

Room services, laundry, beverages, phone/communication bills and any items of personal nature.

Insurance liability of member(s) and others under force majeure conditions.

Climbing Permit, Pollution and Environmental fee or any other fee required to be paid to the Government of Pakistan.

Clearing agent charges.

Any other service not mentioned in this condition sheet.

 

Optional High Altitude on special request

High altitude tents (The North Face V25/Mountain 25), Ropes (Static and Dimanic 8mm) and Sling rope 5-6mm,

Emergency oxygen cylinder (Posik) and Mask regulator, rock pitons, Snow bars, Ice screws, Snow shovels, leaders, EPI Gas (Calman), Jetbowl, and high altitude cooking set and High altitude food

High Altitude sleeping bags, Mattress, Ice Axe and Crampons.

 

Guides and porters

Our local guides and porters are all experienced, handpicked and trained by Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali (director of Shams Alpine) to ensure that our clients have the best opportunity for success with comfort. A porter will carry your kit bag and you will be expected to carry your own day pack which should be large enough to carry all you will need throughout the day e.g. sunscreen, raincoat, water bottle, camera, spare long sleeved clothing, snow protection glasses, sun protection gloves, hat and scarves, snack food, etc.