Shimshal Pass – Braldu Pass (Lukpe La) and Snow Lake Trek, Summer – 2023
Country: Pakistan
Region: Gilgit -Baltistan
Location: Shimshal valley
Altitude: Min 600m – Max 5200m
Grade: Challenging
Duration: 23 days
Season: June & September
Accommodation: 30 days trip, 21 days trek, 09 nights hotel, 21 nights camping
Tour from Gilgit Airport to get to the Trek start at Shimshal.
On your drive/tour from Gilgit to Karimabad, Hunza and onto Passu (along the KKH and a section of the ancient Silk Road) and then to Shimshal you will enjoy some of the most outstanding scenery in Northern Pakistan. The Gilgit river and terraces of farmland will be beside you as you drive north. You will stop and enjoy the views of the junction of the Western edge of the Himalayas with the Karakorum and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. You will stop at the base of Rakaposhi (7,788m) and gaze up the Ghulmet Glacier at the highest unbroken slope on earth 5,838m above you. You will explore beautiful Karimabad with its delicious apricots (in the right season) and the famous Baltit Fort. The ancient roadside sacred rocks at Haldeikish and the drive north through picturesque villages and farmland and along the Khunjerab river; then to Passu with the amazing granite cathedral mountain tops surrounding you before you turn off the KKH up the narrow breath taking gorge road to Shimshal.
About this Trek and Tour
Shimshal, Braldu Pass (Lukpe La) and Snow Lake trek is one of the world’s most challenging and an exciting treks for the adventure trekker.
This awe-inspiring trek begins from Shimshal Village crossing a suspension bridge over Shimshal River and enters into the massive gorge, Tang then trek up to Shimshal Pass. The high pasturelands of the mysterious Pamirs rise 4,735m above sea level and are on the watershed between South Asia and Central Asia. During the summer months the herds of yaks, sheep and goats from Shimshal will be grazing these pasturelands and their milk used to make butter and cheese. The area is unique for its beautiful landscape, striking isolated mass of reddish-brown stone, rising like a watch-tower over the watershed, snow capped peaks and easy trekking, and the mesmerizing crystal clear, deep turquoise lakes give exceptional beauty to the area. You will have an optional acclimatization day here or an opportunity to climb Mingligh Sar 6,050m.
From Shimshal Pass the way goes down to Chikar, an attractive campsite with grassy pasture, good spring water and dense areas of willow. We trek toward Braldu Valley and will cross over the Braldu river, (sometimes it creates an obstacle while crossing the river specially in July and August hence we recommend this trek in May and June).
The mighty Braldu Valley leads up through amazing pinnacle of rocks, and glaciers. From the top of Braldu Pass (Lupke La) 5,100m is the transition into the gigantic glacial basin of Snow Lake, bordered by Sim La and Skam La, and surrounded by the majestic, stupendous peaks above 7,000-meter. In good weather you will have a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Baltoro and K2.
We will cross the Simgang Glacier to Snow Lake, – a huge snow and ice area between Sim-gang and Biafo Glaciers. There are vast massifs lining the basin edge with majestic peaks, such as Ogre or Biantha-Brakk (7,285m) and many unclimbed peaks are a memorable and spectacular sight.
