Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
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
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.
Khurdopin Pass (5,790m) – Snow Lake – Askoli Trek
Trip Duration: 24 days
Season: From middle of June to middle of July
Grade: Challenging Technical trek requiring mountaineering skills
Activities: Trekking & exploring the Khurdopin glacier, Snow Lake and the traditional valleys
Accommodation: 24 days trip, 14 days trek, 09 or 10 nights hotel depending of flight times, 14 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
Khurdopin Pass trek is one of the world’s most challenging and technical treks, it is one of the most rewarding mountain experiences in the world and takes one to the center of the Karakoram region. Khurdopin Pass 5,790m lies to the north of Snow Lake in the range of Biafo glacier, (the 67 km long glacier in the center Karakoram Mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan) which meets the 49 km long Hispar Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m at Hispar La (Pass) to create the world’s longest glacial system outside the polar regions, and it links the two great regions, Hunza valley with Baltistan via Shimshal village.
The Khurdopin Pass is an attractive target for the adventure seeker and explorer. There are significant difficulties involved while crossing the glacier; fitness and expertise are necessary.
This highest pass of the Karakoram was last crossed after almost 20 years of attempted summits in July 2007 by Jef Houben and Qudrat Ali and it has never been crossed in the winter.
In 1939 Eric Shipton, R. Scott Russel and Angtarkay reached Khurdopin Pass from the south, and see the southern and south-northern limits of Virjerab Glacier from Lukpe Lawo – a gigantic snow cirque called Snow Lake.
“The first traverse of Khurdopin Glacier, neighboring with Virjerab glacier on the west, is performed from south to north from Snow Lake, through Khurdopin Pass to the place of joining with Yukushin Gardan Glacier and then to Shimshal. The Canadian geologists: Barry Roberts and Cameron Wake, accompanied by two local guides from Shimshal, in 1986. Having reached Shimshal, via Snow Lake from Skardu side . In 1987, a year after them, another traverse, and this time without the help of local guides was completed by a British team: Philip Barlet, Jerry Gore, Duncan Tunstall and Stephen Venables – from Snow Lake to Shimshal.” Janusz Majer Japanese Alpine News 2014
Khurdopin Pass can be reached from three different routes. One from Skardu to Snow Lake via Askoli and two routes are from Shimshal side; – one route is from Shimshal village to Khurdopin Glacier into Snow Lake and the second route is from Shimshal Pass via Braldu pass to Snow Lake and crossing the Khurdopin pass to Shimshal village.
Short itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Islamabad – Hotel
Day 02 Fly to Gilgit or drive to Chilas – Hotel
Day 03 Day free in Gilgit City, sightseeing, Karga Buda Rock (second day of the drive to Gilgit) – Hotel
Day 04 Drive to Hunza valley – Hotel
Day 05 Drive to Shimshal village – Hotel
Day 06 Free Day – excursion Shimshal Village – Guest House /Hotel
Day 07 Trek begin to Chaghchagh – camp
Day 08 Trek to Pasth Halga – camp
Day 09 Trek to Cherireen – camp
Day 10 Trek to Sekarwar Shambi Camp – camp
Day 11 Trek to Dildar Baig camp – Camp
Day 12 Trek Qudrat camp – Camp
Day 13 Trek Khurdopin Pass Base camp – camp
Day 14 Trek to Khurdopin Pass high camp (5,600m) – Camp
Day 15 Trek to Khurdopin Pass south Base Camp crossing over Khurdopin Pass 5,800m – Camp
Day 16 Trek to Snow Lake – Camp
Optional trek Hispar La and Sim La
Day 17 Trek to Marfogoro – Camp
Day 18 Trek to Biantha Camp
Day 19 Trek to Namla – Camp
Day 20 Trek to Askoli – Camp
Day 21 Drive to Skardu City – Hotel
Day 22 Fly Islamabad or drive to Chilas – Hotel
Day 23 Day free in Islamabad or second day of drive to Islamabad – Hotel
Day 24 Onward day – Hotel
Our Services Include
An 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 day in Shimshal.
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.
Trekking permits and Khunjerab National Park and Central Karakorum Park Fees.
Safety equipment included and medical kit.
Porters, Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application.
Our 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
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.