The following choices depend on the season: From Snow-Lake, there is an opportunity to go over the Hispar-La to Hispar valley and drive to Hunza in 4-5 days. Or you can continue walking on Biafo Glacier into Braldu Valley to go down to Askole and drive to Skardu city in 4-5 days. The third option is you can go for the most challenging pass, Khurdopin Pass (5,800m) into Shimshal village and then drove to Hunza valley in 7-8 days
Short itinerary
Day 01 – Arrival in Islamabad (600m) – Hotel
Day 02 – Fly Islamabad – Gilgit, Sightseeing in Gilgit if no flight then drives to Bisham – Hotel
Day 03 – Optional Day for Gilgit flight or Drive Bisham to Gilgit (1,450m) – Hotel
Day 04 – Drive Gilgit – Karimabad, Hunza (2,400m) – Hotel
Day 05 – Drive Karimabad, Hunza – Shimshal (3,100m) – Hotel
Day 06 – Trek and camping begins Shimshal to Ghar Sar (3,300m) – Camp
Day 07 – Ghar Sar – Wooch Furzeen (3,800m) – Camp
Day 08 – Wooch Furzeen – Arbob Puryen(3,800m) – Camp
Day 09 – Arbob Puryen – Shuijerav (4,000m) – Camp
Day 10 – Shuijerav – Shuwurth (4,500m) – Camp
Day 11 – Shuwurth – Acclimatization – Camp
Day 12 – Shuwurth – Mingligh Sar High Camp(4,900m) – Camp
Day 13 – Climbing Mingligh Sar (6,050m) – Shuwurth Optional climb or rest day – Camp
Day 14 – Shuwurth – Chkor (Chikar) (3,800m) – Camp
Day 15 – Chkor (Chikar) – Wesm (4,000m) – Camp
Day 16 – Wesm – Braldu Glacier Camp -I(4,400m) – Camp
Day 17 – Braldu Camp-1-Braldu Camp -II(4,800m) – Camp
Day 18 – Braldu Camp-II – Aziz Camp (5,000m) – Camp
Day 19 – Aziz Camp – Braldu High Camp (5,300m) – Camp
Day 20 – Braldu High Camp – Braldu Pass (5,500)- (Lukpe La ) – Camp
Day 21 – Braldu Pass (Lukpe La) – Pass base (5,300m) – Camp
Day 22 – Pass base – Simgang Glacier (5,000m) – Camp
Day 23 – Simgang Glacier – Marfo Goro (4,400m) – Camp
Day 24 – Marfo Goro – Biantha Camp (4,000m) – Camp
Day 25 – Biantha Camp – Namla (3,700m) – Camp
Day 26 – Namla – Askoli Trek ends (3,050m) – Camp
Day 27 – Askoli – drive to Skardu – Hotel
Day 28 – Fly to Islamabad or Rest Day waiting for flight – Hotel
Day 29 – Spare day for Flight delayed – Islamabad – Hotel
Day 30 – Islamabad – Fly out at Midnight
Servics Includes
Experienced English speaking high altitude Guide
Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking and eating utensils and mess tent.
Wages for guides, cook and porters
Acclimatization days at Shimshal Pass
Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.
Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle
Tented camps on shared basis while trekking
Porters will carry your large pack – one waterproof kit bag per client, – weight not to exceed 15kgs. Excess baggage will incur extra porter wage.
Safety equipment included and medical kit
Porters, Guides, Cook and all staff’s insurance
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application
Single supplement (may be requested)
Service does not include
Bottled water, aerated drinks, alcohol, laundry and other items of personal nature
Meals except where indicated in the itinerary
Personal snacks, energy bars, energy gels, sweets
Personal gear, sleeping bags, ice axe, crampons, and harness
Personal phone calls and laundry
Tips
International airfares, Travel Insurance, Airport and departure taxes.
Single supplement
Medications, ground evacuations and helicopter rescue charges of any kind.
Any other service not mentioned in this condition sheet.
Guides and porters
Our local guides and porters are all experienced, handpicked and trained by Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali (directors 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.
Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
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
Shimshal can be reached from Islamabad by plane to Gilgit city or else by road through Karakoram Highway to Hunza.
Or you can come by road from Kashghar and Tashkurgan in China via Khungerab National Park to Sost and through the Old silk route to Passu valley.
You will be met at Islamabad Airport or at Sost entry post from Khungerab National Park.
.
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 on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you contact us with any concerns. We are happy to answer any questions.
Responsible travel
The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact of our presence.
Detours and Peaks
numerous short excursions are possible across the glaciers that flow into the Biafo, beginning with glaciers of Sim Gang, Bainta, and Uzum Brakk